by Logan Jacobs
“Thanks.” Heat rose to my cheeks as I caught on to her innuendo, and I flashed her a flirtatious wink. “You’re not too shabby yourself. It’s going to be a lot of fun to walk into the palace with you three by my sides looking fine as hell. I’m sure there will be lots of jealous lords and ladies after we show up.”
“I can’t wait!” Elissa gave me one of her brilliant smiles, but then her expression turned serious. “But Bash, you’ll need a proper entourage for when you’re presented to the king at the summit. All the other nobles will have a retainer of servants and guards with them at all times, and you wouldn’t want to be the odd man out in that situation.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” I shrugged. “I’d prefer to travel with a smaller party so we reach Vallenwood more quickly.”
“You could embarrass yourself and Bastianville by extension,” Evangeline pointed out. “With all of the nobility present, everyone will have plenty of time to observe and judge their peers. With Arginold and Racine’s death, rumors and whispers will be in full force. We don’t want the gossiping mouths to bring up your name, now do we?”
“I suppose not.” I frowned. “Well, how many people do I need to bring, then?”
“I would recommend at least ten additional people.” Eva tapped her fingers against her thick pink lips. “Five as servants, and five guards. We’ll need banners and a crest as well, so the heralds will be able to recognize you from a distance.”
“This is all a little bit more complicated than I first thought,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. “How would I even decide who to take?”
“That will have to be your decision.” Eva shook her head. “Although, I would recommend keeping it to people you trust completely.”
“Of course.” I nodded. “But those are few and far between.”
“What about Riondale?” Mahini suggested. “Or some of the men who followed you from Castle Bullard? They have proven their loyalty and faithfulness to you.”
“Yes, but they are also just starting to get accustomed to life in Bastianville.” I frowned as I thought about how happy all the men had seemed after arriving in their new home town. “I wouldn’t want to take that away from them without their consent.”
“It’s not like it would be forever,” my wife pointed out with a shrug of her petite shoulders. “It would only be for the duration of the quest.”
“Still.” I shook my head. “I’d want it to be volunteers only.”
“Be careful,” Mahini warned. “You may end up with more volunteers than you bargained for.”
“You really think that many people would want to travel with us?” I chuckled. “I’m sure the tales of the dangers we have faced would scare the majority of people away.”
“Ah, but it was the tales of danger that drew me to following you in the first place,” Eva reminded me with a twinkle of amusement in her gray eyes. “Excitement and adventure are appealing to the imagination. Many will want to go, I am sure of it.”
“We’ll see.” I shrugged, but I had a hard time believing the average townsperson would be eager to sign up for a dangerous trek across Sorreyal.
Bastianville was now protected by walls and gates, and the town was thriving, so why would anyone ever want to leave if they didn’t have to?
I supposed the lure of the palace could draw out a few volunteers who wanted to bask in the opulence of the king, but those weren’t the kind of people I’d want to take with me anyway.
A short while later, I was walking toward Elrin’s house where the Elder Council was waiting for me. I’d summoned them together to discuss the final tasks I needed to accomplish before beginning my new quest. We’d made some decisions during the last meeting that I wanted to follow up on, and I also wanted to make sure all the leaders of my little town were on the same page before I left again.
The Elder Council had done a fine job of handling things so far, and I had total faith in their ability to run Bastianville exactly the way I wanted.
I carried the new, updated map Sir Cristoff had given me clenched in my fist as I trotted up the steps of Elrin’s house, and I knocked on the door while simultaneously pushing it open. I knew they were all waiting for me inside, so it was merely a matter of habit to knock before I entered. The members of the Council sat around the large dining room table when I arrived, and they greeted me in their typical, unique ways.
Jax clasped my forearm, Torya squeezed me into a matronly hug, Caelia curtsied with a blush, Theodora’s lip twitched into a smirk, and Elrin bowed his head.
After the formalities had been completed, and we’d all returned to our seats, I cleared my throat to get the room’s attention.
