by Eden Redd
***
“Where did you find these pancakes?” Rayna said before she stuffed another one in her mouth.
Edric smiled as everyone at the long table poured syrup and ate like a pack of wolves. Claudia’s hands moved in a blur, cutting and stuffing delicious triangular pieces in her mouth. Faye was a little more graceful but she too crammed pieces while eyeing the stack of extra pancakes on the table. Thalia ate with poise, making a face as if she wasn’t sure she liked it or not. Dumadin and Leeta were machines chewing with open mouths.
Fruit and juice filled the middle of the long table as did plates of pancakes. Edric sat next to Faye, enjoying the view of everyone eating to their heart’s content.
“I made them,” Edric smiled. “Found a recipe by William Arand, famous chef. Half of Lukken have been enjoying these masterpieces.”
“PANCAKES,” Leeta laughed as she grabbed a stack with her bare hand and plopped it on her plate.
Rayna sat back for a moment, taking a breath. “I think we need to fire the kitchen staff and have you make these all the time.”
“I second it,” Claudia managed before stuffing another piece in her mouth.
Faye raised a hand while chewing.
Thalia shrugged while Dumadin and Leeta raised their hands.
Edric’s smile grew wider. “My family took turns making breakfast on Sundays. Since we’re family, maybe we should continue the tradition?”
Heads nodded in agreement as they gobbled down the delicious meal.
Rayna looked up, making eye contact with Edric and a wicked smile appearing. “So, did anyone else get any alerts this morning?”
The chewing slowed down as Faye and Claudia looked up.
“You first,” Claudia directed the bard.
Rayna gave her a sly smile, “Learned a song that I have been wanting for a long time.” The bard turned her attention to Edric. “It looks like you were the key to unlocking it.”
A sliver of heat filled the summoner’s cheeks.
“My Jump ability has increased,” the lancer smiled before returning to her pancakes.
Faye put down her fork and reached over to Edric’s hand, fingers curling over his. “Learned a new technique.”
Edric simply smiled. “I learned a new spell.”
“It seems we all have become a little stronger,” Rayna said with seductive edge. “I remember how the old guild ordered normal playtime for everyone’s benefit. I think we need to set some new rules.”
Dumadin looked up from his plate, eyes on the wood elf, “I would be willing to assist.”
Edric glanced to Faye. The wood elf simply smiled.
Thalia’s eyes widened, “I too am willing.”
Leeta looked to Edric, eyes speaking more than words ever could.
“I like where this is going,” Rayna laughed. “We will become top tier players if we continue like last night.”
Claudia reached over and pressed her hand to the bard’s thigh. Rayna looked over as the lancer gave her a quick, shy glance before squeezing her thigh.
“What happened to our shy lancer?” Rayna said in a teasing tone.
“She’s still there, somewhere,” Claudia smiled.
The dining hall took on a warm hue as everyone basked in it. The word “family” touched Edric’s heart once again. Their little group bonded in such a way that he couldn’t picture his life without them. They may live in different parts of the world but here, it felt truly like home. The incident with Juna stabbed into his mind once again but the summoner knew he had to have a different conversation with her. He still wanted to know everything about her and maybe he was acting like an idiot, but he had to admit that maybe there was room for another. Mentally he was thankful she was staying and deep down, he had to move on from his pain eventually. Edric kept his smile, feeling it may be sooner than he thought.
The doors to the dining hall burst open. Heads turned to see Sekka marching in; wings folded behind her and tail snaking back and forth with a heated edge.
“My mistress just informed me, a troll army marches toward Elora. If they keep their current pace, they will arrive by late afternoon,” Sekka said with a commanding flair.
Thalia, Leeta and Dumadin stood up from their seats and spread out, each one moving to a door and locking it shut. The lord and ladies of Elora stood up and moved to one end of the table as Sekka approached them. The air turned from comforting warmth to a sharp clarity as the moment they all had been waiting for had finally arrived.
“Tell us everything,” Edric said with his undivided attention.
The succubus stood before the rulers, eyes containing knowledge and power. “Mistress Spire had been spying on the countryside when she spotted them on the move. They are on a straight line for Elora. She estimated the count but she had never seen a force this large before. It numbers in the tens of thousands.”
“Did she tell you anything else like their arms, siege weapons and spell casters,” Claudia asked.
Sekka nodded. “The main force is trolls in rune plate armor. Each one has a spear and carrying a variety of other weapons. She spotted spell casters and archers but no siege weapons. They have wagons with supplies trailing behind but didn’t seem too concerned about being in the open.”
The succubus hugged her waist as she looked away, “Two dread lords lead the army. One kept his face hidden but the other one was unmistakable; Dread Lord Maggar Wormwood is leading the march.”
Edric’s brow hardened, “We’ve heard that name before. He’s the dread lord searching for dragon eggs.”
Rayna closed her eyes and crossed her arms. “I did my research on that particular dread lord. He is sick and twisted, even for a dread lord. He likes to experiment, twisting any living thing into undead monsters. Some of the refugees who came to Elora spoke of his experiments as they hunted down survivors. They all say the same thing, he’s insane.”
