Gateways: COE THE ALMIGHTY, page 18
“Now what are you going to do mage?” Zelric asked.
“Get off of my property,” Derrick said as he held his energy thrower up. Coe wondered how the man got it working but decided he must have his own hacker. Coe started walking away from Derrick. If the dragon attacked it would have to do so on two different fronts. Movement out the corner of Coe’s eyes caught his attention. He turned to see almost all of the windows of Derrick’s home were filled with his servants. They all carried weapons that Coe thought were named crossbows. The dragon riders saw this as well and started moving behind their dragons.”
“Stop this foolishness,” Claude demanded. “You are embarrassing yourself over some whores!”
“It is the principle of having another man barge into my home unannounced and telling me how to run it,” Derrick said. “And to think that he is so powerful that he can demand when and where I am able to buy my future bride a gift. He is embarrassing himself.”
“Zelric end this,” Claude said. “Or it will be on you to find your sister another mage. Your uncle wants magic in the family. You can explain all of this to him.”
“You are lucky Mage,” Zelric growled as he climbed on his dragon.
Coe watched as the rest of the dragon riders climbed on their dragons. To Coe’s surprise, even Lord Claude had a mount. The group took to the skies as Coe watched, a little relieved that he didn't have to do anything. Derrick looked a little relieved and lowered his energy thrower.
“I thought you said that weapon was useless,” Coe asked.
“It is to the dragon, but I could still hit the man,” Derrick replied.
“And what do they think it is?” Coe asked.
“They think it is one of my magical inventions,” Derrick laughed. “King Elmond has been trying to get me to make more. I have told him I need a special material from deep inside Kirby. Something called royal steel. I have only heard of it once and know that it is extremely rare. I also know that it is only found in Kirby and that if the Downians managed to invade and capture Kirby, the material they bring back might not be very much.”
“Good plan,” Coe said. “So when do we get to go to this celebration?”
“In about five or so hours,” Derrick said.
“I’ll be back around then,” Coe said as a portal appeared.
Coe stepped through and went right to work. Tempy had already located what she thought was the group of genes that she thought allowed for a person to bond with a dragon. Coe set up his machine and immediately went about changing himself. Coe looked at the time and thought it had taken fifteen minutes, that meant thirty minutes had passed in World X. Coe had Tempy open a gate leading to Gaia. He wanted to go to Delphi. It would give him a lot of time to at least study the new language he was given.
Coe arrived in Delphi and could see that Cynthia had returned, probably due to Frodia’s help. Cynthia was out at the moment which gave Coe the peace he needed. The language spoken by the people of World X was straight forward. There weren't any male and female versions of words. The only thing confusing were the words that his language had no equivalent to. Coe said phrases and then listened as they were repeated back to him by Tempy. The accent was difficult at first to recreate but slowly his mind went to work. Coe thought his ability to understand how things work was by the far the most useful ability that he had ever seen. It had given him so much and now he was learning a language that he had never heard of until recently. Coe had always been a polyglot but he had never tried to see how fast he could learn a language. Coe would have two Gaian days to learn before he had to get back to World X. He had no idea how far he would get but was happy to test himself. Coe studied late into the night as Cynthia finally came back.
“You returned,” Coe said.
“Of course I did,” Cynthia said. “My friends really wanted to stay but didn't want to give up their lives on Terra.”
“Hopefully you had fun,” Coe said.
“It was a little weird,” Cynthia said. “Normally I would have to secretly admire a man. Secretly because if I get caught then he will come over and that can open up problems if I really wasn't interested. There I could outright oogle whoever I wanted and take whoever I wanted to bed. If I just wasn't feeling it, it was easy to just kick him out. I have never felt so safe but it was too weird. The men were much nicer than what you could get on Ogygia and back home for that matter. I just felt weird being someone’s master. That and the workouts were really hard.”
“They look to be training for war.”
“They were always training,” Cynthia said. “And they had a printer that could print out bows and arrows. If someone attacks that place I feel sorry for them.”
“Anyone miss Linus?”
“Oh you have no idea,” Cynthia laughed. “That place was turned upside down and we almost had a revolt. Slaves were whipped while the Amazons were trying to find out who knew what. The problem was that the men quickly found out that they were stronger than the native Amazons. They started fighting back with whatever they had and many of them were almost killed. Queen Hippolyta stopped it all and sent search parties to find Linus. His wife was still angry the last time I saw her and blamed Pan.”
“Her problem,” Coe said.
“My friends may want to go back there,” Cynthia said. “You don't mind if I use my other mode of transportation do you?”
“Just as long as she isn't brought here,” Coe replied. “This is my command post that can see all. I don't want her knowing where this place is. How did you get back here anyway?”
“Well Frodia didn't bring me here, Tempy did,” Cynthia said. “I used your gate and got to your house and let my friends outside. I then went back inside and she brought me here.”
“Sounds legit,” Coe said. “Well I have to get back to my studies. I don't have a long time to learn this new language.”
“A new language?” Cynthia asked.
