Deadtired

"Logical steps, but only available to those with the undead at their beck and call," Cinder said.

"No, it's possible without. Merely more difficult. Magic makes for a fine replacement. Undead are generally weaker than golems and servitors made of metal and magic. Summons from other planes of reality can do most tasks in the same way, though with questionable allegiances. Or you can do it all with well-trained, well-paid people. Yes, that is the least effective method by which to start, but I think that given time and space, technological and mechanical solutions can be found for issues that you don't want to tackle via magical means."

Elder Frost glanced back at me. "Why would you care so much for fixing things without magic, when you seem to always have the magic for them?"

"Hmm, an interesting question. There were once large areas of the world where magic was weakened. A nation once created an entire field around themselves which disrupted magic, making the casting of weaker spells entirely impossible, and complicating the casting of more powerful ones."

That had been a space where spells below the second tier were almost impossible to cast, and those between the third and fourth were significantly more complex. At least for those spells who earned their tiers from complexity as opposed to their level of danger.

"That region developed mechanical systems to overcome the hardships they imposed upon themselves. Long aqueducts for moving water. Railed cars connecting cities together powered by steam engines. Without magic as a shortcut, but with time and resources to innovate, they found their own solutions. That is something I can respect."

"What happened to these people?" Cinder asked.

"I politely removed their leadership. Their anti-magical stance was rooted in superstition and foolish beliefs. Their ancestors, those who'd actually created those very same systems, had done so because they couldn't control magic. And having things outside of their control was, to them, unforgivable. Once the fields faded, magic returned as a favourable option."

"Was magic better?" Cinder asked.

"Industrialization is powerful, and creates great works. But it also does much harm. Magic is, in its own way, significantly cleaner. Just ask any druid about the consequences of an industrial revolution."

Cinder frowned, but nodded. I imagined that the young cultivator would ask the first druid she met. If she did meet one. Druidism seemed just close enough to cultivation as a vocation that I imagined there was a severe overlap in some places.

That could make for an interesting point of study.

We continued to chit and chat as we ambled along, hopping from stone to stone, each marked with a banner of the sect. I imagined that remaining hidden, so close to the heart of the sect, was a moot point. If someone had made it through the Ashen Forest to this point, then they'd make it to the sect no matter what. The banners also provided a clear marker of... ownership over the location. No one trespassing could pretend to be confused or lost when there were large signs flapping in the wind every dozen necrometres.

"I can hear water," Alex said. I glanced over to the maid and made note of very twitchy ears. "Not too far from here, bone daddy."

"That's the lake," Cinder said. "We've arrived. And it's only early evening."

"We'll have to see if the ship we requested is prepared," Elder Frost said.

As it turned out, it was.

We left the edges of the Ashen Forest, landing on a beach whose shores were covered in muddy ash covering countless small pebbles and larger boulders. The Ashen Lake was quite large. So much so that I couldn't see across it to the other side, though the tops of the mountains there were still clearly visible in the distance.

A pier had been erected along the shoreline. It was made of stone, the same as the stepping stones we'd been using, though these were weathered by age and the tides and left stained by ash and grime.

A ship sat next to the docks. A single masted vessel, quite long and sturdily built, and painted a dull grey with white sails. It was crewed by three figures, all in the garb of the Ashen Forest sect, and all of whom stopped at our arrival and quickly gathered on the pier.

"Lord Harold, these are the members of the sect who will be bringing you across the lake," the elder said. "I believe it is in their best interest to introduce themselves to you, as they will be attending you for the journey."

* * *

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Chapter Sixteen — Ship Shape

Chapter Sixteen — Ship Shape

The three cultivators, two young men and a young woman, bowed gracefully before my companions and I. I could sense that they were nervous, both from strange looks directed my way, and from glances to Elder Frost.

Still, one of them stepped up.

He wore the grey garb of the sect, though his outfit lacked any robes. Instead he wore loose pants and a tight shirt under a grey overcoat. His mask had a large visor over his eyes that likely allowed him a good deal of peripheral vision. He also wore a peaked cap. "I'm captain Ashmud, of the Flameskimmer. Inner disciple of the Ashen Forest sect."

