by Eden Redd
“This will do,” Leeta said simply before looking to the dwarf again. “Was there something you needed done for such a fine weapon?”
Dumadin nodded. “Aye lass,” the dwarf said and pointed to a large tarp in the middle of the workshop.
“I need you to lift a few things into place, if you don’t mind.”
Leeta walked over to the large thing. Lifting an edge, she saw something golden underneath and the words “Faye’s G.” carved into it before Dumadin rushed over and pulled it down.
“Now now, lass, no need to spoil the surprises,” the dwarf grinned.
Leeta stepped back, “You do have a thing for Lady Riverwood.”
The dwarf’s smile faded a little, “Aye that much is certain, but no need to go telling everyone. Discretion is needed for now.”
“She has feelings for Edric. I’ve seen it when she looks at him,” Leeta said flatly.
Dumadin turned and stepped to a workbench, “Aye, the ladies of Elora have a thing for the lord of Elora. It’s fine if they wish to be with him. It doesn’t change what I feel or make it any less valid.”
Leeta’s brow softened, a cold breeze touching her heart. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
Dumadin cut her off. “It’s fine lass. Don’t beat yourself up over nothing.”
The dwarf pulled out a big wrench and several fist sized bolts, his back still to the beautiful ogre. “Sob stories are a dime a dozen here in Lukken. I’m happy I could serve as a courtesan for Elora. It gave me a sense of purpose once again after wandering from place to place, no home to call my own.”
The dwarf pulled out a few more tools and placed them on a workbench. “When I had a home, I was one of the chosen few who would venture above ground to scout out areas. There weren’t many of us because no dwarf likes wide open spaces. I hated it at first, spending my time wandering, creating crude maps and writing down what I found.”
Leeta’s eyes stayed on the dwarf as he continued to pull out materials, heaviness in her heart as the workshop took on a gloom.
“Color me blind when I came across a small hidden pond and the most beautiful elf I had ever seen bathing naked. She didn’t see me but I was trapped by her beauty. You must understand; my people don’t like anyone else but dwarves. The other races can go fuck themselves sideways for the only true beauty is a dwarf in a mine.”
Dumadin slowed down picking up items, “Her name was Thenna. She bathed regularly in that pond. We would have never met if I never snapped that twig from trying to get a better look. She spotted me and to my surprise, didn’t run.”
Dumadin let out a laugh, “She didn’t even cover up. She called me over and asked me questions. Being the naïve fool that I was, I talked to her. She was such a free spirit, telling me about her people and asking about mine. It was nice to have someone talking with me than just shouting orders. We made it a point to meet again and we did. Several meetings later, I was bathing naked with her. A dwarf and an elf; what a site we must have been.”
The dwarf’s head lowered. “We talked about the strict rules of our people and how we wished for something better. She liked the pond to bath in because it was a quiet place of solace from her town. I found myself enjoying the outside world and started to question the motives of my kin, with their talk of no dwarf belonging above ground.”
“Love makes you do strange things,” the dwarf said in a low tone.
“We were going to run away together. I had my pack ready and I set out, kissing the mountain I called home goodbye. Never had my heart felt so light…until I reached the pond.”
Leeta’s gaze held sorrow as Dumadin pressed his thick hands to the workbench.
“Her people must have found out somehow. Her body was in the pond; her head perched on a rock. They left a note saying, ‘Those who break the laws will never repeat it.’ I believe her people came and did the deed but I will never be sure.”
The dwarf’s shoulders trembled for a moment before they firmed up. “Leeta, you may not understand this next part. I know when we die, we shatter into bits. I’ve seen it time and time again. I have asked myself, why didn’t she just shatter like the rest? Why was there a body in the pond? How could I pull it from the water, burying her with her head before leaving and wandering all of Lukken? I can’t answer any of it. I can only assume Thenna was never real, a story placed in my head. If she was never real, why do I still hurt to this day?”
Dumadin let out a long exhale. “Faye reminds me of Thenna in some ways. I cannot resist my feelings and I won’t even try. The wood elf is an immortal and I’m just a dwarf in some strange world but I chose to help the kingdom of Elora and I will do it to my dying breath.”
