Chapter Five
“I did not expect to be met in person by the Archduke himself,” Cristoff confessed as his gaze flicked to my face. “It is unusual.”
“I’m not your average noble.” I walked by his horse’s side down the road toward the heart of Bastianville, and I flashed him a friendly smile. “We saw strange soldiers approaching and feared the worst. I’m the most powerful person around, so naturally I wanted to face the issue head on. I’m efficient that way.”
“And very humble,” Cristoff chuckled, but then he corrected his expression and cleared his throat. “My apologies, Your Grace, I misspoke.”
“Please, call me Bash.” I grinned. “And don’t worry about it. I’m pretty hard to offend, but the last guy who pissed me off is dead, so keep that in mind. Still, you seem harmless enough, so I’d like you to call me what my friends do.”
“That is too high a privilege for my rank and station, Your Grace,” the man argued with a shake of his head. “You honor me.”
We arrived at Bastianville’s stables, and the entire troop dismounted in one synchronized movement. They held their horses’ reins and waited in silence while I hunted down the stableboy.
I returned with Dalwin in tow, and the poor boy’s eyes widened at the sight of the task ahead of him.
“I’ll have to… put some others out to pasture, you know, to make room,” the lad said in a hesitant voice. “And it might take me a while…”
“That’s fine, Dalwin,” I reassured him. “Do you need some help?”
“Would you?” His eyes welled up with tears, so I tousled his hair.
“Let’s do it, kid.” I grinned.
Then the two of us got to work taking care of all the horses of the kings messengers. This was the first-time royal representatives had come to Bastianville, and I wanted to make a good impression on them. They would return to the king with tales of how I wined and dined them, and it would lift me even higher in King Frederick’s favor.
I led the white stallions two at a time into the empty stalls after Dalwin had handled the town’s horses. Goliath didn’t even nicker when he was sent out to the field so another horse could take his space, and when the job was completed, I gave the kid a sideways hug and tousled his hair again.
“Good job, Dalwin,” I complimented. “Keep an eye on our visitors’ horses and make sure all their needs are met, okay?”
“You got it.” Dalwin nodded emphatically before he turned and trotted back inside the stables.
“You assisted a lowly stableboy with his duties,” Cristoff observed with a furrowed brow. “What kind of Archduke are you?”
“The best kind.” I shrugged, but then I clapped my hands together and gestured toward the street. “Now, if you’ll follow me, I will show you to Stryker’s tavern where you can get some hot food and cold drinks. Once you have washed down a little of the road dust, perhaps you’d be ready to share your message from the king.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Cristoff inclined his head respectfully, and the rest of his men saluted. “Lead the way.”
I had a big grin on my face, and my chest was puffed out proudly as I led the troop of the king’s soldiers to the tavern. The townspeople were all still cowering from the alarm bells that had rung out at the strangers’ arrival, so the streets were deserted.
“All clear!” I called out in a loud voice, and then I began to see a couple of faces peering out windows and door frames. I chuckled to myself as I watched the town come to life before us, and the soldiers who followed me all tensed up for a moment as the street became crowded in a matter of moments.
“Your people obey your commands very well,” Sir Cristoff said in a low voice.
“You’re making a lot of observations about me,” I pointed out. “Are you taking notes or something?”
“I must confess something,” the knight said, and he paused for a moment as his cornflower-blue eyes met mine. “I worked hard to earn this job posting so I could have the opportunity to meet you. I have heard rumors of your greatness and your power, but I had to see it with my own eyes.”
“You’re far from the first person to say that,” I laughed. “It’s all good, Cris, can I call you that?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Cristoff bowed his head respectfully.
I was beginning to like this honorable knight dude.
I flashed him a friendly smile before we continued on our way to the tavern. The soldiers’ armor clinked noisily as we all trotted up the steps to the entrance, and the sounds of their footsteps echoed through the empty bar.
I suppose it was still early in the day for a drink, but I’d expected at least a few travelers to be in here eating breakfast.
Stryker greeted me with a jerk of his head, and I crossed the distance to the bar.
“I heard the bells,” the tavern owner said with a frown, and the tall, dark-haired bartender shot a scathing glare at the soldiers who stood waiting by the front door. “Everything okay? Who are the guys in armor?”
“Men from the king,” I explained. “We are to treat them like royalty, you understand?”
“Royalty, huh.” Stryker spat on the floor then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I don’t know, Bash…”
“Please, Stryker, be nice.” I gave him a pointed look. “For me?”
“Aye, I’ll get ‘em drunk,” the bartender sighed, but then he shot me a shrewd look. “But I’m sending you the tab.”
“Fair enough,” I laughed as I held up my hands in surrender, and then I rapped my knuckles twice on the bar top as a farewell before I turned back to Cristoff and his men.
