Chương 58: Getting the Band Back Together

The aftermath of the Sandy Quarry quest had the feel of an end to a school year. That carefree purgatory between the last exam and the last homeroom session, where everyone hangs out in the sun to sign each other's yearbooks and brag about where their family's going for summer vacation. Rather appropriate, then, that said purgatory took Jordan right to the 1st day of the month of Pomegranates—officially the first day of summer by Stormvaster reckoning.

The weather was becoming toasty, and with it, people's moods and attitudes had become noticeably lax. Which Jordan took as a sign that he ought to get things rolling on his grand plan." You're certain you don't need any of the Rangers to accompany you?" Heron Catchgrain asked from his personal desk, as the two of them went over the final details." Positive. In fact, I think too much macho energy is only going to be detrimental to this mission. Nah, keep things simple and, uh, non-threatening.

I already have my party members picked out; just gotta find them and convince them to come along." Heron stared at Jordan for a second or two but didn't press the issue. Instead:" I can't allow you to [Hoard] more mana without being accused of favoritism. But if there's anything in the way of supplies and equipment that might assist in your mission…"" A sturdy carriage and two good horses that don't spook too easily." Jordan was ready with the request.

"You know, things that a… Pathfinder might find useful. Think you could spare 'em?" Heron stared a while longer. His eyebrows twitched as though he might crease them into a frown, but he merely nodded." I don't foresee a problem, no. If that's all, Gatekeeper Yu, I give you leave to depart on the morrow. Go round up this so-called party of yours, then report back by curfew." As Jordan got up to do just that, he took a moment to marvel at all that had transpired in the last couple of months.

This time two months ago, he couldn't have dreamt up the conversation he'd just had. To go from the unpleasantries of their first few meetings to have since developed such an easy rapport with Heron Catchgrain of all people… and indeed for Heron to have become one of Jordan's staunchest advocates in the Imperial Army! some things just had to be experienced to be believed. Of course, all that could crumble in an instant if he messed up this final step.

All the more reason to head into the city to gather up some trusty allies. He found Foxhill at his usual busking haunt, fiddling and singing to the delight of passersby. The fiddler's repertoire had changed somewhat since the last time Jordan had jammed with him, now cheerier and breezier to match the summer season. Jordan, as an amateur musician himself, could tell that Foxhill wasn't as into it as his trademark soulful ballads.

Sure enough, the man stopped mid-song and packed up as soon as he caught sight of a familiar Gatekeeper." Ya hungry, Mister?" the Pathfinder asked by way of greeting.

"I haven't forgotten what we shook on last time. 200% interest, pay up."" Yeah, yeah," Jordan said with a dismissive wave of the hand, all Stormvaster-like.

"Wanna hit up the Fragrant Yak? Heard their braised bear paw slaps." Foxhill raised an eyebrow." Well, sure I want to, but… are you sure you can afford it?"" Don't worry. I came into some money recently. Turns out the apothecaries here pay quite a fortune for Bat-bear offal." This was true enough, as Jordan had recently learned. Three silvers for a lobe of lung, five for a spleen, and a whopping 20 for the liver. The upshot was that Jordan had become ten times richer than when he'd received his first paycheck."

A Bat-bear, eh?" Foxhill sounded nonchalant, as if his former customers regularly turned up having slain a boss-tier monster.

"Which explains that ridiculous cape. Aren't you hot in that thing?" Jordan felt himself go red… and not just because, yes, indeed he was hot in this thing. [Bear Fur Mantle]: You know nothing, Jordan Yu. Anachronistic fashion item and proof of badassery rolled into one. Keeps you warm in winter, gets ridiculously hot in summer. Gain proficiency (+2) against all spellcasters Lv. 15 or lower. Monsters Lv. 10 or lower will not aggro you (unless their behavior is overridden by another effect). Weight: 6 lbs."

It's not a cape, it's a mantle," Jordan contested hotly.

"And I'll have you know it's a really useful item! Do you know how much trouble I went through to craft this thing? I won't let you shame me into taking it off!" This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work." Yeah, yeah," Foxhill said with a dismissive wave of the hand.

"Well, shall we walk and talk? I've a feeling you came to me for more than just showing off your new cape."" That's not what—ah, forget it," Jordan began to walk and talk.

