“Amazing, can I go next?” Laurina asked grabbing for one of the bottles of Appearance Change Gel’s as she said this.
Blocking her grabby hands Dante stepped in the way “I have a particular role for each of us so you will have to change your appearance accordingly.”
Pouting Laurina nodded. “Makes sense I guess. What do I need to do?”
After a few hours of slight adjustments to each facade Dante was pleased with how they looked. With some elocution practice Dante was even able to get Laurina and Terrance to sound like royalty and was pleased with their practiced demeanor. Erchik was not as happy about his slave disguise and having to simply nod or shake his head while keeping his eyes down pretending to be nothing more than a slave but he knew he would have to fill the role if he was going to be able to join the group at the party.
With a devilish smile Erchik said aloud “Next time I get to be a prince and you three get to be the slaves.” Which elicited laughs from everyone who politely agreed to his boisterous proclamation.
Waiting quietly the maid Dante had sent out with a list stepped forward. “Your requests have been filled and a carriage awaits you outside to take you to the Manor.” Bowing and stepping aside to let them by.
Nodding Dante directed his party to follow and as the maid had said there was a carriage waiting for them. It was simple and though it had a door there was no way to see inside. Describing it as discrete and plain would easily summarize its outward appearance.
“All aboard!” Dante announced to his group before opening the door and slipping into the dark insides of the carriage with the others following suite.
Thirty minutes later the carriage came to a stop and the door was opened with a doorman standing there waiting for them to step out. As they did he announced “The manor is yours per your request your Royal Highness Prince Randol. Your letter to her Majesty the Queen will be sent hence your arrival as well” bowing and directing them towards the front door which had a green and gold carpeted path leading into it and a servant holding each golden door open for the group.
“Very good” Dante replied. “I would like to keep my imp slave in the Groomsmen quarters off of mine for personal requests. My brother Folmar's quarters will be in the suite adjacent to mine while my beloved Lyre’s room will be just down the hall correct?”
“As you requested sire” in a monotone voice the man responded.
Nodding and offering a hand to Laurina, Dante helped her out of the carriage pleased to see that the others were falling into their roles. “Lady Lyre, I know it has been a long journey so I would humbly request you join my brother and I in my suite to partake a small evening meal before we all adjourn for the evening.”
A dainty nod and a light voiced “Of course my beloved prince, I would be most pleased to join you and your brother. Might we have the servants of the manor bring up the food for Grul to serve us? I would rather not deal with too many unfamiliar faces until tomorrow evening. I fear it will wear on me.”
Giving her a haughty laugh and a wink at the witty choice Dante answered “Of course my love, anything you wish” before leading her in by the hand with Terrance behind them and Erchik taking up the rear keeping his eyes to the ground the whole time.
Following instructions the group was left alone in Dante’s suite where as soon as the door closed behind the last servant everyone inside the suite let out a big sigh followed by a bout of laughter. They ate and discussed how they would proceed and the specific instructions left by Dante to allow only Erchik now known as Grul to be the only one allowed to wake them up in the morning so that they could all sleep comfortably. Plans set and everyone well fed and tired from a long day or royal practice they all headed to bed. Laurina to her own suite and Erchik to his adjacent room with Dante and Terrance snuggled comfortably together in the overly large and fluffy bed.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 38.61
Attack Power:174
Defense Power:413
Health:1866/1866
Mana:1264/1264
Stamina:1249/1249
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +5
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+17 Leather Gloves of Chaos +250 Mana/Stamina, +22 to evasion
Shoes
+18 Leather Shoes of Chaos +250 stamina, +87 to evasion
Set effects:
2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed
3 Pieces: +1 to critical hit
Full set: +1 to movement speed, and +40 to Attack
L Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Evasive Blade Stance
Lashing Chaos
Burst of Chaotic Blades
Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:35.06
Attack Power:144
Defense Power:357
Health:2212/2212
Stamina:1262/1262
Attack Speed +4
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +5
Erchik: Crossbowman
Level:35.22
Attack Power:151
Defense Power:242
Health:1591/1591
Stamina:914/914
Attack Speed +3
Casting Speed +0
Critical Hit +3
Movement Speed +2
Laurina: Healer
Level:32.14
Attack Power:114
Defense Power:207
Health:1284/1284
Mana: 878/878
Stamina: 512/512
Attack Speed +1
Casting Speed +3
Critical Hit +1
Movement Speed +1
Chapter Thirty-Two
Terrance and Dante woke to the smell of strong coffee and cinnamon the next morning as Erchik greeted them with a friendly smile. “Morning boys, I had to get you up earlier then you would have hoped because the house servants were about to barge in and wake you themselves. Tried to explain that elves tended to sleep longer but they wouldn’t hear any of it. Plus I figured if they were gonna wake me up the least I could do is pay the favor forward.” Laughing as Dante scowled before taking the offered cup of steaming hot black coffee.
