by Eden Redd
“Never!” the ogre growled in contempt.
The golden collar around the thick neck began to crack. Faye, Claudia and Rayna watched as Edric’s demeanor took on a dark edge.
“Submit or return to your people and tell them to never come here again.”
The ogre’s yellow eyes glowered with a haunting rage, “My tribe will come back. My tribe will slay your men and take your women. We will feast on their flesh once they are broken and celebrate to their screams.”
Claudia’s fingers curled into a fist but Faye pressed a hand to her shoulder. Rayna watched with half closed eyes. Leeta stared down at the kneeling ogre and shook her head slightly.
Edric felt the snare slipping away. He could not lock the monster into a stone if it was unwilling. Once the snare was broken, it would rage and fight. The words it spoke echoed through his heart. Holding out a hand, Leeta looked to her master and handed him her mace.
“Death and hunger comes for your people,” the ogre spit. “I will feast on…” The ogre never finished as a spiked mace crashed into its face.
Edric kept the snare in place as he rained down blow after blow. Faye and Claudia watched with heavy hearts as Rayna’s grin widened into a mad smile. Leeta watched indifferently as Edric brought the spike mace down again and again. The golden snare snapped into pieces as the ogre flopped forward, face caved in. It hit the muddy ground with a “slop”, cracks of light appearing along its massive body. In a blink, the ogre shattered into fragments of greenish light.
“No one is coming for my people,” Edric spit and turned away.
An alert appeared in the player’s vision.
You have attained “Stone Heart”. You gain +1 Strength and +2 Stamina!
Faye stepped to the summoner, looking into his dark eyes and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“No one is coming for our people,” The wood elf smiled.
The shadows along Edric’s face pulled back as he looked to the blonde elf, a new song playing in his heart.
Six
Rain dripped along the edge of an open window. The sounds of drops created a natural melody as the dark of night shrouded the countryside. A fire burned in a stone fireplace and lanterns glowed with warm light.
A small table filled the middle of the room. The walls and floor were bare as four players sat on simple wooden chairs. An ogre sat on the floor, wine bottle in hand and a happy grin on her face. A crate sat on the small table, holding a few wine bottles. The players each had a bottle in hand, taking sips and enjoying the company.
Edric looked to his companions, the digital wine working its magic. He wished he had the foresight to buy some glasses, even cups. The cupboards were bare as was much of the stone keep. Instead, he and his partners drank straight from the bottles and seemed to be enjoying it. Faye sat with bottle in hand, taking long sips, her tan cheeks betraying a hint of pink. Claudia sipped and smiled; eyes wide and her leg bouncing a little. Edric guessed she either didn’t drink much or was simply an energetic drunk. The lancer laughed between sips as Rayna guzzled her bottle and then placed it by her chair. The bard reached into the crate and pulled out another wine bottle and the cork screw from the table edge. Stabbing into the cork, she twisted it with vigor before it pulled free. Tossing the corkscrew with the cork still on it to the table, she bent her head back and took another long guzzle.
The summoner looked to the open window, enjoying the rain as it dripped and streamed. Memories swirled with his fuzzy thoughts of returning back from the battle and a few towns’ folk cheering him and his companions on, thanking them for their protection. Edric couldn’t lie to himself, it felt pretty good. Faye and Claudia seemed to enjoy the attention as well. Rayna simply brushed past and walked to the keep. She seemed disinterested, which the summoner found odd for a bard.
Once the thanks subsided, the companions stepped into the keep, basking in the victory. Leeta mentioned celebrating with wine, and Edric remembered the whole crate he’d bought. Pulling it from his inventory, he placed it on the table and opened bottles. Faye and Claudia sipped lightly at first but Rayna took to the wine like an addict needing their fix. Leeta wasn’t much better and it didn’t take long for the ogre and bard to be laughing like old friends. Edric joined them and the tension ebbed as the wood elf and lancer followed along. The sun had set when the wine really began to take effect. Soon they were all laughing over small stories.
