The two girls chuckled at their mother's blatant nature. When it came to possible handfasting prospects for them. But before they could make any more comment, Sir William Lucas shouted for all the nobles' attention.
“Nobles of the county welcome to the hunt. As you must all know by now. This is a special guild assembly. We have called you all together to battle the increasing threat from a large monster incursion in the north of our beloved county. For some time now, there have been a great number of monsters invading from the mountain wilderness. Which was adjacent to the northern part of the county. Today's outing is to plan to put a stop to this incursion.
“With gratitude to the new dungeon master, Bingley. We will be able to take a dungeon portal to the start of this expedition today.”
Some polite clapping from the noble crown showed their gratefulness to the new dungeon master. Bingley jumped up to the platform beside Sir William and bowed to the grateful crowd with a smile as the portal flashed open again.
With a great cheer, the assembled nobles started to move through the portal. When it came to the Bennet family's turn. Jane and Elizabeth walked through the portal together, following their mother and father. Once at the other side, they saw that they had been transported to the green wooded steep sloping foothills marking the northern boundary of the county. Elizabeth noted that Bingley was to one side of the portal, talking to his powerful friend. The legendary wizard Darcy.
When the young Bingley man saw Jane, he smiled at her shyly. Jane smiled back equally shyly, as was her nature.
Like the nobles, then the commoner came through the portal. The knights under Sir William Lucas's direction started to organize the first part of the day's hunting expedition. This would be the general encircling and herding all the monsters into a smaller area. Where magical parties of adventures would either capture the monsters or battle them.
During the morning, the large army of adventures would spread out to drive the monsters towards the designated area. This was the informal part of the day when they could test themselves as adventures. Later on in the afternoon, the serious battle would take place when the task of elimination of the captured creatures in a unique tournament. The morning was more of a social event as everybody got to know each other or renew old acquaintances.
--
During the morning, people started to get an understanding of the characters of the members of the high-level nobles in the dungeon master’s party.
From what Lizzy could see, mostly from a distance. The legendary wizard Darcy was overpowered at a legendary level for this county’s hunt. When he took part in some of the battles. To drive the creature toward the killing zone, his magical attacks were spectacular in both power and magical skill. Lizzy had been slightly prideful of being one of the most powerful wizards in the county. But from what she had seen, he was on another level to any of her acquaintances.
She noticed that one of his favored attack spells was a large area effect fire spell. That the handsome young wizard would cast time after time. As he seemed to have endless magical power support in his body. The spell effect would produce walls of burning yellow fire that would move forward, pushing the creatures from the land to the killing zone. Strangely the plants and ordinary animals of the forest were not affected by the spell at all.
This puzzled Lizzy for a while as she could not work out the spell formulation that had such an effect to only kill monsters. This was annoying for her as she was proud of her knowledge; she worked so hard to gain. She planned to approach the great wizard, but as time went on, his character became clear. This dissuaded her from trying to talk to the man.
It was the general opinion of the noble ladies that she gossiped with. They had declared he was much more handsome than Bingley. He was looked at with great admiration for about half the morning. Till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity. For he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased. Not all of his large estate in the county of Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend the Dungeon Master Bingley.
During the early part of the morning, Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the hunting parties. He was lively and unreserved, fighting in every battle he could. Often with humor and kindness to the lower level nobles. Generally, it was the talk of people that such amiable qualities must speak for themselves.
At one point, Lizzy heard her mother complain about what a contrast between him and his friend Darcy. While the legendary wizard would only fight, in the arranged couple social events, for the young of the county twice. With Bingley’s sister Lady Hurst and once with Miss Bingley. He declined being introduced to any other lady. He spent the rest of the morning walking about the battlefield, occasionally speaking to one of his own parties. While only taking part in the general mele of battle with large groups.
His character was decided by the annoyed young noblewomen and their mother. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world. Everybody hoped that he would never come there again to hunt as he seemed to consider himself above the assembled nobles.
Amongst the most violent against him was Lady Bennet. Her dislike of his general behavior was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.
Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged by the scarcity of noble gentlemen. To stay out of some of the couple's battles due to the lack of partners. This was a tradition in the assembly to encourage young couples to fight together so they could get to know each other. As the courtship in this fearsome society was competitive. During part of the time that she was standing around idle, watching the other couples battling Darcy had been standing on an elevated rocky outcrop. Unbeknown to him, he was near enough for her to hear a conversation between him and the dungeon master Bingley. Who came from the battle for a few minutes, to press his friend to join the couple battles.