Sipping on it and sitting up while making sure to keep himself covered Dante nudged Terrance who groaned and took the other coffee with one eye half open and the other still close. Letting out a sigh of relief as he took his first sip of coffee Terrance carefully rolled over with the steaming cup, and stepped out of bed unabashed by his own nudity.
“I’ll take it from here Erchik, if you could wake up Laurina and tell her to get washed up and in here in,” looking over at Terrance’s naked body still standing their sipping on the coffee “in about an hour we can go over the p
lan one more time before we get ready for the party tonight. The invitations should be arriving by lunchtime via royal currier.”
Erchik shook his head and laughed as he walked out pointing to the small table in the center of the room with the two simple padded chairs. “Breakfast is on the table, help yourselves and I will be back just before Laurina arrives to clear it out.”
The two men looked at each other then raced to the table where two freshly baked cinnamon rolls, a still steaming pile of eggs, and what looked like fancy cheese awaited them. Terrance beat Dante by a hair and stuffed one of the rolls in his mouth. It was a bit too much but he worked through it making funny faces at Dante the whole time. Rolling his eyes Dante sat in the chair and slowly devoured a roll and plated himself some of the eggs and cheese.
Once they were done eating they went into the joined bathroom between their rooms which already had a bath drawn for each of them with clothes set out. Dante reminded Terrance to grab their clothes with the Shadow Cloak attached to them to put on after the bath. Not wanting their names to display he had already come up with an excuse as to why they never wore any other outfits while they spent their time in the manor. He’d told Erchik that if anyone asked to simply say that Elven law dictated that they had to use the same attire for their entire stay in foreign lands so that they would not sully any others in the meantime. Giving Erchik free reign as to what nonsense he could add to that explanation should the time need arise.
Taking an extended and personally intimate bath together soaking at first then working together to wash away the worry of the night to come they emerged from the bathroom fully dressed and ready for the day just as the doors to the room opened with servants holding them wide allowing Laurina walked in with her gown on though it seemed to have grown in width. Her face covered in a gray goop and hair up in a silky white towel.
Once the doors were securely closed behind her she huffed. “Apparently I am to spend the next several hours preparing for this party. Everyone in the manor is talking about it though quietly, since we are the first elves to show our faces in these parts in nearly two hundred years they expect it to be a rather large spectacle.” Giggling as she said ‘elves’ knowing full well she was anything but.
Sitting down at the small table they went over the plans until they were interrupted by a knock on the door followed by the male servant from the night before announcing “A message has arrived from her royal Majesty Queen Cynthia Keswick” after which he proceeded to open the doors behind him letting in a scrawny man in black and silver livery who knelt down bowing his head deeply and waiting for permission to speak.
Once Dante nodded accent the man who was ever so slightly looking in their direct bellowed “Her royal Majesty Queen Cynthia Keswick, first of her name, invites their royal Highnesses the Sylfaren Princes and their guest Lady Lyre to attend the ball to be thrown in their honor this night.” Standing and bowing again while awaiting the reply.
Speaking clearly and with a touch or surprise Dante answered “You may inform the Queen that we would be delighted to see her and wish a private audience with her after the festivities if she would permit it. If she does we ask that it be submitted in written form as would be tradition in our lands.” Dante’s words rang with finality and dismissal as he sat down and waved Erchik off to fetch their lunch.
After the servants left and Erchik returned with food he gave Dante an odd look asking “Are you sure you’re not a wizard? You predicted that perfectly.”