“It is from another world,” Coe said. “One where the people are more than strong enough to kill us. Even having an energy thrower wouldn't amount to much. I’ll get myself settled and then you could visit if you wanted.”
~
Coe knew he surprised Derrick by appearing back inside of World X. Coe had an all brown robe made in the same style as the one he was given. Underneath it Coe had on the best body armor that he could create in such a short time. Coe was inside of Derrick’s home and could see the man was ready to go out.
“What's the rock for?” Derrick asked as Coe handed it over.
“It is a voice activated two way radio,” Coe replied. “Only thing I could think of in such a short notice. It is programmed to disintegrate if it is ever cracked open. Well the electronics will.”
“Why are you giving it to me?” Derrick asked.
“You need a good present for whoever this Missy is and this is it,” Coe replied. “It charges by induction. The special pedestal that goes with it is really just a solar charger in disguise. Let her know that this should be placed in the sun somewhere for everything to work. Tell her the rock grabs magic or something. I have another one as well. You can give them both to her or you can give her one and keep the other one back here.”
“I think I will give her both of them,” Derrick said. “I don't want her calling me at all times of the night.”
“It will self-destruct after ten years,” Coe said. “Even if something happens to us, this tech will not live on forever.”
“I am glad you came back but how did you?”
“I can sort of mimic the powers around me,” Coe said. “Getting back here was easy.”
“That sound imposs….how are you speaking Downian?!?”
“I was wondering if I was believable,” Coe said. “I have been studying for two days straight back on Gaia.”
“You are passable,” Derrick said.
“Are you ready to do this?” Coe asked.
“I am,” Derrick said. “I still can't get over that idiot coming into my home trying to tell me what's what.”
“He thought your servants trade their bodies in exchange for money.”
“They do trade their bodies in exchange for money,” Derrick laughed. “They just don't do it for everyone. They only have to worry about pleasing me and they make good money for doing it. If any of them take on side work, I will fire them on the spot.”
“Your life,” Coe said.
Derrick led him outside where four young women were in riding gear. There was a wooden building sat on wheels pulled by horses. Coe didn't know the word for the structure but knew it was some type of transportation. One of the servants opened the door and Coe and Derrick climbed inside. The door was closed and Coe could tell that the building was in motion soon after. Coe thought the ride was bumpy and uncomfortable despite the cushioning around him. Derrick placed his thumb on a small black square about a square centimeter in size. A screen flicked out from the roof and turned on. It was an all around video of the outside of the moving building.
“You can never be too careful,” Derrick said. “And I can hear my servants whispering. They were happy I turned Lord Zelric down on his offer.”
“I think he is going to be trouble in the future. I don't think he respects you. He sees you as beneath him so I think he will keep testing you.”
“He would regret it,” Derrick said. “The entire Tide household would. I have taken the time to research this place thoroughly. There was a disease more than half millennium ago that ravished Terra. It wasn't terribly deadly except to the Evolved. It was quickly stamped out and everyone now has immunities thanks to our medical capabilities but the Downians do not enjoy that. I think if it was released here, the majority of their people would be just fine. I think their dragon riders would pay a big price for crossing me. If any of my servants hear that I have died, they are supposed to send a package to Duke Tide himself.”
“One containing whatever this mystery disease is?”
“No mystery, it used to be called Rocky fever and was vector borne. Ticks used to pass it but the disease mutated until it was able to be transmitted just by breathing the same air. It killed a lot of Evolved so I think it would do the same to dragon riders. I’m thinking of having it labeled the speckled plague.”
“What kind of name is the speckled plague?” Coe asked.
“An old timey name that would scare the pit out of the locals,” Derrick replied.
“The pit?” Coe asked. “You have really gone native.”
“And you will see how much native I have gone when we get there.”
Coe looked on the screen and eventually spotted a massive structure. This place was massive by Terrian standards due to how much space this building occupied. It was made out of stone and had to take decades if not centuries of stone cutting to get the place where it was. The moving building Derrick called a carriage came to a stop in front of the place. A man who Coe assumed was well dressed for the location came over. He opened up the carriage door as Derrick made the screens disappear. Something about the man along with the two who came running up afterwards rubbed Coe the wrong way. Coe wasn't sure if it was the way they kept eyeing Derrick’s servants or the way they didn't acknowledge Derrick himself.
“I want you two to know if anything happens to my servants that I am coming directly after you,” Coe said as he looked at the men.
“What?” the finely dressed man said, snapping him out of whatever trance he was in.
“I am sure you and these idiots heard me,” Coe replied. “Of course it has been more than a month since I have killed my last man.”
“Are you threatening me?” one of the helpers said as Coe stepped forward and caught the man flush with his strongest blow. The helper went down hard and stayed there dazed as Coe looked down at him. The other helper belted Coe as hard as he could with a good punch to the jaw. Coestumbled a little but it was obvious that he wasn't hurt. Coe smiled at the man and charged, due to his time bubble, he had plenty of time to recognize and dodge a hit. Coe returned a good one in the form of an uppercut and watched his foe slump to his knees.
