“Knock-knock. You decent in there?” Deia asked from outside.
“One moment!” Induca wiped away her tears. “Coming out!” Induca held Suzy’s hand.
The two of them walked outside the tent and onto a piece of ground that had been leveled out. All over the place, there were markings for where buildings were going to go. Stone foundations were in different places; people wandered around, checking different things. Most of them were Dwarves. Dave stood at a table with Malsour and Kol, looking over plans.
“Suzy, you’re up!” Deia smiled and hugged her.
“Sorry that I worried you all. Dave said that the Summoner’s Bastille would take a lot out of me.” Suzy winced. She already missed her staff. With using Summoner’s Bastille, her staff’s power had been used up, heavily damaging it and the runes contained within it.
“Well, it’s good to see you up and about.” Steve rose from where he’d been sitting, patting Suzy on the head with one large finger.
“You been keeping watch?” Suzy asked.
“Well, can’t have my slave driver dying on my watch,” Steve said.
Suzy smiled at the massive metal man.
“Well, I wish that we could rest a bit more, but it looks like something might be happening in Verlun. Everyone has been told to prepare their gear and be ready to move at a moment’s notice,” Deia said.
“What’s going on?” Suzy asked.
“Looks like some lord or something might try to attack the city Verlun and the guild hall there. Wants to take over our teleport pad,” Deia said.
“Sounds like Selhi all over again.” Induca shook her head.
“It is what it is: idiots being assholes,” Deia said.
The others showed their agreement.
“Well, I have some notifications and things to check over, so, I best get started,” Suzy said.
Chapter 27: To A Future Dawn
Lady Kragr stepped from her teleport pad in Aldamire out into Devil’s Crater.
Warclan Leader Fonrir nodded to her as she exited. Her personal guard looked for threats.
“Well, this looks like quite the city.” She looked over Unity. She had heard reports from returning Warclans.
“We’ve just started, but we are already proud of it.” A Demon stepped forward.
He was eight feet tall, with twin horns, black eyes, and wings that poked out the back of his leather armored jacket. He wore a shield on his back and a sword on his hip.
“King Alkao.” She nodded to the Demon king.
“Lady Kragr.” He returned the nod.
All of the Demon Princes and the other leaders of Devil’s Crater had agreed that they needed to show a united front with the other races, so they’d drafted Alkao to be their king. It was for a set time as they figured out what kind of government they wanted to make, but for now he was the commander of Devil’s Crater.
Off to the side, there was a Dwarf and a Halfling talking to each other animatedly as they looked over plans.
Kragr frowned at them.
An Elf Halfling cleared her throat and elbowed the Dwarf Halfling.
“Ah, Lady Kragr, thanks for coming! Good to see you; thanks for all the aid you sent. It got pretty hairy there for a bit. Nothing like some Dwarven Warclans to scare the piss out of your enemy.” The Halfling walked closer and held out his hand.
“Ah, the famed Dave Grahslagg,” Kragr said, with an unreadable expression on her face as she shook his hand.
“She’s always in for a fight,” Kol said, entering the conversation.
“Kol, is that you?” She frowned, shocked by his appearance. She’d become used to the scars and deformation from his accident.
“I do remember a time when I was in Aldamire for a few dozen years. Are you sure your memory isn’t starting to fail?” A smile spread across Kol’s face.
“Hah! Well, whoever’s been prettying you up had their work cut out for them! Seemed to fix that ornery, old grouchy ass mood too!” She laughed and clapped Kol up in a hug.
Kol slapped her on the back, laughing in her ear. “Good to see you, too, Oloh.” Kol released the hug.
The teleport pad opened up behind Kragr. Everyone turned to look as automatons started walking out. A man walked with them, followed by an Elf and an Orc.
The man walked out from the crowd, wearing steel and ebony armor similar to the automatons. Silver filled the runes.
Hamdir
Level 195
Elven-Dwarf
Dave got a goofy smile on his face as he waved at the new party.
“’Scuse me!” Dave wandered over. The Elven Halfling joined him, greeting the Orc and Elf, being introduced to the Elven-Dwarf.
