“We both are ready,” Desmond said with a grunt while placing an arm around Ossa. “Ossa and I have thick coats given on loan from grandma. We will try to keep the complaints down. Firewood is our big issue but last I heard the monsters had chopped wood and furniture ready to pillage.”
“Shala and I think multiple breaks will be the key,” Barq said and Shala nodded. “The cold is always manageable in chunks.”
Captain Osgral approached with four bearfrii wearing bows across their backs snuggled neatly between their wings. They were grim veterans that were geared in thick fur robes. I thought about why he was sending them and realized they were probably easiest to peel away from a fight going bad. Mobile ranged units were awesome to have for numerous reasons.
“This is Sergeant Frokrfyi, he goes by Froki though. They will be your escort in the back. Pretend they do not exist besides to ask for advice. Your fee and taking the easy route includes questions. They have a cabin, a wagon, supplies, and materials. If they bother you too much, just let me know,” the Captain said while giving Froki a side eye. “You didn’t buy anything from the merchant. That means you are either foolish which does not seem to be the case or you are stocked up with loads of awesome gear and are ready to go. Follow me, Mr. Red.”
The back of the fort hit a new walled-off preparation section. There were five double gates here each with a number over them. The center doors had a number one etched into them. As we neared the doors they gave an awful creak and groan as they peeled open with magic. The snow back here was not plowed and it piled into the area from the doors opening. I viewed the way through the open gates and swore. There was snow piled ten feet high in front of us.
“Fuck,” Zoey said and I led the march forward.
The moment the team was through, the doors thudded behind us in an ominous seal.
CHAPTER 13
“Spawn the wagon, face away first,” Froki said as we all stared at the snow piled high in front of us. “Trust me, you have the Queen’s Bitch, the smaller version drops off King Harvinu rarely.”
Mysti looked to me for guidance. We were in a super narrow canyon with tall walls. The wind howled above us as dustings of snow ripped across the canyon gap. I nodded to Mysti and she summoned the wagon. Shit... I should have turned. Light fluffy snow blasted my face and went into every crevice it could find. I instantly was cold and felt the thin snow melting against my warm skin.
“Told you it would fit, and I did warn you about the powder; it has to go somewhere. The ogre wagon next, merely wrap up and try your best to stay warm. This will clear the walkway for us and save hours. The orcs shoveled snow like idiots for days. We laughed from the walls as they endlessly toiled,” Froki said as he stood on the ground with wings tucked into his back.
“Nicole spawn your chest real quick, please. Toss this guard a nugget in thanks. I was about to speed run us a path with my physical superiority orb and instead I get to ride in a nice wagon,” I said and Nicole spawned her large chest while I stared at her large tits. Her nipples were poking the robe forward in a pitched tent. I loved large chests. “Yeah, that one will work.”
Nicole tossed the sergeant a hunk of ore and he gasped.
“This a years worth of pay. Well almost, even split four ways…” Froki said and the bearfrii beside him nudged him to stop talking. “Thank you. You have our undivided support for tips and tricks. No actual combat unless we have to save you.”
“So that is to keep my secret and for your help. I know he said you would anyway. I wanted a back-up policy. How long is the first stretch?”
“Fifteen minutes by wagon. Pull yours up so we can spawn the ogres and then ours. We may have wings but flying non-stop can be tedious at best. We have the Duke’s Chalice from the Emperor’s drop. Not the only ones who have fancy rides.”
“How did you know we had a Queen’s Bitch?”
“Saw it on the way in,” a different female bearfrii muttered. Her small mounds under her armor and softer features gave her sex away. “We figured you were nobles coming to inspect the troops. Everyone swapped into shiny gear in a hurry for nothing.”
I had a light chuckle at this. Mysti asked for a boot up to get onto the back of the wagon and I tossed her up top. She snapped the reins and wiggled the wagon back and forth in the narrow canyon. After a few minutes, she crushed enough snow so the rest of us could walk up the side to the door. Once we were in and the door closed I stripped naked. Shala shrieked and I ignored her. Zoey smacked my ass and I grumbled.
