The Quantum Wanderer

The next day, during breakfast, we start planning for the day.

“Where do you want to go today, girls?”

“What about the beach? We haven’t gone there in a long time.” Cecilia says.

“It is not a bad idea, but if we want to invite others, we have to plan ahead. Do you want to make it a beach party?”

Cecilia thinks for a little bit.

“Can we invite everyone and have it next week, then?”

“That is not a bad idea. We can have something  in a beach in Drakonia, or choose a desert beach somewhere.”

“I vote for Drakonia, my lord.” Shandon comments, between two bites of food.

 “Alright, we can invite everyone later. But let’s get back to today. What do you want to do today?”

Cecilia shrugs. I look at the other girls, they do the same.

“Do you want to visit the Elves?”

“That is always fun.”

I summon Rudolph.

“Rudolph, we are going to visit the elves. Are we needing anything in the house?”

“May I suggest to bring Roberta, lord? She is going to have the exact amounts.”

I nod.

“Yes, please. We are going to go a little later in the morning. Does she have any other appointment?”

“I don’t think so, lord, but I am going to check.

“And let her and other maids know, so that they can do their buying of spice as well.”

Rudolph sighs. He doesn’t approve of the amount of leeway, apparently.

“Very well, lord.”

“Ah, before I forget. Please let her know that we are planning on a beach party for next week. Actually, do you think we should plan for a later date? I still haven’t invited Rajesh, Edward, and the others.”

“Lord, if I may…”

I nod at him. He continues.

“If you call them Rajesh, Edward and Anthon, I don’t see a problem…”

“Hum… Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the girls finish eating their breakfast. We go into the living room. I grab my bag of holding, and I start the calls.

The first one is Rajesh.

“Good morning friend! Did you have a good night?”

“Good morning Rajesh. Always!” I laugh a little. “I am thinking of having another barbecue on the beach next week. I wanted to invite you.”

“I would love to go! May I bring my family? What about Sidhu?”

“Of course! We are planning for Saturday, 9:00.” I am thinking that having something earlier rather than later is best, because of the timezone difference.

“Excuse me, lord Marcelo, “ a female voice on the other side takes over the call, “Aisha here. May I suggest we bring some of your vestals as well? They can help with anything… From serving food to playing music, to… Anything you and your girls want?”

I look around at the girls. Some additional help is always good. Besides, listening to some music is aways nice. If the group is be enough, a smaller group can play while the other groups rest a little bit.

“That is a great idea, actually. Thank you, Aisha.”

“Of course, lord Marcelo. Is there anything else I can provide?”

“No, thank you. Be sure to wear, or bring, clothes that you can use in the sea.”

“We will, thank you.”

“Now, if you excuse me, I have to call the others as well.”

“Of course.”

I disconnect the call, and reach for Dávrin’s Comm Gem.

“Good morning, friend! How are you?”

“I am well, Dávrin. How are you?”

“Busy, busy, busy. We are reorganizing the tax system on our side. We are not used to what we are doing right now. The Anvil is, in his words, crying happily with the amount of work.”

“What is going on? What is the new thing?”

“Why, my friend, the new thing is you! Dwarves are now the main traders in the Big River. And that includes elves, humans, demons and some other races as well!”

“I am very happy for you! But… I was going to invite you for a beach barbecue for next Saturday morning, around 9:00…”

“Ha! Count me in! I don’t imagine what could make me miss something like that!”

I laugh.

“Sure. Can you please let Brokkr know as well? Of course, your families are invited as well.”

“I am sure everyone is going to be thrilled.”

“Oh, and bring some swimming clothes.”

“O…k…?”

“Alright. I have to go, there are still some people to invite.”

“Of course, of course.”

I close the connection. The next one is Edward. I still have his Comm Gem.

“Good morning, friend!”

“Good morning, Edward, how are you?”

It took me sometime to realize it, but apparently everyone likes to call me friend.

Edward answers.

“Very well. How are you?”

“We are well as well. So, we are planning a beach barbecue next week, on Saturday morning. 9:00.”

“That sounds amazing! Who is going to be there?”

“I already invited Rajesh and Dávrin. I am probably going to invite Leopold as well. I don’t know how he is feeling towards us, though. And probably Andrew as well.”

“Alright. Who can I bring with me? Family? Anthon?”

“Yes, please. Your family is obviously included. I would get skinned by Huginn if I were not to include Sophia, and the girls would complain for ages if I did not invite Addrianna. Bring everyone, as well as Anthon and his kid.”

“Ok, I appreciate.”

“Oh, tell everyone to at least bring swimming apparel.”

“Great. I will let Addrianna and  Anthon know.”

“Thank you. We can talk more tomorrow.”

“No, thank you. See you tomorrow.”

