This message was last edited by the GM at 16:09, Sat 21 Jan 2023.

Location: The Pulp Kingdom of Empress Violet
On site: Violet Benu, Liya.



"You must be tired after accomplishing your walk Liya. Though my dear, you're not even glowing." Her blond brows rise a bit.

"I have a gift for you, something which could make your life easier or complicate it incredibly." Ruby lips lifting at the corners. She takes out a small wooden box.
"You will find the Hydra Heads, including me within. All done in oil paints on cardstock. They are more than mere pictures for you to identify them. No this is as mystical, and sometimes as useful as the sigil you just walked." She taps the top of the wooden box, "You will be added to these pictures now that you have accomplished the Hydra's path."

Violet walks with Violet as she goes over the trumps within the wooden box. Showing her the other Hydra Heads and giving Liya her personal take on each one. When she is done she says, "I have a room where you can rest, I will have a meal brought to you when you are ready. I am sure you will be excited to explore the many worlds now that you are able too."

Liya let out a deep breath as she finished her walk. She smiled warmly at her mentor, “That is because you outshine everyone in your presence, Lady Violet. Thank you for this opportunity.”

She follows along with a nod, “A hot bath and a nap would be nice. Would you care to join me for dinner afterwards? If you’re not already engaged somewhere else.”

"Ahh such compliments, I would almost think you were a man." She laughs and somehow even that was lovely.

"I don't have plans, so I may join you at that. Rest up now and don't use those cards yet I will give you some instruction on them later. Especially don't stare at Howard's too long that book of his." She shakes her head her cascading hair revealing both eyes a moment.

"I am honestly surprised you don't look more tired. You really must have prepared for the walk and took it more seriously than most. Good thing too, I told you that others have died in the attempt. The path to power is no joke, yet you passed with flying colors." She stood at the door a moment in case you had more to say before leaving you to your room.

Inside your room a tropical bird with bright colors stood in your window.

“When I set my mind on something, I take it seriously. Especially when it involves my life. I’m quite fond of living.,” she mused.

Liya followed Violet into the room, the bright bird catching her eye. “What a pretty little bird.”

Turning to Violet, “Thank you again for this opportunity and the cards. I look forward to seeing you later.”

"That is something we have in common." Her lips purse into a smile.

Her eyes move to the bird then raised one brow, "Yes the island has many such birds. It is pretty, I have been wanting to import peacocks. Though the island is loud enough, Perhaps I will find a world with more quiet peacocks. Enjoy your nap Liya." She turns and heads off leaving you to your own devices.

Liya set the box of cards on a table a kicked off her shoes.  She walked to the window and smile as she looked at the beautiful landscape. Violet truly had great taste.

She took the cards with her as she stretched out across the bed, and took them out. Carful not to make contact with the images, Liya looked at each card admiring the artwork. She soon closes her eyes and fell asleep.

Dreams fill her vision as she sleeps of a Hydra whose heads each regard her looking down at her for moments. One of the head rears up mouth open before shooting down towards her before she awakens.

Liya woke with a start as the Hydra head came towards her. Disoriented for a moment she shakes the dream from her head and puts away her cards before climbing out of bed.

She freshened up and brushed her long hair as she looked out the window again. Though she preferred her home in the forest, she could appreciate the beauty of the tropical landscape here.  Unsure of how long she was asleep, Liya prepared for dinner with Violet.

There was a slight knock at her door.

Liya walks to the door and opens it. “Come in”

"Well, that's nice of you. Hi you probably don't know me so I'll let you decide if you want to rethink the invitation." He quirked a smile and gave a jaunty wave.

"I am here to congratulate you."

The man was dressed in a long black duster with metal pauldrons on the shoulders. His hair was a bit tussled and a dark brown very slight curl to it. His facial hair was a Van Dyke style well-trimmed. He had dark blue eyes that looked at her a moment before seemingly studying the door frame. His pants and boots were likewise black with silver buckles or buttons. One hand was hooked into the pocket of his jacket by the thumb.

Liya chuckled and stepped to the side. “Thank you, Lord Bastion. Please come in.”

"Oh, you do know who I am, Hmmm I didn't think Violet would have mentioned me." He gives a slight bow.

"Thank you. Oh wait the cards, that must be it. She gave you cards didn't she ?"

He enters the room, "Congratulations first on impressing Violet, I have not seen many people do that, it is even more of an accomplishment than walking the Hydra's Path which I heard you did." he gives a thumbs up.

Looking around he sits on the windowsill.

"I don't know how you did it to be honest, Violet usually doesn't like flowers as pretty as her around, and to let one gain power. Bravo."

“That’s right. She gave me the cards after my walk and spoke of each of you. I must say, I’m impressed with the artwork.”X

She smiled at the compliment. “That’s kind of you to say. Violet is an impressive woman herself, and I’ve appreciated all she has done for me. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot more from her.”

"The artwork is unbelievable. It captures our image so well, I would think it a photograph almost. I am sure you will have one of yourself done, so think of a pose. It is a lot of fun picturing how you want to be captured. They let you keep in touch, our small but growing family. If you ever need a way out of a bad situation and you can't reach Violet, try me. We all have to watch out for each other and your new. I am sure you will get into all kinds of trouble on your first explorations out there among the worlds."

He shrugs slightly, "Compliment is deserved, and Violet heck yeah in her own colloquialism, that gal is a dame. Since you are on good terms with her definitely learn from her she has a good head on her shoulders and since you like the artwork, you might acquire that skill from her. She is an excellent artist. A lot of the paintings in this place are hers. She has a really good eye for detail. You into art ?"

Liya took a seat in a chair near Bastion and the window and started braiding her hair.  “I love art. I started painting when I was a little girl as more of a hobby than anything. I find it relaxing. I’m actually looking forward to traveling to different worlds. So much to be discovered out there.”

"Really, that is great, maybe that is what Violet saw in you, a fellow artist. I appreciate art but since stick figures are not in high demand, I never made a go of it."

He nodded to Liya, "Oh yes, anything you could imagine, and I do mean that, is out there. So you have to be careful, one of those careful what you wish for things. Though as long as you are careful it is amazing, fascinating, all the splendor and majesty as well as the squalor and decadence. It is all out there in one form or another, and the more you explore the more you will discover. That is why you will find out those cards you got, I have to hand it to Violet are one of the best things you will own. All of us at one time or another have needed to call for help even Candelu." Bastion holds a hand to the side of his mouth, "Not that he would ever admit to that."

He then reaches into a pocket on that duster of his and pulls out a small box, "Here I have a gift myself for you. I don't know if you know magic but you won't need too." He passes her the box.

"That should help you out too, should you need it. I'm going to get going since if Violet catches me here, she will make me stay for dinner and that means a gossip session."

He heads to the door, "Once again congratulations, you survived the Hydra's Path no small accomplishment, glad to have you as part of our collective."

Liya takes the box and thanks him. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Bastion.  I hope to see you again soon.” She walked him to the door and said goodbye, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile as she closed the door behind him.

So, Violet is a trump artist. I wonder what else she has hidden up her sleeves, she thinks to herself.

Your had already prepared to meet with Violet for dinner so your dressed and done up standing by your door with a box in your hand.

Liya takes the box back to the chair by the window and opens it.

Inside is a gold ring with an emerald. The setting holding the emerald is several small delicate Hydra heads holding the emerald. Insinde the inner ring part is a bit of parchment wrapped up with twine.

She held the ring in the sunlight making the emerald sparkle. Setting it back in the box and on the table, Liya undid the twine around the parchment.

Unrolling the note is simple enough with the twine set aside.

A note is written on the parchment.

Instructions will play when you wear the ring. I hope it helps you out in your first travels out there among the many worlds.

Have fun adventuring and sightseeing.

Hydra Head Bastion

There is very light knock at the door.

A part of her smiled at the kind gesture as she also wondered if there was a motive behind it.

She put the note away with the ring and went to the door.  “Come in,” she greeted the next visitor and smiled.

"Ah your awake, good I thought you might be." She inclined her head a touch.

"Dinner is ready if you are."

Liya smiled and nodded. “I am. After you,” she stepped out into the hallway beside Violet closing the door behind them.

“A few moments sooner and you would caught Bastion. He stopped by to introduce himself and congratulate me on my walk today.”

"He did ? He came to my Kingdom and did not stop by to see me ? I wonder if he is still here." Violet seemed surprised and stood silent for a few moments.

"Ahhh magic, he must have used teleportation. I should say I am quite distraught that he came by and didn't say hello to me."

She looks around before once again heading to the dining hall.

"Was he a gentleman ?"

Liya nodded, “He didn’t stay long but was a gentleman.  He seems charming.” She smiled and walked to the dining hall with Violet.

“Don’t be distraught. I mentioned having dinner with you, maybe he just didn’t want to impose. He speaks very highly of you.”

She sniffles.

"He comes and goes, like Howard does. Those two are always hard to pin down. I did send word, that a new walker of the path was going to make the attempt today. So I suppose it was nice he showed up. Still I will make a show of being upset next time I see him, it's nice to make a man feel he owes you." she smiles.

The more serious look on her face relaxed.

"I honestly thought Candelu would show up. He might still, he is one with the most lore on the Hydra. If you are interested in religion but watch yourself, he will seek to make you an acolyte."

Down through beautiful halls filled with flowering plants and paintings of people and places she finally brings Liya into the dining hall where servants are just finishing with setting the table with the first course.

One of the servants pulls a chair for both ladies.

Liya laughed, “I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”

She looked at each painting as they passed through the halls. Each one was more beautiful than the next, but all great works nonetheless. “I look forward to meeting them.   Candelu’s work on lore of the Hydra sounds very interesting.”

Liya took her seat and smiled warmly at her dinner partner. “This looks great.”  She took a sip of wine from a glass in front of her and looked to Violet.  “Bastion said you did many of the paintings here. Do you paint often?”

"Ahhhh the Hydra grants us the gift to move through the various worlds. A fearsome creature that I would rather not meet. Though I do respect it. I am hesitant to send you to Candelu but you do seem interested in the lore." She tilts her head to the side slightly.

Some of the paintings you sense trump energies from.

She also takes a sip of wine, "I shall let the staff know your pleased that will make them happy I am sure." She studies the contents of her half full glass of wine for a few moments and a servant moves to fill it and she sets it aside for him to do so.

