Chapter Eleven
“Give the Great One some room!” Mahini called out in a voice as sharp as her blade. “We are on our way to see the king!”
Her words cut through the onslaught of voices, and the crowd grumbled as they began to disperse.
I led our little procession through the wagon-wheel design of the city, and I aimed for the main entrance of the palace. We passed through the bustling marketplace where the streets were crowded with people, and I was careful not to trample over anyone with my horse.
I listened to the oohs and aahs of my entourage as we entered the city of Vallenwood, and the girls and I exchanged a knowing glance. Riondale and Corvis were also less than impressed, but this wasn’t their first time to the capital, either. Jaxtom’s reaction was my favorite, though, since the burly blacksmith’s mouth hung agape, and his eyes were wider than I’d ever seen them. He craned his neck around in an effort to see everything at once, and he gasped over the height of the buildings that towered over us.
It looked like all the damage from Smiguel, the great crimson dragon, had already been repaired since there wasn’t a sign of fire damage anywhere. The people of Vallenwood were back to their normal lives, and no one had to live in fear of the beast any longer. My chest swelled with pride as I remembered how I’d become the Dragon Slayer.
I still had the lance the king gave me, too, but I’d left it back in Bastianville since the lizard asshole was dead.
My thoughts turned to the dragon egg I’d stolen from the beast’s nest, but I pushed the thought from my mind. There would be time to ponder the egg later since I knew it was safe and sound hidden in my house with the rest of the items I’d scavenged from the creature.
Then we arrived at the main entrance of the palace, and servants were already trotting out the humongous doors as we pulled to a halt. They wore the green tunics trimmed in gold common for all the king’s servants, and they bowed low as we all started to dismount. The servant in the front rose back up as I walked toward him, and I flashed him a friendly smile as I made a new save point.
“Greetings, O Great One,” the servant intoned in a robotic voice. “We have been expecting you. The king awaits you.”
“I know.” I nodded sagely, and then my gaze flicked to the entrance behind him. “After you.”
I glanced back over my shoulder to make sure the rest of my companions were following me, and I noticed the stable hands were already leading our horses away to the stables. My women and my entourage blinked back at me with neutral expressions, but they were lined up in two rows with the girls at the front.
“Thank you. Follow me, Your Grace.” The servant inclined his head, and then he snapped his fingers at the other green tunic wearing people who’d come outside with him. The group of servants jumped into a formation around us, and then the head servant walked between the open doors of the palace.
We followed him straight to the throne room at a brisk pace, so I didn’t have time to ogle at the decorations this time. My companions slowed a little to take a look for themselves as we traversed the long corridor, though, so our formation stretched out into a thin line until they caught me glancing back at them and quickly got back into a crisp row.
The audience chamber was empty when we arrived, but the king stood near the dais where his throne sat waiting for us. Thinning shoulder-length brown hair sat beneath his golden circlet, and his narrow frame was dressed in a rich green velvet robe over a golden chainmail tunic.
The first time I’d seen him, the king had worn armor encrusted with gemstones, so it was nice to see he had a more casual side sometimes. My entourage formed a line a short distance away from the throne dais, and I nodded in appreciation to my companions before I turned my attention to the king.
“Freddy!” I greeted in a friendly voice. “Long time no see. How are ya?”
I crossed the distance to the king, and I stuck out my hand for him to shake. The older man smirked as he placed his palm in mine, and I sensed no animosity in his gaze.
“Sir Sebastian.” The king inclined his head, and his eyes twinkled in amusement. “I hope you had safe travels through my kingdom?”
“Actually, we were beset by assassins early on,” I reported. “But I made quick work of them, and no one else bothered us the rest of the way here.”
“Assassins?” The king frowned, and he turned to stare out the gigantic window situated behind his throne. “That is most unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate for the assassins,” I replied. “They’re the dead ones, after all.”
“It was highly unwise for them to target an immortal deity,” the king agreed with a solemn nod. “You must have really ruffled some feathers in Sorreyal if even you have a price on your head.”
“What do you mean, even me?” I pressed. “Who else got attacked recently?”
“My personal wizard was poisoned,” the king informed me in a quiet voice. “He survived, but it was intentionally done. If you were also targeted by assassins, then it is no coincidence.”
I resisted the sudden urge to spill my guts about the Duke of Arginold and his court wizard, Racine, to the kindly king, but I kept my lips pressed firmly shut until the feeling passed. The two assholes had killed each other, and there was no proof of my involvement, so I planned to keep it that way. Still, I knew about the plot to overthrow the king between Edinburg and Arginold, so I had to do something.
But what?
“How long ago did the poisoning occur?” I asked as I tapped my finger against my chin.
The king shot a glance at my entourage. “We will speak another time. Alone. Perhaps after the banquet? I’d like you to meet the others before we talk.”
“You can trust my people,” I assured the king with a coolly arched eyebrow. “Who are these others you want me to meet, and why?”
“The nobles, of course.” The king frowned. “I need you to read their minds with your god powers, and then we will meet up to discuss your findings.”
“Isn’t that cheating?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I’m the king.” He shrugged.
