by D. R. Rosier
If I had a body I’d be holding my breath about then, as they got closer to springing the trap.
Mark said, “This isn’t so bad. The steel golems on the last level was much harder than this forest.”
Maeve snapped, “Pay attention, the attacking forest is merely the host of our true foe.”
Jason scoffed, “Take it easy, what’s got you so uptight?”
Maeve replied, “Dark elves, don’t underestimate them.”
Mark grunted, “Nothing will take me by surprise.”
Mark’s eyes widened as he took a spell to the face, the dark magic started to eat into his protections.
Maeve cursed as she saw Kaley step out boldly, and Jason whipped a fireball at her, while Maeve casted a remove curse spell on Mark with her light magic.
Jason held another fireball and searched the trees ahead for the dark elven female, while Maeve also kept a wary eye forward as her spell fought the dark magic curse.
No one thought to look behind them.
Jernith lunged out and his short sword thrust at the very top of Mark’s armor, and slid through his neck. Jernith twisted his wrist a bit as he pulled the sword out, and Mark’s head rolled off onto the ground.
Jason screamed and launched the fireball at Jernith before he could melt back into the shadows. Jernith went up like a pyre until his armor fought off the spell.
Maeve cast a light bolt which got through Jernith’s weakened protections, and put a six inch wide hole right through his chest.
That made Kaley scream in rage and run out of the surrounding forest, she swung her scimitar which was now completely covered in darkness at Jason, who desperately dodged and cast out an exploding circle of fire to put some distance between them. It worked, for less than a second, and then Kaley cast another curse to weaken his enchantments, and impaled him through the stomach on her sword.
Maeve finally finished her spell, and blasted Kaley with a modified light bolt that ripped through her dark protections, and then exploded in a burst of light which threw Kaley back into a tree, hard enough to make the leaves shake. Kaley had barely gotten up, when the elven cleric finished her off with another light bolt.
Maeve looked furious, but had tears in her eyes as she verified Mark was dead. She ran over to Jason, and cast remove curse to get the dark magic out of the nasty stomach wound. Her magic took a while to overcome the curse, but there were no more threats outside of the forest itself. They she healed the mage.
I on the other hand, was fascinated. The armor on Mark was made out of a metal I’d never seen before. It was far denser than steel, and much lighter as well. I’d read about it at some point, and believed it to be mithril. I eagerly studied its structure, so I’d be able to make it myself. I almost drooled at the thought of mithril golems, but they’d be too tough for any level of master most likely. I could also use it for extremely rare rewards on the highest levels.
I also scoured the rest of his equipment as I absorbed his life force and transmuted it to magic, which as a master was quite a lot of magic. Still, with as many large elemental stones as I had, it wasn’t an issue any longer to absorb even a master’s life force.
None of his other equipment was all that special, although there were a couple of interesting enchantments. They didn’t really offer me any new insights into magic, just a different twist on what I already knew.
I rebuilt Jernith’s and Kaley’s bodies back in their home cavern, and attached their souls. It’d been a good fight.
I watched, as Jason and Maeve looted the corpses and the cavern, before they teleported out with Mark’s body. I wondered if they’d be back. I decided they probably would, but not for a while. They’d have to mourn first, and find a new third partner…
Ebony returned the following morning with more books to teach me. If I’d had a body, I might have frozen at her arrival. Or perhaps, I’d have sat down hard in shock and started to drool like an idiot. I couldn’t believe what my senses were telling me. I was detecting the life form of a higher being in the immediate vicinity.
“Sexy?”
She giggled, “Yes master?”
Immediate vicinity being inside Ebony.
“Umm, you’re pregnant.”
Holy shit! What now? Well, they say it only takes one time, but damn!
She gaped at me a minute, and then started to bounce on her toes excitedly and smile like the damned sun.
“That’s… good, right?”
She looked so excited, so happy, that it calmed my panic. Problem was, when my revenge was completed and I left here, I’d planned to have the dungeon as my avatar and retire the body. This threw a serious wrinkle in that plan, I’d have to leave the body avatar behind as well, and have two? It was either that or never be able to hold my child, or worse, take the child with me to the higher plane and away from her mother. That would never happen.
Maybe I could make Ebony a higher life form, like I had Lila, and take her too?
Something told me that wouldn’t work, I’d probably wind up leaving my human avatar behind as well. Which… really wasn’t that big a deal, was it?
Holy dark magic, a baby!
“Unexpected, surprising, but yes love, good. Great even.”
Damn, what kind of baby, it would be some hybrid of higher and lower being? I didn’t know what to do, except I needed to slow down my thoughts, and not panic.
She beamed at me.
“But, what does this mean? I mean for us.”
I replied, “I’m not sure yet. But I know we’ll raise the child together.”
In a dungeon? Damn, this was complicated as hell. All I was sure of, whatever happened or whatever I decided, we’d be doing it together…
Chapter Eight
As Catalina stepped out of the tub, she froze and stared at Mina who looked at her with an expression she had trouble reading. There was no way she just heard what she thought she’d heard.