Faye looked to Thalia, “Is the escape tunnel finished?”
The lamia hesitated before bowing her head, “The earth elementals are still working but they haven’t connected with Lady Spire’s dungeon yet.”
“My mistress informed me they should be connected in a few hours. She had run into large sections of runic stone which is slowing her down. Her powers cannot affect the stone so kobolds and dark elves are mining through it. Once they break through, they should be able to continue to your tunnels.”
“Aye, I’ll go down and see if I can speed up the process from our side,” Dumadin added with a determined head nod.
“We have to start moving citizens to the lower levels and ensure all our supplies are ready,” Faye said.
“What about our standing army,” Edric asked with a heavy heart.
Claudia spoke up, “Most of the city guard will fight. Some have deserted while others refuse to leave their families. We have about eighty percent of the guard. I have my lancers, every single one of them ready to fight.”
“I have various players and locals willing to help defend if the enemy gets past the walls,” Rayna said.
Faye was silent for a long moment before her lips parted. “Many citizens from my trainings have expressed a willingness to fight but I don’t think they should. They have families.”
Edric looked to the wood elf, “We all have families here. I agree, we shouldn’t march people to fight if they don’t want too but we must ask if they will. Even if the escape tunnels are ready, we may be fighting as we run. Any volunteers who wish to help defend the city can stay but it is their choice.”
Faye looked to the summoner, a strength filling her eyes. “I will ask for volunteers.”
Edric looked to the group, “We have to pull together. If we show our strength and duty, the city will follow us.”
Everyone stood straighter, determination filling the room.
“Let’s get to work,” Edric said with conviction.
***
Edric walked the streets, Leeta at his side. Citizens moved in an orderly fash
ion, all helping one another with supplies. Nervous eyes glanced to the lord and his ogre. Edric often stopped to reassure them that going to the tunnels was for everyone’s protection. The summoner tried to not let their fear infect him but no matter how many mental walls he put up, the scared looks still managed to reach him.
The main streets were thick with bodies, all converging on the tunnel entrances toward the middle of the city. Elora’s image appeared by the dozens to help direct the people to hidden stairwells. Edric noticed some staying behind, giving approving head nods to the lord of the city. Blue bands graced their arms while Lancers moved in small squads, assisting the citizens.
Faye and Claudia were below ground, moving large groups of people to designated locations. Thalia instructed servants to move every piece of grain and every drop of water to the lower levels. Dumadin and several miners took pickaxes to a wall of hard runic stone. It glowed with each strike and large pieces sheared off. Sweat covered his brow but he didn’t stop his masterful swings.
Rayna called in every spy, trying to piece together any advantage they could take. Staying in the Discord District, scouts from outside the city made their way to her, informing her of the massive troll army moving from the south. The bard noticed the edge of fear in their voices as they could not get a proper count of the enemy, their numbers much too vast. Rayna thanked them with a little extra gold but the bard knew the gold wouldn’t mean much if they were all dead.
The sun moved across the clear blue sky. Families were shuttled to the underground levels of the city. The streets of Elora were empty, save for occasional guards, a few lancers and citizens ready to fight. The main gates to the city were locked down with bolts of iron. Elora’s flag flapped in the small breeze as the bustling city became a ghost town.
Edric looked up, seeing the sun sinking lower in the sky. With each passing moment, his heart sank with it. Questions pushed at him, asking if they did enough. He couldn’t answer the whispers as he looked down and made his way toward the wall.
Small wagons moved along the streets closest to the wall. Edric stepped out from a side street to see guards moving them and placing them in strategic spots under the wall. Lunatina moved with the guards, giving directions before she turned to see Edric walking toward her. Darkness shadowed under her weary eyes. The summoner could see the jester and master alchemist had worked herself to exhaustion. The wagons contained dozens of potions each, in a variety of colors.
The purple and black clad jester made her way to Edric, head bowed. “The potions are finished. Most are healing potions and will be given to guards, lancers and all those willing to fight. We have exhausted our supplies so I will not be able to make any more.”
Edric gave her a reassuring smile. “You did a great job. Once you’re finished, make your way to the underground levels and rest. You’ve earned it.”
Lunatina gave the summoner a weak smile. “I should stay and fight.”
“Do you want to?”
The jester’s smile widened. “Not really.”
Edric tried to hold back his laughter but a chuckle snuck through. “Rest. With any luck, Elora will survive and we will need you to help rebuild.”
The jester bowed at the waist, “As you will my lord.”
Lunatina stood up but before she turned to leave, she reached into her hip pack and pulled out three vials.
“These are elixirs. I made three for each of you. They will heal all damage and restore your mana. Please use them and take as many healing and mana potions you need from the wagons. I’ll make sure the elixirs will be delivered to the ladies of Elora.”
Edric bowed his head, “Thank you.”
The moment the lord lifted his head, the jester leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Edric was stunned as she pulled back and gave him a wink. Before anything else could be said, the jester turned and skipped away.
The summoner watched as she skipped along, singing orders to the guards. The player turned to the wall and noticed at the bottom of the stairs, two groups were waiting. Ralis stood, not in his regal robes he once wore but leather armor and a sword at his hip. Behind him, a dozen trolls stood with an assortment of weapons.