“Fair enough.” I scratched my chin. “So, you want me to investigate everyone, or is there someone specific you have in mind?”
“Just follow your instincts,” the king replied. “I trust your godly judgement, but make sure you have proof of any accusations.”
“When is this banquet?” I asked as the wheels began turning in my head. With enough respawns, I could learn all about everyone invited in the span of a single night. It would be hard, but I was always up for a challenge.
“Tomorrow evening,” King Frederick said, and his eyes began to twinkle with excitement. “There will be a ball after dinner, so wear your dancing shoes.”
“Alright.” I smirked. “I’ll be there.”
“You are the Archduke of Sorreyal,” the king pointed out. “It would be rude for you to be absent.”
“I’m also the God of Time,” I reminded him in a hard tone.
“Yes, yes, of course, my apologies.” The king waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll have someone show you to your rooms. I hope the west wing is adequate again?”
“That’s fine.” I nodded. “Just as long as I have a soft bed and a warm bath, I don’t care where you put me.”
The king clapped his hands together, and a servant rushed forward from some unseen shadow in the room.
“Show Sir Sebastian and his people to the west wing, please,” the king instructed. “Then make sure they are provided with dinner this evening.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the servant replied with a low bow, and then he turned and marched toward the entrance of the throne room without a word.
I caught the questioning glances from my entourage, and I shrugged. “Let’s just follow along.”
I already knew the way to the west wing because of our previous visit to the palace, but I also knew the king needed his small formalities in order to feel like he was more powerful than me.
He wasn’t, but he’d figure it out eventually.
For now, being allies with the king of Sorreyal worked in my favor, but the second that changed I would rethink my position. Besides, it appeared we could have common enemies once more.
We passed through the corridors, the foyer, and then turned down the hallway that led to the west wing of the palace. The servant kept a brisk pace, so we hurried to keep up with him, but a few moments later we entered the regal living space I was familiar with from our previous visit.
“This is starting to become a recurring theme,” Riondale teased as he tossed himself down on one of the sofas. “I’m getting used to living in the lap of luxury.”
“Good,” I chuckled. “You deserve the best, Ri-guy.”
“This will take me some getting accustomed to,” Bellona said with an awed look on her face as she gazed around the room. “Look at the size and quality of the curtains! I could make ten dresses from one sheet!”
“Did you hear him say there’s going to be a dance?” I wiggled my eyebrows at the seamstress. “You’ll get to wear a fancy dress yourself for once.”
“It’s going to be wonderful to see all the latest fashions in Vallenwood,” she replied with excitement shining in her eyes. “I’ve wanted to come here since I was a little girl.”
“Think you’ll be able to get me a fancy new tunic to wear to the ball?” I grinned. “I have to make a good impression on the entire summit of nobility, after all.”
“I’ll get you fitted for something extra special later tonight,” Bellona assured me.
“In the meantime, let’s divide up the available rooms between our group,” I said, and I raised my voice so my entire entourage could hear me. “Tonight is easy, but tomorrow the real work begins, so get some rest while you can.”
“Sounds like we’re just goin’ to a big party,'' Jax observed. “Nothin’ about that says work to me.”
“Oh, you’ll see.” I flashed him a mischievous grin. “I bet you’ll be worn out long before the end of the banquet.”
“Is that so?” The blacksmith tossed back his head and let out a loud belly laugh. “You’re on.”
“This is going to be very entertaining,” Riondale said with a wry smile. “I’m looking forward to a ball for the first time in my life. Thanks for that, Jax.”
“The least I could do, my lord,” Jax countered with a mock bow, and the entire room erupted with laughter.
I was pleased my entourage could joke around with each other since it made time pass so much faster when we were all having fun. The more they trusted me, the happier they became, and it was gratifying to see the direct results of my influence. Having so many trusted eyes and ears with me could really come in handy, too, and I tucked the thought away for later use.
Then dinner arrived with a parade of servants pushing carts covered in white cloths. On top were silver domed dishes, and the delicious aromas began to float through the air toward my nostrils the second the servants entered the west wing. Once the meal was served, we all sat around the fancy dining room table and ate as a group while the servants kept our drinks filled.
I sat back and listened to the chatter among my companions for a while, and it made me happy to hear how excited they were about staying in the palace. Caelia’s gaze flicked to my face every once in a while, and I gave her my most charming smile, which caused her to blush and stare at the table. Jeron and Niconor compared notes on the king, while Jax and Riondale discussed how difficult it would be to scale the city walls.
Celeste devoured her meal like she hadn’t eaten in days, but Adelina picked politely at her food in between conversation. Kylor and Corvis discussed the differences between the stables at Bullard and the ones in Vallenwood, while Sarah and Bellona talked about what they planned to wear to the ball.
The table was full of happy people, and I sighed contentedly as I scanned over their faces.
Then my gaze landed on Mahini, and her ice-blue eyes were full of adoration when they pierced into me from across the table. Elissa leaned over to whisper something in the desert goddess’ ear, and her attention was pulled away, so my eyes moved on. Beside the two whispering ladies, Eva sipped her beverage serenely, and her gray eyes were warm as she considered her companions.
