by Eden Redd
“You killed my daughters! Now I will have new daughters from your seed. They will come for you. They will punish you, paladin!” The hag screeched as a spindly hand closed into a fist and smashed the window.
Thorrin and Emma rushed the hag as she turned to escape. A spindly hand opened and a stone fell to the floor. With a lurch, the hag launched through the window, her big form breaking the edges and taking part of the wall with her. The stone rolled to Thorrin and Emma’s feet. The paladin dropped his hammer, grabbed the dragon and threw her back as purple energy rolled along the stone. A moment later, purple gas exploded, filling the immediate area. Emma fell backwards over the bed and onto the floor. Rolling to her feet, she was up and moving.
Thorrin fell to his knees. In his eye display, he could see a “Poison” status effect blinking. Strength dwindled as the paladin fell forward and darkness consumed him.
***
Darkness gave way to bursts of light. Blinking, Thorrin tried to open his eyes but the light was too bright. Amid the blinking, Emma gazed down on him, concern written in her brow. Eyes opened wide as realization fell over the paladin. Sitting up, he quickly glanced around. Sunlight shined through the window and the room was neat and orderly.
“I moved us to another room once a cleric from the bar healed you of the poison,” Emma stated. “How do you feel?”
Thorrin lifted his hand and pressed fingers to his eyes, “Okay, I think. I was out the entire night?”
Emma nodded, “Your strength was weakened. The cleric said it would take hours for you to return to normal. The hag used a powerful poison spell.”
Thorrin’s thoughts went to the hag as he put his hand down, “I take it she got away.”
Emma reached over and placed her hand on his, “I couldn’t leave you behind.”
“I know,” Thorrin said simply. “Sorry our last night together was so eventful.”
Emma let a small smile slip, “I wouldn’t say that.”
Thorrin looked up with a raised eyebrow.
Emma continued, “The message last night was new orders. I’m to escort you to a high-ranking diplomat at the outer edge of the dragon kingdoms.”
Thorrin pulled the blanket away to reveal he was nude. Swinging his legs over, he stood up and looked to the green haired dragon woman.
“Did they tell you why?”
Emma tried to look the paladin in the eye but her gaze fell downward, “No. They just told me it was important to get you there.”
Thorrin gave Emma an amused smile, “You still want me after last night?”
Emma returned the smile, “We never had our time together. I understand if last night was traumatizing but…..”
“When do we have to leave?” The paladin said with a small smile.
“We can leave this afternoon. The location is only a few hours from here.”
Thorrin circled the bed and stood before Emma, “That leaves us the morning.”
The green haired beauty looked up and smiled, “I don’t want to rush.”
“You told me that when a dragon’s fire is burning, nothing will stop it until its desires are met.”
Thorrin eyed her. He could see it in her small movements and eyes looking away. Her breathing was deeper and her cheeks glowed pink. She had on numerous occasions barely contained herself except through sheer willpower. Now, she gave off a hungry energy and dragons did not like to be denied.
The paladin nudged her with a hand. Emma crawled into bed as Thorrin slipped in beside her. A hand touching her, he smoothed it along her clothed body. Emma whispered a few arcane words and her clothes peeled off, turning into smoke and fading away. As she lay nude, the paladin touched her burning skin.
Thorrin told himself it was just a game. Last night was something strange but he pushed it from his mind. Emma’s body trembled to his touch and he wanted to wash away any thought of the hag. Moving in closer, fingers glided over smooth skin as Emma’s lips parted and the paladin pressed his lips to hers. Fingers curled around his member and it twitched to the dragon’s hot touch.
“Thorrin…..when I saw that thing…all I could think about was….,” Emma’s voice trailed away.
The paladin gazed into her emerald green eyes, “You don’t have to say anything.”
The player felt the same thing but couldn’t bring himself to say it. The feelings stepped over a line he wasn’t sure he was ready to cross. To love a digital NPC was off putting to say the least. For now, paladin and dragon continued their sensual embrace but a dark pulse filled the player as bodies moved to a primal rhythm. Was what he felt real or just a simulation?