Edric turned his attention to the beautiful women gathered around the table and turned into putty in the chair, sinking down like his body was made of molasses. Rayna swayed in her chair, grinning like a crazy person and holding her bottle like a pirate. Claudia giggled as she watched Rayna barely staying on her seat, looking like she was going to tip over.
Faye took a deep breath, as if to gather her thoughts. “We still haven’t talked about how we are going to govern the kingdom?”
Rayna’s hand grabbed the edge of her seat for dear life, bleary eyes on the wood elf, “Mom, can’t we talk about it tomorrow? You’re going to harsh my buzz.”
Faye ignored the bard and looked to Edric. The summoner took a deep sip before leaning back in his chair, the front legs off the stone floor. The bottle rested in his lap as he fought through the drunken fog. He knew he could sober up in seconds due to the safeties in the game but he liked the warm wine buzz.
“We are partners now…right?” Edric asked with a slight slur.
Faye nodded, “Yes, I want to help build the kingdom but we should place some rules that we all can follow.”
“I want to help!” Claudia said a little too enthusiastically.
“I have plans for my district….dark plans…” Rayna said with a creepy edge.
Edric ignored the bard and focused his eyes on the wood elf, “Well….first thing we have to do tomorrow is swear everyone in. Since we are going be to the lord and ladies of the lands, you three need to connect to the city core. Once we are all connected, we will share equal rights as the ruling party. It will be like starting our own guild…just a tad smaller.”
Rayna scooted to the edge of her seat, hand grabbing nothing. The bard began to fall until a large hand caught her. The bard cheered as Leeta lifted her back up with one hand and placed her in the chair.
Faye ignored the cheery bard, eyes on Edric. “We will all share the kingdom equally?”
Edric nodded, “We all will have equal say. Splitting the city into four districts will let everyone create their own slice of the kingdom. We will have to divide some of the needed structures and plans among each of our districts.”
Faye and Claudia gave the summoner a blank stare. Rayna and Leeta clinked bottles together and chugged wine.
Edric noticed the blank gazes and pulled himself together just enough to hopefully make sense. “Every town or city needs a few things to make sure the citizens are happy and well adjusted. There must be a market, a place of worship, place of knowledge and……places where one can get their needs met.”
Rayna’s ears perked up as she turned her attention to the summoner, “I’ll run the cat houses…or brothels…or whatever they’re called.”
Edric smiled, “You can call them whatever you like. They will be in your district and your responsibility.”
Claudia nodded as if she made her decision, “I can take on the religious part. The god Drallus is a popular one. He has followers in most major cities.”
The lancer’s eyes took on a faraway gaze for a moment before she refocused, “Can there be more than one religion?”
Edric leaned back a little farther in his chair, “There can be multiple religions in a city but we should be careful. Some will not like each other and could cause some conflict. If there is too much conflict in the city, we could have riots.”
“Just like real life,” Rayna cackled.
Faye readjusted in her seat, making eye contact with Edric as she spoke, “I can assume you want the places of knowledge, which leaves me with the markets and shops.”
&nb
sp; Edric leaned forward, the front legs touching the floor. Elbows out, he tried to place them on the edge of the table but missed completely. Falling forward, hands scrambled to catch the edge and prevent his chin from hitting the table by an inch. The four women looked to him as he sat up and tried to play it off, placing an elbow on the table and his chin in his palm. The four of them smiled as Edric talked like nothing happened.
“Everything is not set in stone. The city will grow bigger and fill out. As the city grows, we can place whatever we want in our districts. Elora will notify us of certain things but this is where ruling a city or kingdom gets tricky.”
The summoner sat back, took a swig from his wine bottle and wiped a drop of wine with his forearm. “The larger the population, the harder it will be to get involved on the smaller scale. We will have duties like what is best for the kingdom as a whole. Eventually we will have to find and recruit courtesans.”
The three players leaned forward a little as Edric continued to explain.
