He strode past the others too, smiling at their dumbstruck faces. “Don’t ask,” he said, tapping his nose with one finger and following the pair inside.
Chloe looked incredulously at Ben and Gideon. A second later, they all ran inside.
The large table had somehow returned, the plates once again piled high, goblets full. Therese and Abe sat side by side, already munching their food.
“Can someone tell us what the hell is going on?” Chloe exclaimed, taking a seat beside the pair. “What is this? What are you doing? What happened?”
Therese blushed, then swallowed. “What does it look like? Abe and I are…well, an item.”
“An item?” Abe asked.
“Intending to be married,” Therese clarified.
“Hold on,” Chloe said, hands outstretched, trying to get her head around this. “You’re getting married?”
“Yep,” Abe said gleefully, bread spilling out of his mouth. “You guys were right. I’m the damn king. I can make my own rules, and I rule that I want to marry this beautiful woman.”
Veronica poked two fingers into her mouth, feigning throwing up. Leonie and Huk snorted behind their hands.
“But you two seemed so…” Gideon mulled his words, “friction-y before.”
Ben nodded. “I didn’t have you down for the marrying type.”
Therese shoved another forkful of food into her mouth, talking without concern for the bits she sprayed into the air. “Me neither. But after we got to talking, I realized something. I’ve never had much power in any game I’ve played. I’ve always been the tank who just got bashed around by the enemies and protected everyone by taking a beating, and I figured, you know what? What would it be like to sit beside a king, ruling a kingdom? Now that’s power you can’t buy.”
“Unless you get the expanded edition with the DLC and pay the monthly subscription for the premium package,” Huk noted, doing his best impression of the adverts they’d all seen for various other MMORPGs. The others laughed.
“Is that what you want from me, pookey-bear?” Abe asked, hurt in his eyes.
“Of course not,” Therese replied, placing a hand on his cheek. “You’re a kind, loving, generous, funny, man. I’d be honored to sit by your side.”
Chloe, who was still wrestling with this latest revelation, watched the pair with fascination. She tried to picture their wedding, the streets filled with hundreds of citizens screaming Therese’s name. Would the city accept her? She supposed they would. Anything for royal festivities.
“So, you’re going to leave us?” Veronica asked, realization dawning. “You’re…what? Out of the party now? You’re going to spend the rest of your days as arm candy for the king while we continue the rest of the adventure without you?”
“Nope,” Therese said. “Of course not. We had a long talk about that out by the lily pond… Oh, you have to see it, it’s absolutely beautiful! White flowers in bloom in a small pond surrounded by the most colorful moss you’ve ever seen—”
“Who are you?” Veronica exclaimed as she knelt by Therese and stared deep into her eyes. “What spell have they put you under?”
Therese shook her off. “I’m under no spell or illusion, okay? I like Abe. He likes me. For once in my life, I was able to spend a morning within a game without being under the threat of impending death, and I realized how beautiful the world was. Abe has never been this far into the forest. He rarely leaves the palace walls.”
“It’s true,” he confirmed. “I’ve been stuck in something of a rut, lately, but this lady is snapping me out of it.”
“I think it’s cute,” Leonie remarked. “They deserve happiness.”
Chloe eyed them both suspiciously. “You’ll still be in the party?”
Therese nodded emphatically. “Oh, hell, yes. If anything, think of what this’ll do for our reputation. You’ll have the queen of Hammersworth with you on your journey and the royal guards by your side. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“And think of all that dwarvish sex,” Ben added.
“Ben!” Chloe laughed.
Therese and Abe blushed, unable to meet each other’s eyes.
“You should bless the union,” the Wrangler said, breaking his silence. “It’s rare that such an act of change comes about on the levels of royalty. This union will give every little girl born in the city the hope of one day achieving greatness. No longer will the monarchy be an exclusive club for kings, queens, princes, and princesses; it will be a step toward a fairer future for the whole of Obsidian.”
After a small pause, Chloe chuckled and shook her head. She reached for a goblet on the table and raised it in the air. “To King Abaxis and Queen Therese, I suppose.”
The others picked up their goblets and lifted them high. “To the king and queen.”
They started back through the forest a little after noon. The day was bright, small rays of sunlight bursting through the gaps in the leafy canopy. Around them, birdsong was in full swing, a chorus of tweets and whistles from a variety of avians.
Led by the Wrangler, they managed to make great time, the journey seeming far shorter going out of the forest than it had going in. Whether this was by some illusion of the Wrangler, Chloe had no idea, but the trees soon began to thin and the light grew brighter.
The Wrangler bade them farewell as the fields came into view, laughing as a few of the party came forward and placed their arms around his mammoth waist.
“Be careful, young folk.” The Wrangler smiled. “The way might be rocky. Remember, the kingdom may believe you have stolen the king. Although this will be remedied quickly upon your return, remember that there are many who shoot first and ask questions later.”
Chloe nodded solemnly. “Thank you for everything.”
“This is not goodbye,” the Wrangler said. “I have a feeling we will meet again before too long. The Nether Realm takes a great deal of power to open. Don’t turn down help from strangers. Remember that union in light is the only way to destroy union in darkness.” He leaned forward and whispered to Chloe, “And I have a feeling that darkness is gathering.”
