by Logan Jacobs
My life was fucking awesome.
“No more, Great One, please,” Eva whimpered. “I cannot handle another electric shock.”
“You mean you don’t want me to make you come again?” I chuckled, and then I arched my brow questioningly at Mahini and Elissa. “What about you two?”
“I…” Mahini sighed. “I cannot… believe how good… I feel. What have you done to me? I’m melting.”
Her slippery little pussy was certainly melted, and I watched with fascination as a bit of my seed dribbled out from between the desert goddess’ luscious lower lips.
“Thank you, husband,” Elissa breathed with her eyes softly shut. She fluttered her fingers in an effort to lift her arm but then plopped her hand back down again with a sigh.
It was good to be a god.
I crawled into bed with the three exhausted women, and I wrapped my arms around as much of them as I could hold. It was a warm evening, so we didn’t even need a blanket, but I pulled it up over us anyway. It was a comforting presence, and I was in utter bliss as I fell asleep with dreams of their naked bodies floating through my mind all night long.
I woke up early the next day with an exuberant energy bursting out of my chest. I was ready to get up and conquer the whole fucking world. After the day before, I knew I could tackle anything that came my way with a shit-eating grin on my face. I was the luckiest man in Sorreyal, and this was just the beginning.
I had a kingdom to build.
I slipped out of bed without disturbing any of the sleeping ladies. They were obviously too tired to get up at the crack of dawn, but I couldn’t sit still a moment longer. I wanted to skip and do cartwheels, but instead I got dressed in some simple, but comfortable, clothes, slid the sheaths for my daggers onto my belt, and pulled on my boots.
My mind roamed as I made my way downstairs, and I headed into the kitchen as I considered what obstacles stood between me and total greatness.
I was already pretty badass with a sword, daggers, and the bow. I could do some basic battle spells and some summoning magic. I could bake a mean pastry, fell a tree, and smith my own gear plus enchant it. I’d already learned so much and trained hard, but there were still plenty of skills for me to master.
I’d barely scratched the surface of magic, after all.
The Duke of Edinburg and his court wizard, Dumas, still challenged me as well. They’d formed an alliance with the Duke of Arginold and the wizard Racine, which had led to multiple failed attempts at my life. I’d have to deal with my remaining enemies sooner rather than later. Before I made my move, though, I wanted to have as much information as possible, and I knew very little about my enemy.
I’d have to do some sleuthing.
A smile spread across my face as I grabbed some food from the pantry and began to prepare a breakfast of eggs and bacon. I made a mental note to thank Deena for the egg delivery, and I was beyond grateful that Bastianville had pork again.
A life without bacon was a life barely worth living.
After I’d eaten my fill, I cleaned up after myself and headed out the front door. Now that I was back in Bastianville for a while, it would soon be time to get to know all the new townspeople’s names and occupations. My brain hurt sometimes from the amount of memory it held already, but the constant repetition definitely helped the information stick long term.
It was hard to forget a name you’d said over a million times.
The streets were packed with people as I headed into the central part of town. Vendors called out their wares, children scurried about, and livestock were herded to the market. It was an image of a thriving, bustling small town on the edge of Sorreyal, and it was one of my favorite sights.
I was proud of what I’d accomplished so far, but I had to set my sights even higher. I had more holdings to think about now, and a larger territory to protect. With that thought in mind, my feet automatically turned toward the blacksmith’s shop on the opposite side of town.
Jax was in charge of training and leading the militia that guarded the walls and the road to the mine, so he would be the person to talk to about increasing our forces. Plus, I enjoyed talking to who I considered to be one of my oldest friends in this world.
If only he knew how much time we’d really spent together, but it would quite literally blow his mind, so I had to keep the knowledge of my abilities to myself.
The ringing sound of metal filled the air long before the shop came into view, and I could feel the heat radiating from the structure as I neared the front door. The blacksmith’s shop was situated on the far edge of town, just inside the wall, but we’d made sure to let his little stream run beneath the walls when we’d built them so as not to cut off Jaxtom’s water source since it was essential to his craft.
The tall, burly blacksmith didn’t hear me enter his shop because he was bent over his anvil with the massive hammer in his fist. He smacked the metal, then the anvil in a repeated pattern, oblivious to the watching eyes behind him.
I watched in silence for a moment until I couldn’t stand it anymore, and then I cleared my throat.
Jax looked over his shoulder at me, and his face split into a grin.
“Thought that was you,” he growled with an amused glint in his dark eyes.
“Figured as much,” I chuckled. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“How ye smithed so good on yer first attempt definitely got me,” Jax reminded me with a shake of his head. “But what brings ye to the shop today? Need to use my grindin’ wheel?”
“I was thinking about the town’s defenses.” I frowned. “There are still men who stand against me, and I’ve seen them send some strong forces against people they thought were harboring me. I’m sure no holds would be barred if they came against me while I’m here in Bastianville.”
“If yer that worried about it,” Jax said as he scratched his stubbly jaw. “We can go talk to the watchers, show ya around the towers.”
