Finding My Husband in Another World Season 3: Chapter 5: Final Appraisals

"Is it's Toque's turn now?" Toque asked.

"That's right, what skills do you have?"

"Toque doesn't have any skills, but Toque can bash with pan."

I reactivated my appraising eye. He did have really good combat stats. He'd developed his cooking skill to apprentice level. He had a skill for traps that was higher than any others, but it hadn't been used. And his born talent hadn't activated yet so was still unknown. That didn't seem to track. I checked his age and it showed he was ten years equivalent. I concentrated so that it was actual and it showed he was a little over a year old. I knew kobolds matured and aged quickly but I hadn’t expected it to be ten to one. I checked his projected age and things got jittery. One moment it was three years and the next it couldn't calculate. I canceled the appraisal skill. I knew what the jitter meant. Since he was Rider's pet Toque's lifespan was now tied to Rider's. Just as Sky's was to my own. “You do have skills. Maybe not your special born skill yet but you do have high proficiency for traps.”

“No! No traps. Toque doesn’t like traps. They can be triggered by innocent people and even tribe members. Toque will not set traps.”

“I’m not saying you have to set them. However you can detect them in order to warn us. You can also use your skill to safely take apart traps that others have set.”

“Toque did not consider this. This is something Toque will work on. Protecting tribe is most important thing to Toque.”

“Your tribe?” I asked.

“Yes, Toque’s tribe. Master Prowl calls family. Chaza calls team. To Toque is all same Shadow Runner Tribe is Toque’s tribe.”

“So you wouldn’t want to join another kobold tribe if we came across one?”

“No. Would not be Toque’s tribe. This where Toque belong.”

“That’s fine with me. Tribe member Toque.” Toque’s smile was obvious and probably rather frightening to ordinary humans. “Now, I’m giving out early Solstice gifts and I’ve been somewhat conflicted on what to give you.”

“Toque will be happy no matter what Master gives him, as long as it not lay sword. Master Rider gave one to Skit for bow and Toque chased shiny everywhere trying to catch as everyone laughed at Toque. Finally Master Rider explained it was light and not a real shiny. Tribe apologized, but Toque still hurt.”

Of course, not “lay sword” but laser. Obviously Skit’s upgraded bow had a laser designator, though I didn’t see it when he was demonstrating. Obviously he removed it so as not to hurt Toques feelings any more. “It’s alright, I’m surprised Sky wasn’t chasing it with you.” I got a sense of disgust in my opinion from Sky. He was a cloud leopard and understood light better than some house cat. “Even I might have fallen for it if I didn’t already know what it was.” I said, to reassure both of them.

“Master Prowl would have chased shiny?”

“Well, for me, it would have been less about the shiny and more about the rapid movements. But yes it seems both cats and kobolds have something in common.”

Toque smiled shyly, “Toque could never compare himself to master Prowl.”

I just shook my head. How did I attract people that thought so highly of me when I had such problems thinking highly of myself? “Anyway, this is the first gift. I pulled out a building block set of a castle. “It includes picture instructions on how to assemble it but the fun is in the fact you can build whatever you want.”

“Toque could build kobold cave?”

“Well, a scale model anyway. Though I may have to get you more sets in order for you to have enough bricks.”

“Toque will see what Toque can do with this set first.”

“You’re such a good kobold. Now this next gift is sort of special.” I pulled out a kaleidoscope and gave it to Toque. It was well-made of copper and brass so looked exceedingly expensive or a treasure. “You hold up the larger end to the light and look through the hole in the smaller side.”

“Shiny! It’s filled with shinies!” He said excitedly.

“If you turn the bottom end the pattern changes and it’s never the same. However if you take it apart the magic is lost and all you have is bits of broken glass.”

“You’re giving this magical devise full of shinies to Toque? But Toque didn’t do anything to deserve Toque’s own shinies.”

“Isn’t that something for the Tribe Master to decide?” I asked.

“Thank you Master Prowl. Toque will keep his treasure safe forever and ever. Um can I show it to other tribe members?”

I considered for a moment. I knew that in kobold society this would be a way to show he had gained a great deal of status. However, if everyone had been in on the laser pointer gag Toque had the right to show off a bit. “That’s fine, but remember they’re all getting Solstice gifts that suit them as well, so they might be less excited than you think. Oh! One more thing, Ren also received a shiny. It is very important that you leave it alone. It is a stone that will allow him to use spells like heal and cure so that he can help the tribe in more ways than just fighting.”