The player drowned those nagging thoughts in puddles of bliss as their moans sang with the sunrise.
Nine
The castle doors closed ominously behind the paladin and dragon. The air contained a relaxed cloud but guards along the walls watched with hawkish eyes. They gave off a vibration of expecting the worst blended with powerful confidence. Thorrin looked down the cobbled street to a man in a fine red robe casually walking in his direction. Emma was by the paladin’s side as the sun shined bright in the afternoon sky.
The man approached and bowed slightly, “Welcome Thorrin River and Emmazulla. I am Lucius, Hand to the Lady. She is expecting you in the garden. Please follow me.”
Lucius turned and began walking. The paladin and dragon followed the regal hand down the main path to the castle’s open doors. It didn’t take long for the three to move through the castle’s interior to the rear doors. Lucius said nothing as they strolled along but Thorrin took in his surroundings, making note of exits. Deep down he felt he had nothing to fear but one could never be too cautious. He had heard of the frost dragon diplomat during his travels but never expected to meet her.
Lucius opened the doors and stood off to the side, bowing with his hand out. Thorrin and Emma stepped through the open doors to the magnificent garden before them. A lush garden lay before them with odd sculptures dotting the pathways. Flowers of many varieties bloomed in the shining light. White tables and chairs were at junctions along the paths as well as several gazebos. A strange triangular structure took up the center of the garden. In its center was a hollowed-out circle. Runes covered the stone structure mixed with vines and pink flowers. Thorrin noticed several figures dotted the garden, each caught up in conversation.
“Don’t you dare miss,” a dark-haired elf said as she stood against a tree with three apples perfectly balanced on her head, glaring at another man dressed in a dark cloak, dagger in his hand.
“I can’t believe your letting me do this,” the man said with a sly smile; a single blonde curl on his forehead and dark hair slicked back.
“What?” the elf said incredulously.
“Nothing…nothing….hold still,” the man said and flicked his wrist.
The dagger spun through the air and the elf shut her eyes. The dagger stabbed into the second apple, knocking the other two off to the floor. The elf opened one eye. Stepping away, she looked to the apple impaled in the tree.
“Was it the second one? Good throw,” The elf said.
The other man shook his head, “I was aiming for your eye.”
The elf’s eyes widened as she drew a dagger. The man turned and ran, cloak billowing behind him as the elf in black playfully chased him through the garden. Thorrin smiled as he looked to the other figures. An orc with a large hammer across his back smelled some roses. In a darkened gazebo, a pale woman in an open cloak and skimpy two-piece outfit sat along with a troll. The troll regarded the paladin and nudged the scantily clad woman with nearly glowing white skin and long lustrous black hair. She looked over to Thorrin, her hand holding a staff with a skull on top and Thorrin felt something odd yet familiar.
The paladin and dragon stepped down the steps to the garden. The two individuals in black stopped chasing each other, turned and smiled at the newcomers.
“More meat for the grinder,” the man laughed.
The elf punched his shoulder
before smiling to the newcomers, “Don’t mind him, he’s off his medication.”
The man looked to the elf and grinned, “Great, now they’ll think I’m crazy, first impressions!”
Vass gave Renner a shrug before turning to the two newcomers again. Seeing the paladin, her eyes widened. Rushing forward, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. The paladin hugged the elf close before pulling away.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” the elf smiled.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Thorrin grinned, actually happy for once to see his sister in game.
The man in black and Emma each raised an eyebrow.
The elf glanced over to Emma, “He’s a close friend.”
Thorrin, Vass and Emma stepped into the garden but stopped part way through. The sound of the doors opening again caused everyone to turn their attention to the stairs. Lady Slytha stepped out, wearing a fine blue and white robe. Lucius was seen for a moment as he closed the doors. The dragon in elf skin walked to the edge of the stairs and descended down, a pleasant smile on her lips.