“I will be leaving on a new quest in a few days,” I informed them. “I’ve been summoned back to Vallenwood to the king’s palace for a summit of nobility.”
“I see.” Elrin steepled his fingers and rested them against his lips. “No rest for the immortal, I suppose.”
“Being a god is a full-time job,” I quipped. “But more importantly, there are some things we need to finalize before I leave.”
“The shopkeepers have all added to the list of available job openings,” Caelia piped up in a barely audible voice.
“Very good.” I nodded. “Jax, did you write up a request for military volunteers?”
“Aye,” the blacksmith said. “Several lads around town have recently joined the militia, but I also wrote up a bit about joining our army in the announcement yer sendin’ out.”
“Perfect.” I grinned. “It will take some time for the word to spread, but I will also do my part to find recruits in Vallenwood. I’ll be pretty busy with the summit, I’m sure, but I can always make time to talk to some people in the city.”
“We’ll have a fine army soon enough, Bash,” Jax assured me with a sage nod.
“This will be a good opportunity for you to check in on Carleone and Ivywood,” Elrin pointed out. “They will be pleased to hear of your plans to build an army to help protect them with.”
“I’ll be sure to pass through and make an appearance,” I told the mayor of Bastianville with a smile. “Speaking of my other holdings, I received an updated map of Sorreyal. I have a couple of questions for you about it, if you guys don’t mind?”
“Please,” Elrin said as he inclined his head.
“Okay.” I nodded, and then I moved around to his side of the table before I spread the map out across the surface of the dining room table.
Sketched across the parchment were squiggly lines and tiny printed words. Mountains, grasslands, trees, and rivers were painted on in color, and dotted lines divided the map into multiple territories.
It was a work of art, and obviously hand-drawn, and I wondered how many copies of this new map existed.
At the heart of Sorreyal laid Vallenwood, the home of the king’s palace. In the north was Arginold’s lands, to the east was the Duchess of Mistvale’s territory, and Edinburg’s area was situated to the south. Castle Bullard laid to the west of Vallenwood, with Bastianville beyond that closer to the boundary of the kingdom.
Outside of Sorreyal were areas covered in faded gray, and I pointed to them first as I shot Elrin a questioning glance.
“What are these places?” I asked as I indicated the edges of Sorreyal.
One corner of the map looked like a coastal region, while another was covered in desert, and the other two sides held mountains and forests.
“Beyond Bastianville is the Wild Lands of the South,” Elrin explained as his finger tapped against an area covered in painted gray trees. Then his digit slid across the parchment to the desert area. “This is the Kotar desert. Your shield maiden, Mahini, was born there, yes?”
“That’s right,” I confirmed.
“On the northern boundary lies a vast ocean,” Caelia practically whispered.
“What was that?” My head swiveled to the beautiful shopkeeper, but she merely blushed and sat frozen in place with her eyes locked onto the tab
le’s surface. “Caelia? Did you say something.”
“I-I…” Finally, she brought her soft brown eyes up to meet my gaze, and the determination in them surprised me. She took a deep breath and released it before she spoke again, but this time her voice was clear and firm. “I’ve heard stories about the great ocean far to the north past Mistvale Castle. There are said to be beasts big enough to swallow a ship whole lurking in the endless waters.”
“Don’t forget the stories of the sea people,” Torya added with a giggle. “The half-human monsters who can breathe beneath the waves.”
Holy shit. Mermaids existed in this world? How awesome was that.
“Are they good people or bad people?” I arched an eyebrow. “Pirates or mermaids?”
“I am not sure what you mean.” The innkeeper shrugged, and her generous bosom heaved from the motion. She caught my wandering eye, and a blush leapt to her cherub-like cheeks.
