by Eden Redd
“I assume Claudia and Rayna sent you to talk to me,” Faye smiled.
“How did you know?”
“Rayna threatened she would,” Faye said. “Let’s go to one of the towers.”
Faye turned and walked to one of the pagoda towers. Edric followed as the wood elf reached a door and opened it. Leeta stopped at the doorway and stood guard as Edric stepped in and closed the door behind them. Faye was already on the stone steps. The summoner followed, climbing the steps behind the elf. A short time later they reached the top. Faye opened a door and stepped in. Edric stepped in and looked around.
The tower top was open except for wooden pillars holding up a pointed roof. Green trees obscured vision in nearly every direction except into the courtyard below. Edric stepped past a wooden bench to the tower railing. Looking down, students remained gathered, some showing off what they’d recently learned.
Faye moved to a small cabinet. Reaching down, she opened it and pulled out a tea set. A smooth stone lay on the top of the cabinet. The wood elf poured water from a jug into a teapot and placed it on the stone. The stone turned a glowing dark orange as heat and steam began to rise. Faye prepared a tray with two tea cups. Placing a tea bag in each cup, she waited until the kettle quickly whistled. With expert ease, she pulled the teapot from the stone and began pouring into the cups.
Edric had turned from the towers edge and watched as Faye prepared the tea. A shiver filled the young man as he was unsure what to do. Nervous energy bundled along muscles as he tried to think of what to say. She had been so distant for so long that he couldn’t think straight. Questions popped into his mind as to why a troll was one of her students since she seemed so against it in the first place. The whole thing sent his mind into a tailspin, and he didn’t notice Faye already sitting with the tea tray resting on the middle of the bench.
“Edric, please sit,” Faye said gently.
The summoner moved on autopilot, stepping over and sitting down. Faye handed him a tea cup with both hands. Edric took it and bowed his head. Faye picked up her cup and bowed. The two sipped on warm green tea before Faye turned her body and looked out to the trees beyond the tower. Edric followed, unsure of himself. The summoner looked on as a warm silence filled the space between them.
“I know you’re upset with me,” Edric said, breaking the silence.
Faye sipped her tea before placing the cup on the tray between them. “What do you think I’m upset about?”
“Letting some trolls take residence in the city,” Edric said but the words felt hollow as an image of a troll student swept through his mind.
Faye smirked. “I must admit, I wasn’t thrilled on the idea of having any Kunarr becoming citizens but once they were here, I began to see what you wanted us to do. With that, I am the one who is sorry for doubting you. By having the trolls here, they will help in bringing us closer to peace.”
Edric turned his eyes to the wood elf as she continued to gaze forward, brown eyes lost to inner thoughts.
“Nimor and his family came here to find work. They didn’t want to be part of the war any longer. He works at the vineyards. When he came to me for teachings, I almost refused until he professed how happy he was. I finally saw what you were trying to do all along. Nimor has told me, he writes to his family in the southern kingdoms about Elora and its people. He has encouraged others to come here for work and to escape being inducted into the war effort. I’m happy to teach him how to defend himself and his family.”
“Does this mean you will be returning to the keep and helping us rule?”
Faye turned her head and looked into Edric’s eyes, “Not exactly. I’m still mad at you.”
Edric’s heart dropped. “Faye, whatever I did, I’m sorry.”
The wood elf’s small smile faded. “You’re apologizing and you don’t even know why?”
“I must admit, I do feel a little lost. I thought you were mad because of the trolls. I didn’t know there was anything else.”
Faye’s gaze turned downward, “When we met, you said you would always be honest with me, Claudia and Rayna. I knew we were getting to know each other but as time passed, the truth never came out even though I could see it in your eyes. You hide from us and you have had no need to speak the truth, not even to me.”
Edric’s head dipped as shadows covered his eyes. Tightness curled around his heart as the mental fog started to clear. The player was silent, a cold chill seeping into his spine. The player now knew it was never about the trolls.
Faye picked up her cup and took another sip. Setting the cup on her lap, she looked out the tower once again.
