Chapter 422: The Sharing of Confusing Knowledge
Milo was sitting with Grothmar at a small table within a very small shop in the Foreign Market. Grothmar's house and shop were partially within a carved-out section of the stem of one of the Collective. They explained that it was a great honor and a reward for his service as Speaker. "It has a practical purpose as well as a signal of the esteem in which I am held. When I retire to my mulch bed to recoup my energies, my mind stills and becomes one with the Collective. Our connection is renewed, easing the burden on this small body."
Milo was curious, as always. "I assume then that the quality of your mulch is a factor in the resting period? Do you use different varieties? Or always the same?"
Speaker made an odd sound that Milo took to express mild amusement. "No meat creature has ever asked me this before. Indeed, I have my preferences and can afford the best mulch. Most days, I use a lovely mixture of ten-year-decayed bamboo shoots, almonds, bat guano, and cave moss. It is a highly prized yet affordable blend and gives me the energy I need for my strenuous duties."
"Do many myconians use this blend?"
"Many of those whose social standing gives them the means, yes. But not all. Some of the warrior houses only use meat-based mulches, with a taste not unlike the meat substrate that is used to grow the warrior forms. Most forms are similar to those you so neatly cut in two, but can vary in size. The Collective thanks you for your forbearance on using excessive force; it was easy to put them back together with Blood Mushroom Adhesive, which we use to seal small wounds."
"I am unfamiliar with it. I assume it is a myconic salve made from blood mushrooms?"
"It is exactly that. I have a detailed treatise on its production that I can share with you. It is one of our more common first-aid treatments. It even has applications for sealing wounds of injured meat creatures, knitting flesh together, and stopping the flow of life fluids."
Milo had noticed a large number of books in Grothmar's small abode and was very interested in perusing them. "I appreciate the chance to share knowledge. I would also love to know more about this cheese. It has a very strange smell, yet a delectable flavor. The crumbly texture fits it perfectly."
"It is a favorite of mine. I grind it and sprinkle a little on my daily sustenance, or nibble on a slice when I enjoy a tasty drink. One of the traders from Bloth brings several wheels when he comes to our market. Whether it is made in Bloth or somewhere else, I am unsure. Merchants guard their sources and are a secretive group, especially those who visit Bloth. The merchant has referred to it as both Pecorino Toscano and, for some reason, Woolcheese."
"I'm unfamiliar with this place."Grothmar seemed to ponder his reply, then spoke. "As am I. There are wondrous and terrible tales told of it, as one would expect of a city of the Wheel of Eight."
Milo had heard that term before when Carver had told his tale. "I spoke recently with a being who spoke of the Wheel of Eight and Fjyrk Baor, where the Mountain King ruled. Is there a relationship between Fjyrk Baor and Bloth?"
The Myconian threw up his hands in dismay. Milo was getting the sense that when talking with 'meat creatures', the myconians used excessive hand gestures to convey emotions, rather than express them with their faces. "One certainly hopes not! They are each terrible in their own right, but the Mountain King has been quiet, and I, for one, hope he is dead, along with his city of Madness. But the Collective thinks otherwise. They do not sleep, but sometimes they dream. Twice have come nightmares that the Mountain King stirs. Both cities are part of the infamous Wheel of Eight. Terrible places that ruled over large areas of the world long ago, and while not allies, they communicated and traded with each other. Most still exist, but their influence has waned. The Collective worries about them, especially since the re-emergence of Gadobhra in the far north of the Empire. And word has come to us that the lizardmen of the Black Pyramid in the City of Mazqorati are stirring and have chosen a new God-Emperor."
Milo took another small sliver of Woolcheese and crumbled it over the mushroom medley he was eating. "I have been to Gadobhra. It was a very interesting place."
Grothmar's eyes became darker, and while he was still Grothmar, Milo could feel the Collective listening in. "Truly? Perhaps you could share the knowledge you gained? In exchange, I will share the mediocre knowledge in the books you keep staring at."