“Toque will remember. Such a shiny is for Ren, but really it is to help Tribe more than possession. Toque understand. Can Toque go now?”

“Go on, go show off your new gift.” I smiled and placed the building block set in storage. I was sure he would get around to it eventually.

“That was a very nice gift and it made him really happy, but you know most of us already know that is just a tube with bits of glass and reflective metal making the patterns and not magic?” Ember asked, as she slowly entered.

“Yeah, it is a surprisingly simple toy and I’m not surprised it exists in this world as well. Still the magic is real enough if you consider imagination magical.”

“I never thought of it that way but I guess you’re right. It is magical to your kobold so that makes it a magic artifact.”

“I presume you’re here for your assessment?”

“I thought it would be best if I came before being summoned. After all, I don’t have any real skills. I have training in observation and sneaking like all network agents, but really I’m basically substandard at everything. I was just kept around to fill the ranks for patrols and being a sentry. Oh and doing fetch and carry quests. I have assassination training, but I really hate using it. It just makes me feel bad inside. That’s why I suggested killing you out right. I was scared they would send me to assassinate you otherwise. I guess I am able to make maps but no one ever really cared about that skill since the network has dedicated map makers.”

“Okay, what about your born skill?”

“I- it isn’t useful and is too dangerous to myself and others. The one time I mentioned it to an instructor it got him killed.”

“What is the skill? Realize that I can just use appraising eye to read it but I’d much rather have you explain it instead.”

Ember sighed. “I can use shadows as doorways to places I’ve been before. However it is limited by my mana level.”

“Give me an example.”

“I can transport myself anywhere I’ve been. My range is anywhere in the city with a total number of four times a day. So basically two trips in total.”

“Can you take others with you?”

“The instructor I mentioned asked the same thing so don’t even think about it.”

“So it is possible?”

“Yes, but it drains my mana. I told my instructor about my ability and he insisted I transport us as far as possible. I took us to the city walls. That was as far as I could go however he then ordered me to take us back. His ability was control so I had no choice. I made it back on the verge of death but he was never seen again. Using that ability still scares me since his ghost could be lurking in any shadow waiting to get revenge.”

“Have you used your ability today?”

“No, the last time I used it was to get the magical paper.”

“Okay, since you can take us to the edge of the city. I’d like you to do so. Don’t worry I’m fully prepared to keep us cloaked as we walk back. I have a couple reasons for making this request. First, to show you that it is safe as long as we respect your limits, and second if we get in a situation where we need to get Rider out of the palace fast you can transport him out.”

“No, I can’t. Even though I was able to sneak in and explore a bit during the turmoil the palace is warded. I can’t use my ability to travel in or out.”

“Well that plan isn’t going to work then. Still I’d like to make a short trip with you so I better know what you experience.” Okay that wasn’t true. What I really planned was to power the trip with my mana instead of hers.

“I guess, as long as it’s just to the edge of the city and then we walk back.” She pulled me to the corner with the thickest shadows and then through and out onto a city street. I almost didn’t have time to charge her trip. “This isn’t right.” She muttered.

I turned and instead of the King’s Palace I was looking at the Beast Kings Castle.

“I should be feeling tired and really low on mana, but if anything, I feel my mana levels are overly high.”

“Ember, one of my main skills is that I’m a mana battery and I produce infinite levels of mana. You, ah, just used my mana to transport us to the other side of the world.”

“Oh, oh! I was thinking too much on where my trainer made me travel rather than our intended destination. Still I’ve never been this far in one trip. With you providing the power I could literally go anywhere I’ve been before.”

“As long as it isn’t magic protected.” I said, as I gave her a wink.

“Yeah, I guess that’s still a limitation. So is there anywhere you want to go?”

I couldn’t believe her excitement now that she knew we could safely use her ability to go anywhere. “Well, it might be smart to go and buy some more of those magical far writing pages and ink.”

“Well, I kind of took that from the network’s storage area. It’s not like they need it having the Royal Family constantly checking in on the Human Capital. However I do know the shop they buy it from.”

“I think we should go now. It seems we’re beginning to draw attention.”

