090 – Now You See 'Em . . .

First Rox found a jacket and skirt. She was told the color was strawberry red. Next she selected a white blouse. She came out of the changing room, and stood in front of the mirror.

“Hum. Almost, but shorten the skirt to ultra-mini. Just below the bottom of the jacket. And tuck it into body-hugging tight.” She pulled and tugged at the garments as she said this. And the tailor who was there marked it with his chalk. First the blouse, then she put on the jacket, and it was marked with the skirt.

“If you can get these done in an hour, I will appreciate it.”

“But ma’am, I am a bit…”

Rox cut him off. “I need these in an hour. Otherwise I will find somewhere else to get them.”

The tailor looked like a fish for a moment, and then finally spoke. “Very well.” He took the blouse, jacket and skirt as she took them off, and left. Rox got dressed again and went out front, where Caspian waited. He had heard the exchange.

“What’s this about?”

“We are going to go in and see Steven. And I want to look as far from my normal self as I can. Come on.”

Rox dragged Caspian to Victoria’s. Where he again waited outside while she went in. She purchased a push-up bra and a set of silicone fillers to enlarge her bust, and a set of pantyhose. Next they went to a shoe store, for a pair of pumps to match the skirt and jacket. Last they went into a barber.

“Cut the tails and mane off, and even the sides to the top. Then give me a shampoo, and some light makeup.”

Half an hour later, Rox emerged with almost a butch cut, but was content.

“They, or I, will just magic it back to length,” she said to Caspian as they went back for the suit.

The skirt was done and the blouse was in process when she came in. In her haste, Rox tossed dignity aside faster than at the elfin tailors. She went into the changing room, with her goods, and emerged wearing the pumps, hose, skirt, bra and padding. She put the blouse on and had it adjusted across her shoulders and back to nicely tight. The tailor had it finished quickly, and Rox put it on. The jacket was easier, and as he finished it she picked up a cravat and tied it on. She was helped on with the jacket. It fit just right. She put her own clothes in the bag, and paid for her new suit, and she and Caspian left.

Rox detailed her plan to Caspian as she drove. It was a simple meet and extraction.

They stopped at a thrift store, and found two old briefcases. Roxanne put her clothes into her briefcase, as Caspian started adding magic to his. Rox called for a cab, and then dropped the truck at Steven’s work. Caspian stayed by the truck, with Cyrril.

When Rox walked in the office, nobody recognized her, especially as her eyes were pointed, her hair was cut and white, and she wore a suit. She talked briefly to Leticia, and called Mrs. Winchel’s voice mail, while waiting of the cab. Once Leticia calmed down, Rox told her as little as necessary.

“We are going to see Steven. Take the truck home.”

“What are you up to, Rox?”

“None of your business. You don’t know anything. Except that this is the Lawyer I got to work on this case. If Steven has already got one going, get him in touch with this one.” Rox scratched a quick note as the taxi arrived.

“There’s our ride. See you when we see you.” Rox followed Caspian to the cab.

The taxi took them to the Sheriff’s Office, and left. Rox and Caspian had worked it out. They were detectives, and here to talk to Steven, at the asking of Judge Kevan, per Caspian’s original story. It was late in the 3 o'clock hour when they walked up to the desk. Just in time to annoy the woman at the desk before a busy shift ended. Steven had been here for over half his day by this time.

Deputy Poulson came out to meet them, a bit surprised to see them ‘so soon’. He completely missed recognizing Caspian for Rox’s eye candy appearance, despite Caspian looking completely identical to their last meeting. Rox wanted this, and had picked her costume deliberately.

Deputy Poulson held the door as Caspian and Rox entered the room where Steven was sitting, doodling on a legal pad.

“Mr. Caplan. These people say they are from your Lawyer’s firm to talk to you. The Lawyer will be right along.”

Steven looked at them. Caspian in the suit, which Steven vaguely remembered. Rox in the tight red jacket and mini-skirt, with a white blouse and fluffy cravat, all of which Steven had never seen before. Both had brief cases.

Caspian spoke. “Mr. Caplan, how are things?”

“Fine.” He put he pad and paper down. “I’m ready to go, though.” Steven looked at Deputy Poulson, then back.

“Yes, I’m sure you are.” Caspian answered.

Steven looked back at Deputy Poulson. “Am I under arrest?”

“Not yet,” the Deputy responded.

Rox shrugged. “Then we are leaving.”

Caspian dropped his brief case, which quietly disintegrated into a cloud of white smoke that filled the room making visibility arms length at best. Steven remembered the fight in Veradale starting in generally the same way.

Rox tripped Deputy Poulson with her chair. She and Caspian went to where Steven had stood up. Caspian extracted his staff from his coat, returned it to size, and thumped the ground with it.

“Everybody hold on.”

They teleported out, leaving a ‘whomp’ of air and swirl of smoke as they left.

Ron Scalegi opened the door as the dry white smoke poured out, setting off a bit of pandemonium in the place. He just smiled and shook his head. “Alistare warned me.”

Deputy Poulson crawled out coughing, white powder from the settling smoke beginning to cling to his clothes.

Three people and some white smoke appeared in the Caplan’s backyard, much the way they did the night before.

Steven let go, and looked at the other two. “Thanks. Now let’s get out of here.”

“As soon as we change clothes.” Rox was moving toward the doors.

