The weeks pass quickly aboard the Timbergrove. Their traversal through the skies was unfortunately uful. No pirates attacked and no pirates to attack- and thus no levels to be gained. Quasi, [Captain] of the Timbergrove that he is, finds the ck of adversity unwele.

  “When I was a young [Captain] looking to make a name for myself, I also found the empty and safe skies b. I hated the ck of a.” Myers expins with a smile on his face. The man looks tent and happy ohrone, enjoying the sight of empty clear skies all around. “Now though, I’ve grown to relish in pead safety.”

  “Peace is for the weak and safety for the dead. I crave violence, levels, and actual milk. Not that mutant weird fat-free spider milk.”

  Laea is a favored meat source preferred by the nobility ahy. An insult to all milk drinkers everywhere.

  “Fuck the spider chis and their white pisswater. And their eggs too.”

  The old man sighs. “You seem a bit aggravated.”

  “You’d be aggravated too if your training involves repeatedly blowing up half your body.”

  “Hmmm. I do recall Cy mentioning that you've beeing a lot more.”

  “Yea, training has slowed quite a bit.”

  “Why?”

  Quasi groans and growls at the same time. Like he’s angry at being annoyed. “Partly because the magic training has progressed to the point that failing a spell explodes my arm, and partly because I’m too hard-headed to train with safer, less explosive runes.”

  “Sounds like you already know the problem and what you o do to solve it.”

  “Growl.”

  Myers chuckles. “Well, your tortuous boredom is ing to an end.” He retrieves a spygss, extends it, and takes a look. Then he positions it for Quasi.

  Looking through the spygss, Quasi gazes at the isnd of Gtorius. An actually rge magnifit c oval isnd slightly lower iion than their current position. From his vantage, he hat the iser has a rge ke covered in massive farmnd. The City, Gdius, is located at the edge of the isnd and surrounds the tower. Throughout the city, numerous arenas of various sizes numbering in the dozens be seen everywhere- with the rgest of which at the tower.

  “The city seems wealthy. The port is crowded and the ships get pretty big. Some of them even look fancy.”

  “I’ve never visited Gdius, but it’s a popur pce for the wealthy to spend and make money. You’ll find many [Merts] and [Nobles] frequenting the city.”

  “Make money? Like gambling in fights?”

  “Yes. The city is an Oligarchy fueled by the fees they collect from those that gamble and those that watch the mindless bloodshed.”

  “Oooohhh. Sounds fun. Do you think I could join in on the fights?”

  Myers raises an eyebrow. “As a [Gdiator]?”

  “No, as a gambler. I doubt they’d let me join in my Fenrimorph form.”

  Myers slowly strokes his beard as one would mindlessly a cat. “I don’t actually know. I only know of Gdius, but never visited.”

  “Damn. Sounds like I’ll o figure that out when I arrive.”

  ______________________________________________________________________

  On approach, It is immediately made clear that the ports have a bit of a tiered system ihat just so happens to favor those with power, and thus mohe ports er ships are well-cared, well-ed, and well-guarded. While the ports for smaller ships are more towards the opposite, with Corvettes pced in the most dipidated part of deg wood and rusted metal.

  The Timbergrove though, cored that it is, is directed into an area where smaller cored ships are located. This area is of a quality simir to where the rger ships are moored. As the Timbergrove moves into position, it bees btantly obvious that the timbergrove really doesn't belong. Both to the left and right of the ship are cored frigates designed not by a [Shipwright], but by an artist who just so happens to have the css.

  These are vessels for the wealthy nobles who wish to fly fast and without the annoyance of crew. They are ships whose design and stru loudly speaks of wealth and the willio dispose of that wealth for the vai of purposes.

  In moments, the ship is tied down and a bridge is pced. A man wearing a toga arrives and waits at the entrance, a curious wriands squarely upon his brow. The man is aged, but muscur and scarred. An old fighter if Quasi were to guess.

  __________________________________________________

  Gond isn’t sure how to feel about the Timbergrove. It’s not a fancily designed cored vessel built for speed and mobility, nor is it one designed for bat- even though the ship is arguably the most armed frigate Gond had ever seen. It holy looks like a versatile vessel modified to fight destroyers and win.

  “Very odd,” he whispers at the Ballista on the ship's prow.

  His rea only gets stronger when he sees the diverse crew.

  As soon as they depart the ship, Gond steps forward and gives a trained bow.

  “Wele to Gdius. I am Gond, a servant of this fair city and the designated caretaker for your ship. Who might be the [Captain] of this fine vessel?”

  A cat sitting upon the shoulder of a tall broad-shouldered muscur man raises a paw. “That would be me.”

  To most, the sight of a talking cat would make most people pause. But Gond isn't like most people. Life had honed him to react quickly or risk death.

  “Then I would like to extend my guiding services to you for the remainder of your stay.”

  “I get a guide?” the cast asks.

  Gond nods. “Yes. Ships moored at this se are offered such services until they depart.”

  “Oh… damn. I was going to find a bar for information, but this is eveer. Alright Gond, I accept your offer?”

  He bows again. “How would you like me to call you?”

