Recordia : A Step toward Normalcy

Recordia Log — Step toward Normalcy 37th Eleint, 853 After the forest, Alice returned to the mine. She moved in a small fey shape, low to the ground and easy to overlook. Passing the overseer’s office nearly cost her the attempt, but she slipped beyond the danger with a quick teleport, mushrooms blooming behind her where she had been. The tunnel opened into a three-way split. Alice took the left path, then worked deeper through the mine until she crossed a natural stone bridge. Beyond it stood an outpost. This was not a simple worker’s post. Rare raw materials had been gathered there under guard. Two soldiers carried halberds. A paladin in heavy dark plate stood with them. Others wore red cloaks, and several bore the signs of Hadur. At least one served Helios. Most looked bored. That made the post no less dangerous. Alice studied the materials from a distance. The ore or stone was dark gray, not the dark silver tone of iron, and unfamiliar enough that she could not name it with confidence. Her time was running thin. Forty-three minutes had already passed. She withdrew before curiosity became a mistake. The Aureate Coil came next. Alice brought Brandy there for lunch, choosing two Steamglass Tonics, two Clockscale Trout, and a plate of Dark Chocolate Calibration Squares. The meal cost sixty-two gold. Alice celebrated. Brandy simply ate. For a woman who had lived too long beneath command, the food was more than food. It was clean preparation, good ingredients, and a table where nobody barked an order before the plate touched wood. Finding Alice’s father would take longer. Brandy’s contract could be handled now. Alice took her to the Tally House in the docks district, a stone cargo-accounting and bond office with a painted roof. Inside, clerks copied and filed beneath the hum of official labor. Seven clerics worked the room, three already occupied. Alice approached a young halfling clerk. “Good morning, I mean afternoon.” “Good morning. Yes, I was directed this way. I wish to have this person freed. I have their contract here.” The clerk examined the paperwork. “By the right of the Ludex. You have friends in high places.” Then recognition settled in. “Oh, I remember this one. It’s an honor to see you. Goldtooth?” Brandy endured the mistake. The clerk continued. “I see you have influential friends, and those willing to give up a fortune.” The process required fifty gold to remove the slave enchantment. Alice paid. A tall, lanky human approached later and reviewed the contract. “Is this the person?” “Yes. Red Goldtooth or whatever.” The document named Ludex as the one who paid for the release, in exchange for a favor. Alice did not waste the moment. “Can you get rid of the enchantment, my lord?” “Yes. Yes, I see.” He motioned Brandy forward. “Well, I’ll be honest. It’s a shame to lose skilled fighters to watch.” “Well, I got lucky,” Brandy said. “This will sting a bit.” It did. Brandy screamed. Only for seconds, but seconds could stretch when old magic was being torn out by the root. When the sound ended, the command portion of the enchantment was gone. The rest would fade over the next few days. The guards would no longer search for her. Alice noticed the man’s signs of station: a brooch of House Marcellon and a gold amulet tied to the Gold Tower. “It concludes our business. Thank you.” “Don’t mention it. You paid for our services. Have a happy afternoon.” “Likewise.” As Alice and Brandy left, the man spoke quietly to the clerk. “Next time, let me know and make an appointment.” Brandy heard him. The tattoo would remain. Some marks did not need magic to last. Later, Alice returned to the mine one more time. She passed the overseer again without being seen and made her way back toward the outpost. This time, eight people were present, including two dream paladins. The materials were gone. Alice did not stay. She left with that answer and the shape of the next question.