They went inside, Steven and Rox went in to the bedroom, Rox dropping the brief case, and unbuttoning the jacket.

“Where did you get this outfit?” Steven waved at the red jacket and skirt.

“Just got it at the mall.”

“Looks nice.”

“Thanks.” She pulled the jacket and blouse off, and then pealed the rest off, leaving it where she dropped it. She pulled on some clean spandex, and the clothes she was wearing when they arrived.

Steven put on his outfit he had been wearing the night before, leaving his clothes on the bed.

They found Caspian already changed, Cyrril having shown up after disappearing when Caspian and Rox had entered the mall.

Rox wrote a quick note, as Steven gathered up the stuff they were taking with from the couch, and they all went back outside. Caspian quickly repeated the teleport spell and they were gone, just as police sirens and Mrs. Winchel could be heard coming.

Mrs. Winchel found the front door unlocked and went in, as the cruiser came screeching to a stop. Mrs. Winchel stood in the kitchen reading the note Rox had left, when the police woman came in with her hand on her weapon.

“They didn’t even stop by for tea.”

The police woman thought the neighbor sounded more annoyed than angry.

They went through the house, quickly noting the few messes left, and went to the master bedroom. The place looked a bit of a mess, since Rox and Steven did not bother to put anything away or make the bed, leaving it to Mrs. Winchel, per Rox’s note. Piled on the bed was the brand new outfit. The briefcase these were piled on had the sales tags and receipts, and Roxanne’s usual jeans and tee shirt. Steven’s clothes were also piled on the bed.

The police woman did not have any description of people to look for, and after reporting only the neighbor’s presence she left. Mrs. Winchel dutifully laundered and stored everything, after the police woman left. She found the red pumps under the bed as she remade it.

Leticia arrived after business hours with the truck as Mrs. Winchel emerged to go back home.

“The need to be right coupled with the desire to use force and be important. It makes for a pathetic constable,” Caspian said, as he started moving about the North Sierra clearing.

“I think at this point, the only way to convince them of my innocence will be to produce a kidnapper and the kids.” Steven sat on a log, while the other two began drawing on the ground

“Or not come back.” Roxanne worked with her short staff.

“You want to raise our kids on another world?” Steven watched.

“It has its good points,” Rox continued tracing her side of the symbol for the interplanetary teleport spell.

“We will discuss this later.”

Steven put down the pack and collapsed onto the bed. Roxanne followed suit, sitting instead of toppling.

“Is interstellar teleport always so draining?” Steven asked rhetorically.

They had each done this three times now. Caspian had told them in passing that the longer the teleport, the more the stress on their bodies. On top of this latest planet to planet jump, they had done to and from the landing spot on the planets they were on. The cumulative jumping had left them exhausted, and dehydrated.

Rox put her bag aside after rummaging through it; she then stretched out next to her husband. In the next few moments they were both asleep.

�
� ca0 ��malCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:.5in'>Ron wrote this, and looked over his notes. “I suppose I can get the rest of the information from the police. Though the question is how to get Steven out.”

Rox looked at Caspian.

Caspian looked at the far wall for a moment. “Can you get us in to see him?”

“I could go down with you, but I won’t let you get me in any trouble.” Ron looked a bit icy at this.

“My cover is as a ‘detective’. Does that mean that I can go in and talk to Steven? With my assistant?” He looked at Roxanne as said this.

“Don’t see why not, but I have nothing to do with this.”

Rox cut off Caspian’s response. “Fair enough. Do you know just where my husband is?” She bit off the rest of her question.

Ron put his pad down. “I’m probably going to need to ask when I get there. May I presume that you want to retain me to defend your husband, Mrs. Caplan?”

“Mr. Scalegi, I want you to defend my husband, Steven Caplan, against whatever charges he will face. My husband may have another Lawyer in mind to help, but that can be dealt with later. Also I believe Judge Kevan can put you in contact with my mother, who is a business lawyer in the Bay Area, if needed.” Rox was ready to do about anything.

“Very well. I will do so. First, I’m going to make some phone calls. Then I will head down to see your husband in person.” Ron stood up.

Caspian and Rox followed suit, and Cyrril jumped from the back of the couch to Caspian’s shoulder. They all shook hands and Rox and Caspian left the office. Once into the foyer and going down the stairs and across the parking lot outside, the unspoken question was asked by Caspian.

“So, what are we going to do? Our window closes within the next day.”

Roxanne climbed into her truck, and started toward the closest mall as she answered. “I think I need a suit. And we need brief cases. We have to get Steven out of there. The legal stuff can wait. The elves won’t.”

They drove to the mall, and Caspian got a taste of how to shop fast.

091 – Steven Gets Fitted

Journal of Steven Caplan: Day 122

We got back on the local Sunday, and none of the shops was open. It was just as well. Rox and I both crashed, hard. So now on the local Monday, we are back in business. Rox is going to her outfitter and magic lessons. I am going to see my outfitter. I have been told that my once-only escort has refused to participate, so I get to go on my own

I wonder how much of a mess we will find on Earth, once we finally get back.

The Mundrl's Outfitters shop smelled of properly cured leathers, layered with tallow from the candles, and a few other scents mingling through. Rolls of fabric and other materials were stacked in shelves that were fresh since his last visit.

