Sarah walked north into the magic quarter of the market. She immediately took a left, and entered a shop dedicated to magical books, scrolls, and other bits of magical paper. "This is "The Crimson Flame", a used book dealer. They rarely have any high-level books, but we don't really need any. Scrolls, of course, are single use, so they can't really be "used", but people sell ones that they don't need, or that have been damaged or dirtied. For some reason, having blood splashed on your Scroll of Imp Summoning disgusts some people. What do they think the ink in demonic scrolls is made from? Sure, it's not usually from an intelligent being, but..." She stopped talking without finishing her sentence and walked over to the shelf labeled 'Holy'. "Maybe healing or buffs." she said, talking to herself. "Hmm," said Linus, "I don't usually rely on Scrolls, so I think I'll be looking for a book that will allow me to expand the functions of my Thunderbolt again." As Linus spoke, a large, weathered hand landed firmly on his shoulder. A gruff, familiar voice spoke from behind him. "I've considered your offer, kid. If you'll cover the expenses, so we're properly outfitted, and not leaping to our deaths in rags, I'll help you." "Thank you," Linus replied, "and, yes, I'll cover the expenses. So, we're going to get some skills training?" "Aye. It's been a long time since I was in a proper conflict.", Bjornson recollected, "I'll need to test my aim with a firearm again. Would either of y'know if there's a proper shooting range around? Can't say I've bothered to look before. And what about y'rself? How's y'r sword-arm?" "Well, I'm more agile than strong, so I'm looking to train in dodges, also, going to exercise my willpower to strengthen my Thunderbolts," Linus said as he casually moved on to enter The Crimson Flame. "B'ah! Boy, when you've got a weakness, face it. You're not doing yourself any favours, not strenghtening those little arms a'yours. Still, were's y'er reporter friend? Inside this infernal establishment?" "I'm here," said Sarah, coming out of the bookstore. Several new books were in her backpack. "You were hoping to get some practice in with a musket? There's a range over beside the carriage house. They should be able to teach you how to do anything you forgot." She looked at Forseti, then thought of something. "I just realized something. I'll be right back." She then went inside, leaving the two men there. "Heh," said Linus to Bjornson, handing over a pouch of gold coins to the man, "all true; will you help me train, then? Also, I'm older than you." He then turned to Sarah. "Wait, I still have to look for a way to make my Thunderbolt able to stun people again!" and with that, the Demigod went inside the bookstore as well. Bjornson raised the pouch up in one hand, and fingered through it. It was certainly enough for a day at the range. Maybe even a bit of armour, should something sharp find its way to his chest. In his mind, Forseti plotted out the route to the range, before quickly stepping inside The Crimson Flame himself. Something had sparked the excitement of the reporter girl. It could be important. He sauntered through he door, and gazed around, looking for the eager woman. Sarah was looking through Ki spells, then pulled down a book on healing and started flipping through it. "Excuse me," she said to the man who was levitating himself behind the counter. "Does this spell work on undead too?" "Healing magic doesn't hurt zombies," the man said, "That's just an urban legend. It's holy magic that does it. Unless they're Holy undead, but that's pretty rare." "No, I mean to heal them. See, there's this guy..." She saw Forseti enter the store. "Oh, here he is." She looked at Forseti, not yet knowing his name. "Need some help finding something?" The store clerk floated over the counter, looking him over. "Flawless casting. Whoever turned you into on of the cursed, friend, is quite skilled." Forseti, extremely taken aback by being outed so quickly, blinked at the levitating little man for a moment. These damned magic folk, could see things that weren't meant to be seen. "Aye, there's no one more skilled with the dead, in this world. As it happens, I'd appreciate it if you'd not mention my state to others.", he stated, with grim certainty. "Now, would y'have any tomes on magical sea life, or monster herpetology?" "Oh, certainly," the store clerk said. "There aren't many of the cursed living in the city, less than a dozen, even if you count the vampires that live in that plantation outside the city. I haven't betrayed them yet. Unlike most folk, I don't care. Also unlike most folk, I can see auras. Let's me tell when someone who isn't alive gets near me. Sarah, on the other hand, just sensed the dark energy coming off of you, like many Holy magic users can, and made an educated guess." The floating man landed and walked over to a shelf of magical lore. "Looking for mermaids, or something a bit more exotic?" He pulled out a book with a Kraken on the front of it and showed it to Forseti. "I'll remember that", Forseti commented, casting a suspicious glare at Sarah. "I'm looking for something a bit... larger. An eel, or serpent. We've been acquainted in the past, and I'm looking for some more information, before we... meet again. If you have any books on the subject, my youthful companion will compensate you for their cost." Bjornson gave a nod toward Linus. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way. Reporter girl, would you please meet me at the range, when you're ready? I'd still like some answers." Linus sighed, and confirmed: "Yes, I'll pay for the Undead's books, although this will be the last time." The clerk pulled out a few on various legendary or godlike serpents, including Tiamat and Jormungadr, and handed to the Norse man. "Here." he said before the man started to leave, and looked at the demigod. "200 pounds." "All right," Linus paid, before remembering his business. "And a book on Thunder Magic?" The man took flight again and landed in front of the shelf labeled Elemental. "What are you looking to do? Do you need to learn it, or are you looking to learn a trick or two?" "The latter," was the Demigod's reply. "Anything specific? Stunning, forks, chain?" "Stunning, for now," Linus replied. The clerk handed Linus a book on stun lightning. "Good call." he said. "Sometimes it's best not to just slaughter everything in your way. This will give you more options. 200 pounds." "Done," Linus paid. Sarah paid for the Ki Healing book and left for the carriage and shooting range. --- After walking for a minutes James reached a large blacksmith, he had reached the wealthy area of the artisan quarter in the city. He swung open the large, thick oak door and entered the the building. He was greeted by a chubby tall, bald man behind the counter with a bushy yellow mustache. "Hello! What can I do you for?" He bellowed. "Well sir, I need two of the best blades you have, as well as some lightweight armor." James replied politely. "Best I have, aye? Any particular style you're looking for? A longsword, greatsword, rapier, sabre? Maybe a nice estoque?" "I'll need two longswords, a little over an arm's length for the blade; and excellent, reliable hand guards to catch attacks." "And how do you usually use them? Slashing, stabbing, draw cuts?" "Slashing and stabbing mostly, but they need to be durable enough to take a few hits." "A rapier, then, or maybe longswords, though they'll be a bit on the heavy side. Might wear yourself out quickly without more muscle on you. I take it you're learning to duel wield?" "Indeed I am, and I plan on getting more body muscle throughout the next few days. What will all of this cost me?" "Better go with Rapiers, for now, then. A bit less durable, but it won't wear you out near as fast, and even the best sword is worthless if your arm is too tired to lift it." He reach behind him and pulled out two [url=http://www.barringtons-swords.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1200x1200/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/a/paul_chen_hanwei_swords_fencing_practical_cup_hilt_rapier_sh2261_image_2.png]fine steel rapiers.[/url] "I crafted these about a year ago, when a noble came through, looking to study the art of duel wielding as well. He couldn't come up with the coin, though, despite the fact that we agreed on it up front, so I wouldn't let him have them. One thousand each." "And what of the armor? What do you have for me?" "I'm mostly sold out on that. The bracer and pauldron you're wearing is pretty nice, but I don't have anything quite so well constructed. Perhaps some nice chain mail?" "That sounds exemplary, how much for the chainmail and the swords as a package deal? Also, if you have them; I'd love some small throwable daggers." "Well," said the shop keep, "Sense they've been there for so long, and you're buying a good bit, I'll only charge 2,500, and throw in a whetstone and some lindseed oil for the swords. Need to keep them in good condition and properly oiled." He laid a set of chainmail in Jame's size, a set of six throwing daggers, a whetstone, and a bottle of oil down beside the swords. "You've got yourself a deal, It's been a pleasure." James put down 2,500 on the counter and took his supplies with him on the way out. "Good to see the younger generation hasn't completely abandoned the idea of wearing a good set of armor. Everyone now days is more concerned with learning to fire a musket and don't bother learning to properly wear armor." "I should try and find the others" James thought idly, and went to wait at the carriage for the others.