Tristan

The morning after the Farewell Ball was bittersweet for Tristan, as it marked the actual end of his time aboard the Crafting Ark. He rose early, as if racing the sun, knowing that he had a lot to do in only a few hours.

It didn't take him long to pack all his things into his bag, though he did have a few new crafts to bring along now. There was also the huge gift basket from Jack. He stowed it all in his new magical storage prize bag, which kind of worked for him as long as he managed to keep it open. He'd try to come up with a way to fix it later. His new greatsword he strapped securely to his back, thinking it unlikely he'd need it soon. Just in case, though, he wanted it near at hand. Maybe it would lend him the strength he needed for what he wanted to do next.

Thanking Tempy.

Using the elevators, and shaking his head the whole time at his previous ignorance, he rode all the way up to the Foundry. Perhaps he should have taken the stairs to buy himself a bit more time--to work up the confidence for what he knew he should do. He wasn't even sure that he expected her to be there, and a small part of him almost hoped she wouldn't be, so he didn't have to say what he knew he should say. But a bigger part of him hoped that maybe she'd gotten another commission, or maybe she'd lost track of time. There were so many reasons she could be there. He just needed one of them to be true.

And there she was, reclining with her heels kicked up on her anvil. None of her tools were out or even visible. None of her projects, either. She was just sitting, relaxing, and waiting. For him, obviously.

"Hey Tempy."

She craned her neck a little, as if she hadn't heard him approach. "Hey yourself, Tristan."

"So, I'm sure you probably already know this, but I placed second in the Primary contest."

She smiled, and her feet came down. "You're right. I did hear. And I--"

Tristan held up a hand. "Wait, please. Let me finish."

Tempy nodded silently for him to continue.

"I just wanted to say that--well, thank you. I know I've been awkward since... for a few days. Sorry about that. But I couldn't have done any of this enchanting stuff without you. You've been an awesome teacher, and I really appreciate you."

Tempy waited, her smile never wavering, until it was clear Tristan had finished. "Thanks, Tristan. I appreciate you saying all that, but here's the big truth." She leaned in, and Tristan mirrored her. "A teacher is often only as good as her student." She leaned back. "I'm proud of you, kid! Just like I'm damn impressed with the progress you've made. You've got it in you to be a top-flight enchanter some day, assuming you don't piss off Gorrek and his Guild too much."

Tristan laughed lightly. "You think so?"

"I do," Tempy said. "If you keep pushing forward, maybe someday I'll be proud enough to tell my father I didn't charge you a single platinum for all those hours of tutoring."

"A platinum--?" Tristan's mouth dropped open. That's a hundred gold pieces! "Is that how much it would have normally cost?!"

"Per hour," Tempy said, winking at him. "Anyway, one last favor to me: maybe wait a few years before you come by again, yeah? Give all this... awkwardness time to pass?"

"Yeah," Tristan said, his mouth slightly dry."I guess I'll be seeing you, then."

Tempy stood up and stretched her arms before lifting a small, monogrammed bag. "Right then, time to disembark. Try to stay out of trouble, kid--er, Tristan."

Then the talented runesmith walked right past Tristan without another word, and it was all he could do not to watch the woman go.

- - - - -

He met up with Sophie and Mister Biggs just outside their room. She had clearly also managed to consolidate her things into one bag, though he suspected that in her case it was entirely due to magical storage, not the same lack of stuff as Tristan had. He'd just always packed light. He highly doubted Sophie ever did.

As they walked toward the exit deck, surrounded by others doing the exact same thing, with the same slightly saddened looks on their faces, he thought to break the otherwise comfortable quiet.

"We both made a lot of progress in just one month."

Sophie nodded, perhaps unconsciously putting a hand up to the pendant she was still wearing. "Yeah, you especially from what I've heard! Your parents will be so proud!"

Tristan paused at that, his breath almost caught in his chest. "Wow, I... haven't written to them in so long."

"Sounds like something you should definitely do once we get off this ship then."

"Yeah," Tristan said, eyes a bit unfocused as he thought about everything he'd need to include: winning the Secondary Class contest, placing second in the Primary, using the white mithril, mixing it with tier 3 black mithril, training with Jamal... Probably best to avoid talking about Venom or Shadow until he saw them in person, and he'd also want to thank them for the garlic bread, even though Jamal had eaten it all. For a moment he debated whether he should admit that, too, but at least for now he decided against it. His mother already disliked Jamal enough. No need to pour oil on that fire. He'd just say something about how he was 'dying to taste it again' or the like.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to write that letter first thing, he thought.

Sophie seemed to be lost in her own thoughts and hadn't pressed their conversation, at least not at first.

"In retrospect, I guess I really can't complain either," she said eventually. "It took me years just to hit tier 2, and now I'm already two levels in. It's kind of crazy."