Steven had been here long enough to be familiar with the height difference, but he was still a bit uneasy with being the shortest in the room, rather than the tallest. As he walked into the back he passed Master Mundrl helping a customer, both of whom Steven only came to mid-chest on.

In the back room, the boy-elf quickly pulled the box of Steven’s stuff from under the table, and put it on one corner as Steven began unpacking his new stuff which Rox had packed for him. In the top of the pack he found the new gi, it was set aside. Next were a new set of boots, and at the bottom among the replacement toys he found a surprise.

Steven pulled the gun out of the bag and unholstered it, instinctively pointing it in a safe direction. He thumbed the magazine release, dropping the magazine on the table. It was empty. Then he racked the slide, locking the gun open. Nothing came out. It was as empty as when he had put it away when he last handled it. He put the empty open gun back partway into the holster, and set it a bit into the middle of the table. Next he got out the magazine pouch, removed both magazines, and found them empty. In the bottom of the bag, were 2 boxes of ‘carry’ ammo, one full, one partially. These were put next to the gun with the 3 magazines and pouch.

Master Mundrl had entered while Steven was checking the gun, and stood by waiting as Steven finished sorting things. The elf had what looked like a glass disk the size of a quarter on a choker, and a funny earring in his hand. He held these out to Steven.

Steven looked them over, and then tied the choker on centering the disk over his throat. The earring fit more like a single earphone, with a loop of wire that held it to his ear. Master Mundrl adjusted it slightly.

“Now, how well perceive you speech mine?”

Master Mundrl looked what Steven had picked up as questioning. It took Steven a moment to process what he had heard. His right ear with the earphone heard English. His left heard the native elf language.

“I think I understood what you said.”

Steven heard three sets of words; English in his right ear; the native human language that Caspian had taught and magically arranged for him to use as his primary language in his left; and then in a flatter tone, words in the elf language. The disk at his throat vibrated a bit at this. Steven put his hand to it.

“The quick red fox jumps over the lazy brown dog.” This time he made a conscious effort to speak English. There was a slight delay, and then the disk vibrated, emitting more elvish words, which the thing in his ear retranslated. As the day went on, Steven realized that the elf language used conjugated verbs, and their grammar put the modifier before the modified word.

“Interesting.” Steven looked up at the elf, consciously staying in English. “It’s like a little speaker.”

Master Mundrl waved it off. “They should help us to communicate.” He pointed at the gun. “What is that?”

“This is a handgun. A weapon from my own world. Caspian told me not to bring it, the first time. My wife slipped it in this time.”

The elf reached for it, questioningly. “I have not seen a gun in almost two hundred years. May I?”

Steven unholstered the pistol, and handed it over butt first.

“The design from your world has changed. Does it still use chemical powder?”

The gun looked like a toy in the elf’s large nimble hands. Steven extracted a round from one of the boxes, and held it up taking the gun back.

“This ammunition uses a smokeless powder that is ignited by a percussion strike on the primer.”

The elf turned the copper-jacketed hollow-pointed round over in his fingers.

“It is much more efficient than black powder, and less messy.” Steven took the proffered round back and put it back in its box, which was set back aside.

The Master elf looked over the pile of stuff, and looked at Steven.

“I have updated instructions, to outfit you as one of us. But I doubt that would prove practical for you. So. Take from all that is here, and dress as you would. From there I will design and adjust.”

Steven looked over the pile and his box of stuff, then began. He hesitated, then put the holstered gun and magazine pouches on his belt along with all else. He then put his new vest on, and called the Master's attention.

“This holster is designed to be carried under ones outer clothes. I would prefer it to be in this same position on my belt, or forward to the side of my hip on the vest. But this vest is not set up to carry a gun. I did not think I would be bringing one, so I did not bring a vest to carry one.”

Next his vest pack was filled, or the empty pockets designated for their intended cargo. The bag of crossbow bolts was hung from the vest belt. Finally the detachable backpack with one water bladder filled, a second designated, and his bedroll attached, was secured to the vest. The vest was put aside and Steven put his great coat on, then the vest was put back over the great coat. Then the ‘new’ sword belt wrapped around, and the sheath hung. The King’s Sword put in, noticeably loose. The spare water skins were left aside, the crossbow was shouldered, and Steven turned to the elf.

“Good. Now, how do you move when you fight?”

Master Mundrl’s son approached Steven, being closer to Steven’s height than his father. The boy had a set of wood swords, which he set on the table. They stepped into the open part of the room.

Master Mundrl spoke as they moved. “I’m vaguely familiar with your ‘tournament rules.’ If you would abide them, and fight my son?”

Steven shrugged. “O.k. That’s actually what the gi is for. But this way is just as well.”

Steven did not bother to warn up or stretch. He had learned the hard way in the Corps that in most real fights you do not get the time to warm up. In rapid succession he ran through a series of full range attacks and defenses for hand fighting, and then as the boy recovered from the first barrage, Steven put the crossbow aside on the table. It had been a while since Steven had fought with a pack on, but it did not prove a burden.

The older elf watched intently as Steven hit and kicked at the boy, who was doing all he could to defend himself.

Then the older elf handed the wood swords to them, and took The Kings sword aside after Steven unsheathed it. Steven had never been more than a passable fencer. But he could handle a sword with some increasing skill. And as before, the whole point of the exercise was range of movement in his costume, and not to defeat this particular opponent. Steven felt quite warm when finished, and remembered the gi.

