Chapter 3.33: Overpowered and Awesome

Chapter 3.33: Overpowered and Awesome

Zarali was the only one dressed up for the dinner. Khahar remained in his tattered loincloth. Alise had brought Nira as her guest, both of them wearing their simple clothes, and Tresk was still covered in mud. But Zarali wore a flowing purple gown with fine jewels hanging from her neck. She even did her hair, although Theo did not know how.

The guest of honor has arrived, Khahar said, clapping once.

About time, Tresk said, huffing.

Someone, likely Alise, had rearranged the floor of the town hall for the dinner. Instead of the plush chairs sitting by the fire, shed arranged a dining table. She even set it with a nice tablecloth and dinnerware, which seemed a step too far for Theo. He took his seat at the head of the table, granting him a view of the crackling fire. It was warm, but not overly hot in the hall. It was too vast to get stuffy.

Well, thanks to everyone who came, Theo said. I think Tresk picked up the food.

Were waiting on Xolsa, Zarali corrected, clearing her throat.

Hes the Barathier you were talking about, Khahar said, nodding. Strange people.

Right! Zarali said, sounding more nervous than Theo had ever heard her. She produced a journal from nowhere and started writing. I would be honored by whatever youre willing to share.

Khahar smiled, but Theo could sense some amount of annoyance.

Treat it as story time, Khahar. Shes a historianand overly excitedbut I dont want you to feel uncomfortable, Theo said. Zarali shot him a look.

To be honest, Im content that none of you are pressing your foreheads to the ground, Khahar said, letting out a long sigh. I cant remember the last decent conversation I had. On to the Baratheirrak.

Zarali brightened up, scribbling something down. Khahar told the story of Xolsas people while they waited for the wizard himself. They were originally from this world, sent when everyone else was, but they left to live in some place that wasnt real. Theo didnt really understand how that worked, but Zarali picked up on everything. They went back and forth for a few minutes before the door opened.

Sorry Im late, Xolsa said. I suspect our guest is disrupting my portal system.

That happens, Khahar said, seeming slightly dejected.

Dont worry, Xolsa said, taking his seat. Whats for dinner?

Tresk produced their food from her inventory, eating hers in one go before dishing out for everyone else. It was whatever Xam was serving at the tavern tonight, the closest thing to an Alfredo sauce on noodles that Theo had seen since he arrived in town. It was served, of course, with wolf meat instead of chicken.

Khahar ate like a gentleman. He used more utensils to eat the simple dish than Theo knew existed, and talked about Xolsas people politely as he did so. It was a tragic tale of loss and mistakes that affected an entire people.

And you never met your parents, Khahar said, gesturing to Xolsa. Because theyre locked away in that self-made dimension. Getting you here would have cost them dearly.

Xolsa smiled, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. I never thought of it like that.

Zarali grilled him about more things that were wrong in the history books. Khahar had a perfect recollection of the past 60,000 years and went on record to correct what was written. He never left the Khahari desert, and people rarely visited outside of the race, but he was happy to recount the world in brief. The Drogramathi Priestess scribbled furiously, trying to keep up with his pace.

So, Alise, Theo said, leaning to the other side of the table. And Nira. How are you two doing?

Were fine, Alise said, brushing some of her messy hair out of her face. Thrilled to be a part of this harbor project. This is going to do a lot for us.

Yeah, Nira said, poking at her food.

We finally planted a house seed. Carved out a really pleasant spot in the south of town, Alise said. She messed with her hair again, a nervous habit perhaps.

Its close to the smelter, Nira said.

And close enough to town hall, Alise said, chuckling nervously.

I never set up the housing area north of the towns center, Theo said with a shrug. The conversation between Zarali and Khahar went on, Xolsa interjecting his thoughts occasionally. It was like that when I got here, so we just kept it.

Were zoning out a small section of the southern area of town for housing, Alise said. But that section is going to be industry, but we just love it down there.

We do, Nira said, half-heartedly. It seemed everything she said was half-hearted, though.

Theo picked up on the real purpose of the conversation after a while, but his mind still lingered on the expansion of the town. He consulted his mayors screen, tracing his eyes along the straight line of the eastern wall. The zones he could expand lined up perfectly with the harbor, but hed need to purchase 3 eastward expansions to get all the way across the river. This would enclose the port section of the harbor within the wall, accomplishing all his goals in one action. If the wall created bridge-walls like he expected, it would be even more perfect.

Yes, were just happy to have this chance, Alise said, nudging Nira.

Oh. Just so happy, Nira said, her tone completely flat.

No one needs my blessing to have a relationship, Theo said, holding his hands up.

Leave it to Spencer to miss the point entirely, Khahar said, grinning. They dont want your blessing. Youre her boss. She manages Niras work.

Theos face flushed violet. He thought Alise was shoving her new romantic entanglement down his throat, but she just wanted to know if it was alright. Of course, she managed some of the work Nira did, directing her to focus on one metal or the other. That would be a conflict of interest, but the alchemist didnt care. He picked at his food for a moment, lingering on how accurate Khahars assessment of the situation was.