I close the connection. Roberta is by the door. There are two other maids with her, with a huge, empty back on their backs.

I take a look outside at the sun’s position. It is around 11:00.

The girls and I go upstairs to dress something casual, and go back to our living room.

I open a portal to our home in the elves, we get out one by one.

“Big brother!”

Ypê jumps at me, hugging me.

I tap her back.

“I thought you had abandoned us, big brother! Such a long time without news!”

I laugh at this.

“It’s ok…”

She slowly slides down. I pat her on the head.

“How are you?”

“We are all very well, big brother… How about you?”

“We are all doing very well. The leaves have never been so green. Did your school enjoy your notes on the huacatey?”

“Very much so, I think. I got the highest mark possible. I appreciate the help.”

“It is always a pleasure to help big brother. Is there anything else I can do for big brother?”

“Not really. Roberta here is going to do some shopping for our home.”

She opens one of her arms and waves at Roberta.

“Don’t worry, we already know who you are.”

“Errm… Thank you?” Roberta says, kind of doing a half courtesy. She is awkward with the protocol.

I smile at the interaction. I clear my throat.

“Let’s get going, then. I see you later, Ypê.”

“See you later, big brother! And don’t forget, if there is anything you want, *ANYTHING*, just let this little sister know…”

She has a somewhat mischievous look to her. I smile. We walk to the store. Roberta and the maid disappear inside it.

It is a little bit too early to go to the inn that we always go. I remember that I forgot to invite Leopold and Andrew for the beach.

I turn to Muninn.

“Muninn, I was thinking of inviting Andrew for the beach barbecue next week. Can you send him a bird-a-gram?”

Muninn, Huginn and I laugh at my terrible joke. The girls are looking at me. Aquamarine is the one to ask.

“What is that, my lord?”

“It is just a pun on a word from my previous world. I don’t have a Comm Gem with Andrew, so I am asking Muninn to send him a message using a bird.”

“And that is called a… bird-a-gram?”

“That doesn’t really have a name as far as I know, so I used that.”

I can see the girls committing it to memory. Muninn lands on my shoulder, and shares an image with me.

We land on the window. Andrew is looking at us inquisitively. We clear our throat.

“Message for Andrew! Message for Andrew!”

Andrew gesticulates towards us.

“We are having a barbecue, next Saturday, 9:00! Bring swimming clothing!”

“Ok.”

“This is from Marcelo!”

“Tell me something new!” Andrew answers, with sarcasm. “I assume you are going to use the moving magic, right?”

“Yes!”

“Alright kid. I will be ready.”

The bird starts to fly away, the connection is lost.

I look around, the girls are talking about nails. Apparently, the attendant over the counter had asked them to see it, and they were happy explaining it.

The ink has started arriving to these parts, but they are not really being used. The girls are showing their nails to the attendant, when they notice a movement on the counter. Opposite me, laying on the counter, is a dryad, also looking at the nails.

The saleswoman kneels down before the dryad, that is looking at the nails.

“Big sister, do you mind?” She says to Cecilia, now holding her hand.

“No, what?”

She sticks Cecilia finger in her mouth, and moves it from one side to the other. Cecilia pulls her hand.

“Hum… Beewax… Brazilwood… There are some other stuff there, but I don’t know… Big sister, how long does the coloring last? I don’t think it would last long, right?”

“At most two weeks, generally half of that, actually. We have to go almost every week to have them repainted.”

The dryad, now sitting on the counter, turn to the saleswoman.

“Child, bring me a small bottle of Shellac and another with cleaning alcohol.”

The elf behind the counter go inside the store and bring two small bottles. The dryad sighs.

“Don’t be cheap, child! One of each for each sister!”

The shopkeeper goes inside, and returns with the bottles.

“Here, big sisters. You can mix the coloring and test it. This clear one is the solvent. This way you can test. Let us know if it works better than then one you are using.”

“Thank you.” Cecilia puts the bottles in her bag of holding. “Is this expensive?”

The dryad just throw her hand.

“Don’t worry about it. We just might raise more beetles. Besides, instead of buying it, these kids might just start selling it to the outsiders.”

“Do you have red pigments?” Ruby asks.

“And white?” Shandon asks right after.

“Yes, pls come with me.”

The saleswoman guides the group to another section of the store, where there are a lot of different powders used to mix in, most of them green and brown, but some other colors mixed in.

“I am sorry that we don’t have a lot colors, this is everything that is available.”

I go back to a corner by the counter, and  I pull out Leopold’s Comm Gem. I put some mana into it. Shortly after, it connects.

“Errmm… Hello?”

“Hi Leopold. How are you?”

“I… am well. How are you?”