“That other costume I have there, that is my practice outfit. With it, I could show you my full range of motion.”

“Very well.”

Steven shucked the vest-pack, untangled the sword belt, and put it down. Pulled his great coat and shirt off and put on the gi top. Then pulled his boots and socks off, and put aside his trousers and donned the gi trousers. Steven then stretched a bit. He put aside the ear piece and choker. The youth could sense a change in Steven’s demeanor as he approached. The playfulness had left his face, and a steady focus replaced it.

Steven quickly learned that the boy did not really know tournament rules. Or that much about melee fighting, until they retrieved the sticks again. Then it was all Steven could do to hold onto his. They found an acceptable conclusion with Steven having caught the youth’s sword, breaking his own, and knocking the boy’s wind out with a solar plexus strike. Both were sweaty and out of breath, and more than slightly bruised.

The elder elf was applauding in satisfaction. The younger elf stepped aside, shacking his hands. Steven put the jewelry back on, still huffing.

“He’s good.”

“Thank you. We prefer armed arts to hand fighting. Having watched you, I ask, would you like a pair of gloves?”

“In the Corps, I always wore a pair of gloves that had the fingers removed below the first knuckle. Unless it was cold weather. Not everyone did, that was just my habit. Then I had a shooters mitten with one finger exposed and piece that pulled over. But since then, all I’ve used was standard gloves for warmth, which I would remove when shooting.” Steven motioned over his hands as he spoke.

“Would you like some gloves?”

“Yes, but before you measure, I think it best to let the swelling subside.” Steven shook his throbbing hands.

The adult elf pulled a stone about the size of a flat baseball from a nearby box. He deliberately dropped it on the table then picked it up and handed it to Steven. “Hold on to this.”

The stone throbbed and vibrated at a high frequency. For a few moments, it was all Steven could do to grip it.

“That vibrates at a very high frequency. I use it to smooth large sheets out, but it also helps bruises, by allowing everything to circulate, rather than settle. My grand-sire uses one for his arthritic hands.”

Steven wrapped both hands around the flat stone. The sensation of it was a new one to him, but quickly his hands loosened up, almost back to normal, and the swelling diminished.

In the mean time the boy had disappeared, as had bits of Steven’s stuff. Specifically his spare BDU trousers, belt, and both vests, the new one having been emptied first.

“Those were taken to be disassembled for use as a pattern,” Master Mundrl explained. “They already fit, so there is no point in measuring anew.”

Steven nodded. “So I just wait here?” He worked the vibrating stone over the backs of his hands and forearms as he leaned against the table.

“Yes. Much of your stuff, there is no use in replacing. But some of it, we can provide native replacements. If nothing else, it will attract less attention.”

A few moments later, an elf woman came in with several cuts of material draped over her arms. Steven recognized some as pieces of his trousers.

“Stand on the platform please.” She motioned to the raised part of the floor. “And remove your trousers, unless you will be wearing them as an under-layer.”

Steven left his gi trousers on the table, stood on the platform, and got a taste of what happened to Roxanne as a small cadre of elfin craftsmen and women worked over his costume.

‘Fortunately,’ Steven thought to himself ‘mine is only a replacement, not a new wardrobe.’

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� c�� �own with you, but I won’t let you get me in any trouble.” Ron looked a bit icy at this.

“My cover is as a ‘detective’. Does that mean that I can go in and talk to Steven? With my assistant?” He looked at Roxanne as said this.

“Don’t see why not, but I have nothing to do with this.”

Rox cut off Caspian’s response. “Fair enough. Do you know just where my husband is?” She bit off the rest of her question.

Ron put his pad down. “I’m probably going to need to ask when I get there. May I presume that you want to retain me to defend your husband, Mrs. Caplan?”

“Mr. Scalegi, I want you to defend my husband, Steven Caplan, against whatever charges he will face. My husband may have another Lawyer in mind to help, but that can be dealt with later. Also I believe Judge Kevan can put you in contact with my mother, who is a business lawyer in the Bay Area, if needed.” Rox was ready to do about anything.

“Very well. I will do so. First, I’m going to make some phone calls. Then I will head down to see your husband in person.” Ron stood up.

Caspian and Rox followed suit, and Cyrril jumped from the back of the couch to Caspian’s shoulder. They all shook hands and Rox and Caspian left the office. Once into the foyer and going down the stairs and across the parking lot outside, the unspoken question was asked by Caspian.

“So, what are we going to do? Our window closes within the next day.”

Roxanne climbed into her truck, and started toward the closest mall as she answered. “I think I need a suit. And we need brief cases. We have to get Steven out of there. The legal stuff can wait. The elves won’t.”

They drove to the mall, and Caspian got a taste of how to shop fast.

093 – Batting Cleanup

Roxanne met him at the hotel door. “How was it?”

“Tiring. And I go back for a bit more tomorrow.”

“I get to go to my outfitter as well. I have been with the weapon smith and Master Eklund getting some adjustments made for my gear. My arrows are a day or so out. As is most of the rest of my stuff.”

Once in their room Steven pulled the coat’s belt open, opened the vest and coat, and then realized that the whole set was still hooked together. He pulled the belt out, and then looked at his arms and legs.

“Uggh,” he moaned.

Roxanne giggled. “Here. Let me.”

