Tristan woke up when the doors slammed open. He had ensured that his emerald amulet, normally on the belt that stored them, was around his neck before heading to sleep, replacing its slot with his Anorox Family Crest. Quickly spinning his crucible, he used the stored Alter Form spell to take on his Demonkin physique – the tingling sensation running along his body something he had grown accustomed to thanks to the consistent re-casting by either Felicity, or the use of the artificed item.

Felicity was sleeping on the pillow next to him in a squirrel-sized shape, her form still fully invisible to non-Elves, and she roused as Tristan sat up. He observed as a few guards from the night shift came in and began divesting themselves of their gear, a few shooting him glances before going to their usual routine of removing armor, switching out underclothes – to which Tristan made sure to avert his gaze – and then left the chamber to presumably eat or do some errands before their turn in the bunk room.

Felicity poked his head and spoke at her normal volume in the Standard Tongue – unable to be heard except by Tristan. "Time to get up, sleepy!"

Tristan nodded and kicked his legs out of the bed, "Mind doing a fly-over of Lockwood and seeing if you find the best route to that other-Realm portal area?"

"Sure! But we are supposed to stay in the town, right? That's what the Demon lady said." She giggled, "Not that I would care about breaking rules."

"We need to visit the Fey Realm and acquire the herbs for a ton of panacea elixirs. I doubt they have the raw ingredients here in the scale we need." He stood up and opened the footlocker, leaving the key in the lock, as he began gearing up and took a set of the clean linen underclothes, shoving his usual, much softer strandvine clothes into his storage dimension. "I'll leave a note that I needed to leave and do a supply run to make and bring back the elixirs."

Felicity gave him a nudge, "Okay. I'll go fly off and check." She went to the door, opened it, and flew out through the top of the doorway – deftly dodging a guard who was entering, seemingly getting off his shift late. The Demonkin looked Tristan up and down, and gave him a quizzical look.

"Can I help you?" Tristan asked in Demon's Tongue, putting on a brusque front of a hardened mercenary.

"Fancy armor," the man grumbled back. "Who'd ya steal it from?"

Tristan scowled, "It's mine," not needing to put on an act of disdain.

The Demonkin guard frowned in return, "Fucking mercenaries," he mumbled as he turned to another footlocker and began doing what his peers had done already.

Tristan finished belting on his sword and slid past the man. Heading through the complex, he made it outside and went right to the House Guards at the front entrance of the inner keep. "Excuse me," he said as the much larger Demon looked down at him. "Please inform Lord Dalphatroux that the mercenary Marius Lestrange will be departing for a short time to acquire the panacea elixirs."

The Demon looked down at Tristan like he was a lesser being. An ant compared to a giant, hardly worth his time. But, the House Guard gave a curt nod, turned to his companion, and said, "I'll inform her." He turned and entered the heavily fortified entrance.

Tristan gave a brief bow and left the main keep, Felicity landing on his head once he had made it over the drawbridge and into the city proper. She whispered in his ear, "I've got the path mapped out! The city is not quite as organized as the capital – thank The Matriarch." She made a disgusted sound, "Bleh! I hate how orderly stuff is here."

Tristan scratched her head and followed her directions, arriving at a marketplace with a few designated stone platforms that were quite obviously artificed; Demon's Tongue inscribed into them. He read the words aloud, softly speaking in Standard Tongue for Felicity's sake. "A Realmstone. Attuned to the Elemental Realm of Fire."

Felicity made her paw-claw biscuits on his head, "Neat idea! Having permanent artificed items that anyone can use with essence!"

There was a stall in the center of the raised platforms, surrounded by merchant stalls where people from other Realms peddled wares to Demonkin and Demons who were perusing the goods. That stall in the center had a sign on the front that read, "Five silver for transport to another Realm, ten for a round trip." Tristan approached the bored-looking Demon woman sitting at the stall – a head taller than him, but slimmer than the Demon Lord he had spoken to the night before. As he walked up, she spoke to him, "Where do you want to go?"