From in front, where he continued to clear a path with his wide body, Mister Biggs made a noise almost like a yawn mixed with a roar. Several other passengers nearby immediately backed away as a result.

"He said he's excited to try out his new skill," Sophie translated. "What do you think about hitting a dungeon after we touch down?"

"I'd definitely be game for that," Tristan answered. He had both new gear and abilities to test.

Surprisingly, Sophie actually growled, "But the absolute first thing I'm going to do is use [Identify] again and see what that pendant you gave me actually does! I cannot wait to get past the blocks on this ship!"

"I don't know. I kind of like that this place has its own rules. It's a get-away, after all. A haven. I don't think I'd change it at all."

About then, they reached the primary unloading area. One long wall had actually opened up on what Tristan thought might be the starboard side--he honestly still couldn't keep them straight--and a vaguely familiar ramp seemed to lead out into the sky beyond.

There was something about that perfectly clear, blue sky that Tristan found exhilarating. Perhaps it was the knowledge that this was the sky of yet another place he'd never been before. At least, not until now.

Above the opened wall and ramp was a long banner with huge bold letters that read, "Thanks for flying aboard the Crafting Ark!" Underneath, in only a slightly smaller green font, it added, "We look forward to your next voyage!"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Most of the staff seemed to be gathered there, whether helping people with their loads or just wishing them well. Everyone was being filtered toward the ramp, though.

Just as Mister Biggs was about to push through to the front of the line, Spiro appeared at their side. "Just a final moment with you both, please, if I might!"

Tristan gave a shrug, and Sophie must have psychically called Mister Biggs back, because all three of them stepped to a space just at the side that seemed to have magically opened up for them.

"Sure, Spiro, what's up?" Tristan asked.

The old elf was dressed in a bright, floral-patterned robe where all the stems and leaves seemed to sway in a breeze that was only felt by the material. "I just wanted to thank you two personally for making this such a memorable--and productive--voyage."

Tristan wasn't exactly sure what the elf meant, but he was more than happy to share in someone else's joy. "Oh, did you grow a lot, too?"

Beside him, Sophie looked mildly horror-struck. "I'm sure he doesn't need to--"

"I grew more with this voyage than most," Spiro interrupted, "and it was in no small part thanks to you two, with your Inspirations. While I haven't quite hit my tier-up yet, I am far closer now. So, in the event either of you should choose to return to my vessel, I want you to know that you are welcome back--with your next trip covered by me personally."

Something about what he'd just said got stuck in Tristan's brain. "Wait--your vessel?"

"Of course," the old elf said, extending his hands face up toward them. Resting lightly upon each palm was a creamy, smooth-looking card.

As Tristan picked his up, he began to feel like such a fool. Because the moment it touched his fingers, he received a notification:

You have been offered a free voyage voucher for the Crafting Ark by Inspiration Jack! Do you accept?

"Of course I accept," he said aloud. He'd met Inspiration Jack after all!

Beside him, Sophie gave a similar response at practically the same time.

Tristan looked at the old elf, now revealed as their host, anew. "So you're... responsible for all of this?" He gestured to the grandeur surrounding them.

Jack smiled at him and gave a slight bow. "I have had the pleasure of working with a phenomenal team for a very long time, but yes. To a greater or lesser degree depending on the element, I am."

Tristan pocketed the card and held out his hand. "Then I'd like to finally, formally, thank you. For not just myself, but for everyone who's come before me and is bound to come after."

The elf seemed to take his hand gladly, without any hesitation. "I appreciate that, Young Hammerson. I would also like to call your attention back to that card, for if you ever do choose to take me up on my invitation, merely speaking as much to that card will put you in contact with one of my most trusted assistants: my booker. Then she will guarantee that you've got a spot--and a full suite--saved on our very next voyage."

Sophie went into a curtsy so deep she practically sat on the floor. "Thank you, sir. We are honored by your generosity, and--"

The elf cut her off and helped her to rise. "Now that's entirely enough of that." Tristan noticed his kind eyes were now marked a little by distress as they scanned the room behind them, perhaps seeing how many other guests might have seen her display. "I merely wished to express to each of you one last time how grateful I am that you came aboard." Then he leaned in slightly and whispered right into Tristan's ear. "I also personally feel that you were robbed in the Tier 2 Primary Contest, but try as I might, I could find nothing to accuse the dwarf of other than being cantankerous."

"Thanks, Spiro," Tristan said before catching and correcting himself, "Jack."

The old elf winked at him and backed away a step. "Until our Paths cross again, I wish you the best of luck." Then he joined the crowds of people milling about, and Tristan lost sight of him.

"That was really Inspiration Jack," Tristan whispered.

