by Eden Redd
Edric gave the wood elf a warm smile, “Then let’s make it a safe place.”
Claudia stood up, “Then we should start. I’ll talk to the wealthy families in the Pearl District.” The lancer looked to the lamia courtesan, “Thalia, will you join me to work out some of the details?”
The lamia bowed, “I would be delighted Mistress Pearl.”
Rayna stood up, “I’ll spread the word and collect my fees.”
Faye eyed the bard and slightly shook her head. “I’ll visit the shop keepers and see about donations. I’ll have some of the guards bring wagons to collect anything for the celebration.”
Edric nodded. “I’ll speak with the magic shops and see if they’ll add some flair to the celebration, and ask them for donations.”
Faye and Edric stood up and everyone gave each other a reassuring nod. The rulers left the room, Leeta standing outside the door. They all peeled off in different directions but Edric and Leeta made their way down the spiral stairs. The ogre looked around as Edric led his way down deeper into the pit of the keep.
The summoner’s mood turned dark. He didn’t want to tell the others that he was going to visit the prisoners. The player didn’t want to dampen the celebratory mood. His fellow rulers seemed to be enjoying the city aspect but Edric knew there was a dark underbelly to everything. As he continued his descent, a nagging thought pressed against his mind. Players would come and enjoy the city but many others would come to try and take it over. The Lewd Kingdom’s update was a free for all, allowing only the strongest and cleverest to keep a kingdom intact. If they were going to succeed, he knew they had to play the political game or everything they built would be destroyed.
The guards stood at attention as Edric and Leeta arrived. One opened the door, allowing the summoner and ogre to step through. After a few seconds of walking, they came to the three cells, each holding a different prisoner.
Caspian sat with his back to a stone wall, shadows covering his face. “Look who came to visit us, the traitor.”
Edric’s face remained grim.
Caspian leaned forward, the glow of the collar of his neck pushing away the shadows. “Come to gloat?”
“I came to talk,” Edric sighed.
Caspian ran a finger along the wall, “It’s so boring in the game to be a prisoner. I keep logging out and back in, waiting for something to happen. Glad I logged back in a little while ago or I would have missed you.”
“We didn’t want to do this but it was our only option,” Edric said with a dark tone.
Caspian chuckled. “No it wasn’t. You could have just let me build a new guild hall here. Instead you believed rumors and misinformation from players with an agenda against me and my beliefs.”
Edric’s brow hardened, “You threatened to destroy the city core.”
Caspian let out a hard laugh, “I was testing your limit. I had no intention of breaking your core. I wanted to see if you would be strong enough to stand up to me. Instead, you made a deal with the enemy. No player in their right mind is going to trust you now.”
“We both know you were going to break our core and replace it with your own. Don’t try to twist this into something else.”
Caspian sighed, “I guess we will never know.”
Edric stared at the knight in the dark cell, “Yes, we will. Ralis’s caravan arrives tomorrow. Tonight is the celebration for the agreement between Elora and the troll kingdoms. Mysteriously, tonight your cells will be unlocked and you three can escape.”
Caspian’s ears perked up. The knight put his boots on the stone floor and stood up. Stepping over to the bars, fingers curled around the cold metal and eyes connected with summoner.
“You’re going to break us out? Having second thoughts with your agreement?”
Edric shook his head, “We never intended for you to be taken prisoner. We hoped you would back down but you kept pushing. You can have your freedom if you tell others we are a safe haven for any lost in the war. Tell players and people that and you can be free.”
The knight kept his unblinking eyes on the summoner for a long pause. “No thanks. We’ll take out chances with the caravan. You were right to have the trolls show up. My colleagues and I are strong but not strong enough to fight your city guard, Faye and the trolls together. Once we are on that caravan, we should be able to break free and make a run for it. Then we can tell every kingdom how you bowed down and licked the boots of the enemy.”
