#odyssey

"Oh, yeah, that was freaky..."

"Yes." He kens the lad "You must have cast most of it out though. You seem. okayish"

He nods. "Thanks. Otherwise I'd try a leeching. Lilly would like that."

"She would" He admits "now, the three pieces?"

"We're still on the hook for two more." He reminds Vali. "You can't take 'em and cut us out now."

"We've got that... sunk cost investment thing going."

She nods. "We're helping."

"Though it looks like Florida is involved."

"Guys, I still want you to find the others. I just want the three you've already collected with me" He says

A narrow eyed moment, but he hands them over. "I guess we've come too far to stop trusting you now." Granting a smile instead.

"Where's next? How else are we gonna brush with grave bodily injury?"

"I was about to say" Vali says taking the pieces, "The next one is going to involve a pretty straight up fight. It can only be earned in battle"

"Yeah? Like, I should take my armor this time?"

"Yes" he says "Symon, you're going to want to grab a few more healing cookies from the kitchen for when she needs them after. "

He gums his lip, so the LAST fights weren't supposed to be tough? But, heads into the kitchen, a backwards glance at Dagmar- trying to hide his concerned look.

Gerd greets Symon and hands him some healing cookies

"So... any idea what I'm fighting?"

"Hey." He greets her back. "How's things holding up here?"

"Like - is it a challenge? A wager?"

Gerd says "Oh, Sylvi and Siv are off to Brightwinds. Connor is dressing in Dagmar's clothes and calling himself Dogmar. Your mom is worrying and came this close to sending Dirk out after you. We have Hastien come in.. he said thanks, and he and Bix are heading to Brightwind to back folks up"

"Like an arena match" Vali says "You're going to the Pitt in Renascence"

"When Siv checks back in, tell her-" A pause, and he asks first. "Would you mind relaying a message?" A small grin. He... is learning.

"I guess not" She says "Go on"

"Oh! Cool!"

"Yeah, Jessica doesn't know the details and I'd prefer she not bother with knowing. So just step quick and get moving when you do go please" he says

He thinks for a moment, then phrases. "We have 2/3rds of a map with an Ocean View. Want in on the end quest? The lock is in the Keys." He grins a little. "She might like the riddle. Or it may tick her off. I'll take my chances."

"You're inviting Siv into your quest now?" Gerd hurumphs "just because she has a ship"

"But fine I'll pass it on"

"Technically, that's a new quest chain, these are the intro quests you need to unlock first."

He does give Gerd an inside scoop on the last part, including telling her about the sad state of the New Orleans freehold. "I think you'd like their style. Check it out if you can." While they're still around, he doesn't want to add.

"I've been there, once" Gerd looks sad "They were nice"

Vali does look at Dagmar after making his request and adds "Not sure she'd understand"

"What do I say if she does ask? I don't like lying."

"Let Symon do the lying?" hopeful

She gives him a LOOK.

"Sheesh.. " He says "Okay okay... tell her you're on a private quest for me and thank her for the use of the trod. if she pushes, tell her to please give me a call and I can explain"

Symon gives Gerd an... atypically sympathetic look. "They might pull through. Stranger things have happened."

"Exactly."

Gerd says "All I know is when Vali looks at a person or place and gets quiet and sad.. it's not a good sign. It means he's seen something"

Vali says "ANYWHO.. once you get to the Pitt, inform the feathered dragon you're there to fight for a prize ... obviously I'll want you to ask for the 4th piece of the map"

Symon gets a hint of a stubborn look. "He can't be right all the time. He'd be insufferable."

Gerd gives Symon a look and taps her nose

"...What happens if I lose?"

"Well then you don't get it, the quest fails, and I sureh ope you don't die your dad will probably kill me"

He groans inaudibly. "Forget I said that. Thanks again, Gerd." Slipping back out.

"Lose what?"

True "it's okay. Sometimes quests fail"

"Is it a duel to yield?"

"That can be a condition." He nods then looks to Symon "I'm sending your friend to fight in gladitorial style combat in a hold called the Pitt. One of the prize choices is the map piece."

"Right. I would prefer not to be in a death duel."

"Symon, please don't tell Countess Jessica bout this if you can avoid it. If she presses, tell her to call me i she would"

"Got it. But what I want to know is... what if there's some prize there more precious than a map?"