“Did you make this all yourself?” Dave asked.
“Well, Quindar used this as her home before we were banished from here. When we were stuck on the other plane, she talked about this place a lot. When we were allowed to leave that alternate plane, we started out toward Opheir immediately.
“We didn’t want to draw attention but with too many delays, Quindar felt herself unable to use her Human form anymore so we rushed to the mountain. Initially, it had a number of mobs and different creatures hiding in it. I cleared them out and Quindar told everyone to leave us alone,” Fornau said.
Straight ahead, there was another small Human-sized doorway that led into an area. Fornau led them through the curving large corridor, deeper and lower in the mountain. It was still a bit chilly but Dave felt the air was warming up slightly.
“What about the mobs and the other creatures? Won’t they come back here?” Suzy asked.
Dave had been having similar thoughts but she beat him to it.
“Ah, you must be a Player—interesting. I’ve never really seen any of you. Many of you tried to kill some of my older ancestors. Some actually succeeded. But that is an old history now,” Fornau said. “To answer your question, once a creature or something makes claim to an area, they have to clear through multiple waves of the various mobs that would be found in the area; then they are able to claim it. That said, if we were to leave, then other creatures could come upon this mountain and make it their home, with Emerilia seeding it once more with different mobs and creatures.”
They got deeper and deeper; the air grew from cold to warm and rather pleasant.
Fornau, Induca, and Malsour talked while Dave looked over the walls and stretched his senses outwards. He was able to create a map of the mountain within his mind as he marveled at the work that it must’ve taken to turn a series of caverns into a truly massive home.
A massive white Dragon looked down at them with her white eyes as she shook herself, rising her head to greet them.
The domed room had a few other massive tunnels leading downward. Otherwise, there was a Human-sized doorway and a few balconies and windows in a structure to the right of the corridor/ramp they had come down.
The biggest feature of the room was a large sandy pit, which the massive Dragon was lying in.
“Hello, Aunty and Uncle. It is good to see you,” Quindar said, a tired but happy smile on her face.
“Well, you’re looking mighty bigger than when I last saw you, little niece!” Induca said.
“Thank you, Aunty.” Quindar snorted.
“These are our friends.” Malsour waved to the others. One by one, they went through their names.
“I did not think that you of all people would be interested in going on an adventure.” Quindar looked at Malsour.
“Well, he couldn’t leave his darling sister behind. Mother would be rather angry with him if he just off and left me with a bunch of strangers,” Induca said, hanging off Malsour’s arm.
Quindar let out a barking laugh as Fornau smiled at the two’s antics.
“We brought some food, though this time I hope you refrain from eating all of the stores,” Malsour said, obviously taking on the elder role.
“I was so hungry and it smelled so good,” Quindar complained.
“Between the laying of your eggs and their hatching, you are at your most vulnerable. We brought a good number of animals with us so you will hopefully not need to go hunting.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Fornau sounded relieved.
Dave could understand. There were plenty of beings who wanted to harm and hurt other creatures. Killing a couple of dragons would go a long way in growing someone’s skills. He didn’t even know the kinds of things that one might be able to sell from a Dragon’s body but he hoped he wouldn’t find out.
“Show them where the cold storage is. I will be fine with Induca and Malsour,” Quindar said.
“Are you sure?” Fornau asked.
“Yes,” Quindar said, sharing a smile with Fornau.
“Very well.”
Quest: Feeding Dragons
You have supplied Quindar and Fornau enough meat for them to look after their new brood without needing to leave their lair.
Reward: Your standing with the dragons of Emerilia has turned from Friendly to Ally
+6,500 EXP
“Pass me your packs,” Dave said.
Malsour and Induca did so without hesitation. Giving someone the ability to take and use their soul-bound satchels was a pretty big show of trust.
“Thanks,” Dave said, knowing that the two of them thought nothing more of it.
Fornau guided them out of the large room and through another one of the tunnels.
“This place is massive. How long did it take you to make it?” Dave asked.
“A few weeks, though I’ve been working on extending it and growing the mountain. We’re going to need more room for the kiddos and it gives me some time away from Quindar when she’s not too happy.” Fornau smiled at the party of six.
“Smart man,” Deia said. The other four women smiled and nodded as Dave gave Fornau a commiserating look.
***
“Well, that is one big ass damn door!” Justin said. A few people rolled their eyes; a few others snorted in amusement. “Do dragons even need doors?”
“Well, do you like to leave your door open all the time?” Wallace asked.
“Depends how warm it is or how many honeys are walking by. Easier than having to open the door for all of them.”
“The only honeys you get around your house are the ones trying to steal your damned game pod, or trying to get back at you for cheating on them,” Helen said.
“Hey, I’m a nice guy once you get to know me!”
“I know you and you aren’t,” Gillie said.
“Well, I think that we should dismount. Let’s get those buffs going and everyone check that you have those potions and weapon classes ready on your hot bar. And Justin?” Bendel looked to the archer as he jumped off his horse.
“Yeah?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Bendel pleaded.