She opened the vambrace's, and the gauntlet gussets on one arm as Steven opened the few ties between his vest and coat with his free hand. Rox removed the gauntlet, then opened the sleeve; then she worked on the other. Finally Steven dropped the laden vest to a chair, and Rox pulled the coat off, and set the coat over the back of the chair.

“They did a good job. It looks like everything fits.”

“Yeah. And all it cost was some bruises, a set of BDU’s and a gi.”

“It looks like you need a good meal. Nice trousers, by the way.”

She watched as Steven stood up and moved around a bit, stretching and shaking his hands. He swung a leg up onto a chair back stretching a bit, then switched.

“The new boots get picked up tomorrow. They fit like the gauntlets do, with a grieve up to here.” He put his hand just over his knee. “Lets go get dinner.”

He unrolled the new cloak, and Roxanne got her own, and they left the room.

Journal of Steven Caplan: Day 125

The shopping is done! To my surprise I will be packing heat again. Rox and I are leaving some of our things here, and setting out more native than I would have considered. We ordered things for the kids that will help them blend in; that is due for pickup later today. No clue what they are up to or how they are holding up. Caspian says they are still moving and healthy but cannot give any more information than that.

We have been here, including our side trip back home, for about two weeks. Time to get moving again. My question is, how much more walking is there?

Steven entered the shop alone, and went right to the back room. It was just after opening, a few women were buying, and one was gossiping. She had been in here every time Steven had come, but she seemed more interested in talking, than in shopping.

On the table, Steven’s belt-gear had been left in a bit of a jumble, as though someone had been loading and unloading it. As he looked it over, and put on the choker and ear piece, he noticed his gun and all three magazines were unaccounted for in the pile. As was the sword he would be using.

He stood there for a few moments, when the young female elf and the very old one came in. The crone leaned on her stick that looked as gnarled as she did, for all that she looked Steven in the eye while bent over. The younger woman carried Steven’s boots. Both wore aprons. Steven had learned the night before that this was Mother Mundrl and one of her granddaughters, who was the niece of Master Mundrl. Obligingly, Steven got up on the pedestal, and removed his boots. The old crone elf said little, but commanded attention.

The boots had significant work done from the night before. The seams were closed and sealed up to the top cuff. A grieve that had been sized the night before was attached to the inside seam, and the straps and buckles that would secure it were also attached. Steven took the boot in hand and pulled as the girl wiggled the end onto his foot. Steven reached in and smoothed the cuff of his trousers and the gusset around his leg. Next he smoothed the boot a bit, and pulled on its gusset strings, tightening it up over his foot, across his ankle, and up to the cuff that rested just under his knee. Holding the ties tight, he slid a locking grommet tight, and folded the cords down. He then folded the grieve over the cords and gusset, and threaded the straps for the grieve into their buckles. Once all three were secure, he started at the bottom, and tightened them to comfortable. Steven then repeated the process for the other side. He then stood up and settled his feet, and moved around a bit.

“These feel very good.”

“The seams have been sealed, so water will not leak through.” Mother Mundrl spoke with great pride, as though threatening the seams.

A woman with the girdle from the night before came in. Steven hopped up onto the pedestal again, and this time the girdle was put around him. It did not have the hardware on it yet, so Steven held it around his waist as its position was adjusted and finalized. Steven noticed it had pouches and straps attached all the way it, but was not given time to examine these. The woman took the girdle away and left again.

The old crone and the young woman had disappeared while the girdle was worked with.

Steven removed his new coat and vest as he had begun to warm up slightly, and set them on the table. He moved around the room kicking and punching at the shadows. He was working his way around the table when Master Mundrl entered with the finished girdle.

“Try this on. It should fit.”

Various pouches and straps were attached to the girdle. On the left was the frog to hang his sword scabbard from. What was right in front of that surprised him, as did a specific pouch on the back of his right hip. A quiver for his crossbow bolts hung on his right side. After putting the new coat and vest back on, Steven worked around connecting things with the straps that passed through to the belt on the trousers.

“All right. Where is it?”

The tall, older elf handed Steven his gun. Steven pointed it up as he checked the empty chamber. He then put it into the holster at the back of his right hip and closed the flap, which completely covered the gun.

“Keep it closed, and the gun will stay dry, even under water.”

Steven found that the flap completely covered and concealed the butt of the gun.

“The same for these.” The magazines were handed over, each one empty. The ammo was in the box of stuff under the table. One magazine went into the gun, the other two into a pouch on the left, where he expected to find them. These also had flaps that completely concealed them.

Because of the scabbard frog, his knife butt sat at an odd angle, but was otherwise where he expected it.

“You have done a wonderful job. It all fits and moves well.” Steven finished packing all the odds and ends into the belt.

Steven shifted and shook things to settle them and moved around the room again. The crossbow bolts rattled until he pulled the drawstring on the top of the cloth cover tight around them. The stiff leather hampered things a bit, so he was working to loosen it up. At some point Master Mundrl had left again. He returned, with the old sword in a scabbard.

“This completes your costume.” The elf knelt and attached the loops in the scabbard to the frog on Steven’s belt, then stood back.

Steven found the hilt rested just at hand level, under his left hand. His ka-bar knife in front and a bit above, at nearly the same angle. And things now felt complete. He drew the sword, it came smoothly out, and went just as smoothly back in. The crossbar locked into the top of the scabbard properly, unlike the scabbard he and then Abey had stitched together for his other sword.

