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rueful expression crossed his face. “To be completely honest, I was nursing a massive hangover when they told me Hisako wanted me to meet you. I was in a foul mood. Beating you with rods seemed like a great way to vent my frustration. That might not have been fair, but if it helps, it did put me in a better mood.” With that shameless comment, the sprite walked away. Richter just stared after him with his mouth hanging open.
     

CHAPTER 3

    The party arrived at the edge of the Confusing Mist enchantment mid-morning on the third day. Richter gave the entire party immunity, and they continued on. Over the past several days, Yoshi had taught Richter a third form, Cat Swatting at Mouse. It focused on quick stabbing attacks while keeping his center of gravity low. Yoshi drilled him in all three, randomly calling out the name of a form. The goal was to have Richter’s body respond without thinking. Yoshi made sure that Richter knew he had a long, long way to go.
    Richter’s time with Sumiko had not been wasted either as shown by the prompts he had accumulated.
    Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Life Magic. New spells are now available.
    Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Slow Heal! Restore 30 missing health over 60 seconds upon casting. This is a spell of Life Magic. Cost 40 mana. Duration: 6 seconds. Range: Touch. Cast Time: 1 second. Cooldown: 1 min.
    Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Cure! Remove minor poison effects! This is a spell of Life Magic. Cost 50 mana. Duration: 1 second. Range: Touch. Cast time: 2 seconds. Cool down: 30 seconds.
    Neither spell was exceptionally powerful, but Sumiko assured him that as his level increased the spells increased in usefulness drastically.
    A few hours passed as they walked through the mists, and suddenly the village was before them. Richter and Sion had been gone a little over a week. The village was showing the same hustle and bustle that had been there when they left. There were also a few welcome developments. The framework for a wooden cradle had been started by the river, presumably for ship building. Work had also been started on the forge , three walls already having been erected. Also, the crude earthwork walls at the inner edge of the moat surrounding the village had been leveled in long stretches. It would let people stand on the walls to see a greater distance. Richter wondered who had taken the initiative to do that. He certainly approved. As always, Futen met Richter at the boundaries of the village.
    “Hey you sexy beast,” Richter greeted the remnant. Futen was the fragment of an ancient magician’s soul. He had been tied to this Place of Power and was meant to serve whomever was the current Master of the Mist Village. He looked like a grey floating sphere with a white light in the center.
    The orb just pulsed slowly hovering several feet in the air.
    “Well don’t go getting all mushy on me,” Richter laughed. “Okay then, what’s been happening since I’ve been gone?”
    “Would you like a full report, my Lord?” Futen’s deadpan voice was no longer strange to Richter. It was even comforting after a fashion. Like the unique sounds and smells of your grandmother’s house, Futen’s voice just served to remind him on a visceral level that he had come home.
    “No, just anything that requires my immediate attention.”
    “All events can wait until you are settled then, my Lord.”
    “Good! No news is good news. Futen , this is Lady Hisako, the Master of the Hearth Tree, and leader of the wood sprites. She and all members of her party are honored guests. Extend them every courtesy and respond to their questions when asked. Now please go ahead of us, and have some accommodations prepared for them. The men can bunk in the barracks. Lady Hisako and Daniella,” he indicated the other female sprite, “will stay in my room.”
    “Richter that isn’t necessary,” Hisako protested.
    “I won’t have it any other way