"Fear me, shortlings!" Taimi decred, throwing her arms wide in theatrical grandeur. "For I am no longer Taimi the Mechanist extraordinaire, but Taimi the Tall!"

  She let out a triumphant, slightly unhinged ugh that turned the heads of every passerby in the corridor. A few pace staff shot us raised eyebrows; others tried to stifle their grins. After all, it wasn't every day that a petite halfling ended up riding a man's shoulders as though she were a warlord surveying her new domain.

  "Taimi.." I began, trying not to ugh myself. "You do realize we're drawing a lot of attention, right?"

  "Good!" she chimed back, reaching down to ruffle my hair. "Let them stare. They should stare at Taimi the Tall and her trusty mount."

  "Mount?" I echoed, half-offended, half-amused. "You'd better watch it. I can always toss you over my shoulder like a sack of porsago roots instead. Besides what would T.O.M feel about you cheating on it after all the work we went through for you to build it"

  That had been a hectic few weeks in "World of Foundings MMO", trying to be one of the first to build one of the new style golem mounts.

  "Shh, he dosn't need to know." she said as she covered my mouth with her delicate hand.

  "Besides! I couldn't do this," she teased, leaning forward to peer down at me. Her copper-threaded braids dangled like glimmering vines as she fixed me with a mischievous smile. "I like being able to see over everyone's heads for a change. Not to mention, you make for a pretty comfy seat."

  I could feel her heels lightly tapping against my chest as she settled in. The extra weight was negligible for me,Taimi was small and weighed next to nothing but the curious stares continued to multiply the farther we walked, the halls growing more croweded. Each new corridor brought with it another gaggle of courtiers and staff, all openly gawking at our unusual spectacle.

  "Are you sure this is dignified?" I asked, keeping one hand on her calf to ensure she didn't topple.

  She ughed again, her voice ringing off the marble walls. "Dignity is overrated! Besides, we're on a schedule, remember? If you carried me any other way, we'd lose precious seconds messing around. This is the fastest route and the most fun."

  I couldn't argue with her logic. My longer strides coupled with her vantage point meant we were indeed moving at a decent rate, weaving through the pace's winding halls more efficiently than I'd expected. Now and then, Taimi pointed out an alcove or a painting I might've otherwise missed, though her breath still hitched now and then a telltale sign she was still recovering from her mana depletion.

  "You doing okay up there?" I asked, gncing up in time to see her grin falter slightly before she recovered.

  "I'll manage," she replied, patting my shoulder. "Still a little woozy, but at least I'm not sprawled on the floor. I have you to thank for that."

  "And now you've got me lugging your butt around," I teased.

  She giggled, giving my head another affectionate ruffle. "Yeah, well, consider it payback for not letting me colpse again. Also, it's keeping me distracted from thinking about how the world keeps spinning every time I blink." But by the way, how tightly she seemed to be holding on to me I wasn't sure what she said was true, or she was indulge touching her Focus. There are reasons halflings make up nearly eighty percent of stalking cases.

  I felt a twinge of concern at the thought but decided to keep my tone light. Not to let doubt ruin one of my retionships with one of my few friends. "If it starts spinning too fast, let me know. I'll sm on the brakes."

  "Ha! Don't worry, I won't hurl on you Taimi the Tall would never do something so…uncouth," she decred with exaggerated dignity, raising her chin like a regal princess. Which she technically was being the Mechanist Designate, another thing to avoid thinking about until ter.

  We continued down another vish hallway, this one adorned with tapestries depicting the Landing. New Londium was the first port to be founded in the Northern New World during the Crusades against the Elves.

  More onlookers paused to take in the sight, whispering amongst themselves.

  She pointed dramatically at a rge set of ornate doors just a short distance away. "Look, that's the hallway leading to the main pavilion . We're close!"

  I adjusted my hold, making sure she was banced before forging ahead.

  "Admit it," Taimi teased, "you secretly love carting me around like this."

  I snorted. "I secretly love that you're not fainting anymore, that's for sure."