Ember laughed and the next instant we were in the back corner of a small paper shop.

“Is that you young miss? It’s been a while since you popped in. Do you require a new sketch book, maybe some charcoal pencils? I know you haven’t used them before but I just received a new supply of colored chalks.”

I glanced around a display and found an elderly beast kin hedgehog looking over his shelves. His glasses were drooping and at a guess he’d cut off a few of his own quills to make the pen he was using to mark an inventory sheet.

“Oh! You have a friend with you. This is a first.”

“Good evening, my name is Prowl.”

“Goddess! The same one from the prophesy?”

“Yes and no. Yes I’m the one that they are saying the prophesy is about, however I don’t believe in prophesies. Anyway I had Ember bring me here so I could procure some far writing ink and paper.”

“Ember is it? Yes, I think that name really suits you. You’ve gained quite a bit of status since last we met. As for the paper and ink the king takes all I can produce. Though I do have a few sheets that I keep in reserve for emergencies. The ink is easy enough to make so I always have that. I don’t see why you would need more than a couple of sheets. Still they are extremely expensive. I would almost say prohibitively so unless you’re a King or High Noble.”

“The less you know the better. However I think I have a product that is even rarer and valuable I can trade with.”

“I’m sorry but there is nothing you could possibly offer me in trade. I have everything I could need right here on the shelves of my shop.”

“What about a potion that gives you a high level of appraising eye for a short time?”

“Snake oil. You can’t trick me. I know no such potion exists.” The hedgehog said, with a laugh.

“Give me a moment.” I stepped into the pocket realm and over to my potion section. This time I could be a little more precise. First I created the potion and it was a bright yellow so next I concentrated and gave it a honey flavor. That done I took out a flask with a dropper on the top and filled it with purified water. Then I returned to the shop with the potion and the flask. “Okay I’ve just pulled this from my storage pocket. I keep all my rare potions there because they are so valuable and dangerous.” I set the bottle on the counter. “If used like this it would be classed as a deadly poison.” I took out the flask “This is just purified water. Don’t worry, the glass the flask is made of has been enchanted with purification so any water you put in it will be purified.” I took out the dropper and filled it with the potion and then squeezed it into the flask. Then I put the lid back on and gave it a shake. “You will be perfectly fine as long as you only use this much per day. However I would suggest you only use it when you think you need the skill. However, since you think this is all a sham I insist you take a small sip to test it.”

“Don’t worry, Master Prowl is far to kind to ever poison anyone. It’s just not in his nature.”

Both the hedgehog and I looked at Ember in surprise.

“I suppose I can trust you.” He took a very small sip and this time I had already activated my own appraising eye.

He took his glasses off and wandered around the store staring at all the items on display. Occasionally he'd shift things around slightly. He looked at me rather puzzled and I realized my ability was canceling out the potion version. He did look a bit startled glancing at Ember but with her skills for espionage and assassination being so developed that was to be expected. Still she missed mentioning an extremely high skill in art.

"Oh, that didn't last long. Um, can someone please hand me my glasses?" The dose lasted a little over five minutes. "I must say that was amazing. And using it meant I could see again without glasses. Such a high level of appraising. You are right this potion is almost priceless. There is no way I'd be able to pay for this."

"Well, as you might have guessed from looking at me I already have the ability and at a higher level so the potion won't do me any good. So here's my proposition. When you are able you make a couple of sheets of the magical paper for me plus supplies of whatever Ember needs. The next time Ember needs a new sketch pad we'll return and I'll pick up the stocked paper as well."

"That seems reasonable, but I'll still never be able to produce enough to pay you back."

"So? As I said, it's just going to waste in my pocket storage. This way I get something for it and you get something you can use. Just remember, no more than one flask worth per day. That is very important."

"Very well. I still think you're the one getting shorted." As he collected the paper and ink I noticed that Ember had placed a new sketchbook on the counter as well.

"You said that a new sketchbook was included in the deal." She said quietly.

"I guess I did."

Once the hedgehog returned Ember went and checked the windows to be sure no one was coming. I had him add a box of the colored chalks in as well.

"Ember really has amazing skill. Sometimes I wish she hadn't been born a cousin to the king. Maybe then she could have pursued her true calling." The hedgehog said sadly.

"Don't worry, now that she has left the king's service and joined my team she is going to have a lot more time for her art."