Tristan glanced at the different platforms, "Looks like you have fixed destinations. Any chance you can get me to The Mortal Realm?"

She nodded, "We have one. Takes you right to Bhant."

That caught Tristan off guard. "Where in Bhant?" he asked.

"Ah, been there before? But I haven't ushered you through the portal before."

Tristan frowned, "I've heard of it," he quickly lied. "I heard they are not very open to people like us."

"They are a Human superiority kingdom," she replied with a chuckle, "But their ties to the Demon Realm are strong. From all the way back during their founding, I think." She waved her hand dismissively, "Either way – the upper crust of nobility knows of this tie, and thus under the Blackspire mount – the big castle at the center their king resides at and where the high court is held – there's a chamber for us to visit."

Tristan contemplated his choices. I could go there…but no. I can get to the Fey Realm from any other Realm. I should choose something that gives less chance for me to be noticed as out of the ordinary. "Thanks for the information," he said with a smile. "I think I'll stick to the Elemental Realm of Fire."

"Will do," the woman replied. "Round trip or just wanting to go there?"

"Do they have a similar system set up for me to get back here?"

"Oh, yes," she replied. "Takes you to their inter-Realm market, which I think has a portal to the Citadel of Essence as well. They have someone who does something similar to me." She put on a pouty face, "But you want to support a proper Demon industry, don't you?"

Tristan smiled and pulled out a gold coin from his front-facing coin pouch that held a small amount of the currency. "What does a gold get me?"

"The premium deal," she replied with a sultry smile.

Felicity sighed, "Why do sales women like this always act slutty in their sales pitches? Just put out a price list!"

Tristan suppressed a chuckle, "What's the premium deal?" he asked, still conversing in Demon's Tongue.

"You get a premium experience." The woman put her hand under the stall, fished around for a moment, and when her hand came back into view, she was holding a thin, metal plate that looked like stamped bronze. "Think of it like a week-long pass. We have a Season-long one as well, but that's more expensive."

"Just the week-long is fine." Tristan set the gold coin on the counter, and the woman handed him the bronze plate. She then stood up and waved him over to the platform with the label for the Elemental Realm of Fire. He knew he could activate it himself if needed, but did not want to use their artificed item and break what seemed like decorum.

She closed her eyes briefly then leaned down and tapped the stone with her hand. Space in front of Tristan ripped open and he saw an opaque portal. "Here you go! On the other side, look for a Demonkin in a similar stall – part of the industry. They'll get you back here."

Tristan nodded and gave her the most polite smile he could before he stepped through the portal. He felt the slight buzz along his skin and then as he took another step, the heat assailed him. It was a warmth not unlike when he was standing underneath the hot sun when they were learning how to ride back in their countryside estate in Bhant. A pleasant memory flitting across his mind before Felicity interrupted it.

"It's so hot!" she exclaimed as she was panting loudly.

Tristan spun his crucible and let it vent out of him, producing a slight, cool aura that had an immediate effect on his companion, "Better?" he whispered in Standard Tongue.

"Mhmm," she replied. "Ahh…love my living cooler." She poked his temple with her finger.

He took in the environment around him. Dark, crimson skies were completely clear of clouds, but he could see veins of fire that crisscrossed in air above – a web of coruscating flames that flashed and sparked from constant combustion. All around him he saw Drakonid with red and gold scales of varying hues, and scattered amongst them were goblins with their long ears. Seeing them brought a scowl to Tristan's face, as he recalled the Incursion from this Realm into the Fey Realm.

Heading to the edge of the marketplace, he found an inn and entered; finding the space cooler as he descended several steps into a subterranean main room. Primarily occupied by non-Drakonid, the barkeep gave him a nod as they continued to pull ale from casks. Tristan headed to the stairs, where a Drakonid who was a splitting image of the barkeep, but younger, perked up slightly from his slouching posture near the railing. "Hi! Welcome to-"

Tristan interrupted him and pushed a gold coin into his hand, "Just a room. However long this will get me."