The dwarf turned with the wrench in one hand and bolts in the other, a wide smile peeking out from his thick beard.
“So, let’s put that strength of yours to work so we can make sure Elora live to see another day.”
Eleven
Birdsong floated in on the morning breeze. Edric’s eyes fluttered open as soreness rose with the waking tide of his body. The summoner lifted his head slightly, taking in his surroundings when he noticed the weight on his body. Arms, legs and bodies tangled on and against him. Loving warmth curled around his extremities while a face snuggled to his chest. Edric looked down at Faye, her hand and cheek resting on his chest. The gentle rise of his chest caused the wood elf to snuggle closer.
Rayna was on her back next to the summoner, her body neatly folded against his. Eyes closed, she slept on while Claudia nestled against her, mouth open and a string of clear drool dripping onto the bard’s chest. Seeing them all together like this caused the summoner’s heart to soar. Basking in their warmth, he lay silently as morning sunlight filled the chamber with subdued light. The curtains cut down the brightness and the ladies of Elora slept on while the lord thought about the events of their night together.
Edric found himself smiling as he remembered the four of them caught in a tug of war of passionate desires. He lost track of time after a long while and soon one by one, they passed out from blissful exhaustion. Rayna was first to go, falling into the sleep’s embrace. Faye was next as she fell to the side, slipping off and passing out. Claudia on the other hand could not be satiated. Edric blinked in the morning light as he remembered the lancer had finally let the floodgates open and couldn’t stop her hungry desires. Sometime later, Edric was next to pass out and only assumed Claudia must have followed; the last one to finally fall to Morpheus’s song.
Letting out a long, soothing exhale, the summoner remained still. Not long after, alerts scrolled across his vision and he eagerly drank in the new information.
You have attained, “A Lover’s Understanding”! You gain +5 HP, +2 Wis, +2 Sta and +2 Cha.
You have attained, “Joining of Hearts”! You gain, +10 Mana, +2 Cha, +5 Charm, +5 Snare and +3 Spell Casting.
You have attained, “Open to Knowledge”! You gain Summon Elemental spell!
You have attained, “A Lord’s Work is Never Done”! You gain, +5 Rune Craft, +5 Gem Craft, +2 Melee and +25 to Leeta’s HP.
Edric pulled up his character sheet and looked at the numbers.
Edric Temple
Summoner
Hit Points- 140/140
Mana- 230/230
Armor- 5
Strength-20(+3)
Intelligence- 32(+7)
Wisdom- 28(+5)
Dexterity- 25(+4)
Stamina- 33(+7)
Charisma- 45(+10)
Spell Abilities
Charm- 50
Snare- 45
Channel- (+STR/HP/DEX)
Lock Stones (1)
Leeta (Ogre)- HP-300/300
Spells
Summoning Spell- 10 Mana
Summon Demon Spell- 2o Mana
Summon Angel Spell- 40 Mana
Summon Elemental- 25 Mana
Light Spell- 5 Mana
Mana Shield- 1 Mana for 2 points of Protection
Primary Skills
Spell Casting- 65
Spell Craft- 36
Gem Craft- 36
Rune Craft- 27
Enchantment- 20
Melee- 40
Wilderness Lore- 23
Equipment
Lightning Whip- 10 to 15 damage
Whip Gem Slot-Lightning damage 10% Stun
Whip Gem Slot- Power Surge, Extra 20 to 50 Damage
Dark Green Robe- 5 Armor
Healing Potions (6)- Heal 50 HP
The summoner checked his attribute numbers and received no extra bonuses but he was close to the next tier. Spell casting and skills received a boost and he liked the HP boost to Leeta. The Summon Elemental spell was the real prize. The player often dreamed of when he would acquire the spell. Using the elementals to shape the city had piqued his interest and his mind worked on how they could be used in battle. Now that he had the proper spell, he felt he had a better chance in a fight.
