Welcome to the Galaxy

Testing

Gerald returned the next day and left a chunk of venison blackstrap in the snow bank. He shouted into the cave “I left you some meat. I’ll be on my way. Have a good day.”

Helion went to collect it half hour later and didn’t see him around. Both of which he was happy about. He wasn’t interested in having s*x before he could be sure he wouldn’t get pregnant. He wasn’t attracted to men at all, but he was curious to know how to better please a women. Before he put an end to this nightmare he would do a test run. He would never have this kind of opportunity again.

The next couple of days passed and he was able to complete the device. He had received meat once a day from Gerald. Helion packed up all his gear and supplies. With one exception, he left one blanket in the cave. It was a parting gift for the kindness of the young man. If his machine didn’t work he would still be moving on.

Helion checked the device once more. Then he put the belt on again. He was wearing the nun’s habit and robes. Ready to travel in either case.

Helion activated the device. Reality seemed to shift and distort then came back into focus again. The mouth of he cave was free of snow. It seemed different and he checked for the blanket he had left on the ground. It was gone. Something had changed. Now he needed to see what happened. He should have moved one hundred years ahead. That didn’t mean he had, his instruments had been less than desirable. His measurements were not precise enough to make him comfortable. His fuel had burned away completely. He would need more to try and jump again.

He walked into town. Not much had changed since the last time he was here. Spring was in full bloom. It wasn’t until he went to sell his blankets he noticed a major difference. The man that bought his blankets looked a good deal older. He had gone gray. Helion sold his blankets. He was given twice as much for them and didn’t bother to haggle at all.

He had time traveled. He was sure of that much. How much time was still in question. There would be time to figure that out. He needed silver to transmute another batch of Silanium to fuel his machine. Finding a new source wouldn’t be all that easy.

Helion stocked up on blanket making supplies again. The cost of that doubled too. He had enough money from selling the two to get supplies for four more. His food supplies were good enough to return to the cave. He could have a blanket completed before he ran out. 

Helion spent a week in the cave and completed the project. He walked around town daily. Always wearing the habit but, he added a veil to cover his face. It would be bad if people noticed he hadn’t aged. He continued working each day and a month passed by with him completing the fourth blanket. He took them all to sell. He got a silver piece for the three. This was what he needed. He used his coppers and got another batch of material. 

At the end of the week he completed his batch of Silanium and had another blanket ready to sell. Gerald stopped by the cave and caught Helga without her hood on. “Holy sister you’ve returned. What brings you back this way?” He said reverently.

“Completing my penance again. What can I help you with this time?” Helion inquired.

“Nothing, you’ve blessed me well enough. The blanket you left me blessed my marriage bed. I’ve had four boys, all strong and healthy. The oldest is almost ten. I will bring food for you each day until you leave again. I’ll not disturb you again.” Gerald kneeled and said a prayer, then got up and walked away.

“That was interesting.” Helion thought to himself.

Helion stayed for another three weeks. He completed the three blankets and forged the Silanium into a usable material. He measured it out the best he could. A scale would be helpful but it would take time to acquire. He had some extra Silanium from the batch but not enough for a second portion.

He had hoped for a hundred year jump but, had learned it was only ten. Ten years was better than nothing by far. When he was ready to jump again he packed up all his belongings once more. Then put the fuel material into the buckle of his belt and pressed it.

Space and time seemed to meld together. When he appeared again it was the beginning of spring once more. The town had grown larger. He returned in his habit to the same shop he had always sold his blankets. The shopkeeper was hobbled now but his son was doing most of the work. The shopkeeper got up from his chair at her approach. He said “Greetings blessed one. You’ve returned to grace my store once more. Your blessings be upon us. Have you come to sell your wares again?”

“I certainly have. I have three blankets.” Helion replied, he was taken back with the warm greeting.

“I’ll pay three silvers for each one. I’ll give you the materials to make more too.” The shopkeeper bargained.

“That sounds like a fair price.” Helion responded quickly.

“Son you will always deal fairly with this women. Her blankets are blessed. They heal people and provide strong healthy babies. Everyone that has one over their beds stay happily married too. She makes them by her own hands and has forsaken her own happiness to provide them. Promise me when I’m gone you will continue to treat her well and your sons after you.” The old shopkeeper spoke to his son plainly.

“I will father and will ensure my sons do also.” The son responded.

“Thank you and have a blessed day.” Helion stated on his way out.

Helion returned to the cave. He had enough coins to complete his transmutation and got the supplies for forging all at one time. Things were starting to work out better than he ever hoped. Gerald stopped by the next day. Word had spread quickly of his return this time. Gerald didn’t even speak his time and he was not alone. He had brought his sons with him. The next day meat was waiting outside the cave.

Helion stayed a month. He made the four blankets. He left one in the cave then vanished again.

He returned every ten years. Each time the legend and rewards grew outside the cave. Silver and gold crosses were left as offerings. Each time he made only four blankets. Three he sold and one was gifted. He had more than enough materials to jump ahead several times but not enough to advance him as far as he needed. By the time he turned twenty he had advanced three hundred years. He had amassed a fortune in the process.