“I suppose I shall just have to find out for myself someday,” I chuckled. “I didn’t realize there was so much more than just Sorreyal in this world…”
“There are more kingdoms beyond the desert,” Elrin explained, and I could see his patriotism in the proud way he held his shoulders as he talked. “But roving warlords hold power in the Wild Lands. Sorreyal is the most civilized of the more populated kingdoms, though.”
“It sounds like there is still a lot for me to explore and conquer.” I rubbed my hands together as I thought about the endless potential for adventure, and sources of new skills, that now laid before me.
Jaxtom hadn’t spoken up during our discussion of the map, and I turned to shoot him a questioning glance.
“What do you think, Jax?” I asked with a wide grin. “What direction should I go in first?”
“I ain’t one to tell ye what to do.” The blacksmith shook his head, and he crossed his thick arms across his chest. “I haven’t been outside of the kingdom before, ye know.”
I wondered if the blacksmith was embarrassed by his lack of traveling experience, and I made a mental note to ease his concerns in some way.
“What else can we do to help prepare you for the upcoming journey?” Theodora asked, and the conversation returned to my new quest.
“I think that covers everything.” I rolled up the map. “The job postings will have even more people flocking to Bastianville, so be prepared for a heavy influx of travel. Torya, are you fully stocked?”
“I am.” The innkeeper nodded. “I’ve been going through food faster than I can cook it, but I am pleased so many people are enjoying my meals. I’ve been working directly with Gerulf to supply my pantry, though, so I’m in good hands.”
I nodded in approval, and then I turned to Caelia, but the timid beauty looked down at the table when my eyes fell on her.
“Miss Stone?” I asked in a soft voice. “How are you doing on supplies?”
“I… I have been able to keep my shelves stocked,” she murmured without looking up.
“Cool.” I smirked.
I’d get the dark-skinned beauty to open up and feel more comfortable with me soon enough, but I was playing a long game with the general store owner. I could see the badass woman beneath the timid exterior, and I ached to pull her out.
Like a turtle hiding in its shell, I’d have to lay out a trail of berries to tempt the real Caelia Stone out.
“Oh, yeah, one other thing,” I said as I turned back to Elrin. “I need to take an entourage with me to Vallenwood. I was thinking ten people would suffice. Maybe one or two more. Any suggestions?”
Elrin and Jaxtom exchanged a look, and then the mayor shrugged his shoulders.
“That would be a decision you would have to make for yourself, Great One.” Elrin shook his head and gave me an apologetic smile. “I’m sure you could have your pick of the entire town, if you wanted to.”
“Hmm…” His words struck a chord with me, and an idea crossed my mind. “That’s not a bad idea. Will you make an announcement for me? Have anyone who wants to go with me gather in the town square, and then I will pick from whoever shows up.”
“I’m not sure you realize how many people want to follow you on your adventures,” Elrin argued with a furrowed brow. “The entire town will show up.”
“You really think so?” I frowned as I thought this over.
What would I do if the entire town wanted to go with me? I supposed I’d just have to wait and see who showed up.
“I do.” Elrin nodded. “When would you want the people to come?”
“Is there still enough time to announce it today and have anyone who wants to show up in the morning?” I tapped a finger against my lips. “That would give me two days to organize horses and supplies for everyone.”
“Tomorrow morning it is.” The Mayor of Bastianville smiled warmly at me. “But be warned. The news will draw quite the crowd.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” I laughed.
Jax had a thoughtful frown on his face, and I shot him a questioning glance, but he merely shook his head when I caught his attention.
I’d have to check in with the blacksmith in private later, but for now I let his odd silence go.
“I think that wraps up everything we needed to discuss,” I said as I rubbed my hands together. “I’ll be in the town square in the morning.”
“Very well, Great One.” Elrin inclined his head. “I hope you get a chance to rest some before your journey.”
“Oh, I always sleep great,” I informed my wife’s father with a wide smile.
I said my goodbyes to the rest of the Elder Council, and then I left Elrin’s house and headed home. It was early evening at this point, and the sun shot brilliant orange and purple rays across the western horizon. On the eastern edge of the sky, the moon had just begun to peek its head out, and the combination of both celestial orbs present at one time was breathtaking.