I was the luckiest man in the world.
I yawned deeply and stretched my arms as the heavy meal began to settle into my stomach, and the full day of travel stiffened my shoulders. I was ready to spread out in the massive, luxurious bed down the hallway, so I pushed myself to a stand and cleared my throat.
“Our journey to Vallenwood was full of laughter, song, and good conversation, but we had some danger thrown in there as well.” I gave my companions a proud smile. “You all did very well, and I’m proud of you. Whatever luxuries we are afforded during our stay in the palace have been well-earned, so make sure you enjoy every moment. Tomorrow night we will reconvene to attend the banquet and the ball, but you have the rest of the day off. I’m off to bed.”
“Not without us, you aren’t,” my wife countered with a defiant jut of her chin, and she hopped to her feet. “Goodnight, everyone!”
“So dramatic,” Mahini murmured as she pushed back her chair.
“I think she’s cute,” Eva giggled as she followed suit.
The rest of our companions waved goodnight to us, and then I led the three ladies down the hallway to my massive bed. This was going to be a night of epic cuddles, and I was eager for some solid sleep. After the assassin attack, it had been a struggle to stay asleep all night long while we were traveling, even when I didn’t have a watch shift.
I could be a little bit less cautious in a palace full of armed guards.
The four of us crawled into bed and positioned ourselves against the countless pillows, and I nuzzled my nose sleepily into Elissa’s curly locks.
“Sweet dreams,” I whispered, but it turned into a yawn halfway through.
“Sleep well, Great One,” Mahini murmured from the other side of Eva, who laid against my left side.
“I love you, Bash…” Elissa yawned.
“Me, too…” Eva added in a sleepy voice.
“I love all three of you,” I insisted before I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
I had dreams of dancing with two left feet all night long, and one where Elissa had a baby with curly red hair bundled up in her arms, so I awoke early the next day with a silly smile on my face.
Would I have a child soon?
I hadn’t used any form of birth control since I’d been in this medieval fantasy world, and I’d filled all three women with my sperm too many times to count. The logical conclusion was at least one of them would be pregnant soon, but I wasn’t sure if biology followed the same rules in this world as it had in my old world.
Either way, there was no point in worrying about it. I’d either become a dad soon or not, but I’d cross that bridge when I came to it. For the moment, I had to focus on the situation in Vallenwood. I planned on furthering my own level of prestige, building my army, gathering information about dragon smithing, and scoping out the nobles for signs of treachery.
I had more than enough on my plate already.
The day of the banquet would be full since I didn’t want to waste a single moment in Vallenwood, so I quickly dressed in some comfortable clothes, threw on my boots and belt, and then went off in search of two of my companions. I would need their help to accomplish my goals for the day, but they wouldn’t be too hard to find since we were all staying in the same section of the palace.
The living space was empty save for Kylor when I entered the room, and I peeked inside the kitchen and dining room before I approached the red-haired soldier.
“Hey, Kylor,” I greeted, and I clapped him on the shoulder before I took a seat on the couch beside him. “Have you seen Jax or Rion today?”
“They’re probably not awake yet,” Kylor informed me with a sideways smile. “They were up until late last night playing cards and drinking.”
“Hmm.” I scratched my chin as I thought about what to do. “Alright. Thanks anyway.”
I could wait for them, or I could go into the city alone, but then I’d just have to explain to them what I’d done anyway, so it would be better if the three of us went together. Once I’d decided, I went off in search of another companion who could help me with another task I needed to accomplish before the banquet. I found Bellona in the library, and she had a large volume spread out across a table.
“Good morning.” I flashed her a bright smile. “I was wondering if you had time to help me pick out my outfit for tonight. I’d like to get it out of the way early so I can focus on other things until the banquet starts.”
“I was just waiting for you to wake up,” Bellona said as she returned my broad smile with one of her own. “I came in here to keep myself from pacing outside your chamber door.”
“You’re even more excited than I am,” I laughed.
“Like I said,” the seamstress replied with a coy smile. “This has been my dream my entire life. Thank you, Great One, for making it a reality.”
“You are most welcome.” I inclined my head. “Thank you for all the hard work you do. You’re irreplaceable, my dear.”
“It’s nothing…” Bellona blushed, and she pushed a stray tendril of hair behind her ear in a self-conscious manner. “I’d be doing it anyway.”
“Oh, one other thing!” An idea suddenly crossed my mind, and I latched onto it immediately as I gave the seamstress a mischievous smile and rubbed my hands together. “I want Jax to be dressed up in something covered in lace.”
“Ohh…” Bellona’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Maybe something bright pink?”
“Polka dotted?” I countered with a lifted eyebrow.
“Definitely frilly,” the seamstress insisted with a serious nod.
“You, my dear,” I laughed. “Are an evil genius.”
“It takes one to know one, apparently,” she shot back with a wink. “Don’t worry about a thing, Bash. I’ll have us all in outfits unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.”
“There’s not much time to prepare.” I scratched my chin. “Are you sure you can manage before the end of the day?”
