Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  Venna nodded back at me as she swallowed a mouthful of stew and we passed the rest of our meal in silence. When we finished, we returned our bowls to the mess hall and I strong-armed Venna into joining me as I searched for her husband. The stonemasons were still working on her infirmary, and I intended to provide them as much peace as possible while they completed the work there.

  We found Stel as he was just finishing his own lunch. Venna blurted out our reason for seeking him out, but I asked him to hold off on discussing the matter until we could locate Ridge. If we planned to have him help build the roadway for us, I thought it might be best to bring him into the process as early as possible.

  Ridge had already begun piling a stack of blocks in preparation for beginning his work on the Palace and its fortress when we arrived. I had him halt his efforts as we gathered around and told him what we had in mind.

  “I can clear the trees that block your path,” he replied once I had explained our idea. “And I will smooth the land for you as well, but you must choose the path for me to follow, as well as determine where you want me to clear the campsites for you.”

  “Our own journey here was a bit hectic,” I recalled. “I think Bane might be able to trace out a better route for our road.”

  The plan was agreed to, and I promised to have Bane include scouting for the path in his daily flights. It would take a few days for Bane to complete his survey, so I let Ridge continue his current project until the path was mapped out for us, but I did ask him to try and build the new forge for Renn while he was there. Venna and Stel left to tend to their own errands, and we promised to discuss the matter in more detail later over supper that evening.

  “You told me that you cannot harm any living thing, but the wilds are a dangerous place. Will you be safe out there?” I asked Ridge as he resumed pulling blocks of stone from the earth.

  “If there is a threat, I can retreat into the ground, Sintári,” he replied. “There will be no risk for me.”

  “I do have a suggestion that may help speed the process,” he added. “But it may involve some risk for you.”

  “What is it?” I asked, intrigued by what he had said.

  “Summoning another to assist me will make the work go much faster,” Ridge replied. “But the strain of binding and holding one of my kind grows more difficult with each of us that you hold under your control. It will not be easy, and failure might be dangerous for you.”

  I understood what he meant. Failure to bind a summoned elemental could easily result in the creature becoming enraged and attacking me. While Ridge submitted to me without a fight, it would not be so easy for me when I tried to draw another elemental to me. And the fact that Ridge was already bound to me would only make the binding even more difficult.

  “It may be worth the risk,” I replied. “We need supplies, and the sooner you finish, the sooner we can begin trading for what we require.”

  I left Ridge to his work and wandered back to my lakeside retreat for a few precious moments of peace. The still surface of the lake lapped against the stone, and I pulled off my boots to let my bare feet drape over the edge of the rock and into the cool water.

  I laid down on the soft green moss that covered the smooth surface of the stone and relaxed in the quiet of the woods that ringed the lake. This was one of the few places where I could truly escape the burdens and responsibilities I faced—responsibilities that seemed to grow with every passing day. Coming here returned a sense of peace to me, and I found myself sneaking off to bask in the quiet seclusion as often as my duties allowed.

  But then the sun fell behind the high cliffs all too quickly, and I reluctantly began my journey back to our campsite. While I looked forward to joining my companions, it also meant picking up the mantle of leadership again as well. I had promised Stel and Venna that we would discuss the construction of the road over dinner, and I was sure Khorim and Broda would have other matters they wished to go over as well. While I was growing more comfortable with the role I had been forced into, the burden of it still weighed heavily on me from time to time.

  I was the last to arrive back at the campsite for the night, and dinner was already being served when I took my seat around the fire. Tási had volunteered to cook, since she had been stuck in camp all day anyway. Bane was perched on her shoulder and showed no sign of joining me as Tási passed a plate of food to me, glancing at me curiously as I took a bite.

  “Are you alright?” She asked. “You seem a bit off.”

  “I’m fine, Tási,” I sighed. “I just feel a bit overwhelmed at times.”

  She smiled at me reassuringly, and I couldn’t help but smile back reflexively at her genuine expression of support.

  “I’ve been thinking about our road, Dreya,” Stel said, bringing me back to reality. “If Ridge can clear the path and open up some clearings, it shouldn’t be too hard for us to use the lumber he accumulates to build a few reinforced campsites.”

  “That will be the dangerous part,” I replied, having already considered this very issue. “The work crews will be vulnerable while they’re busy making the improvements.”

  “We will have to provide strong security for them,” Venna offered.

  “That will require us to split our forces,” I responded to her. “And I am hesitant to leave the valley vulnerable to attack.”

  “We will have to make sure that the work crew is capable of not only building, but fighting as well,” Stel countered. “That would effectively double the number of defenders in case of attack.”

  “It sounds like you already have some numbers in mind, my friend,” I replied, noting the unintended slip he had made.

  “Yes, I have,” he answered me. “It only seemed reasonable, as I intend to oversee the project myself. If we send forty people, and have them working in shifts, I think we can complete the work quickly and safely.”

  “That may work, but it will leave us stretched thin here,” I said aloud as I considered his proposal.

