“Can we cuddle and watch a movie?” Becky asked.
“As you wish,” Alvin smiled. “We can watch The Princess Bride.”
Becky caught his hand, giving it a squeeze as they got to the inn. “Thanks, Hero.”
Chapter Fifty-six
The next morning, Skyfall had a dozen rare quality barrier glyphs for them from the Queen. “Please, follow me,” she said, leading the three of them toward the Queen’s Chambers. The main room felt like a lobby with sofas, chairs, and tables placed around the room to break up sight lines. Elven men conversed throughout the room; most of them had very dark skin, though a few had lighter skin similar to Kuro's.
Skyfall ignored them and led Alvin toward another set of double doors. Feeling all eyes on him and hearing the hushed whispers, Alvin smirked at the hatred and jealousy he saw in their faces. Skyfall knocked once sharply, then pushed the doors open. Following after her like he belonged there, Alvin closed the doors behind him.
Alvin whistled softly at the room; it was a lounging area, but it was done entirely in velvet and silks. A couple of sofas were near a dark wooden coffee table, and a handful of chairs sat near the cold fireplace.
Skyfall crossed the room to the Queen’s kiosk and was waiting for him. “Is there anything you need to connect it to your... network?” The last word came slowly, as if it was alien to her.
It probably is, Alvin thought. “Just give me a minute,” Alvin said as he touched the kiosk and tapped through the menu to add it to his system. When he pressed the last button, Alvin stepped back. “Check and see if you can filter for guns.”
Skyfall stepped over and slowly began to push buttons. A moment later, she bent and pulled a Glock from the dispensing area. “Yes, it does work.” Smiling, she fumbled with the gun for a moment until the magazine came out. Clearing the chamber, she nodded before reloading the gun. “I shall inform the Queen that you have given us access to your world. Are all the items in the kiosks common and uncommon, like the ones we’ve seen from our world?”
Alvin stepped up next to her and opened the auction house. “This will be how you sell and buy items from others here— and my world— as it connects to all kiosks.” Making sure she saw how to open it, he closed it down and tabbed open the settlement trading section. “This is for moving a lot of goods between settlements. It costs a pittance compared to the auction house, but requires the upgrades that I wanted the Queen to get.”
Skyfall nodded, “I believe the Queen knew about this, but I will tell her. Is there anything else we should know?”
“Not that I can think of,” Alvin said. “They removed the explosives, so you won’t be able to make bombs like I used in the throne room. Less powerful ones can be made, though, and might show up in the auction house later. Make sure you check it at least once a day.”
“We will,” Skyfall said. Her eyes darted around the room for a moment. Stepping forward, she was suddenly invading Alvin’s personal space. “Are you sure you wish to leave? If you would stay until the King is dealt with—”
Alvin chuckled, “Skyfall, no offense, but no. I wouldn’t for Wintersbreath, so I’m definitely not going to for you.”
“I told her it wouldn’t work,” Skyfall sighed as she stepped back.
“I don’t blame the Queen for the last-ditch effort,” Alvin replied.
“It was worth the try,” the Queen said, coming through the other door in the room. “I will ask once more. Are you sure you don’t wish to stay and help us defeat my erstwhile husband?”
“Places to be, things to kill,” Alvin said with a wave of his hand. “You’ll be fine as long as you do it smart. With Skyfall and Wintersbreath to help, you should win easily.”
“I see,” the Queen sighed. “I shall wish you the best of days, both now and in the future. I will send word to the crafters you wished to have raised up. They should be in the capital in a week and I have already looked into how to increase their crafting skills further than they already have.”
“I’ll be seeing them tomorrow, so I’ll give them a heads-up. We’ll be stopping at the other kiosk when we leave town. I’ll add each kiosk into the network down to Alinaholt, as well.”
“I have already started to move my forces to the borders. We will be launching our invasion— the first and hopefully the last— in the next few weeks.” The Queen extended her hand to him. “I name you ‘Friend.’ You shall always be welcome in the borders of my domain, and will be treated as family.”
Alvin took her hand, “I don’t have a place of my own, but if I do, I’ll reciprocate the invitation.”
“Take this. It will identify you as my honored friend to any of my people.” She held out a ring of black metal embossed with her image. “And these as well,” she said, pulling out the three base keys.
“I was going to ask about those,” Alvin said. “Thank you.” The keys vanished as soon as he touched them, and he slipped the ring onto his pinkie over his gloves.
“I remember you saying that you would need them back,” the Queen smiled. “I have a war to plan, so I must bid you a good day.”
“See you around,” Alvin said, heading for the door.
~*~*~
A day later, they were in Alinaholt. They had stopped at each town along the main road and connected them to the network, as he had said. With the sun high in the sky, Becky brought Ruffian to a stop in front of Tooled Leather.
They walked into the shop, where Katar was behind the counter. His professional smile became a real one when he saw who was entering.
