The Path to Peace

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Tiny, back out and be ready to grab the golem if it stuns us again,” Alburet called out.

  “Yes master,” Tiny rumbled as he backed out of combat.

  Stacia used Comforting Touch on him to help give him some of his life back. Then she slipped into the melee, blades darting at the remaining Bastard Priest as she used Essence Drain to siphon some of its mana and life back to her. She stepped back, going to Marysue’s side again, ready to assist if the golem came for her.

  As they whittled the second Priest down, the golem stunned most of them with another Ground Stomp. Tiny picked up the golem without issue, and the Bastard Priest managed to heal itself partially. Once the stun wore off, Karen was able to use Garrote again and the group quickly killed the mob, in spite of it having healed.

  When the second Priest dropped, TJ slumped to the ground with a fraction of his life left. While the others all jumped on the golem, Tiny passed it off to Gerald and ducked out of the combat, helping TJ move away. “Marysue, we are clear,” Tiny called out.

  With a broad smile on her face, she cast Halo. “Boom,” she giggled.

  Stacia darted backwards out of range when Marysue started the spell. She waited outside the effect for it to wear off. “We seem to be able to handle tha’.”

  “Yeah,” Marysue said, rotating her few damaging spells into the mix alongside her heals.

  With no more priests to help it, the golem’s life began to drain away. It took another minute and another stun to the group, with Tiny pulling aggro to keep it off Marysue, but they eventually took down the mob.

  When combat ended, the group let out a small cheer and sat down to recover. “We did good,” Alburet said.

  “Tiny and TJ did very well,” Gerald added, giving the Destroyers a nod, “so did Kitten.”

  “Thank ya,” Kitten said a moment later when she appeared.

  “Thank you for stepping in the way to spare Marysue,” Gerald said.

  “Of course. She be me friend, too,” Kitten smiled. “I have nay problem lettin’ me body be a shield for her, iffin it be needed.”

  “We going for the campsite now?” Karen asked.

  “Bob, how does the path to the area look?” Gerald asked.

  “At least a dozen mobs between here and there,” the Imp replied as Bob pushed off the wall. “Give me a second to give it a good once over.”

  The trip down the beach wasn’t too bad, although they did end up with five Undead Mages at one point. They still needed four more Armored Golems for one quest, another half dozen Bastard Priests for another, and three more Undead Mages for the third quest by the time they got to the campsite.

  Karen approached first, taking her time and looking for traps. She didn’t find any so she gave the camp a quick search, but the only thing she found was a letter. Taking it back to the group, she looked troubled. “This was the only thing of note,” she said, handing it to Alburet first.

  Alburet took the letter, wincing at Karen’s pun. Reading it over, he felt a pang of fear. “Oh gods, that can’t be good.”

  Gerald took it next, reading it with a frown. “Maybe the run up to the first big raid?” he asked, handing it to Marysue.

  “Likely, but the wording has an ominous feel to it,” Marysue said, handing it off to Fluff.

  “‘The time is soon upon us. The Bride is free and gathering her loyal followers at the city of Peace. Assemble, and with those loyal to Him march on Peace, for this heralds the War to come,’” Fluff read the words aloud with a frown. “Aren’t we supposed to go to Peace with Vlad?”

  “That is where he’s hoping to go,” Alburet said, taking the letter from her and placing it in his bag. “I’ll have to ask him about this. Ioaniss might know something, too.”

  “Isn’t that the proof we need?” Marysue asked.

  “It might be, but the quest might have to wait until we talk to Ioaniss and Vlad,” Alburet said, softly but firmly.

  Gerald’s frown deepened. “But you also need to level, and that’s the ‘dungeon’ quest for this zone, which means it’s worth a ton of experience. We can copy it for Vlad and Ioaniss, and turn the original in.”

  Alburet couldn’t refute Gerald’s logic. “Fine. Fluff, would you copy this out twice for me?” He held the letter out to her.

  “Give me a few minutes,” she said, pulling out her drawing book and pencils. Sitting down, she took the letter and began to copy it.

  “You suspect something, don’t you Al?” Gerald pushed.

  “I have an ominous feeling that the Bride is Ophelia,” Alburet said. “She was an end tier raid boss, and she got away from us at the Keep.”

  “Isn’t it too early for a big raid event to start?” Marysue asked.

  “It depends on the buildup,” Gerald said slowly. “If they’re planning something major, this could be just the first hint of larger trouble to come, and...”

  “Our going to Peace with Vlad is probably going to be what really kicks it off,” Alburet finished for him.

  “Ya think our goin’ will lead to somethin’ bad?” Stacia asked worriedly.

  “Yes,” Alburet said, putting his arms around her. “I think that’s why the Overlord made it part of my quest, to ensure that I have to go.”

