^^ The Finished Bath House ^^

--- Wren's POV ---

I walked down the docks, and located a merchant that was headed back to Council Island.

I sat next to him as he ate his lunch, and grinned. "Well hello, captain. Might we speak a moment?" I asked.

He hummed and eyed me, setting down his sandwich. "Sure... what do you need?"

"A favor. And quite a large one, actually, but rest assured, I pay my debts. You're from Council Island... you recognize me, don't you?" I asked, smirking.

He sighed. "Wren. Figures you'd be here with the rest of the crooks... or nobles."

'Ahhh... Auld Nick smiled on me today... goodie.' I laughed. "Very true. Now. You know my reputation? You know I'm a man of my word, and that my father was as well?"

He nodded. "I do."

"Good. Then here's my favor. Go to Council Island, and find Shady Jack on the Docks. Tell him that Wren Polisavich is calling in three of the bigger debts he owes me. Tell him that I want your entire ship loaded up with marble slabs, blocks, pure white, And glass, steel, and everything else you'd need to build a Royal Bathhouse. And I need it all within two days." I said simply.

He whistled softly. "Wow... Three Big Debts buys you that? What's the Original debt?"

"He got my father and mother murdered." I said coldly. "Now. To be perfectly clear, by two days, I mean, I want you back here by Sunday Morning. It's noon on Friday. So I'd get moving." I nodded.

He hummed. "What's in it for me?"

"Hmm? Oh. Yes. Ask him to pay you €2,000, as a Smaller Debt to me, and bring me a large amount of the Uruk Currency as another. And I'll owe you a favor, Captain. What's your name?" I asked.

"Captain Caius Rex of 'The Tyrant', the finest merchant vessel ever built." He grinned proudly.

I nodded. "Caius Rex... good. I owe you, upon completion, not including your pay. Godspeed, man. Move with the Winds Blessing."

He nodded and scarfed down his sandwich, then barked at his boys to do the same. They shored up and left the docks within ten minutes, an impressive time for a group at lunch.

I smirked and walked around, whistling, very pleased with myself. I found the man who'd been Smuggling Razorleaf, a hallucinogenic drug from the Gong-Hui Archipelago. It wasn't very addictive, when used properly, but it's effects were potent, and highly amusing, from my own experience.

I slung an arm over his shoulder, and grinned. "Allo, Friend! You 'n me are gonna have a nice chat, huh?" I pulled him into an alley before he made a scene, and slammed him into the wall. "Now. I'm having a good day, so I'll keep this sweet, eh? My name is Wren Polisavich. If you want to sell razorleaf, you come through me. Is this understood? Because I know you're selling to lytlings. That's not alright. Am I being clear enough?" I asked, my knuckles blazing as I held his collar.

He looked at the fire, then me, and laughed. "Oh wow. Listen, kid-"

I threw him into the opposite wall, and began beating him. My fists aren't particularly heavy, but I'm much stronger than a normal person. Once I thought I'd gotten his attention, and picked him up by his throat, and slammed him into the wall again. "I told you my name. Use it, or don't speak at all. Now. Have I made myself clear?" I asked.

He nodded weakly.

"Good. Hey, smile! Auld Nick smiles on you, Friend! A bad day, and I would've broken your knees and cut out your tongue!" I said cheerily, nudging him as he slumped to the ground.

He groaned in pain.

"Good. Now. Next time you get a shipment? You come to me, and you validate your clients are over 18. If they're not, they're no longer your clients for drugs and alcohol. No exceptions. No deals. And don't even think of trying to run or screw my over. I can find anything, much less a man of your size." I patted his face, and whistled a beautiful melody, walking out of the alley with a gentle spring in my step.

I found every single other person that I'd seen Smuggling, and repeated the process, getting less and less violent as the day wore on. My reputation spread through the Docks like wildfire.

I made it known that I reported directly to Menai, (who had informed us that he was also the Headmaster of the Academy. I actually liked the guy,) so that it was clear I wasn't someone to screw with. I found an empty Lot at the end of the docks, and tasked some of them to build a shop, which they'd store their contraband once I'd certified it, and then only adults would be allowed in at all, much less allowed to buy the stock.