“The girls and I are doing very well, thank you. Listen, the girls and I are planning a barbecue, next Saturday, in the morning.

“I would like to have you there, but this is an invitation. I am not going to force anyone to do anything.”

“What time is it?”

“It is going to be 9:00 in the morning. We have to go early, because it gets dark earlier there. If you decide to go, you should bring swimming attire.”

“Ok.”

I turn the connection off. I take a look at the girls, the dryad was showing them what the nail painting would look like with the Shellac lacquer.

Ruby sees that I finished the talk with Leopold, she brings me by the hand towards the group. The dryad extends her hand, with the nails painted in purple. It is different, the nails are looking a lot like nail polish this time, as opposed to something just painted.

“That looks very good, girls.” I open a smile. “It reminds me of some nail polish from where I come from.”

“How was the call with Leopold?” Cecilia asks.

“It was weird. I think he might come, and then we can talk it out in the barbecue.” I look at the dryad. “It’s a pity I can’t invite you, but I don’t suppose you would enjoy beach and meat, though.”

She puts her tongue out, makes a face of disgust.

“All that water ruined with salt, a land that no plant can grow… I am fine here, thanks. I wouldn’t change big brother’s food for anything in the world.”

“Do you know if there are dryads from seaweed?” I ask.

She shrugs.

“No idea. We can only see as far as the roots can stretch. It is a long distance, and we cover most of the continent, but we can’t extend in that direction. We can’t cross the sea either. According to some of the stories we heard, in a way from you, there are other land masses. We don’t know about them, though.”

“It’s a pity, I would love to hear more about it.”

“But I still  can tell you a lot about this land, big brother. What places have you visited already?”

“Not many, actually. The baronate of Orora, Shoria, Buzios, Stronghold. I didn’t care much about Lirastra, though. Vaporvale is also kind of messed up because of the people in the place. We got to meet Akiko and Hikary, though. Of course, Rockslide and Dis.”

“Oh, big brother, you still have so many places to go. There are all sorts of places, with all sorts of races around. Beastkin, faeries forests. Don’t big brother enjoy traveling?”

I think for a minute.

“Truth be told, a lot of things just happened. Of course, there was some thinking on the overall, there were things that I pursued in particular, but I have been taking things easy, see where life takes me.”

The dryad shrugs.

“Let me know if need a guide big brother. We can provide you one.”

I take a look at Muninn and Huginn, on top of the counter.

“I think I already have plenty of guidance for that, but thank you.”

The girls started chatting once again. I look for Roberta in the store. In the huge store. I spend several minutes looking for her.

“Roberta!”

She turns around.

“Yes, lord?”

“No hurry, but the girls and I are going to the inn we always go when we come here. Once you are done, you and the girls with you can join us there. Do you remember where it is?”

“Yes, lord. Leave this shop, turn left and walk until we see an inn with a  huge line in front.”

I am not completely comfortable with the description, but she is very smart. If she needs, she can ask about us, and some elf can help. That’s the positive side of being an almost celeb around these parts. And not like there are many humans around. I turn to her.

“Just don’t forget that the rain is coming. In doubt, ask the saleswoman about it.”

“Of course, lord.”

“Ok, then. Thank you.”

I go back to my girls. As I am about to reach the bag of holding with dwarven coins, the dryad puts her tongue out to me, and the known branch with the dwarven coins pops up. I feel a little worried about introducing them to inflation, but I can’t really deny the present.

We leave the store and go towards the inn. We turn left, and keep walking for several minutes. The rain clouds are already starting to gather in the sky.

And we arrive at the inn with the huge line. I sigh. With how math oriented my mind is, stuff like ‘the in with a big line’ doesn’t quite sound like a good definition of a place.

Autumnstart is at door. I check out the sun’s position, it is already after noon.

“Good afternoon, Autumnstart! How are you?”

“I am well, friend. How are you?”

“Doing well as well.”

We go inside the inn, straight to our section. There is a whole part of the that is behind a very light wood chain, we just go around the chain. I feel like the elves and dryads are spoiling me.

We sit at our table. The waitress gets our order. I go with the wine ale, as always. As I am taking the first sip, I remember something. I turn to Autumnstart.

“Say, Autumnstart, how come you guys don’t sell wine ale to others?”

He takes a sip, lays down the cup, clears his mouth with a napkin.

“The dryads said that it will not be sold to foreigners. I heard in a meeting with counselors from other cities that it is also not sold by them. There is some sort of restriction.”

“Does it go bad fast or something?”

“No. I mean, I am not particularly knowledgeable on this, but I don’t think it does.”

There is the figure of a child sitting with us, swinging her legs under the table. She has a smile on her face, and she looks just like Ypê.

“Good afternoon, big brother!”

“Good afternoon, Cedro. How are you?”