  Sucking in a breath, Stacia held him tightly. “Ya mayhap be blamed for what is to come, then.”

  “Yeah,” Alburet sighed, “that is another thing to worry about.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Karen said as she helped Fluff back to her feet. Holding the letter out to Gerald and the copies out to Al, she continued, “but here and now, we have quests to finish.”

  “Right,” Alburet agreed. “Bob?”

  “Yes master?” Bob said, standing at his full height behind Alburet.

  “We’re going to retreat back to the ramp. Once we’re in place, bring us an Armored Golem. We’ll finish there, then head up and turn in, and go back to the city for the night,” Alburet said, looking at the others.

  “You can send Messages to Vlad and Ioaniss, see about setting up meetings as soon as possible, too,” Gerald added. “I wonder if this will make Vlad go early, without you?”

  Gut clenching, Alburet sucked in a deep breath through his teeth, “I fucking hope not. I’ll have to dissuade him if he mentions it.”

  “Maybe we should all go,” Marysue said calmly. “Gerald can make the case for us; he’s used to facing down headstrong men in power.”

  Nodding, Alburet headed for the ramp. “Deal. Let’s get this done with.”

  It wasn’t long after that that the group finished off the mobs they needed and climbed the path back to the keep. Turning in the quests was quick; the Sergeant frowned at the letter, but accepted it as proof, and was a little shocked when the group asked for all the experience they could get instead of money or items. Wishing them a good night, the Sergeant left to take the letter to his Commander.

  The group leveled again when they turned their quests in, but there was no celebration. Everyone was thinking about what might happen in two days when Vladimir met with them. Ioaniss had agreed to see them tomorrow afternoon, but that was a secondary thought to the group. With promises to head out early the next day, they split the party and headed home using their Homestones.

  All thoughts of the bet were forgotten as the quartet had a simple dinner, bathed, and made their way to bed. Each of them worried and sought reassurance from the others as they lay in bed. Stacia eventually sang them all to sleep, only to lay awake for hours after, praying for guidance from the Dark Lord.

  Alburet

  Half-blood Infernal Summoner

  Level 71

  Strength: 289 (284)

  Agility: 289 (284)

  Constitution: 232 (202)

  Intelligence: 202 (172)

  Wisdom: 899 (589)

  Charisma: 319 (284)

  Health: 5,870

  Mana: 12,540

  Spells:

  Demon Skin- Rank 7

  Demoni
c Retribution- Rank 7

  Summon Improved Imp

  Fire Blast- Rank 7

  Sap Strength- Rank 7

  Demonic Haze- Rank 6

  Summon Greater 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)

  Copy

  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 Twenty-six

  Waking first, Alburet found himself holding both Karen and Fluff. He lifted his head, but didn’t see Stacia in the room. Fluff shifted, snuggling closer and bringing a small smile to his lips. The smile faded, though, as he remembered what they’d found yesterday and what it might mean for them in the days ahead.

  “Stop it,” Karen whispered from his other side. “We’re all worried and that really put a damper on us last night. We’ll find a way to make it work. I won’t be letting you go that easily.”

  A snort of muffled laughter came from Alburet. Turning his head, he found her intense eyes tracing the lines of his face. “Morning, Mynx. I see you’re ready for the challenge ahead of us.”

  “Damned right,” she said, leaning in and claiming his lips for a kiss.

  “Is it time to wake up?” Fluff murmured as the kiss stretched on.

  Breaking the kiss, Alburet turned his head toward Fluff as her sleepy eyes were starting to focus. “Morning, Fluff,” he whispered before kissing her gently.

  A contented purr came from her as she eagerly accepted the kiss. A little shocked by her boldness, Alburet didn’t resist in the least. Karen moved off his other arm, so he brought it around to hold Fluff. Hand trailing down her silky fur, he brought it to rest at the base of her tail and began gently massaging her there.

  With a startled gasp, Fluff broke the kiss and leaned back from him, her eyes wide. “Nya,” Fluff breathed out as she squirmed some in his arms. “That isn’t fair.”

  Alburet slowed the massage, bringing it to a stop. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure if you’d enjoy it or not.”

  “I think it might be like your neck,” Fluff panted lightly. Eyes flicking across Alburet, her lips twisted into a grin. “Yeah.”

  “Huh?” Alburet said, turning his head to see what she was looking at.

  Alburet turned just in time to have his head wedged between Karen’s thighs as she settled herself over his mouth. “Well done, Fluff. Now come here and give me my kiss.”

  Pinned to the bed by Karen’s body and hearing the two kissing above him caused his body to react in the usual way. With a muffled grunt, he attacked Karen, just as she had hoped he would.

  A few minutes into the act, Alburet let out a moan of his own as two tongues assaulted his rigid flesh, prompting him to redouble his assault.