“Make yourselves at home,” I insisted as I gestured toward the comfortable chairs and tables in the dining area. “Everything is on the house.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Cristoff inclined his head, and he signaled to his men. The armored soldiers moved as one, and they all sat around a large circular table that occupied the middle of the room.
It reminded me of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and I stifled a chuckle.
Then I waved goodbye to the soldiers, and I headed out of the tavern. I wanted to let Jax and Riondale know the coast was clear and explain what was going on, but it didn’t take me very long to find the two men. They were marching my way from the direction of the gate the king’s messengers had entered. The young lieutenant had his sword drawn, and the tall blacksmith had a warhammer slung across his shoulders. They looked like two good friends taking a stroll in search of bad guys to kill, and it reminded me of one of those buddy comedies.
“Bash!” Jax greeted with a hand in the air.
“Sir.” Riondale saluted.
“Hey, guys,” I greeted with a wide smile. “I was just coming to find you. Everything is just fine, the soldiers we saw are messengers from the king. They have a message for me, that’s all.”
“That is good news.” Riondale nodded.
“I figured ye had it handled,” Jax laughed, and he planted a hand on my shoulder. “So, what’s this message, then? Ye off on another quest?”
“I don’t know yet.” I shrugged. “I’m letting them eat and drink the road weariness off first.”
“Butter ‘em up,” Jax agreed with a nod. “Smart man.”
“I figured we’d want any travelers who came to Bastianville to be welcomed with a friendly smile and warm food.” I grinned. “That’s what this place will be known for soon. That and having the best tradesmen in all of Sorreyal, but for now I’ll settle for the best blacksmith.”
Jaxtom let out one of his loud belly laughs, and then the three of us turned and headed toward the tavern, but Riondale paused at the steps.
“I still have some drills to run with the recruits,” the young lieutenant said in a reluctant tone. “I will catch up with you later, sir.”
“Thanks, Ri-guy, have fun!” I chirped, and I waved goodbye to the young man before I turned my attention back to the steps. “Give ‘em hell for me!”
Jax followed me in, and I was willing to bet his curiosity about the message drove him onward. He gave me an innocent look as he made his way to the bar, and I shook my head in amusement as I joined him.
Stryker appeared before us a moment later with two full mugs of ale, and I nodded my gratitude before I lifted the foamy beverage to my lips.
“So, why did the king send them here?” The barkeep leaned forward and spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice. “Tracking criminals? Or something worse?”
“Nothing like that.” I laughed. “They’re just messengers from the king.”
The barkeep inhaled sharply, and he shot a shrewd glance over at the soldiers. “Some fancy gear for messengers.”
“Sorreyal is a dangerous place.” I shrugged. “Vallenwood is quite a ways away, after all. They’d have to be able to defend themselves if anything happened during their journey.”
“Fair point,” Stryker sighed. “I suppose I shouldn’t always assume the worst of folk.”
“You’re growing already.” I grinned.
“Shut up.” Stryker shot me a playful glare, but then his expression relaxed into one of amusement. “In all seriousness, though? You’ve changed us, Bash. All of us.”
“He’s not wrong,” Jax mumbled around his mug of ale.
“You guys are cute,” I chuckled to myself, and then I turned my attention back to my drink. By the time it was empty, however, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I swiveled around on my barstool to see Sir Cristoff standing before me.
The blond man had his helmet tucked under one arm, and his shoulder-length hair was pulled back into a knot at the nape of his neck. His cornflower-blue eyes looked more relaxed than they had when we’d last talked, so I knew the meal and drink had done him some good.
“Thank you for the hot food,” the knight said with a bow of his head. “My men wanted me to pass along their gratitude.”
“Of course,” I replied as I mirrored his gesture. I definitely felt like a noble when I did that, and I resisted the urge to laugh out loud at myself. “You and your men can stay at the inn tonight. I am sure you are weary from your journey, so please enjoy what accommodations we can spare for the night.”
“You are more than generous.” The knight shook his head. “We are accustomed to camping, so we do not mind striking our tents on the edge of town near the stables.”
“For the king’s men?” I scoffed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. No, you’ll have rooms at the inn, and that’s the last I’ll hear of it. Now, about this message from the king?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Sir Cristoff inclined his head, and then he pulled a roll of parchment from a bag hanging from his belt. “You are the only nobility present in Bastianville, yes?”
“I believe so…” I scratched my beard as I thought this over. Elrin would be the only person who would come close to being considered a noble, but my three women were by association. Perhaps I should have them be here before the message was delivered.
My impatience got the better of me, though, so in the end I shook my head.
“Very well.” Sir Cristoff held the roll of parchment up at chest height, and then he unfurled it with a flick of his wrist.
I had a feeling he’d done this before.