“I know this game has become our life. I accepted that a long time ago. We are trying to save digital beings from the war and it has given me a new sense of purpose. For the first time in my life, I’m thinking of others instead of myself.”
Edric kept his gaze on Faye as her head tilted forward, a growing pain touching the corner of her eyes.
“In reality, I’m an older woman with no family. I have spent most of life being selfish. When you reach a certain age, you begin to see beyond selfish desires. When once I only wanted my desires satisfied, now I want something more. I joined Lewd Saga as a distraction from real dating. I never thought I would find so many people, just as broken as I felt. No matter where I went, so many were drawn to me to bring them comfort. In reality, lovers were gone by morning but here, they stayed to know me and enjoy my company. I wasn’t just a body to them. I had become a friend and a lover.”
Faye shifted herself to face the summoner, oval eyes filled with a pang of regret and sweet sorrow. “When I walked in on you creating Elora’s form, I could see the pain in your eyes. I asked you why you named her Elora. You told me you just liked the name. It was obvious there was more but since we barely knew each other, I figured you would tell me later.”
The wood elf’s gaze lowered, “As time passed, I could still see the pain in your eyes when you summoned Elora. Claudia and Rayna could see it too. They wanted me to try and draw it out of you but I told them it was your business and we shouldn’t pry. It was then when I felt all four of us were not being treated equally. To truly rule together, we must be willing to be open about ourselves, good or bad.”
Edric clenched his jaw for a long moment before looking out to the green trees. “I was only a few months into the game. You know I was trying to gold farm so I could build a city. It was my focus, so much so that I wasn’t intimate with anyone else besides Leeta. It made the path clearer so I wouldn’t be distracted.”
The player’s shoulders sank a little lower. “Elora was an NPC shopkeeper in Lythor. I used to bring her dire wolf pelts and she was always happy to see me, and I’ll admit that I looked forward to seeing her as well. On that final night, just before it all went crazy, she asked me out on a date.”
Edric’s eyes glistened as Faye listened intently. The wood elf was silent as she watched her fellow player fight through an inner storm.
Edric continued, “I felt crazy half the time. I knew Elora as a simple shopkeeper but every time I used to visit her, she seemed more and more real. How could someone fall for a program? How can anyone be taken seriously when a virtual AI seemed to return those same feelings? I was confused and to tell you the truth, I still am. I try to push it away and stick to the path we created together but she haunts my thoughts.”
The summoner straightened up his back, eyes wet. “When Lythor was attacked by the trolls and dread lords; Elora, Leeta and I were caught in it. Trolls marched through the streets as undead dragons flew overhead. On the same night Elora asked me out, the city was attacked and the only thing I wanted was to see her safe. She was an NPC but she was ready to fight for us. The three of us were cornered as the trolls fought into her shop.”
A single tear streamed down Edric’s cheek. “The last memory I have of her was her throwing her body over mine. I looked into her eyes as a troll brought a hammer down on her back. We were powerless against the trol
ls but she used her life so I could live just a little longer. I saw the light leave her eyes as she shattered. A moment later, the troll ended my life and I was locked out of the game for two days.”
Edric wiped away the tear. “For two days I went crazy. I even tried to create a second character so I could try to get back in the game to find her but the game locked me out completely. When I returned, I was miles from Lythor in some small town. Players were picking up the pieces but I prepared to go back. Stocking up on supplies, I was ready to set out when several players stopped me. They told me the city had fallen and nothing short of an army would be able to get close to any of the dragon kingdoms. I ignored them and pressed on with Leeta at my side.”
The summoner let out a small maddening laugh. “Leeta and I were killed after a few short miles by an undead patrol. When I resurrected a short time later back at the town, I knew I couldn’t go back to see if she respawned or not.”
Edric’s face shifted into a cool, unfeeling mask. “You wondered why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t tell you or the others because I didn’t want you to think I was crazy. All I can say to myself is that it’s just a game but the night she died, it felt more than that. I know many NPC’s in the game are waking up and it scares me that she might have been one of them.”
