Lewd Kingdoms: Shadow's Edge: A High Fantasy Digital Adventure

by Eden Redd

  The lancer leaned forward from her throne, “I always told myself that those in charge have everyone’s best interests at heart. I wanted to believe we were going to make a difference. I hate to admit that I was in love with you….for all the wrong reasons. You talk about peace but we all know you want the glory.”

  Caspian turned his hard stare to Faye, “It’s because of you the guild fell apart. You poisoned their minds. More and more started to come to you, looking to you when things grew tough.”

  Faye looked down with tired eyes, “They started to see the cracks on their own. What I did that you could not was listen. You didn’t like anyone else looking to me or anyone else; that is why you had me step down as captain. You knew I wouldn’t go along with your black hat methods for the guild. So instead of trying to fix it, you disbanded the guild. I’m sure there are still players loyal to you but now you can start fresh, finding players that are less about the glory and more about fucking everyone else over.”

  Caspian’s hands curled into fists. The knight’s brow formed a hard V as he looked to each of the players on their thrones. Suusa and Tyrath’s hands moved close to their weapons. The guards twitched, eyes alert and fingers tightening around spears.

  Edric looked down with a smooth brow. “Caspian, thank you for the offer but it doesn’t seem like a good fit.”

  The knight’s glare was hot enough to melt iron before the rage bubbled away and his body relaxed. Placing a hand on the pommel of his blade, he moved to the dais again, boot on a step and a confident demeanor in his expression.

  “This is idiotic. You four sit on your thrones in your weak ass kingdom and think you can just accuse me of bullshit. I gave you all a chance to be part of something great and you pissed it away to build this city on the edge of enemy territory. It would be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.”

  Rayna stepped back and sat on her throne, eyes sharp. “Why not build your own kingdom if you seem to have all the answers.”

  Caspian gave a sardonic grin, “You think running a guild is a headache, kingdoms are worse. I’m sure you four have already seen it, having to deal with not only NPC’s but players as well. The events and constant upkeep take away from getting back into the fight. Lukken stands on a razor’s edge, falling into darkness and you four sit, trying to build while the world burns around you. The dragons are scattered. The trolls and the dead have destroyed any city, town or kingdom that has not fallen under their influence. I want a guild so we can take the fight to them.”

  Caspian took another step up on the dais steps, “I don’t want to sit on my ass. I want to fight back the monsters. This is our chance to be heroes. Half of the world is playing Lewd Saga. This is our chance to really be larger than life and become legends.”

  Edric kept his gaze steady as he spoke, “There are other ways to become a legend. You don’t have to fight to become it. You can be a legend by providing a safe haven for those who cannot fight for themselves. Faye, Claudia, Rayna and I believe Elora can be such a place in the war. We all agree we cannot trust you to have all of our best interests at heart. I speak for all of us in saying; find another place to build your guild hall. Come back and visit us and maybe then we can all do something great together.”

  Caspian’s eyes took on a manic edge. When he spoke, his words came out dark and deliberate. “How many guards you have here, fifty? I’m sure they are new and many may not have the experience of real war. They might be here now but only as long as you are paying them. I believe some will run if something terrible were to happen.”

  Caspian turned and faced the room, back to the four players, “The beauty of Lewd Saga is that it’s all about interaction. It’s not like most games where NPC’s follow you blindly. Here, they know fear and confusion, just like real people. Some of them might be awakened and scared for their digital lives.”

  The knight turned his head slightly; looking back to Claudia. “If I remember correctly, if a city core is destroyed the kingdom will decay and the lands will no longer be under your control. Kingdoms are not PvP safe zones. It allows other players to take over a city and become the new rulers, isn’t that so?”

  “You wouldn’t,” Claudia eyed the knight, her brow hardening.

  Caspian gave a whimsical smile, “What could stop me? I mean, look at what we have here, fifty guards and four ruling players. Edric is as weak as they come, even with his ogre glaring at me from the sidelines. Faye, Claudia and Rayna could put up a good fight but I do have concubines that will fight to the death for me.”

  The knight turned and looked up to the four players. “I could kill you all and sit on those lovely thrones. It would be simple. Destroy your core and purchase a new one. I could place it in the same spot, taking over this beautiful city. You already did some of the hard part of building it. We would take over your people and then encourage others to join our new city and bring the fight to the Middle Kingdoms once again.”

  Faye looked down with even, cool eyes, “Are you threatening us?”

  Caspian kept his smile, “No. A threat is someone just saying they are going to do something. I fully intend on cracking your core. We could have played nice but clearly you’re not seeing the bigger picture. If you four idiots can do it, I’m sure I can turn this place into the greatest city in all of Lukken. You can’t even handle a few break-ins and some bar fights. You’re guards were happy to take the gold and turn a blind eye.”

  The knight looked to Rayna, “To ease your mind, yes, I had the captains fuck her over. Your friend overheard some conversations and disagreed. She wasn’t going to play ball and she was out, just like you four. It doesn’t matter anyway, the truth. No one cares as long as you are the victor. Everyone wants to be on the winning side.”