“Welcome back. We were wondering if something had happened to you,” Katar greeted them.
“Well, it has been a bit of a journey,” Alvin chuckled. “Is Olmera in?”
“Yes, please give me a moment,” Katar said as he disappeared into the back.
“Jarvis,” Alvin addressed the air. “Set up a meal for three guests.”
“Going to take them to the base?” Becky asked.
“Yeah. We can accept their work there and give them a meal in return.”
“Trying to butter them up even more, eh?” Becky snickered softly.
“It never hurts to have competent crafters who like you,” Alvin smiled.
“Should I go let Istel know we are here and wish her to join us?” Kuro asked.
“We’ll stop by her shop once we talk with Olmera, just in case they decline,” Alvin replied.
Olmera came out of the back of the shop with Katar behind her. “Welcome back. We had begun to fear something had gone wrong.”
“As we told Katar, that’s a bit of a story. If you’re willing, we’d like to treat you to a meal while we explain. We can accept the commissions then, as well,” Alvin said.
“I have them in my bag. Tell me where is this meal going to take place, and how long do we have to get ready?”
“At our base, which requires a key,” Alvin said, handing over the two keys he summoned. “We’re going to invite Istel, too. We’ll bring her back here before we go, so you have a few minutes at least.”
“We’ll accept,” Olmera smiled. “Just give me ten minutes to prepare.”
“We’ll be back,” Becky returned the smile.
Becky drove them to Istel’s Ironhand, where a scarred male Elf stood behind the counter. When the trio entered, the Elf stepped back, his pale face paling further. “The demons…”
“Tell Istel we’re here,” Alvin told the fearful Elf.
Not waiting to hear more, the Elf bolted into the back. Watching him go, Becky shook her head, “Think he was part of the captured army?”
“I’m sure he was,” Kuro replied.
Istel came out with a hammer in one hand. With an exasperated sigh, she spun on the Elf behind her. “These are my customers,” she snarled, “I’ll deal with you later.” Turning back to the group, she smiled, “I was wondering if you were coming back.”
“Long story, which we’ll gladly tell you over a meal, if you’d like?” Becky asked. “Olmera
and Katar are going to be joining us.”
Istel pursed her lips and nodded. “Let me gather my finished items first.”
A few minutes later, the four of them walked back into Olmera’s shop. Katar and Olmera were dressed in what was obviously their best clothing, completely at odds with the rough clothing Istel was wearing.
Alvin toggled the UI and summoned the portal inside the main room. “If you want to lock up, we can just walk through the door.”
Istel was looking over the glowing arch with astonishment. “This takes us into your base?”
“As long as you have a key,” Alvin said.
Katar locked the front door and joined his wife, staring at the portal. “We are ready.”
Becky led them in, with Alvin bringing up the rear. Once in the base, the Elves stared around at the many things they didn’t recognize.
“Welcome to Gothy, Hero, and Mousie’s home,” Jarvis greeted them from the kitchen doorway.
“You have a butler?” Istel asked in surprise.
“He’s an elemental who’s in service to me,” Alvin said.
The visitors were all impressed by Alvin’s statement, looking at him with even more respect. Becky led them to the sitting area in the main room, where glasses and wine were waiting for them. Once everyone was seated, Alvin poured the wine.
“Shall we get the business out of the way first?” Alvin asked.
“Yes,” Istel said, pulling four weapons from her bag. “Here are epic quality Dancer’s Souls, and two rare quality war hammers.”
Warhammer (Rare)
Increased base damage and durability (craftsmanship).
Damage 3+Brawn
Durability: 15,000/15,000
Metal: Nirium
Runes: 0/6
Warhammer (Rare)
Increased base damage and durability (craftsmanship).
Damage 3+Brawn
Durability: 15,000/15,000
Metal: Nirium
Runes: 0/6
Alvin looked at the weapons, a wry smile touching his face as he handed a hammer to Becky and made the other one vanish into his bags. “Sadly, we don’t need the blades. Mousie was given a legendary set of blades by the Queen.”
All three guests seemed taken aback by Alvin’s words. “When you say ‘by the Queen,’ what do you mean exactly?” Istel asked after a moment, returning the swords to her bag with a frown.
“Let me deliver my items to them, then we can listen to their story,” Olmera said. She stacked three full sets of leather armor on the table. “Please, look them over.”
Wulnine Leather Cap (Rare)- Head slot
Increased durability (craftsmanship).
Armor: 200/200
Runes: 0/6
Grezle Leather Chest Guard (Rare)- Torso slot
Major durability increase (craftsmanship).
Armor: 500/500
Runes: 0/6
Falune Leather Pants (Rare)- Leg slot
Increased durability (craftsmanship).
Armor: 400/400
Runes: 0/6
Nryad Boots (Rare)- Feet slot
Increased traction on any surface
Extra rune slot (craftsmanship). Increased durability (craftsmanship).