“I’ve already started working on fancy dinner wear for you and your three women,” the seamstress informed me. “I would just need a couple of hours to prepare Jax’s outfit, as well as to make some last-minute adjustments to the rest of the uniforms.”
“Jax will wonder why he isn’t allowed to wear the uniform like everyone else,” I mused out loud. “We’ll have to come up with a reason.”
“I’ll think of something,” she assured me. “Now, let’s go take your measurements again. If I’m not mistaken, your muscle mass has increased significantly since you first came to Bastianville.”
“Alright,” I chuckled.
The seamstress was right, of course, but I wouldn’t expect anything else from her skilled eyes. I’d been straining into the sleeves of my shirts for a while, and it wouldn’t be long before the fabric around my biceps ripped just because I flexed or something. I was long overdue for a new fitting, and it was the perfect time to do just that.
The two of us walked back through the west wing toward the bedroom Bellona had claimed as her own, but the room resembled her workshop back in Bastianville more than it did a sleeping space.
I spent the next hour or so frozen in one place while Bellona took a measuring string around my person. The string was knotted at even segments, and the seamstress wrapped it around every inch of my body while muttering under her breath. I didn’t dare to even breath until she instructed me to relax my gut so she could get an accurate reading, but then her fingers tickled against my sides, and I squirmed.
“Hold still,” she huffed, but then her voice softened. “Please.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I chuckled, and I did my best to follow her commands.
It felt like an eternity had passed before she released me from the stance I’d been holding, and then we took some time to discuss fabric choices. Bellona showed me the outfit she’d already started for me, and she’d chosen a solid black doublet to etch my crest onto. I’d pair the vest with a dark green under shirt with billowy sleeves.
“I’d recommend slicking your hair back with oil as well,” Bellona suggested as she folded the strips of fabric back up into neat little stacks. “The other nobles will be wearing fancy wigs, but I don’t think that suits you. No, you’re better off maintaining your youthful appearance.”
“It confuses more people when they find out I’m a god,” I agreed with a nod. “Wigs aren’t my thing, anyway.”
“I didn’t think so.” Bellona smiled. “I brought some oil my husband used to use when he was younger if you would like to try it.”
“Thank you.” I grinned. “You’ve been a tremendous help already.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Bellona laughed. “And the food.”
“It is to die for, isn’t it?” My stomach growled to accentuate my point. “I skipped breakfast, though, so I should probably go find something to eat before I starve to death.”
“That did sound dire.” Bellona smiled. “Enjoy your meal, Great One.”
I waved goodbye to the seamstress before I returned to the main living space of the west wing. There were some remnants of breakfast strewn across the kitchen counter, and I grabbed a pastry as I passed by. I shoved the food in my mouth and swallowed it after only chewing it a couple of times, and then I scrutinized the rest of the spread.
I grabbed a plate, and I filled it with eggs, bacon, and potatoes. The food was still warm, so I knew it had only been delivered a short while before, but none of my companions were eating in the kitchen or the dining room. I chomped down on my meal in solitude, but I didn’t mind having a few moments alone with my thoughts.
I ran over my goals for the day in my head while I ate. I wanted to find some recruits to join my army, discuss dragon armor with Jax’s contact in the city, and then be back in time to get ready for the banquet that night. By the time I’d finished my food, I heard movement in the adjoining room
I was confident I could accomplish everything I wanted to with Jax and Riondale’s help, so when I was done eating, I dropped my dirty dishes off in the kitchen before going to find the two men I considered my best friends.
I found Jax lounging in the living room on what was quickly becoming his favorite chair, and I jerked my chin upward in greeting.
“Mornin’,” Jax growled.
“How’d you sleep?” I asked with a mischievous grin.
“Like a babe,” the blacksmith responded. “I don’t know what they put in them beds, but we gotta get some for Bastianville.”
“I agree,” I laughed. “Hey, have you seen Riondale this morning?”
“Aye.” Jax nodded. “He grabbed some food and then muttered something about cleaning his armor. Kid won’t relax for a single second, I tell ya.”
“We’ll teach him some balance soon enough.” I smirked. “Don’t you worry. We’re all going to learn a few things on this trip.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jax narrowed his eyes with suspicion.
“You’ll see,” I chuckled. “Don’t go anywhere. I’m going to go grab Ri-guy, and then the three of us are going into town.”
“Aye, I figured as much.” Jax nodded. “I’ll be right here til you need me, Bash.”
I found Riondale in one of the rooms down the long corridor of the west wing, and the young lieutenant was bent over his armor with a cleaning rag in hand. The door was standing open, so I knocked on the frame as I cleared my throat to get his attention. Riondale’s head swiveled around, but then he flashed me a broad smile.
“Good morning, sir.” The young lieutenant wiped his hands on the rag, and then he tossed it to the side and pushed himself to his feet. “What can I do for you?”
“Come with me.” I grinned. “You, me, and Jax are going into the city.”
“Yes, sir.” Riondale nodded curtly. “I need to put on my armor, but I’ll be ready to head out shortly.”
“Then meet me in the living room when you’re ready.” I turned to leave. “And bring some paper and a quill.”