"Bastion, must have been chatty. Yes I do, paint. It is a passion of mine really. I have noticed a time or two while you have been under my mentorship paint on your own fingertips. I take it you paint as well ?"

Liya smiled, "I suppose he was a little chatty. He seems sure I'll find myself in all sorts of trouble on my first few explorations to new worlds." she chuckled lightly and sipped her wine.

"I do like to paint. Its relaxing and I can lose myself in my paintings for hours."

"That, is because he presumes everyone will be like him and get up to some crazy caper or another. Still, I suppose I have given you my fair share of warnings, your smart though and I am sure you can handle yourself. If not, I am only a trump away. That is what those cards are called. Now that you are rested let me explain them a bit more."

Violet has you touch her trump and focus on the cool feeling and sensation you get. If you focus more, it will become more noticeable till. You find yourself in touch with Violet. Both through the trump and presently at the dining table. It feels a little odd.

"Does he usually tend to get in trouble?" she asked

Liya listens carefully to Violet's instructions on how to use the trumps. "Is it supposed to feel odd like that? Or is it because you're in the same room?"

"Well, he attempts things and when you go around attempting things your bound to get into some trouble."

She then spoke through the trump, "You are probably just not used to the, double of me speaking to you at the same time. I know that has been disconcerting to some others in the past. When worlds apart that won't be a factor, for now though you got the hang of it very quickly. You are indeed an apt pupil." She gives an honest smile of approval.

"There is an additional effect beyond speaking with one another, you may ask me to bring you to me, or myself to you. Would you like to test that ?"

Looking a little surprised and excited, Liya smiled. "You can do that with these cards? That's amazing. Yes, lets try it."

Violet will stand and move to the farthest point in the room. She will then say, "Reach your hand towards me in the card. Think the intention to come to me."

She is holding out her hand.

Liya does as she was instructed and reached her hand towards Violet through the card.

You feel contact and find yourself transported to her.

"I knew you were a quick study the moment I saw you. Look at that on the first try."

Her eyes were wide when she stepped through to Violet, "What was that roar and hissing? I-is that normal?"

"Perfectly normal, it is a function of the trumps I make. Don't worry no beast to devour us, simply an audible que so to speak. As is the lines that show up."

She motions to where you had been.

"We will practice this again later and under stress, once you have it, then I suppose you will be off exploring and seeing places. Remember though from time to time the Kingdom that last m stretches out a while then ends with "s, will need you so you might receive trump calls from us yourself."

She nodded, "I am always available for you, Lady Violet. Im looking forward to learning as much as I can from you. Thank you for everything you have done for me." Liya smiled at Violet warmly.

"That is wonderful to hear, Liya. So, do you have any ideas where you might like to go first, now that the cosmos is open to you?" she strode back to the table to take her seat again. She gestured to Liya's seat, "Let's not let our meal get cold."

Taking her seat again, Liya furrowed her brow in thought. “I’ve been so preoccupied preparing for my walk that I hadn’t given that part much thought. Honestly, I’ll probably just go and see where I end up.”

“I know it’s probably not the brightest idea and I’ll likely find myself in some sort of trouble,” she laughed lightly, “but like you said before, I can handle myself well enough. If not, well help is only a trump contact away. Right?”

She inclines her head.

"That I did. There are worlds so different from this one, places where cars fly, and ones where you will only find horses to carry you. Places with magic and places utterly devoid of enchantment. So many and when you get bored you can seek out the next. Though someplace might capture your interest enough you wish to stay and make your own."

Her fork dips suddenly and she gets a far-off look.

"Speaking of trumps I am receiving one now."

She nods, "Why yes she has, were having dinner would you like to join us ?"
Violet extends her free hand and brings forth a man and you hear that roar and hiss. You see some of those ribbons or red black on this side as well. The man is another of the ones from the Trump deck she had given you.

"I am glad you can make it Howard, please have a seat I will have a meal served to you. Liya this is Howard, Howard, Liya." She studied the two for a moment after introductions.

The man was dressed in a tan coat with an almost professor like sweater below and clean and seeminly pressed pants of dark brown. His shoes were black and shined. Of note was the rather sizable tome he had under one arm. An old looking thing shut with intricate locks of some gold metal stained a reddish hue. The covers of which were great scales from some creature.

“What was your favorite place to go after your Walk?” Liya asked sipping her wine.  “I’ll probably look for a place that has things I e never seen or experienced before. I’ve never gone sailing before, so I might try that. Maybe even sailing in the skies.,” she said with a smile.


The roar and hissing brought back the memory of her dream with the Hydra, sending a slight chill down her spine. She straightened her back as she watched Violet bring Howard through the trump and smiled. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you could join us.”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Fri 27 Jan 2023.

"You can certainly find a place like that, I am sure of it."

Violet then let her guest speak and take a seat at the table.

"Ahh yes, Liya is it ? Pleasure to meet you. Congratulations on your successful walk of the Hydra's path. That is quite the accomplishment. The first step into the greater mysteries." Howard says as he sets the book down on the table resting his hand on it before taking a seat.

"I am glad you survived, some don't." he ends quieter then he had begun.

Liya thanked him and smiled. "Im looking forward to unraveling some of those mysteries. I've been told you're the one to go to for all things related to Hydra lore. I'd love to hear all about it sometime."

"As harsh as it may sound, only the strong are meant to survive." She took a bite of buttered bread and washed it down with her wine.

"I know a fair amount, spent some time with the expert in the field Cendelu. I could provide some knowledge if you would like. The Hydra is after all an underpinning of reality and thus of serious occult interest. Are you a sorceress Liya ?"

He smiles somewhat constrained at her other comment, "While this is often believed to be true, sometimes luck, or even less obvious factors play a hand. Yet in general what you say about the strong is true."

She shook her head. "Im not yet, but maybe someday though. I like to learn new things."

He nods, "I have come by it while researching the occult. I wasn't originally in favor of magic it just kind of came with learning so many of the mysteries. Some secrets were beyond my reach till I spent time learning magic. There is no rush there is plenty that can be done without it and perhaps it is safer not to learn sometimes."

"I used to be a very safe individual. So, I perhaps might be the exception to your the strong survive theory." He chuckles a bit dryly.

"Tell me, what questions do you have about our Hydra ?"

Violet watched the conversation of her guests and ate lightly at her meal.
Occasionally a smile came to her face at one thing or another that her guests would say.

"Well, I do have one question right now." She set her fork on her plate and looked at them both. "Have either of you dreamed about the Hydra after your walk? Mine was very vivid and felt real. Thought it was going to swallow me whole before I woke up."

Howard looks to Violet then back to Liya.

"Yes, I have. Though I wasn't swallowed. I saw the Hydra and one of it's heads looked at me, it was walking off leaving a huge shadow behind it. I followed in it's shadow and in that darkness I found glowing things." He drums his fingers on his book.

"I was led through darkness to find the light, I suppose. I have done some research on dreams and interpretations. It sounds like your dream might be you feel that you fuel the dragon, or you feel perhaps unworthy and so will be swallowed. Now in certain cultures one must experience death to gain a new life a more spiritually enlightened life. All of these might apply or perhaps..."

At this point Violet speaks up.

"Howard, she simply asked if we had dreams. She didn't ask for a psychoanalytic report. Yes, Liya. I believe all of us experienced dreams of the Hydra that were very vivid after our walk."

Howard looks angry a moment but then sighs, "I was only trying to be complete in answering her query, Violet."

He folds his arms resting his elbow on that book of his.

“I don’t mind the “psychoanalysis”, she replied with a smile. “I’d actually love to hear more on your research Howard. If you have the time of course.”

Howard smiles and looks pleasantly surprised, "Always happy to make time for someone newly set on the path. Who knows what wonders you will discover or unearth in your explorations. As I was saying, I have done some studies on dream interpretation there are some realms out there that are very much like dreams. Kadath for example. Now in your dream did you die, or did you merely see the Hydra seem to be descending to eat you or something similar ?"

“Each head  looked at me for a moment before the last head opened its mouth and shot down at me.” She shrugged “I woke before it could it eat me though. I’ve never seen anything like it in my dreams before. Or reality for that matter. Amazing and terrifying at the same time.”

Howard tilts his head a bit, "So all of the heads regarded you then one claimed you, interesting. It could be you felt you were being judged and finally accepted. One particular head taking interest in you." He looks to Violet for a moment then back to Liya.

"Another possibility is maybe you felt unworthy of the power, or feel the power of walking the Hydra's path would or will consume you. Fear is not uncommon since the bodies of those who did not succeed can sometimes be found around the path, or their blasted forms. I am sure Violet warned you of the possibility you might not make it."

"I had utmost confidence in Liya, but she was informed of the dangers." Violet says with some pride.

"That is good, everyone should be warned. The secrets of reality are not for everyone. Some minds and bodies are unable to handle it. Even now if I were to approach someone on one of the many worlds and tell them their world is but one of many. Some would call me a mad man or a heretic. Most would not believe me though there are some who would."

He then focuses back fully on Liya, "Now your dream, you only saw its head descend towards you with it's mouth open so I wouldn't worry about the Hydra actually wishing to eat you. Dreams are usually your mind playing out things. Of course among us dreams might also mean a bit more. The Hydra is a real creature and what powers and abilities it must possess we can only guess at."

"Claimed me? Hm. That certainly sounds better than it wanting to eat me, or wish me dead," Liya replied with a light chuckle.

She smiled at Violet, "I wouldn't have been able to do it without your guidance Violet."

Liya enjoyed her dinner and drinks with Howard and Violet, talking about dreams and the Hydra.

Howard hands you a small book.

"A gift for your successful walk. May it help you on your forays into the many worlds."
He then rises, "Thank you for the lovely meal Violet, I must be going though. I will give your regards to the others when I run across them." He kisses her hand then slowly fades away.

"Thank you Howard. I appreciate it." She took the book and set it on the table in front of her.

She watched him leave and smiled. "I like him. I think I could learn a thing or two from him."

Violet looks on as Howard disappears.

"He must be getting lessons on his entrances and exits." She then looks over to Liya, "Don't encourage him Liya. You would be inviting a librarian to discuss every book in his library. Though he often speaks of things even he should not know or mankind should not know, so I guess it is safe for womenkind to know." She smiles.