Armor: 250/250
Runes: 0/7
Falune Leather Gloves (Rare)- Hands slot
Innate Holding slot (craftsmanship). Increased durability (craftsmanship).
Armor: 150/150
Runes: 0/6
“As you can see, I did my best,” Olmera said. “Ha, if I redid the chest, pants, and caps today, I could make them even better.”
“These are amazing,” Becky said, getting up to give Olmera a hug. “These will suit us very much, thank you.”
Alvin’s lips twitched when he noticed Istel bristle a little. Stilling his face, he held out his hand to Istel. “Your hammers will make the close and dirty work so much easier. Thanks, Istel.”
Her frown vanished and she nodded. “I did those before the blades. I now wish I had done them in a different order.”
Alvin pulled out his K-bar, handing it to her hilt first. “Can you make two of these?”
Taking the knife, Istel examined it minutely. “I can make it much better.”
“Please do, and tack it onto Alina’s bill,” Alvin chuckled. “Make three of them, actually. We’ll have you send them to us once they’re ready.”
Handing the blade back, Istel nodded, “I shall. Is that type of blade used often by your people?”
“It’s a well-known combat knife,” Alvin said, nodding. “If you make extra and sell them on the auction house, you’ll make some XP.”
“I shall start on them tomorrow,” Istel smiled.
Alvin, Becky, and Kuro put their armor away. Once the gear was all stored, Katar coughed lightly. “About the delay in returning…?”
Alvin grinned, “Well, before we get to the big stuff, let’s start with the incident in the capital before we even met the Queen.”
Time flew by as they related the events of the last few weeks, pausing when Jarvis announced dinner. He was praised for his culinary skills by both guests and residents, which he accepted with smiling thanks. When they finished the crème brulee, they retired to the sofas with coffee and continued the story. Hours later, Istel and Olmera were horrified by the betrayal and carnage that had capped it all off. Katar just stared, eyes blank and jaw hanging slack.
“She’s finally going on the offensive,” Istel whispered. “About damned time, but it saddens me it took that much loss for her to finally move.”
“The Queen is really going to send for us?” Olmera asked.
“Should be in a day or two,” Becky nodded.
“We’ll begin getting ready,” Olmera said, squeezing Katar’s thigh and snapping him back to reality.
“Thank you for saving her,” Katar said.
“Maybe it’s time to move back home,” Istel said, standing. “I’ll get the knives done as soon as I can, and check the kiosk for where I can send them to you.” She held out her hand to Alvin. “Thank you, for all you have done.”
Alvin took her hand, returning her strong grip in equal measure. “It was for our benefit, too. I wish you a long and profitable crafting life.”
Istel seemed perplexed that she couldn’t crush his hand, and eventually let go. “Thank you. May you have a chance to rest and recover.”
Becky was saying goodbye to Olmera and Katar before they stepped through the portal. Alvin collected the keys from them after they stepped back into Olmera’s shop.
Istel started walking back to her shop while Becky, Alvin, and Kuro got into the Mustang. Once they were situated, Alvin summoned the garage portal and they drove back home.
Chapter Fifty-seven
When they left their base the next morning, a contingent of guards was waiting for them by the portal. Captain Shadowhand gave them a friendly smile and Becky rolled down her window. “What’s the matter?”
“Matriarch Bloodnight wishes you to visit her,” Captain Shadowhand said respectfully. “I was told to mention that she has your payment ready.”
“Oh, the glyphs,” Becky nodded. “Almost forgot about those. We’ll go right over.”
“Thank you,” the Captain said.
As they drove up to the manor, the guards on duty got the gate open and showed Becky where to park. A servant met them at the doors, leading them to a parlor. Matriarch Bloodnight was there almost instantly, a pleasant smile on her lips.
“You did as requested, and I’ve been waiting for your return,” Alina said as she took a seat. “I heard you were going to help quell the necromancers. I take it you were successful?”
Alvin’s lips thinned. “Yes and no. The necromancers and Death Wood are gone. However, four towns were also wiped out, and nearly a hundred Matriarchs and retainers were killed in the castle.”
Alina went pale. “W-what?”
“It’s a long story and I’m sure the Queen will be summonin
g all of her Matriarchs soon,” Becky sighed. “You should make ready. The Queen is about launch an invasion into the King’s lands.”
Alina’s eyes widened a bit more. “She’s finally going to advance?”
“It’s been a rough week,” Alvin said. “We’ll be connecting the kiosk across the street to my network and giving you access to Earth goods, notably, our weapons and vehicles. That will be a deciding factor in your coming war, I’m sure.”
Shaken by the news, Alina took a deep breath. “I see. I asked you to come, as I owe you for taking Champion Skyfall to the capital. I wish to add a bit more to it now.”
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