“I think we are in agreement who the strongest here is,” Coe said as Derrick gave a soft chuckle. “Kind Sir, please see to my friend’s things and let anyone here know that if my servants are harmed, they can expect a visit from me.”
Coe followed Derrick inside of the large stone building. There was another man present who didn't comment on the events and led Derrick and Coe to a large room where he screamed out their names. Derrick walked inside and Coe followed him. Coe could see the energy thrower was on Derrick’s hip and that Derrick’s clothes was made from a tightly woven fiber that was meant to stop projectiles. Derrick gestured with his head over towards a table of girls. Coe thought everyone of them looked snobby but could tell at least one was attracted to Derrick.
“The one in the soft ble is Lady Missy,” Derrick said. Decent looking and insanely rich.”
“You would marry her?” Coe asked. “And give up your life with a bunch of beauties ready to jump at your every command?”
“Trust me I do not want to,” Derrick whispered back. “I just plan on having another home built somewhere and will move them there.”
“Then why do it?”
“Because the money she comes with would be ridiculous. I would be rich here and in Terra. No idea how I would juggle women in both worlds but I would figure something out. Now enough talk, be charming and say little. Nice back there by the way. I had the same thoughts about them and my girls.”
“And who is this?” Missy asked as Coe and Derrick gave her a small bow.
“This is my good friend Roscoe Turé from a poor sect of mages. He has decided to live in the birth lands of his mother. Currently he is living in my home and is doing business with me.”
“What kind of business?” Missy asked. “You are supposed to be doing business with my uncle and my father.”
“And I am,” Derrick replied. “But my friend has unique items and unique skills.”
“I want to go into business with your Uncle and Father as well,” Coe said. “They have something I want and I am sure I can find something they would like.”
“Speaking of things that someone would like,” Derrick said. “I have something unique for you that I bought off my friend here. It is one of a kind and you will be the only person in Downey with such a gift.”
“Well what is it?” Missy said intrigued.
“It is still in my carriage,” Derrick replied. “Too big and unwieldy to bring inside.”
“I want to see this gift,” a short brown haired girl said. “I bet it is something magical. Why don't I get magical things?”
“You need a mage and they are rare to come buy,” Missy said triumphantly.
“I can get a Dragon Knight,” the other girl said sassily.
“And so could I if I wanted one,” Missy replied. “Now go get this gift Derrick. I am angry at you for trying to raise the dowry on my Father and Uncle.”
“The more money we have, the more comfortable we will be,” Derrick replied. “Perhaps I could afford better help than the servants I currently have.”
“You mean your whores?” Missy said and rolled her eyes.
“I will go get it,” Coe said. “But I want to meet a dragon first.”
“Dragons hate Mages,” Missy said. “All you would do is get yourself eaten.”
“Then I suppose I do not have any business with your Father or Uncle,” Coe said. “A pity, I was so looking forward to new customers.”
“You don't really look like a Mage,” another of the girls at the table said, this one a sandy haired girl with a slightly crooked nose.
“I get that a lot,” Coe replied. “Just like I am sure you hear that you are much too pretty to be single just as often.”
“And how do you know she is single?” Missy snapped.
“Because if she was taken, some lad would be over here already trying to start a fight,” Coe replied. “I’ll leave you to your date and I will work the room Derrick. It is obvious that she doesn't like me based on her decorum and I am too much a gentleman to ask you to join me.”
Coe took off walking and could hear Missy sputter. Coe smiled to himself and soon ran into a thin looking man with a very irritated woman. Coe thought they could have possibly been husband and wife. If they were, it was obvious that the woman didn't like her groom all that well. The man himself looked irritated, Coe thought he also looked uncomfortable in his surroundings.
“Hello,” Coe said and gave a little bow. “I am new here and you look like a friendly face.”
“A new Mage right when we are on the cusp of war with Kirby,” the thin man said with any preamble.
“Not a spy,” Coe replied and gave an easy smile. “I have already been called that before. I only came over to be friendly, you looked as if you needed a friend.”
“You can call me Lord Owen and I do not need a friend from this place,” the thin man said as he ended the conversation and walked away.
“Hello,” the woman with him said.
“I am Marsha, you can call me Lady Dragonknight,” the woman said as she looked Coe over hungrily.
“My name is Coe,” Coe replied. “I am a very poor mage. My mother says that it is because I have dragon riding in my blood.”
“Dragon riding in your blood, is that so?” Marsha asked. “I could let you meet some dragons, though I am not responsible if they snap at you.”
“I would like that,” Coe replied.
“What do I get in return?” Marsha asked. “I am assuming Mage Derrick is your friend and he has items that he doesn't just trade with anyone.”
“I am sure we can come to an arrangement,” Coe said as he noticed a petite but beautiful red haired girl walking up.
“And who is this?” the red haired girl asked.
“Cheri this is Coe,” Marsha said. “And don't you have somewhere else to be?”
“Yes I do, right here,” Cheri said. “You have a husband.”