"Are you done? We really should be going." Ember insisted.

I hurried over. "Ember, since we now know you can use my mana to go anywhere, I think we should collect all you sketch books."

"Why?" She asked in surprise.

"First because I'm sure they are important to you and second I believe they will be safer in our storage dimension."

"Okay, but one question first. Did you somehow make that potion when you were out of sight?"

"Yes."

"I'm surprised you would admit it, but it did seem a little too convenient to me. Tell me you can't copy my ability that way."

"No, I can only make potions of the abilities I have or I've gained from my summons."

"Okay, I suggest you prepare yourself. We have a lot of jumps to make."

When we arrived back at the training room we'd collected 42 sketch books and I was feeling tired. I'd forgotten that even though my mana level wouldn't drop channeling so much mana still had an impact. "Ember before you go I've been giving everyone early Solstice gifts."

"Master Prowl, you've done too much already. You got me a new sketch pad, and don't think I didn't notice the chalk, plus you helped me collect all my old books."

"Yes, but there is still something from my world that I want you to have." I did the search, chose the largest set, and ordered it. I let Ember open the lid.

"Master, what are these?"

"Colored pencils, the set with the largest number of shades I could find. I'm sure you'll figure out how to use them."

"To have so many colors to choose from is amazing. I can't wait to try a few out."

"Then by all means go and test them. Though if you see Chaza tell her it’s her turn for assessment."

"Of course Master Prowl."

I waited for Ember to leave before stretching out on the bench. It wasn't the most comfortable but I just needed to rest for a few minutes.

***

"Where the hell have you been?"

Chaza's yell had the triple effect of waking me up, making me jump, and causing me to fall off the bench onto the floor. "Right here trying to get a little rest." I answered.

"I don't mean now. I mean for the last couple of hours."

I was testing Ember's skill when she can power it up with my mana battery skill. Now it's your turn for assessment. So what is your born talent?"

"I don't have one and you know it."

"No, what I know is that you make sure to stay out of my sight when I'm using my assessing eye. This time you're not getting out of it."

"Fine, but it isn't going to help us in any way. It really is a garbage talent." She didn't say any more.

"Come on, what is it?"

"Seduction. I can make any male love me unless they already love someone or something else. Do you know how many men are in love with power, treasure, or themselves? What's worse is that I'll never know if a male actually loves me or if it's my talent causing him to."

"Happy now?"

"You're also a berserker. You're super strong both from practicing with and using Knockers. You have really good survival and combat skills from all the time we had to live rough. Now, can Knockers actually communicate with you? We've all seen you talking to your hammer, what I want to know is does she talk to you. Does your weapon have a living soul attached to it?"

Chaza looked at the hammer, "What do you mean tell him? You said if I told anyone I'd lose you."

"So the answer is yes. Hello Knockers, I'm sorry for some of the things I said to you and about you in the past. Since you are a part of this team I'd like to know a little bit about you."

"Well this is going to be a pain.” Chaza muttered, “She says she has been here a very long time. She was one of the first heroes, except at that time the gods were much more restricted so they ended up creating hero weapons. She doesn't want to talk about her first life, but she was used in the demon wars and taken as treasure by humans during the beast war. She always remained hidden because she doesn't care for most males. However you, Rider, and Ren are different since you have no interest in females. Anyway, other than the enchantments I've added for her she can change her density making her lighter during the swing and extremely heavy at impact."

"Okay, but why Knockers?" I asked.

"You know why, I'm the one that gave her that name. She likes it because it causes confusion and anger in men when I offer to show them my knockers and then show her to them."

"Okay that makes sense with what you've said. So I've been giving out early Solstice gifts. Is there anything you'd like?"

"Yeah, I thought you might offer and we discussed possibilities. While I've been able to add enchantments Knockers would really like some reinforcement. I had Ember help me make some sketches."

Ember’s art skills really were advanced and detailed. Basically they wanted an iron cage with small spikes. If it didn't keep one of the hammer's heads clear I'd have re classified it as a mace. I did my best to photograph the sketches and changed the iron to titanium. I also added the small touch of the traditional hammer symbol of Mjolnir to the sides. Like everything else it arrived long before it could have been forged. The cage even had a pink heart shaped lock holding the cage tightly in place once it was installed."

