The Path to Peace

by Daniel Schinhofen

  A vulpine smile settled on Gerald’s face. “Things will be changing soon. Could I get you to stop by the Guild hall tomorrow morning? I know you know where it is.”

  Vetenarie sat back, appraising Gerald with new interest. “You’re a shark, aren’t you? Oh, they might hate him,” he pointed at Alburet, “but you’re the one they should fear,” Vetenarie’s smile grew broad. “This should be interesting. I will show up if I can get a promise from her,” he pointed at Marysue, “on her goddess, that you don’t mean to use it as a trap for me.”

  “I promise,” Marysue said instantly, knowing what Gerald was after.

  Blinking at the prompt response, Vetenarie seemed taken aback for a moment before laughing, “I think I may have stepped into a different kind of trap. I promise on my standing in the Assassin Guild to not disgrace my name or its name during the meeting tomorrow. I need to get going. I have a few of your guildmates to see to yet.”

  Alburet started to stand, but Stacia grabbed his arm. “He be baitin’ ya.”

  “Your wife is smart, good catch there,” Vetenarie chuckled. “Ta.”

  Watching the Assassin use his Homestone, the others relaxed a little. “You want to use him for your plan?” Alburet asked a moment later.

  “Yes,” Gerald said, “if he’s serious, it’ll work out in our favor. Having a highly placed insider will only help us dismantle this faster.”

  “Gerald’s done these things before,” Marysue said, her eyes full of proud possessiveness as she looked at him. “Shall we head back to the city? We’re going to go to the Lunari capital next before we stop for the night.”

  “Anything you want, Mary,” Gerald said, his smile soft as he stood and took her arm. “Are you all ready to see new things?”

  “It’s a nice place, I’ve visited it before,” Fluff said.

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Karen said a little distractedly, until Fluff took her arm. “We’ll be in good company at least.”

  “Aye,” Stacia said as she took Alburet’s offered arm.

  “Well, let’s stop wasting time. See you at the Portal Guild,” Alburet said as everyone fished out their Homestones.

  Alburet

  Half-blood Infernal Summoner

  Level 67

  Strength: 273 (268)

  Agility: 273 (268)

  Constitution: 224 (194)

  Intelligence: 194 (164)

  Wisdom: 863 (573)

  Charisma: 303 (268)

  Health: 5,590

  Mana: 11,980

  Spells:

  Demon Skin- Rank 7

  Demonic Retribution- Rank 7

  Summon Improved Imp

  Fire Blast- Rank 6

  Sap Strength- Rank 6

  Demonic Haze- Rank 6

  Summon Improved Destroyer

  Demonic Vitality- Rank 6

  Fire Burst- Rank 6

  Summon Improved Succubus

  Abilities:

  Personal Spells

  Flame Weapon

  Copy

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Big Boom)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Demonic Shell)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Comforting Touch)

  Copy

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Essence Drain)

  Still Caster

  Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Burning Cleanse)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Savage Roar)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Bash)

  Racial Abilities:

  Cast spells without verbal components

  Physical damage reduction 25%

  Magical damage reduction 10%

  Influence emotions

  Fire resistance 50%

  Reputation gains at half value

  Chapter Eighteen

  Taking the portal to Wildwood put them just outside the massive walls and gates that separated the capital of the Lunari from the rest of their island. “How in the hell did they manage that?” Gerald asked, at a loss.

  “When they first contacted the Elves, the wall was redone,” Fluff said. “This wall was grown from many trees that were brought together and then fused with magic. Doing so killed the trees and turned them into petrified wood.”

  “How do you know so much about some things?” Marysue asked.

  “I worked on the art team,” Fluff said, a small wince crossing her face. “This isn’t mine.”

  “What did you make?” Marysue asked.

  “The maid café in Stormguard,” Fluff said.

  “She helped the Overlord many years ago,” Stacia said with a smile. “Her talents are amazin’, as ya know.”

  “I wanted to ask you for a favor, now that Stacia reminds me,” Marysue said, turning to the guys. “Why don’t you all walk on ahead of us for a bit?”

  Gerald’s lips pursed, but he did as she asked. Alburet wore a knowing smile, guessing what Marysue might want Fluff to draw. “Come on Tiny, TJ, Bob. Let the women have their moment to chat.”

  “But maybe one of us should stay close, just in case,” Bob leered, waggling his eyebrows.

  “Give us some space, Bob, and I’ll give you a surprise,” Karen said.

  “What are you waiting for?” Bob said to Alburet as he shot past him.

  “He’s so easy,” Karen snickered.

  “Yell if you need us,” Alburet chuckled and followed the others.

  Walking ahead of the women, Gerald glanced at Alburet. “Can I ask you something?”

  “You just did,” Alburet deadpanned.