With that, the Wrangler transformed into his bear form and trundled back through the forest. They stared after him until he was gone, sadness falling over the group.
As the Wrangler predicted, the group was met halfway to the city gates. They had chosen to continue their travels on foot, enjoying the gentle breeze and the sun on their faces. Before too long, they heard the sound of galloping hooves.
A few moments later, they were surrounded by a phalanx of the king’s horsemen—a dozen dwarves on stubby steeds pointing their spears at the KieraSlayers.
“By the king’s command, we order you to stop. Declare yourselves,” the lead guard thundered. His helmet had patches of gold among the silver plating.
King Abaxis lowered his hood, revealing his stern face. “By the king’s command, I order you to lower your spears, lest I have you imprisoned for threatening the king.”
The lead guard’s face dropped. “Your Majesty, I-I…”
“Less blubbering and more protecting the realm, Captain. Now, on your way, and inform the kingdom of my arrival. We’ve got a union to celebrate.”
The captain looked abashed. He nodded and darted away with his men, the dust from the dried mud kicking up a cloud behind them.
“That was impressive,” Huk said in admiration.
Abe grinned. “Being the king has its perks.”
Compared to the last few days, the streets were a lot easier to navigate after they passed through the gates. The swell of the crowds had died down following the king’s disappearance and a solemn atmosphere had fallen upon Hammersworth.
“You can really feel the shift,” Chloe whispered. “It’s almost like someone died.” She poked out her tongue at the dwarf.
A blast from a horn sounded, a different tone from the day before when the city had discovered the king had fled. Chloe wondered how many horns there were, and for what occas
ions they were used. Abe explained that this horn sounded to note the arrival of royalty.
“Just watch,” Abe said, pausing in the street with the KieraSlayers behind him. His cloak was back on now since he wanted to remain hidden until he had at least reached his quarters.
At the sound of the horn, there was an excited buzz from the houses around them. Heads poked out of windows, doors opened, and people stepped into the street. A feverish chatter began to rise, the people of Hammersworth not having seen this much excitement since the death of Abe’s father and his subsequent coronation.
They heard the word “scandal” thrown around. Women gossiped and trod slowly into the streets, heads close together as they whispered animatedly.
“Told you!” Abe said. “Come on. We’ve got to move fast if we don’t want to get choked by the bodies again.”
By the time they made it to the palace gates, there was a crowd waiting for them. Women and men alike rose on tiptoe to look at the gates, as if expecting someone to pop out and say hi at any minute. Children were lifted onto shoulders. The horn continued to sound, louder than ever now.
“I suppose it’s time to put on a show,” Abe said, making his way to the large carved-stone gates.
At his presence, the crowd parted, confused at first by the dwarf staring up at the gate guard. Abe called up and commanded that the gate be opened.
The gate guard, in a similar fashion to the captain of the troops in the field, gave Abe a look of disbelief.
“On whose orders?” he called, quiet washing over the crowd.
“On the order of the king,” Abe called, once more lowering his hood.
A ripple of shock and excitement worked its way through the masses.
“That never gets old.” Veronica grinned.
The guard’s eyes widened in shock. He nodded and immediately began issuing instructions for guards on the lower level to open the gates for the king.
When they were wide open, Abe began to walk through. He stopped when he heard a woman shriek, “We thought you dead!”
Another cried, “Has he chosen?”
Abe turned, his warm smile reaching the crowd. “It takes more than a day of disappearance to kill a king, and it takes more than a stranger to make a wife.”
He took a deep breath and then sighed. “Friends, brothers, Hammersworthians, a new day is upon us. A day of celebration and rejoicing. A day of change, and the introduction of a new order. It would be easy to soothe you with a lie, but that is not the tack I wish to take. Honesty is the greatest ally any man can have.
“The truth is that I have been soul-searching. The princesses and brides-to-be who graced these halls were not a suitable match for your king. Despite the arrangements of the past and the history and traditions of this land, it would have been impossible to have formed a strong union that would be worthy of your adoration. Though they have their desirable qualities, no princess was deemed worthy.”
An audible gasp came from the crowd. “Impossible.”
“Unheard of.”
“This’ll never do.”
“But fear not,” Abe boomed, hands outstretched. “For you shall not be left without your day of celebration. A union has been decided upon. Not within the confines of our laws, but from a new order. An amendment will be made that will enhance our great city and bring hope and joy to every citizen who remains. The union of the king with his queen will be with whomever he chooses to marry.”
Men’s eyebrows raised and a few fists clenched. Women, however, swooned, hands clapping to their mouths.
A sudden rush of chatter arose. Women began to reach forward, raising their hands. Cries of “Pick me,” and “I’m the one! It’s got to be me!” echoed around the palace gates.
Once more, Abe hushed the crowd with his hands. He let out a laugh. “There is no need to squabble. The match has already been decided.”
At this, Chloe saw a young dwarf appear by the back doors of the palace a small distance beyond the gate. His eyes were dark, his ears cocked and ready.
