Page 21 of Out of Sight

Estelle blinked. “Magic?”

“Sort of. Herbalism. The herbs have an agenda as well, and she is the one using the fun and interesting plants. They contain more magic than their little cousins, but it makes the herbs stronger, not magical.”

Estelle asked, “Can I try it?”

“She will give you a bottle. Put in a toothpick and lick it, wait a count of ten, and poke your hand with the toothpick. That will be your answer. Growing pains are not great.”

Estelle smiled. “How much will it be?”

“Free. It is a teashop, and she keeps special mixes in the back. She’s a beta and very good at healing with plants.”

“Wait. A beta?”

“Yup. Not anything else. No extras that we have been able to find. She is a woman who knows what plants can do and mixes them for the best result. She’s completely non-threatening and excellent at what she does. When she needs an order, she sends it through Sam, and Sam knows how to use the dirt.”

Estelle shuddered. “Good. While I love the effect, the method freaks me out.”

Arden chuckled. “Right. Let’s finish the final update, and I will head home to finish packing.”

“You haven’t finished?”

“No. If this goes well, I will get one of the others to transport my stuff to me. I am not good with non-living transport.”

Estelle grinned. “I am glad you have something you aren’t great at. When I am around you, I get a complex.”

Arden smiled. “Right. Two mates, adorable child, and a successful business, and you are the one with the complex.”

Estelle coloured and said, “How do you find a mate?”

“Well, a bunch of mages have hooked up with the pixies. Ask Ekhart about describing a dark elite pixie to you. It’s hilarious. Okay, now the seedlings in building two are a little overheated, so they need the fan on right until seven.” She smiled as Estelle took out her phone and hit the voice recorder. She had a lot to say and less time to say it.

* * * *

Ted looked at Nemia and the orcs. “So, what is going on here?”

Mik looked innocent. “I think they wanted to see us in action. Or rather, you in action.”

Ted snorted. “I just did what I have really wanted to do since I got the download. A pity my part was over so soon.”

Mik paused, “Your part?”

“Oh, those mages are going to be screaming into the abyss until higher beings completely absorb their bodies. In this case, plants.”

“So, the humans aren’t ingesting the mages?”

“No, just the residue, like the exhaled nitrogen or carbon dioxide.” Ted smiled.

Ekhart was talking to Avor, and he was staring at the orcs. “Do we need them?”

Nemia chuckled. “Aw, they are scared of the big green guys.”

Avenget smiled. “With good reason. We are the frontline force when a hard impact is necessary. We are the hammer of the empire.”

Avor said, “They are the hammer and the cannon, along with other species who are useful as shock troops. When matches for them arise, we will be preparing to introduce them to this world as well.”

Ted nodded. “Very sensible. Well, I have gotten rid of that pain in my ass, so I am going to go visit my father, and then, I might get a good night’s sleep before my family wants to see me.”

Nemia laughed. “Oh, they are going to want to visit with their pepper in the milk.”