Honestly though, we kind of keep Howard at arms length, he is amazing at what he does but it effects him. You saw a bit of it just from asking him about your dream. So ready to practice more trump travel ?"

"I'll keep that in mind. But, I do like books," Liya grinned and finished her glass of wine.

"Absolutely. Im ready when you are."

The rest of the day is spent in getting used to the trumps and contacting, blocking contact and traveling with the trumps under Violet's tutelage which is rather excellent. You will be able to pick it up rather easily and soon you are able to travel to Violet even when she moves on to other worlds which she does a few times in teaching you.

"Violet? Who taught you how to create and use Trumps?"

At the end of the day, Liya returns to her room with her book and begins to unwind for the night. It had been a long and productive day and she was ready for the next day to start. She opened the book from Howard and flipped through the pages.

"One of my handsome paramours from a distant kingdom, you wouldn't know of it. He was quite good at art and that was something we shared though he taught me that art could capture more then a moment in time but the essence of the subject. Are you interested in learning such refined art, is that why you ask Liya ?"


The next morning as you go over the book Howard left you, you discover it is a journal written by Howard. A kind of diary of sorts of his first travels into the many worlds and what troubles he faced. How he overcame them and a lot of discoveries he made along the way. A rather good book for someone just starting out.

"It seems like it would be a useful ability to possess. Especially when discovering new worlds. A library of trumps for The Hydra kingdoms could come in handy."

Still in her nightgown, Lyia spent the morning reading the book from cover to cover. Howard's travels, troubles and discoveries were all fascinating and she could easily loose herself within its pages.

When she was finished reading Liya began drawing to pass the time. She started with drawing Violet holding her glass of wine, her long fingers wrapped around the stem as she held it out.

"I will consider teaching you once you get used to walking worlds for a while. Come back and let me see the style of your work and we can work on that possibility. Everyone currently has deck such as yours though I will have to add yours to their decks."

A slight squinting of one of her eyes could be seen as she talks to you.

"Tomorrow is your big day, you get to head out into the many worlds."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Im actually really excited for that. I cant wait to see what's out there."

"Do you have any idea of what you might need for your travels ? I will provide you all that I can. I look forward to hearing your stories of what you get up to out there."

She then holds up a hand, "Now remember not all places will everything work, this place a lot of technology works but that isn't the case everywhere, yet you will gain a feel for finding the places with the technological and magical laws that you wish. I prefer technology it is more stable and reliable."

"If technology doesn't work in every place, then a sword and dagger will be good. If I need anything else, I can find it out there. I'll have my deck on me as well if I get into trouble," she smiled.

"A sword and dagger, do you even know how to use those ? I was prepared to give you a pistol though you are right those things should serve nearly anywhere."

She sends a servant off to fetch you those things.

"I can handle blades pretty well, but I wont turn down a pistol. I'll get some practice with that on my walk through worlds."

When all is said and done she is presented with a small pack with items she might need for mundane daily use as well as a pistol and around 40 normal rounds and 10 that look shiny which Violet had told her were silver for unusual creatures. A dagger and a fencing blade which while serviceable is a bit on the lighter side of blades.

So where to?

PM

Liya started her walk to new worlds sticking close for the time being, to worlds with limited technology but just enough to have fun. She packed her book from Howard and the ring from Bastion with her deck of trump cards. Her first world destination is a Steampunk type of reality.

Zeplins sail overhead with great propellers that catch the sunlight with their brass or perhaps copper coloring. The streets seem a bit more crowded and where she exits rat like creatures run about scampering to the shadows. Bits of detritus and chemicals which don't smell nice rise into the air some even forming small puddles.

She sees some gangs fighting with each other but she also knows she can move away from this unpleasantness to explore the greater world she finds herself in. She knows she is in a world that is like Volcania the world she had been living in for the past year though the technology here was based more on steam tech and a more fanciful version of science. A bit of magic seemed to be in the shadow as well.

Liya walked the streets of the this world with wonder and excitement. She looked around for a hole in the wall place to get a drink and a little fun.  Maybe cards or dice.  “Or maybe a little trouble. I bet Bastion would have  o problem finding trouble, she laughed to herself.

She easily finds a whole in the wall joint it's sign is so worn she doesn't even know the name of the place. Questionable types are indeed inside playing various games of chance and there is even the sound of fighting coming from somewhere nearby though she can't see anything at least here.

More then a few eyes look her way as she walks in. Some even do a double take as she stands out in this place.

The barkeep eyes her and calls her over, "You ah, take a wrong turn miss ?" The older man had salt and pepper hair though part of it was missing on the left side and there was evidence of some burns on his skin. His eyes were a dark brown.

One of the young men says, "We got room at our table for yah."
Another says, "Whatcha mean our tables full up." The other guy punches him full out knocking him backwards and off his chair. "Chair just became available."
The other guy is rubbing where he was hit obviously stunned.

Liya walks over to the bartender and smiles at him. “No, I’m not lost. Just passing through and thought I’d stop for a drink and a little fun.”

She turned to the men and laughed warmly. “What are we playing, gentlemen?”

He fills a glass with an amber colored beer smelling drink and passes it to her.
"First ones on the house beautiful, you watch yerself though dangerous parts."

Striding over to the men the one on the floor gets up. Looking none to pleased at his friend?
The other one smiles showing a few teeth missing on an otherwise handsome youthful face.
"Poker, you know how to play ?"

She thanks the bartender and takes her drink to the table and sits down.  “Poker? I’ve seen it played before, but never played it. Can you teach me?” She smiles at the men.

"Name's Tom, what's yours ?" He looks Liya up and down like a piece of select meat.

"Sure we can teachcha' can't we boys?" He looks at them almost daring them to say no.
The other guy grabs another chair pulling it over.

"I'm Liam." says the one who had been knocked down.

The others go around introducing themselves and eventually the cards are delt.

Liam gives her honest advice on poker he sits the game out since he is helping.
The others are a bit more opportunistic with a new player.

“Liya. But you can call me Lee.”

She listens carefully to Liam’s instructions, having fun with the group of men.

Liya plays a couple hours and due to Liam balancing out some outright cheating perhaps to get back for getting punched out of his chair. Liya does a bit more then break even and takes in some winnings at the end of it.

She also realizes that one of the pitfalls that Howard mentioned, about having the right currency in the right places is something one needs to come to terms with when traveling the many worlds. Is almost something that might have cost her some bodily harm here as a lot of the men look rough and ready to collect one way or another.

At the end of it though she pulls ahead and has a handful of colorful bills with pictures of people she has never seen before printed on them with numbers. From what she gathers she has enough to get buy on poor conditions for a few days or to cover a nice night somewhere.

Being a good sport, Liya offers to buy a round of drinks for the men at the table after their game, and walks back to the bartender.  “Can you tell me where I can get a room for the night?”

"Got a spare room here, or there are some hotels if your looking for full service places." He gives you the run down on some places and Liya gets the general idea of their level of snootery. (How rich you need to be to stay there) He also brings drinks around to the table which does seem to mollify the men some in their loosing.

Soon she is outside and knows which place she will go too.

Liya thanks the friendly bartender and heads back out into the street. Following the directions he gave her, she heads to the Brass Swan.

You go into an adjacent world finding a dead body, whom you rifle through and find some funds on, before returning to this one. Soon you find yourself before the Brass Swan.


"Hello love, welcome to the Brass Swan, we have nice warm rooms, hot and cold water, morning and evening service for meals and check out is at noon. Will it be just one?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:09, Sun 05 Feb 2023.

Liya nods with a warm smile. "Yes, just one. Thank you."

He turns and gets a key for you and hands it over. It has a number on it.

"Here you go Miss? The room number is on the key ring. If you need anything let me know, I should be down here at the counter." He tips his hat with a smile to her.

"Miss Garnath." She takes her room key and pays for two nights, "Thank you, sir. What is the evening meal tonight?"

"Honey ham, with garlic baked potatoes. Quite good Miss Garnath, I think you will like it. There is an optional stew though with fresh baked bread for those who prefer that. I am Thomas by the way."

He nods off to one of the large rooms down here.
"That is the dining hall, shall I have a bell ring you when dinner is ready ?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Tue 07 Feb 2023.

Liya smiled, "That sounds wonderful," she replied looking towards the dining hall. "Yes, please have a bell ring me for dinner. If its not too much trouble, could I have some tea with dinner as well?"

She thanks Thomas again and goes to her room until dinner. She sets her pistol and fencing foil on her bed with her small traveling bag and washes up before dinner.

"Tea, of course Miss." Thomas says with a smile, "We have a variety of teas, you can pick when you come down. The stairs to the rooms are right there."


Soon Liya is relaxing in a bath of heated water in a relatively advanced in a steam punk technological sense bathtub. She noted the bell by the door most likely the one that will ring when dinner is ready. As she is relaxing, she sees the emerald ring she has on.

Outside she hears through the frosted small window of her bathroom the sounds of the city going on outside. A fairly bustling prosperous place after she had gotten away from the squalor. Some bath oils sit in odd shaped bottles on a small shelf by the faucet.

It feels very relaxing.

Liya poured some of the oil into the bath, the floral aromas filling her nostrils. She looks at her ring, spinning it with her thumb and sighs as she relaxes in the bath. Her eyes close as the outside world begins to come alive for the night.

She lays there soaking in the warm water finding her mind drifting off, soon she falls asleep.

She is walking along a crevasse and a foul-smelling gas rises up from it in small whisps. It is evening and the sun hangs low in the distance. As she walks rumbles come from the crevasse and small rocks near the edge tumble into it.

The slithering scaled necks of the Hydra can be seen within the crevasse. The same head she remembered that came down at her mouth open rises out of the crack in the ground. It side eyes her watching her it turns in her direction then she hears ringing.

Ringing...ringing... she wakes up.

Liya stops at the edge of the crevasse as she regards the familiar hydra head for a moment before the ringing of the dinner bell wakes her. She dries off and gets dressed, grabbing a small pad of paper and a pencil on her way out the door. She could smell dinner from down the hall and smiled to herself.

Dinner smells good and the smell of the fresh bread is also tempting.

The dining hall has nice seats with stuffed leather chairs. The tables are a rich dark wood that has a reddish hue that she can't place. Perhaps a local variety. Soon a servant asks her choice of meal once again stating the choice of ham and potato or Stew and fresh bread.