The teenage Drakonid nodded and opened a panel behind him that was embedded in the wall, grabbed a key, and handed it to him. "Our finest room, for a full week! Far end of the hall."

Tristan nodded and descended the stairs, feeling the slight temperature decrease of going deeper. He went straight back and unlocked the door, shutting it behind him and re-locking it before handing Felicity the key. "Okay, give me an hour and we'll head to the Fey Realm."

She grinned, "Can I go and do some shenanigans?"

Tristan shrugged, "You could, but you'll be hot."

She got off his head and frowned, "That…good point…" She smiled, "I can think of something else we can do for an hour."

"I need to spin my crucible," Tristan replied. "We haven't tried before."

Felicity's form shifted to that of her Elfanoid appearance that she usually took when sleeping with him. "Then think of it like training. Can you endure the delight I'm going to put you through while keeping your focus?"

"I'm up for the challenge," Tristan replied as he began taking off his armor.

After a bit more than an hour due to lost concentration, Tristan had re-equipped his gear and Felicity re-shifted to her fairy dragon form, clambering atop his head and falling asleep, exhausted from their activity. He pushed the last of the essence required into the Fey Realm Ring, and transported back.

He arrived in the dirt circle and saw that the Fey Realm had changed a bit since he was last there. The marketplace and crafting area had expanded, there were new tree-houses, and he could see Spriggan interacting with other Fey Realm residents. Almost immediately, a fairy dragon flew up to him. "Hey! Welcome back, Lord Tristan!"

Tristan recognized him, and spoke in Standard Tongue. "Hey there, Reggie. Mind getting all the panacea elixirs we have on hand into a box?"

"Sure! Can do!" He wagged his tail with delight, like a puppy excited to play with their favorite toy, but he sounded curious. "What happened to her?" he asked, pointing with a paw-claw at Felicity.

"She's just a bit tired," Tristan replied. "Came from the Elemental Realm of Fire. She doesn't do well in the heat."

"Bleh!" Reggie replied, making a slight spitting noise. "I hate hot places!" He then switched topics, "Oh, mind if I get another few fairy dragons on the task? I think that sheep-lady wanted to talk to you."

"Dorothy," Tristan said. "You should know the name of the Courtiers."

"Right right," Reggie replied. "She wanted to talk about something to do with all these new people."

"I saw the new tree houses," Tristan replied as he began making his way over to the workshop area where the imbuement station was set up. "I'm guessing it has to do with that?"

"Probably!" Reggie replied as he flew into the canopy above the crafting stations.

Tristan went over to the various herb bushes and began harvesting the components for the panacea elixirs, ensuring that he spun his crucible the whole time and performed the spell gesture for Perfect Harvest. Pinching the plants between his thumb, middle, and pinky fingers, curling his index and ring into the palm, and incanting the spell phrase. "Give me the bounty you hold." Having secured a massive harvest, he took the ingredients back to the work bench and began the process of making the potions that he would then use the imbuement spell upon.

A bunch of fairy dragons began bringing him more ingredients, with one commenting, "The plants have grown in some other places across the Fey Realm! It's so neat! A lot of them smell really nice."

Good thing I put the stuff from other Realms into planters, Tristan thought as the idea of having foreign plants spreading throughout the Fey Realm did not fill him with much confidence or sense of security.

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After a few minutes, Dorothy, the Sheepkin Demihuman and representative on the Fey Court for non-native citizens, approached him. "Lord Tristan," she said. "You look different. I will admit, the disguise is unnerving."

Tristan chuckled, "Sorry, the Alter Form spell is necessary where I am going. What did you need?" he asked as he glanced sideways at her, stirring a pot full of the herbs and oil.