“I know you’ve been doing a lot of work to protect the city.” I gave the blacksmith a toothy smile. “I’m talking about forming an army.”
“Oh.” Jax’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I’m sure yer man Riondale would know more about that than I do.”
“You two have been working together, right?” I asked as my thoughts began to run wild over the possibilities.
I would need a general, and several captains beneath them. They would have to be men I trusted, and who I could delegate to without having to micromanage.
“Aye.” Jax nodded. “He’s a good lad. Works harder than ten men.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I’m glad that’s not just how he acts around me.”
I gazed around the shop for a moment as Jax returned to his sword making, and when he was done, he presented the finished blade to me tang first. I took it gingerly, and I inspected the high caliber of the crafting for a moment before I handed it back.
“I’ve been crankin’ out ten swords a day on top of my other duties,” the blacksmith announced with his chin lifted and his chest puffed out. “I can outfit ye an army, but I might need a second apprentice.”
“How is Janus doing?” I asked as I remembered the lad who trained under the blacksmith.
“Gettin’ better and better every day.” Jaxtom grinned with pride for his charge. “Hard work suits him, but he’s startin’ to wear thin. With me bein’ part of the Elder Council, I’ve given him more responsibilities, and ye can just see him startin’ to sink.”
“So, you need more help.” I frowned. “That seems to be a common occurrence around town. All the shopkeepers looked exhausted.”
“Business is good,” Jax laughed a big belly laugh. “Can’t complain, Bash, can’t complain.”
“We’ll spread word looking for apprentices in every field.” I grinned. “People will come from all over to contest for the opportunity to work with you. You deserve the best of the best, after all.”
“It’s appreciated, Bash.” Jax crossed his arms over his
chest and gave me a shrewd look. “But what are you looking for in return?”
“Ask around any smithing connections you have about anyone who can make armor out of my dragon hide and other pieces,” I requested in a serious voice. “But try to keep it on the down low, too. Only ask people you trust.”
“Aye, I can do that.” Jax nodded. “It’s gonna take some time, though.”
“I have all the time in the world,” I quipped with a shrug. “I’m the God of Time, remember?”
“How can I forget?” Jax let out another booming belly laugh. “Ye keep remindin’ me about it.”
We talked about my plans for growing the fighting force that protected the town for a while longer, and then I headed back out into the streets of Bastianville. I aimed for the training field we’d established not far from the blacksmith’s shop since I had a feeling I’d find Riondale there.
The young lieutenant was running drills on a group of ten men decked out in full plate armor, and he saluted when I approached. The men he trained continued through the motions while he marched across the distance between us with a wide smile on his face.
“How is the Great One on this fair morning?” Riondale asked in a cheerful tone.
“You’re in a good mood,” I chuckled.
“The men are doing great learning the techniques,” Riondale reported. “It is encouraging to see their swift progress, but they’ve all sworn to protect the town with their lives, and you can tell the difference.”
“What do you mean?” I frowned. “Tell the difference between what?”
“Well, I was thinking about the men I worked with in the guard at Castle Bullard,” Riondale explained. “The city recruited all manner of people, but most didn’t really like their jobs and only did it to earn a living. They had no fire, no passion. It’s different here. The men care about what they’re fighting for.”
“Bastianville is a special place.” I nodded. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your time here.”
“It already feels like home.” Riondale shook his head in wonder. “But I did miss traveling with you while you were gone.”
“My mission required stealth,” I said with a sympathetic smile. “But there will be more adventures in the future. In the meantime, I need your help making my kingdom as strong as possible. Even Jaxtom said I should turn to you with this matter, and his word carries a lot of weight with me.”
“And with me.” Riondale nodded solemnly. “His recommendation means a lot. What do you require of me, sir? Name the task, and I will complete it.”
“It’s not something that can be done overnight,” I warned. “It’s going to take some time, but I want to build an army. I’ve got more than just Bastianville to think of now, I want to have enough men to protect all my holdings.”
“That will be quite a force.” Riondale frowned in thought. “But doable, especially with how many people are flocking to your town recently.”
“If I put out the word that I’m looking for volunteers to join my army, then my enemies may discover my current weakness.” I shook my head. “We have to move carefully with each step we take from here on. The people are depending on us.”
“You can count on me, sir.” Riondale grinned. “I will follow your commands.”
A commotion from the archery tower behind us tore my attention away, and in the next instance the alarm bells were ringing out over town.
“What now?” I sighed before I jogged across the training field toward the tower, and Riondale was hot on my tail. Then I climbed up the ladder with the young lieutenant right behind me, and a moment later we were crossing the distance to the edge of the watch post.
I saw trees swaying in the wind, but no attacking army. Then my gaze found the road through the foliage where it wound away from Bastianville a little ways to my left, and I saw what had caused all the commotion.
A troop of armed men approached at a slow pace. They all rode white stallions who trotted at a synchronized pace, and golden banners blew in the wind behind them. The soldiers upon the horses’ backs wore shining silver plate armor emblazoned with a crest upon their breastplates, but they were too far away to see what it was.