“What?” she asked, her voice quite a bit more angry and dangerous than she’d intended.
Mina bit her lip, “I asked if you’ve given any thought to what the baron suggested a couple of days ago. He’s right you know, the longer you put it off, the more danger you’ll be in.”
That was exactly what she’d thought and feared Mina had said.
She shrugged and almost tore her dress as she pulled it over her head.
Her voice was brittle and snappish, “So what? That’s it? Find a man just like that, maybe there’s one in the closet over there, and what about us? Shall I just pick one out, no matter who, and send you away?”
Mina’s lip trembled, and her anger fled at the sight of it.
She felt foolish, there was something else behind this. She refused to believe Mina would just leave her or push her away. Not when she was still fighting to hold it all together. Mina knew she didn’t like any of the men her age they’d been around. She could, and would probably have to one day marry for duty only, but right now she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like men, it was simply that she was deeply in love with Mina.
Was she being selfish?
“Mina, what is this about,” she asked softly, “I can’t lose you, not right now, not right after…” she trailed off, not needing to say it. Not after her father.
Mina sighed and looked away, “My father sent a letter, to recall me home. He said that… that… shit, here.”
Mina pulled out a letter and handed it to her, and then sat down and looked rather defeated.
She slowly read the letter, each line of it increasing her anger and disbelief. Mina’s father had quite a bit to say, and none of it good. Mina had been allowed to come to Tenemin to work on her magic in the dungeons, with the king’s son. Mina had also been sent to see if any of the southern nobles would catch her as a wife.
Mina had not been sent to Tenemin to become the lesbian lover and kept woman of the Duchess, and a laughing stock in noble circles. The letter also ordered her l
over to immediately leave and come home. Her hands were fisted, and the parchment crinkled as her face hardened. That… asshole. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. That asshole was her lover’s father, and he even had a point. No one would have cared about them as a couple while dungeon diving, outside of a few titters perhaps. It wasn’t all that odd or even scandalous, since most nobles went through something similar while training their own magic.
But playing house with a Duchess with no official standing, and without training her magic, was another matter altogether. Still, he didn’t have to be such an asshole about it, she was grieving, and Mina was holding the pieces of her heart together. She needed Mina, and couldn’t let her go yet. Although she feared she would never be able to truly let go.
She grimaced as she sat down, and the servants fixed her hair and makeup. She thought hard about what she had to do, and hoped it wouldn’t backfire too badly.
She stood up and walked to her study, and sat behind the desk, grabbing a parchment and ink.
Mina cleared her throat, “Isn’t there a council meeting?”
She nodded, “We’re going to be a few minutes late.”
She was calm as she wrote on the parchment, sure this would work. Of course, it would only solve part of the problem. When she finished, she signed it, and affixed her seal. Then she handed it to Mina.
It was Mina’s turn to read, and she watched her face carefully, which looked rather incredulous, but also hopeful.
“You named me your advisor? An official post that even has a salary?”
She shrugged, “I was considering doing it already, making what you already are official I mean. I’ve depended on your insight and advice, and I sure as hell didn’t think you were a simple kept lover. This should handle your father’s official capacity issue, and since I outrank him, you don’t have to go anywhere now, since it’s an issue of law and not the heart anymore.
“Of course, if you want to leave, I can tear that up. I won’t keep you here if you don’t want to be here.”
She felt incredibly vulnerable as Mina looked up at her.
“I want to stay with you, but you realize we’re just putting off the inevitable.”
She nodded, “I agree. I also think it’s better than nothing, and I want to squeeze every moment I can get in with you before that inevitable day. Now, advisor. How do we convince the council it’s a good idea for me to go dungeon diving?”
She needed it, the exertion, and testing of herself. She’d go insane with grief without that outlet. Plus, it would also be an olive branch of sorts to Mina’s father after blocking his move like she had.
An hour later…
Baron Evansly said acidly, “Have you taken leave of your senses? You want to dungeon dive and continue working on your magic?”
She smiled, “I don’t believe so, but crazy people never know do they? Yes, three days a week, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday to avoid consecutive days, my new advisor and I will be fighting in the dungeon to improve our magic. It will be safe enough if we take caution, no more dangerous than being a duchess I would imagine.”
The baron sat down and looked harried, “I see, and with whom will you ladies be… dungeon diving?”
Mina said, “We’ve sent a message to Carlton. We believe it’s likely he has paladins, and perhaps a cleric around the same rating, mid-level journeywoman to low level adept. All we really need from the council is to reschedule a few meetings to different days, and hold things together for a brief day.”
Evansly frowned, “Yes, and for how long will this go on?”
She replied, “Until I’ve mastered my magic, I imagine with the experience from the dungeon, and practicing my spells and study on other days, it will take us around ten years to reach our full potential.”
She knew that wasn’t what he really wanted to know. Baron Evansly wanted to know how long it would be until she found a husband. How long she’d be sleeping with her advisor.