“So, I guess the Aleph really are back in Emerilia? I know that the council said that we should prepare ourselves for a lot of changes in the coming future. I just didn’t think that it meant people and races of myth coming back.” Kragr looked to Kol.
Kol looked to Alkao and then Kragr. “Dave knows more about what is coming, but I do know this. Our alliances of today will be tested with the battles of tomorrow.” Kol’s eyes bored into Kragr’s.
Alkao made a noise of agreement.
“Well, we have much to discuss,” Kragr said.
The Aleph party moved over to them. Dave and the Orc were talking to each other off to the side. A man had joined them. The three of them talked about spatial coordinates and event horizons. The Elf man and Halfling seemed amused by their talks and were instead discussing fighting techniques. The last of the party with the armored Aleph tilted his head in greeting.
“Lady Kragr, King Alkao, I believe we have much to discuss,” Hamdir said.
“Indeed, Council Member Hamdir.” Alkao looked to the man. “I thank you for all that you have done for my people in the shadows and the way in which you, and Lady Kragr, answered the call of my people, both Demon and Beast Kin, without hesitation. Know that if you ever need our aid, you have it.” The Demon looked to them both.
Kragr remembered the reports she’d heard about the ferocity with which the Demons and Beast Kin fought. Once they have proper weapons, armor, and the training that Emerilia can offer them, they’re going to be one hell of a fighting force.
“There is a place nearby that we can discuss the future in more depth.” Alkao waved for them to follow him.
***
Once Lady Kragr and King Alkao moved to continue their talks, Party Zero had taken the teleport pad back to Cliff-Hill, finding themselves at Dave and Deia’s cabin as they decompressed from the fighting.
“Okay, we’ll have dinner ready in a few minutes.” Dave kissed Deia’s head and passed her a hot tea before he sat down next to her.
“Ugh, damned PDA!” Suzy said, trying to look disgusted as she rested in Induca’s arm.
Malsour laughed from his seat on Deia and Dave’s porch.
“Says the person who can barely keep her hands off her girlfriend,” Anna said.
“Well, at least I can admit who I like and I’m not afraid to show it.” Suzy looked to Induca.
Induca looked down at her pouting partner. “You suck!” Induca laughed, giving her a quick kiss.
Deia nestled into Dave.
“What are you talking about?” Anna asked, looking a bit flustered.
“I’m thinking she’s talking about Alkao,” Malsour said, not looking up from his book.
“Uh, well,” Anna said.
“The girl doesn’t know her feelings yet,” Deia said. “You’ve just got to go in there and claim him.”
“Don’t mind me, just sitting here, prized hunk of Dwarf,” Dave muttered into his cup.
“My hunk.” Deia looked up to Dave.
Dave narrowed his eyes even as his lips fought to form a grin. “Fiiine,” Dave said, dragging out the word as if he was reluctant to admit it.
They all settled into comfortable silence, looking out over the side of Cliff-Hill where Dave and Deia’s house was located.
Lady Kragr, Hamd
ir, and Alkao were still in talks. A basic alliance had been agreed to and already trade agreements were being passed all over the place. It had taken considerable effort on Deia, Induca, and Anna’s part to get the others to come back to Cliff-Hill and just relax. Dave and Suzy were still catching up on everything going on with the factory and smithies. Now that they had another smithy starting up in Devil’s Crater, they had a whole ’nother set of problems to deal with. They were also making deals all over the place with the people of Devil’s Crater, and the Aleph.
Deia snuggled in close with Dave, her fingers entwined with his arm that rested over her. He was a driven and focused man. Where most would find it annoying, she didn’t mind. She knew he cared for her deeply, but once he found a task needing his attention, he’d tackle it with everything he had.
Deia was proud of her man.
Malsour had been busy ripping down buildings that had been put in the wrong place. He’d built half of Unity by himself: roads, sewers, water systems. With everything Deia knew, she shouldn’t have been shocked by his power anymore, but it was hard.
“So, you heading off for Per’ush tomorrow?” Dave looked to Deia.
“Yeah, want to see my mom and dad,” Deia said.