"We have had a large influx of new residents. All properly vetted. But we are beginning to run out of space in the area around the Queen's Wood, and some of the residents have expressed a desire to have housing in other areas – closer to the Summerbalm Springs, or Fallthorn Forest, and Springthaw Meadows."

"We should be able to facilitate that," Tristan replied. "I'm fine with it if the native residents of those areas are okay with it."

"That's the problem," Dorothy said with a bit of exasperation to her tone. Like a mother who was sick of getting in between her children that were fighting. "We've got the Spriggan who are absolutely against it, the Nymphs who are open to it but neglecting their duties in favor of sleeping around, and the Unicorns who are ambivalent, but the constructions have to be on the outskirts of the main meadow – which the new residents to not want. They want houses in the meadows proper." She rubbed her temples and groaned, "Forgive me for unloading all of this on you at once, Lord Tristan. But it gives me a headache trying to please everyone."

"We can't please them all," Tristan replied with a sigh. "Can you call a Fey Court meeting? I'll be at this for another hour or so, then it all has to cool and be bottled. I should be able to squeeze out two hours to attend to affairs."

There was immense relief in Dorothy's voice, "Thank you, Lord Tristan. I'll get the Courtiers together immediately!" she walked off with haste.

Felicity yawned, "Mm…good nap. And that smells delicious."

"You wouldn't want to eat it," Tristan replied as he took off his gauntlet and glove and prepared to use the Infuse Elixir spell. "It'll give you the runs if you take more than a vial's worth."

"Blegh!" Felicity said with disgust. Then, her voice shifted and her mischievous side came out. "I could sneak a few vials into people's food! Genius!"

Tristan ignored her and dipped his index finger into the still-bubbling potion, swirling the mixture as he spoke. "Increase the inherent qualities of this solution. Imbue this substance with my power. Bring out the true nature of these ingredients." He directed the flow of essence through his torso and felt the cooling energy run down his arm, into his fingertip, and saw the silvery light spread among the liquid until it was fully saturated, then faded. "First batch is done," he said as he pulled his finger out and took the huge pot off the artificed heating surface. He looked up to the canopy, where a bunch of fairy dragons were lounging and staring at him. "Well? Let's get to work."

After an hour, Tristan had several crates full of panacea elixir that Felicity shoved into her extradimensional storage space, and he headed into the Queen's Wood – his Alter Form spell fading as he walked in. Taking his seat in the Fey Court chamber, he watched as every Courtier filtered in within rapid succession.

The Matriarch was the first to speak once they were all seated, "Your investigation goes well?" she asked.

Tristan nodded and tapped his fingers on the table. "It does," he replied. "I am well on my way toward getting a Demon House on board with my plan."

Krik, the Spriggan representative, interrupted. "You still intend on bringing a strike force through, my lord. Yes?"

Tristan nodded, "The plan remains the same. Bait out the Demon King – sorry, the Realm Protector's forces from the capital. Then, we go and kill him. If we can, we also kill the Venomous Rose – but without their main backer, even if some escape, I doubt they will cause problems in the future." He turned to Thallia, "That's where your information corps will come into play to ensure the security of the future."

Thallia, Prime Nymph, grinned and glanced over at Krik before looking back to Tristan. "We have an excellent program underway, and Nymph representatives are all across multiple Realms making diplomatic maneuvers. The Heavenly Realm has already signed a mutual defense pact with us, and we are working on several more. Negotiations are going swimmingly." She giggled slightly at her own joke that referenced her species' affinity for water.

"We have a specific matter to discuss," Dorothy said. "The issue of housing."

Prish, the Unicorn representative, rolled his eyes. "Forget about it. They are not building on our meadows. The edges are fine, as we've discussed. But not the ancestral grounds."