"Hello, Ashmud," Cinder said. There was warmth and coldness in her tone, and I sensed something of a history between the two.

The elder cleared her throat, then gestured for the other two to present themselves.

"Greetings, honoured guest of the Ashen Forest," they said in unison, then the young lady took a small step forwards. "I am Greyflake, outer disciple of the Ashen Forest."

"I am Char," the young man said. "Outer disciple of the Ashen Forest."

Greyflake had a dress on that was similar to Cinders, though of lesser quality. It was white and grey, with some simple embroidery woven into the cloth to create the image of a many peaked mountainscape. Her loose dress allowed plenty of room for hidden weapons, which she was putting to use.

I suspect that the thin girl's weight was half weapon. She had knives strapped to her arm under loose sleeves, more along her waist, some on her back, and more sheathed around her thighs. All artfully hidden within her dress, but there were so many that it was impossible not to notice.

Char, on the other hand, was a big lad. He looked like the sort of young man that ate well and grew well as a result. His mask was small and simple, and he wore less protective equipment over himself than the average Ashen Forest sect member.

His only combative equipment was a cudgel by his hip, and a pair of knuckle dusters on a bandoleer for ease of access.

"Captain Ashmud, Greyflake, and Char," I said. "Are all of the names in the Ashen Forest so... evocative of your ashy home?"

"We earn new names for ourselves as we become disciples of the sect," Cinder said. "Most of these are given to us by older, more experienced members. Char here is one of those that I named myself."

"Ah, I see," I said.

Not an entirely uncommon practice. It made the division between a member's current and past life, pre and post joining of an organisation, a lot clearer.

"His name used to be Charles," Cinder said.

I paused for a moment, then cackled slightly. Charles becoming Char! I wondered if there was more wordplay under the surface here.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," I said with a nod. Next to me, Alex curtsied, then nudged Rem who grumbled, but did her best impression of a butler's bow. Mem was staring at the water, entirely unaware of what was going on. "So, if I understood correctly, we'll be traversing the lake today onboard the Flameskimmer?"

"Aye," Captain Ashmud said. "The old boat's not the greatest or the prettiest, but she's reliable. She's been with the sect for half a century now!"

"The mountains which are our destination can be reached by land, but the path is long, arduous, and utterly utterly utterly unmapped," Cinder said. "Traversing the lake is also a danger, but less so."

I nodded along. "Very well, then. Are we ready to take off right away?"

"Leaving at this time of day isn't the easiest, but it's not a task that I'll be unable to accomplish," Captain Ashmud said. I had the impression he was grinning under that mask of his. "Come on, outer disciples, let's get her ready to depart." He gave me a nod, and Elder Frost a short bow before returning down the pier towards the ship. The outer disciples had far more elaborate bows to give before they ran off after the captain.

"This is where I'll be leaving you," Elder Frost said. She eyed me for a moment. "Keep Cinder and the disciples safe, please. I know that you are someone of another league, one who has defied the heavens and succeeded, but still, the Ashen Forest is a good sect beset by hard times. I dearly wish to see it flourish, for the flower to pierce the ash."

"I'll see what I can do," I replied. "This has mostly turned into a fun side-expedition, and those are always ruined when someone dies horrifically. It would bring the mood down for the rest of the adventure."

"If the cost of your help is our entertainment, then we will do what we must," Cinder replied rather cryptically. "May I have a few moments with the Elder? I'm certain the outer disciples will be glad to show you the ship."

"Certainly," I replied before gesturing Alex and the mantises forwards.

The Flameskimmer wasn't the most modern vessel I'd ever embarked upon, but it was well designed for its environment, and well-maintained. Captain Ashmud seemed to take great pride in his ship, judging by the lack of ash on deck and the well-polished railing.

Its sails were an interesting choice. Full battens, running their entire length and set half a necrometre apart. It would make for sturdy, rigid sails as opposed to the more loose sails I was used to seeing.

"Welcome aboard," the captain said. "This old junk doesn't have too much room, but the largest compartment below is yours."

"Oh, that's fine, thank you," I replied. "I hardly need to sleep, and I don't take up much room. It might be best to leave the room for the mantis sisters. Alex, would you mind squaring our things away."