  “That’s not the end of my thoughts on the matter,” Stel continued, unperturbed by my reluctance. “I also plan to accompany our first trade caravan. Khorim has volunteered to join me and trade for us in Dhel-Ar while I journey on to Lorida. My intention is to not only purchase supplies in Lorida and then in Íforn on my way back, but also to recruit for us and spread the word of what we are doing here.”

  “I’m not sure that’s wise, Stel,” I replied cautiously. “We only barely managed to hold off the orcs when they came against us in force. I don’t think we’re ready to deal with the power of the Realms should one of them decide to attack us.”

  “You overestimate their might, Dreya,” Broda joined in. “While they all have impressive defenses, very few maintain any offensive forces to speak of. The Realms skirmish frequently, but lack the power to truly threaten each other in any significant way. I doubt any of them could mount an assault greater than the one you’ve already defeated.”

  “Besides, we need more people if we’re going to make this place into what it’s supposed to be,” Venna added.

  “It seems you’ve already decided the matter,” I said glancing at Stel sideways.

  “The final decision is yours, as always, Sintári,” Stel smirked back at me. “We’re just trying to explain how wrong you would be to refuse us.”

  I agree with your friends, Sintári. Bane’s voice came echoing into my head. This is a task that must be done, and the sooner it is completed, the sooner your Realm can grow itself.

  “Fine,” I sighed in exasperation. “Stel, you’re in charge. Make all the arrangements. Coordinate your personnel choices with Broda so that she still has the right people to keep watch. I will expect regular updates, and you will not leave until I give you my final approval.”

  Stel and Broda nodded as I made my decision, and Khorim bowed his head as he extended his hand and deposited a few silver Marks in Venna’s palm.

  “You didn’t think I’d approve?” I said realizing that Khorim had
lost yet another bet.

  “He said you’d insist on doing it all yourself,” Venna replied smugly as she pocketed the coins.

  “I told you to stop wagering on me, master dwarf,” I smiled at the hapless man.

  Rather than bothering to reply, Khorim only grumbled under his breath and took a deep sip of ale.

  “Fool,” Broda scolded him.

  Thankfully, we passed the remainder of the evening discussing lighter matters, and when it was time to retire for the night, I was able to relax at least a little. As we entered the tent, Tási plucked Bane off my shoulder and shooed him outside and I immediately became suspicious.

  “I love you Tási, but after last night, I can’t take anymore,” I implored her.

  “You know, I’m good for more than just one thing,” she replied in mock offense.

  “What are you planning?” I asked curiously.

  “Get ready for bed, I promise it’s not what you think,” she smiled at me slyly.

  I stripped down to my thin undergarments and was about to slip my night dress over my head when Tási stopped me.

  “That’s good enough,” she said as she guided me down to lay on my stomach.

  Tási straddled herself across my hips and then began kneading at the bundle of knots in my shoulders. The tightness in my muscles yielded to the gentle pressure and she added warm tendrils of relaxation into her massage.

  Days of unrelenting tension melted away under her soothing touch. The threads she sent into me from her fingertips had the sensation of warm water pulsing over my knotted muscles. As she worked the tangles free from my neck and shoulders, she bent over and kissed me softy on my neck.

  “Relax, Dreya,” she whispered gently in my ear. “Let me put you to sleep.”

  I did as she instructed, and Tási gradually lightened the pressure she applied until her touch was just a soothing graze across my skin, and as tendrils of warm water flowed over me like a relaxing mist, I slipped off into unconsciousness under her tender care.

  11

  I woke up the next morning alone but feeling refreshed. Tási’s soothing massage had relieved the tension I had been holding in my muscles, and I’d slept better than I had in many days after she put me to sleep with her gentle kneading. The smell of breakfast wafted inside the tent, and I dressed myself quickly before I went outside to grab a bite to eat.

  Tási was cooking over the campfire as I emerged. Aside from Bane, we were the only ones up, and I kissed her gently on the lips as I greeted her.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” She asked curiously. “Any better?”

  “Much,” I replied to her sincerely. “I didn’t realize just how knotted up I was until you started working on me.”

  “I may have to do that more often then,” Tási offered with a sincere smile. “I actually enjoyed making you relax and watching you fall asleep under my touch.”

  “Not as much as I did,” I countered.

  Tási piled some eggs on a plate for me and while I sat down to enjoy them, she continued cooking for the rest of our companions. Then, as if by magic, they all seemed to appear as one, popping out of their tents just as the food was ready to be served. After Tási put together the last plate, she sat down beside me, and we finished eating together before making our plans for the day.

  “It’s going to be boring for me,” Tási complained, “but I think I should stay here today and tomorrow before making my next appearance.”

  “Khorim and I will begin reviewing personnel with Broda later,” Stel offered. “Then I’m going to inventory our loot and see what I should bring with us to trade.”

  “Venna, if you’re free, I have a project I’d like you to help me with,” I asked her. “If it’s successful, it will get your husband back to you much faster.”

  “Then you will definitely have my assistance,” she smiled back at me.

  While I did want her help, I also hoped to keep her away from the stonemasons while they finished working on her infirmary. Hopefully, if I could keep her occupied long enough, they would be done before she returned to hover over them again.

