Chapter 11 - The Dangers That Lurk

The next day Calais and the rest of the residents in the Ithai home were up bright and early.

For Kaylessa and the 2 new servants. They were working on preparing breakfast and a few things for the day.

While Miadithis and his boys were in the training area in the center of the house.

"So using an active is very simple really," Miadithis said holding a wooden sword.

"Actives often come with restrictions. But besides that, it is mostly intent and imagination. Watch this," the practice sword doubled in size.

"The Intent was I wanted to activate my active on this sword. The imagination was me picturing it doubling in size. Easy right!"

"Yup!" Genghis said, "for me, I just look at a spot and think about activating my active then poof. I'm there, easy as that."

"Mhm, now for you Calais it will be just as easy just think about reducing your size or enlarging yourself. Then activate your active."

Simple enough let's see. I'm almost 4 feet tall right now, I want to be around double that. [Im not short]

As soon as Calais thought this his body doubled in size he now resembled an above 7 feet tall baby.

"Hahaha, that's kinda cool! Wait how big can you go?" Genghis asked.

"I actually don't know let me see." Calais paused then realized that he never got a description of the [Im not short] active.

"Wait Genghis. Were you ever able to read a description for your active?"

"What do you mean by description?"

"I mean like a sentence or so describing what your active did. How much does it cost to use and the restrictions and such."

"What are you talking about man? I never had anything like that, I had to figure out my actives limits through testing."

"Im the same as Genghis. I never had a description either, everything I learned about my active was through using it." Miadithis concurred.

Wait, so the description I got when I first unlocked my active was unique? Or maybe they got it as well but just don't remember it, being babies and all at the time.

"Why do you ask?" Miadithis said.

"Eh just wondering."

"Riiight, if you say so. How much mana did it cost to double your size?" Miadithis said changing the subject.

"Well, I'm completely out so 140. That also means to get this big requires a tone of mana. Ah, I also need to see if my strength is enhanced."

Calais hurried over to the lounge and picked up a sofa with ease.

"Well, that's definitely not something an average-5-year-old can do." Miadithis paused, "We will have to test out what happens when you shrink after you regen your mana. For now, let's eat breakfast."

The trio made their way to the kitchen table where Kaylessa was already waiting.

"Morning boys, how was the active Calais?"

"Good actually, It has its uses and is overall an above-average active. At least in my mind, but maybe my sense of scale is skewed. What about your morning Mother?"

"That is definitely true," Kaylessa chuckled. "And as you can see I have had a very relaxing morning. I was going to make breakfast but Paula insisted she does it. I'm looking forward to her cooking very much."

Not long after saying this Paula walked out with 2 plates in hand Anton tailed her with another 2.

"Good morning everyone!" Paula said with a smile as she placed a plate in front of everyone.

"This is just a simple breakfast please tell me if you enjoyed for it is only a small sample of what I can do."

On the plates were a few blueberry pancakes, some form of bacon, sausage, eggs, and buttered toast.

Everyone thanked her and quickly dug in and praised Paula for her excellent cooking.

"Paula, what kind of eggs are these?" Calais asked.

"These are quillirds eggs," Paula said motioning to the chicken size egg.

"They are delicious!" Also, these pancakes could use some maple syrup. But I don't believe there are maple trees on this continent. Will have to look further into it.

"Yes Paula, this is very good. Kaylessa mentioned to me that you were looking to work at our restaurant." Miadithis said.

"Yes, I would like this very much."

"Alright then, Calais, Kaylessa, and I will be visiting the restaurant later today. I would like you to come with us and put on a demonstration of what you can do."

"Very well."

"Good, also Kay" Miadithis paused looking at Kaylessa. "I take it everything is to your approval concerning Anton and Paula."

"Yes, I am very happy with both of them. Actually on Anton when Calais used his active yesterday Anton active exited his body as a liquid."

"Hmm?"

"Yes, I was interested in this as well Mother. I saw a small drop evaporate when it hit the floor. But besides that, I absorbed everything else and gained the active. This got me thinking could I bottle this liquid and have actives and my demand?"

"I was thinking along a similar line. Think of what could happen could you sell these bottled actives." Kaylessa said.

"Mhm I will have to test it though with a bad active I don't mind losing. I just have to find more people to experiment with."

"Patience Calais." Miadithis said, "I once again say to you. If your ability becomes known as we are now we would be in a very tight spot. It would be a disaster to put it lightly, your moves need to be measured. We are already making waves with our business ventures as a family. With time your active can have unlimited power. Just be patient and take your time."

"I understand Father. I was just getting excited at the possibility is all." Calais said smiling deprecatingly, embarrassed at being lectured.

"Yea also you gotta not forget about me, Calais!" Genghis said, "I want a better active than just teleporting."