Edric’s expression did not change, “What’s wrong with you? I’m giving you a way out and you’re spitting in my face.”
Caspian’s eyes narrowed, “You turned them from me. They followed me because they believed in me but you turned them against me. I don’t know what you did but I see the way Faye, Claudia and Rayna looked at you. You’re fucking weak and yet they turned to you, a low grade summoner who can’t protect himself. All you did was farm gold and if you didn’t have my people, kobolds would have ransacked your city!”
Leeta growled as she stepped a little closer. Caspian looked up into her hard yellow eyes and gave her a sick smile.
Edric tilted his head forward, shadows covering his eyes. “You’re a lost cause.”
Caspian gave a wicked grin, “And you are just lost. Summoner’s are so weak because monsters do the battles for them. You think you’re strong but in a real fight, you would be dead in seconds.”
The knight gripped the bars tighter, “Don’t you dare set us free. We will take our chances with the troll caravan and then we will gather an army to take your city! I have friends in many kingdoms across Lukken. They will rally to my banner if they know we have a city so close to the Middle Kingdoms. We will crack you’re core and I will slaughter you in front of your fellow rulers. Faye, Claudia and Rayna will watch as I slice your head from your neck! They will fall in line as I have my people hunt you down until you leave the game like that fucking bitch Lola!”
Leeta’s hand formed a fist. Lifting it up, she slammed it against Caspian’s fingers around the bars. The player let out an involuntary yelp as his fingers cracked against metal and he pulled back, clutching at his hand.
Edric looked up to the ogre as she shrugged.
“My hand slipped,” Leeta said simply.
Caspian held up his hand as his fingers snapped into place, “You’re lucky I have a regeneration perk.”
“Careful or Leeta may slip again,” Edric smiled.
The knight stared daggers into the summoner, “I change my mind. I’m going to slaughter the girls before you, crack your city core and then end your miserable online existence. And when you decide to not play anymore, I’ll have some people rough you up. Didn’t you mention you live in New York City?”
Edric’s eyes took on an icy chill but he remained silent.
Caspian’s smile curled into a wicked grin. “You’re playing with the big boys now. Lewd Saga isn’t just some game where people can adventure and fuck. It’s a way of life now. You fucking crossed me and now I’m going to fuck up your life. It shouldn’t be too hard to find you in reality. A few online searches and a phone call is all I need.”
“You’re full of shit,” Edric hissed.
Suusa leaned against the bars of her cell, eyes on the summoner, “He’s not kidding. Poor Lola, she committed suicide just the other day, couldn’t take it any longer.”
Edric’s eyes widened and she took a step back, “You fucking killed her!”
Caspian raised his hands and shook his head, “She took her own life. I have no idea what my followers have done or said. It’s purely speculation.”
Edric’s blood boiled. “You evil…..”
Caspian looked to the summoner with gentle eyes. “Save it for when you’re on your knees. If I were you, I would simply stay quiet when I finally chop off your head. That way, I get what I want and you get to keep your reality normal. Don’t tell your fellow rulers or something bad will happen to them…and you.”
Edric composed himself, eyes gazing at the
prisoner. “The caravan will be here tomorrow to pick you up. If you escape, don’t come here, the guards will attack on sight.”
Caspian smiled, “Good boy, let’s play by the games rules and not speak of this dark stuff anymore. We will come back and take your kingdom and you will lose it fairly. Then we can all keep playing like normal players.”
Edric turned and walked away, Leeta close behind. Caspian eyed them until the door closed. Long moments passed before a guard stepped in and walked over to Caspian’s cell.
The knight was still standing, eyes on the guard and a smirk forming.
The guard leaned in, “The celebration is set for sundown. We can free you an hour later.”
Caspian nodded. “Good. Keep me informed of their movements and the trolls. I want everyone rounded up at the same time. Has the new city core been purchased?”
The guard nodded. “It has. It will be placed in the core slot once the Elora core is destroyed.”