“I am doing fine, big brother.”

“How are things with you?”

“They are great. The sun, big brother’s food, the water… The cycle has been great. The forest has never been this green…”

“Do you ever get bored?”

“My my, big brother is curious about us… I am sorry to tell you, big brother, but none of us can leave… We can’t get married…”

I sigh. She taps her lips with her index finger.

“Answering your question, big brother, no. Boredom is luxury. This need to entertain that some humans have when they don’t have enough trouble is not normal. Everything is always with some degree of trouble.

“Besides, encounters with big brother are always fun!”

She takes a sip on a cup of wood that appeared from the table. She looks at me.

“What about big brother?”

“Well, there is so much going around that it is hard. Recently I have been going to Magic School, so most of my days…”

And I lost her. She is already looking through the window, distracted. I smile.

“So, Autumnstart, how are things going? How is the commerce you have started with the dwarves?”

“Oh, that has been magnificent! The main merchandise that is becoming quite popular are the Comm Gems. Their price has dropped a lot. Besides that, all of the metallurgy that is now available helps a lot. Salt is also something that is not easy for us to procure. The price has also gone down a lot.

“There is also a big influx of capital, they have demonstrated a lot of interest in our produce and our products. Interesting enough, they have been buying a lot of seeds.”

“Seeds? Seeds for what?”

“Mostly fruitful or eatable plants that require less water than most.”

I picture in my mind the dwarven cities I visited. They all had already a very peculiar farming, with beings that would survive their air. The area around the openings were generally not farmed, and the ones with good soil would have lush forest.

But I remembered the Comm Gem sales.

“I see. I am happy that things are going this well. Have you remained in touch with the people I brought here recently?”

Autumnstart lets out a laughter.

“YES! Lord Dávrin and lord Brokkr are absolutely fantastic! I also enjoy my conversations with lord Rajesh a lot.”

“I am very glad to hear it. So… Next week, Saturday 9:00 am, we are going to have a barbecue on the beach. Do you want to come?”

“I would absolutely love to come, but… What beach are you talking about?”

The afternoon rain starts outside.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Just meet me in my home on Saturday, 9:00. Bring swimming apparel.”

“Swimming apparel…?”

“Yes, something you can swim in. Half of the fun is dipping in the ocean.”

“Ocean…? Is it safe? We don’t even dip our feet in the river, only some very shallow parts.”

“Don’t worry about that, I will check for monsters in the water. You just have to enjoy it. And before I forget it, you can bring your immediate family. The others will be bringing them too.”

“Who else is going to be there?”

“The people you already know, mostly.”

“Thank you, I appreciate the invitation.”

“No problem.”

I take a sip of wine ale. I smile.

“This is so good! I wish I could buy some to take home.”

Autumnstart looks at me with a weird expression.

“What do you mean? Why don’t you? Just ask the waitress, they also sell pre-prepared food here.”

“Really? That sounds great!”

The rain comes.

“Did you mention that you are in magic school?”

“Yes.”

“My first question is: Why?”

I laugh.

“A lot of people ask me about that. Truth is, the magic I use is mostly self taught… I have been learning a lot.”

Autumnstart laughs.

“More?”

“Yes, the girls as well. Aquamarine, Shandon, Ruby and Opal are in the knight school. They learned some fighting techniques. Cecilia is in the magic school, she is my senior.”

“I didn’t think you would still have so much drive to get stronger. I mean, what is the point?”

“In my case, I like to learn. I like to understand. I have always been like that. Isn’t this just natural?”

“I don’t know. The question would be more like, what do you want to do with this?”

“Research doesn’t have to have a specific goal. Sometimes something that you learned by coincidence is going to help you in a way you didn’t expect. That’s how people advance, I guess.”

“Research? What is it you research?”

“Currently, not much. Before I came to this place, I was studying to be a scholar.”

“Any area in particular?”

“Natural studies, with numbers.”

He looks at me, with a weird look in his eyes.

“What is that?”

“Even if you take the magic out, and no one does anything, everything in the universe has a natural interaction. If you extrapolate the study of simple stuff, you end up with more complicated math, but with some rather precise information.

“For instance, if you row a coin. That is going to have a speed, right?”

“Right.”

“So you can calculate the distance it has to run, and you can tell how long it is going to take.”

“Of course.”

“Now, if you had to calculate how long something takes to fall off a wall. There is also math that could explain that. As long as magic is not involved.”

“Really? We just measure it.”

“And that works. But what if you wanted to build a wall so that the thing would take a certain amount of time to fall? You don’t have the wall yet. Just piling stuff until you reach the point is not really practical. You can do the math beforehand and check if building the wall that high is worth it.

“And that goes for a lot of stuff.”

The rain outside stops.