Mythran's Master Of All

Ren woke up on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. Hi, Teepo.

“Hi, Ren.” Teepo said and flew down to land beside him. “Did you get all of your Adventurer's business done?”

Most of it. Ren thought, then opened up Clint's message that he'd left the notification of on his screen. It was just a 'well done and congratulations' message, so nothing he needed to feel bad about for leaving it unanswered for a few game days. Ren opened Tommy's message next, and sighed mentally.

Damn, I probably should have read this before I left. Ren thought, and typed up a response. I could have told Tommy that I wouldn't be able to make him anything until I came back in. He sent a message that said he would need a description and what Tommy would want it enchanted with, then closed the messaging system.

Did anything happen while I was gone?

“Yes.” Teepo said. “Nathalia went to meet your new maids.”

Damn. Ren sighed. What happened?

“Nothing.” Teepo said. “She introduced herself and gave them hot meals. They introduced themselves and took the food, and that was that.”

What? Ren thought, surprised. No fight? No big blowup? No bloodshed?

Teepo chittered in laughter. “Nope, there wasn't any of that.”

Huh. Ren smiled. I'm glad.

“The personal maids knew right away that Nathalia was the one you were having the forbidden relationship with.” Teepo explained. “They also told her about what you said to them about not having the room in your life for any more women.”

That's great! Thanks for the update, Teepo. Ren thought. Do you want to go back into your physical body?

“Sure.” Teepo said. “I need more practice with it.”

I'm sorry I didn't do it before I left.

“That's okay.” Teepo said, then dissolved into the Beetle Crown ring. Ren slipped his half of the Ring of Recall over it, and took out Teepo's platinum body.

Summon Teepo! Ren thought, and the metal beetle started to move. The wings deployed, and Teepo fluttered up into the air.

“That's better.” Teepo said. “You've got about 2 hours left before supper, and an hour before nightfall.”

“You read my mind.” Ren said out loud. “I assume Nathalia and Ereka are both still at work?”

“Yeah.” Teepo said. “What are you going to do?”

“I am going to sit down and relax.” Ren said and chuckled. “I haven't done that in... well, I don't remember the last time I did that here.”

Teepo chittered in laughter. “It has been pretty hectic the last little while.”

“And then some.” Ren said, grabbed a plate of food, and walked out of the house. He went into the stable to greet Princess, gave her the food, and said hello to Riley, Stacy, and Ruck. He pat the dogs, then Princess, and went out to the courtyard and stepped into the fire elemental's pen. He used a web wand to cast Web several times, then sat down on the webbing.

“Hey, I'm back.” Ren said into the flames and wind section. He thought he could see something move, and smiled. “Are you trying to be sneaky?”

Some of the flames changed color slightly.

“That's only going to work if you're surrounded by flames.” Ren said. “But the practice is still useful, since everyone here has Fireball wands. You'll have lots of cover to hide in when you're big enough to come with us.” He grinned. “Especially from Ruck! You should have seen that poor giant get engulfed in 60 fireballs, then he was completely covered in 60 web spells!”

The fire elemental burst out of it's hiding place, jumped into the air, and hit Ren in the chest as it tackled him. Ren laughed as he caught the fire elemental and fell onto his back in the soft webbing.

“Nice one.” Ren said, and hugged it close. “Hey, I think you're getting bigger.” He said as he looked the fire elemental over. It had gone from a foot long to nearly a foot and a half long. “You are getting bigger.”

The fire elemental's color changed slightly, and Ren let it go. It stood up on his chest, and he smiled.

“Counter-attack!” Ren said and started to tickle the fire elemental's underside with his fingers. He heard a loud crackling fire as the fire elemental shook slightly. It didn't try to run away, even though it clearly could.

Ren laughed and picked the fire elemental up in his arms, then sat up. He put the fire elemental in his lap, and gently stroked it's head stub.

“If it's okay with you, I'm just going to sit here for a while.” Ren said to it. “I've got a few things to look over, and there's no better spot for me to do that.”

The fire elemental's color changed slightly. It stood up, rubbed it's head nub on Ren's cheek, then it laid down on his lap.

“Thanks.” Ren said, then thought about what he had gained after the battle with the giants. “Show character gains from recent normal bonuses.”