  “Ass,” Gerald sighed. “Look, you won’t let Stacia hurt her, right?”

  “What, Stacia? Hurt Marysue? Are you smoking something today?” Alburet asked incredulously.

  “She was talking about doing another memory walk, and you’ve had issues after yours. I don’t want Marysue to get hurt, is all.”

  “She wouldn’t willingly hurt Marysue; she wouldn’t hurt any of us intentionally. Besides, she’s talking to Fluff, not Stacia.”

  A quick peek over his shoulder made Gerald frown. “Why?”

  Shaking his head, Alburet decided to let Marysue have her surprise. “Maybe she wants another picture that can be hung up in your house. Have you started looking for a manor yet?”

  “Who has the time?” Gerald sighed. “I’m probably going to have to foist it off on one of the receptionists.”

  “If you’re willing to have help, I can ask Erin to talk to Wilbur for you. They should know of any manors that are available.”

  “I’ll take the help,” Gerald said. “Every day here seems more real.”

  “Makes you want to stay, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah. Marysue is happy here. She wants more, though. I don’t think Alpha World is going to cut it for the long run—not for her.”

  “Just wait a year or so,” Alburet murmured, “something else big is bound to come along.”

  Eyeing Alburet covertly, Gerald nodded. “The quest you have from the Overlord, you mean?”

  “Could be. NDA and all that,” Alburet shrugged.

  “I hope you’re right,” Gerald said. “Mary’s been happier here, but the restraints of the system chafe at her. She would rather be free to pursue whatever she wants at the time. Like the lack of crafting—why is that even a thing?”

  “Simplified systems,” Alburet shrugged.

  “The Gods decreed the world to be this way,” Bob said. “The Dark Lord objected in the beginning, it is said, which led to his rocky relationship with his brothers and sisters.”

  “When he and Justice argued, he left and founded his own small place to be, creating our races,” Tiny rumbled with the tone of one remembering Sunday School lectures.

  “Which is why we’re here now,” Alburet finished. “If she chafes too much, tell her to wait a bit longer.”

  “What about you?” Gerald asked. “Three women who love you, with two of them possibly waiting to jump your bones when the test is over. Have you all talk
ed about what that will be like outside Alpha World?”

  “Master won’t leave us,” Bob interjected indigently.

  “I won’t, Bob. I can’t,” Alburet said, focusing on the Imp and hoping the implication would sink in for Gerald.

  Lips pursed, Gerald slowly nodded. “We’ve made the gate, finally.” A small gate stood inset into the closed massive double doors. Six Lunari guards stood outside of them, all wearing matching scale mail and holding spears firmly planted against the ground. “Afternoon. Can you tell us the way to the Portal Guild?” Gerald asked.

  “If you have a map, I can mark it for you,” the orange-furred Lunari replied.

  The women caught up to them while they were exchanging information with the guard. “We have the Portal Guild location. You all ready?” Gerald asked them.

  Marysue wore a secretive smile. “Yes. We’re going to have dinner at their home tonight after we’re done hunting.”

  Gerald eyed the others, but couldn’t get a read on them. “Okay.”

  Stacia took Alburet’s offered arm. “After ya, Gerald, ya be our leader.”

  “Okay,” Gerald said again, staring at Stacia for a minute and wondering if she was making fun of him. “Follow me, then. We have a desert to explore.”

  “As long as there aren’t undead,” Karen said.

  “If only there were undead,” Marysue said a moment later with a grin.

  “We’ll find out when we get there,” Gerald said, leading the group through the smaller gate and into the city proper.

  Wildwood was, as Fluff had described it, a park. The ground was covered in ankle high grass. Massive shade trees were dotted around—not as large as the ones the Elves used to build their treetop city, but still very large. Several huts were clustered around the base of each tree, all painted in various bright colors, giving the city a carnival feel. That impression was furthered by the many food vendors dotting the sides of the walkways, and the enticing scents of their wares mingled in the air in a pleasant way.

  “Maybe we should have waited on food,” Marysue said as she looked around at the various vendors.

  A small herd of Lunari children went scampering down a nearby path, tossing an inflated skin back and forth. Seeing the newcomers gawking, the kids all paused to wave before heading off again. “Friendly,” Karen said. “It certainly has a carefree attitude, doesn’t it?”

  “It is a very relaxed place,” Fluffball said. “It’s when the sun goes down that the city earns its name.”

  “What happens then?” Marysue asked as the group finally started down the path.

  “Mardi gras,” Fluff said, “Musicians wander the streets, and it’s one big party. It’s interesting.”

  “You’ve been here during the night?” Karen asked.

  “Once, but it was a little too much for me,” Fluff said, absently rubbing at an ear. “I could probably handle it better now.”