  She leaned down, her voice turning unexpectedly gentle. "Thanks for understanding, by the way. Seriously. I know it's a lot to dump on out of the blue, but you…you handling it better than I could ever hope."

  The earnestness in her tone nearly made me stumble. "What are friends for?" I reminded her quietly. "I'm just trying to return the favor."

  Her grin came back, bright and mischievous. "And you do it so well. Now, onward, my noble steed Taimi the Tall has pces to be!"

  Calling the sprawling structure before me a "pavilion" felt like calling a castle a mere cottage. The soaring edifice reminded me of an open-air Crystal Pace, vast walls of gss and steel ttice arching overhead, letting in the golden light of early evening. Stately columns encircled its perimeter, each carved with ornate patterns that glinted in the illumination of the overhead nterns. If anyone ever decided to host a Great Exposition here, they'd scarcely need to change a thing; it already seemed designed to showcase wonders from every corner of the Federation.

  I nodded, feeling the subtle sea breeze brush against my cheeks. The pavilion commanded nearly a tenth of the artificial isnd that housed the pace complex, and from where we stood, you could see the glittering expanse of the bay beyond. The gentle murmur of the waves mixed with the buzz of excited voices drifting out from the structure's wide-open entrances.

  "This is where all the dignitaries and bigwigs are gathering?" I asked, gncing at Taimi for confirmation.She gave a little shrug. "It's the main hub of tonight's festivities, banquets, performances, trade exhibits, and every variety of networking you can imagine." A wry smile touched her lips. "Where deals are made and alliances forged, or so they say."

  We took a few steps closer, and I could more clearly see the throngs of people moving about inside. The gss-and-steel framework soared overhead, creating a cathedral-like openness. Warm, inviting light spilled out, casting long shadows on the polished stone pathways that radiated in every direction from the pavilion's heart. A few decorative fountains lined the entrance, their water lit from beneath with shimmering, colored mana-mps that made the spray dance in swirling hues.

  "Look at that," Taimi said in a hushed tone, pointing toward a series of suspended walkways high above us. "They're built like catwalks for aerial dispys… or maybe they're just for show. Either way, I want to see them up close."

  I couldn't help but share her wonder. "Are you sure you're up for more walking, though?" I asked, remembering how close she'd been to colpse only a short while ago.

  She smiled, a flicker of fatigue still visible in her eyes, but determination shining through. "I'll manage, especially if there's something cool to see. Besides, we're almost where we need to be."

  A stiff breeze swept in from the bay, carrying the faint smell of salt water and seaweed. It ruffled the edges of Taimi's copper-ced braids and sent the banners around the pavilion snapping smartly. Through the gss walls, I could see movement a swirl of elegant dresses, formal attire, and occasionally a few towering figures in military uniform. Even from this distance, the air of opulence was unmistakable.

  "Hard to believe this is just one part of the pace complex," I murmured, turning my gaze back to the dazzling architecture. The pavilion's structure rose in multiple tiers, each level more eborate than the st, crowned at the apex by a gleaming metal spire that might have been a lightning rod or simply an ornamental flourish.

  "Yeah," Taimi agreed, her voice hushed. "If the rest of the pace is a maze of corridors and history, this pce feels like a statement: Look at our grandeur, look at our progress."

  I took a moment to appreciate the magnitude of it all. Beyond the pavilion's open-air interior, I could see pockets of greenery miniature gardens enclosed in gss, offering guests a chance to stroll among exotic pnts and enchanted flowers. The gentle glow of the mana-mps danced off the gss panels, creating a shifting kaleidoscope of color on the polished floor.

  "How do they even maintain this pce?" I asked, my tone colored with genuine curiosity.

  Taimi chuckled and tapped the side of her head. "Magic, money, and a healthy dose of hubris. You'd be surprised how far that trifecta goes in making the impossible a reality."

  A small group of well-dressed nobles exited the pavilion just then, their ughter echoing in the evening air. One halfling paused, mouth agape, likely curious at the sight of a tall man and a petite halfling preparing to step inside, but she said nothing and continued on her way.

  "Ready?" Taimi asked, gathering her composure. "This is going to be a lot to take in, bright lights, lots of people, and probably some overwhelming energy inside."