Tristan immediately saw where Dorothy's frustration came from, as Prish, Thallia, Krik, and her all began discussing and tipping into arguing about who would be allowed to live where. This is not how my Realm is going to operate, Tristan thought. He slammed his fist onto the table, silencing the group, and he was keenly aware that The Matriarch and Dorni were observing him closely. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "I am aware that people are not happy. The species who reside here, the natives of this place, hold more sway in my eyes than those who are permanent residents from elsewhere. However, we also want a united Realm without fractures." He looked at Krik, "I know you have chosen to have the Fallthorn Forest off limits entirely. I respect your wishes, but urge you to reconsider and to allow some to live on the outskirts of the territory proper." He shifted his gaze to Thallia, "And I cannot have too many people living near the Nymphs, as I have been told it distracts from their duties." Lastly, he looked to Prish, "Your concerns are all valid," he said to the table at large.

Leaning his elbows on the table, he rested his chin on his knuckles as his hands clasped together. "I propose this, then. On the edges of those territories, a set number of residences will be designed and set up and crafted; formed from the trees as they have been as to not harm the Realm's flora. The number is to be kept small, to start, and eventually…eventually, when we begin to search for Lost Realms and I work with The Matriarch on Grafting them, I can shape the Realm to add more regions that fit the specific needs of the populace."

This caused the table to go quiet, and The Matriarch spoke with a curt and stern voice. "You are not following in Zeltana's footsteps, are you?" she asked.

Tristan looked at her and smiled softly, ensuring his voice was just as soft as his expression was. "No. I'm not a conqueror. Once I have my vengeance, I plan on unsealing the rest of the Fey Realm. And I have been told that in the Daylight Dell, the Dryads are sequestered away. And they can touch the edges of the Fey Realm and identify when a Lost Realm is close by. We will only Graft Realms that are Lost."

This brought a look of acknowledgment, respect, and relief to The Matriarch's face, and she was about to respond, but Krik cut her off. "Such endeavor can be dangerous," he rumbled. "Husks in those Realms might be mighty foes."

"Then we best be ready," Tristan replied. "Given the pace of my progress in the Demon Realm, I would think maybe a few Seasons is all it will take to have my vengeance and mete out justice for all bloodlines slain by these assassins. Plenty of time to continue to improve our forces. Speaking of…" he turned to Dorni. "How are we doing in preparations for arms and armor?"

Dorni grinned, "Well, young lord. Krik's people are already naturally armored, but we are working on further protection and weaponry, nonetheless. Their expertise in woodcraft is coming in handy. We have arms and armor aplenty, and are still customizing it to each person. The Unicorns in particular, as the fairy dragons can shift their forms to make the fit perfect."

Krik chuckled, "That reminds me. Lord Tristan, we have made a new bow for you."

Tristan felt a giddy rush of excitement, and it bled through into his tone. "Great! I can't wait to see it." He stood up, "If that's all for this meeting…" he trailed off, letting silence permeate so anyone could speak up before he closed out the meeting.

Dorothy spoke, "Just to be clear, Lord Tristan; we are to work on natural residences for a small number of permanent residents?" Tristan nodded and she continued, "Well…that will work for now. But I imagine as the populace grows further, we will need those expansions sooner rather than later."

Tristan shook his head, "The desires of the native species comes before new settlers. Advise them during their application process that they may not have their first pick of where they want to live."

Dorothy frowned, "You will foster a feeling of second-class citizenship amongst them with that."

Thallia spoke up, "And they are in a way." She sounded quite aggrieved, and stopped short of verbally attacking Dorothy. "You all are allowed here by the grace of Lord Tristan alone. Living in luxury, not having to work unless they choose to – you lot should be grateful for that."

Dorothy looked at Tristan, pleadingly, but he felt that Thallia was correct in that, and backed her up more gently than her response was. "I'll say this much – we should prioritize those who contribute to the Fey Realm among the new residents. If they are just moving here to live in luxury and enjoy the wonders and bounties of this place, then yes, they would be considered a second-class citizen – because they aren't helping. But if they are helping, they should be prioritized for these other residences across the Realm." He looked to Thallia, "That should help to appease your grievance and obvious feelings towards our new people."

