Homestead Survival

<21 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia woke up clean, refreshed, and feeling confident in their path forward. They ate a meal in comfortable silence. Ordus walked up. "Julia, Theo, Good morning."

"Good morning, Ordus," Julia said with a smile, offering him a meal, which he accepted. "You look troubled."

"I am not troubled," Ordus said, taking a bite. "But I have a request and something I need to tell you. Firstly the information to tell you. A man calling himself Agara has sent me a message, saying that he is a Majordomo for a branch of the Karzun Family. He informs me that Patriarch Karzun has dispatched someone to complete the assembly of the Mana Convergence Array that was discussed. He asks that we have a field cleared where we can let him work."

"Hmm," Theo said, trying to recall the nearest open area. "Well, we either send everyone to the northwest end of the Overlook, or we clear some land around the Throne Hold and have him set up near the Ward Array so that when people are ready, they can fall back to the protection of the Wards."

"I think," Julia said, taking a drink of water. "That we should take the safety approach. Ordus, if you would please have the dwarves start clearing some of the trees near and around the berries that Theo planted."

"Of course. Now, about the other thing that I want to request." Ordus said with a smile. "Can I please use whatever it is that you are using to bathe? I am very dirty and would love to not be so... well, dirty."

Theo and Julia looked at each other, then chuckled, and Julia responded. "Of course, Ordus. As a matter of fact, why don't you go now."

Julia pulled the Crystal from her pouch and handed it to Ordus, then handed him a gold. "Go and enjoy yourself."

Ordus nodded, slightly confused, then he vanished, the Crystal dropping to the ground. Julia picked it up and put it back into her pouch. "Okay, now, while he is bathing, let's ask the ring about the deal."

Theo nodded, looking at the ring as he swallowed his last bite of food. "Can you please explain the value of the deal that Kreldar offered us using hard numbers and comparisons where possible?"

>Private Message: Query - "Can you please explain the value of the deal that Kreldar offered us using hard numbers and comparisons where possible?"
>Private Message: Processing...
>Private Message: Failed Roll

>Private Message: As the Ancestors will not always answer, the System will not always answer.

"Well, I guess I could have seen that coming." Theo said, "But I guess it means that we get to show some faith in Kreldar. Which I would rather do than not."

Julia nodded, "We will talk with him and Ordus later."

Just then, a highly refreshed and cleaned Ordus reappeared. "Ah, it really has only been a few minutes."

"Yup. You feel better?" Theo asked.

"Much better," Ordus said with a smile. "Thank you both, and thank you for paying for it as well."

"I mean, we are kind of responsible for your financial needs, right?" Julia asked.

"Yes, but I still appreciate it." Ordus nodded. "Now, then, we need to clear some trees. Let's go see if that is something that the dwarves are up for."

They walked over to where the dwarves seemed to be eagerly waiting. Ordus spoke with them. Then turned to Theo. "They say that they are willing to help, Lord Sorrenson."

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"Awesome." Theo said, smiling in thanks at each of the Dwarves. He took out his Master Tool, forming it into a long-handled felling axe, and nodded to himself. "Well then, let's get to work."

For the next six hours, Theo, Julia, Ordus, and ten Dwarves labored away, chopping down trees and hauling the logs away. Ordus and one of the other Dwarves would use a combination of skills to get stumps out incredibly efficiently.

When Ordus stopped them, they had cleared a roughly thirty-foot by thirty-foot area that butted up to the berry bushes. Ordus focused for a moment, then turned to Theo and Julia. "Lord Sorrenson, Lady Brahmin, Agara has indicated that he and his master will be here with one other supporting member shortly."

Theo nodded, and as Julia was about to speak, a blue crystal door faded into reality. The handle turned, and out stepped a slim, shy-looking woman, followed by a towering, scaled, and imperious-looking man and a feathered man whose entire demeanor and outfit screamed 'servant.'

"Where are Lord and Lady Sorrenson?" The imperious-looking man said, not making eye contact with anyone around him.

The attitude that was emanating from the man was, in a word, rude. Theo smiled and stepped forward, offering his hand to the almost eight-foot tall and incredibly slender man. "I am Theo Sorrenson, and this is Julia Brahmin. What's your name?"

The man glanced down at the dirty, sweat-glistening hand that Theo was extending and sneered. "I am unsure why my great uncle has taken such a liking to you, but I assure you that I will not. I have been sent to construct a Mana Convergence Array, and I will do nothing else."

Julia nodded, and before the pompous man could say anything else, she smiled and spoke. "Understood. As you have not given us a name to call you, we will leave you to your work, craftsman. Your majordomo and the young woman are more than welcome to join us. Please let us know if you require anything that pertains to your work."

With that, she turned and marched away. Theo glanced at Ordus with a raised eyebrow before shrugging, "Well, you heard the lady. Ordus, if you would gather our guests and bring them along, we will continue work elsewhere. Mr. Craftsman, please run the Array around the berry bushes and the field that we have cleared."

Theo walked away quickly, catching up to Julia, who looked angry. "What was that about, if you don't mind me asking?"

Julia took a breath. "Look, I know that we have been dealing with divine entities and gods and fighting and busting our asses, but god damn it, you were nice to him. He didn't even have the common decency to tell us his name before being a dick, and it just really rubbed me the wrong way."

Theo nodded, "I get that. And I am not saying that you were wrong, but maybe we should have played along with him."

Julia's shoulders fell, "yeah... maybe."

Theo hugged her for a moment. "It's all good. Let's see what happens."

Ordus walked up, chatting with one of the two retainers who had come with the pompous man. "Lord Sorrenson, Lady Brahmin, this is Agara, Majordomo of the Karzun-Morrakai household."

Agara appeared to be some kind of feathered human. He did not have wings or birdlike legs; he was simply covered in a very fine coat of tiny feathers. Agara bowed deeply. "Lord Sorrenson, Lady Brahmin, I feel as if I must apologize. My Lord Varess is a bit... Impetuous when it comes to dealing with others. And he is not particularly happy about being sent out here. But when the Patriarch tells you to do something, well, you simply do it."

Theo chuckled and nodded, "I get that feeling from him, so I understand. Now then, Agara, what can we do for you and for this young lady."

Agara raised his head and looked troubled, "this is Lady Sylvi. She is Lord Varess's younger half-sister."

Julia stepped forward and smiled at the younger woman, who looked to be about her age. "Hi Sylvi, I am Julia. It's nice to meet you."

Julia offered her hand, and Sylvi hesitated for a moment but took it, shaking her hand for a moment. "Hello, Lady Brahmin. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Then Sylvi walked away, back towards where her older brother was. They watched her go, and Julia looked worried; she turned back to Agara, "Is she okay?"

Agara looked hesitant, "I... Honestly, I am unsure. She is not treated well by her family due to some family issues. However, she has always been shy, so it's sometimes hard to tell. I am a little surprised that Patriarch Karzun asked for her to come as well."

Theo and Julia glanced at each other, their expressions filled with confusion. Agara simply nodded, "Very well, I will return to Lord Varess and Lady Sylvi; please ask if you need anything."

Agara walked away, and Ordus turned to Theo and Julia. "Now then, what work will we continue?"

"I want to start some work inside the Ward Array," Julia said, "but first, you should tell Kreldar that we need to have a chat with him."

Ordus smiled and nodded. "Very well. Let me send the others to wait at the Ward Array."

Theo nodded, then smiled at Julia. "Time to show some faith."