“Yes, sir.” Riondale saluted before he busied himself with his armor once more.
I returned to the living space, and I got comfortable on one of the sofas while I waited for the lieutenant. Jax had his eyes closed and one arm slung across his face when Riondale trotted into the room, so I nudged the blacksmith on the leg to signal it was time to leave. Jaxtom lumbered to his feet and nodded in greeting to Riondale, and then the three of us headed out of the west wing to the main entrance of the palace.
Our conversation was kept to a minimum as we traversed the maze-like corridors, and we walked at a brisk pace until we came to the humongous double doors. The guards standing on either side of the portal quickly moved to pull them open for us, and they eyed us with obvious fear. I pictured our trio from an outside perspective, and I decided the three of us made for an intimidating presence.
That was fine with me.
The morning sun was warm on my skin when we strode out into the courtyard, but a short while later, we were beneath the shadows of the tall structures in the city, so my skin grew chilled once more. It was still early in the day despite how much time I’d spent with the seamstress, but we had a lot to accomplish before the sun set that night.
“Jax,” I said as I signaled for the two men to halt. “Let’s go talk to your contact about the dragon armor first.”
“Aye,” the blacksmith growled. “I was hopin’ you’d say that. It’s been a long time, and I’d like to lay my eyes on the old man sooner rather than later.”
“Lead the way,” I said, and I gestured to the street ahead of us.
“I ain’t been to his house before,” Jax admitted with a sheepish expression. “But I know he lives in the tradesman district above his forge.”
“Well, let’s go find him, then.” I nodded in understanding.
Finding the guy was going to be an adventure in itself.
We marched down the street at a rapid pace, but I had to consult my mental map of the city multiple times to prevent us from getting turned around. I hadn’t explored Vallenwood very much during my last visit, but I’d studied the map closely enough to know where the tradesmen district laid, so I took the lead. When we heard the clamoring of metal on metal, I knew we were close, so my speed increased even more.
Riondale and Jax stayed hot on my tail, and they didn’t ask how I knew where I was going. I supposed they would just assume it was all part of my godly powers, and I didn’t mind letting them think so.
I smelled the stench of freshly cured leather, felt the radiant heat of multiple forges, and heard the sounds of heavy labor ahead. Then we turned a corner, and the tradesmen district laid before us.
“Let’s split up,” I suggested. “We’ll make better time that way. Jax, what’s the guy’s name we’re looking for?”
“Aryon,” Jax growled with an eager look in his eyes. “Aryon Dunn. He’d be an old man by now. I ain’t seen him in years.”
“Got it.” I nodded.
“He’s a smith?” Riondale questioned, and Jax and I both nodded. “Understood.”
I made a new save point in case I needed to save time by resetting to an earlier point in the day. Then the three of us split up, and we began to comb the entire district for any information about the blacksmith named Aryon Dunn. I watched the sun inch across the sky with growing trepidation, but I knew I would take as much time as I could. It was important we figure out how to work the materials I’d harvested from the dragon into a suit of armor, and it didn’t matter how long it took, I was determined to see it through.
We spent several more hours searching, and I talked to more people than I cared to remember, but then the three of us met back up on the other end of the street.
“I found someone who thinks they know his old lady,” Jax reported, and he tapped his toe against the paving stones with obvious impatience. “They showed me where she lives, and it’s above a forge that’s run cold.”
“Good work.” I grinned.
I didn’t even need to reset to my save point since it seemed as though luck was on our side so far.
“Follow me,” Jax grunted, and then he headed back up the street.
The blacksmith veered down a side road, took another right, and then stopped in front of a boarded-up smithy. The forge looked like it hadn’t burned in years, and the windows of the shop were covered in planks. A small doorway on the side of the shop led to a stairwell, and Jax headed up them without hesitation.
Riondale and I exchanged a glance before we followed the eager blacksmith up the steps, and then we all paused outside the door at the very top. Jax knocked firmly, and he pressed an ear against the portal.
“Anyone there?” he hollered through the wood barrier. “It’s Jax.”
We waited with bated breath for what seemed like an eternity before Jax turned to give me a disappointed look.
“Looks like a bust after all,” he grumbled, but then the door opened the smallest amount.
“Who’s there?” The voice sounded ancient, and female.
“It’s Jax,” the blacksmith practically shouted, and his face lit up with excitement.
I wondered who this old man was that we were looking for, and why he was such an important person to the blacksmith, but I supposed I’d get my answers soon enough. In the meantime, I would just enjoy seeing the blacksmith so happy and excited while it lasted.
“Young Jaxtom?” The old woman threw open the door and stared out at us with large blue eyes. She scanned the blacksmith up and down for a long moment, and then recognition bloomed in her gaze. “Jaxy! It is you! Please, come in, come in…”
The three of us squeezed inside the tiny door frame and entered the small apartment. The entryway opened into a quaint living room with a loveseat and a single chair, but another doorway on the far wall boasted at least one more room in the space.
“Have a seat,” the old woman insisted as she gestured to the couch that would obviously only hold one of the three of us comfortably. Then she took the solitary chair on the other side of the living room.