Faye’s mouth was a thin line as she looked down. Edric leaned forward, elbows on knees.
“Now you know. I understand if it weirds you out. Maybe I’m just a lonely crazy person. I joined the game to build a city and have some fun. Now I feel I must stay to protect others and, strange as it is, it brings a sense of comfort and purpose.”
Faye stood up and stepped in front of the summoner. Edric looked up as the wood elf reached down and took hold of his hand. Faye pulled and Edric complied, standing up until they stood face to face. The player stared with wide eyes, admiring Faye’s thin face, tanned skin and high cheekbones. Almond shaped brown eyes gazed into his spirit as his inner self lay open like a bleeding wound. The player thought his words sounded as crazy as it felt but he couldn’t deny them any longer.
A warmth filled Faye’s eyes as she leaned forward and embraced the summoner. Edric hesitated as she held him before his arms curled around her waist. The two players hugged one another, a gentle breeze passing over them. Edric buried his face in her neck, the gentle scent of cinnamon touching his senses. The sadness ebbed as Faye pressed her body against his.
“You’re not crazy,” Faye whispered. “If you were, you’re in good company.”
“I was hoping you’d say something like that,” Edric whispered.
Faye pulled back and as Edric looked to her, the wood elf pressed her lips to his. Heat flared between them as lips parted and tongues touched. The sudden kiss chased away the gloom around his heart. Faye seemed to melt against the summoner as he held her close. The player had seen her as the strongest among their group but now, she truly felt like an equal.
Faye pulled away, licking her lips and eyes half closed. Edric gazed at her beauty as she seemed lost to their kiss.
“Does this mean you’re coming back to the keep?”
Faye barely nodded.
“I’m glad. It hasn’t been the same without you,” the player smiled.
Edric’s eyes darkened and his smile slowly faded. “No more secrets. You can ask me anything and I will tell you the truth.”
Faye stayed close, “And you can ask me anything. I will always give you the truth.”
The two players held each other close once again, rays of sunlight penetrating the trees around them in a brilliant glow.
***
The sun slowly set to the west. Rayna made her rounds, visiting bars and taverns as she walked. Lute strapped to her back, she collected gold from each business, and the occasional free drink. The bard began enjoying her little patrols around the district once she figured she could collect her cut from the local businesses. They were happy to hand over a few extra coins to ensure she gave them her undivided attention. The profit was nice and so was her kindness. Not all had to hand over some gold but those that didn’t were at the bottom of the list when it came to solving problems. Annoying tavern fights seemed to last a little longer and furniture took some time to be replaced if they didn’t want to pay for her attention. The bard thought she should feel bad but once the gold touched her palm, that annoying feeling seemed to vanish every time.
The bard walked along, gold in her pocket and a new song playing in her heart. The player smiled to herself when she saw Faye walking the halls of Gray Haven Keep again. The two said nothing to each other, knowing full well that they were happy to be under one roof again. Rayna did wonder what Edric finally said to get the monk to come back and she planned to interrogate the summoner in the near future.
Passing an alley, the bard stopped and looked down the dark stretch of space between two buildings. At first, nothing moved. The player was just turning her head when something caught her eye. Looking back, figures in black moved in the shadows. One held up a hand and wiped it down the alley surface. Something white appeared, painted against the wall.
Rayna silently turned and stepped into the alley. The sky darkened as the last rays of sunlight faded from the heavens. Rayna squinted as the darkness seemed to grow. Eyes adjusting, small giggles and laughter spilled into the alley. As the bard took another step deeper, a click of her heel echoed along the thin alleyway. The laughter stopped as three hooded figures turned their attention to the bard in black leather.
“Private party?” Rayna smirked.
The hooded figures took a step back deeper into the alley as hands rose up. Arcane words spilled from parted lips. Rayna’s good mood soured as her hands took hold of her lute strap and shifted the instrument into her hands. Three arcane symbols appeared on the alley floor and barely a second later, bodies made of shadow rose up.