The Nymph nodded and smiled, "It does please me."

Dorothy frowned, and sounded annoyed. "And what of those who are not able to contribute because they lack a skill set we are in need of?"

Tristan shrugged, "Then they can learn." He rubbed his temple, feeling a slight headache coming on, and spun his crucible as he poured the power into his amulet belt, activating the stored Cure Wound spell which immediately alleviated the pressure building in his head. "Now…if there is nothing else?" He left a silence and nodded curtly, "Then I will conclude this meeting of the Fey Court." He turned to Krik, "I'd love to see this new bow."

The Spriggan got up and led him out of the Court chamber, but before they left the Queen's Wood, The Matriarch walked up next to Tristan and put a hand on his shoulder. "You did well. You will not please everyone, but your actions are not going to be unnoticed. I think they were fair, all things considered."

Tristan felt that pride rise up in him that comes from a paternal figure's praise, and he put his hand on her's for a moment. "Thanks." She pulled away, and he continued to follow the now-waiting-outside Krik over to the workshop area.

Felicity poked Tristan in the side of the head, "You did a good job, like mom said. Some people are going to be pissed off, but that's how it goes sometimes!"

Tristan scratched her head as he spun his crucible and poured the essence into his amulet holding Pocket Dimension II. Reaching into the space, he pulled out the war bow and quiver full of arrows, setting them on one of the empty benches. Krik took him past several of the crafting stations and to a part that was new to Tristan. Far back near the edge of the forest, where a few of the tree houses had been grown and shaped. The goldwood, silverwood, Adamant Wood, and Ironwood from the Mortal Realm had all been transplanted there. Several Spriggan who were slightly slimmer and almost more feminine than the more masculine shaped Krik were busy at work shaping and molding the wood they pulled effortlessly off the trees, and fostered new growth where they plucked the wood from.

Krik gestured to a long trunk made of a single piece of wood with a bark-like hinge on the back. "We gauged your strength based upon others' observations of your archery talent – but if adjustments need to be made to the draw weight, then we can do so before you depart." He opened the chest, and Tristan's breath caught in his chest.

The most gorgeous bow he had ever laid eyes upon. A gorgeous recurve that was a deep, iron color that was flecked with silver and gold veins that intertwined around each other in a mesmerizing pattern line vines crawling across a trellis. Krik spoke as Tristan lifted it out of the container, "It is Adamant Wood, blended with goldwood and silverwood. The Gnomes added a core that we formed and integrated the wood into – Vorferr. Something that is very rigid, but snaps back into place with far more force than one could imagine. I put the draw weight at about two-hundred pounds."

Tristan looked around for a string, "I don't see how I'm supposed to string it."

Krik let out a rumbling laugh, "Watch the splendor of our craft, Lord Tristan." Krik held out his hand, and Tristan handed the bow to him which in his grip was like a child's practice weapon. Krik placed his fingers on the top of the recurve's arch, and then pulled down – a small strand of fibers extending from his fingertips, affixed to the top of the arch, and then he brought the bow bending down to the bottom, where he touched and the fibers affixed themselves. "The wood is alive, and you can pull it along with a thought." He unstrung the weapon by tapping the top, and the weapon snapped back to form immediately. Krik handed the weapon back to Tristan. "Try it."

Tristan repeated the motion, feeling the top of the bow. Small tendrils wrapped around his fingers, and he pinched them as he pulled. The weapon was not hard for him to string, and when his fingers touched the bottom of the recurve, the fibers attached themselves. Testing the weapon's draw weight, he took up his usual stance and pulled back – the weapon almost effortless in the draw. "I think we can go heavier," Tristan said.

Krik laughed, "Can do." He turned to one of his fellows – the slimmer Spriggan – and some silent communication occurred as he gently took the bow from Tristan's willing grip and handed it to the other Spriggan. That slimmer one began moving their large, wooden hands over the length, and Tristan watched in amazement as the curve became more pronounced as the wood warped under their grip. Handing it back to Krik, then back to Tristan, he tested the draw weight once more and held it at its maximum.