They grumbled at the loss of a quarter of their customers, but I assured them they'd make customers back if they had a reputable Shop, instead of a face-to-face shady business. Most nobles were prideful little shits, and wouldn't want to make deals in alleys. But a completely legitimate shop? Contraband trafficking would thrive.

I found the Ship to the Red Light island, and learned it was named 'Gomorrah' because they had laughable senses of humor. I explained the new shipping laws to the captain, and he explained that he shipped drugs and Alcohol legally. That meant that he wasn't in any way breaking the 'new Shipping Laws'.

At my insistent explanation that his products were being sold to underage users, he agreed to sponsor a Shop, which would be simple, and quaint, but also gentile-enough to attract a more... robust clientele.

I found several sailors to act as employees round-the-clock while they weren't on voyages, to ensure service at any time, and finally sat down, grinning.

It was almost midnight, but the foundation for my Shop was being mapped, so as to be laid in the morning. Captain Caius would be its sole owner, so as no connection to me could easily be found, though the revenue would be split between us. I would pour my half back into the business until it grew to an acceptable level, and he would likely buy another ship.

I had a few ideas about growing my own stock of herbs and spices, as at the moment they came from far away, and were ridiculously expensive, but decided one days work was done.

I returned to the dorms, and upon seeing my tired walk, an young Knight with a Bronze Circle and silver Feather smiled. "Hey, you're that kid who sleeps on the roof, yeah? Look, this is something useful for you." He led me to a wall, which slid open seamlessly when he whispered 'Öffnen'. Inside was an elevator. "It only goes to the Tower, so most younger students don't use it or don't know about it... but you'll need it, to get to the Roof every day."

I smiled genuinely. "Thanks. My name is Wren Polisavich. It was interesting meeting you...?"

"Ah! My manners. I'm Squire Garth Ira." He shook my hand, and I hummed.

"Huh. Lord Ira's son?"

"Grandson, actually." He grinned.

I smiled. "Well then. I look forward to seeing you around."

He nodded, and I used the elevator to reach the tower, and blinked when it opened into a chemistry laboratory, a few people already working in it. I opened a large bay window, and discovered I was basically level with the roof. All I had to do was go out the window and walk into my room.

"Nifty." I smiled.

---

I sat down in the stands of the colosseum, and hummed, watching the already-started matches.

Sigils were used regularly, as well as common Rukh Runes, but it was mostly armed and unarmed combat. Most of them didn't even have any evolved Urn or Ankh Runes, and so they focused totally on attack, not defense.

A few notable exceptions were the boys I came with, who seemed to have liked the idea of my indestructibility. They had gotten branded with an Urn Rune each, on each non-dominant arm. Smart. The non-dominant arm holds the Shield, and the Urn Runes can be used to magically reinforce the shield if used properly. I didn't like using a shield, but my father had explained their uses to me a few times.

I watched the two boys fight two others, noticeably twins, and after a long fight, manage to wear down their runes, and win. I tsk'ed, and met them as they exited the arena. "Why'd you take so long? You could've beaten those idiots a lot sooner." I snapped.

"Who are you calling an Idiot?" One of the twins asked.

"Was I talking to you? No? Then STEP OFF, MIDGET!" I roared in his face, surprising him and making him back up into his brother, falling in a tangle of limbs. Then I looked back at the guys. "Why'd you take so long?"

"It takes a long time to wear down people's Runes, man. You can't just treat it like a regular fight, where your hits do actual damage. In a Rune Battle, there is no damage to the other fighter until their Runes break, which takes a while, even for people with only one, un-evolved Urn Rune." The black haired one said.

I hummed. "Fine... but next time, I expect more from people from my Island. Represent your families better, chumps." I grinned, ruffling their hair and walking away to their grumbled acceptance, whistling again.

"Do you like music?" A soft voice asked behind me, and I turned.

"Excuse me?" I asked the small girl who stood in front of me now.

"Music." She clarified.

"Well... yes. I do. But it's not a very good business, so I stick to whistling for now." I grinned.

