There were groans and mock protests as Harmonia announced to House Franklin that they would be doing drills and weapons training for the next seven days.

The plan was to rise at dawn and take over the Academy's practice salon.

"Any sword needs sharpening, and it's good to remind a few people that even though most of us are on the road or the high seas, part of the house is always here.

Whether they take that as a comfort or a threat is up to them."

Ben welcomed the news; he was enjoying himself and promised himself that he would catch up on sleep someday.

For now, he had things to do.

Upon learning of Harmonia's plans, he convinced Harmony to show him around the Capital.

He had gold to spend, and she helped him find several expensive restaurants where he could spend it.

The memory of boiled groats and endless meals of ham, eggs, and muffins faded away under the influence of finer food.He also insisted on going shopping, insisting that he lacked clothes befitting a Franklin.

After looking through various merchants and tailors, he spent half his remaining funds at a tailor called 'The Dashing Blade.' The sign out front showed a tailor fencing against an ogre with a giant needle.

Inside he found clothes that would warm the heart of any pirate or musketeer.

To his surprise, the tailor was the ogre on the sign.

"Greetings, friends.

Please step into my house of fine tunics and hats.

I recognize immediately two Couriers of discerning taste.

Here for some clothes with a bit more dash to them? Something that allows for easy movement in bar brawls while at the same time being suitable for Court in front of either a Duke or the local Magistrate? I have just the things you need!"Ben allowed himself to be overwhelmed by the large tailor's expertise and diction and soon had three full outfits of fine clothes.

After measurements were taken, Cedric offered to do all the necessary alterations and have the clothes delivered to Franklin House.

"Always happy to do business with your clan." The ogre had learned long ago that nothing he sold to a Franklin lasted very long.

Some outfits he could stitch back to life if it were only a few slashes.

But explosions and dragon's breath meant entire new outfits.

He did a lot of repeat business with each Franklin who shopped with him.

Conveniently nearby was a large Emporium run by the Kallvek merchant consortium.

Ben proclaimed he needed a new razor, socks, and boot polish.

Harmony left him to do his mundane shopping while she browsed the wares of a nearby swordsmith.

After paying for his purchases, he placed an additional order along with a note to be opened after he left.

The young man behind the counter was confused, but the request came with a gold coin, so he smiled and nodded.

Afterward, the two roamed the streets enjoying treats from street vendors as Harmony gave Ben a tour of the area around the city's heart.

They returned at midnight, and he reluctantly escorted Harmony to her room before looking for Harmonia.

"I need advice on my Heritage and Third Tier classes.

I'm sure you have some insight into things." "I have quite a bit.

Show me the options you have." She stared at his heritage and class options before giggling and then laughing out loud.

"Great balls of fire, the Engine is giving you some interesting ones.

I love some of these.

I'd hate to see you take them, I like the empire in one piece, but it speaks well of you that you're being tempted to tear it apart, along with several heroic options.""You mentioned the Engine before.

Can you explain better?"She thought for a moment.

"I can't verify this; I wasn't there and had no part in it.

But my parents were involved, especially my mother.

She loves stories but doesn't love having to write them all.

The Engine is designed to create stories for the entire world.

It takes small things and ties them together, giving opportunities for bigger things.

The more you do and the more stories you make, the more things it will toss your way.

But this? This is more than I could have imagined.

You can go in so many ways.""So what is your advice? Which should I take?"She laughed again.

"Any of them.

Whatever makes your heart sing, and I don't need to know.

Go have fun; I'll try to sweep up the pieces behind you if you break things.

I only wanted to see your options because I was curious.

This is your story, not mine.

And while you live your story, the rest of the family will go live theirs and give the empire a good shaking up; it needs it.

Or maybe we'll save it.

Stranger things have happened."Ben left her study in an upbeat mood.

He'd felt like he was responsible for moving down a path and finding out what it was.

Now he was encouraged to do what he wanted.

He was looking forward to a week of training.

Some of his skills would hit the max of level ten, and then he'd be ready to move on.

But between daily workouts with weapons, sightseeing with Harmony, and late-night sessions in Damien's lab, he wasn't going to get much sleep.

He fixed that by spending some of his CSP on an option that had opened up after several long rides with little sleep.

Sleepless in Seattle 2

You've learned to get the most from a small nap.

An hour of sleep counts as 4 hours for you

Upgradeable to Level 3 for 5 CSP

Cost: 2 CSP