“Come, Darcy,” said Bingley, “I must have you battle. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had a much better fight.”
“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest this pairing up unless I am particularly acquainted with my party members. At such an assembly as this, it would be insufferable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in whom it would not be a punishment to me to team up to battle with.”
“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honor, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this day. There are several of them you see uncommonly pretty and powerful.”
“You’ve just teamed up with the only handsome girl,” said Darcy, looking at Jane Bennet.
“Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters standing just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”
“Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth. Catching her eye, he withdrew his own. He coldly said, “She is tolerable and even has some skill as a wizard, but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
Bingley followed his advice. Darcy walked off back to the mele that was taking place in the distance. On hearing the comment made about her, Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She decided against, asking him for the details of the magical attack she had been so curious about.
Moving to one of the tents that had been set up with a picnic for the nobles. Lizzy told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends, for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
The rest of the mostly relaxing morning altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. What was most pleas
ing was that Lady Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield dungeon master’s party. Bingley had teamed up with her to battle twice, and she had been distinguished by his sisters.
Jane was as much gratified by this as her mother could be, though, in a quieter way, Elizabeth felt Jane’s pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished cleric in the neighborhood. Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough never to be without partners in battles. Mostly due to their forward nature with the young noblemen.
Chapter 5
The noble parties attending the assembly’s hunt had a, as Sir William called it, light civilized lunch. This was served by a team of servants in his household livery. In a set of white canvas tents that had been used as the base of the operation.
Meanwhile, all across the yellow-green grass flat plain where the foothills of the mountain met the valley river plain. The lower level adventures were just about finished setting up the arenas for the afternoon contest of strength, skill, and power. These circular tournament areas would be used for the afternoon battles with the captured monsters. The magic surrounding the arenas and pens where the ferocious creatures were kept, were now under the control of the city guards and magicians. The whole set up was a bit like a colosseum that Sir William Lucas had seen in the capital of the kingdom. But with only marked outfield for the tournament arena and grassy slopes from the seating.
Other than Bingley, the dungeon master’s party had looked upon the whole endeavor with disdain.
This strange change of tradition, of the hunt, had been the bright idea of the organizer of today assembly Sir William Lucas. Usually, the hunt would just be an organized group of parties socializing as they battle through the wilderness. His grand idea was to encourage the attendance of the adventures at all levels. He thought that adding a bit of what he perceived as class would boost attendance. Many adventurers would have a chance to show off their skill as individuals or teams in the spectacle of a tournament.
For each arena, a series of competitions would take place between adventures and the captured monsters. The city guards were on hand to facilitate the movement of the monsters into the required arena. Depending on how the adventures performed, they would receive a rank for the county. For their different combat classes and, of course, prices would be awarded.
By the end of lunch, Lizzy could hear the sound of battle through the canvas tent fabric. She guessed that some of the arenas, for the lower level adventurous, with the fierce monsters had already begun.
Walking out of the tent where a lunch buffet had been served, she saw in the distance that torment battles were indeed already taking place. In the many areas across the large open field, she could see the dust of the conflicts in the air. This was like a slight haze that was pierced with the sound of magical blasts.
She and most of the noble parties had just finished lunch, but the commoners was already fighting in their tournament. Every now and then, she could hear the shouts of the excited crowd. Indicating that they must be enjoying watching fellow adventurers battle the creature that had been hunted in the morning. The flash of magical fields all around the field could be seen as the town’s magicians helped the city guard tunnel the creatures into the arena for the battles.
Like rocks grinding in a troll's mouth, she heard her father grumbling. He was slowly exiting the tent beside her with a frown of frustration replacing his regular sardonic facial expression. She had just seen him finish chatting with some of the other elderly noblemen in the county. Now he was not facing them; he was muttering something under his breath. From what she could tell, it was about the silliness of this afternoon's events. She wondered for a second if he had been in a heated debate, as he often was prone to do on social occasions. The older Alchemist was not one to be shy about sharing his opinion on any topics that came to mind. Still, he was always a gentleman in his debates, so he kept the discussion nonpersonal. This often meant that he would have to vent to his own family when in private.
When spotting his witty and somewhat overly cynical daughter next to him. He said, “What do you think of this torment, my dear girl. Isn't it the height of silliness. Why go to all this palava for this type of self-gratification spectacle. In my opinion, we should have just battled the monsters in the foothills. No need for all this spectacle of a tournament. But, oh well, I guess people enjoy this kind of show in their lives.”