  I gnced at her. "I can handle it if you can. Don't overdo it, though."She grinned, "I'll be fine. Let's go show this grand pavilion what we're made of."

  And so, mount and ridder, we approached the towering archway that marked the pavilion's entrance. A warm glow enveloped us as soon as we stepped within its gss confines, and the hum of conversations, ughter, and distant music wrapped around us like a spell. With the glittering bay as a backdrop and the promise of adventure lingering in the air, it was hard not to feel a tingle of anticipation for whatever awaited us in this vast, open-air wonder.

  We didn't get far before a sharp, commanding voice split the air.

  "Taimi Quickwit, what in the Aspects' name are you doing?"

  Taimi's grip on my shoulders tightened. She sucked in a sharp breath, murmuring, "Oh, no. We've been caught. Quick, run away before she pins us down."

  Before I could even ask who had caught us, the same voice boomed again, full of stern authority. "Don't you move a muscle, young man, or I'll give you the thrashing your mothers should have given you! Taimi, stop making a fool of yourself and get down from there."

  "I don't wanna," Taimi shot back, her tone dripping with defiance.

  "If you don't get off that man this instant," the voice warned, "I'll see your research funding cut in half. Do I make myself clear, young dy?"

  Taimi let out a horrified gasp. "You wouldn't dare—"

  "After the stunt you pulled today, the Gnomish Circle is furious with you. If I hadn't talked them down, they would've happily tossed you out on your backside. They're still eager to see you punished, so don't tempt me."

  I turned my head, trying to catch a glimpse of this new speaker. Standing a few paces away was another gnome, older than Taimi by at least a couple of centuries, judging by her cane and the striking white of her hair. Lines of intricate mechanical tattoos traced her forearms, and though she was no taller than Taimi, she radiated an air of formidable authority. The pace staff passing nearby seemed to recognize her instantly, giving her a wide berth.

  She hobbled forward, cane tapping against the polished floor with each step. When she reached me, she gave my knee a gentle but pointed thump. I got the message and knelt down, allowing Taimi to dismount from my shoulders. She did so with a quiet grumble, her gaze fixed resentfully on the old gnome.

  The moment Taimi's feet touched the ground, the elder's features softened, as if finally noticing Taimi's still-pale cheeks and the fatigue pooling in her eyes. "My girl… Did you have another episode?" she asked in a clucking, almost maternal tone, her cane forgotten for a moment as she inspected Taimi's face, checking her pulse points and peering into her eyes like a worried grandmother.

  Taimi squirmed under the attention, color rising to her cheeks in embarrassment. "Sensei, not in front of John…" she mumbled.

  The older gnome froze, gnced up at me, then gave a dismissive snort. Her stare was piercing, as though she was dissecting every yer of my being. "So this is him, hm?" she muttered with thinly veiled disapproval. "At least my wayward apprentice has good taste, though her judgment could use some work."

  I opened my mouth to speak, but the elder gnome fixed me with a gre that brooked no argument. "Run along, boy. You've caused enough commotion for one evening. Taimi needs to prepare her Master Work for presentation, not gallivant around like a first-year apprentice who's just discovered how to fuse Mana Crystals."

  She jabbed her cane at the floor for emphasis, giving me a clear indication of how little she thought of my presence here.

  Taimi immediately positioned herself between us, her arms outspread as if she could shield me from her teacher's scorn. "I can't leave John alone," she insisted, pnting her feet. "I'm escorting him. He needs me."

  "Ow!" Taimi yelped as the elder gnome gave her a light thwack on the head with her cane.

  "It's Sensei Quickwit to you, girl," the older gnome corrected, eyes narrowed. "Until you complete your Master Work, I remain your Mistress, and you remain my apprentice. Show some respect."

  For a second, Taimi's face twisted with conflicting emotions rebellion, worry, and an almost frantic need to stand her ground. She opened her mouth as though she might argue, but I could see the turmoil in her eyes. She'd already pushed herself to the brink for me tonight. If she truly defied her teacher now, who knew what consequences would come down on her and she didn't appear to be in any condition to handle more drama.