The dining hall has several other patrons down here eating and enjoying the evening and small murmurs of conversation could be heard as people spoke between bites of food.

A pot of steaming water is brought to the table and a tea cup. Along with several different packets of tea. All varieties she needs to sniff to learn a little about since the names are unfamiliar. She does find one has a pleasant aroma. Feyenland Rose Tea is on the tab.

Liya orders the ham and garlic potatoes and asks for a side of stew as well.  She steeps the rose tea while she waits for her food, taking out her pad and pencil to draw.

The Hydra head from her dream peers out her from the paper, the other heads drawn as shadows in the background of the image.

The servant seems surprised but doesn't argue noting an order of stew as well.

As good at art as she is it doesn't take long for her to make a nice sketch of what she remembers from her dream.

The order of stew is brought out nice and hot with fresh baked bread and a small wooden cup of butter. The server says the ham will be out momentarily.

He notes the picture, "Oh your an artist, drawing a dragon ? I used to love tales of such things."

She thanks the young man when the stew is brought out, cutting the bread in half length wise and buttering it.

"Its a hydra actually. The other heads are shadowed, but this is the one I remember the most from my dreams. I'll probably add the others later." Liya looks to the servant "Have you heard any stories of hydras?"

"No miss, I am afraid not. I mean I have heard of the creature some noble families use it on their coat of arms, but I don't know of any stories with them. It looks like a fearsome beast. Sorry miss if I am being too familiar with a guest. I will have that ham right out."

He gives a grin and slight nod and prepares to head off to the kitchens unless you stop him.

"I dont mind at all. But I dont want to keep you from your duties if it will get you in trouble. I'd be happy to tell you one of the stories I know if you have time later. I'll be here for a couple of days."

"I'd love to hear it. Your right though, I had best be back to my duties. Lots of hungry guests." He bobs his head and heads off for the kitchen.

There is a bit of commotion a few moments later and some near the window seats are looking outside.

When her ham and potatoes are brought out, she adds the ham to her buttered bread to make a sandwich for a side to her stew.  She looks towards the windows and the commotion outside.

There seem to be people running outside all in the same direction. Which has led to speculative talk among the guests in here about what might be going on. One woman gets up to head to the front desk.

Others gaze out the windows with interest trying to see what they can.

Your ham is brought out with no problem and the honey glaze baked into it fills your nostrils.

Unless the commotion disturbs her meal, Liya eats her honey glazed ham sandwich and stew while drawing and writing in between bites of food. She sips her tea and refilling her cup at least once more during dinner. When the server walks by again she will ask about what was going on outside.

The server says, "Some kind of strange alchemy spill or something. I heard a bit about it, but couldn't go see it for myself. People are heading to look at it. When my shift is over I will probably go take a look. Must be more strange than normal though. Sometimes we have machines go haywire or somesuch but this sounds different."

"One of the kids a cook stopped said it's like some big black ribbon."

“Alchemy spill? I hope nobody was hurt,”  Liya nodded at the given explanation and finished her dinner a little quicker. Her curiosity was similar to that of a cat, as she went to her room to retrieve her pistol and a few rounds and her sword.  You never know what to expect in the shadow worlds.

Locking her door behind her she made her way towards the street in the direction of the commotion.

She finds the place and there are groups of people standing around looking at the phenomenon which makes it easy to find. They are all talking about it and what it might be. Even with the groups of people Liya is able to see what is being spoken about and it is no ribbon or cloth for that matter.

She sees a strip of black and gets a sick feeling in her stomach. It is so dark black that it almost absorbs the light around it. It seemingly comes from out of nowhere though being that she now walks among shadows she knows it comes from shadow enters this one and heads off through shadow. She had heard of such a thing before. A story told to her she was seeing a black road like the one from the Black Road War.

A horror story about demons pouring forth from the pits of distant chaos to assail the one true kingdom.

Several people close to it are coughing and feeling sick. From the stories she had heard the road twisted shadow around it making things dangerous or even deadly for the shadow folk that might stumble across it.

This road doesn't look that large though certainly as big as any carriage perhaps more then one could ride side by side along.

Liya steps closer to the edge of the crowd near the black road. “Probably shouldn’t get too close to it. It could be poisonous. Look, they’re getting sick already,” She pointed to a few people closer to the blackness.

She glanced around the are looking for anything that may have escaped from the road.

She sees some strange plant growth near the road. Directing people back seems a good idea and soon the police that are there start the same directing people to move back from it. They seem to think it is some kind of alchemical spill like most of the people.

She doesn't see anything that looks like it may have crawled, or walked from the road into the world she is in but it did take some time before she got here so it is possible.

Suddenly there is movement and hellish horses with flaming eyes pulling carriages two sets of which come out of shadow. Riding that black road, and for a moment are in this world before leaving it on to the next world, wherever this black road leads. To the people though here it's like some nightmare, perhaps some phantom play lasting but a moment. Yet it sends people fleeing to move away while some push to get closer to see. It is chaos at the site.

More confusion about it now fills the air and peoples voices speculating about the black strip. The police are now much more insistand about people moving back and send one of their number for back up to secure the site.

Liya watches the chaos for a moment before she followed the phantom carriages into the shadows.

You start heading into shadow and though the carriages were moving quickly you have the black road to follow. You meander along spotting it time and again as you move cautiously through the worlds. Some worlds it is easy to follow you can move right alongside it almost in others it requires moving away before coming back.

After days of tracking, you feel the beginnings of a trump contact.

Liya stops to answer the trump contact. “Hello?”

"Hello Liya, hope everything is going well for you. I wanted to let you know I was able to make several trumps of you including some spare that you might hand out to those you wish, just be careful with that. Only those with strong enough minds can use them." She passes through four trumps of Liya herself the backing on the cards being the Hydra.

"How, are you my dear ?"

Liya takes the trumps and smiles at Violet. “I’m doing well so far, thank you. I was just following a piece of black road that appeared in a world I was just visiting.”

"Say again?" Her eyebrows rose.

“A bit of black road appeared in the shadow I was just visiting.  I decided to follow it and see where it it was going. A couple of coaches were traveling on it.”

She looked at Violet, “Is everything alright Violet?”

"Could you bring me through to you, I would like to see the phenomenon. I am fine, just caught me off guard mentioning black roads the way you did."

"It is something to catch coaches traveling across worlds."

“Of course,” she held her hand out to Violet and brought her through. “It’s been interesting.”

Violet comes through to her and studies the area especially the black road.

"Ahh I can see why this would draw your attention and there was a carriage on it?" Once again Violet gets still and looks deep in thought as she inspects the road.


"I think you might want to ignore this for now or get one of the mercenaries to help you out. This is a serious thing no mere work of magic or wonder of the worlds. Yet it probably should be checked into."

Liya smiles at the similarities between Violet and her mother. “There were two side by side before they disappeared into the next world. I’ll take a couple mercenaries with me to check this out.”

"You can get the both of them? You must have really impressed them. Oh wait, do you have your own mercenaries ?" Violet's blue eyes lit up as she studied Liya's face.

Liya tilted her head confused a moment then chuckled. “Do you mean Bastion and Howard? I’ve never heard them called mercenaries before.  I suppose I could ask them, I hadn’t thought about it though. I was going to just find someone at a bar I know, looking for work.”

Violet laughed, "Oh I thought they might have told you. There was a time when Candelu and I were not so allied. We were at each other's throats. Howard and Bastion remained isolationist for a while but eventually they both got involved as mercenaries. Howard worked more for Candelu because he offered him knowledge on the Hydra. Bastion worked more for me because he is a red blooded man, and he liked my rather specialized art. They were mercenaries for us until we decided uniting and allying with each other provided us much more strength then wasting energy fighting each other. Those two still work as mercenaries even though they have their own kingdoms. Though we all work together more often then not. Either of them would be good to have around dealing with this." She nodded to the black road.

"That is the work of a kingdom of demons, Liya. Something which I don't really like seeing but since you found it, I think it should be looked into. It could and probably does spell trouble."

“Thanks for filling in the blanks.  I didn’t know any of that actually. You know, I think I will see what Bastion is up to. I’m bound to get into some trouble if I go by myself, but I am curious about it.”

Violet nods and takes out his trump focusing on it.

She hears Violet's side of the conversation.

"Hello Bastion, are you busy?  It would appear Liya has run across a cross world phenomenon one that has the feel of the demon kingdom. Yes she is fine, she is here with me now. Since she is so new to walking the worlds. I wonder if you might be interested in being all heroic and watching out for her?  No, I don't mean that. Silly why don't you come to us and you can see the phenomenon and speak with Liya. What? Oh well yes you don't really look ready for adventure right now alright I will have her trump you in to us several minutes." She passes her hand over the card and chuckles.

"He needs to get ready, pack a sword and all that."

Liya chuckled, “Sounds good.  Would you like to join us for a bit?”

"I have some fires burning back home, but I simply had to see this. Trust me when I say this, it is not every day you run across something like this. I will remain until you and Bastion work out whatever deal you might make. He might do it simply because it catches his attention too. I mean it is odd and you did see people using it they have to be coming from and going too somewhere."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Wed 08 Feb 2023.

She nodded in agreement. “I was thinking that too.” Liya describes the two carriages she saw before, “They seemed to be in a hurry.”

"Perhaps we should back away from it for now incase more come along it. I notice it seems to have an effect on the local world too. Corrupting it, or warping it in some way."

Violet backs away from the road, keeping it in sight but where it is harder to see her. Urging Liya to follow her.

Liya steps back beside Violet keeping an eye on the road as well.

"Hello, Liya. I am ready to come to you if you are able to bring me forth."

She holds her hand out and pulls Bastion to her.  “Thank you for coming Bastion.”

"Two lovely ladies out causing trouble on the cosmos, how is a guy to resist? I knew you were trouble from the moment I saw you." He smiles.

"Hello Violet, nice to see you are looking out for your protege. Now let's see what the fuss is all about." Bastion focuses concentrating and looking around quickly turning his gaze towards the black road.

"Liya, I have to give it to you, first time out and you find something like this. Your either really lucky or the opposite. I am hoping for really lucky."

Liya laughed then shrugged. “I hope you’re right about me being lucky. But I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

"That's the spirit! That thing is affecting the local world. Making it dangerous to be around."