  Bane devoured the left-over scraps of food before flying off on his daily scouting and begin his search for a suitable path to connect us to the main road. As he vanished into the bright morning sky, I took Venna’s hand and we began walking towards the valley, to where Ridge was working on the next phase of construction.

  We found the elemental as he was beginning to work on Renn’s forge, setting the base for the columns that would eventually support the roof of the structure. As we drew close, the heavy stones shook the ground around us as he set them in place.

  “Ridge, I see you’re making great progress, as usual,” I complimented him.

  “The forge will be finished before I leave to begin work on your road, Sintári,” he replied in his monotone voice.

  “That’s great! I have decided to try and summon another elemental to help you,” I said, finally letting Venna know why we were there. “That should make this work, and your efforts on the road, go much faster.”

  “I welcome the assistance if you feel you are ready,” he intoned. “I should be able to direct my brethren’s efforts so that our work is performed efficiently.”

  “What do you need me to do, Dreya?” Venna asked.

  “Hopefully, nothing,” I answered. “But there is some risk if I fail to bind the elemental. In that case, we may have to fight him off.”

  “I did not bring my weapons, Dreya,” Venna replied with concern. “We should arm ourselves before we attempt this.”

  “I’m confident that I can do this, I just wanted to let you know the whole truth.”

  “Alright, if you say so,” Venna replied skeptically.

  I began by emptying my mind of all its random thoughts, focusing only on my demand for help. Then, as I started to recite the words that triggered the summoning magic the air crackled with their power. Shadow energy merged with the summoning power, and I felt the stony presence of the new elemental as it’s will matched against mine.

  I wielded the dark power of the shadow magic against him, enhanced by the might of my Charisma. Ultimately, despite its strong will, the power I brought against the being was far too strong for it to resist. Although our battle of wills ended quickly, I could sense that my power had been seriously hampered by the concurrent demands of maintaining my hold over Ridge—while summoning this second elemental might be well within my boundaries, attempting to call another would be foolhardy.

  The elemental sprung from the ground in the same manner Ridge always had. This being was somewhat smaller than him, however, and I had the impression that it was very much his junior.

  “Welcome,” I offered the new elemental in greeting. “I have brought you here to help Ridge with a few projects.”

  “You will follow my direction, unless the Sintári instructs you otherwise,” Ridge added flatly.

  At the invocation of my title, the new elemental appeared to glance over me again before acknowledging the orders that had been given.

  “Tell me what I must do,” he uttered in a distinctly different tone than Ridge’s gravelly voice. The second being lacked Ridge’s deep baritone, and although his speech was tinged with the same rocky characteristic, it sounded much less imposing. In response to his words, Ridge simply guided the new elemental away, passing him instructions as they began working together on Renn’s forge.

  “That went… better than expected,” Venna commented in amusement.

  “What were you anticipating?” I replied.

  “Something more… spectacular,” she smiled. “I just wasn’t sure whether it would be good or bad.”

  I smacked her arm in mock offense as we walked back down the canyon, leaving the elementals to their work. Even though her comment annoyed me, I couldn’t help but smile at the truth behind her subtle jab.

  With the extra help, Ridge’s work progressed rapidly—the two elementals completed the forge that day a
nd then moved on to other parts of the vast Palace and fortress complex. Renn remained working in Hilgreth’s forge for the rest of the week, helping her complete the new portcullis before he took up his duties in his new facilities.

  The gate the two of them constructed was a masterpiece, fabricated completely out of dwarven steel, and the metal had been blackened just as the hardware used on the drawbridge had been. The smiths twisted the bars of the portcullis in spirals and then fashioned them into exquisite arches, making the barrier appear more like an elaborate decoration rather than a protective measure. Hilgreth heaped praise on Renn’s efforts once again, and I was glad that I had rewarded the talented smith with his own forge.

  When Renn departed to begin working on his own, I was surprised to learn that Hilgreth sent both her apprentices to work under him at the new forge, and in their place she took on two new apprentices, Clorid and Madren. The two were still inseparable and wanted to contribute to the security of our settlement, but after their joint resurrection, were hesitant to return to the front lines. Helping at the forge provided the two new apprentices an opportunity to still feel helpful, while keeping them away from any real danger.

  During that week, Ilvain completed the house that he built for my companions and I to share. Everyone was extremely grateful for the effort he had made for us and showered him and his crew with their thanks. For the first night in a very long time, the six of us slept in real beds under a dry roof, and although the beds may have been roughly made, and the mattresses that had been patched together for us were quite thin, it was one of the best night’s sleep any of us had in a long while.

  It took several days for Bane to find a viable route for our road, complete with suitable campsite locations for any caravans to overnight securely along the way. Once we had the route plotted out, I pulled Ridge and his assistant away from the Palace complex and sent them off to begin clearing the way.

  The elementals worked hard, and after two solid days of effort, had reached the first of three planned campsites. With the ground cleared and logs stacked up and waiting, I reluctantly let Stel and his team journey out to begin construction of the first campsite. Within a week, the elementals were done with their work, and Stel’s crew were finishing the construction of the final campsite soon after.