I reincarnated in game

34 The Report

Hugh had listened very carefully to James as he recounted the details of Eos.  “I think what your organization does is very admirable.  I think I would like to be a part of your operation, however, as I said before, I will only consider joining if Judi and Kenneth are included in the invitation.”

“Great!” James replied.  That was the answer he had been hoping for.  “We had chartered this airship to return to Aldo on Third Level.  Once we land, I will need to make a report to my leader.  At the same time, I will confirm that I have invited you to join us, and seek permission to include your friends.  It shouldn’t take more than a couple of days to get a reply.  I would be happy to put you up in an inn while we wait for the decision.  It would be my way to thank you for your help in locating Father John with your surveillance machine, and to make up for the little matter of our mistaken identity,”

“Maybe I can give you some background information on Judi and Kenneth to help give more weight to your recommendation when you speak to your boss,” suggested Hugh.  

“Judi is an exceptional archer with unerring accuracy who is also excellent in wielding her knife.  She is an extraordinary hunter and skilled tracker.  She possesses wood magic as well as extensive knowledge of herbal remedies.”

“Kenneth learned first-class manufacturing techniques of magic machinery from his father.  They both traveled extensively through the various countries selling their products.”  Hugh continued, “He possesses water magic which has recently demonstrated as a powerful ice magic.”  His mind went back to the scene of the frozen army in the cave at the abyss.  Suddenly, it dawned on him that Kenneth had not suffered any noticeable, negative effects from the curse since that incident; the only evidence that the curse was still within him was his weekly migraine headaches but even they seemed a little less intense.  He shook himself and returned his thoughts to the moment … James was speaking. 

“That is very interesting information.  I will definitely include that in my report.  It certainly will help sway a decision in their favour.  Thanks for sharing that with me,” James replied.  Having completed their discussions, Hugh and James headed back to the passenger deck to rejoin Judi and Kenneth.

Moments after their return, word that they would be docking in Aldo in half an hour came from the captain’s staff; Hugh looked out the window to see the land coming into view.  As far as the eye could see, the ground was covered in white.  A few sparse trees dotted the snowy landscape around the docking station.  They grew larger as the ship descended.  Hugh could feel the chill in the air and could see his breath misting when he exhaled.  It was cold.

“Dad and I used to come here all the time,” said Kenneth.  “Aldo is affected by residual magical energy and their most powerful industry involves local machinery and magic.  It is mostly human beings who live here; sometimes we were the only dwarves around.  This is the northernmost country on Third Level.  It is cold and snowy like this all year round.” 

The distance to the ground was closing rapidly; they knew they had landed when they felt a slight bump at touchdown and a shudder as the ship fully settled into the dock. 

As everyone disembarked, heavy snow sloughed off branches and landed on the ground with a plop.  Hugh and his friends were not looking forward to the thought of walking through the heavy snow on the ground.

“I guess we will have to get ourselves some warmer clothes and boots as soon as possible.  Ours are not suited to this climate,” said Judi, as a shiver ran down her spine.

James had been standing behind the three friends.  He motioned to Hugh who removed himself from the other two and approached James.  “There is a place opposite the inn where you can find what you need.  The inn where I am staying is just over there,” explained James.  “I will go there and arrange for two rooms; one for you and the dwarf, the other for the girl.”   He pointed to both the store, which was about fifty feet away and then to the tavern which was directly across the street.  “You can all stay there as my guests while I wait to hear back from my leader.” 

“OK, guys, let’s go get some warmer clothes at that store over there!” Hugh said enthusiastically.  “When we have finished our shopping, I suggest that we go to the inn just across from it … nice and close, so we don’t have to spend any more time out in this cold than is necessary!”

“Thank you!” Kenneth said; he had been standing with his arms wrapped around his body trying to keep himself warm.  Being from the desert lands of Stuhr in the western end of Third Level, this climate was much colder than he cared for!  The trio hurried to the shop; Kenneth took the lead … the thought of getting out of this weather and into a warm store was very appealing to him!  