  I stepped forward, gently resting a hand on Taimi's shoulder. "It's okay," I told her, my voice soft. "I'll be fine from here. You've done more than enough."

  Taimi's gaze darted back to me, torn between relief and a fierce desire to remain by my side. "But—John—"

  "Listen to the boy, Taimi. He's smarter than he looks," the elder gnome cut in dryly, pushing a stray lock of white hair from her eyes.

  Taimi puffed out her cheeks in protest. "I told you, Sensei he's the best!" A spark of pride lit her face for an instant.

  "Only if you have the sense to learn from him, you insufferable brat," Sensei Quickwit retorted, though her voice held a certain begrudging affection.

  Taimi huffed, crossing her arms as she turned to me. "Fiiine," she drawled, making it sound like the greatest inconvenience in the world. Her expression softened when she met my eyes. "John, call me if you need anything. I'll try to meet up with you ter so we can hang out or…do otherthings."

  But the way Sensei Quickwit's face darkened at Taimi's choice of words suggested that was not what her teacher wanted to hear. She rapped her cane on the floor again, her posture rigid and unyielding, as though to say Now is not the time for your childish dreams.

  "Don't worry about me," I reassured Taimi, offering her a small, grateful smile. "Just do what you need to do. I'll be around."

  She closed her eyes for a moment, exhaled, then nodded. Without another word, she turned to follow her teacher, shoulders tense. Sensei Quickwit led her away at a measured pace, scolding her in a low voice about missed deadlines and wasted mana reserves. Taimi stole one st backward gnce at me an apologetic, slightly wistful look before the corridor swallowed them up.

  I stood there, rooted in pce for a few breaths, letting the tension of the confrontation drain away. Part of me wanted to chase after Taimi, so I wouldn't be afraid, that I wasn't alone. But I knew she needed to handle this on her own terms. Her Master Work, her reputation with the Gnomish Circle, her precarious health, her Focus these were challenges only she could truly conquer.

  With a slow inhale, I turned my attention back to the monumental pavilion rising before me, where my own obligations waited. There was still a job to do, after all Strom and Krenk were likely pacing around, wondering where I'd disappeared to. With Taimi gone, the yawning space of the pace seemed a little colder, a little less welcoming.

  "All right," I murmured to myself, squaring my shoulders. "One step at a time, John. One step at a time."

  Codex

  Speech of Divine Brooklyn at the End of the Ages of the Greentide, Dawning of the Ages of the Crusades.

  "O bravest of adventures, descendants of freed sves, do not be weaker than they, but remember their courage. If you are kept back by your love for your husbands, Kin, and children, remember what the Saints rey in the Commentaries: She that loveth Mothers or Farther more than the Whole is not worthy'; 'and everyone that hath forsaken Kin, or sisters, or brother, or mothers, or wives, or husband, or children, or nds for my Saints, shall receive a hundredfold and shall return to the Whole'. Let no possessions keep you back, no solicitude for your property. Your nd is shut in on all sides by the sea and mountains, and is too thickly poputed. There is not much wealth here, and the soil scarcely yields enough to support you. On this account you kill and devour each other, steal each others husbands, and carry on war and mutually destroy each other. Let your hatred and quarrels cease, your civil wars come to an end, and all your dissensions stop. Set out on the path to the New World, take the nd from that wicked Elves, and make it our own. That nd which, as the legends says, is flowing with milk and honey, the Aspects gave to the Kindred. New World is the best of all nds, more fruitful than all others, as it were untouched by the Fall. This nd the Crystal Dragon made illustrious by his birth, beautiful with his embrace of humanity, and sacred with his sacrifice; he suckered the world in his death and glorified it with his Essessence. This unspoiled nd is now held captive by the Elves, and made wicked by their presence. It asks and longs to be liberated and does not cease to beg you to come to its aid. It asks aid especially from you because, as the Crystal Dragon said, Suffer not an elf to live. Set out on this adventure and you will obtain the recognition of your deeds and be sure of the incorruptible glory of the Aspects."