“Get over it Shala, I watched you swim nude for hours. Correction, trying to learn to swim. You require more lessons still. I need to get this damn melted fluff snow out of my armor. Someone fetch me a towel please if you are not in need of removing moisture. It will freeze eventually so ensure the melted snow is removed. That is an order,” I said in a loud tone. We started rolling forward and I patted down the liquid as fast as I could with a towel Zoey handed me. I went into my bedroom and started digging for a robe to wear.
“Got five minutes,” Nicole said as the door closed behind her.
“I would like to relieve Mysti since she is in armor and without a…” A knock on the door sounded and Nicole handed Zoey a winter robe. “Ah, you made a deal. Well, get naked then,” I commanded and Nicole bit her lip in lustful anticipation.
Her robed opened up and fell to the ground. Her breast wrap was undone and it floated away to reveal her pert shapely tits. The tiny boy shorts were removed and she shivered from the cold. Her nipples were ready to poke my eyes out and crying to be suckled on. I unfurled the blankets and she dove in first. I landed on top of her and felt two cold bodies start to warm. She wiggled below me until my hard tip was against her clit.
She gyrated her hips teasing herself with my hardened member. I felt her hips arch and my cock was welcomed slowly into her slit. With impatience, I thrust forward and our lips locked. She grabbed my ass with both hands as I shoved into her. We were lovemaking and our bodies rhythmed into a synchronization. I shoved hard and she twirled her hips faster.
“Fuck me, master. Fuck me. Deeper…” She moaned with pleasure. I grew restless and knew I would last too long like this. I pulled out and she pouted. I flipped her over and fucked her hard and deep from behind. Exactly as she wanted. She moaned, “Cum for me Master. Fill my little pussy.”
I slammed into her for a few minutes as she squeezed and vibrated. I won this round as I burst a gooey load deep into her before she could climax. I moaned in pleasure as I shuddered with my finish.
“Cum on my tits or neck if you want next time. Face works too. If I am pregnant, I do not mind if that is what you desire,” Nicole said while taking a swipe at the cum dripping off my dick with her index finger. She put the collection into her mouth and gave a delightful pop with her lips.
I used the towel to clean off and went back into my combat gear that was still a bit damp. Buying a second set was not an option yet but I should do acquire one eventually.
“Sounds fun, I am sorry it has been so hard to find alone time on the road. Hopefully, we can spawn both the cabin and the wagon and do a one on one night.”
“Cyrene is next and I do like that idea. I like it very much Master,” Nicole said as she got her short shorts over her curvy ass.
I really wanted to go for a round two and was surprised when the wagon stopped. I was even more surprised when the wagon vanished and I dropped five feet into the packed snow in a tumble. There was lots of screaming and Desmond’s wagon was trying to halt as an arrow soared over us and thunked into their ride. Desmond’s wagon poofed as it despawned and they shot forward in a tumbling rolled.
Desmond shot to his feet and roared a battle cry without hesitation. He raced to the front to address the unknown threat. I went to our healer who was half naked and shivering. I found her robe behind us and ran it to her. She was shaking with frosted breath and very, very angry. When she was in her robes we sprinted forward.
&n
bsp; Shala was raining lightning down while Barq held a busted arm. Nicole reached the gnome and slammed her staff into the ground casting an area heal. The air arced with green pulses and I saw Barq shake off his pain. I knew our backline was stabilizing and ran to the front. I passed Mysti who was firing arrows and saw Zoey struggling to peel herself out of the snow. A ray of healing crackled forward and shot into Zoey. Her back spasmed from the healing and as I passed her she gave a mischievous grin.
I found the enemy finally. Desmond was knocked back by a troll chieftain and sent rolling by me. Cyrene stepped in his place and I assessed the situation. There were a dozen melee fighters charging forward with about two dozen ranged support troops. What the holy hell, this was supposed to be the easy route. The priority was clear and I was ready to finally unleash my power.