She smiled. "I see. Then I'll see you in the Choir room when you'd like to sing with us."

"Choir? Hold on, little miss. Don't expect me to join no choir, aight? I don't mess with hymns and that frilly shit. Music is good, but hymns are just... no." I shrugged.

She hummed. "I see. A Heathen. I suppose that figures..."

"Humph. Nah, More of a 'non-practicing catholic' but that joke's old and dead, so. I just don't like frilly music." I chuckled.

She raised a single eyebrow. "A... non-practicing catholic."

"Correct. You know the joke, right? 'Three people walk into a church. A non-practicing Catholic, a Whore, and the One who leads them Away.' Have a good day, little miss. Good luck with your frilly songs. I do mean that in the least sarcastic way." I chuckled and walked away.

I watched a few more fights, and then joined in at the docks, putting in a few hours of Grunt-Work to help along the building of my Shop.

I was about ten times as strong than a normal human without my Urn Runes, (though using them to make myself stronger did tire me out en-ratio to how much stronger it made me,) so building things had never been a problem for me. In fact, I quite enjoyed the mathematics behind it.

By the end of Saturday, I had the frame of my shop completely built, and awaiting stones to cover the outside of the store, and the floor of the building. I'd ordered them already, paying a solicitor from The Quarry, the largest stone quarry in the world.

(The Quarry was an Island in what used to be Nepal, and it held the biggest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. The Council and other major Archipelagos currently bought most of their stone from the Owner.)

I went back to my dorm, and waved to Mei as I fell into my bed.

She chuckled. "Is this how you spend every day?"

"No... just when I have a project... okay fine. Most days. Yes." I sighed. "I do relax now and then, though. That's what my books are for." I replied tiredly, and fell asleep.

---

Someone shook my shoulder, and my hand shot out, squeezing a thin neck in a vice-like grip.

I woke fully, and released Mei, apologizing. "Sorry. What?" I asked, and cracked my neck.

"Ahem... there's a Captain at the docks sending for you." She cleared her throat and answered. "Also... have you eaten since we got here?"

"The last meal I had was in police custody. Stale bread and dry cheese. Yummy." I responded, and stood, stretching. I stepped out and into the elevator, and she followed me.

"That's not good. You need food." She nodded simply.

I smiled. "Ahh. You've probably never gone a day without food. It's fine. I'm used to it."

She hummed. "Well, I'm feeding you, and you're going to like it. And for your information, I was once trapped in a hole. I didn't eat for two days."

"Oh you poor darling." I said sarcastically, and smirked as she growled at me.

I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the docks, jogging to make good time. She followed, still, and smiled suddenly. "I'll meet you at the dorm later. And you will eat." She said firmly, running to meet a few new friends.

I arrived at the docks, (the dorms and docks weren't very far apart,) and grinned when I saw The Tyrant docked at the end of the pier, and was unloading giant slabs of pure white marble.

"Captain Caius!! Welcome back! Right on schedule!" I grinned and shouted, waving.

He grinned. "Well Hullo, Wren! Your man is very generous, I must say! Paid me 4,000, plus moving taxes and Dock Taxes! Ha! I may have even earned money on this venture! My boys are unloading your goods now. Thank you for the introduction! Your man, Shady Jack, said he'd love to do business with me in the future! I do think you've surprised me, yes sir!" He laughed.

I nodded. "Good... how much did he give us?" I asked.

"Well over enough pure white marble to build an entire house, and the copper and iron piping to make it happen. Your connections astound me." He grinned.

I bowed my head sarcastically. "Indeed. Now... the other part?" I asked.

"Ah! Yes. He gave me a sealed package." He went into the ship, and returned wheeling a large box on a cart, that looked suspiciously like a Treasury Shipping Container.

I laughed. "Ooh. He's good, I'll give him that. Thanks, Cap'n."

"Need any help getting it somewhere?" He asked, eying the continuously growing pile of stone.

"If you wouldn't mind... I'm in that building there." I pointed at the Dorms.

He nodded. "Aye, sir."