She nodded as she had a similar opinion of the event around them. But she said with a smile, “Mother will enjoy the drama of the event, and I guess it's more to Lydia and Kitty’s taste. They always seem to want to show off.” She looked at Jane. Who was chatting to the handsome Bingley under the shade of a tree where they had taken their luncheon. “I think Jane will actually take part if Bingley asks. As she seems enraptured with him.”
“And what about you, my dear girl,” he said with a slight smile, “do you have anybody that will entice you to battle in the arena.”
She laughed and said in a mocking tone,” No, I’m only just tolerable. I may even have some skill as a wizard, but not handsome enough to tempt the high and noble Darcy. He has no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”
Her father laughed with her at the high nobleman's earlier cutting comment. Then he said with a wink and a smile, “Maybe you should show him what you can do, my girl. Then you might become more than just tolerable even to his proud opinion of the world's inheritances.”
She smiled back and said, “Intriguing idea, father. But I doubt that I will ever be tolerable for the likes of high and mighty men like him. But maybe, thinking about it, I may give myself a showing in the tournament. It could be challenging.”
Her father smiled and then said, “Well, dear, come and sit by your mother and me. I am sure her comments will be most enlightening. They normally are especially for a Lady of your wit.”
Taking her father's arm, she was escorted to a small grassy rise. In family groups, this was where the waiting nobles were assembling to watch their tournament. His mother had set out some blankets and was sitting under the shade of a tree. Lizzy thought how all this was very civilized for an assembly hunt. Further along, the small rise that was seating for the noble of the dungeon master’s party, all sitting on picnic blankets that had been laid by their retainers. She saw that Jane was talking to Bingley’s sister. They were all smiles and pleasantry to her sister. But still, Darcy held himself aloof from the conversation.
Her mother's first comment was as she was looking at Bingley and Jane. She said with excitement, “What a great honor it is, Lizzy. He just invited Jane to be his partner in the first event. Oh, today could not have gone better, my dear.” Then she frowned as she remembered something, “Except for the scathing comment of the high and mighty Darcy, at you, my dear.”
Lizzy was about to tell her mother, for the umpteenth time not to worry. But before she could speak, the magically projected voice of Sir Willian started to announce the order of the events.
As her mother had correctly predicted, Jane and Bingley were the first into the grassy arena together. It was his honor of being the new dungeon master for the county's dungeon. The two ran out of the grassy stands, looking as if they were feeling conspicuous. With all of the clapping, from where the rest of the noble families that were watching and talking about them.
When they were in the center of the arena, a dome shield was placed around the area. This was as the higher-level fighters would be facing some monsters of great power, and the bystanders needed some protection. Then without further ado, five flashes of magical white light appeared in the arena. From the flashes of white light, large, vaguely humanoid figures appeared surrounding the couple. Lizzy used the blessing of the goddess to tell her what level the monstering this battle would be:
Name of Monster
Level
Agility
HP
MP
Skills
Steel Trolls
40
1
250
-
-
Her mother lent over and said with a knowing smile to Lizzy, “This will be a good challenge to show off Jane’s healers skill. Bingley is bound to need healing as he battles so many powerful creatures.”
Jane moves her hand, and her blue-green waves of light and energy healers shield surround her body. As she cast her protection, with a few words and gestures, Bingley was already running. He was changing with powerful steps that we're kicking up the dirt of the arena into small clouds. His powerful strides were to the closest steel troll that was already pounding up the earth with an iron club. As he approached in a flash of movement, he shouted out a battle cry that was filled with power. Like a blast from an explosion. The wave of energy, from his voice, was even felt from the stand. This battle skill pulled all of the five monsters toward him and away from his support healer Jane.
Then a loud screeching filled the arena as his ax hit the first troll. The metal on metal grating sound continued as his ax just passed through the legs of the first monster. Lizzy gasped in shock to see that the Barbarian class warrior was not trying to defend himself with any combat skills. He simply stood still as he went for a killing attack to take off the head of the first monster. The arm of the creature reached out and just smashed him in the chest. Before anybody could comment about the crippling blow, they all saw Jane cast a healing spell on her partner. This quickly negated the effect of the wound on his body.
Instead of stopping when Bingley was fully healed, she just kept the powerful spell focused on him. To everybody's surprise, Bingley moved around in what seemed a frantic rage. Taking no account of the massive wound he was receiving from the many monsters but was just a frenzy of chopping with his powerful weapon. He battled on with metal on metal sparks all around him as if he was in a blacksmith's shop.
Dawn of Adventure Page 4