"Of course, Daddy bones," Alex said with dazzling grin. "Come on Rem, I'll teach you how to sort things for a trip. Mem, come along too, please."

Alex easily crossed the deck, but I found myself a little unbalanced as the ship rocked below me. I considered taking some time, plucking out my legs, and replacing them with my sea legs, but it was likely unnecessary. I'd grow accustomed to the shifting deck in due time. Besides, this seemed like it wouldn't be a very long trip.

"Forgive me for bothering you, captain," I said while Captain Ashmud was quickly reeling in some rope and coiling it into a bundle. "But how long is the voyage from here to the opposite coast?"

"Hmm, it'll be overnight. If the winds are fair we'll be there by morning. Otherwise, with no wind, we'll have to row some ways, and that'll mean arriving in the afternoon."

"I see. Thank you. Though, I don't see how this large of a ship could be rowed by a crew of three, seven if you count all of your passengers as well," I said.

Captain Ashmud's eyes lit up behind his visor. "Let me show you, then," he said. I had seen similar expressions before. This was a man about to show someone a project that they'd poured lots of time and effort into and which they very much cared about. "You're right, a ship of this size would need a few of perhaps a dozen rowers, at minimum, to move anywhere. It's even worse in this lake."

"Because of the ash?" I asked with a gesture towards the waters. They were grey. Not the grey of a lake under an overcast sky (it was actually bright and sunny today, the sky a brilliant blue past a thin layer of rippling clouds) but the grey of deep pollution.

"Exactly. The top layer of the lake has a film of ash on it. It clings, like mud. You wouldn't think it, but it actually slows ships down considerably. Although it also means that the waves are weak, on the surface. Beneath, the current is stronger, but the lakebed is covered in a thick soup of old ash as well. If you stir it up with some oars, it becomes much worse."

"I see," I replied.

He brought me to the edge of the ship, where some sort of device was tucked in next to the railing. "So we came up with this. Well, I did, and I had engineers and carpenters from Shitake work on it."

The captain unfolded the device, then brought it back before extending a few arms from it. Finally, it clicked into place. It was a set of six long oars, each interlinked. The links themselves were connected to a second device, a sort of false oar that that captain held low.

"Ah, I think I see," I replied. "Clever."

"With this, one cultivator can move multiple oars. The added weight and the added resistance from the water would make it impossible for a mortal man, but as cultivators, that is no issue! Ingenious, no?"

"Are you done showing off your toys?" Cinder asked as she stepped aboard. "We're ready to depart as soon as you are."

Okay! A heap of news!

First! Dead Tired Two launched on Amazon! It's on KU as well!

[img: https://i.imgur.com/vpI4Lk7.jpeg]

Amazon link: Amazon.com

If you enjoyed Volume one, you'll like this one even more-er!

Of course, don't forget to check out the fantastic Soundbooth Theaters audiobook of Volume one! (https://www.audible.com/pd/Dead-Tired-I-Audiobook/B0CP2T1M1Y?) It's probably the best audiobooks that came out in this decade. Trust me!

Fluff Volume Three has launched today on Royal Road as well!

(Uh... I don't have a cover for this one, so just imagine some cute stuff as hard as you can!)

Royal Road link: Fluff | Royal Road

And finally, I've launched a new story!

It's called The Complicated Love Life of Ivil Antagonist

[img: https://i.imgur.com/iBgzZZ0.png]

Ivil Antagonist has everything a woman could want. Power enough to blanket out suns and turn worlds into molten hells, a fleet of warships at her command, and the fear of an entire space-faring nation.

But she's silently growing tired of being at the top. There is no place more lonely for someone who has killed all of the competition, and she knows that it will be impossible to find an equal.

And so, Ivil Antagonist takes a great risk, asking a powerful oracle a simple question: "Where can I find true love?"

Royal Road link: The Complicated Love Life of Ivil Antagonist | Royal Road

That's all!

... for now~

Oh, wait, no, Magical Girl Crystal Genocide is ready for Pre-Order on Amazon! Read it now for free on RR while you still can!

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Chapter Seventeen — Naval Novelties