He continues to study the Black Road not getting too close.

"That is why we smart ladies are back here. I hope you will go with Liya then ?" Violet says sashaying over to Bastion.
"It would be nice of you to keep her safe, she is so new to all of this."

"Lords Violet, you going to flutter your eyelashes too? I'm here aren't I?" He shakes his head a bit looking at her.

"I will talk with Liya, about things." Turning to Liya, "Liya you get a chance to use the tutorial on the ring ?"

Violet smiles, "Only if I have to. You two keep me in the know. You have my trump, if you get in trouble use it." she takes out her trump deck and pulls out a card.

"I will be at home for now." she fades out in the blakish red hiss normal to these trumps.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:59, Thu 09 Feb 2023.

In reply to Bastion (msg # 147):

Liya smiled at the banter between Bastion and Violet. “Take care Violet. We’ll let you know what we find.”

She turned to Bastion after Violet left. “Not yet. I barely finished dinner before I started following the road.”

"Alright, I can teach you about it myself then. It has spells already in it, and it can cast them but you still need to learn at the minimum some basics. Like there are some spells that work like the trumps and can whisk you to safety, but you need to set it up before hand. Like right now you can set it up so you will be brought here or we can go someplace you would rather appear when you teleport. That's the magicky term for it. It has three escape spells like that. Two will bring you with your clothes and what your holding but if someone is holding you it will bring them along. The other will send you nude, though the ring will stay with you. That is handy if you want to leave behind something nasty grappling you. So let's handle those first and have a safe place for you to get too. I thought you might have listened to the tutorial and so set it up to reappear in Violet's kingdom. Nope, your so like a guy and don't read the directions." He laughs.

"There are some attack spells, I will show you how to aim with those, but first let's set up a safe place for you to zip back to in case you need too."

Liya laughed and shook her head. “I just got distracted by something shiny.”

“I think setting up a safe place in Violet’s kingdom is a good idea. Although, a hot springs somewhere private is better for if I have to go nude.”

"Ok this is what you need to do with the ring to set up locations. I can wait here if you want to contact violet, or we could try and find springs on the way. Though who knows where this thing leads."

He goes over how to set up the destination setting for the spells in the ring.

“Let’s follow this for a while and find the springs along the way.”

Bastion nods, "Sounds good, I will watch your back. You lead I will keep my eyes open as we travel. If I call a halt take it to heart that I am doing it for a reason. Since we are going to be moving let me show you how to aim and select targets for the spells. You have some lightning bolts, which are pretty cool, a couple non lethal sleep spells single target on those, that should be good for now."

He waits for her to lead and follows being observant as they travel.

Liya listens to his instructions on the ring and its spells very seriously. She begins leading the way along the black road at a safe distance.

You travel many worlds the road leads quite some distance. The worlds change erratically not smoothly from one change to another. Instead, it is like the road just jumps from world to world. The different ways the road seems to protect itself changed from world to world.
Sometimes a small wall formed on either side of it. Sometimes spikes, poisoness plants, sometimes a low lying fog.

Suddenly you hear Bastion, "Hold up, next world there are some weird animals around the road they look dangerous." He draws his sword.
"Just in case." He then nods at her again.

Liya stops and draws her sword and pistol as well and continues on cautiously.  “Don’t worry Bastion, I’ve got your back,” smiles.

Starts laughing, "Good to know, I get into all kinds of trouble on my own."

Sure enough the next world over there are some ugly looking canine like creatures near the black road. They look like medium sized dogs with bristly hair something like porcupine quills more then proper hair. Their heads are large and oversized. They start to sniff the air when Liya shows up.

There are five of them visible by the road. She notes they have eyesockets but she doesn't see eyes.

They growl very lightly.

She laughed as the pair made their way into the next world.

She stopped as soon as the creatures catch her scent. Quietly she turns to Basrion, “How many times can I shoot this before I have to reload? I’m not familiar with pistols really, and I do t think this fencing foil is going to work well against these things.”

Liya’s eyes widened with excitement as she smiled “I could use the lightning bolt spell.”

"Looks like one of Violet's pistols, at least nine times. The lightning will probably take out a few of them."

The dogs seem to hear the talking, the ears perking up.
They begin to tense to begin to run towards the two.

“Nine? Good to know.”

She looks back to creatures and casts a lighting bolt at them.

She angles her hands and releases the last lynchpins. There is a tremendous flash of light as electricity leaps to the dog things frying the first to almost to dust and hitting a third sending it flaming and blackened to the ground.

The other two dogs race past Liya for Bastion and she hears him slash with his sword and try and keep from both dogs leaping on him.

There is a trail of blood from where he hit one of the dogs.
She can see it staggering and leaking blood.

The uninjured dog sniffs the air and snarls readying to leap.

Liya turns to the uninjured dog and shoots off a few rounds at it.

There is a whimper as the second bullet strikes solid in the beast and it falls over.

Bastion looks over, "Good choice, while swords work those quills make it a bit dangerous to stab the things."

He cleans off his blade and studies the creature. "I think the road did this to them." He moves the thing a bit with the tip of his sword.

It does look like their bodies are more twisted and malformed than naturally grown up to be this way when she looks the two that are left over. The one that had been slashed dyeing of blood loss.

Liya examines the creature closet too and carefully pulls out a few quills to examine later.  “I guess you were right. I might be lucky,” she smiled.

“Besides their physical appearance, I wonder how else the road has affected them.”

"You mean their minds ? Good point might have effected their behavior. The fact they did continue to attack after that lightning is not normal for most animals. I would think that they would scatter after something like that. Either way avoid the road on this world that's for sure."

"You should refill that clip with bullets if you have spare rounds. I can refill that lightning bolt spell, you seemed to enjoy shooting that lightning bolt almost as much as I do."

"Just, let's do that thing on another world, in case your right and the road here affects the mind."

Liya nods and reloads her pistol. “Yeah, it was kind of exhilarating.  I think I’m going to have to learn to cast spells next.”

With her gun reloaded and the quill safely put away in her pack, Liya turns to Bastion. “Hot springs next, or do you want to keep following the road for while longer?”

"You search out hot springs, I will keep following the road, we don't know how long it will last, if it is permanent or temporary. When you find the springs, do what I told you with the ring and you will set it up as a destination. Then just use the trump of me, you do have a trump of me right ?"
This message was last updated by the player at 02:19, Sat 11 Feb 2023.

She nods, “Yes.  Violet made sure I had a deck before venturing out on my own. She had a few made of me as well. Do you have one yet?”

Liya takes out a trump of her and hands it to Bastion. “Here, just in case you need me. I’ll contact you as soon as I find a good place. Be safe.”

He takes the card, "Thank you for trusting me with this."

You are able to take about a couple hours to find a nice enough place away from any Black Road or the typical bad lands you usually end up following in your walk and find some hot springs in a small village. There are also enough wild hot springs you could find one away from the village you find but it is also a place you might get clothes if need be.

Liya finds a village with hot springs and clothes for them to change into afterwards. She sets up the destination in the ring then pulls out her Trump of Bastion.

It takes a bit longer then she anticipated but she gets through.

"Liya ? Ah good did you find a place?"

“I did, and set it as a destination in the ring. How’s it going with the road? I can pull you to me if you’re ready?”

"Things have been going good, still haven't come across those carriages. Wait you want me to come to you? You don't want to follow the road anymore? I was supposed to bring you to me." he looks a bit confused.

"Nice place in the background there, where you're at."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:12, Wed 15 Feb 2023.

She smiled, “Well I was thinking about that. See, the only quick way back here is naked. I mean, we could spend the time to get back here, but we can also use the Hydras path to find the black road and the carriages from here.  Grab a couple horses and some food to pack.”

 Liya shrugged “But you can bring me to you if you’d rather.”

Looks like he is doing some mental calculations.

"Tell you what you gather those things and set your path to find me. I will move ahead following this thing and we can meet up. I honestly don't know how long this phenomenon will last, I don't want to miss the lead we have on it. Though it does seem to leave a mark on the worlds we walk. So the after effect of it might last."

He reaches into a small side pouch and hands her a small gold bar, "In case you need it for the horses and cart."

Liya takes the gold and thanks him. “Alright, I will meet up with you as soon as I can. Contact me if you need anything in the meantime.”

She ends the connection and sets out to gather horses and supplies for the two of them then heads out to meet up with Bastion.

It is harder to find him as he is moving, and she finds moving the cart itself a new learning experience. Something to add to her repertoire of world walking skills. It requires more concentration and here her other skills especially her artists eye and attention to detail really helps. One time she comes close to a flaw in shadow and hears the low growl of the Hydra. A wheel of the cart almost goes off into the crevasse. That is when she realizes she needs to split her attention to avoid the crevacces the Hydra claims and focus on Bastion.
Part of her wonders if Bastion told her to do this as a learning experience.

Soon enough though she comes across him on a lush field of wild wheat except for where the Black Road is where the wheat is twisted and has thorns.

"Hey you made it. Nice cart, what kind of food did you pack?" I'm kind of starved." He looks the cart over and spends a little time with the horses petting them and looking at each of them.

"It's harder to go faster and move a cart isn't it?"

He moves his hand over the tops of the wild wheat. "Amber waves of grain."


This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Thu 16 Feb 2023.

Liya smiled watching Bastion and pulled out a large cloth bag. “I thought rabbits sounded good for dinner. There’s some potatoes as well, and some oats and apples for the horses.”

She climbed down from the cart and stretched a moment. “It was a little rough in a couple places with the cart but I managed after a few adjustments to get back on track.”

She looked out across the field of wheat. “It’s kind of nice here.”

"Yes, it rather is. Best to travel when we have some light so I agree camping is probably best. These fields are nice, not much shelter but I don't see any signs of storms so we should be good."

Bastion spent some time seemingly studying the area then he conjured up some wood for a campfire and dug out a pit for it to prevent spreading any fires in this wide plane of wheat.
"So, how are you finding things ? You enjoying getting out and stretching your legs among the worlds ?"

He helped feed the horses and let them graze.

Liya began dressing the rabbits while Bastion got the campfire prepared. “I was enjoying the first world I went to, before the black road appeared and started a commotion with people. But between there and here it’s been a lot of learning. So, yeah, I’m enjoying stretching my legs among the worlds.,” she smiled.