“Good. Don’t want to lose such a beautiful city,” Caspian smiled.
***
Edric and Leeta walked along Temple Street. The player stared off into nothing, mind processing everything Caspian had said. How the knight came down on him because he thought he was weak. Edric knew better than to take the bait but it still clawed at his insides. He wasn’t the strongest player but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t one day have a lot of power.
Leeta looked down at the blank gaze of her master, her face melting into simple understanding. “We can upgrade your weapon. There is a shop that has weapons with gem slots.”
The summoner looked up to the ogre, the light returning to his eyes. “We can take a look.”
Leeta nodded with sad eyes. “He is wrong about you. You’re not weak.”
Edric smiled. “I know but he is right. It won’t take long for the sharks to sniff blood in the water. Caspian isn’t the only enemy we have to keep an eye on. They are on all sides.”
The player looked away as he continued to talk, “You may not understand but in another life, people don’t take me seriously. They like what I can do for them but don’t care for what I want or how I feel. Sometimes I wish I was strong enough to just tell them what I think but I end up shutting down and playing it off.”
“You’re strong to me,” Leeta smiled.
“Thank you Leeta. It means a lot but if we are going to make this city a safe haven, we have to become stronger together.”
The ogre nodded and stopped in front of a shop. “Then let’s become stronger.”
Edric looked up at the weapon’s shop and smiled. Leeta opened the door and bowed. The summoner thanked her and stepped inside. The keeper raised his hands and cheered the lord in. Edric thanked him and moved to the weapon displays. When his eyes fell on a whip, he smirked and pointed, mentally pushing away the vile images of Caspian’s grinning face.
***
Electricity filled the air of the entire city. Citizens of Elora moved with purpose as they hung up colored lanterns and set up stands of food, wine and spirits. The circular street around Gray Haven Keep surged with bodies wanting to see the rulers when they addressed the people. Minstrels and bards set up on nearly every corner, tuning their instruments and making space to play.
Faye directed servants and guards to set up locations for food and drink. The wood elf was enjoying the energy in the air and many came to her to thank her for listening to their concerns. The monk returned smiles as she continued to put everything in order.
Claudia and Thalia returned with wagons filled with coin. Guards pulled it along to get it to the treasure hold. Thalia informed the lancer she would handle all of the payments for the celebration and record what the loan amounts were from the few wealthy families.
Rayna directed the entertainment, ensuring every place was ready for the deluge of drunks and merry citizens to come. Coin was exchanged and the bard turned a blind eye as some moved through the areas, selling some fairy dust and assortments of other party favors. The dealers would often pat her on the shoulder and stuff coin into her open purse before moving on. Rayna would kiss them on the cheek and wave goodbye with one hand and fondle the coins, counting them with her other hand.
The sun sank lower in the sky with evening quickly approaching.
Edric walked along, a new black whip latched to his belt. A white gem glowed at the top of the hilt and the player felt a tad more confident than he had before. Leeta was at his side, her spiked mace also containing a white gem.
The summoner rehearsed what he wanted to say as mages and alchemists moved to staged locations, carrying potions and arcane books. The city was nearly set. The summoner and his fellow rulers would speak to the people and the celebration would begin. It would be a night to remember in the new kingdom of Elora.
Edric walked toward Gray Haven Keep. Before him, crowds had gathered, ready to hear what the rulers would have to say. The city was only about 40% populated but the mood made it seem like there were thousands more. With time, Edric thought, Elora will be the greatest city in all of Lukken.
Passing a dark alley, the summoner and ogre stopped. Two large dark blue bodies stood over an elder woman in blue robes. She wore a hood but the unmistakable snout of a Nalik stuck out. The three spoke in hushed tone until the elder Nalik stamped her clawed foot. The two trolls seemed to shift in annoyance, dark eyes on the smaller female.
“I told you, I don’t know what you mean. I’m simply trying to live my remaining days in peace,” the Nalik said loudly.