Dante laughed and shook his head helping himself to some of the roasted chicken. “No I am not a wizard I have just read enough books and seen enough plays with royalty depicted that I have a feeling for how they might act. The only part I cannot be sure about is whether or not we will get that private audience. That part will honestly be up to her alone. Though I suspect that with her being the Enchantress and all she will want a private audience so that she could cast a spell or something to bend us to her will and wheedle her way into the elven lands.”
Laurina nodded. “Makes sense, at this point we can only hope you are right about that last bit. It will be a fun surprise when she finds out we are there to end her reign.”
Before long Erchik was sent in with a small crew of female servants who ushered Laurina away to finish getting ready for the evening's festivities. She tried to argue and make excuses but in the end she lost to a rather tough looking redheaded older maid who informed her in no uncertain terms that though she was royalty in her lands that she must follow some of the etiquette of these lands and be properly prepared for an audience with the Queen.
Not having the same rules in the human lands for men they lounged about letting Erchik seem to run errands and make an appearance outside Dante’s quarters every once in a while to keep up the appearance of him being a slave. Small tasks like picking up a proper gift to present to the Queen, making sure the correct carriage of royal elven design was set to take them to the palace, and checking on Laurina from time to time to see when she would be done with her preparations. Dante was not too surprised to find out from Erchik that Laurina was being taught the names and faces of every important person of court and quizzed on it. He’d seen movies and shows where situations like that were common place among visiting royals.
Just as dusk began to set in the doors to the chamber opened to reveal Laurina whose costume now had added bows and beads of crystal along with pearls adorning it. Her hair was up is a tangle of curls with yet more bows that seemed to hold it in place, paired with crystal beads, and pearls strategically placed to pull the whole look together. Makeup was lightly adorning her face, giving her cheeks a rosier tint and her lips a light plum shade with eye shadow to match. Finishing the look was a simple cat’s eye outline of her eyes in black eyeliner.
Quickly dismissing the servants and waiting for the boys to quit their laughter once the doors were shut she stomped over and smacked all three before saying in a hushed tone “I know the names of every single member of court. If we are to survive the night I suggest you both stick close to me tonight or I will make a fool of you every chance I get.” Staring daggers at each one in turn making sure they did not so much as snicker as she struggled to sit down in the now oversized gown.
Wanting to lighten the mood Dante went over to a large chest and began digging out items and setting them out on the table. He’d had the maid procure upgrades for his group especially Laurina who was using simple hand-me-down items from the priests at the Crimson Abbey. With their Shadow Cloak’s on any items they had on were hidden by the costumes including their weapons so Dante felt like now was the right time to get everyone properly kitted out for the battle to come.
Each person donned their new items without a word. Their stats increased though by how much only they would know until either they took off their Shadow Cloak’s. Dante had set aside a good chunk of money for just updates and a specific list for the maid to follow with contingencies in case the first, second, third, fourth and so on choices for each item were not available. In all he got about half the first and second choices but he knew that their group just gained a great deal of power and that they would be putting it to use shortly.
Night settled and the servants led them out to the carriage which per Dante’s request was of elven design. Knowing he paid a large some for the maid to procure this item off the auction house he helped Laurina into her seat before sitting across from her with Terrance sitting next to him and Erchick taking the small seat on the back of the wagon outside. Not long after they took off they could see the lights of the castle ahead and each member of their group took a breath in anticipation for what was to come.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 38.61
Attack Power:214
Defense Power:427
Health:1891/1891
Mana:1264/1264
Stamina:1274/1274
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Mov
ement Speed +5
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+17 Leather Gloves of Chaos +250 Mana/Stamina, +22 to evasion
Shoes
+18 Leather Shoes of Chaos +250 stamina, +87 to evasion
Set effects:
2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed
3 Pieces: +1 to critical hit
Full set: +1 to movement speed, and +40 to Attack
L Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
R Earring slot +10 Earring of Health +25 Health, +8 Attack, +10 Accuracy
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot +10 Ring of Stamina +25 Stamina, +8 Attack, +10 Evasion
Necklace slot +12 Assassins Necklace +10 Attack, +6 Defense, +6 Evasion
Belt slot +13 Snakeskin Belt +14 Attack, +10 Accuracy
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
From the Beginning Page 19