"I know I got you covered when I find one." Calis paused as he took a bite of his pancakes. "Actually Mother and Father. Are you interested in getting new actives too?"

Smiling Kaylessa said, "I am completely content with my active. I have always found it suits me well and is much stronger than you'd think."

"Hmm, It would depend on the active for me. I have used mine my whole life you see, and am very accustomed to it. But should the opportunity arise where you offer a better one I would find it hard to say no."

"Alright, then I will keep that in mind." Calais paused in thought, "actually Father I had something else I wanted to talk to you about. It's about where we went and who we met last night."

"Ah yes your probably wondering about Van and my connection to him. Go ahead and ask what you want to know."

"Well he is a slave trader, what else should I know about him?"

"I would not worry about him too much Calais. Yes, he is involved in underground businesses like smuggling, drugs, and slaves. But he is a businessman like myself and I have conducted a few deals with him. I will warn you though Calais." Miadithis paused tone taking a more serious note.

"I do not know very much about him as he does not make much information readily available. But this city isn't all sunshine all the time. There is an almost warlike scene in the underground of this city. One of the factions that are competing is Van. His full name is Van Razgoon. As I'm sure you notice just by walking down Butcher Street yesterday. His influence is quite affluent. I find him as one of the more reasonable players in this scene. And would much prefer working with him than the other main option."

"Who are the other options, Father?"

"...It is a person named Dirce. They were here like Van when I and your Mother first arrived in this city. Though I believe they were here much longer. She is in the information and killing business and also the slave trade. Although instead of just selling slaves like Van she cultivates them."

"Cultivates?"

"Miadithis maybe we should save this for when they are olde…" Kaylessa was about to continue but Miadithis interrupted her.

"No Calais asked and the sooner he and Genghis know the better. Dirce kidnaps people or children. They then will breed the ones she likes and try and force a good active on the baby they produce."

"Force? As in stimulating them to wish for something?"

"Exactly that, she does this and enslaves the strong ones or worse."

"What could be worse than enslavement?"

"Her active… I don't know the specifics but she/he is technically immortal. She has a body-swapping active and it is known she is always looking for targets. She switches bodies often and last I knew she was in the body of a beautiful 20-year-old green-haired woman. A 5-year-old like you Calais… with the active you have, it is always gonna be dangerous for you should it be known what your active is. This is why your Mother and I pester you so much about it."

"I understand Father," Calais said nodding his head.

With this, breakfast was concluded. Kaylessa went about her day Paula tagging along. Miadithis went to 'Dream Deal' headquarters with Anton following. Saying he wanted to show him around and get his opinion on something. Genghis left to find his friends leaving Calais by himself in the large Ithai home.

This is actually kind of depressing now that I think about it. I'll never be truly safe until I get stronger. Also currently I have no friends. Besides Viviene, I only know her because she's my neighbor and the Longos are family friends. But also I'm only 5 it's not like I want other 5-year-old friends. Calais thought while looking at the door.

Should I go out and see if I can make friends? It's not even close to noon and I don't have to do anything till later. Hmm, yea ill go explore the city by myself maybe set up a secret base!

Having decided what to do Calais made his way out into the street. His house was located on Old Knight Road which was one of the more wealthy areas of the city. On his street were several owners of prominent businesses. For example, the Ithai's neighbors the Longos own a potion shop in the city square. There is also Howard Bell a well-known healer. The foreigner Vin Trillton also calls this street home. He owns many Inns in the area competing with the Savelis for the most popular inns in the city. The last big name on the road is the Managolds. They are a family of runesmiths and are the only ones in the city making them very important.

Calais observed each home on his road. The various 3 story houses changed from a Roman style to a more English style.

He made his way East toward the city square which was the center point of trade in the city. It was not really a square in shape though taking on a more hexagonal look. In the center was a fountain with a few people selling things in stands. All around the edges were various stores and establishments. The likes of restaurants, clothing stores, food stores, weapons stores, and on and on the list went. Marking the city as thriving would be adequate as they were a center point of trade and adventuring.

Gundahar was set up in a bay on the South side of Atillo. The continent taking a shape of a backward c made the city a position on a trade route to enter the Atillin sea. In the Atillin sea were cities like the capital of the Ezer Kingdom Dilshad. Or Free cities like Nevada, Virada, or Ludo.

This trade route went to the large Island of Ocallu just East of Atillo. It served as a buffer for the Continent of Sinow just past it. Most of the area on these continents was focused on sea trade. Because almost every mountain range or forest is plagued by animals and predators. Most traders stay in sight of the coast. Because unfathomable creatures lurk in the oceans killing all who venture too far.

But these dangers also served as opportunities for those willing to face them. In the forests to the North and East of Gundahar. There are swaths of fauna and flora that adventures kill or collect. The harvest from many animals is not only money but experience. This serves as another reason for people to go to similar free cities like Gundahar.