I dropped my real spear and before it hit the snow summoned my mana spear. I activated my physical superiority orb and lined up my shot for the big guy. When I hurled the weapon I did so with anger and I tore the air as a sonic boom ruptured my eardrums. I did not even watch the spear land. The next one was in my hands and I hurled for the charging infantry. The second spear cracked the air and went through three ice trolls that were at least nine feet tall and stacked with bulging muscle.
“Annihilators!” Desmond cried out as he was healed and ready to fight again.
The enemy faltered and I saw their chieftain was dead. I unleashed another spear and felt my ears heal as the next area spell Nicole cast washed over me. Arrows arched over the charging melee with precision. Roots locked the melee in place while Cyrene darted and stabbed; her slices cleaved tendons and her thrusts pierced hearts. I sensed the enemy wavering as more fell to the snow.
“Desmond hold the melee. Into the back Cyrene!” I commanded and we surged forward.
I tossed a spear at half strength into the side of a double headed axe wielding ice troll. When I was by the melee I spawned a new mana spear and grabbed it firmly. An arrow sunk into my hip slowing my advance. I felt magic pour into my back and the arrow was forced out as I healed. Damn. Nicole was powerful with her new kit.
An archer backpedaled and slid on the snow in fright to land on her ass. My spear smashed through ribs as I murdered the trollop with glee.
“That’s what you get for shooting me bitch!”
Instead of yanking my weapon out I simply respawned a new one into my hand and thrust into the neck of another troll. Lightning screamed down from the heavens in anger and parted a path forward for me as it struck a clump of javelin throwers. At my feet, the recovering trolls were being riddled with arrows finding soft points of entry. I stabbed a fleeing troll in the back and heard a spine snap from the impact. Those on the ground around me were rooted in ice and then rooted again in a thicker freeze. I finished the enemy off with a manic grin.
My movements were fluid and precise. I would stab, release my hold, and spin for my next target. I found spawning my spear mid-thrust worked perfect and I never lingered in my movements. I was able to twirl, jab, and kill like the gymnast I was. When there were no more enemies I tried to calm the battle rage that roared inside me.
My breaths panted from my chest in rapid succession as I frosted the air. I let my primal rage out in a long loud roar. A few deep inhales of the painfully cold air and I started to realize my adrenaline was wearing off. I scanned for more threats and found only the littered dead.
Froki flew towards me looking down the canyon.
“An apology is in order. This group is not room one. This has always been where an encampment was set for the idiots who dug the snow or got here too late,” the sergeant said while giving a sorry not sorry shrug. “This would be the new first room per se and means this run now has six unless things change even more down the line. And a chieftain to boot. Lorenc is going up high and will recon the route tomorrow so hopefully no random encounters. Normally we would never do this but I have to be honest. Even we could have died and we are partial to living.”
“You and me both. I just finished having sex too. That could have been much worse,” I said and Froki laughed intensely with roars for gasps. The bearfrii managed to hover in a perfect spot while laughing. “Right, funny story for later. Alright, time to clean up. We got about two hours of sunlight left but I am drenched in sweat. I think we are going to call a break after every fight to eat, hydrate, and stabilize temperatures.”
“Not a bad idea. Back into the shadows, I go. Oh, and a god or demi-god, explains the ritzy wagon and that staff your healer has. That little gem has to be worth half of Remi at least. The secret is safe with us. Nice moves, you sure can fight Mr. Red,” Froki said and flapped away to fly to his team.
“Gryff, my friends call me Gryff,” I said to his back.
Nicole approached with a smile and she waited to ensure my conversation with Froki was over.
“Healing is done, Zoey broke her spine in the fall. Good to know I can heal like a champ now. The levels gains from this were insane. I forgot to cast my poisonous mist at first. I got it in the second half of the fight after Barq called damage appliers out. I am up to two twelve now.” Nicole said and I glanced down at mine. She looked at the two ninety-two. “Looks like we will be leveling quickly.”
“Yeah, I hope these have an area of effect spell. I missed everything I did not kill. I bet Barq hit everything, I felt his ice the entire time.” I said and Barq came running over.
“I am two thirty-three now!” Barq exclaimed and I smiled.