"It is a big learning experience, that never stops. I am glad you had fun in the first world. Hopefully you can go back to that when this business is done. Still learning how to travel in a cart and keeping horses and yourself safe all the while is something that will really help you out in the future. I don't suggest trying to travel very fast you might not be able to adjust in time before hitting a crevasse. Violet and I tried in a car once, don't try it in a car." He laughs.

"Ah dinner is smelling good."

“I’ll have to get a trump of that place sometime. It has a nice hole in the wall bar I liked. Oh, I’ve never been in a car. That sounds like fun. I did get a little too close for comfort to a crevasse on the way back to you.”

Liya tended to the rabbits and smiled at the compliment. “Thank you. I like cooking, so this is a nice treat for me.”

"You can always ask Violet to make you one, if you like the place enough. I think you would like cars and you can drive them no problem, it's just trying to travel the worlds while driving one fast that can end ones life real quick and I would rather that not happen to you. We lost a Talon or two over time. Your a Talon of the Hydra by the way, kind of like a knight errant because your young and travel."

He looks at the cooking rabbits, "I have a lot of skills, cooking is not really one of them. I can get by but always nice when someone good at it is around, so it is appreciated."

She looked at Bastion, “I think I might ask her to teach me to make them.  It might be a good idea to have another Trump artist around, especially one that is able to travel more freely. Not saying Violet can’t travel, but she does have her own responsibilities.”  She shrugged and finished cooking the campfire meal for them.

“Maybe sometime I can cook a dinner for everyone. What is your favorite meal?”

"That would be a trick in and of itself, she is kind of private about her special art. Still, I agree a traveling artist would be beneficial. Violet does travel though she is so much better at managing things and being a Queen, and hell Candelu a Priest King for that matter. They seem to like being inside a web of influences and have armies, and servants and all that. It's not that Howard and I don't it's just you gravitate to what your good at, and those to are really good at keeping the Empire alive and vibrant. Heck, if your good at art and Violet teaches you, that is definitely an area you could accel at. What do you think Liya, you think you are suited to explore and travel or to rule and manage affairs of state ?"

Liya shook her head. “Oh, no. I prefer to be behind the scenes than the center of attention. Violet is much better suited for that than I am. I’ll stick to traveling for now.”

"Behind the scenes, really ? I figured you for the flashy type. Must be the hair." He smiles.

"It's not bad being a traveler, you get to see so much. There is enough beauty out here to bring tears to your eyes. Unless you travel with Howard then you will see horrors." He looks like he is remembering horrors and shakes his head.

"Anyway, let's hope the road doesn't lead to horrors. You never know but I will keep you safe, and you have the ring too."

Liya laughed, “ It does make it a little hard to be inconspicuous sometimes. I think I might change it up, maybe cut it.”

“I never liked the idea of being stuck in the same place my whole life. Not when there’s so much out there to explore. And now that I can walk the Hydras Path,” she smiled looking at Bastion, “I can find my heart’s desire anywhere. Even if I have to go through horrors to find the beauty.”

She tilted her head and smirked, “Do I look defenseless to you too? I appreciate that you have my back so do t get me wrong please. But, Violet was surprised I asked for a sword and dagger to take out with me. She gave me a fencing foil then offered a pistol.” Liya laughed warmly.

"Nope not defenseless, I just like making heroic statements. I don't get to do it that often. I saw how you dealt with those dog things. It was impressive, you didn't lock up at all."

He took a canteen from his belt and passed it to her.

Liya chuckled and took a drink from the canteen. “So, you’re like the charming black knight then?” She passed the canteen back.

She motioned to the food, “Eat as much as you want. Whatever is left over I’ll smoke overnight while we sleep.”

Liya can taste the alcohol in the flask.

"Black knight, eh I'll accept it. Especially that charming bit."

He nods to her, "Thanks." He takes some and eats a hearty portion.
"So what was this first world like that you went too ?"
He kicks back relaxing a bit.

Liya took a hearty portion for herself and took a couple bites before answering. “Mm, this came out better than I expected.  Other than what we’ve passed through and the hot springs, it’s the only world I’ve been to so far. It was a Steampunk world with limited technology powered by steam and alchemy too. Hadn’t gotten the chance to really explore it though, so I’ll be heading back there again sometime. It has a nice bar there for drinks and games.”

"Steampunk is cool. I have been to a few places like that. They have zeplins there ? Those are fun to ride in, slow and relaxing."

"Alchemy ? You interested in alchemy."

“I didn’t see any while I was there, but I’ll check them out next time.”

She nodded. “Alchemy as well as magic. I’m interested in learning about whatever I can really.”

"Well there are different kinds of magic, there is local magic. Alchemy is kind of like that. Throughout the many worlds there is tons of local magic. Someplaces you could learn basic magic over a lazy weekend. Other worlds it takes decades of dedication. Local magic can be as simple as making a flower bloom, to as amazing as blowing up a damn city. It comes in so much variety it would be hard to describe it all to you. Druidism, Shamanism, Necromancy, Tantra, Fey Enchantment, Glamoury, so many different things and yet local magic is just that local. Then there is omni magic it's what Howard and I practice. Candelu too though he has added a lot of religious trappings to his magic. Omni magic is slow but tends to be reliable wherever magic works and you don't have to learn a new way to use magic on each world with it."

"Howard discovered Omni magic, his far wanderings and searching after secrets gained it for him. He taught Candelu. I would have probably learned it from him too if I didn't stumble onto it through the school of hard knocks and stubbornness. I kept practicing local magic and looking for all the common denominators. By the time I had a working hypothesis and was excited to come back to the others, Howard had beaten me to the punch." Bastion smiles.

"I suppose for the best, I probably wouldn't have taught Candelu but would have taught Howard or Violet."

He looks over at her, "When we are done here I have something to show you that will make you laugh or make you worried. I am not sure which but from what I know of you so far, probably you will laugh."

Liya stoked the fire a little bit, sending tiny sparks into the air like fireflies.  She was relaxed and  enjoying herself by a campfire with charming company to join her, and listening to Bastion talk about the different types of magic he came across in his travels.

She perked up with interest and smiled, “in that case, I’m ready when you are.  You’ve got me curious now.”

"Oh it will require travel, so after all this. I can start teaching you a little bit about magic if you want ?" He glanced over.

Liya chuckled “Alright, sounds good. How far do we need to travel?”

“I’d really love that. Thank you Bastion.”

"For the other thing, well once we get back to Violet's Volcania, about two weeks travel or hmm might be able to. Yes I think we should be able to teleport there after we are done with this black road business. As long as it doesn't keep us tied up long."

He then starts talking magic in the most simple of terms. "You know those little gestures and acts that you do to define a destination for your own teleports with the ring ? Those are kind of the ending definitions left off of a spell. Something we call lynchpin's or for one familiar with guns, triggers. Your not really doing the lynchpin work, but what you are doing is defining the trigger when the spell is cast. What direction, the duration, a location. A spell can be put together really lose and open with not that much definition or with a lot of definitions for people who like very finicky and precise spells. You can do a spell all at once and not keep it held at all usually that is how ritual magic works. You just know your definitions ahead of time and bam do it all out the long way. Howard loves ritual magic. I am kind of in the middle, I like ritual magic well enough but always like to have some spells ready to throw around in case I need to. Like your ring I have a lightning bolt spell ready to put into it to rearm it. Spells like that attack spells are better left with definitions left off to use when you need them. You know for odd dog attacks, angry salesmen etc."

Liya sat quietly and listened intently to Bastion as he explained magic to her.  She chuckled when he was finished and smiled.  “That lightning bolt was pretty handy.”

"It's one of my favorite, holding the power of lightning in your hand is pretty good for the ego." He smiles.

"I will take first watch if you want, you can get some shut eye, or you can take first watch. Upto you."

“It does boost the ego,” she laughed. “I wouldn’t mind learning a fireball spell too though.”

Liya stretched as she stood to take care of the dinner mess. “I’ll take second watch if you really don’t mind.” She went to the wagon and pulled out a couple bed rolls for them and her sketch pad from the wagon’s driver’s seat.

Bastion nods, "Alright then, sleep well. I will wake you for your watch when it comes." He set up in the cart to have a better range of view of the land above the wheat as he took the first watch. Going into a kind of focused vigilance.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:54, Tue 28 Feb 2023.

“Good night Bastion. See you in a few hours.”

She took her bed roll and set up by the fire for warmth and light, and opened to a blank page in her book and started drawing to help relax her brain before sleep took her.

Six or so hours after she falls asleep Bastion stirs her gently.

There is a strange smell in the air. Burning something.

Liya groaned as she began waking and sniffled at the smell. She opened her eyes and looked around, “What’s burning?”

"Had some visitors while you were sleeping." He nods his head in the direction of the smell.

There are several burnt large snake like creatures.

"They came a couple hours after you went to sleep. Not enough of a threat to wake you up for. Still Take your watch above the ground. They seemed to go for the horses and one came near you so I dealt with them."

The horses are much closer to the cart and tied down she will notice.

"I'm going to get a few hours shut eye, hopefully the smell keeps any others away but there haven't been any other problems for hours since the first wave of these things."

She made a face, “Gross. I hate snakes. Hopefully you’re right and nothing else happens tonight.”

She gathered her things and climbed onto the driver’s bench facing the wheat field. “Get some rest. I’ll make coffee in the morning.”

He stretches and rolls out his bedroll on the cart.

"They shouldn't be able to get to the cart or horses, or us. I set up a ward though I can't predict everything so, it's up to you."

He will get some sleep after a time of tossing and turning.

Nothing comes for the rest of her watch. She sees some birds as well as mice and some other small creatures moving in the wheat fields. No large predators though that she can see on her watch and the sun rises about three hours after Bastion gets to sleep.

Liya takes the time to draw during her watch. She fills a couple pages with birds and mice, a sunset landscape with the thorny wheat field and campfire. As the sky starts to lighten more she gathers enough firewood to start coffee and breakfast.

"I smell coffee !" Bastion says opening one eye and looking around finding Liya by the fire.

"Smells much better then burnt snake."

Liya laughed and looked up at Bastion, “Definitely a better smell to wake up to.  Coffee’s ready, and there’s eggs and rabbit as well.”