“Hush old lizard. Tell us or your days will be that much shorter,” growled one of the trolls.
“What’s the meaning of this,” Edric asked as he stepped into the alley, Leeta behind him and her mace at her side.
The trolls turned to the lord and bowed their heads.
“Forgive us Lord Temple,” one of the trolls replied. “We were inquiring on this naliks health and if she might require assistance for the celebration.”
Edric eyed them, letting the lie slip away.
“I don’t need your help,” the elder Nalik replied as she raised her hand and smacked the troll against the chest.
The trolls said nothing as they kept their heads bowed to Edric.
“We will see it from here,” Edric smiled. “Join Ralis in the keep. The agreement says no trolls after dark on the streets….for your safety.”
The trolls nodded with bowed heads.
“As you wish, Lord Temple,” they said in unison before lifting their heads and walking past the ogre eyeing them.
The elder Nalik watched as the trolls stepped from the alley and disappeared. Edric stepped closer to the lizard woman, head bowed and eyes filled with comfort.
“Can we help you to the celebration, my lady?”
The Nalik hissed. “How can you let those monsters into your city? They bring death and destruction wherever they go!”
Edric lifted his head, “It’s a bit complicated.”
The Nalik shook her head. “No it’s not. You think it is but from my stand point, they are just biding their time before they try to take everything for themselves.”
It was Edric’s turned to shake his head. “We will do everything we can to ensure the safety of Elora’s citizens. You have my word.”
The Nalik stepped closer, beady black eyes on the summoner and contempt in her brow. “Ha! Honor and words mean little in these times. You could be just like the rest, big words and little action. This celebration is a farce.”
Edric smiled. “Yes, it could be but for now, we must play the game until it is not time to play anymore games.”
The weathered Nalik looked up and squinted with one eye. Her scales were dry and cracked in places. She was slightly hunched over but her eyes held a strength and experience Edric couldn’t help but notice.
“Lord Temple is it? I’ll keep my eyes on you. If you do anything to hurt the people of this kingdom, you will have to answer to me.”
Edric kept his smile. “Of course my lady, I woul
dn’t have it any other way. Now, can we help you reach a comfortable spot for the celebration?”
“Bah!” the Nalik spit. “I’ll find my own way…..but thank you for your kindness.”
Leeta and Edric watched as the elder Nalik hobbled along into the street and made her way to the keep. The ogre smiled as Edric couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement. With a shrug, the pair stepped out of the darken alley and made their way through the gathering crowd.
A few twists, turns and a flight of stairs, Edric and Leeta made their way to the grand balcony. Rayna and Claudia stood just within the room, eyes turning to the summoner and ogre. A short moment later, Faye stepped into the room, a light in her brown eyes.
“Does everyone know what they want to say?” Edric asked.
“I do,” Claudia nodded.
“I’ll keep it short and sweet, like me,” Rayna laughed.
Faye looked down, “I don’t really have anything to say. You three can do all the talking.”
“We should all say something,” Edric said to the wood elf.
Faye nodded, “I know but if I have to say something, I’ll say it to the people on the street. I’m just happy to help.”
Rayna put the back of her hand to her forehead, “Oh, look at me…the spiritual elf. I’m just like the common people, only when I punch people I break bones.”
Faye glanced to the bard as she let her hand drop and stuck out her tongue.
Edric and Claudia laughed.
“I’m sure it will be okay. They just have to see all of us together.”
Thalia slithered into the room and bowed. “The sun is nearly down and the people await.”
Edric took a deep breath, “Okay, show time.”
The four rulers stepped out to the marble stone balcony. Citizens looked up and some cheered as the four rulers stood at the edge. The city Elora glowed with colored lanterns as the sun sank lower to the west. It cast a golden glow along the tops of the city walls and the side of Gray Haven Keep. The small cheers died down and many gazed up at the four, a hush falling over the crowd.