Rayna touched a secret button along her lute and a crooked wand popped out of the lute arm. Three wraiths emerged from the arcane circles and charged as the hooded figures ran in the opposite direction. The bard let out an annoyed exhale as she aimed the wand down the alley. The wraiths reached out with spindly fingers, purple eyes glowing against black bodies.
The bard played a riff and the wand glowed before lightening blasted out. The alley lit up as bright as day as a bolt of lightning slammed into a wraith’s chest. The undead creature shattered instantly. The remaining two continued their charge, unabated by their destroyed companion.
Rayna kept her aim true as she played another sharp tune, lightning surging forward. The bolt blasted the wraith through the head, shattering it to pieces. The bolt continued its path striking the last one. The wraith didn’t make a sound as its body was thrown back. The bard watched as the remaining wraith tumbled against a wall and shattered into a greenish light.
“That was to easy,” Rayna whispered as she moved down the alleyway, aiming her lute.
The bard reached where the figures were standing. Eyes searching, the three seemed to disappear further away into the twisting paths. Rayna looked over to the picture they had painted on the wall. Sliding the wand back into the lute arm, she shifted the instrument to her back. The player took a closer look at the image. A white dragon skull was painted against the dark stone.
Rayna eyed it for a moment before standing straight up and crossing her arms. Taking a visual snapshot, the player filed it away in her image inventory. The longer she stared at the symbolic image, the more she felt she had seen it before.
“What are your people doing in Elora,” Rayna whispered to herself.
Four
Warm dreams slipped away as eyelids folded back. Black eyes stared up at the tent fabric, a waking sigh rising from parted thick lips. Energy flowed into muscles as the troll raised his head, blinking away the last whispers of sleep. Lifting his upper body, the brutish troll soldier sat up.
The large tent was abuzz with waking activity. Several of his fellow soldiers were up and stretching. The main tent flaps pulled as
ide as lust slaves stepped in. Sensual female and male trolls filed in, dark eyes on the brutish larger trolls and a welcoming smile on their lips. Most of the soldiers were nude. They grunted and talked to one another, not paying full attention as the slaves knelt before some. Eager to please, the lust slaves licked thick cocks into their mouths while some took hold and stroked. Female soldiers yawned as some slaves pressed their mouths to the apex between their legs, licking at wet slits and sending a shudder up their bodies. Small moans filled the tent as the morning ritual took place, bringing a vibrant start to a new day.
Nuka stood at the end of his bed, still shaking away mental cobwebs. Warm wet lips closed over his half hard member and bliss filled his spirit. The lust slave slowly suckled on thick inches, moaning her delight. Nuka yawned as his cock grew harder in the slave’s mouth. Stretching his neck, he looked over to the cot next to his. A thin eyebrow went up as he saw it was empty.
Nuka’s brow furled. Jarll always slept longer than he did. Often, the troll had to rouse him awake before they had to rush off to their daily duties. Wet slurps filled the tent and Nuka’s slightly pointed ears. The troll’s cock hardened to its full length and the familiar need for morning release touched his body. The first one of the day was the quickest but by evening; he would have several lust slaves begging him to stop. With a small, barely noticeable grunt, the troll’s cock bulged. The lust slave moaned her approval as jets of molten come splashed against the back of her throat and quickly filled her mouth. Gulping it down, Nuka’s hand grabbed the back of her head and held her in place as he pushed out several more spurts. When he finished, he let go and stepped back, his cock slipping from her mouth. The lust slave licked her lips before she made eye contact with another soldier and crawled over on her hands and knees.
Nuka looked at the empty cot again and then to a fellow soldier, “Have you seen Jarll?”
The soldier shook his head as a lust slave vigorously bobbed her head on his impressive member. Nuka turned and took a few steps into the middle of the tent. Two troll soldiers stepped in and quickly said hushed words to some of the soldiers at the front of the tent. Nuka watched as the words seemed to spread instantly to everyone at the front of the tent. Large blue bodies put on loincloths as they rushed out. Others followed and Nuka was soon caught in the flood leaving the barracks tent.