“Welcome everyone. Please have a seat at the center table,” The dragon pointed.
Thorrin didn’t remember seeing a center table. Turning around, before the triangular structure was the stone pathway, a rectangular table and enough chairs for everyone. Thinking better of questioning it, the paladin moved to one seat and sat down. Emma moved and took a seat by him. The pale woman and troll took a seat across from Thorrin and Emma. The man in black moved to the other end of the table, the elf to his right and the orc to his left. A glowing fairy appeared and sat on the man’s shoulder, her eyes drinking in the paladin. Lady Slytha moved to the empty seat at the head of the table and sat down. Bottles of wine appeared with glasses. The three at the end grabbed glasses and wine and began pouring, not waiting for anyone else.
“I’m glad to have you all here. I’m sure there are many questions and I will try to answer all of them. To prevent any awkwardness, I shall speak your name and title before we begin our important work.”
The lady started at her left, “Thorrin River, Paladin and adventurer. His companion is Emmazulla, House Shadow Emerald.”
Slytha turned her attention to the end of the table, “Vass Mistglow, Rogue. Renner Wulf, dashing Rogue and Rekt Bloodhammer, Rogue.”
The three on the other end of the table raised their full wine glasses to their hostess.
Slytha turned and looked to her right, “Wynter Nightkiss, Necromancer and Kai Woodstride, Ranger.”
Thorrin turned his attention to the necromancer and immediately felt slivers of dark power radiating out. The player knew something was off the moment he laid eyes on her. It was the stench of death. It made his skin crawl and the player couldn’t tell if it was the suit or what he was actually feeling. Wynter eyed the paladin with a reserved gaze but even she couldn’t hide the slight dip of her brow.
Lady Slytha continued, “Everyone at this table has been summoned here for a purpose. Your experiences had directly connected you to a quest I set into motion a year ago and it is vitally important that I ask for your assistance in what’s to come.”
Everyone at the table remained silent as the white-haired dragon continued.
“To spare any misgivings, I must tell you all what has directly brought you to my attention.”
Lady Slytha turned her attention to Thorrin, “Paladin, you and Emmazulla discovered and fought a Dread lord north of Journey road. The Dread Lord’s awakening was only the beginning to something dark and foul rising from the depths of Lukken. Your heroic battle slowed down an enemy that was behind our borders. If the Dread Lord continued his rampage, he would have weakened our tenuous hold of the North East of Lukken.”
The dragon lady turned to the end of the table, “Renner, Vass and Rekt, your deeds helped procure knowledge that will aid our cause. Procuring the books I needed, you helped us reach the point we are at today. I have poured over the tomes and now have knowledge that could tip the war in our favor. I will explain all shortly but thank you for your service.”
“Happy to help,” Renner said and guzzled down his wine.
The lady turned to Wynter and Kai, “Your raid on the Harkkon dungeon was instrumental in your defection from the Kunarr. You have obtained the very Eyes of Harkkon, the most powerful Dread Lord among the eight. His rise can only signal a shift in the balance of power. The Kunarr, with the help of the Dread Lords, will lay waste to every village, town and city north of the road if not stopped. Thankfully, you have Harkkon’s Eyes as part of your staff. As long as you keep them from him, he will never reach his full potential.”
The Lady sat back and looked to everyone across the table, “A year ago I sent three knights to the west to discover a lurking threat. They were at the battle of the Middle Kingdoms and moved on to find out what menace shadowed the western coast. They are nearly to the end and I fear they may not be fully equipped to take on what is to come. That is why you are all here.
“You each possess talents that can fortify their strength and perhaps overcome a great evil. Of course, I wouldn’t ask such deeds of you without rewards. Some will be rewarded with gold, others with pardons and for all, a chance to end this war once and for all,” Slytha eyed the paladin with the last bit.