“Ahh, sorry—my Internet connection just went weird. Can’t understand what you said. The oddest thing.” Justin grinned.
“That works with radios and cellphones—not Emerilia, dumbass,” Jocelyn said, dismissing her mountain lion.
“So, what’s the plan, Bend?” Wallace walked up beside Bendel.
“We find the Dragon, kill it, soak in the rewards,” Bendel said.
“How powerful are dragons?” Wallace asked, his voice low.
“No fucking clue, but we’ve got twenty people level 60 to 83.” Bendel shrugged.
“That’s true. Well, I hope like hell that this works,” Wallace said.
“It better. That Light gear stuff is some of the rarest shit around. It’s why the monetary reward was so damned low. Hell, I’d forgo all the other rewards just for a higher chance to get Legendary armor.”
“Damned heavy armor freak!” Wallace chuckled. “You been giving your devotions to the Lady of Light?”
“Always. I think it’s part of why we got this quest. I made sure to give her a bit more today—hope it raises our chances for higher level gear.”
“That whole devotion system is weird. Give some floating blob some power so that they might give you rare quests, gear, and all the rest? Sounds screwy as hell to me.”
“Ahh, you are just not a believer in the great Lady of Light. If you have a few moments, then I would love to tell you more about our great lady.”
“Fuck off, Jehovah,” Wallace deadpanned. He snorted and rolled his shoulders before he hefted up his axe on one shoulder. “Well, how about we go and ask this Dragon if they are interested in hearing more about our great Lady of Light?”
“That’s it! For Christmas, I’m going to send messages to every damned Jehovah’s Witnesses missionary around your home and say that you are having a crisis of faith.”
Wallace winc
ed. “Well, good thing you don’t know where I live.”
“IP trace, fucker!”
“You don’t know how to do that shit.”
“Well, I could find someone who does!” Bendel laughed and shook his head, looking around at everyone. “All right, let’s get a move on!”
People talked as they made their way toward the massive stone door. The heavies moved to the front line. The rogues moved in behind them, the mages and ranger attackers in the rear.
Buffs were applied; different symbols appeared on everyone’s status bars while their bodies were covered in myriad colors. The side panel with the party’s members showed the same symbols under their names.
Thank God I just have to worry about hitting things. Never been one for the support class, watching status bars, thinking of spell combos and all that.
They got to the door. Bendel moved to the door that was within the large gate. He pushed it but it didn’t budge. It felt as though it were part of the door.
“Knock, knock.” Bendel activated different skills, bringing his axe across.
A few chuckled at his words as he slammed his axe into the door.
Cracks ran out for two feet.
Bendel hit again. Others added in their powers, working to break the gate without wasting all their power. It took five minutes and then the gate started to fall apart. Its stone collapsed, making everyone run for cover. The dust settled and people moved back to their original positions.
“Anyone home?” Justin yelled, turning and putting his hand up to his ear to try to hear for anything below ground.
“Well, shit, sounds like they didn’t even hear us knocking. Might as well go inside and check out what’s going on.” Justin grinned.
“Damned circus clown,” Wallace said as they walked over the door now turned to rubble.
“Hey, I’ll let you know that is a very prestigious occupation!”
A roar, inHuman as it was powerful, rushed to meet them.
“Well, seems that someone is home and they’re not too pleased about our being here.” Justin looked at everyone.
Bendel secured his grip on his weapon. He’d be lying if that roar hadn’t just made him a teensy bit anxious about what he was going to face.
Chapter 16: Uninvited Guests
Dave, Deia, and Anna were pulling out the various meats and food that they had caught, putting them onto different racks and cleaning them.
Fornau was also helping out and talking away. It seemed that he was a bit nervous about the fact that Quindar’s laying was coming so soon.
“Really, thank you for all of this. This is great,” Fornau said.
“No worries. Happy to help out.” Dave smiled. He’d gotten a lot better at skinning and cleaning his kills after the elk from a few months ago. He’d been inside Emerilia for nearly ten months now but it felt as if it had been much longer. As if his life as Austin Zane was just a memory of someone else’s life.
There was a cry of pain, distorted and made odd by the sealed room they were in.
“Fornau!” a voice bellowed from below.
Fornau rushed forward, his face pale. Dave was barely able to track the man’s speed.
The rest followed.
“Well, looks like we came just in time for the messy bit,” Induca said.
Quindar gave her an annoyed look but didn’t have the time to say anything as her body shook once again.
“Dave, stay here. Deia, do you have any herbs that might help her out? Induca, you’ve helped with this before—guide her if you need to.” Malsour snapped into action. “Anna, we’re still going to need that meat later. Could you make sure that it isn’t ruined?”
Deia might be the leader of their group but he knew more about this than any of the others, so they snapped to it.
“Sure.” Anna turned and left quickly.
“What do you want me for?” Dave asked, feeling not at all pleased with the situation.
Fornau moved from his Human form into a large green Dragon. He put his neck over Quindar’s, talking to her and comforting her.