“Therese?” Abe smiled. “Will you please step forward and make yourself known?”
Heads turned in every direction to look for the woman Abe was summoning. Therese’s ears flushed and her eyes darted around awkwardly as Huk shoved her forward, setting her numb legs in motion. The quiet returned. She emerged into the cleared space and stood by Abe’s side.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you your future queen, Therese the blessed!”
There was a mixed reaction from the crowd. The majority of those gathered cheered and whooped, a few whistling between their fingers. Several women exploded into unhappy tears, their dreams of becoming the next bride shattered in a matter of minutes. A few heads turned and mumbled harsh words of disgust at having one of the blessed lead their city.
Face clouded with anger, the young dwarf stood on the steps, fists shaking with rage before he turned back into the palace and slammed the doors behind him.
“To the queen,” the KieraSlayers exclaimed.
A chorus from the crowd echoed them.
“To King Abaxis and Queen Therese,” Ben called.
This time the crowd made a heartier effort. Abe and Therese waved the KieraSlayers over. The group followed them inside the palace as the gates closed behind, leaving a fever of gossip and excitement to sweep through the city.
Chapter Fifteen
Doc (and Mia),
Great to hear that you’re doing so well in the new place. Well, old place, really. It’ll be nice to finally see you guys again when I get out of here, although I don’t see that happening for some time.
Hopefully you’re taking care of me and looking after my body. It’s going to be surreal stepping back into the real world and feeling everything at full capacity again.
Things in here are pretty bizarre. I know you’ve been watching on the screens (well, I hope you’ve been watching!), but it feels as if the world has just been blown wide open. We’re on track for a quest that will swamp any other I’ve completed. I mean, opening a portal into the Nether Realm? Can you say “bat-shit crazy?”
I’m not forgetting that we’ve got to somehow unite hundreds of mages and magic-users to help the cause. I’m thinking that might be a bit more difficult than anticipated, given the somewhat frosty reception to Therese’s union with Abe.
Seriously, can’t these NPCs see that the blessed are only trying to help? We’re making their world wider. Defeating darkness.
All that crap.
I don’t know how it’s all going to play out. It’s hard to make the city folk here see the enormity of what we’re doing. It almost reminds me of those “Perfect Work Culture” seminars Father and Mother used to send us on when we were teens.
At the time, I fell asleep a lot in those, but from what I remember, there might be some useful information to unravel. I remember the main message being “make your employees feel like a part of your cause.”
But how to do that on such a grand scale?
Anyway, I suppose that’s a problem for me to figure out. KF is as impatient as ever. She just wants her friggin’ horse. I don’t blame her. I want my body back to myself, and to explore parts of this land that don’t have us attacked by revenge-seeking gods.
C’est la vie.
Thanks again for the updates on Praxis. Great to see that, even in this fully-immersed state, I can have an impact on the wider world. I feel like I’m finally getting a glance into my parents’ life, juggling several businesses and splitting my attention among them all. It’s kinda fun.
*Shudder*
Did I really just say that?
If you could just keep an eye on the figures for me and let me know what exactly the #1-viewed guy is doing in Obsidian, that’d be great. I’d love to make it to #1 and rub my snooty siblings’ faces in the success.
Obviously when I’m out of here, of course.
Speaking of, has there been any news about Henry or Henrietta? They seem to have gone sil
ent. It’s making me nervous.
Thanks for the warning about the AI, too. If anyone can figure out exactly what’s going on, it’s Mia. I still can’t believe she met my parents and didn’t freak out! Most people burn under their laser vision.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for any sign of Fukmos. I hoped we’d seen the last of him, but these new additions don’t bode well. I suppose that, once more, I’m running against the clock…
Fun.
Anyhow, I better get back to my digital life. I’ve got a rift to open to create a portal to a realm that hasn’t been accessed in three centuries and could release untold horrors on the world.
Wish me luck…
Chloe.
Chloe
I’d hardly say this place is old for either of us. After spending weeks at Mia’s place, I appreciate this place a whole lot more. I’m viewing it like a whole new pad now that Mia is sharing it, too.
Don’t you worry about your earthly body (insert alien reference here—laughing face emoji). We’re taking as good care of you as we possibly can. You might be shaky for a few days when you return, but Mia has told me that Praxis is constantly updating their care sequences based on the latest research. You’ll have nothing to worry about, trust us.
I can’t believe the latest direction of your mission either. You know, I thought that when you took on the Volcanic Titan you might have peaked in badassery, but then you meet a shapeshifter bear-man who tells you about the Nether Realm.
The chat exploded at that.
Seriously, it’s almost impossible to keep up with your fans out here. You know that there are now Facebook groups, Discord chats, and entire Twitch streams dedicated to following your journey and advertising Obsidian? The fans go nuts for it! It’s incredible!
One person even got KieraFreya’s armor tattooed on their bicep!
It’s nuts to think how far you’ve come since starting off as a weak human who could barely take on a goblin. Now look at you. I have to say, I definitely think this game is doing you a world of good. Who’d have known you’d need a break from your family, huh? (Winking face).
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