“I wish I could come—just with everything...” Dave frowned.
“I know, babe. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Deia kissed his hand.
“You sure?” Dave asked.
“I’m sure, I’m sure. I know how excited you are about all the opportunities that you have. We don’t need to be next to each other all the time,” Deia said.
Dave didn’t answer, just kissing her head. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Deia felt the relief in his voice. He loved her, but what he did would not only bring his smithies to an entirely different level, it would connect and help multiple different races.
“I’ve also got to see about admission for the Demons, Beast Kin, and Aleph. We don’t have long until whatever Bob’s kept locked up starts showing up,” Deia said.
“Hey, I’m trying my best here!” Bob appeared on his recliner.
“Dad,” Anna said in a dangerously low voice as her eyes thinned.
“Baby girl?” Bob gulped.
“Did you know what I found out from Kala?” Anna said, her voice deceptively calm.
“Uh, well, Anna, you know that I’m a rather busy person. It’s difficult to keep track of everything.” Bob’s eyes moved around wildly, as if trying to find a way to escape.
“You forgot to tell me they had been pulled out of cold storage for six months!” Anna growled.
“Well, umm, I remembered in the end!” Bob smiled, as if that fact made up for his other wrongs.
“You have dozens of AIs and you can’t remember one little thing!?” Anna shook her head and smacked her forehead with her hand.
“Epic facepalm,” Dave said. “Bad timing?”
Anna snorted as Bob gave a weak smile.
“Sorry about that. I was dealing with some other things. I just, well...you know how I am.” Bob shrugged, a guilty look on his face.
“You’d lose your nose if it wasn’t attached.” Anna laughed. The rest of the party smiled and nodded their heads.
“Pretty much!” Bob laughed, stood from his seat, moved to Anna and held her hands. “I also forget to say a lot of things, like just how proud I am to hear you call me Dad.”
“You soft-skulled Gnome.” Anna knelt and hugged her dad.
Bob returned the hug with his small Gnome arms.
“Well, would you prefer if I was a wolfkin?” Bob’s body went through a change. He rose in height; ears sprouted through his hair as a male wolfkin with a gray tail, fur, and hair looked at them all.
“Well, bit more regal than being a Gnome,” Dave commented.
“Oi, no comments from the peanut gallery!” Bob shook his finger at Dave. A smile appeared on his face, showing his sharp teeth.
“Bit more elegant,” Anna commented, looking Bob over. “Wouldn’t you want to be Human, instead? You know, I hear Air likes Humans more.”
“I told you that in confidence, and I have no idea where that little trickster is. She’s drumming up something, of that I’m sure. Just don’t know what.” Bob tapped his lips in thought.
Deia smiled at her friends’ antics.
“Well, as I am running out of time, let me say this.” Bob looked to them all. “Thank you, for all that you’ve done. You’ve gone above and beyond what I thought you were capable of. I have a soft place in my heart for different groups that the Jukal tried to wipe out. You were able to give the Aleph, Beast Kin, and Demons a future. You’ve struck a great blow to the Dark Lord with killing his Demon Horde, though there are many more challenges to come. Rest, recuperate, and prepare yourselves for the challenges to come. It will not be easy, though you have started one of the strongest alliances I have ever seen, one based on mutual trials and tribulations that have turned into an inspiring friendship. I will continue to watch over you and guide you as I can.”
Bob looked over them all, his eyes holding every single one of their eyes.
If it was not for him, then none of them would be alive. Humanity would just be the rogue groups that had fled far away to not attract attention from the Jukal Empire, barely eking out a life in the darkness of space.
He had guided them to events and groups that could change the future of all Emerilians, both those who were POEs and those who believed they were Players.
Deia felt pride and hope well up in her chest. The opportunities that lay before them were tantalizing.
Bob looked at his interface. “All right, got to go. My five minutes are up. I’ll see you all later.” Bob smiled and disappeared from Dave and Deia’s porch.
***
Dave hugged Deia before the teleport pad.
“So, what would you think about expanding our house?” Dave asked.