“Congrats Barq. Cover your ears please,” I said and he nodded. I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Before we go looting I want all buildings and wagons spawned. Fires take priority. If you are sweaty go inside, towel yourself dry, hang your wet gear by the fire, and get in fresh clothes. Then we come back out and start cutting. We are going to be camping early tonight. Great work team!”
Cyrene ran my way from the chieftain’s body. She was smiling like a schoolgirl and it made me curious as to what she looted.
“Sorry Gryff, I went right for the big guy. Here you go.” Cyrene said and handed me a small treasure chest like the map came in. This one was smaller and there was no tense moment of people eager to see what was inside. I opened it quickly and saw a small stack of gold coins; it still bothered me gold was the lowest denominator here. I spawned my familiar and tossed the box in the loot pile. The dumb thing spilled open and gold coins spread out everywhere. I was so sending a gnome in the box to pick all those up. “Easy with that treasure box. That was the worst drop you can get. Maybe two or three silver at most in gold coins. The actual treasure chest is worth more, though yours may be dented now. That is the kind of stuff we should be getting. A few silver here and there. What has you concerned?”
My nonchalant tossing of the box and frown apparently gave away my displeasure at a nagging suspicion.
“So the guards ensure we do not have the same route as another team. This is smart in my opinion. That way two teams cannot get drawn into a conflict that they have to break up or start arresting the winning side. Are there investigations for wiped teams due to dungeon creatures or is it just what is sent in the Captain's report that goes to Remi?”
Cyrene grabbed my arm and led me to the cave that just spawned. I saw Nicole spawn her chest and remove a fire pit while Dib did the same. Oh, dual fire pits sounded lovely. We had enough wood to get the fire started and I saw some wooden shields among the dead melee troops that could be added from the dead. The cold was starting to chill my body and I felt the sweat freezing. We made it to a small fire and Mysti pulled some towels out of our wagon. We built up the fire and I stripped down. A winter robe was handed to me after I toweled off my wetness and I laid my gear by the crackling fire.
During the ride here from the jungle, I had read about surviving the snow and learned a new acronym. COLD. Clean - keep your clothes, and you clean. Overdressing - bad because it leads to sweating. Layers - so you can adjust to a warmer or cooler setting based on a
ctivity. Dry - because frozen moisture will kill you eventually as your temperature drops.
Cyrene summoned her tent inside the back of the cave and dragged me in. While I got some suggestive glances we really were going to talk.
“Okay to the tent and them talking out there will mask our conversation. Are you thinking the guards are here to kill us?” Cyrene said hesitantly with a soft voice.
“Maybe, I have this suspicion. A gut feeling,” I said and Cyrene rolled her eyes and circled her hand for me to keep going. “Look we show up in a ritzy lavish ride as they called it. True. We are not dumbass orcs with shitty gear. Nicole has a legendary staff out and I just had her show them a box of ore. We are loaded with stuff. I am assuming if we die the Captain writes a report and sends our remaining stuff back to Remi for our families to collect.”
“Uh… no. If he can use it and there were costs involved in the recovery of our bodies for proper burial; which happens to be a day south of here in softer soil. Then no he can call your gear a cost of burial and extraction. I did not hear what the Captain said when you left. What were his words?” Cyrene said and she had a worried look.
“Paraphrasing here. We did not shop at his store because we had fantastic gear,” I told her. “Then we are led into an ambush and almost died. While we carried the battle from a disaster to an easy victory, I am worried. Alright, I don’t want others thinking we’re having sex while they work. Keep an eye on them and I will tell the others as a precaution to not let them get too close. I think I saw them spawn a cabin they retreated into.”
“Gryff for all of our sakes I hope you are wrong and your gut is dumb. I really do, and Gryff, let me tell the others discreetly. I will also have Dib go into the air a few times a day to check if we are being marched on or led into a trap. We have to not rely on the king’s guards for anything. Since you have all eyes on you... Yes, I will handle this and I am despawning the tent to get started,” Cyrene said and suddenly we were sitting without a tent over our heads. “I am going to get changed.”
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