System Change

Chapter 343: Finally Back

Derek! Rudy called out. Youre back!

Derek looked over the two people having a meeting and found it kind of funny. Malorie was sitting behind the desk like it was her office, while Rudy was in a chair opposite her. It was plain to see the hierarchy in the room.

Derek! Youre finally back, Malories eyes shined. I was beginning to think you were never going to get back here.

If you think about it, Mal we actually finished the dungeon much quicker than planned, Derek said. How have things been on this side? At least for the business and such.

Im going to get back to the shop, Jacks said, dismissing himself from the room. Derek looked at him and nodded.

Awful, Malorie said once Jacks closed the door behind him. Do you know how much work you left me with? Oh, and thats on top of making sure my daughter doesnt forget about eating and doesnt kill herself in an explosion. By the way, what were you thinking leaving those mana things with her before you left? Do you know how irresponsible that was?

Uh oh. Mals gone into mom mode. Derek slowly backed away and held up his hands. That youre probably right about the mana cores, actually. She promised she would be safe with them, and I trust her. Why? Did she get hurt trying to use them as materials?

Well no Malorie said. Not really. But but Ive gotten more used to seeing her without eyebrows than with them. Thats just not right.

Oh Derek couldnt stop himself from breaking out in a smile. Is that it? Eyebrows are overrated, anyway. It comes with the territory of being a crafter.

Hmph Malorie snorted. She even has facial protection and goggles, but she forgets to wear them half the time when she gets excited. No matter how many times I tell her she breathed out in a harrumph.

Ill uh let you two catch up, Rudy made to leave, but Derek stopped him.

Actually, Rudy. I needed to talk with you right now.

Me? Rudy asked. Why?

Im going to need a couple of contracts prepared and signed in a moment. Im on kind of a tight schedule, so I needed to get this done before anything else.

Both Rudy and Malorie gave Derek a questioning look. What kind of contracts? Malorie asked.

One second, Derek said, then turned to a free corner of the room and opened up his Time Prisonhe made sure to make the door large enough for Ogre to pass through.

Next, he opened the door and took a step inside. Finally inside, he found Bones and Ogre sitting alone in the middle of the lobby. Bones, of course, noticed instantly when the door to the outside opened and the scrawny man was already looking in Dereks direction. Is it time? Are we out? he asked.

Yup, Derek said. Were in Savannah alreadyback at my shop. I just need the two of you to come meet with Rudy and well get the contracts all set up.

Very good. Bones stood with a bow. Come on, Oggy, its time to start out new lives as store workers.

Derek snorted. Indeed. From there, Derek went out changing the time on all the other cellsthe ones holding all the dragonkin. It was the perfect time to do so. He wanted to set them to open close together, but not all at the same time. They needed to be staggered just in case things became iffy with Avery, Lyra, Rocky, and Tyron trying to keep control of the beasts.

That way, if the plan failed, Derek could come back inside his prison with time to spare and slow the rate at which their sentences released them. Hopefully, he wouldnt have to do that. Finally, Derek walked back out of his Time Prison and looked up. Im glad I decided on tall ceilings he muttered.

Next, the skeletal like Bones stepped through the passageway from the Time Prison and into Rudys office before looking around. This may become a little crowded he also muttered to himself before moving further awayclose to the opposite wall as Ogre stuck his head out of the passage.

These two are the assassins? Right? Malorie asked.

Former assassins, Derek clarified. They have been reformed.

Whats this? Malorie asked.

These are all my storage items and everything. He didnt even plan to keep a potion on him. There was no telling what a healing potion would turn into. Potions seemed like the prime candidates for going bad from the use of his skill. Theres something I have to do soon, and I cant take my storage rings along.

Why would you not be able she started, but eventually just accepted it. What do you plan on doing?

I heard that Edgar and Alanah are out fighting. I thought they could use some backup.

Oh, Malorie nodded and pulled all the storage items to her.

Do you have any empty storage ring? Derek asked.

Middle drawer, Rudy cut in. I keep some just in case.

Malorie nodded and pulled out one of the drawers, then gave Derek the rings.

Great, Derek said, then he opened up his Void Storage and began emptying it out. He had a lot of dragonkin meat and materials stored in. If he was going as far as to give up his storage items, he wouldnt trust his Void Storage space either. He would experiment with it later, but now wasnt the time.

Once he emptied out his Void Storage and handed over those rings, Silvi hopped off his shoulder and onto the desk. These are mine, her voice chimed out as all of her storage items floated out of her pockets from her Telekinesis. Dont look in them. Private things.

Ill do my best not to let my curiosity get the better of me. Malorie smiled at Silvi.

Derek obviously knew what the woman was thinking. Why would she want to look in storage rings that she knew contained only food and ingredients? Finally, Silvi took off her collar as well. It was created with some storage rings interwoven into it, so she would be unable to take it with her. That also meant that she wasnt going to be able to communicate outside of Telepathy.

Derek took solace in the fact that Silvi had obviously decided that going with Derek to fight was more important than whatever deal she had with the king. She was a true companion.

Thanks for deciding to help, Derek sent to his companion.

Of course, Silvi replied. And then maybe we can try an elf burger? she asked with hope.

Maybe, Derek replied.

Really? the excitement in her voice was palpable.

No! No eating elves.

Meanie, she sent back.

Just use your helping his other son to try to sucker more ingredients out of the king, Derek replied.

Deal!

Okay, Mal, Derek said. Well have to catch up later. Im going to stop by the basement, then we have to go. Well be back soon.

Be careful, Malorie replied.

With that, Derek dismissed himself and left Rudy and Malorie to take care of Bones and Ogre. He needed to check in with Brandi, then he had some dragons to deal with.