  “I see ya all be up, and even awake,” Stacia’s amused voice came from the doorway. “I hope ya do nay mind iffin I join in. It be a bit earlier than we needed to wake, so we have time.”

  The next hour consisted of Alburet being maneuvered as Karen and Stacia saw fit so Fluff could enjoy him along with the other two women. Finally, spent and contented, the group lay in a jumble on the bed. Stacia and Karen were holding each other, eyes locked on Fluff and Alburet who were running their hands lightly over each other.

  “Thank you,” Fluff murmured, “you’re making this easier for me every time.”

  “Aye, we love ya too, Fluff,” Stacia said, her hands trailing over Karen. “But we do need to be gettin’ cleaned up, eatin’, and ready to go.”

  “Aww,” Karen complained, “I wanted to see if she could cause him to vibrate in place again.”

  “She can do that easily enough,” Alburet said before giving Fluff a soft kiss. “Fluff is talented in ways she doesn’t even know yet.”

  Skin flushing under her white fur, Fluff leaned her head against his chest when the kiss broke. “We need to get as much leveling in as possible so we can accomplish the quest Vicky gave us, but I don’t want this moment to end, either.”

  Rolling away from Fluff, Alburet got to his feet and scooped her up into his arms. “Well, we do have to get clean first, so it’s not quite over yet,” he said as he princess carried her to the bathroom.

  “We had probably go play chaperone or he might try to keep her in there,” Karen said, loud enough to make sure she was heard by the two entering the bathroom.

  “Aye, plus I want to scrub ya down meself,” Stacia said as she got out of bed and scooped Karen up. “Ya can be me princess for a bit, aye?”

  Karen laughed, “You’re as crazy as the rest of us.”

  “Aye, we be well matched tha’ way,” Stacia said as she followed the other two into the bathroom. “Nay time for play though, it would nay be good to be late for our huntin’.”

  The bath was quick, with little overt play as Stacia kept them on task. Once they were dressed and had their breakfast, they left the house and headed over to the Guild hall.

  About ten minutes later, Karen came out of the back hall, buckling her belt back on as she entered the main room. Gerald and Marysue were following her with half-amused expressions.

  “Morning. Ready to head back out?” Gerald greeted them.

  “Where are we headed to before the meeting with Ioaniss?” Fluff asked.

  “We were thinking the Elven lands for the first half of today,” Marysue replied. “The Bramble Wood is the zone we’ll be hitting. It’s got Trolls, and we haven’t fought them yet.”

  “I will be able to help with the fightin’ today, tha’ be nice,” Stacia said.

  “Have you summoned Tiny yet?” Gerald asked.

  “I was waiting for the group,” Alburet said. “I thought you might want to see him in his new and improved form.”

  “I’m interested to see how much he changes,” Marysue added. “If he gets much bigger, he’s going to have issues with some of the dungeons we’ll be entering.”

  “Fair point,” Alburet said as he opened the front door for the group. “Vanessa, Kauree, keep up the good work.”

  Kauree rolled her eyes, “Try nay to get yerself killed too many times.”

  Alburet chuckled at the snark, “I’ll do my best.”

  Vanessa sighed, “Please don’t encourage her. I’m trying to get her to be more personable.”

  Kauree frowned. “Ye knew I was like this when ye offered me the job…”

  Alburet shut the door, ending his involvement in the conversation. “Those two might end up a married couple,” he told the others as they exited the archway to the street. “Let me get Kitten and Bob first, so they’re here.”

  Once he had Bob and Kitten summoned, he pointed a few feet away. “Come to me Tiny.”

  Smoke surrounded the Greater Destroyer for a moment as he appeared in the street. As the smoke cleared, everyone got a good look at the new version of Tiny. He now stood a few inches over eight feet tall, his muscles better defined and slightly larger than before. The chainmail hauberk was gone, replaced by an Infernal Steel breastplate. His horns were a bit more curled, and now shod with Infernal Steel. He still wore leather pants, but now had greaves and matching bracers of the same metal. The Shield strapped to his left arm still carried the Guild logo, but was a heate
r shield instead of the kite it had been. Attached to the belt on his waist was a war hammer, also made of Infernal Steel.

  “You have summoned me, master, so I have come,” Tiny rumbled, his voice more resonant then it had been.

  “Almost there,” Bob said as he looked over his friend. “Destroyer Lord is coming fast.”

  “So is Imp Lord,” Tiny rumbled back.

  Bob nodded eagerly. “I know, I’m so excited. Loralee already has my next wife all ready to go, for when I become a Greater Imp.”

  “As all first wives should,” Tiny nodded. “It is through their wisdom that our lives improve.”

  Those words made Alburet glance at Stacia, who was nodding along with Tiny. “Oh, really?”

  “Aye,” Stacia grinned, “an’ ya other two wives would agree it was me wisdom tha’ let our family grow.”