“Hear ye, hear ye! By order of His Majesty, King Frederick of Sorreyal, a summit of nobility has been called. Anyone of noble blood must report to the palace in Vallenwood before the new moon is dark in the sky. An appointment to the dukedom of Arginold will be made, as well as the selection of a new court wizard. A formal gala will be held to honor the new duke. Glad tidings and safe travels to all, His Majesty, King Frederick of Sorreyal.”
Sir Cristoff finished reading his proclamation, rolled it back up, and then fished another piece of parchment from his bag.
The king had obviously learned of the death of Racine and the Duke of Arginold, but I was surprised to hear he was already choosing a replacement. A part of me had hoped the Arginold territory would just be split up between the remaining dukedoms, but that was a long shot anyway.
It didn’t seem like anyone suspected my involvement in the duke and wizard’s death, though, so it looked like I was in the clear.
Still, it also looked like I had another journey ahead of me, and I was going to be headed back to the palace in Vallenwood. There were worse destinations, that was for sure. Plus, all the other nobles would be present, so I’d get to know everyone who held a position of power in Sorreyal at one time.
Then my thoughts turned to my enemy, the Duke of Edinburg. He’d have been summoned to the palace as well, so this would be a perfect opportunity to size him up.
The summons couldn’t have come at a better time, but I supposed my actions had somewhat caused it, so I had myself to thank for my good fortune.
“What’s this?” I asked with an arched eyebrow as I accepted the roll of paper the knight handed me.
“It’s an updated map of all the territories,” Sir Cristoff explained. “It will show what holdings belong to which dukedom.”
“Perfect.” I grinned. “Thanks, man.”
“You are most welcome, Your Grace.” The knight bowed his head yet again, and this time I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“Please, call me Bash,” I said instead.
“Very well… Bash…” Sir Cristoff didn’t sound very sure of himself, but I was pleased with the progress we’d made.
“Will you be waiting in town for my party to leave?” I asked as the thought struck me. It could be useful to travel with extra men, but it may slow us down, too.
“No, Your Gra-- Er, Bash.” Sir Cristoff actually blushed a little bit. “I must return to Vallenwood immediately.”
“Why the hurry?” I frowned.
“The king’s orders,” he replied with a small shrug. “But we do appreciate the lodging for the evening. It is too generous.”
“Only the best for the king’s men.” I grinned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must begin my plans for the journey ahead of me.”
“Very good, Your Grace.” Cristoff nodded.
I wasn’t even going to fight him on it, so I just shook my head in amusement and returned to the bar where Jax was waiting with a forced nonchalant expression on his face.
“How much did you hear?” I asked as I signaled to Stryker for another round.
“Enough,” he grunted in response. “Sounds like yer leavin’ us again.”
“Sure am,” I sighed. “It was nice while it lasted, but a god’s gotta keep busy.”
“Ye do that well enough.” Jax nodded. “Don’t forget to bring all your gear by for some upgrades before ye go.”
“I’d like to make sure all the girls are properly outfitted,” I said. “Eva needs some daggers of her own, and Elissa’s armor needs some repairs.”
“I can handle that.” Jax shot me a wink before he emptied his mug in one gulp. Then he pushed himself up from the bar, tossed a couple copper coins on the counter, waved goodbye, and headed to the door.
Stryker put down a full mug in front of me with a nod, and then he walked out from behind the counter to go collect the empties from the knight and his men.
I took my time and gingerly sipped at the beverage as I thought over everything I needed to accomplish. I’d have to leave within the next few days if I wanted to make it to Vallenwood before the new moon. I needed to talk to the girls about our upcoming trip, though, so I downed the rest of my drink and headed back out into the streets of Bastianville.
I stopped by the inn to tell Torya to set up rooms for the knight and his men, and then I made the short trek home. The girls had been asleep in bed when I’d left that morning, but I would be surprised if Mahini had slept in this long.
The desert goddess was always one of the first to rise, after all.
I trotted up the steps to my house, and I burst through the door full of exuberant energy and enthusiasm. I skipped down the hall toward the stairs, but I skidded to a halt when I passed the kitchen doorway and spotted the three beautiful ladies sitting at the table.
“Where have you been?” Mahini asked with a coolly arched eyebrow as she paused with a piece of bread halfway to her mouth.
“I was talking to Jax and Riondale when soldiers approached the gates,” I explained.
“Ohh,” Elissa said with a worried frown. “We didn’t hear the alarm bell. What soldiers?”
“I’m sure there was no problem since Bash doesn’t seem to be worried at all,” Eva said as she placed a comforting hand on the back of my wife’s hand.
“She’s right.” I grinned. “They came with a message from the king.”
“Oh?” Mahini’s ice-blue eyes scanned my face for any clues, but finding none, she gave me a pointed look. “What sort of message?”