"Also, I started a business here in your name... it's a partnership, with me. Half of the revenue will go to you. The other half will be mine, and will go into the business to expand it. Down there." I pointed at the half-built building that would be my trading post.

He blinked at me quickly, as if clearing his eyes, and sighed. "I see. Am I involved in anything-"

"Nothing illegal. I've made sure of it." I assured him. "But until I get my credentials, I am not licensed to trade here. I'm attempting to clean up the smuggling operation here. They dealt to kids, so I'll have to disabuse these younger students from thinking such things are allowed..."

"I see you plotting, and it amuses me, but I have business to attend to, so direct my men, and we'll get back on our venture." He nodded and boarded his ship again.

---

"Thanks, guys... just leave the pipes here... yeah, that's it. Thanks." I nodded.

They nodded and left, and I grinned at the massive pile of Marble around us. I quickly got the idea to plate the outside of the building in marble, then the inside walls as well.

I measured and cut the marble slabs precisely, easily covering the outside, and heating the rubber Shingles to glue them in place. The inside had plants and such on the walls, so I left it alone. Then I plated the rest of the roof, and found a place that would work for a bathhouse.

All of the sewage for the Dorms emptied out of one side, into a lake that Mei had informed me was full of plants and fish that broke down all the matter, and then it was sifted down into the mineral tunnels, which was a maze of tiny tunnels that reached all the way into the bottom of the island, where they poured out as waterfalls, into the ocean below us. The heat of the Core Flares into certain parts of the Ocean made it into steam, which gave us clouds and rain.

Then water was pulled from the ocean currents, and the process started again.

I found the connection to a giant Cistern that piped water to the entire Dorm, and then tracked its piping by pushing a bubble of air into it, and tracking it all the way until it couldn't go up anymore, right below my feet.

I knelt, and plunged a blazing hand into the stone, scooping out globs of molten stone, and about ten feet of stone down, there was the break between floors. The pipe was in the roof of the top floor. I climbed into my hole, and froze two spots of the pipe, at a turn joint.

I ripped that section of the pipes out, and replaced it with a T Section pipe, and then once it was welded shut, I built the pipe up to the level of the roof. Then I melted the now-cooled pile of stone, and refilled the hole, smoothing it over, then placing a plate of marble over it, a hole cut out of the center the size of the pipe.

I built the piping up, and began building a platform, which would hold the Bathhouse. Once that was finished, I cracked my neck, and got ready for the hard part.

---

I stepped back from the finished bathhouse exterior, which looked like a sauna. There was a large pile of wood stacked against one side, which would heat the water to a pleasing temperature. It was big enough for about twenty people, comfortably.

I stepped inside, and grinned. Perfectly smooth white marble benches, and a large sink to be filled, which hot coals would be placed in, to fill the air with steam. The center was lowered below the benches about five feet, and filled with hot water for bathing. I built a large shower room with room for ten people to shower on the side, and then a fully equipped his and hers bathrooms on the final side, and finally sat back, grinning. "Well done, Wren... well done indeed."

I smirked and lit the fire, and then hit a small blue button by the door, which would start the bath filling automatically. It was a rudimentary weight sensor, which knew how heavy a full tub of water was. When people got in, it lessened the water level slightly to keep it always at right below the benches.

Once it was filled and heated, I stripped my clothes off, and stepped in, groaning in relief as my sore body was enveloped with hot water.

I relaxed, and then motivated myself to actually bathe. Another cool trick I'd added in was that the water was constantly cycled, so even if you bathed in it, covered in mud, it would stay crystal clear.

I climbed out, and dried off, blinking in confusion when I saw Mei, staring at either me or the new building.

"Hullo." I said simply, and dressed. I slicked back my wet hair, and dried it with a towel slowly. "You can use it, if ye like. Water's wonderful. And the Shower and Sauna are on the sides, if ye prefer those." I shrugged and patted her shoulder, walking through the curtain that directly separated the building and the House.

She slowly looked after me. "How did you do this?" She asked.

"Ask and Ye Shall Receive, Dearie." I bowed mockingly, and laid down to get some sleep before the Exams tomorrow.