A deep rumble from Mister Biggs caused Sophie to laugh. "Yeah, but he only just found out, so cut him some slack. Do you remember how shocked I was when I learned the truth?"

Mister Biggs tossed his head and began plodding toward the exit ramp again.

"You did not always know," Sophie said, chuckling.

Their conversation continued all the way down the long, winding ramp without Tristan really trying to add anything to it. He was still stuck in the proverbial mud of disbelief, mixed with a bit of gratitude. He'd been personally thanked by Inspiration Jack! Thinking back to their interactions onboard, Tristan couldn't get over how much help the elf had been. I guess I repaid his investment of time with that Inspiration though.

It made Tristan happy to think that he'd been able to give back even a fraction of the joy and progress he'd reaped onboard the Crafting Ark. Jack was literally making the realm a better place, one trip at a time. One day, Tristan hoped he could have an impact like that.

The moment he stepped off the ramp and onto the ground, Tristan felt a little of his elation vanish. He was leaving the Crafting Ark behind him and was back in the real world now.

Of course, he also received a notification that immediately reenergized him:

[Quest complete: All Play and No Work]

You have gained the title: {Ark Aficionado}

Expanding the title, he saw that it granted him another passive benefit to all of his future crafting attempts, and he didn't even have to equip it!

{Ark Aficionado} +1% to crafting percentages and -1% to crafting penalties.

It was more than he could have ever expected, but at least now he fully understood why every guide had said to be sure to complete the quest on your first voyage.

The crowd was being ushered forward, down a series of ramps and across a plain where stored baggage was being unloaded and retrieved. A fair bit farther ahead, Tristan could see a literal line in the ground where the grass became markedly greener. Everyone was walking that way, so he, Sophie, and Mister Biggs naturally followed. As soon as he crossed the all-but-visible barrier, he was greeted by a lengthy new notification.

You have entered the domain of the god known as the Sovereign. You are now under the effects of the following auras:

[Encouraged Growth] +25% experience gained from quests and contracts, and -15% material costs when crafting.

[Grow and Flourish] All food and water needs are reduced by 50%.

[Perpetua] The city of growth awaits you, and holds more benefits. If you seek it, you shall be offered the way.

Looking around, he could tell that others had also received the same notification. In fact, not even five strides away, a glowing golden portal appeared in thin air, and two people walked through it with as little care as if they'd just rounded a corner. Peering briefly through the portal before it closed, Tristan could see gleaming golden walls and a bustling street.

Was that a portal to Perpetua? he wondered silently.

Clearly in response to his thought, a prompt appeared in front of him.

Would you like to open a portal to Perpetua?

No, Tristan thought, more than a little worried. "I guess I need to be more mindful of my thoughts here."

"You actually only need to mind the name of the City of Endless Growth," Sophie quietly replied--and Tristan couldn't help but notice that she had avoided its proper name.

"Thanks for the tip. These other benefits seem pretty useful, especially the quests bit."

"That's one reason this domain is viewed as a great leveling spot for higher tiers: quests are the best way to progress past tier 3, and the few that have talked about it say it's the only reliable way to hit tier 5 in a reasonable time."

Tristan filed that away for later, wondering how much more advice his friend could give about optimizing his progress. Up until a year ago, he'd have probably been glad just to hit tier 3. Now he was seriously considering how to best grind all the way to tier 5! He chuckled, thinking about the ridiculousness of ever hitting level 80. How much he'd changed.

A grumbling Mister Biggs nudged his elbow, bringing him back just in time to see Sophie examining, or probably using [Identify] on, his pendant.

Then she grew extremely excited. "Holy crap, Tristan! This pendant is... It doesn't even matter that I can't use it! It's unbelievable, and you made this!"

Tristan was uncomfortable--but also happy--with her praise. "I'm just glad you like it."

"I love it, Tristan. I'm going to wear it all the time!"

"Maybe not in our dungeon runs though, right?"

"I don't know. I guess it depends on how hard a dungeon we decide to hit. It's just so unfortunate that I can't use its effects." She held the pendant in one hand with a subtle smile on her face.

Tristan saw the genuine appreciation there, and it was different from what he'd seen in others viewing his work before. He'd given this one as a gift, and that changed both how he wanted it to be received and how he felt about it. This one meant more, and it seemed Sophie agreed with him.

Sophie placed the pendant lightly against her neck and returned to business. "So are you going to leave the raid or what? There are twelve dungeons in the City of Cities itself, if you want to go that route."

"Oh, yeah, sorry." With a thought, Tristan left the Crafting Ark raid group... and immediately several people's heads whipped toward him at once.

"Tristan Hammerson?" they all seemed to ask in unison.

Suddenly, seven people he'd never seen before were rushing up to him, crowding in around him, and saying variations of, "I have a message for you!" as, one by one, they each handed him a letter.

They were all from Opie.

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