“Courtesans are those appointed by us to handle some of the political duties of running a kingdom. Think of them as personal assistants. They will have knowledge of what is happening in a city and its people. Should we go off to handle a threat or just go on quests, courtesans will take care of the kingdom until we return. They can also advise on the best course of action should there be conflict or dissent in the streets.”
“Sounds like high level concubines,” Rayna slurred.
Edric nodded, “They kind of are but with more power. Much like knights have concubines, those who rule kingdoms have courtesans; the term is gender neutral for any sex.”
Faye and Claudia remained silent, mulling over the information. Rayna was next to speak up.
“How are people going to come here? I mean, with the war going, it’s not like we will have a sign at the entrance saying ‘Stay in Elora, we have cheap rents.’”
The group chuckled as Edric put his wine bottle on the table.
“We have to build up part of the city and create empty homes. People will trickle in but if we really want a steady stream of new comers, we will need a beacon crystal.”
Edric slumped in his chair, eyes half closed but his voice strong, “Beacon crystals can be bought, found or created with the right ingredients. Once we have one, we place it by the city core. It will float along like a moon to a planet. When they are connected, our chances of having that specific race will increase. My research tells me, we can have any race come to our city to live if we have a beacon crystal. The only thing we have to worry about is if the races will live in harmony. Orcs and elves can live in a city but if they interact too much, it could cause a conflict and then a riot.”
“I vote the orcs out,” Rayna said as she lifted her bottle in the air.
“Riots seem like an issue,” Claudia sighed.
“They can be so we should always discuss as a group what we want in our city before going ahead with it,” Edric said with a goofy smile.
Faye’s head tilted forward, shadows covering her eyes, “And what about the four of us? How do we want to rule Elora together?”
Edric raised a questioning brow. He wasn’t sure what she meant by how they would rule together. It didn’t really cross his mind as he mostly focused on the city itself. Claudia looked away shyly while Rayna took another deep swig from her bottle.
Edric spoke from the heart, “I just want to make this city the most amazing city on Lukken. I think if we communicate and rule with kindness, it will blossom into something beautiful. The four of us will have equal power from this point forward.”
The wood elf smiled, “I like that.”
Claudia nodded in agreement. Rayna lifted her bottle to the summoner in a silent toast and finished off the dark red liquid.
The wood elf stood up, placing her half full wine bottle on the table. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to get some sleep.”
Edric nodded, “This floor is the private chambers. Each bedroom has a bed but not really anything else. Once we start creating the city, options will allow us to furnish our rooms.”
Faye bowed her head forward with a kind smile, “A bed for tonight will be fine. Have fun everyone and see you in the morning.”
The summoner watched as the elven monk turned and walked out of the room. Claudia was next to yawn and stretch her arms. The lancer stood up and placed her almost empty wine bottle on the table. Giving Edric a shy smile, she turned and walked out of the room without a word.
Rayna stared at the summoner like a predator on the prowl. Edric was caught in the gravity of her gaze and gave her a nervous smile. Standing up, the player figured it was time to get some sleep. A new excitement ran through his nerves as they were finally going to build their city from the ground up.
Leeta was to her feet and swaying. The ogre took a few steps forward before she knelt to the floor and stretched out. Edric could not hide his amusement as the ogre passed out on her stomach across the stone floor. The summoner reached into his satchel to pull out Leeta’s lock stone when Rayna was to her feet and stepping closer. The bard gently grabbed the summoner by the wrist and gave him an intense stare.
“You don’t have to call her back. She looks like she’ll be fine. Why don’t we talk a little longer?”
Edric could feel the hunger rolling off the bard in waves. “What do you want to talk about?” the summoner played dumb as he could see what she clearly wanted.
Rayna’s eyes drifted to Edric’s defined neck, “Anything really, since we will be ruling a kingdom together. Tell me, what are you into?”
Edric’s body shifted into an uncomfortable stance as he sighed. “Maybe we can talk more once we get to know each other better.”