"But you're right. I came here to hire you again. Ask you to be my Pathfinder for this important mission."" Aiyo, aren't you the big man, now, throwing money around and negotiating your own terms. But too bad, Mister, because I can't be your Pathfinder. Not in my current state, at any rate. Not sure if you remember, but I lost the tools of my trade the last time I smuggled your sorry hide halfway across the province."" Is that why you've been busking all this time? Raising funds to buy a new carriage?"

Foxhill nodded ruefully." And let me tell you, it's taking longer than I'd hoped. These city folk… they might have money, but they don't got taste. Won't know good music if it hit them in the face with an [Energy Arrow]."" What if I've already gotten you a carriage and two horses? Will you Pathfind for me then?" Foxhill's eyebrows shot to the heavens as he looked Jordan up and down." Are you the Jordan Yu I know, or did he get replaced by a fox spirit? You speak truly? You can give me a carriage, just like that?""

Uhh," Jordan hedged, "once you've helped me with this mission… I'm sure we could work something out, yes." It might involve another ability check on Jordan's part to sweet-talk some higher-ups in the Imperial Army. But Foxhill didn't need to know that." Heh." The Pathfinder clapped Jordan on the shoulder, sending up bits of bear fur as he did.

"You really have changed, Mister. Tell you what, you foot the bill at the Fragrant Yak and let me order whatever I want… and I promise to at least consider your job offer." It turned out to be the most expensive deal in Jordan's life as a Stormvaster. Ten silvers—a third of his net worth—went the way of braised bear paw, swallow nest soup, and cellar-aged liquor. Jordan was left sweating by the end of the meal (and not just because of the [Bear Fur Mantle]).

Did he have enough money left to pay Foxhill's fee, even if the Pathfinder were to agree to the job? But, as it turned out, he needed not have worried." Just work your connections to let me keep that carriage. And I'll do the job for free."" You're not gonna ask what it is?"" Nope. Not like you've led me astray before, eh?" Foxhill, more than well-lubricated at this point, spent a good few seconds to laugh at his own joke.

He then turned dead serious (at least by his standards) as he added, "No, I already have a good inkling of what the job is, and… let me do it. I want to do it." Jordan understood then. That a man like Foxhill had more than one reason to be busking for tasteless city folk, when he could be out in his element getting rich quick in any number of ways. That, sometimes, you had to make some sacrifices to follow your heart's desire.

Jordan had yet to work off his liquor as he stumbled into the White Dragon House. He found Madam Thousand, the tea shop's tiny proprietor, and gave her a drunken wave. The woman widened her eyes somewhat in reproach, but had the grace to gesture toward the staircase anyway. Yes, she's here. As Jordan lumbered down the stairs on unsteady feet, he tried to think of another prank he could play… and drew a blank. Just as well.

For as he approached the pawn shop booth, the window slid open of its own accord, long before the customer had a chance to make a fool of himself." Took you long enough," spoke a scarf-wrapped face from behind the window—a rectangle inside another rectangle.

"It's been exactly three weeks since you instructed me to wait for your updates."" You… you've been keeping track?" Jordan blurted the first thing that came to mind, delicacy be damned. He thought he saw the rectangle inside a rectangle slightly deepen in color." So?" Canyon chose to ignore the allegations.

"Do you have an update for me?"" I do. I think the conditions are ripe. For me to access Garuda Akula's Turbulent Cauldron. And in the process… maybe open some doors that have been closed off for far too long." Perhaps Jordan could've been more direct in his speech. But the Chronicler seemed the type to appreciate the odd mysticism here and there. She nodded, ever serene inside her rectangle."

Incidentally," she did ask, "or perhaps crucial to what you're proposing to undertake, how fares your tussle with your own cauldron? Have you since managed to fill it to your satisfaction?"" I've fared well." Jordan grinned as he reported with great satisfaction.

"Almost too well. 50, 000 cc, full up. So I've got to open that first gate soon, otherwise I'd be leaving fresh mana on the table." Canyon leaned back in her window, viewing her visitor in a new light." Impressive work, Jordan Yu. That is more mana than most Stormvasters spend in a year, maybe even two. It's also a fitting milestone to usher in the next leg of your journey." She paused to clear her throat. When she spoke again, she sounded almost embarrassed… which Jordan, of course, found desperately endearing."

W—will you take me with you? I very much would like the chance to Chronicle this most unusual story." Maybe it was just liquid courage, but Jordan felt like he was on top of the world. Looking up at the shopkeeper from lower ground, he nevertheless smiled with confidence as he extended a hand." Come on," he said, "let's get you out of that stuffy booth. The open sky beckons."