Next to Ralis and the trolls stood Vanya with another robed nalik; several more nalik’s behind them. Edric’s eyes watched them as they paid each other no mind. The nalik behind Vanya stood with a hood over her head and a sword handle peeking over her shoulder. The summoner made his way over until he stood before both groups, a questioning look in his eyes.
Ralis took a step forward and bowed. “Lord Temple, myself and a dozen of Elora’s citizens are ready to aid. Should the wall be breached, we can add to the confusion and maybe buy more time.”
Edric looked to Ralis and the trolls behind him, “Are you sure you want to be here? None of you have to face your brothers and sisters in battle.”
Ralis stood up, “We have already decided Elora is our home and we will defend it.”
The bald troll with the single braid smirked. “Besides, who knows troll tactics better than a former Kunarr diplomat?”
Edric nodded his approval. Ralis nodded back and turned to the dozen trolls at his back. With a single look, they bowed, not to Ralis but to Edric. The summoner knew their families were down in the tunnels and they would do everything to prevent harm coming to them. Ralis turned and marched off, the group of trolls following behind him.
Vanya smiled. “It would seem you have allies everywhere, Lord Temple.”
Edric moved to the older nalik, picked up her scaled hand and kissed the back of it. “I hope it will be enough, for all of us.”
Vanya gave an approving nod before her hand slipped from his. “Every kingdom reaches a time where its convictions are tested. You have said you are for the people and now the enemy is coming to test you and your fellow rulers. I’m sure whatever the outcome, you will fight with honor.”
Edric smiled. “I wish there was another way.”
“If there was, I’m sure you would have already found it.”
The summoner gave the nalik a sheepish look, “Should I have the guards escort you to the lower levels? You don’t need to be here.”
Vanya’s cracked scales around her mouth shifted into a grin, “I never asked to lead my people and the children of the Sindrell to safety but here I am. Fate has decreed my quest and I must follow it. The eggs are safely with their guardians. The handful you see behind me have pledged to fight should it come to that and before you say anything further, no, we will not leave your side.”
Edric sighed. “I was actually going to offer potions from the wagons.”
Several naliks giggled while Vanya kept her grin.
“You’re young and you’re strong. You will do fine,” Vanya said with a sweet edge before walking off.
The nalik’s followed while the one with the sword gave Edric a slight bow. The summoner watched as she stood up and followed the group into the empty streets of Elora.
An eerie silence flowed through the city as Edric took one long look at it. Even on street level, it seemed the entire city spoke to him. The only other time he felt the same sensation was on the streets of New York City. The history and glow wrapped around his mind like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s eve. The lord knew they didn’t have much, but they would fight tooth and nail to hold onto it.
Edric stepped over to a wagon and picked up a few healing and mana potions. Part of him wanted to take dozens but he knew the guards and warriors of the city would need every drop if this turned into an extended battle. Once he stored the potions in his satchel, the lord and his ogre made their way to the stairs and began their climb up.
The sun hung low in the late afternoon. Two or three stars shined in the cooling light. Edric and Leeta made their way to the southern wall edge and looked out at the land spreading out. The land was empty save for a few clusters of trees and tall grass. A battered dirt road stabbed out from the southern gate and to the southern horizon.
Leeta
glanced around, eyes falling on a wooden scorpion crossbow. The weapon was mounted on metal gears to allow it to swivel. The cord pulled back as two guards checked to ensure it was in working order. It was one of several dozens along the city’s defensive wall. Between each scorpion crossbow was a small catapult. The weapons stood at about twenty feet apart and guards worked feverishly to ensure they were ready. Men and women climbed stairs with sacks strapped to their backs. When they reached a crossbow or catapult, they gently placed the sacks down and opened the top flap. Inside, round stone cannonballs filled the sacks, arcane runes covering their surface. The ogre remembered when Lady Pearl spoke of them, informing her of the explosive magical power they carried. If an enemy was in range, even rune armor would not protect them from the damage these cannonballs could cause.
Edric stared out, uncertainty painting his heart. He dreamed of becoming more, fulfilling a need to build something great. Now it stood and the enemy was marching closer to take it all away. The player thought back to all the times he played kingdom simulation games and the only strategy that seemed to work for him was what he called the “Spiky Turtle”. You build up a strong defense, allowing the enemy to pretty much kill themselves as they attacked. The walls of Elora were thick and seventy feet high. The mounted scorpions and catapults would rain down powerful attacks as the enemy threw themselves against the walls. It was a strategy that worked against mindless NPC’s but the player wasn’t sure how effective it would be against the intelligent AI’s now inhabiting Lewd Saga. With time running out, Edric hoped they had the advantage against a ground army, no matter what the size.
A sliver of darkness touched the southern horizon. The lord squinted as the sun transitioned from late afternoon to early evening. The air took on a thin chill as guards looked to their lord and then to the south. Some touched shoulders or signaled with a pointing finger at the horizon. The chill grew from guard to guard as many stopped what they were doing to stare out at the black line growing larger in the distance.