I just loved building up the suspense, and I resisted the laughter bubbling out of my throat as I paused dramatically.
“We’re going back to Vallenwood,” I finally informed them. “The king is hosting a summit of nobility to celebrate the newest dukedom appointment.”
“So, he’s already replacing Arginold,” Eva snorted. “That was fast. I wonder if he had someone in mind before the duke’s death.”
“That’s a fair point.” I stroked my growing beard as I thought this over. “It really wasn’t that long ago that we were in Arginold ourselves. How did the king find out about it so soon?”
“Well, Arginold is equally distant to Bastianville and Vallenwood,” my wife pointed out in a scholarly tone. “Plus, we spent over a week in Wyndvale.”
“Another fair point,” I laughed. “What would I do without you smart ladies by my side?”
“Be godly, of course.” Eva shrugged.
“When do we leave?” Mahini asked in a no-nonsense tone.
“Slow your roll,” I chuckled. “I just found out about the quest myself. There’s still a lot of planning left to do, and there are more tasks around town that I’d like to accomplish first as well. The summons said to arrive before the new moon, though, so we should probably head out within the next few days.”
“Oooh, just think about how many people will be at the palace,” Elissa squealed as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. “Everyone will be in their best dresses and outfits!”
“We’ll have to get you girls stocked with some party gowns from Bellona before we leave,” I pointed out. “And Jax volunteered to upgrade your armor, too.”
“You are right, Great One,” Mahini murmured in an apologetic tone. “I let my excitement get the better of me. I will be patient and await your commands.”
“It’s all good.” I grinned. “I just want us all to have fun with this quest.”
“It will be a nice change of pace from the dangerous things we’ve faced recently,” Eva mused. “I am much more familiar with the etiquette of the nobility than I am with fighting mercenaries, no matter how much more fun the latter is.”
“I’m sure there will be plenty of challenges for us to face,” I assured her. “And many chances for you three to exceed all my expectations.”
“My father will also be present at the summit, I suppose,” Eva added in a thoughtful tone. “It will be strange to see him while I’m by your side.”
“I’m sure he’ll be over the moon to see how happy you are,” I said. “In his last letter, he was mainly concerned about your well-being.”
“Yes, of course, on paper my father would only be concerned with my health and safety,” Eva agreed with a nod. “But once he sees me in person, it may be a different story.”
“Fathers are a strange lot,” Elissa sympathized. “I thought my father’s head was going to explode the first time he saw Bash looking at me. It was wonderful, but now he accepts that I am the wife of the Great One.”
“It will be a little bit different for me,” Eva pointed out with a wry smirk. “I chose a less than honorable route to join the Great One, but I have no regrets. I just hope my father understands as much as he says he does.”
“We will find out one way or the other soon enough,” I reminded her. “Better to tackle the problem head on than to spend our time worrying about it.”
“You’ve always had such a positive outlook on life,” the duke’s daughter observed with a sideways tilt of her head. “It is probably one of my favorite things about you. That and your many talents.”
“Thanks.” Heat rose to my cheeks as I caught on to her innuendo, and I flashed her a flirtatious wink. “You’re not too shabby yourself. It’s going to be a lot of fun to walk into the palace with you three by my sides looking fine as hell. I’m sure there will be lots of jealous lords and ladies after we show up.”
“I can’t wait!” Elissa gave me one of her brilliant smiles, but then her expression turned serious. “But Bash, you’ll need a proper entourage for when you’re presented to the king at the summit. All the other nobles will have a retainer of servants and guards with them at all times, and you wouldn’t want to be the odd man out in that situation.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” I shrugged. “I’d prefer to travel with a smaller party so we reach Vallenwood more quickly.”
“You could embarrass yourself and Bastianville by extension,” Evangeline pointed out. “With all of the nobility present, everyone will have plenty of time to observe and judge their peers. With Arginold and Racine’s death, rumors and whispers will be in full force. We don’t want the gossiping mouths to bring up your name, now do we?”
“I suppose not.” I frowned. “Well, how many people do I need to bring, then?”
“I would recommend at least ten additional people.” Eva tapped her fingers against her thick pink lips. “Five as servants, and five guards. We’ll need banners and a crest as well, so the heralds will be able to recognize you from a distance.”
“This is all a little bit more complicated than I first thought,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. “How would I even decide who to take?”
“That will have to be your decision.” Eva shook her head. “Although, I would recommend keeping it to people you trust completely.”
“Of course.” I nodded. “But those are few and far between.”
“What about Riondale?” Mahini suggested. “Or some of the men who followed you from Castle Bullard? They have proven their loyalty and faithfulness to you.”
“Yes, but they are also just starting to get accustomed to life in Bastianville.” I frowned as I thought about how happy all the men had seemed after arriving in their new home town. “I wouldn’t want to take that away from them without their consent.”