Rayna leered. “We are getting to know each other right now.”
“Rayna, you’re drunk.”
The bard kept her leer, “And you look delicious.”
“Maybe when you’re sober we can….” Rayna cut him off.
“I don’t need to be sober to know what I want. Are you worried about Faye and Claudia? They’re grown women and can take care of themselves. Besides, it’s not like I want to marry you. This is Lewd Saga and I wanted to show my appreciation.”
Edric raised an eyebrow, “Appreciation? I didn’t do anything.”
The bard licked her lips as delicate hands reached up and pulled the summoner’s robe open a little more. An internal button popped open and part of Edric’s chest was exposed. Rayna’s eyes lingered on his strong chest before looking up with devilish eyes.
“I have to be honest, I hate nice guys but the way you handled that ogre lit my flame. You let your dark side out and I liked what I saw.”
The bard pressed a hand to Edric’s chest and gave him a gentle push. The drunken summoner lost his balance and flopped onto his empty chair. Rayna stepped closer as Edric looked up to her. Pushing her hair aside, the player could see her whole face and he was mesmerized by her beauty. Stunned, the player did nothing as the bard undid his robe and opened it. Looking down, her wicked smile stayed as she locked on his thickening manhood.
“I knew you were naked under the robe,” Rayna giggled as she knelt in between the summoner’s legs.
Edric was trapped as the blood drained from his head and filled his cock. Robe opened down the middle, Rayna pushed the thick fabric from his legs and snuggled in closer. Fingers coiled around his stiffening member and gave it a slight stroke up and down, coaxing it to full attention.
“Don’t let Faye and Claudia fool you. I’ve seen them at the guild orgies and they can be as demanding as anyone else.”
“Demanding like you,” Edric smirked.
The bard nodded before letting her tongue lick the tip. The summoner grew quiet as the blissful rush touched his nerves.
Rayna stared at his member, stroking and talking to it instead of the Edric, “The guild orgies helped everyone grow stronger. I know you have only been in the game for the last few months but you should be stron
ger then you are now. I heard the rumors and stories about you, spending your time farming gold. It turned me off to think you were trying to play Lewd Saga like a normal game.”
Rayna looked up as she stroked the summoner a little faster, “Then you slammed that spiked mace into the ogre’s face and suddenly you became interesting.”
Edric wanted to say something but the words stuck in his throat as the bard had him in her grip.
Rayna continued long, sensual strokes, purple irises on the summoner, “The reason I’m staying here is not because I want to help or do what’s right. I’m staying because I know there is a lurking monster under your skin and it wants to be free. You don’t have to deny it because I saw it.
“I’ll stay and play along. I’ll help you become stronger. I’ll run the brothels and cat houses but I want you to know, I have my own needs that must be met. I’m choosing you to meet those needs. You should feel honored.”
Edric’s eyes took a dark edge, “All I feel is your hand around my cock.”
Rayna let out a sweet moan before closing her lips around the tip and giving it a gentle suckle. Edric could barely contain the surge of pleasure as her tongue licked at him, running along the sensitive head and ridge. She stroked the summoner as she sucked on his throbbing head. Edric felt helpless as pleasure overrode any thought process in his mind. Bliss touched a little deeper and an urge for release hummed.
Rayna pulled her mouth away but continued her steady tempo, “Be sure to pick the ‘experimental’ kink when you have a chance. It will help you when the time is right for us.”
“What if I already have that kink,” Edric hissed as he mentally told himself to shut up.
Rayna moved her mouth closer to his cock as she continued to stroke him, “Then we are that much closer.”
The whispered words touched his sensitive head and the player could hardly control himself. Hand reaching up, he was going to take hold of the bard’s head when she shot forward like a viper, mouth closing down halfway on his shaft. The summoner’s fingers flexed as he pulled his hand back, Rayna’s head bobbing on his cock. The bard was unchained, sucking like some porn star, eyes closed and moaning her delight.