The three of us exchanged a look, and Jaxtom sighed before he stepped forward and sat down on the loveseat. Riondale and I took up a position behind the small couch, and we both crossed our arms over our chests like we were the blacksmith’s bodyguards.
“What brings you to town, Jaxy?” The old woman smoothed out the wrinkles of her faded blue skirt, but the hue perfectly matched the shade of her eyes. Her hair was mostly gray with strings of auburn, and she’d woven it back into an intricate bun on the nape of her neck.
I resisted the urge to chuckle at the muscular blacksmith being called “Jaxy” since I didn’t want to insult the old woman.
“Yaya, these are my friends,” Jax said in a soft voice I’d never heard him use before. “This here is Bash, and the little one is Rion. We’re here to see Aryon.”
“Oh, dear…” Yaya’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know?”
“No…” Jax swallowed hard as realization dawned in his eyes, and then he covered his face with his hands. “I swore he’d live forever…”
“It must be very important to bring you all this way,” Yaya observed, and her gaze lifted to me. “Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you both. I wish I had better news to give you.”
“It’s alright,” I assured her with a soft smile. “We’d hoped to talk to your husband, but you have my condolences on your loss.”
“What did you want to talk to him about?” Yaya’s gaze turned shrewd as her eyes returned to Jax’s face. “Tell me, Jaxy. What have you gotten into? Are you in trouble?”
“No trouble at all, Yaya,” the burly blacksmith muttered, and he rubbed his hands vigorously across his face before he dropped them to his lap. “We wanted to ask him about dragon armor. He used to tell stories about his master…”
“They weren’t just stories,” Yaya informed us in a conspiratorial tone, and her voice filled the space in a hypnotic way that had us all staring into her eyes with rapt fascination. “Aryon’s mentor crafted armor from dragon scales he found in a hidden crypt. He passed the technique on to all three of his apprentices, but Aryon never had the chance to perfect the skill since the dragons were long gone. Well, they were… If only he could see that great beast who attacked the city… He would have yearned for its hide and would have probably died chasing after a dream anyway.”
So. There were several people out there who knew how to forge armor from dragon hide, and all I needed to do was find them.
Riondale and I exchanged a look filled with the thirst for adventure, and I grinned as I realized I had a companion who would follow me to the ends of the world.
“I’m so sorry, Yaya,” Jax whispered with a solemn shake of his head. “If only I’d come sooner…”
“Nonsense.” Yaya frowned. “You were doing exactly what Aryon wanted for you, working your trade, and doing a damn good job if I remember correctly. He was always so proud of you, Jaxy.”
I was glad Jaxtom couldn’t see me since I was tearing up with the overwhelming wholesomeness I was witnessing, but I figured you’d have to be some kind of robot not to be moved by the sweet old lady. I stole a glance at Riondale, and I noticed the young lieutenant blinking rapidly while staring blankly ahead.
“Oh!” Yaya suddenly leapt up from her chair, and she rushed over to a cabinet that stood in the corner of the room. “I have something for you. He would want you to have it, after all.”
Then she pulled out a blacksmith’s hammer, and she handed it to Jaxtom with a flourish.
“I…” Jax’s voice was heavy with emotion, and the blacksmith shook his head. “I can’t accept this.”
“Nonsense.” Yaya smacked him on the side of the head and fixed him with a stern glare. “I said he’d want you to have it, didn’t I? Do you want to insult his memory?”
“No, ma’am,” Jax growled, and his hands clenched tightly around the hammer. “Thank you, Yaya.”
I had a feeling that thing wasn’t going to leave his hands for a while.
“You’re very welcome, young man.” Satisfied, Yaya returned to her seat. “Now, tell me about where you live. Do you have a wife? How many children do you have? Tell me everything, Jaxy.”
Jaxtom chuckled, and then he went on to describe Bastianville as a serene little village on the edge of the world. The peaceful picture he painted for the old woman brought a smile to her lips, and her eyes turned unfocused as her imagination ran wild.
It was nice to see the gruff blacksmith being soft and gentle with his elder, and it reminded me of the way Riondale treated his grandmother. It just proved that no matter how big and tough you were, grandmas were always stronger.
A short while later, we said our goodbyes and returned to the streets of Vallenwood. I let out a sigh as the crisp city air hit my face, but I reminded myself there was still hope for my quest to make dragon armor.
We just had to find one of the other apprentices Aryon worked with as a young man. There had to be a record somewhere of all the blacksmith apprentices from previous years. If it existed, I would get my hands on it.
The three of us headed back into the more populated parts of the city, and I paused at a major intersection. I wasn’t sure how to go about the next task I wanted to accomplish that day, so I made a new save point before I conferred with my two companions.
“We need to recruit some people to our army while we’re in town,” I explained as I glanced around at the horde of people moving up and down the street around us. “Even a handful of more men willing to fight for our cause will make a difference. Then word will spread, and more will follow…”
“Where do we get these men from?” Riondale questioned. “Should I speak with the captain of the guard to see if he can spare a few men?”