They didn’t look like they were attacking us, but they were heavily-armed and headed toward the gates of Bastianville. The alarm bells were still ringing loudly, and I got the attention of one of the watchmen in the archery tower with me.
“You can tell them to cut the bells,” I said. “I’m going down to meet whoever that is at the gate. If it’s a threat, I’ll handle it.”
“Do you need backup?” Riondale asked as his hand hovered over the hilt of his sword. His body language was already in fight mode, and his eyes flicked to the approaching party of soldiers. “You shouldn’t go alone.”
“Wait for my signal,” I instructed. “If I sense trouble, then I will whistle, and you can all fire at will.”
“Very well, sir.” Riondale tried to hide his disappointment, but it was written all over his face.
“Besides,” I added as I headed toward the ladder. “These men need your help.”
“Yes, sir.” Riondale saluted, and then he turned to the men who stood and watched the soldiers approach.
I slid down the ladder by hooking my feet around the back of either side, and then I took off at a run toward the town gate. I had to dart between buildings after I left the training area, but then I joined the throng of people who’d wandered out into the streets to see what all the commotion was about.
“Everyone!” I shouted at the top of my lungs to get the townspeople’s attention. “Get inside your homes and wait for the all clear.”
My words seemed to have the desired effect, and the crowd began to disperse enough for me to trot over to the closed gate. I waited a few more moments to allow more people to make their way indoors, but once I knew everyone was safe behind a wall, I threw open the massive gate with a grunt. When it had just opened enough to allow me to pass, I slipped through and pulled it shut behind me.
Then I made a new save point just to be on the safe side.
The soldiers were still two dozen yards away from the entrance to town, but I marched forward to meet them in the road. They pulled their horses to a halt as one, and then one of the soldiers in the front row lifted the visor of his helmet.
“My name is Sir Cristoff, and I am a herald of his majesty, King Frederick.” He had bright blue eyes and a trimmed blond beard, and his voice was strong and fearless. “I have a message for the Archduke Sebastian of Bastianville.”
“That’s me.” I waved. “What’s going on?”
The man stared at me in silence for a long moment like he didn’t believe me, and his men stood frozen in place like they were robots or something.
“Please, allow us to enter your city.” Cristoff inclined his head as his hands tightened around his reins. “We are representatives of his majesty and deserve to be treated as such.”
I had the urge to demand he deliver his message on the spot, but since the king was my ally, I didn’t want to unnecessarily upset his messenger, so I decided to curb my impatience for a short while in order to make a good impression on these men.
“Yes, of course,” I laughed, and I gestured toward the town behind me with a welcoming wave. “How rude of me. Please, come inside, and welcome to Bastianville. You can leave your horses at the stables and have a hot meal at the tavern. Then you can deliver your message from the king.”
It looked like things were about to get interesting, and I was surprised by how excited I was at the potential new quest on my doorstep.
What was next for the God of Time?
I supposed there was only one way to find out.
Chapter Five
“I did not expect to be met in person by the Archduke himself,” Cristoff confessed as his gaze flicked to my face. “It is unusual.”
“I’m not your average noble.” I walked by his horse’s side down the road toward the heart of Bastianville, and I flashed him
a friendly smile. “We saw strange soldiers approaching and feared the worst. I’m the most powerful person around, so naturally I wanted to face the issue head on. I’m efficient that way.”
“And very humble,” Cristoff chuckled, but then he corrected his expression and cleared his throat. “My apologies, Your Grace, I misspoke.”
“Please, call me Bash.” I grinned. “And don’t worry about it. I’m pretty hard to offend, but the last guy who pissed me off is dead, so keep that in mind. Still, you seem harmless enough, so I’d like you to call me what my friends do.”
“That is too high a privilege for my rank and station, Your Grace,” the man argued with a shake of his head. “You honor me.”
We arrived at Bastianville’s stables, and the entire troop dismounted in one synchronized movement. They held their horses’ reins and waited in silence while I hunted down the stableboy.
I returned with Dalwin in tow, and the poor boy’s eyes widened at the sight of the task ahead of him.
“I’ll have to… put some others out to pasture, you know, to make room,” the lad said in a hesitant voice. “And it might take me a while…”
“That’s fine, Dalwin,” I reassured him. “Do you need some help?”
“Would you?” His eyes welled up with tears, so I tousled his hair.
“Let’s do it, kid.” I grinned.
Then the two of us got to work taking care of all the horses of the kings messengers. This was the first-time royal representatives had come to Bastianville, and I wanted to make a good impression on them. They would return to the king with tales of how I wined and dined them, and it would lift me even higher in King Frederick’s favor.
I led the white stallions two at a time into the empty stalls after Dalwin had handled the town’s horses. Goliath didn’t even nicker when he was sent out to the field so another horse could take his space, and when the job was completed, I gave the kid a sideways hug and tousled his hair again.