  “[Captain] Fluffy, or just Fluffy is fine.”

  “Of Course, [Captain] Fluffy. What services do you require of me?”

  “Information. I need access to the tral tower where the barrier is located. I heard it’s blocked off or restricted?”

  “You heard correctly. The tral area of the tower is used to house the top [Gdiators]. the fighters and their guests are allowed within.”

  “I… see. Boriss, want to fight in an arena again?”

  Boriss grins like a child who was offered chocote. “Da. Is long time since I crack skull. Vhil be fun.”

  “Gond, looks like my buddy here wants to show the [Gdiators] how to properly fight. Where we sign him up?”

  Gond looks Boriss up and down, and what he finds is a body who looks as though it belongs in the coliseum. “Is yhter below level twenty-five?”

  “He is.”

  Gond nods. “Then, if we hurry now, he be signed up for the base css qualifiers.”

  “[Captain], I wish to join him in bat. It has been weeks since I have tasted the flesh of those fallen upon my cws.”

  Gond hides a grimace as hes reveals her mantis bde-arms.

  “Only Humans, Wolven, and Gemma are allowed in the uwenty-five tours. Phytonids and Ioids are forbidden from joining any fights.”

  The cat frowns. “What about Buxon’s?”

  “Buxon are no longer allowed in the uwenty-five tours.”

  Boriss crosses his arm as a vein pops on the side of his neck. The man is actually upset. “Vhy? Bug and pnt is not fun: like pung tree and squishing bug. But break bone is good fun, yes?”

  Gond blinks, even going as far to have a slight smile. “We used allow Buxon in the uwenty-five tours, but the Gdius bosses got tired of seeing mostly Buxons in the finals. It was uing and generally bad for profits.”

  Boriss spits to the side and into the depths of the p. “Cowards.”

  The man suppresses a chuckle. “I’d have to agree. But those are the rules and all must abide by them. Now, before I lead you there, do you have any more questions?”

  “Where we bet on these fights?” Cillian asks eagerly.

  “You legally bet at the betting house within any coliseum.”

  “And illegally?” Cilliaions.

  Gond Shrugs. “I hear the city gangs tend to avoid paying taxes and fees on their winnings. But that’s just a rumor. Any more questions?”

  “Where supplies be bought?” Irmgard asks.

  Gond points at several nearby stores. “We have quality supplies nearby, but if you are strapped for s, then I reend you roam the city. Gdius lives on trade and great deals always be found. Are there any more questions?”

  “Are there any nearby taverns?” Myers asks.

  “Upper or lower css?” Gond asks.

  “More towards the middle.”

  “Same as the girl, then. Gdius has a tavern at every er and a fight in every other. Travel the city and you’ll find them everywhere. Any more questions?”

  “None,” Quasi interrupts before Cillian raise his hand. “Just take me and Boriss to where we o sign up,” Quasi tells Gond. He then looks at his crew. “Enjoy the city and try not to start a se. Irmgard, I’m leaving you in charge while I’m gone.”

  She nods.

  “Good. Now, Gond, onwards!”

  ______________________________________________________________

  It’s a generally long trek through the city with many twists, turns, and crowds. Gdius is a massive hubbub of activity, hiding a much rger popution than is expected.

  Eventually, we arrived at one of the rger coliseums. Not the tral one, but not the smaller oher. Entering through the white stone doors, we are met with the smell of blood and sweat. Numerous men stand about with bulging muscles strained under a sioga. They g us before returning to what looks like weight training. Further in, a small arena reveals the reason for the blood. Two men are going at each other, one in a toga and padded fists, and another wearing what looks like leather armor.

  The two go at it with fists, but it’s quickly bee clear that the guy with padded fists is a far superihter. The uy swings randomly with little skill and poor footwork. It doesn’t take long before an uppercut knocks the armuy into the floor.

  “A good showing, Florence. Just like I taught you.” Gond walks to where the small arena is at. the fight with padded gloves immediately reizes the voice.

  “Gond, you old fart. What are you doing here? I thought the bosses have you guiding moo the pits.”

  Gond chuckles, “you’re n on that.”

  “That a friend of yours?” Quasi asks.

  “Did that cat just talk?” Florence asks.

  “No, you’re just dealing with brain damage and are hearing things.” I answer.

  Gond shakes his head. “[Captain] Fluffy, Florence is in charge of testing anyone who wants to joiour. It would be a good idea to show him a bit of respect.”

  The cat rolls its eyes. “I am a cat. A majestic being of extravagahat all other species pale in parison to. The fact that I eveo aowledge anyone's existence is a kindness few of my magnifit kind would ever give.”

  Gond sighs while Florence chuckles. “I like him. What are you here for?”

  Gond ruffles his toga aends an arm at me. “[Captain] Fluffy wishes to enter his crewman into the tour. I’m taking them to the [Receptionist] to sign up.”

  “Then bae for testing. Gotcha.”

  The man iher armor starts groaning beside Florence. “Oh, looks like my partner woke up. Gond, since you’re heading to the [Receptionist], tell her the st guy she sent doesn't get the dist.”

  “I will. [Captain] Fluffy, Boriss, please follow.”