“Maybe see if there’s anyone who got laid off from the guard…” I scratched my chin as I thought it over.
“There’s usually apprentices who would rather join up with the army than complete their training,” Jax muttered. “Maybe some of them would rather swing a sword than make one…”
“If the people knew they were following the God of Time, they would sign up without question,” Riondale pointed out. “Maybe a sermon about your greatness will draw a crowd to listen?”
“That’s a good idea.” I grinned. “Thanks, guys.”
Then I reset back to my save point so I could come up with all the ideas by myself.
Being a god was fucking awesome.
Chime.
“Guys, I have an idea,” I announced as I signaled for my two companions to halt. “Jax, you should go ask around the tradesmen shops to see if any apprentices or journeyman blacksmiths want to jump ship and join our army. Ri-guy, you go ask the captain of the guard for any rejects from their force who may be worth the hassle of training. I’ll talk to the people about my power and my army to inspire some recruiting gossip to spread.”
“Good plan.” Riondale nodded his approval. “I will return shortly.”
“I bet I’ll find more volunteers than ye can,” Jax challenged the lieutenant.
“I bet I’ll recruit twice as many as both of you,” I insisted with a proud lift of my chin.
“I wasn’t competin’ with ye, Bash,” Jax growled. “Who wants to fight a god? Nah, I was daring Ri-guy to a bit of a tie-breaker. What do ye say, kid?”
“You’re on,” Riondale said, and his eyes burned with the light of determination.
“Fine, then.” I snorted. “I’m still getting more than you two, though.”
“I believe ya,” Jax replied.
Riondale merely smiled before he trotted off through the dense press of people strolling along the streets of Vallenwood. Jaxtom waved an arm over his head as he disappeared into the crowd, and then I was left on my own with my portion of the challenge.
I just had to get a crowd formed around me, and then I could rant and rave about Bastianville for a while.
“Attention, everyone!” I shouted as I waved my arms over my head like a crazy person.
A few people stopped their progression down the road to stare at me, and then I realized I had no idea what to say, so I made a new save point before I got started.
“My name is Sir Sebastian, Archduke of Bastianville, the Slayer of the Great Dragon Smiguel, and the God of Time.” I paused to check how many people were listening, and I counted a dozen eyes locked on me. “I have fought long and hard for the people of Sorreyal, and I haven’t asked for anything in return.”
“We didn’t ask for your help,” someone from the gathered crowd muttered, and my eyes swept across the faces watching in search of the speaker.
“Would you rather I had stood back and let the dragon ravage your fair city?” I countered, and I gave a solemn shake of my head. “Nay. I couldn’t stand back while innocent people died.”
“What do you want?” another person questioned in a voice dripping with skepticism.
“I merely have an offer to any who are interested,” I said in a loud voice, and I noticed even more people stopping to listen to what I had to say. “The offer comes with a good life, and lots of gold.”
Another handful of people halted and looked my way at the mention of gold, and I smirked as I paused for dramatic affect.
“I am building an army,” I finally announced after I lost count of the people gathered around me. “One to rival the king’s, but to work in alliance with his forces. The position requires relocating to one of my holdings, but it pays generously.”
“How generously?”
“Where do I sign up?”
“Any who are interested should stick around.” I grinned. “I’ll write down your names, and I’ll send a messenger back to my hometown so they know to expect you.”
The crowd shifted as a few people broke away to continue on with their days, but I noticed several people inched closer toward me.
“Tell me more about this gold,” one man with a bald head and a patch over his eye requested with a greedy glimmer in his eyes.
“You’d have to pass a physical aptitude test,” I pointed out. “This is a combat position, after all.”
“Bah,” the man spat, and he waved a dismissive hand as he turned away.
There were still thirty odd men and women crowded around me, so I let him walk away without argument. While I needed bodies to fill the ranks of my army, I didn’t want to waste space with people who were there for the wrong reasons. Still, there was little in life as appealing as gold, and I did intend on paying my forces well.
By the time Jaxtom and Riondale returned with a following of men behind them, I’d written down the names of thirty volunteers. I had a few more left in line in front of me, but I paused to greet my two companions, and I eyed their volunteers appreciatively as the men joined the group gathered around me.
“Good job, guys,” I complimented. “How many?”
“I found ten men,” Riondale informed me. “All experienced and trained.”
“Nine,” Jax growled, and he shot the lieutenant a hot look. “I almost had ten, but his master got back before I finished talkin’ to ‘em.”
“Nineteen is an awesome number.” I nodded my approval. “Let’s get their names written down so we can send it in a letter to Elrin. We’ll do our best to send our new recruits with the supplies they’ll need for the journey, but if they want more help than that, they’ll have to wait till we’re headed back ourselves.”
“I’m sure some will prefer that alternative to traveling through the woods alone,” Riondale said.
“That’s their choice.” I shrugged, and then I handed the piece of paper and quill over to my lieutenant. “We can’t make it for them.”
“You sure are a strange boss,” Jax mused as he scratched his stubbly chin thoughtfully.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I laughed.