Master Mundrl's son had returned, and for a half minute, he and Steven sparred to make sure all was good, and did not interfere or bind as he moved. That finished, Steven turned to the older elf.

“Thank you, again.” Steven bowed slightly, having picked up that this was a sign of respect in this community.

“You’re welcome. Please bring your children by, on your way back through.” Master Mundrl pulled out the box of rejected stuff from under the table and left it on the table. He then went out front to help some other customer. Steven shouldered his crossbow, took the box and left.

He got back to the hotel room in time to meet Roxanne for lunch. Steven left his pack and cloak behind, wearing the coat and vest with all its attached equipment to get used to it, and loosen the stiff leather up.

After lunch they picked up the stuff they ordered for the kids from Master Senisith, spending some of the money that came from the gold dress and jewelry Steven had acquired. Instead of putting magical pockets in the costumes, they made stuff sacks that were a bit larger on the inside, that held the kids clothes and a few other things. These were later put in Steven's pack.

Rox went off to her lesson with Master Iver, and Steven took the shopping back to the hotel. He put it aside to sort out later. First he turned to other things. Using the tripod, and the camera’s timer, Steve took a few pictures of himself in his kit. The tripod was then packed back up in a pouch for it on the side of the stuff sack.

Steven then went to the weapon smith that Rox had gone to for arrows and a quiver. While there, one of the journeyman elves showed Steven how to better care for and clean his sword. Some of the lamination on the blade was showing, where it had been resharpened and nicks smoothed. Steven got a better honing stone for his troubles. The Master Smith looked the sword over and commented that it was almost purely functional, with the gold and bronze being secondary for decoration.

They presented Steven with the two dozen local-made broad heads for Rox's arrows. Rox had left the arrows so the heads were all mounted, and had been shot twice for test. The local made heads showed a different coloring pattern and polish level to the ones from Terra, but were otherwise visibly identical. The twenty wood arrows had the local narrow blade arrow heads slotted into the the rounded ends of the wood shafts and secured with tight wraps of wire, and feather fletchings with winds of wire holding them to place. These had also been test shot.

The quiver for Rox had two separate slots for the arrows, as the wooden ones were longer than the aluminum ones. There was also a set of loops on its front/downward side to put her staff into if she wanted. It also had a cloth top with a drawstring to secure the arrows on each slot. Last, the quiver had loops for hooking to a belt, with an adjustable shoulder strap to go across Rox's body; it could be set to hang at her hip, or across her back. The whole thing would hang almost straight down, with a slight forward tilt to keep the arrows from rolling far from easy reach at her hip.

Steven hung the quiver next to his sword, and slung the bow across the other direction, put his boony hat on and went back to the hotel. He garnered a few interesting looks as he went.

094 – Crossing Home Plate, On The Road Again

Rox had one last lesson with Master Iver. They reviewed all they had gone over, in cursory manor. Then Master Iver's apprentice showed up with a small box from the Jewelers. Within were eight crystal broad head arrow heads carved to match the metal ones on her arrows. Roxanne had previously explained what she wanted, to make these arrowheads explosive. This based on a dream she previously had.

Master Iver paused, looking up from his stool where he usually sat. “I do not create weapons, Roxanne.”

Rox looked back at the old elf. “You don't have to. I will be doing it. You just need to watch me invest these things with magic, and make sure I do it right. Then I will deal with them.”

Master Iver nodded. “That is what we have been doing. Proceed.”

Rox pulled a piece of note paper from a pocket and put it down. Then she took a piece of chalk, concentrated her energies, and then drew the diagram on her notes on the counter top. Then she placed one of the arrowheads in the center and cast the proper buttressing spell sequence. Then she began the imbuing spell. Rox wanted and cast that: the arrowhead would shatter and explode on impact with a surface and thereby convert their total mass into expanding destructive kinetic energy strong enough to shatter rock and crumble and topple walls; that would expand to about thirty feet in diameter before dissipating according to standard physics; that was all shock wave, with no combustion; this effect would energize when the arrow it was set on had traveled seventy feet above 200 feet per second; and would remain inert until the velocity over distance attached to an arrow requirement had been met; that the sign of the spells potency was a gentle glow from within the crystal.

Rox finished, sweating slightly from her exertion, and looked at the arrowhead. It glowed enough to perceive in the daylight.

Master Iver watched as Roxanne completed the first one. As was his pattern, if he said nothing she had done it correctly. In this case he said nothing.

So Rox continued with the other seven arrow heads. The eight crystal arrow heads soon all glowed in the little wooden box that the jeweler had had constructed to carry them. Rox was as sweaty as after her exercise warm ups.

Master Iver watched as Rox caught her breath from her exertions. “Do you have anything to test that spell with?”

Rox was ready for this. “I found it doing some research just before going home. The book I copied it from said that these were used by your people in several wars. I varied the parameters on a small rock which I threw against another larger one. The larger one was shattered, the smaller one gone.”

Master Iver was pleased. He was not aware of the explicit stories, but knew his peoples' history. He was more pleased to see Roxanne had done her research, could recognize and adjust parameters, and had practiced the spell.

They continued the lesson, with Master Iver quizzing and drilling Roxanne on various spells, the requirements and conditions, and variables.