Thoughts shifted to the armies that may be moving. The war was coming to Elora’s doorstep and despite the extra spells and bonuses; it still might not be enough to sway their side to victory. The summoner’s eyes narrowed and he mentally swiped the stats away. No matter what was on the horizon, Edric knew deep down they would fight to the last moment.
Edric looked to the beautiful women surrounding him and a happy thought filled his clear mind. Whispering arcane words, the summoner tried not to laugh. When the incantation finished, mana surged into a thin barrier. The player grinned as Faye was slightly lifted from his chest, her face and hand resting on his mana shield. Rayna was gently pushed a few inches away. Edric crawled back, Faye and Rayna sliding along the smooth mana shield. Edric took hold of the wood elf and gently laid her to the bed before slipping away and onto the cool floor. Hand touching his chest, robe, boots and satchel appeared over his naked body. Taking one last long look at the sleeping beauties, the summoner turned and made his way to the door.
Exiting the chamber, Edric was light as a feather as he made his way down the hall and to the stairs. Months of frustrations all bled away as he whistled to himself. Descending to a lower floor, the thought grew in his mind. War was inevitable but a nice breakfast might be just the thing to help keep morale high.
The lord of Elora stepped to the kitchens. Servants and cooks were busy with preparations when they turned their eyes to Edric as he waltzed in. Activity stopped as they stared blankly, unsure what the lord was doing down in the kitchen.
“Clear the kitchen and see to other duties,” Edric smiled. “I need the kitchen for an hour.”
A moment later, the cooks and servants vacated the kitchen. Edric whistled as he made his way over to the pantry and started to gather supplies. Memories of home clouded his happy mind as he remembered making Sunday pancakes. It was the one time of the week where the family took turns cooking breakfast. Pancakes were the favorite and Edric prided his flapjack skills.
Supplies in hand, he made his way to the wood and stone island and dumped everything he needed. Tapping at the air, a 2D screen appeared. The summoner swiped from left to right, looking at different recipes until he found one used by a local chef in Elora. Keeping the recipe up, Edric set himself to task.
Fifteen minutes later and white powder on his cheek, the summoner was flipping pancakes in an iron pan. To his right, on a table, a large empty plate waited. Soon thick pancakes were tossed one after the other, the stack getting higher. Edric at first thought he was making too much but he remembered Leeta and knew he had to use every bit of pancake mix.
The summoner sighed, missing his tall and beautiful ogre when a shadow entered the gray kitchen. Edric looked over, pan in hand. Eyes widening, he couldn’t keep the look of shock from his brow as Juna stepped in. The half-troll in white and leather armor stepped closer with a small smile on her lips.
Edric lost his concentration. Flipping the pan up too hard, the pancake went flying into the air. The trajectory was off and it reached the apex of its flight before falling to toward the kitchen floor. Juna was a blur, appearing below it, napkin on her open hand. Catching the pancake, she slipped it onto the warm stack in under a second.
Edric stood with the empty pan in his hand, frozen in awe of her speed and dexterity.
“You have some powder on your cheek,” Juna said and wiped it away with light blue fingers.
A dark cloud appeared over the summoner as he tilted his head forward, placing the pan on the counter. “I…I thought you would be gone.”
Juna eyed him, maintaining her small smile. “That is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Where’s Jinn?” Edric blurted out.
“He’s in the hallway, waiting for me. Don’t worry; he said he isn’t leaving my side.”
Edric became silent. The swirl of rampaging butterflies in his stomach turned his entire spirit into knots. Heart sinking, he wanted her to go and tried to put her out of his mind. Now, she stood before him, gentle strength signaling that she wasn’t going anywhere.
“I know what you said before was for my protection but it…hurt my feelings,” Juna’s eyes took on a sad edge.
Shadows covered Edric’s eyes as he remained tight lipped.
Juna leaned against the island counter, eyes looking down. “It surprised me when you told me to leave. I couldn’t understand why until I thought about it a little longer. When I was nothing more than a spirit floating around the keep, I saw in your quiet moments, a pain circling your heart. I saw the same pain when you told me to leave.”