“Last-minute question much?” She laughed. “Uh, I wouldn’t be against it, but I want to see the plans first. We’re going to need more rooms for all of the friends we have staying over. Also running water instead of you conjuring a shower every time. We’re keeping the porch and it needs to be warm in the winter.”
“Okay, I can work with that. I’ll talk with Malsour and I’ll see what we can come up with.”
“Okay. Make sure you don’t overwork yourself or else I’ll come back here and kick your butt myself,” Deia promised, poking his large chest.
“Very well, my dear!” Dave grinned and kissed her.
She turned and pulled her cloak tight. It was getting cold in the north. Winter was on its way and letting everyone know it.
The teleport pad flared to life, showing mages milling around and the enchanted and magical buildings of the mage’s college perched atop the floating islands of Per’ush.
Dave waved to Mal and Fire, who waited on the other side, the latter hidden in her disguise as a librarian.
Deia passed through the teleport’s event horizon. She appeared on the other side. The teleport pad closed as another event horizon opened. Materials and smiths walked through, heading into Unity. Malsour and Anna waved their good-bye, headed through the teleport pad and out onto the other side.
As they walked through, Kol walked out to the waiting Dave.
“Ugh, terrible trade!” Dave shook his head, smiling, as he greeted Kol.
“What was that?” Kol asked.
“Just said bye to Deia and now I have to look at your ugly mug.”
The two of them looked around for a cart that would take them up to Cliff-Hill’s smithies.
“Sorry I’m not more gentle on the eyes,” Kol growled.
Dave laughed and clapped Kol on the back. “How is the smithy in Devil’s Crater; you been talking to Frenik about materials?”
“Yeah, though we’ve got a meeting with him tomorrow to go over the fine details. Suzy said she’ll be free. I know that you want to fix her staff,” Kol said.
The two of them ju
mped on a cart. The team master made noises at the horses, which pulled them up Cliff-Hill’s main road.
“Well, most of the staff is still intact. Just a matter of fixing up the runes, maybe modifying it a bit. For my Dwarven Master Smith class, I’ve got to build a couple more weapons to get the next level. I was thinking of making weapons for the Demon Princes and Alkao. They’re the DCA’s best fighters and giving them Weapons of Power will show off our smithing abilities and make those who follow them interested in getting weapons from us,” Dave said.
Kol pulled out an amulet and turned it, so that the enchantments lined up and the sound around them seemed to fall away.
“We have a meeting to attend with the council tonight. They wish to discuss an alliance with Devil’s Crater. They’re in one hell of a spot with nice dungeons within their walls as well as mine shafts and other things. They also want to pick your brain about the Aleph. Be ready for a long meeting,” Kol warned.
“Well, we’re burning sunlight then! We’re going to have to work two times as hard to get those weapons ready!” Dave smiled, excited by the challenge. It had been too long since he had smithed and he was eager to get back at it.
“You know most people take weeks to make Weapons of Power?” Kol said, a proud smile on his face.
“Ah, well, just have to start some friendly competition.” Dave winked.
“Damn cheat of a Smithing Art!” Kol laughed and turned the amulet, so the enchantment was broken and they could once again hear the hustle and bustle of Cliff-Hill.
“Things sure have changed.” Dave looked around the growing town.
It was on the cusp of being a city. The teleport pad was the only one in Northern Opheir. Being so close to Ashal, trade was now staying in the north instead of venturing south. Trade was booming in Cliff-Hill and it showed in the rapid growth of houses and the main market square that Dave could hear from the smithies and factories.
“It’s the look of progress; not everything can stay the same forever,” Kol said ruefully.
“Too true.” Dave sighed.
“Did you know that we’re now exporting to the Egas Nation and Orun Free States? Farmers are claiming land all over the place, driving the adventurer’s guild to build a place here to run all of the contracts for labor, clearing fields and hunting down animals. With the high-leveled creatures around here, we’re getting quite a few adventurers from Ashal visiting for fun. It was a good idea keeping the taxes low. That teleport pad is operating nearly all hours of the day. Had to hire on our own guards now that Cliff-Hill is growing up,” Kol said.
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