“It’s not like it would be forever,” my wife pointed out with a shrug of her petite shoulders. “It would only be for the duration of the quest.”
“Still.” I shook my head. “I’d want it to be volunteers only.”
“Be careful,” Mahini warned. “You may end up with more volunteers than you bargained for.”
“You really think that many people would want to travel with us?” I chuckled. “I’m sure the tales of the dangers we have faced would scare the majority of people away.”
“Ah, but it was the tales of danger that drew me to following you in the first place,” Eva reminded me with a twinkle of amusement in her gray eyes. “Excitement and adventure are appealing to the imagination. Many will want to go, I am sure of it.”
“We’ll see.” I shrugged, but I had a hard time believing the average townsperson would be eager to sign up for a dangerous trek across Sorreyal.
Bastianville was now protected by walls and gates, and the town was thriving, so why would anyone ever want to leave if they didn’t have to?
I supposed the lure of the palace could draw out a few volunteers who wanted to bask in the opulence of the king, but those weren’t the kind of people I’d want to take with me anyway.
A short while later, I was walking toward Elrin’s house where the Elder Council was waiting for me. I’d summoned them together to discuss the final tasks I needed to accomplish before beginning my new quest. We’d made some decisions during the last meeting that I wanted to follow up on, and I also wanted to make sure all the leaders of my little town were on the same page before I left again.
The Elder Council had done a fine job of handling things so far, and I had total faith in their ability to run Bastianville exactly the way I wanted.
I carried the new, updated map Sir Cristoff had given me clenched in my fist as I trotted up the steps of Elrin’s house, and I knocked on the door while simultaneously pushing it open. I knew they were all waiting for me inside, so it was merely a matter of habit to knock before I entered. The members of the Council sat around the large dining room table when I arrived, and they greeted me in their typical, unique ways.
Jax clasped my forearm, Torya squeezed me into a matronly hug, Caelia curtsied with a blush, Theodora’s lip twitched into a smirk, and Elrin bowed his head.
After the formalities had been completed, and we’d all returned to our seats, I cleared my throat to get the room’s attention.
“I will be leaving on a new quest in a few days,” I informed them. “I’ve been summoned back to Vallenwood to the king’s palace for a summit of nobility.”
“I see.” Elrin steepled his fingers and rested them against his lips. “No rest for the immortal, I suppose.”
“Being a god is a full-time job,” I quipped. “But more importantly, there are some things we need to finalize before I leave.”
“The shopkeepers have all added to the list of available job openings,” Caelia piped up in a barely audible voice.
“Very good.” I nodded. “Jax, did you write up a request for military volunteers?”
“Aye,” the blacksmith said. “Several lads around town have recently joined the militia, but I also wrote up a bit about joining our army in the announcement yer sendin’ out.”
“Perfect.” I grinned. “It will take some time for the word to spread, but I will also do my part to find recruits in Vallenwood. I’ll be pretty busy with the summit, I’m sure, but I can always make time to talk to some people in the city.”
“We’ll have a fine army soon enough, Bash,” Jax assured me with a sage nod.
“This will be a good opportunity for you to check in on Carleone and Ivywood,” Elrin pointed out. “They will be pleased to hear of your plans to build an army to help protect them with.”
“I’ll be sure to pass through and make an appearance,” I told the mayor of Bastianville with a smile. “Speaking of my other holdings, I received an updated map of Sorreyal. I have a couple of questions for you about it, if you guys don’t mind?”
“Please,” Elrin said as he inclined his head.
“Okay.” I nodded, and then I moved around to his side of the table before I spread the map out across the surface of the dining room table.
Sketched across the parchment were squiggly lines and tiny printed words. Mountains, grasslands, trees, and rivers were painted on in color, and dotted lines divided the map into multiple territories.
It was a work of art, and obviously hand-drawn, and I wondered how many copies of this new map existed.
At the heart of Sorreyal laid Vallenwood, the home of the king’s palace. In the north was Arginold’s lands, to the east was the Duchess of Mistvale’s territory, and Edinburg’s area was situated to the south. Castle Bullard laid to the west of Vallenwood, with Bastianville beyond that closer to the boundary of the kingdom.
Outside of Sorreyal were areas covered in faded gray, and I pointed to them first as I shot Elrin a questioning glance.
“What are these places?” I asked as I indicated the edges of Sorreyal.
One corner of the map looked like a coastal region, while another was covered in desert, and the other two sides held mountains and forests.
“Beyond Bastianville is the Wild Lands of the South,” Elrin explained as his finger tapped against an area covered in painted gray trees. Then his digit slid across the parchment to the desert area. “This is the Kotar desert. Your shield maiden, Mahini, was born there, yes?”