Last Master Iver had Roxanne duel his Apprentice magically. They blew the blow out panels out of the back half of the building, again. The Apprentice showed himself to be Roxanne's superior in most things. This did not surprise Rox, as he probably had more years of experience and training than she had years of life. She had weeks of training and instruction, and a near two weeks of implanted memories and experience that were still sorting themselves out in her mind. But she could hold her own.

After her last lesson with Master Iver, Rox stopped at Master Eklund's Outfitters and picked up her full costumes. They all bid farewell to Rox, and asked that she bring her children by when she returned with them.

That evening Rox and Steven sorted out everything they had. They let Caspian know they were getting ready, and that they intended to head out the next morning, and to get himself ready.

Sharlot provided a large trunk for them to fill with anything they chose not to carry. Roxanne packed the five daily-wear gowns, and two formals, the slippers, a disassembled gi, and parts of the costumes acquired in Veradale. Rox just lay four of the gowns in, but carefully wrapped the white off-the-shoulder gown in tissue paper, folded it and placed it in the trunk; she did the same to the blue formal. The other gowns she could give or take, these two she liked and wanted to take home if she could. She also put in all the blunt head tips for her arrows from home and their nylon carry bags.

She kept her older tunics and skirts, adding them to the new tunic and tabard set, and the new trousers that fit well and moved in every direction she needed them to without threat of ripping. Like Steven, Rox had a girdle that fit across her belt and hips, connected to her vest and other equipment. She hung her scabbard from the left side, a knife on the right. Her boots fit better than the ones from Veradale, though the weight of the grieves took some breaking in and getting used to. Her hand guards and elbow pads were put aside with her bow and staff. As were Roxanne's cloak and cape set and bedroll.

Steven noticed that she continued to wear her spandex as underwear, top and bottom, having brought some unmarked tops back from Terra to change out for her older ones. Also she wore and packed her elf-thongs, tucking the unused ones into one of the pouches of the one she wore under her spandex shorts.

Steven packed away his great coat, his older trousers, the sword he purchased and its scabbard and belt, the older cloak he purchased, the formal from Veradale, the formal from here that had hung in the closet after being worn and washed once, his old pair of boots, his old pack and vest, his watch he had not thought to leave home on their brief trip, and the other odds and ends in the box that were replaced by the elves.

Everything else was packed for travel.

During their time here, they had spent some time seeing to their two pack mules and the horses they had brought. The elves did not even broach the subject of replacing any of this gear, or replenishing the food stuffs. Caspian did not pay a lot of attention to the animals, considering them to be living equipment useful for getting the job done, then handing off to someone else in good condition. Steven and Rox did not have much experience with large animal care, but did their best. They did not try to develop any close relationship to the animals, knowing that they were not keeping them. The elves in the stables took good care of the animals and saw to their health and rest.

Finally the morning came they were all ready to go. They had spent just over two weeks here total, gotten rested, re-outfitted, and a clear understanding of what all was at stake. The day after getting the last of their gear and then packing what was going to be left behind they cleaned up their suite, carried their chest to the front desk, and checked out. They left the chest for Sharlot to collect. Caspian joined them and they went to the stables.

They saddled the horses and put them aside as they turned to the mules. These were harnessed and the pack saddles loaded. This gear was still in good shape and order, none of it needing care or replacement. After tightening the saddles, each led their animals out of the stable, and mounted. Returning to their previous marching order Steven led one of the mules, Rox the other. Caspian led them directly out of the city bypassing the food markets, and dismounted by the stone disk he had not bothered to pick up or return. Caspian was gratified to see it was unmoved. Steven and Rox pulled up and looked at him as he turned his horse around and dismounted.

Caspian held his staff in one hand, his reigns in the other. Cyrril swooped in and landed on his shoulder. “We will resupply at our next stop. In days past you asked why I did not just teleport us after your kids. Now, we are prepared for me to do that. But the animals will not like it, so we need to line them up, putting the calmest ones out side the others. Then I can teleport us to a place I know that is much closer to where your kids are.”

Steven and Rox dismounted. Her mount then the mule she led were lined up, then Caspian’s mount, being the most headstrong and least social was put in the middle. Steven’s mount, then the mule he led were put on the other side. Rox held her leads, and Caspian’s. Steven held his.

Caspian continued his warning and instruction. “You know how you feel when you land. Keep a hold of these animals, they will feel worse. The target I have in mind should be near water. Krogg does not maintain Way Stations the way they do here in the north. By the way, I really don’t like doing this with large animals, because they don’t like it.” Caspian finished his spiel as the Caplan’s took firm hold and patiently waited

Caspian had them turn around and stand to either side of him, across the circle from the horses. He then started the teleport spell. But he took a longer process to do so, accounting for the animals and their burdens. Also instead of using the compression and carrying of whatever was touching his staff, he was having to use a touch-the-object-magically method. Slowly he constructed the spell from memory, and set it working. He felt it start with him and quickly gather up Cyrril, then clockwise it went to Steven, the first mule, Steven’s mount, Caspian’s own mount, the second mule, Roxanne's mount then Roxanne and back to close the circle. With all the participants marked, the spell then reached out to the target destination, and drew enough mana to freeze the cargo, then disassemble it, and transport it across the distance.

Rox and Steven both felt the energy of the spell wash over them, then after a moment, they felt a cold lightening hit them, and the world flashed the black one sees when hit in the head hard.