“There is another issue I’d like to discuss, one of my duties as the last of my family line. You must realize that I am only eighteen, and wouldn’t normally have to commit to anything for another ten years or more, but reality being what it is I will have to compromise to ensure my family’s continuance and rule, and the stability of the Tenemin Duchy.”
She looked around, and they were all riveted right now. Apparently, this had been an even bigger concern than she’d realized to her council.
“I won’t marry someone I don’t like, but I’m also not so foolish that I won’t marry for duty. I ask that you be patient until I find someone I can live with at the very least. We will be holding a ball every month, which I suspect given my rank in the kingdom will mean an abundance of suitors. Truly, I find this distasteful, especially as I am still in mourning for my father. But I need some patience from all of you on this subject, no matter how important my marriage and heirs are, the temperament and honor of the man I marry is at least as important. I happen to know Jerrold is already working on the heir problem with Suzy, and I don’t foresee it taking more than a year or two at the most to work this out for myself as well.”
She’d just dropped two huge subjects on them, and wondered if they should just call the meeting. She shook her head, she wouldn’t run away. Three actually, since she’d briefed them on the soldiers and mages needed for the Jennesar operation earlier.
“Any questions?”
She knew they wouldn’t like the timeframe or delay, but she didn’t care. If it was up to her she’d just marry Mina, and get some male to knock her up and then disappear. That wouldn’t work though, for many reasons, the biggest of which was that the child wouldn’t be legitimate as heir. Bastards couldn’t rule. Stupid laws.
One day she’d get a husband, and Mina would too no doubt. She just hoped that somehow, they’d remain close, even if not bed partners.
Baron Collin said, “This is a trying time for you, and you’ve taken the reigns way too early. I don’t think moving the schedule around will be too much trouble. Nothing about any of it matches up with traditions, but I think this situation is unique enough we’ll have to be more creative, at least in the beginning of your reign. No questions your grace, just be careful. If you die in that dungeon, Nysten will tear itself apart.”
No pressure or anything, she nodded at Collin.
“Anything else, or should we would take an early lunch? I realize the three decisions I informed you all of this morning will be controversial, perhaps some time for reflection?”
There were no objections, so she called the meeting over, and left with Mina to track down some food. She just hoped Carlton would come through for them, or they’d have to ask Jerrold if he knew anyone. She was still a mess, but she felt a bit giddy about what she’d just done. A duchess dungeon diving? Well, why the hell not?
Carlton frowned as he read the letter.
Liren asked, “What is it highest?”
Carlton muttered, “You don’t have to call me that.”
She laughed a little sultrily, “That’s not what you said last night in bed, highest.”
She giggled at the look on his face, were all woman tests from the gods?
He said, “The duchess, she wants to know if we have a warrior, and maybe a cleric to train with her three times a week. In the dungeon I mean.”
Liren tapped her lower lip in thought, “I get it.”
He asked, “You do?”
She nodded, “She wants to keep a hold of a part of her past, and the goals she had. Plus, the earlier a person reaches master the longer they’ll live. I’m also sure it has something to do with Mina as well.
He’d take her word for it.
“Can you track down Diana? She’s in charge of training the paladins, and will know if any would be appropriate. Although, she’s at adept level herself, maybe she’ll want to do it.”
Liren got up and headed for the door. He looked up and watched her hips sway sexily, and couldn’t look away. He was busted, wh
en she turned around and caught him looking, but her mysterious smile was rather triumphant as she opened the door and left.
He sighed, and got back to work.
It wasn’t too long, before Liren came back with Diana, and Cary was also in tow. That wasn’t a surprise, they were never very far apart.
Diana blurted, “Is she nuts?”
He laughed, “She’s young, driven, and goal oriented. And like all young people, she thinks she’s immortal. Got anyone you think can make sure she doesn’t make herself a liar?”
Diana sighed, “Levin, Karl, Cary, and myself.”
He frowned, “Isn’t that overkill?”
Diana shook her head, “Adventurer parties of six are rare, but they’re out there. Plus, her and Mina are mages. Levin and Karl fall between Mina’s and Catalina’s rating at high journeymen. They can stay close to the two mages and guard them as they cast spells, and engage nearby enemies. That way Cary and I can go out after the distance attackers safely.”
He shook his head, “She’s not stupid, she’ll figure out you just want to protect her and make things as safe as possible.”
Diana nodded, “She’s also very intelligent, and will accept it as the price to get what she wants. It will also raise the stakes a bit and give her more fighters to protect with her spells. Danger helps focus the mind, but it doesn’t have to be her danger. In a way, the training will be more intense and safer at the same time. She’ll also be smart enough to use it to manipulate her council and calm their fears. Trust me, she won’t object. Plus, Levin and Karl are pretty.”
Cary grumbled about something under his breath.
Diana smirked at him, “Don’t worry, I’m all yours.”
He shook his head, before the last few weeks happened they never would have been comfortable enough to banter in front of him. He also found he liked it, they respected him, but were all closer than ever.