“That’s right,” I confirmed.
“On the northern boundary lies a vast ocean,” Caelia practically whispered.
“What was that?” My head swiveled to the beautiful shopkeeper, but she merely blushed and sat frozen in place with her eyes locked onto the table’s surface. “Caelia? Did you say something.”
“I-I…” Finally, she brought her soft brown eyes up to meet my gaze, and the determination in them surprised me. She took a deep breath and released it before she spoke again, but this time her voice was clear and firm. “I’ve heard stories about the great ocean far to the north past Mistvale Castle. There are said to be beasts big enough to swallow a ship whole lurking in the endless waters.”
“Don’t forget the stories of the sea people,” Torya added with a giggle. “The half-human monsters who can breathe beneath the waves.”
Holy shit. Mermaids existed in this world? How awesome was that.
“Are they good people or bad people?” I arched an eyebrow. “Pirates or mermaids?”
“I am not sure what you mean.” The innkeeper shrugged, and her generous bosom heaved from the motion. She caught my wandering eye, and a blush leapt to her cherub-like cheeks.
“I suppose I shall just have to find out for myself someday,” I chuckled. “I didn’t realize there was so much more than just Sorreyal in this world…”
“There are more kingdoms beyond the desert,” Elrin explained, and I could see his patriotism in the proud way he held his shoulders as he talked. “But roving warlords hold power in the Wild Lands. Sorreyal is the most civilized of the more populated kingdoms, though.”
“It sounds like there is still a lot for me to explore and conquer.” I rubbed my hands together as I thought about the endless potential for adventure, and sources of new skills, that now laid before me.
Jaxtom hadn’t spoken up during our discussion of the map, and I turned to shoot him a questioning glance.
“What do you think, Jax?” I asked with a wide grin. “What direction should I go in first?”
“I ain’t one to tell ye what to do.” The blacksmith shook his head, and he crossed his thick arms across his chest. “I haven’t been outside of the kingdom before, ye know.”
I wondered if the blacksmith was embarrassed by his lack of traveling experience, and I made a mental note to ease his concerns in some way.
“What else can we do to help prepare you for the upcoming journey?” Theodora asked, and the conversation returned to my new quest.
“I think that covers everything.” I rolled up the map. “The job postings will have even more people flocking to Bastianville, so be prepared for a heavy influx of travel. Torya, are you fully stocked?”
“I am.” The innkeeper nodded. “I’ve been going through food faster than I can cook it, but I am pleased so many people are enjoying my meals. I’ve been working directly with Gerulf to supply my pantry, though, so I’m in good hands.”
I nodded in approval, and then I turned to Caelia, but the timid beauty looked down at the table when my eyes fell on her.
“Miss Stone?” I asked in a soft voice. “How are you doing on supplies?”
“I… I have been able to keep my shelves stocked,” she murmured without looking up.
“Cool.” I smirked.
I’d get the dark-skinned beauty to open up and feel more comfortable with me soon enough, but I was playing a long game with the general store owner. I could see the badass woman beneath the timid exterior, and I ached to pull her out.
Like a turtle hiding in its shell, I’d have to lay out a trail of berries to tempt the real Caelia Stone out.
“Oh, yeah, one other thing,” I said as I turned back to Elrin. “I need to take an entourage with me to Vallenwood. I was thinking ten people would suffice. Maybe one or two more. Any suggestions?”
Elrin and Jaxtom exchanged a look, and then the mayor shrugged his shoulders.
“That would be a decision you would have to make for yourself, Great One.” Elrin shook his head and gave me an apologetic smile. “I’m sure you could have your pick of the entire town, if you wanted to.”
“Hmm…” His words struck a chord with me, and an idea crossed my mind. “That’s not a bad idea. Will you make an announcement for me? Have anyone who wants to go with me gather in the town square, and then I will pick from whoever shows up.”
“I’m not sure you realize how many people want to follow you on your adventures,” Elrin argued with a furrowed brow. “The entire town will show up.”
“You really think so?” I frowned as I thought this over.
What would I do if the entire town wanted to go with me? I supposed I’d just have to wait and see who showed up.
“I do.” Elrin nodded. “When would you want the people to come?”
“Is there still enough time to announce it today and have anyone who wants to show up in the morning?” I tapped a finger against my lips. “That would give me two days to organize horses and supplies for everyone.”
“Tomorrow morning it is.” The Mayor of Bastianville smiled warmly at me. “But be warned. The news will draw quite the crowd.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” I laughed.
Jax had a thoughtful frown on his face, and I shot him a questioning glance, but he merely shook his head when I caught his attention.
I’d have to check in with the blacksmith in private later, but for now I let his odd silence go.
“I think that wraps up everything we needed to discuss,” I said as I rubbed my hands together. “I’ll be in the town square in the morning.”