"Speaking of rabbits, saw a few last night. Probablly what those things eat, when they are not having delusions of grandeur and trying to go after horses or red heads."

He spends a few minutes and cleans up before joining her and drinking some coffee.
"The ward wasn't ruined so, calm night ?" he was still squinting from the bright sunlight.

“Nothing exciting to report. Had to chase off a squirrel that got brave and climbed in the cart with you,” she smiled.

"Hey those guys go for nuts !  I owe you my thanks." He says looking deadly serious before bursting out laughing.

“Gods Bastion, that was terrible,” Liya laughed with him and handed him a cup of coffee.

She sipped her own coffee and smiled. “Mm. That’s good. I was thinking. It’ll be easier and faster to leave the wagon behind and just take the horses when we leave.”

"Remember speed is not your friend when traveling worlds and yeah that was pretty bad." He rubs the back of his head and laughs a bit more.

"We can take the horses, but moving real quick risks the breaks in reality, the crevasses. Travel too fast and you might not be able to see and react in time. I hear you wanting to have speed though, we did lose a day and no clue how long this thing will be around. Forever, or the next few minutes or what."

"Still up to you cart or no cart, I am good either way."

Liya laughed too and enjoyed her breakfast. She was excited to get back to looking for the black road and possibly the carriages as well. Hopefully they hadn’t lost too much time.

Once they are back on the trail, they travel most of the day and the terrain takes on some very cool Utah like rock formations. Then after a time more farmlands then distantly tremendous mountains. The Black Road seems to head straight for those distant snowcapped and incredible tall mountains the fill the distance.

"I know where we are. Talk about holding lightning in your hands."

He looked off towards the distant mountains.

Liya glanced at the mountains and back to Bastion, “You do? Where are we?”  She looked around them to make sure they weren’t in any immediate danger, “Should we be concerned?”

"Those are the barrier mountains or nest to the Storm Lands."
He quirks his mouth to the side but not in a smiling fashion.

"As to whether we have to be concerned, no not from them. Violet tell you about the Storm Lords ? Queen Morrigan ? They are allies after a fashion. The fact the Black Road leads right too it though gives me concern though.  As I said the Storm Lords are allies. Yeah we need to check if they need help."

Liya nodded. “She told me they were Allie’s, as well as some others. I don’t know much more than that about them though. Lead the way.”

She looked back towards the black road, “Should we let her know it’s heading towards Queen Morrigan?”

"Yeah you know good idea. Contact Violet let her know where the road went and that we are checking on Queen Morrigan. I am going to get us past the mountains without us having to climb the damn things."

He starts working on something.

Liya nods and takes out here trump of Violet and concentrates on the connection.

"Liya, how are things going ?"

“Oh. How did you know it was me? Things have been interesting. The black road though is heading towards Queen Morrigan’s lands. Bastion and I are headed there now, we can see it in the distance.”

"One of my gifts, Queen Morrigan you say." She is quiet a moment.

"Bastion is still with you, let him take the lead there. Queen Morrigan is a bit erratic. Though keep Bastion thinking with his brain if you don't mind."

She chuckles “I’ll keep that in mind when we get there. Is there anything else I should know?”

"They are our allies, it is kind of disturbing the road led there. Just treat the people with respect they should do the same unless something drastic has happened. Have my trump ready in case you need an out."

Liya nodded, “Alright. We’ll let you know how things are with Queen Morrigan as soon as we can. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” She smiled les at her friend, “We’ll see you later.”

"Ta, darling."

Liya ended the contact.

“Alright, we’re all set.” She follows Bastion towards the black road and Morrigan.

"Bring the horses over, Liya."

"This will be an interesting experience, shutter the horses eyes though, please." When she is done he holds out his hand to her.

She takes his hand and smiles. “This is going to be fun. Ready when you are Bastion.”

He takes her hand and there is a rushing feeling and it is like they are flying through the air over the Black Road at high speed. That sound she gets when she uses a Hydra trump is all around them. Like a kind of crazy water slide without water they move towards then up and over the mountains and rush down the other side to be deposited safely somehow with their horses on the other side of those barrier mountains. A beautiful valley (breathtaking really) could be seen before all the motion stops.

After a few moments of Bastion calming the horses down. Liya starts to see some armored and armed troops.

Liya can’t help but laugh when they are safely on the other side. “I was right. That was actually kind of fun.”

She looks around their surroundings and see the troops. “Oh look, the welcoming committee is coming.”

"A specialized kind of teleport, I don't get to use often."

He looks around at the mention of welcoming committee.
"Those look like the realms soldiers, wow they were fast."

Liya breathes deeply letting it out slowly. “Let’s go say hello then. Do t want to be rude, do we?” She smiled.

The troops weapons raised approach the two and their horses.

"Who are you mage ?, and why do you come to these lands ?" says one of them.

Bastion gets a look of not this but then recovers.

"Hello gentlemen and ladies, I am King Bastion one of Heads of the Hydra Empire, this is Liya Protege of Queen Violet of the same Empire. We are here because of the alliance we have with your kingdom. We saw the Black Road cutting through many worlds and tracked it and found it came here. We wish to see that Queen Morrigan is safe."

Another says, "You think we can't defend our queen !" almost combative.

He gets silenced by the other soldiers.

"Please wait here, your Majesty." The other soldier who first spoke says.
Several birds could be seen flying off.

Bastion looks to Liya, "You seem cheerful, you must have really liked that way to travel."

He looks to the soldiers almost ready to answer the one who spoke of them protecting their queen but chooses to bite his tongue. He just looks to Liya before nodding to the one who told them to wait.

"They are definitely on high alert. They arrived fast." he whispers to Liya.

Liya stays quiet and lets Bastion do the talking. She raises an eyebrow at the soldiers outburst and stifles a laugh. She watches the birds for a moment then waits patiently.

She turns to Bastion, “Are you kidding? That was a total rush. I can’t wait to do it again.” She smiled

After a time a woman who looks a lot like a more stern short haired version of Tanique road up on a horse whose hooves crackled with little lightning flashes as they touched down from a flight here.



"King Bastion, you come at an interesting time. Please explain to me personally why you are here. I heard word on the wing and wind but it is always better to hear from the person themselves."

The soldiers here seem to defer to her the way Julian's rangers defer to him. Their stance is now much less combative then before.


link to a message in this game

Liya and Buck you are in Violet's kingdom in the Empire here.

After he is washed up and has his new clothes on he looks at himself.

"Look funny."

Liya smiles approvingly at Buck. “No, you look different. Different isn’t bad though, I think you look good. Let’s go see Queen Violet.”

The two are eventually shown into a study where Violet is at a desk

"Come in, please have a seat."

Liya nodded, smiled at Buck and sat down. “Thank you your Majesty.”

Buck looked around and realized he was being asked to sit too by Violet motioning to him.

He sits in one of the comfy looking chairs.

Violet looks at the two, "So how did you meet, and when did you learn you could see trump contacts without being part of them?"

Buck didn't look like he realized she was talking to him.

Liya patted his hand and nodded to Violet. “She’s talking to you Buck,” she said smiling softly at the big guy.

He looks over, "Hi Pretty woman."

Violet glances to Liya briefly, "This a joke? Buck, the cards she shows him one. What do you know of these?"

He looks at it, "Window." He then looks at Liya for reassurance.
"Window closed."

Violet nods, "Yes, no one is using it right now."

Violet looks to Liya, "What garden implement would you say" she just glances to Buck then back to Liya.

Liya half smiles at Violet. “We met in a world that Lady Tanique and I went to. He wasn’t with a good group of people, so we took him with us to go shopping and dancing. Tanique was in a contact with her father, and that’s when it came to my attention he could see both sides of the conversation.”  She gave Buck a warm reassuring smile.

Buck nods, "Angry man."

Liya chuckled, “ Yes, Lord Julian was very angry.”

"You make some interesting friends Liya, Buck and Prince Julian of Amber's daughter. You even met one of our allied kingdoms, the Storm Lands. Did you get to meet their Queen ?"

“What can I say? I’m a social butterfly,” she joked lightly.

“I didn’t get the opportunity this time unfortunately. “

"You left Bastion with the Queen? Well I am sure that will turn out o k."

She then smiles to Buck, "Buck it is a gift to even be able to use the cards let alone see them being used when your not the one using them. I might have a job for you, though there is a vetting process."

Buck looks at Violet, "Litninya friend."

Violet laughs then covers her mouth.
"I'm sorry, is he able to understand me?"

Liya nods. “I believe he does to an extent. He just has a little trouble expressing himself. I was curious if there would be a way to, “help” him without completely changing him?”

"Bastion can, to some extent we can though it is more risky if we do it. As we walk worlds, we change what world we go to. We could focus on changing him but that might risk him losing his gift and I don't want to risk that. I think Candelu could do it though he would try and claim your friend as his own. I will ask Bastion to do it, he uses magical means and he is a scientist."

"I am sure with a lot of dedicated time we could. Buck would you like a nice room and meals ?"

Buck nods and smiles he then points at Liya, "Her too."

Violet looks at Liya, "I don't know she looks like a problem causer but alright her too."

Buck smiles even more.

“Bastion. That’s perfect. We were talking about me possibly learning spell casting from him before we got to the Storm Lands. I’d like to see what he can do for Buck as well.”

She laughed, “I’ve heard that once or twice. Must be the hair.”

"Did he ? Interesting. Well Buck Liya is your contact here, you can be her squire. I will have one of my servants show you to a room, Liya why don't you take him into town to purchase some furniture and additional clothes. You can take a cart and I will write you a note which you can take to my secretary to get some funds for your trip."

She then got close to Liya, "Keep an eye on him."

Liya nods, “I’ll take full responsibility for him. Thank you your Majesty.”

Once she gets the note from Violet, she gets the funds and cart and takes Buck shopping. “Buck, I’m happy you get stay here with me. I’m going to teach you whatever I can and so will the Queen I’m sure. So what would you like to get first?”

"Door." Buck says motioning to his arm that he had the car door on and since he lost his weapon along the way he says, "Ax."

Then he scrunches up his face, "Clothes?" He looks almost like he is pleading with her for clothes.

Liya grinned, “I love clothes shopping! We’re going to have lots of fun. Then I will see about finding you a shield as well as a new battle axe.”