A short while later, the three of us were headed back up to the palace while the sun made steady progress toward the western horizon. It was almost time for the banquet, but we still had plenty of time to get ready. I was eager to meet the other nobles of Sorreyal, and to figure out who was involved in the plot against the king.
I had a feeling the Duke of Edinburg was at least partially responsible for the recent assassination attempts on me and the king’s wizard, but I needed proof before I started throwing accusations around the summit of nobility.
No reason to cause an uproar if I didn’t have to.
I was also eager to see my women and my entourage all decked out in their fancy clothes, and I knew everyone was going to go all out since it wasn’t often we got invited to dine with the king.
I wasn’t disappointed when I arrived in the west wing of the palace to find my followers ready and waiting for the three of us to return. I scanned over the freshly-scrubbed faces of my entourage all dressed in their brand-new uniforms emblazoned with my crest, but my jaw fell open when my eyes landed upon the women of the group.
Bron held an elbow at a proud angle while Sarah gripped onto it delicately. She wore a soft yellow dress that had lace around her throat, and she’d brushed her brunette hair loose from its usual bun.
Caelia wore a gold dress that brought out the yellow specks in her light-brown eyes, and her curly hair was braided down her back. Her cheeks had been touched with a pink rouge, and the same hue was applied to her lips. She looked downright regal.
Evangeline wore a skin-tight shimmering purple number with a slit up one side that exposed the soft skin of her thigh. Her gray eyes were hooded with a matching hue, and she’d applied rouge to her thick, luscious lips. My mouth watered just looking at her.
Mahini wore a black dress with a white corset that made the top of her breasts overflow the top. Her obsidian hair shone in the light of the lamps, and her eyes showed her desire to please me. I wanted to please her in return, but now was not the time for such things.
Then Elissa strode forward to the front of the group, cocked her hip to the side, and immediately outshined everyone. The dazzling goddess wore a liquid-looking emerald-green number that criss-crossed at her throat and pressed her perky breasts into soft mounds. The skirt split above her knees in the front, and she’d paired the ensemble with thigh-high white leather boots. My wife had a strip of green across her eyelids that brought out the gemstone hue of her eyes, and she’d applied red rouge to her lips.
I wanted to claim her right then and there, in front of the entire entourage and all the palace servants, but I took a deep steadying breath and pushed those thoughts away for later consideration.
“You all look fantastic,” I said once I’d finally regained my composure, and my gaze was hot as it devoured every inch of Elissa’s body. Fortunately for me, her dress left little to the imagination.
“You look… normal,” my wife observed with a confused tilt of her head. “Where have you been? The party is starting at any moment.”
“I have to be fashionably late,” I retorted with a playful wink. “Besides, I’ve been recruiting people to my army. Doing god things, you know how it is.”
“I suppose I do,” Elissa giggled, but then she waggled an admonishing finger in my face. “Hurry up and get ready!”
“Yes, ma’am,” I chuckled, and then I trotted down the hallway to the bathroom.
I slicked back my hair the way the seamstress recommended, and it darkened the hue of my tendrils until they almost looked black. Paired with the black vest over the green shirt, I struck an imposing figure in the mirror. It didn’t take me very long to get cleaned up and dressed in the outfit Bellona had made for me, and I soon returned to the living space.
“Somethin’ ain’t right here…” Jax murmured as he emerged from one of the many bedrooms with a confused expression on his face.
I took one look at him and snorted in amusement.
The blacksmith’s shirt was skin-tight, made entirely out of pink lace, and had a deep V neck that exposed his curly chest hair. It was paired with a dark-pink velvet jacket that allowed the frilly sleeves to stick out from the ends. Jax’s shoulders looked squeezed inside the fabric, and I expected it would burst if he tried to move around too much.
“Is this a joke?” the blacksmith growled, and he didn’t seem to understand my amusement.
“Not at all.” I corrected my expression as quickly as I could. “You look very dashing.”
“Yeah, yeah…” The blacksmith shot me a suspicious look, but then he shrugged, and his normal grin returned to his face. “Looks like we’re all ready to party.”
The two of us returned to the main living space, and Riondale fell into pace with us on the way. He had damp hair, and he’d exchanged his armor for one of the uniforms Bellona made, so he looked slightly less militant than normal, but there was no mistaking the stiffness of his backbone. No matter what the young lieutenant wore, his posture screamed soldier.
By the time I’d rejoined the rest of my entourage, a servant had appeared at the entrance to the west wing, and he waited expectantly for me to cross the distance to him.
“Lead the way to the banquet,” I instructed with a friendly smile, and the servant nodded curtly before turning and walking down the hallway.
We walked through the corridors of the palace to the throne room, but the servant paused before the entrance. Another man dressed in the king’s colors stepped forward, and the two bowed to each other.
I waited patiently until they opened the doors to the throne room for me, and I strode forward to the sound of the herald’s voice echoing out across the room.
“Announcing the arrival of His Grace, Sir Sebastian, Archduke of Bastianville, Slayer of Dragons, and the God of Time, and his entourage.”
I made a new save point while the words were still echoing through the air, and then I basked in the awed expressions and blatant stares I received upon walking into the room.
Now, that was how a god made an entrance.