The windows of my house were brightly illuminated when I approached, and a grin spread across my face as I pictured the three beautiful ladies waiting for me inside.
I was one lucky man.
I hurried up the steps, pushed open the front door, and then closed it behind me. Candles were lit in the hallway leading away from the entrance, and laughter trickled down the corridor from the living room. A meaty aroma lingered in the air, and my mouth watered at the scent.
Meat.
My smile grew even wider, and I rushed to join my women. They were all lounging on the couch when I entered the room, and my fiery-haired wife sprung up when she saw me.
“There you are!” she greeted with bright red cheeks and a brilliant smile. “I missed you so much!”
Then she flung herself into my arms, and I laughed as I swung her around in a circle. I planted her on her feet before I kissed her forehead, and in the next moment my wife had been replaced by the duke’s daughter.
“How was your meeting?” Eva asked with adoration in her gray eyes as she tilted back her head to gaze up at me. “Did everything go as planned?”
“Absolutely.” I nodded. “And now I am back with you three, so I am one happy man.”
“We are pleased you have returned as well,” Mahini said, and her ice-blue eyes glittered as she sauntered over to slip into my arms as Eva stepped away. Her lips grazed against mine in the softest tease of a kiss, and she flashed me a mischievous wink before she returned to the couch.
“Are you ready for dinner, husband?” Elissa asked as she straightened the skirt of her yellow dress. “We were waiting for you to return before we ate.”
“Sure.” I grinned, and then I turned toward the kitchen. “I thought I smelled something delicious when I first came in.”
“It’s a roast lamb,” Mahini informed me in a proud tone.
“Just like Racine had for his last supper.” Eva smirked as she crossed her arms. “We thought it was a fitting meal for us.”
“Just as long as it’s not burnt,” I said with an arched eyebrow, and Elissa burst into giggles.
&nb
sp; My wife had been present when I’d interfered with Arginold’s court wizard’s dinner. It had been pivotal to my deadly scheme to burn the wizard’s dinner, and I’d gone through multiple respawns in an effort to get the timing of the burnt food correct. It had been well worth the effort, and in the end, a thing as simple as burnt lamb had led to Racine’s death at his boss’ hand.
I’d have to utilize all my sleuthing skills to maneuver the next stage of my journey, though, and the thought sent an excited shiver down my spine.
We all headed into the kitchen to sit around the small table to eat our dinners, and the rest of the evening was filled with laughter, delicious food prepared by amazing women, and talk of our future.
It was a glimpse at what the rest of my life would look like, and I couldn’t be happier.
I woke up early the next day, dressed in casual but comfortable clothes, and gently nudged the three women awake. Mahini’s blue eyes snapped open with decisive clarity, but Elissa and Eva were slow to rouse. When I reminded them about the meeting in the town square, though, they quickly hopped out of bed and got ready for the day.
Mahini wore knee high brown boots, brown leather breeches, a white lace up shirt, and a leather corset that squeezed her breasts into twin mounds of delight.
Eva was wearing a simple white cotton dress that fell to her knees with a black corset that accentuated the curves of her hips, and she’d added matching leather thigh-high boots, but I had a feeling the blonde bombshell was fully armed beneath the deceptive innocence of her attire.
My wife glowed in a moss-green sundress that revealed her freckled shoulders, and she wore her flame-colored locks tied back into a braided crown that ringed the top of her head.
“You’re all so gorgeous,” I breathed, and I was sure my eyes were exploding with cartoon hearts. “Did it hurt?”
“Did what hurt?” Mahini asked with a worried frown. “I believe we are all uninjured, Great One.”
“When you fell from heaven,” I said, and I burst into laughter when I was met with only blank stares. “Alright, alright, too cheesy?”
“I like cheese,” Elissa said. “But what does that have to do with heaven?”