Buck once he realizes it is ok for him to pick things for himself starts picking out clothes. He needs a little help with fashion and color coordination. He ends up picking out some hats with long feathers on them which he likes. A joy comes over him in picking out things for himself.

Liya happily helps Buck with coordinating colors and fashion, enjoying herself as much as Buck was. “Is there anything you want for your room? Furniture or decorations?”

"Liytninya help?" He nods.

He will pick out furniture but is even less sure of himself picking out furniture. He seems to like a desk he sees that looks similar to the one Queen Violet had in her room when you both saw her.

Liya smiles at his decision on the desk.  “How about a chair to go with the desk?  Remember, whatever you want for your room we will get it.”

She helps him pick out furniture and supplies for his room, and whatever else he likes. She takes him to an art shop to get a painting for his walls as well.

He is like a kid in a candy shop.

He picks out a lot of things sometimes several of the same item and Liya needs to explain he only needs one or two of that. He is a lot more hesitant to pick things after that, but picks up again after he is told to pick things again.

Soon he has furniture, clothes and several paintings of the ocean as well as one of a field of flowers which he really likes.

You load up the cart.

Then he waits for Liya to take him to get his shield and ax. He seems to feel wary without those things. Especially in town. He seems to have some ptsd.

Sensing his worry, Liya gives his big hand a gentle squeeze. “You are my squire now Buck, so you need to help armed and protected. And you have me as well. I’ll keep you safe.”

She takes him to pick out a shield and ax. “When we’re done and get back to your room, I’ll help you set everything up and then if we have time, I’d like to do a little sparring with you Buck.” She smiles at her friend and enters the weapon smith with him.

The first thing Buck notices is how much lighter and better the shields felt. He took it off his arm and back on several times. Finding a shield he liked. A large kite type shield with a hydra emblazoned on it.

"I like."

The Ax he wasn't as picky about and Liya luckily was able to find one with a good balance and weight to it.

She nods in approval and smiles. “It suits you my friend.”  She thanks the weapon smith and heads out with Buck. “Let’s go decorate your room now.”

When Liya said she wanted to spar with Buck he shakes his head NO.

He then moves his hands like she did when she shot lightning. He shakes his head No again.

Buck does help move his furniture and things into his room even though castle staff offers to help.

She tries to hold back a smile forming on her lips. “No magic, I promise. I only use my spells when I need to.  I just want to see how well you fight. Besides, I could use the practice too.“

She tries to convince him to let the staff help and join her for some sparring.

It takes some convincing, but she calms him enough.

The two go to an area of the Castle strangely similar to one she is used to and she is able to find a place to spar. How does she go about it ?

“Let’s start with some hand to hand training. I want you to attack me Buck, and don’t hold back either. Okay? Then we’ll go from there.”

She will assess that Buck is strong very strong though not like her or her cousin.
He is also undisciplined or perhaps simply not trained in how to use his strength effectively. Though he does know many simple and effective grapple moves.

She studies his moves closely, figuring out where he needs the most training.  She tells him to use his strength to his advantage against his opponents, by using it against him herself. “You’re a very strong man Buck, but with more training you’ll get stronger. I want us to train together every day that’s possible.”

"Strong too." Buck says looking at Liya a little surprised since Liya is even smaller than Truqie.

She grins playfully “Oh, I’m full of surprises love. Now, let’s go again. This time use what I’ve shown you.”

Buck nods and tries all the things she showed him and seems to learn the moves fairly quickly and well. In this it seems he has a pretty innate grasp of things.

During a moment when he is resting he looks at Liya, "How come all." He motions in a big wave with his hands "diffant."

She looks at him warmly. “It’s a different world Buck. Your home, your world, is just one in an infinite universe.”

His brow furrowed.

"How ? Magic?"

“Kind of, in a way I suppose. It’s more like magic is created by a power. Here it is called the Hydra’s Path. That’s how I’m able to travel between the worlds, how I found you.”

Buck looks back at his shield.  "Hydra."
He nods and looks back to Liya.

"Better Friend."

She smiled at Buck and nodded. “Better friends indeed. I’m glad you’re here.”

Buck smiled back.

"Truqie ok?"

“I’m sure  Tanique is all right. Her father is a bit, over protective of her.  But she’s more than capable of handling herself.”

Buck nods a lot.

"Truquie strong." He rubs his shoulder.

“How is your shoulder?  She is very strong, so I hope she didn’t hurt you too bad.” She looked a little concerned for him.

"Hurts." he shrugs, "Ok." Buck doesn't complain more than that though.

He smiles, "Buck heal."

“Good,” she smiles back.

“I have to go do some things Buck, but we should see if her Majesty needs us for anything here first.“

Buck nods and goes to pick up his ax and shield.

Liya takes Buck to go see Violet before they get ready to contact Bastion. “Remember, you have to address her as your Majesty. Okay?” She smiles.

Buck nods, "Pretty Woman." He then says, "Majesty." after a few moments.

He practices saying it a few times as he follows Liya.

“You’re learning quickly. I think you are going to do just fine here.”

Liya leads him through the halls to find Violet. “The Queen did many of the paintings in the halls here. She’s a very talented artist.”

He stops by one of the paintings looking at it.

"Window closed." He has a sad look on his face.

“Hm. So you can identify trumps as well? Buck, whatever you do, don’t open any of those windows alone. I do t want to lose you. Come on my friend.”

She will ask a staff member for Violet’s location.

"Buck want paint." He sighs and follows Liya.

"How open window?" He looks down at her as they walk along.

She looks up at him with happy surprise. “You like to paint? So do I! We will definitely get you some art supplies as well.”

“You have to concentrate on the image, try to make the connection with your mind. Here,” Liya reaches into her purse and hands him one of her trumps. “Try it with this. Look at my image on the card and concentrate.”

Liya feels something and perhaps being so close and Buck knowing what it is, it takes longer than it would for her but then he makes contact.

His eyes get wide, "Window open." He looks at her.

"Two Lightninyas !" He squints a bit.

Liya giggles. “Good job Buck. It’s a better connection when we’re farther apart.”  She “closes” the window and smiles.

“I want you to keep that. If you’re ever in need of me, concentrate on it like you just did.”

He nods, "Thank you." Buck tries to hide it but he is crying again.

He looks away when she looks at him to try and hide it or looks down.

Soon the heralds are in sight a way up outside the Queens chamber.

Liya won’t embarrass him by saying anything about crying, but instead gives his hand a squeeze. “You’re welcome Buck. I only give those to people I trust, so keep it close to you and safe.”

She gives him a moment to collect himself then leads him to the Queen’s chamber. “Is her Majesty available?” She asks the herald.

Buck slips it away luckily his outfit has pockets. He holds his hand protectively over that pocket.

He wipes his tears away.


The herald says, "Her Majesty is in, shall we announce you ?"

“Yes, thank you.”

They ask who your friend is and once that is all sorted out. They head in and you hear them announce that Lady Liya and her Squire Buck are here to see her Majesty.

You hear Violet say something and the herald scoots out quickly, "Uhm she will see you." He bows and gestures for her to enter.

Liya entered and smiled at Violet. “I hope we’re not bothering you? I just wanted to check in and see if you needed us for anything?”

"I was expecting you, so no your not bothering me. Well Squire Buck, you look much better now. I like that shield."

Buck smiles and nods, "Majesty."

"Ah, I almost miss the other title." She says teasingly.

"So, what are your plans now ?"

“I was going to reach out to Bastion. I was supposed contact him a while ago, but I lost track of time,” she smirks.

“We might head back to the Crèche through the worlds. I wanted to show Buck what it was like.”

"Just be careful as you travel and Buck, you keep your eyes on Lady Liya."

Violet looks back to Liya, "Now remember like I took you in, since Buck is your squire it is your duty to look after and teach him. Try and find out more about how he is able to utilize his ability to see and watch the operation of trumps."

Even though it wasn’t she had planned on doing, Liya was happy to take on the responsibility. She nodded “I will, your Majesty. And thank you again. I’ll see you later.”

She turns to Buck, “Come on. I want to stop by room first to change and grab a couple things before we head out.”

Buck nods and then bowd like he has seen other people do, "Majesty?"

Violet smiles, "Yes, you have my leave Liya."

Liya turns and leaves with Buck, leading him back to her room to gather a few things. “I’ll be right back out, wait here.”  She goes in and changes into a pair of form fitting pants and a long sleeve with a large belt. She grabs a couple of blank sketch pads and pencils, and makes sure she has everything she needs.

When she was ready to leave she opens her door and smiles at Buck. “Ready? I’m going to take us through a few worlds for a little while before I contact Bastion.”

Buck nods. He just looks around while you gather things.

Soon your outfitted and ready to go.

“Before we go, I want to contact Bastion and let him know we’re coming through the worlds. Maybe when we get there we can see Tanique.”

She takes out her Trump of Bastion and concentrates on the connection

The contact comes smoothly.

"Hello ?"

“Hello Bastion. I would have contacted you sooner, but I had to come back to see Violet.  How are things there?”

"Your friend made it back here to the Storm Lands. I was hoping you would contact me, everything alright with you ?"

“I’m fine. Lady Tanique and I made a new friend while were having a girls night. I brought him back here to meet Violet.”

She smiled, “I’m glad she made it back safely. I was hoping to see her when we get there. I’m bringing my squire with me so he can experience traveling through the worlds.”

"You have a squire, already?" He smiles, "Well that was fast, you just walked the Hydra's path yourself. Do you need me to bring you through ? I am still in Storm Castle."

“You can bring us both through? I would appreciate it if you can.” She smiles.

Bastion extends his hand.

"Come on through, oh he's a big one. Welcome to the Storm Lands. Things are still a little hot around here. The demons have left for home."

He looked to Buck extending his hand, <Brown>"Hello I'm Bastion."<Brown>

Buck looks to Liya for what to do.

Liya looks to Buck, “Buck, this is Bastion. Shake his hand. He’s welcoming you.” She smiles at the big guy.

Buck shakes Bastions hand, "Buck." He taps his chest with his other hand.

"Lightiniya's Friend."

Bastion gives a quirky smile, "Im her friend too. Nice shield. Well guys have a seat they give visiting royals the nice rooms here. I will have them deliver some food and drink and we can talk."

Liya smiled and took a seat. “Thank you Bastion.”

She motions for Buck to sit as well.

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