  “Especially if I was here with you,” Karen chuckled, pulling Fluff into her side for a quick hug. “We’ll have to come back this way to turn in quests, maybe—”

  “We be havin’ guests over tonight,” Stacia reminded Karen. “We will make the time to come back, just nay tonight.”

  With a small wince, Karen nodded. “Sorry, Marysue, I didn’t mean to try and put off your request. I was just excited.”

  “It’s fine,” Marysue said. “I’d kind of like to see it myself. Maybe we can do dinner here after dark, and look around a bit before the other…”

  “Aye, tha’ we can do,” Stacia grinned.

  “What is the plan for later?” Gerald asked.

  Marysue shook her head. “You’ll just have to wait.”

  Meeting her eyes, Gerald nodded. “Okay, if you want it to be a surprise, then I’ll wait.”

  The Portal Guild turned out to be a sprawling building rather than a tower. A Lunari with long, white fur was seated behind the desk inside. With a professional smile, the receptionist spoke, “How might I help you today?”

  “We’re looking for the zone that we would do best in,” Gerald said.

  “At your level, I would suggest the Broken Sands,” the smiling receptionist replied. “It is home to one of the Lunine tribes. Take the hallway to the twenty-fourth room for the portal,” she motioned to the single archway off to her right.

  “Thank you, miss,” Gerald said, leading the others towards the hall.

  “Is that the zone you were talking about earlier, Fluff?” Karen asked.

  “Yeah, the desert—it’s more like the high deserts of the American Southwest than the lifeless dunes of the Dead Lands,” Fluff said.

  “Any idea what other kinds of mobs we’re likely to see?” Gerald asked.

  “No, I’ve never set foot there,” Fluff said.

  “We’ll find out from the garrison there,” Karen said as Gerald looked at the plaques next to each archway they passed.

  “Fair enough,” Gerald said. “The zones here seem to be either desert or wooded.”

  “The island is half wood and half desert, with a few mountainous regions, like the Piercing Heights,” Fluff said, pointing at one of the plaques as they passed it.

  “Any other mobs of special interest on this continent, other than the Lunine?” Alburet asked.

  “The shades,” Fluffball shuddered. “Remember the Possessive Spirits? Those, and other lesser types, roam several of the zones. Shamans are very useful here.”

  “Sounds fun. Hope we’re not doing one of those zones,” Alburet said.

  “In case we did, I took an Ability that cuts down on how long I can be controlled and makes it harder for me to be controlled,” Fluff said. “I didn’t care for it in the Keep.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Alburet murmured, a momentary pang of fear and anger filling him as he recalled Ophelia.

  “Here we are,” Gerald said, “time for a new adventure.”

  Once they’d stepped through the portal, the group paused in surprise. They’d expected some kind of defensive structure like the other continents had. What they found was entirely different; there were close to two hundred leather-clad people, mostly Lunari, scattered around a pond with tents set up in a seemingly haphazard pattern. “What the…” Gerald finally said.

  “Newcomers?” A light grey Lunari addressed them from where he sat next to a tent.

  “Yeah,” Gerald said, still at a loss as to what they were seeing.

  “It strikes a lot of Two-souled that way if they’ve been to the other continents first,” the Lunari chuffed in laughter. “Welcome to the Broken Sands. We’re on a mesa—the path down is over there,” pointing nonchalantly, the Lunari gave them an idea of where the path was located. “What you really want, though, is probably the Herder for the quests. He can normally be found over there,” he pointed off the other way. “Herder Malckil will be the one who looks like he’s bitten into a rotten lemon.”

  “Thank you,” Gerald said, seemingly a bit lost as he led the others away.

  “Happy hunting,” the Lunari called after them with a chuckle.

  “It’s totally different than the other continents,” Karen shook her head as she looked around at the seeming unconcern of those in the camp.

  “It reminds me of mercenary war camps from history,” Alburet said after a minute. “They’re all armed, and some of them are obviously on watch, but the rest are just laying about until they’re called to fight.”

  “I can see it now,” Karen said. “But aren’t these the equivalent of the guards for the other races?”

  “The Lunari have the Pride, but they’re mostly just for the city,” Fluff said. “The Herder is the designated Pride member here. All Lunari are conscripted for ten years of service. Some stay on after and get accepted into the Pride, but the rest go back to the city.”

  “Definitely a different feel,” Marysue said.

  Gerald paused before a very sour looking Lunari in scale mail. “Herder Malckil?”

  Looking up from a desk just outsid
e of a bright orange tent, the orange furred Lunari looked up, “What do you… Ah, a Two-souled group. We haven’t seen many of your kind in these parts. I take it you’re hoping to get the quests?”

  “Yes sir,” Gerald said as the group saluted.

  The sour look on Malckil’s face faded. Sitting up straighter, the Herder returned the salute. “I don’t get many respectful salutes out here. Very well, handle these tasks and return when you have.”