"A fair deal. I accept. I journeyed to Gadobhra with the Knight of the Jackelope, acting as his squire and guide, along with my faithful hound. The Fae are very rigid in their society, and all great quests must include a squire and a faithful hound. I was known to the Hero and agreed to come along. We had a large number of tasks to accomplish in a very short time, and this was complicated by the complex situation occurring in the awakened city. I was forced to learn much in a very short time. It seems that an enterprising new arrival to this world claimed the small town of Sedgewick, found the city of Gadobhra hidden nearby, and broke the bindings placed by the Great Druids. For this, he was rewarded with the title of Baron and control of the city."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"And now, he will build armies and conquer the Empire."
Milo shook his head, "He's actually helping the Empire upgrade their fortresses, especially the one guarding Gadobha, founding universities of magic and engineering, and plans to make money charging daring adventurers who want to venture into his dungeons. Very nice dungeons, I must say. We visited one that had an orchestra and another that had a lovely collection of ratkin and bunnykin living there. The Dungeonlord established a new hollow for their people and was interested in upgrading their dungeons to entertain more visitors. It's a very interesting place now."
His host sat back in his chair, disbelief radiating from his stance. "Surely the ruler of Gadobhra has plans to conquer the empire."
"Oh, he does. I have sharp ears, keen eyes, and a mind that likes puzzles. I believe he is going to turn Gadobhra into a huge asset for the Empire while amassing great wealth through trade and manufacturing. Being helpful undermines the ability of his rivals and enemies. The Emperor will welcome a noble who supports and doesn't undermine him, and helps with the war effort. And frankly, he may make the Empire more efficient. It's a mess of politics and greedy merchants that make Shadowport look good. It's a long game, but one that may have a greater chance of succeeding through the use of soft power and economics. Armies are expensive and messy."
"Yes, the cost to grow War Forms is extravagant. We must dedicate one field for a year, and meticulously plant the correct mixtures of fungus to form the body of the new form. Maintaining them is equally expensive. Some damage cannot be fixed with Blood Mushroom Adhesive. Things have become...To tell us of Shadowport."
Milo immediately noticed the change in ownership of the body. This was the Collective he was talking to, now. "It is a city of many races: Ratkin, Human, Dwarves, and Elves. The dwarven presence is heavier now, with the Deep Rock Engineers providing some order and offsetting the chaos of several scavenger clans. The recent turmoil has ended, and the overabundance of eels has been taken care of. The city depends on mining, fishing, and trade to survive."
"To tell us of the Lorewind Academy, the Circle of Warlocks, the Tower of Prince Talon, and the Stormships of Yeld."
Milo racked his brain, coming up with only one piece of information. "There is no academy or Circle of Warlocks in the city. The only ships are a fishing fleet, dwarven ironclads, a slightly dented airship, and whatever merchants are using at the time. I don't know of a Prince Talon, and the only tower sits on a rock in the bay, guarded by an ancient and very grumpy eel the size of the Collective." He quickly drew a map and presented it to them."
"The rumors are true. Nothing but the tower remains, and it is guarded." Speaker began pacing, talking quickly in several voices.
"It is useless to pursue the trail further. They were doubtless in the city and destroyed."
"NO! There is hope, a small chance!"
"All paths must be followed until the end!"
"You are all idiots! You risk chaos in the deep Mycellium!"
Milo let them talk, listened while pretending not to listen, and continued to take small bits of cheese. When he reached his limit, the rest of the wheel went into a pocket. Something was happening. He hoped it had nothing to do with him becoming a tasty variety of mulch.
The Collective was interrupted as an excited myconian opened the door. "Speaker, you must tell the Collective. The snails are massing at the border, and Gigantus has come from the deep pit. The shroomlings have fled and left the beds unattended. The Warforms must be woken and commanded."
Speaker turned and said, "The War Forms rise, The Collective hears you. Throw gold at the mercenaries and threaten them if they take too long to arrive. We go to WAR!"
The messenger left, the Collective retreated, and Grothmar returned. "Apologies, Sage Milo. It seems we have a snail problem."