In the store, Hugh looked for a warm jacket with a hood along with some weatherproof pants, boots, and gloves; he selected a neutral brown colour.  He turned to the others and suggested they select something with a hood as well because it would be more functional than separate garments. 

Judi selected a knee-length, green coat with a fur-trimmed hood as well as warm knee-high boots and fur lined leather gloves.  “That colour matches your eyes,” said Hugh with a little smile.

Kenneth was disappointed that he had to shop in the children’s section because all the other selections were too large for his small frame.  He eventually found a navy blue, hooded jacket with matching pants, boots, and gloves. 

The trio was now ready for the chilly climes of Aldo!  They crossed the street to the inn.  After checking in and stowing their gear, they headed to the dining area for some hearty potato soup and warm, brown bread … the kind of food that kept the heat in your bones in the frigid weather.

While Hugh, Judi, and Kenneth were shopping, James checked in with the innkeeper of the same tavern he had pointed out to his guests.  He picked up a package that was being held for him, then went directly to his room.  In spite of the fact that they had not apprehended Father John, the focal point of their current mission, he was feeling upbeat.  The trade-off was that he had identified someone … maybe three ‘someones’, who would make a valuable contribution to their cause; and they now had a solid lead on where to look for their elusive quarry.

James locked the door and closed the drapes; he didn’t want to be interrupted.  He reached into the satchel he had taken off the boat.  From it, he withdrew a round object wrapped in a dark blue, velvet material.  With great care, he unwrapped the cloth to reveal an orb approximately six inches in diameter.  He reached back into the bag to retrieve the wooden pedestal base; then set both of them up on a small table at the side of the room.  In the darkness of the room, he uttered a low incantation.  The orb brightened to almost a blinding, white light.  When the light faded, a female face appeared within the confines of the crystal ball.  He recognized her as the immediate subordinate of the leader.  

“James Eloc reporting in,” he said. 

“We hear you, loud and clear.  What do you have to report?” asked the woman.

“I have heard from our operatives in Sdel.  They were successful in apprehending four of the identified targets from the surrounding towns.  They are currently being detained in secure locations, under guard, awaiting trial and punishment.”

“My special contingent and I have just returned from Fourth Level; we apprehended a man whom we believed was Father John, however, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity; Father John is still at large.  There is, however, a positive spin to this incident; once we recognized our error, the man, who looked very much like our target, actually offered his assistance to help us locate the object of our search.  The man, whose name is Hugh Bean, is a half Crystal; he is an accomplished leader who has extensive knowledge of magic and magic machinery.  He built a surveillance machine out of spare parts and, using magic, was able to determine that Father John is hiding out in the area of Yar, just outside of Ossal, on Fourth Level.  As we speak, a team of our soldiers is already on a return ship to apprehend our quarry.”

“I have invited Hugh to join Eos.  He is considering accepting our invitation, however, he will only commit to joining if his two companions are brought in with him.  The first companion, Judi Smith, is an accomplished hunter and tracker who also has wood magic; the second, Kenneth Grant, is a dwarf skilled in the production of magic machinery.  He also has water magic which appears to have morphed into ice.”

“I strongly recommend that all three be inducted into Eos,” James said, as he wrapped up his report.

“Thank you for your report, James.  You are efficient, as usual.  I will write this up and pass it to our leader who will be contacting you with the decision on the new recruits as soon as possible,” was the reply.

“Very well,” James responded.   “I look forward to hearing from our commander.  In the meantime, I have ensured that our operation will not put at risk by arranging for the three nominees to stay at this same inn here in Aldo; that way I can keep an eye on them.”

“Over, and out.”  

The image in the crystal ball faded as the light within waned.  James carefully re-wrapped the orb and put it away.  He then went to the dining hall to maintain his surveillance of his three guests.