“I want you to use your sense to make sure that the eggs are good to go and make sure that Quindar doesn’t get hurt in the process. Might need you to heal her up,” Malsour said.
“Cool. Dragon wet nurse—got it.” Dave shook his head and closed his eyes before he extended his Touch into Quindar.
Extending it into animals that were not magical was kind of difficult. If something even had a glimmer of Mana, then it became a lot harder, their inner strength creating a natural protection, kind of like an organic Faraday cage. The more magic, the more problematic it was to see through it or inside it.
He cranked up the power and focused it as much as possible, getting a faint understanding of what was happening.
“Whoa, there’s four eggs,” Dave said.
“Look at that—only four. Much easier time than Xendai’s brood!” Induca said, trying to stay positive.
Quindar groaned. Apparently, she didn’t like Induca’s positive statements.
“Okay, so it looks like the pointy end is pointing down,” Dave said.
“Good, that’s how we want it,” Induca said.
There was a banging noise from somewhere. Dave didn’t pay it attention as he focused on watching what was happening. Why the hell didn’t he keep this little trick a secret?
Then there was another noise—a number of them.
“What the hell is that?” Dave asked this time, watching Deia give Malsour a bunch of herbs.
Malsour grew into a Dragon, using his front hands to give the herb to Quindar.
“Chew and swallow,” Deia said.
Seems no one is interested.
Dave did something he hadn’t done with his Touch before: he focused on one area with it, right into Quindar’s stomach, letting the rest of his Touch spread out normally.
“Looking good.” Dave’s eyes flickered over Quindar’s belly to check on the eggs there before he looked inside. Something pulled at his senses, as if there was something wrong. It wasn’t in the focused area of the Touch. He searched for the irregularity.
“We have guests, twenty people outside the front goddamned door,” Dave said.
There was a crashing sound.
“And the door just collapsed.”
Quindar swallowed the herbs as everyone looked to Dave and then the long winding corridor that separated them from the cave’s entrance.
“I can see the tip. All right, Quindar, you’ve got to push!” Induca said, breaking the silence.
Quindar let out a roar that made Suzy, Dave, and Deia duck slightly. Dave couldn’t hear too good out of his ears.
“How can people get down here?” Malsour asked Fornau.
“The living quarters or through the tunnel,” Fornau said.
“Fornau, cover the tunnel. Induca, tell me if you need anything. The rest of you with me. We’ll go through the living quarters and stop them from getting any deeper,” Malsour said.
“Anna will meet us,” Deia said.
“I’ll lead.” Dave ran for the Human-sized apartment that stretched up into the ceiling, connecting to the doorway he’d seen when entering the mountain.
They ran through the spiral staircase, going up the dozen or so levels it took to reach the entry hall. Everyone checked their armor and gear as they ran.
They fanned out, Dave and Deia holding their bows. Malsour was in the rear with Suzy and Anna was up front, pulling her massive blade from her back.
Her change was the biggest. She wore steel that had been blackened with ebony and Mithril hammered into it in designs of wolves. The details made her look as if she were a complete wolf, with its paws and detailed claws. Dave was impressed with the quality of the work and could tell that the armor was not just simply rare.
The twenty Players were making a ton of noise as they walked forward, clearing the hall that was now filled with dust.
***
“I know the developers prid
e themselves on realism, but seriously, this dust shit is driving me nuts.” Justin coughed.
Bendel didn’t disagree with him as he tried to wave the dust away with one hand, holding his axe over his shoulder with the other. He came to a stop as he realized his party wasn’t the only one in the hall. “Huh, well, are you here to kill the dragons as well?”
“Is that why you’re here?” one of them asked, a woman by the way her armor was shaped. Bendel couldn’t see her face within the hood over her face. Just two twin red eyes.
“Damn, that’s some cool ass looking hood. Where did you get it, Oson?” Justin asked.
Bendel squinted and used his Analyze.
Oson’Deia
Wood Elf
Level 67
David Grahslagg
Half-Dwarf
Level 3
Suzy Markell
High Elf
Level 1
Anna’kal
Demi-Human
Level 127
Malsour Dracul
Human
Level 98
All of them are high levels except Suzy and that David fellow. Why the hell are they such low level? How the hell did they even get down here?
He guessed that the others must’ve helped them to get into the higher-level areas and protect them against the monsters in the area. It was the only thing that made sense to Bendel. He was surprised a stiff breeze wouldn’t knock them over.
“I am sorry but we must ask that you leave,” Deia said, apologetic but firm.
“I’m sorry, lady, but we were promised some good loot for this. We can’t just leave because you want to take the bounty all for yourselves,” Wallace said.
“We might be willing to band together but we’re certainly not leaving this all to you,” Helen said.
“We’re not trying to fight the dragons. They’re our friends,” the one called Dave now said.
“Boy, haven’t you heard? This creature said that it would kill anything that came near it! That ain’t exactly friendly,” Justin said.
Benvari Mountains (Emerilia Book 2) Page 12