"Seems about right," Tristan said.

The Spriggan who had made the alteration let out a chuckle – which was the first time Tristan had heard the species laugh. It was an odd sound of wood crunching and sliding against wood. They spoke with a slightly higher-pitched voice. Still male, but definitely not like Krik's. "That is almost five-hundred pounds of draw weight. Enough that it should punch a hole through any armor. Possibly even a stone wall!"

Tristan looked around for arrows and saw several quivers. He put two quivers full of the Adamant Wood arrows into his storage dimension, and strapped one to his waist. "Let's test. Practice field." Quickly traversing the distance, excited at the prospect of testing out his new weapon, Tristan had some fairy dragons set up practice targets at various distances. It took a few shots, but he was able to dial in the arc for maximum distance. Under a thousand feet, there was very little drop, and he was more or less able to aim directly at the target without needing to account for the dropoff. "Now we just need to quickly artifice it," he said with a grin. He glanced over at Krik, "This is a kingly gift. Thank you."

Krik dipped his head, "The least we can do, father of the forest, for bringing our species back. We heard what happened…" the deep voice trailed off and Krik shook his head before continuing to speak. "Apologies. It is still a bit overwhelming."

"Apology accepted," Tristan replied. "Let me artifice this and then I'll be heading out of the Fey Realm and back to my task."

Krik nodded, "Good hunting, Lord Tristan."

After artificing Frost Flurry onto the weapon, Tristan put it in the storage dimension alongside all of his weapons except the dagger on his waist and his sword. Felicity re-used Alter Form, and Tristan used his Fey Realm Ring to take them back to the Elemental Realm of Fire.

Felicity spoke, "You know, you do have multiple Fey Realm Rings back home. The Matriarch only gave you one of them. You could have them "saved" to different Realms or locations in The Mortal Realm."

Tristan frowned, "And you bring this up now instead of earlier?"

Felicity lightly smacked his head, "We're doing a lot of cross-Realm traveling now. It might be worth looking into and using."

"Yes, it is worth looking into," Tristan replied feeling a bit annoyed that he had not thought of the idea himself, and that The Matriarch hadn't brought up the idea with him. Perhaps it's her way of ensuring there are extra rings available for other Winterbloom. My heir, if she needs to use the insurance policy storing my…possible progeny. That made the most sense to him, and he made a mental note to discuss it with her. Leaving the room he had rented out, Tristan went back to the inter-Realm marketplace in the Elemental Realm of Fire – spinning his crucible to keep Felicity cool. He spotted a Demonkin with a very similar stall as the one in the Demon Realm he had departed from, and approached as he produced his bronze plate. Tristan spoke in Demon's Tongue. "I need to get back," he said.

The young man at the stall looked bored and just nodded numbly as if he was drunk. "Sure," he mumbled. Getting off his stool behind the stall, he went over to the stone platform Tristan had arrived from. Putting his hands on it, Tristan saw the portal sputter to life. "Here you go," the young man said as he winced. "Better hurry – I don't have a ton of essence."

Tristan got through the portal, feeling the familiar tingle, and exited back where he had first departed from a few hours prior. The same Demon woman was at her stall, and she gave a brief wave. "Enjoy your trip?" she asked.

Tristan handed her the bronze plate, "Thanks. I think I'm done with other Realms for the day."

The woman frowned and put on a near-pouty face, "Aww, did someone have a rough time?"

Tristan shook his head, "No, just did what I needed. Thanks."

"Anytime if you got the coin."

Tristan left her and whispered to Felicity in the Standard Tongue, "We'll head to the keep, drop off the elixirs, and then it's time to do some detective work and track down this Feather Scourge. Really make sure we get this Dalphatroux House on our side."

Felicity made excited paw-claw biscuits on his head, "Can't wait! We get to go solve a mystery!"

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