The troll shifted in his seat, “I have heard of the three knights. They come up as whispers but they aren’t the only ones who ventured out there.”
The lady nodded, “You are correct Kai. Others have gone to the west but nothing has returned on their whereabouts. It would seem they have vanished without a trace. The three knights have been prudent with their decisions and that is why they haven’t fallen victim to what lurks.”
Wynter leaned forward, elbows on the table, “I still have contacts in my old circles. There is rumor that a great dead city lies right before the coast. Is it true?”
Slytha nodded again, “From the information I gathered, the city is the ancient city of Nekross. Beyond the name, I don’t know much more other than it was once a bright and beautiful city before succumbing to a great darkness. Very little information has survived the centuries and that is why I sent my knights to find what is out there.”
Thorrin looked to the Lady, “I admire your need to find the truth and help those that may need it but we are in the North. It will take months for us to get to their location to offer any kind of help.”
Slytha smiled and nodded her head to the stone triangular structure behind them. All eyes turned to it, as the lady continued.
“Through a series of events, I have been able to rediscover an ancient portal system. With the aid of the dark elves, I have managed to get this portal functioning. It will transport you across Lukken to the west coast. The only thing preventing me from sending you right away is that the portal must be activated on the other end. They have been asleep for so long, they must be reawakened to be used once again.”
Thorrin let a small smile slip, “Your three knights are almost to it.”
Lady Slytha nodded, “They are and that is why you are all here. Once they activate the portal, I will activate this one and send you through.”
“Will they be expecting us?” Thorrin asked.
“They will. I must stress the importance of working together. Despite your varied backgrounds, you all share a common thread. Banding together will only help to possibly stop the war.”
Renner put his glass down and poured wine into it, “I’m still a little fuzzy on how this will stop the war. We don’t know what to expect, except to help some knights out. I don’t want to be rude but I don’t see what that will do to stop anything, your grace.”
Slytha nodded once again. Remembering her conversation with Jayson, the frost dragon began telling those gathered what she had told the brave knight. She spoke of the Sormir and their enlightened offspring. She told them of the first interactions of dragons and serpents. She finished with what she speculated, of something off the west coast that could b
ridge all races together. The players leaned forward and drank in her every word. When the lady was finished, everyone sat back and Renner poured himself another glass of wine.
“I’m not sure the word ‘Epic’ can cover everything just said,” Renner said and gulped down wine.
Lady Slytha turned her attention to the dragon woman at Thorrin’s side, “Emmazulla, I know you have travelled far with Thorrin but when the time comes for all to go, I must ask you to stay behind. I will require your council in some matters.”
Emma shot Thorrin a glance before bowing her head to the Lady, “As you wish, my lady.”
“Until the portal is activated, you will all be my guests.”
Small screens appeared before each player, asking to join a raid group. Renner was first to tap at the screen before falling back in his seat and putting his booted feet on the table. Vass and Rekt tapped at their screens next. Thorrin lifted a hand but hesitated as Wynter and Kai each tapped at the floating screens. The paladin could feel the story take hold but the fact that a necromancer was joining his party caused him to question how it was going to go. The player had managed to gain points to the sphere of light but he knew if he didn’t destroy the undead, it may cause points of light to be taken away and add to the sphere of darkness. Even though necromancers were technically alive, they followed the abyssal path.
The paladin turned to Lady Slytha, “I don’t wish to be rude but I’m not sure I can take this quest.”
All eyes turned to the paladin.
Thorrin continued, “I follow the Sphere of Light. Taking a quest when clearly a necromancer is part of the group could damage my growth.” Thorrin looked to Wynter, “No offense.”
Wynter shot Thorrin a tired gaze, “None taken.”
Slytha nodded, “I understand your concerns but Lady Nightkiss is a special circumstance. She has defected to our side and only wishes to help fight the troll threat. In these times of war, her knowledge and skills have been invaluable. I know you follow the Sphere of Light but there will be times when we must walk the shadowed road between light and darkness.”