“Very well, Great One.” Elrin inclined his head. “I hope you get a chance to rest some before your journey.”
“Oh, I always sleep great,” I informed my wife’s father with a wide smile.
I said my goodbyes to the rest of the Elder Council, and then I left Elrin’s house and headed home. It was early evening at this point, and the sun shot brilliant orange and purple rays across the western horizon. On the eastern edge of the sky, the moon had just begun to peek its head out, and the combination of both celestial orbs present at one time was breathtaking.
The windows of my house were brightly illuminated when I approached, and a grin spread across my face as I pictured the three beautiful ladies waiting for me inside.
I was one lucky man.
I hurried up the steps, pushed open the front door, and then closed it behind me. Candles were lit in the hallway leading away from the entrance, and laughter trickled down the corridor from the living room. A meaty aroma lingered in the air, and my mouth watered at the scent.
Meat.
My smile grew even wider, and I rushed to join my women. They were all lounging on the couch when I entered the room, and my fiery-haired wife sprung up when she saw me.
“There you are!” she greeted with bright red cheeks and a brilliant smile. “I missed you so much!”
Then she flung herself into my arms, and I laughed as I swung her around in a circle. I planted her on her feet before I kissed her forehead, and in the next moment my wife had been replaced by the duke’s daughter.
“How was your meeting?” Eva asked with adoration in her gray eyes as she tilted back her head to gaze up at me. “Did everything go as planned?”
“Absolutely.” I nodded. “And now I am back with you three, so I am one happy man.”
“We are pleased you have returned as well,” Mahini said, and her ice-blue eyes glittered as she sauntered over to slip into my arms as Eva stepped away. Her lips grazed against mine in the softest tease of a kiss, and she flashed me a mischievous wink before she returned to the couch.
“Are you ready for dinner, husband?” Elissa asked as she straightened the skirt of her yellow dress. “We were waiting for you to return before we ate.”
“Sure.” I grinned, and then I turned toward the kitchen. “I thought I smelled something delicious when I first came in.”
“It’s a roast lamb,” Mahini informed me in a proud tone.
“Just like Racine had for his last supper.” Eva smirked as she crossed her arms. “We thought it was a fitting meal for us.”
“Just as long as it’s not burnt,” I said with an arched eyebrow, and Elissa burst into giggles.
My wife had been present when I’d interfered with Arginold’s court wizard’s dinner. It had been pivotal to my deadly scheme to burn the wizard’s dinner, and I’d gone through multiple respawns in an effort to get the timing of the burnt food correct. It had been well worth the effort, and in the end, a thing as simple as burnt lamb had led to Racine’s death at his boss’ hand.
I’d have to utilize all my sleuthing skills to maneuver the next stage of my journey, though, and the thought sent an excited shiver down my spine.
We all headed into the kitchen to sit around the small table to eat our dinners, and the rest of the evening was filled with laughter, delicious food prepared by amazing women, and talk of our future.
It was a glimpse at what the rest of my life would look like, and I couldn’t be happier.
I woke up early the next day, dressed in casual but comfortable clothes, and gently nudged the three women awake. Mahini’s blue eyes snapped open with decisive clarity, but Elissa and Eva were slow to rouse. When I reminded them about the meeting in the town square, though, they quickly hopped out of bed and got ready for the day.
Mahini wore knee high brown boots, brown leather breeches, a white lace up shirt, and a leather corset that squeezed her breasts into twin mounds of delight.
Eva was wearing a simple white cotton dress that fell to her knees with a black corset that accentuated the curves of her hips, and she’d added matching leather thigh-high boots, but I had a feeling the blonde bombshell was fully armed beneath the deceptive innocence of her attire.
My wife glowed in a moss-green sundress that revealed her freckled shoulders, and she wore her flame-colored locks tied back into a braided crown that ringed the top of her head.
“You’re all so gorgeous,” I breathed, and I was sure my eyes were exploding with cartoon hearts. “Did it hurt?”
“Did what hurt?” Mahini asked with a worried frown. “I believe we are all uninjured, Great One.”
“When you fell from heaven,” I said, and I burst into laughter when I was met with only blank stares. “Alright, alright, too cheesy?”
“I like cheese,” Elissa said. “But what does that have to do with heaven?”
“I am also confused,” Eva admitted with a wry smile. “But that is not an unfamiliar sensation around the Great One.”
“Best to let it go,” Mahini suggested as a smile tugged on the corners of her lips.
“Let’s go see who wants to come to Vallenwood with us,” I said, and I held out my arms for two of them to grasp.
Eva and Elissa stepped forward and took hold of my elbows, and Mahini nodded in approval before she led the way out the front door and down the steps. The desert goddess was all business as we marched across the town to the square, and her shoulders tensed as we drew near.