Clever piece of runework, Flametouched, Khahar said. How long have you been eavesdropping on the alchemist?

Since the start of the season, Sulvan said.

And you led him to believe this would keep Drogramath out? Khahar asked.

I did, Sulvan said.

There was no lying to the leader of the Khahari. Between the two men sat a gulf of power that was impossible to understand.

Im altering your work, and telling him the truth, Khahar said. This was a pleasant dinner, and Im sorry for activating the rune. But, leave.

Khahar released his grip on the Grand Inquisitor. Sulvan picked up his sword, returning it to its scabbard. They shared an intense stare for a long moment.

I think Ill Sulvan started. Then, he was gone.

I dont think you will, Khahar said. With a gesture, the damaged doors were back on their hinges. The spot burned by Sulvans flaming sword was repaired. Everything was back to normal. He returned to the table, taking a seat. Sorry about that.

Hey, what in the hells just happened? Tresk asked, letting out a nervous chuckle.

Alise and Nira stopped trying to escape out the window. They returned to the table reluctantly, not willing to sit.

I disagree with the Burning Eye, Khahar said. Hes not wrong, though. I dont intend to stay in this world much longer The damage to my mind is becoming harder to contend with.

It was too much all at once. Theo couldnt find the words to express what he felt. He certainly wasnt surprised that the Order of the Burning Eye was using the runework etched into his chest to spy on him. What surprised him was the activity of the gods. They had a battle in his town hall without throwing a punch, and Khahar banished them with a gesture.

Im not hungry anymore, Nira said.

Expose the rune, Theo, Khahar ordered.

And it felt like an order, not a suggestion. Theo removed his robe, and the dexterity shirt underneath. He looked down at his chest, noticing the glowing runes. They were normally just a scrawl of black marks on his skin. With a gesture, Khahar changed it entirely.

They can no longer spy on you, and the original intent has been removed, Khahar said. It was never meant to stop Drogramath from possessing you, as you may have thought. Sulvan created it to prevent an interdiction event. They didnt want you crossing into another dimension. Why? I cannot say.

But Khahar knew. He just wasnt saying. If Khahar could see a thousand steps ahead of what someone was planning, Sulvan could see ten steps ahead. The only reason they didnt want Theo to be interdicted was to prevent him from using the Bridge of Shadows. The Order knew Fenian would get it eventually, allowing someone to travel long distances by jumping dimensions, but the question remained. Why?

There was no reason to keep this from Khahar. He knew. Why prevent me from using the Bridge?

To keep you here, Xolsa said, swallowing hard. Thats the only thing that makes sense.

Perhaps, Khahar said, stroking the fur on his chin. He shook his head, then locked his eyes on Tresk. I see a million permutations of events at all times. Fates that havent come to pass. Sometimes it feels like Im a puppet, following those motions. A distinct path opened when I removed the interdiction suppression. Youll survive, now.

Theo felt a column of ice seize his spine. His blood ran cold at the idea that Khahar had seen something in the future that ended his life. He might not have had attributes to rival these god-like people, but he could put two pieces of a puzzle together. He was dead before the interdiction prevention was disabled, and alive afterward. The idea haunted him, forcing him into an uncomfortable silence.

Yay, youre gonna live, Alise said, laughing.

Ive never had so much of Lord Drogramaths power flow through me, Zarali said. Her face was gaunt.

Somehow, the events hadnt dampened Zaralis spirit to get more information out of Khahar. After a cup of tea, and a bit of food, she was back at it.

Theo broke off from the conversation to talk with Xolsa and Tresk, leaving Alise and Nira to recover on their own.

How the hell do I use an interdiction event to save my life? Theo asked.

Xolsa scratched his head. An interdiction event is defined as an event that pulls a person from one plane to another, usually against their will. Khahar wont tell you exactly how, but using the Bridge to avoid your fate makes no sense.

Hey, maybe you can just hide in the Dreamwalk, Tresk said, laughing. Oops. I dont think we wanted to tell you about the Dreamwalk.

Theo then had to explain the Dreamwalk to Xolsa, who dismissed it as a solution to the problem.

Theres a realm between you two, Xolsa said. Ive been studying it from afar. It generates power aligned to your Tarahek, but nothing like another dimension. Still, that skill sounds fascinating. Can you really gain experience while in the Dreamwalk?

Yep, Tresk said. Its overpowered and awesome.

Sounds like it, Xolsa said.

Somehow, the dinner got back on track. Conversation shifted away from the events, even after townspeople came to check things out. Aarok sent a team of adventurers to investigate the disturbance, but they were dismissed by Theo. He didnt need every mouth in town talking about the damn Burning Eye again. It was enough of a problem last time. He took solace because they wouldnt be back. Not until Khahar left the mortal plane.

When dinner was done, no one was tired. Khahar had used a mass-purification skill that banished otherworldly beings, cleansed the spirit, and restored everyones health, mana, and stamina. The side-effect was that it acted as though everyone affected got a good nights sleep and a hot meal. But Tresk and Theo didnt actually sleep. When they returned to the Newt and Demon for the night, they fell into the Dreamwalk. The only place where they could talk, and no one could hear them.