"Perfect! This is going to make smashing things so much messier and satisfying. Anyway, I've eaten so I'm going to go and get some more sleep while you start planning for tonight. That way I'll be able to act as your anchor when you take everyone else into the pocket for a full night's rest."

"You know me too well."

"It's only right, since I'm your second in command until we've rescued Rider. Just try not to overcomplicate things. Sometimes rushing in and bashing everything is the best plan."

"Is it my turn now?" The prince asked, as he entered.

"Oh right, you disappeared somewhere so you probably don't know he's insisting on joining us." Chaza whispered. She greeted the prince and rapidly left the training room.

I rolled my eyes and activated my appraising eye. The prince was average. Average fighting skills, magic, strength, stamina, mana, music, and dance. It was like he went out of his way to be perfectly balanced. Not powerful enough to be threatening, but not so weak as to appear ineffective. Basically the image of perfect royalty.

"So my born skill is survivor. It allows me to survive any battle I'm in. Perfect to join your rescue and overthrow of the false king."

Oh I could read his skill alright, and it was survivor, but whoever explained it to him was obviously lying. Survivor influenced his opponents to focus their attacks on his guards allowing the prince to escape or survive. Great if you have guards willing to fight and die for you, not so much when the people with you care more about their own survival.

"Your highness, you have to understand I have carefully chosen the members of my team not only for their skills, but because they have learned to work as a unit. In case you realized that Ember, our newest member, has only been with the team a few days you also need to realize her strengths are to act as a solo agent. Once her part is done she will remain hidden and not participate in any full group actions. The most important thing for you is to remain here. After all it is important, in the event my team should fail, that you are safe to escape the city and mount a proper campaign against Lord Trevant."

"I suppose that makes sense. Still I'd like to help."

"You still can. I suspect you escaped through a secret escape passage."

"How did you know?”

"It was common practice for royalty on the world I came from."

"Oh. Yeah, there's a secret passage from the royal quarters to a crypt in the church cemetery."

"I'm pretty sure Ember has a partial map of the castle. I need you to mark on it where the passage opens up and tell me how to enter the passage from the crypt."

"Entering is easy. You enter the King's crypt and at the back is a statue of the first king. The sword handle is actually a lever that you pull and the whole statue swings aside like a proper door. On the inside you just lift the latch. In the castle it's the same thing. The entrance is concealed in the hall of kings. The hall is lined with stone statues of all the kings but only the first king is sculpted in armor."

"See, you're already contributing a lot to our mission, without having us risk losing our future King."

"I guess. I still want to do more though."

"Yeah, I know how that feels. Right now they could be torturing my husband and there is nothing I can do about it."

"How can you be so calm about that?"

"Because I know, no matter what sort of skill or torture they use Rider will always have a part of me in his heart just as he is in mine. We've been through so much together that nothing will ever shake that conviction."

"That's . . . interesting. I've always known that I'll be marrying for the sake of the kingdom and not for something as misguided as love."

"I hope for your sake you can stick to that. Many kingdoms have fallen when the ruler marries for the good of their people only to fall from grace when either they or the one they married fall in love. If, when the time comes, you suspect something like this. Call for me and I will advise you as best I can. There are ways to weather such events but they require certain . . . sacrifices from everyone involved."

"You mean you'd have to kill-".

"No. When I say sacrifice I mean things like control, power, emotions, or things of similar nature. Just remember to ask for my advice if something like this should happen. I mean there is also a good chance you will fall in love with the one you decide to marry."

"I'll remember."

"Good, now go find Ember and help fill in any gaps in her map of the palace. Right now that is going to help us be successful more than anything else."

"Are you telling me what to do?" He asked, while smirking.

"Well, technically I'm the oldest son of the current king and you are a fugitive."

"I . . . Well played, your highness."

I hissed, "Please, don't say things like that, not even in jest."

"You really don't want to rule, do you?" The prince said, shaking his head. "You most likely would be a better ruler than I will ever be."

"Never."

He laughed, as he left the room.

"Sky, you want to come with me into the pocket for a nice long nap?" He didn't exactly like being there since he had to remain solid the whole time, but he was almost always up for a catnap. I mentally designated Ren as our anchor and popped out of reality. I should be planning but I was so tired that I knew I'd be more effective after getting some sleep.

***