“Great One…” Mahini murmured in a hesitant tone as she came to a halt.
My eyes leapt to the road ahead, and my mouth fell open when I saw the scene before me.
A thick crowd had gathered around the town square, and there was barely any daylight visible through the densely-packed bodies. I saw many familiar faces among the horde, but it did indeed look like half the town’s population was present and vying for a spot in my entourage.
“Bash…” Elissa gasped, and she shrunk away from the crowd. “There’s so many of them…”
“I’m not surprised.” Evangeline shrugged.
I shot her a questioning look, and the duke’s daughter shrugged again.
“Everyone who recently moved to Bastianville probably did so in the hopes of being able to follow you into battle or on some adventure.” Eva’s gray eyes swept over the crowd until they returned to my face. “You inspire hope in people, Great One. It’s irresistible.”
“Hey, it’s the Great One of Legend!” a voice from the town square called out, and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded by a press of townspeople.
“Pick me!”
“I will fight for you!”
“I would die for you, Great One!”
“Choose me, please!”
The voices grew more and more desperate with each moment of silence, and I frowned as I began to feel claustrophobic among the dense crowd surrounding me.
“Get back!” Mahini’s voice sliced through the air like a dagger’s edge, and the townspeople immediately leapt backward. “Give the Great One some space.”
I was well acquainted with large crowds gathering around me and reaching out to touch me, but the desperation was something new. This was going to be harder than I thought.
How was I supposed to pick only ten people out of this great number of volunteers?
“Excuse me,” I said, and I inched forward to the center of the town square. “Can someone get me a crate or something to stand on?”
“Get the Great One a box!” a voice growled, and then a flurry of activity swarmed around me.
A moment later, a crate was shoved beneath my feet, and I stepped up above the heads of the people crowding around me. I gestured for silence as I took a moment to scan over the expectant faces staring back at me, and I made a mental note of the people present who I recognized.
Riondale, Jorgen, and the rest of the men from Castle Bullard stood apart from the heart of the crowd, but their faces were hopeful nonetheless.
Stryker, Willihard, and Niconor waited beside each other, and they cast doubtful glances at the people around them.
Bron and Sarah stood beside the old man, Zed, and the former zealots nodded when my eyes fell on them.
Then I spotted Jaxtom standing with his arms crossed over his chest. The blacksmith met my gaze with a small nod, and then he turned to speak to someone standing behind him who I didn’t recognize.
I was surprised to see the blacksmith among the volunteers, but I had to admit it would be pretty cool to have him come along with me. The burly man would be a fish out of water in the palace, but that was insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Still, no matter who I chose, I would be rejecting a bunch of people, and I didn’t like the idea of causing any hard feelings among the townspeople.
“I think this is when you say something,” Elissa murmured by my feet as she tugged on my shirt, and I flashed the red-haired goddess a grateful smile when I looked down to meet her gaze.
“Sorry, lost in thought,” I whispered with a wry smile, and then I cleared my throat before I raised my voice loud enough to be heard by the entire gathering. “Thank you all for coming today, your desire to help me warms my heart. This is going to be a challenging mission, though, since the road to Vallenwood is long and full of dangers. I would only be able to bring the best of the best, the strongest of the strong. I have about ten spots to fill on my entourage, and as you can see, there are a few more than that here.”
“Take us all!” a voice suggested loudly.
“I would if I could.” I smirked. “It would take us a year to reach the palace, though, and I need to get there before the new moon.”
“What have you decided, Great One?” another person asked in an impatient tone.
I waved my hands to regain the silence and attention of the crowd, and then I paused to build up the suspense. I’d already decided a few moments before what the best way forward would be, but I always had more fun when my presentations were theatrical.
It was the little things in life that made it worth living.
“I have decided…” The crowd groaned as I fell silent again, and I once again gestured for quiet. “I have decided this is not a decision I can make.”
“Oh, come on!”
“Tell us already!”
“End the torment!”
I chuckled to myself as I waited for the people to fall silent once more. It took a moment, but when they noticed I wasn’t speaking, they began to nudge the others who still grumbled among them into submission. Once all eyes were again locked onto my face, I nodded my approval and continued.
“I am going to let fate and skill decide who will join my entourage.” I gave my people my most charming smile. “There will be a competition, a tournament if you will, to see who is the best of the best. The top twelve contenders will earn the right to travel with me to Vallenwood.”
I’d decided to up the number of winners, and I’d discovered the loophole to my decision and designed myself some awesome entertainment at the same time.
How else would you please a god other than by pitting your skills against the contenders?
Plus, no one could be upset at me if they were rejected if it was due to their own failure in a fair competition. It was a win-win situation for me, and I couldn’t be happier.
This was going to be so fucking awesome.