The elves standing at the gate watched as the party stood, then flashed white and vanished. The ground they had been standing on and for a bit around now looked wilted and like it did in late fall, rather than the summer green that the rest around looked.

095 – Strange Things In The Pictures

Leticia stopped at the camera store and picked up the developed pictures. She took the envelope of prints, the negatives and CD back to work. She had requested that all the rolls of film be consolidated to as few CD's as possible. At her desk she opened the pictures while eating her lunch. First she pulled everything out, and found the sheet with the thumbnails of the images on the CD. There were four sheets of thumbnails for the one hundred eight pictures. As she looked through them she grew increasingly curious.

The landscapes could be anywhere. But the people and the urban settings looked to be from some other time, or an SCA Ren-Fair. And there were a few with the little creature she had encountered in the Caplan's house, usually on the shoulders or staff of another man, who also looked familiar, but Leticia could not place. Some of the middle pictures had a young woman in them as well. Steven was in a few of them, proving that the images were real enough. There were a few panorama shots, and a few close-ups of some vaguely familiar but unsettlingly different plants and animals.

Two pictures were night sky panoramas. One was a short term night exposure. It had two moons on it, and no familiar stars. The other showed a longer term exposure with the stars partially streaked across the frame.

Then there were a few of an interesting gothic looking city, and one that she thought would be Rox, but the costume was wrong, as was the hair. These got Leticia’s attention. She found the right box of pictures and sorted through them to the pictures of the woman. She looked it over, and over again. The form was right. The hair the same color as Rox had when she was here. But it was a tall mohawk, with braids. Roxanne never wore braids.

She put the pictures back and leafed through the rest of the thumbnails. The young woman was no longer in them, but Rox was. The short man with the creature was also in several. A mountain top looking across some other mountains. A city on a mountain appeared. Some strange cross between Machu Picchu and some medieval Japanese city made of stone instead of wood by way of Greece. The people in the city looked too tall, and their skin tone wrong. Their costumes looked excitingly motley. One of these pictures was Roxanne, with her white mohawk and braids, sitting in a window seat wearing a nice blue gown. The last roll finished with a handful of pictures of the same vista that the first roll started with, this time including Roxanne and the shorter man in an apparent ring of stones.

Leticia put the pictures away. “Where are they? And what are they up to?”

On Saturday Leticia went by the Caplan’s house to drop off the pictures. A car with California plates was in the driveway. She parked in front of the house and went to the door. Nominally she would have unlocked the door and gone in, but with someone here, she thought it better to knock.

Margot Winslow had come on a monthly visit, and found that Rox and Steven had been home for a day, but in such a hurry they did not take time to call, though Rox left a note. She was heartened to learn of her daughter’s comparative safety. That she was gone was indication that her grandchildren were not yet safe; this was a negative point. She had gone through things with Mrs. Winchel. The bed and couch had both been slept upon. Both vehicles had been driven. There had been some fresh leftovers in the fridge. Also the note pad had been used, and all the notes were piled aside.

Margot had done a more thorough going through on her own after Mrs. Winchel had left, and she had read the notes, she discovered that Rox’s bow and arrows were gone from the garage, as were a few odds and ends; a pair of Roxanne’s hiking boots, Steven’s smallest camera tripod, and some clothes. Also there was a complete suit and overcoat that was not in Steven’s size in the hall closet.

Margot was getting ready to close up and go home when Leticia knocked. Margot had not met her before, but had talked to her a bit over the last months, and Steven and Rox had spoken highly of her prior to that. So Margot invited her in and sat to talk for a bit.

At first, like most of Rox’s friends on first meeting Margot, there was a double take of misidentification. Especially since Leticia had seen Rox with the same shock-white hair that Margot wore. When Leticia showed Margot the pictures, at first Margot was unsure if she should say much. Then Leticia told her part of the story of Steven and Rox’s visit, and of the little dragon that was here when she dropped Steven’s things and car off. Margot knew she should not say much, for fear of getting this woman in deeper trouble.

Margot shifted to lawyer mode. “Have you written any of this down?”

Leticia immediately understood the import of the question. “Not yet, but I think I better. I do not know what all Steven and Rox are up to, but I know there is more to this story than I have been told.”

Margot nodded. “I probably am able to fill in a bit more, but I doubt I can in any believable manor without my daughter or her family here. These pictures help. Also I am concerned if you do learn more, it could cause you more trouble.”

Leticia nodded. “I understand. Steven said to leave these in his work room downstairs. I wonder if you should take the negatives for safe keeping?”

Margot nodded, wondering how close to tampering with or interfering with a criminal case that might be, especially in taking these across the state line. “I know a safe place to put them, until Rox and Steven get back.”

After trading contact information, and confirming that both had the information for the lawyer that Rox had contracted, Leticia excused herself and left, promising to forward her notes of what she could remember.

Margot took the photos and went downstairs to Rox’s computer, and loaded the photos onto it, then made a copy of the disk for herself. Once that was done, she shut the computer back down, and took the photos, negatives, and CD and put them in the file cabinet that Steven kept all his photos in, and locked it.

Once done, she took her copies that she had made of all the notes that had been left, and drove home. On Monday, she was going to give Ron Scalegi a call, and find out just how much trouble her daughter and son-in-law, and their estate faced.