Edric’s heart hardened. “You know so much more about me then I know about you. You had time to see me at my most vulnerable but I know next to nothing about you. There is some kind of connection there but it would be better if we never explored it, for both our sakes.”
Juna’s eyes remained steady as her digital heart cracked. “Now that I’m here, we can truly get to know one another.”
The summoner shook his head. “No, we can’t. You’re a digital AI. You may be awakened but there is a chance you can be killed again. That is why you can’t stay here. I can come back. My fellow rulers can come back if we die. If you die, you might not come back. You and your father should leave, for your own safety. Jinn can protect you a lot better than I can. Go to your mother. When this is all over, maybe we can come up with a solution but for now, your life is in danger.”
Juna’s eyes trembled for a moment before they smoothed into peaceful understanding. “You may not want me here but I’m telling you, I’m staying. Elora will need every one of us for the battles ahead.”
The half-troll bowed forward to hide her eyes, “With respect, I must decline your command, Lord Temple.”
Edric stared at the half-troll. The pain surfaced like a whale breaching. Images of Elora stabbed at him like shards of glass. It was one thing to love another player but it was entirely something else to fall for an NPC. Edric knew he couldn’t endure something like that again. The knowledge had sunk deep into his spirit. The natural desire and attraction to powerful women called out to him. The player could not deny the allure of Juna’s strength, skill and beauty. With a heart big enough to hold many doors of love, he didn’t want to open that door again to another NPC. Leeta could never truly die as long as he had her lock stone. Faye, Claudia and Rayna were players and could always return but Juna was an anomaly. He had no idea if she could come back from the dead like she did before. It took a year for her to gather enough strength to return and she still needed a kiss to wake up. The thought haunted him, not sure if he was strong enough to be there again to wake her.
Juna stood at attention. “I will defend the Kingdom of Elora until I deem it safe enough for me to journey to the west.”
The half-troll turned and marched toward the door.
Edric’s fingers curled into a fist before he called out. “Juna, wait!”
The half-troll stood at the doorway, turning her head slightly but not looking at Edric.
“The kingdom of Elora may not survive,” Edric
said with a desperate edge.
Juna’s smile returned. “My faith in you, Lady Riverwood, Lady Discord and Lady Pearl says it will. Enjoy breaking your fast. I look forward to our victory.”
Juna stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Edric stared at the door, the internal storm flashing with regret, sadness and a dash of courage. The summoner hated himself but felt the pang of hope knowing the mystical half-troll was staying to fight at their side.
Tension bleeding from his shoulders, Edric looked to the pile of pancakes. Pushing away the doubt swirling within, he lifted the plate and moved toward the door leading to the dining hall, a new song filling his heart.
***
Sekka sat in a deep chair, staring out from the balcony. The succubus yawned as she watched the sun rise from the east. Naked and legs parted, she had worked herself into a frenzy of self-love as she listened to the lord and ladies of Elora pleasuring each other. Wet thighs gleamed in the sunlight as she remembered their cries. Sensitive ears listened to each gasp and moan as they writhed a few levels below her. It took every ounce of her will to not barge in and join in on the fun, something she will not let happen a second time. If they even look at each other with a hint of hunger, the naked demon would make an appearance and they wouldn’t be able to say no.
The sun continued its ascent and the tired demon sat up, mind drifting to a much-needed slumber. Standing up, she stretched again when her tired eyes caught a thin shadow in the sky. Arms dropping to her sides, she stepped to the balcony edge and leaned forward. Firm breasts bounced freely as she eyed the shadow. It flapped and soon formed into a black raven.
Sekka watched as it flew down to her and landed on her shoulder. Claws dug gently into the demon’s shoulder and Sekka enjoyed the taste of the pain. Leaning in, the raven brought its beak close to her ear and began to whisper.
Sekka’s tired demeanor melted into a serious mask. Darkness touched her eyes. Standing up once again, the raven flapped into the air. Sekka said nothing as she turned; a small bikini top and bottom slithering over her breasts and demon womanhood. With urgency, she left her room and made her way to the stairs.