  Edric sighed. “You’re a real asshole.”

  “And you four are simply in my way. I’ll give you a few minutes to run for it.”

  The guards picked up their spears and held the points out. Suusa and Tyrath put their backs to each other. The mage readied a spell while the knight’s fingers closed over the pommel of his blade. Leeta stepped from the side and stood by the thrones, spike mace in hand.

  Caspian looked around with a smug smile. “It’s a fight then.”

  Before another word could be uttered, roars filled the sky. Eyes and heads turned to the massive stain glass windows along the throne room, winged shadows darting by. Roars continued as they flew past. The main doors to the throne room were opened as reptilian beasts landed in the small courtyard outside.

  “Dragons?” Caspian hissed. “They are scattered. Why are they….”

  The knight trailed off as he watched the serpents fold their wings down to the stone floor and trolls dismounting. Edric, Faye, Claudia and Rayna stood before their thrones, eyeing the new comers. Everyone could see the flying beasts were not dragons but a simpler cousin called wyverns. They had two scaly legs and their arms were bat-like. They roared and settled down as large warrior trolls dismounted. Amid the group of wyverns, one troll was dressed in a fine red robe, gems and crystals running down from the shoulders and meeting at the belt. Long wizard-like sleeves hung from his arms and the top of his chest was bare for all to see. Even from in the throne room, they could see a single braid of hair flowing back from the top of his bald head. From another wyvern, a half woman, half snake slithered off and moved to his side.

  The troll in red made some gestures with his hand. The larger trolls converged on him and fell into formation. The troll in red started walking up the small amount of steps and into the throne room, the woman with the lower body of a red snake at his side. The guards pulled their spears up and stood at attention. Thick brutish trolls followed in three columns behind the one in red and his lamia companion.

  Tyrath and Suusa looked to Caspian, eyes wide. The knight made a quick motion with his hand and they stood down. The knight gave Edric a vile glance before he walked down the steps and stood with his compatriots. The four rulers stood up, faces stoic as the trol
l force stepped in. When the troll in red reached the dais, he knelt down to one knee and bowed his head.

  “Lord Temple, pleased to make your acquaintance, my name is Ralis Strangegloom, diplomat from the Kunarr kingdoms.”

  The troll stood up, hands at his sides and a calm expression in his dark eyes. “When we received your message last night, we thought it prudent to make haste to visit your new kingdom. My caravan is on route but we did not wish to ruffle any feathers by making you wait.”

  Edric smiled, “Thank you Ralis Strangegloom for coming. We are eager to open diplomatic relations with the Kunarr during such dreadful times.”

  Caspian’s eyes held unfettered shock as the summoner made his way down the steps and stood before the troll diplomat. Ralis bowed his head again and lifted it up, a small smile on his blue lips.

  “Agreed, the toils of war have caused many to take pause. I relish a chance to speak with you and your new kingdom so we can come to a beneficial alliance during these trying times.”

  Caspian’s mouth hung open for a second before he spoke up, “You made a deal with the devil!”

  Ralis’s kind gaze turned hard as he looked to the knight, “Who is this in your court who speaks so plainly?”

  Edric smiled, “Let’s not worry about him right now. I want to hear more about what the Kunarr kingdoms have to offer with an alliance. I’m sure your journey was a hard one so we can discuss matters after you have settled in.”

  Ralis nodded, “Yes that would be wise. My people look forward to bringing our people together.”

  Caspian picked up his jaw and glanced to Suusa and Tyrath. The three begin to walk toward the main doors when Faye stood up from her throne.

  “Do not let them leave,” the wood elf commanded.

  Guards moved and blocked the way out. Caspian’s hand went to his blade but he did not unsheathe it. Instead, his eyes fumed with disgust as he turned back to Edric and the troll looking in their direction.

  “Have we arrived at a bad time?” the diplomat asked.

  Edric looked to Caspian with a knowing edge. “Your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I’m delighted our message was received in time for you to be here at this moment. However, I was hoping we would have more time to discuss. You see, the kingdom of Elora is eager to be part of the Kunarr. We are a small kingdom and do not have much to offer.”

  Ralis nodded, “We understand. Most new kingdoms have such difficult times. That is why when my masters received news of your kingdom, they decided on the slower caravan to give it some time before arriving for relations. The masters appreciate your candor in the message, wishing to accelerate our meeting. The wyverns hasten our journey so we could arrive at noon, as requested by your message.”

  The troll diplomat eyed the two knights and mage with a questioning gaze, “You spoke of a gift you wished to give for our speedy arrival.”

  Edric nodded, “I did.” Edric put his arm around the troll’s shoulder and continued, “Ralis, I know war can be difficult on all sides. That’s why I was shocked when I learned there were three war criminals in my kingdom, stirring up trouble and speaking out against the troll masters.”

  Caspian’s eyes were daggers. “You fucking fool! You brought the enemy to your very fucking gate! Don’t you even think of……”

  Edric squeezed Ralis’s shoulder, “My people managed to capture Caspian Trueheart and his cohorts….a gift from Elora to the troll masters.”

  Ralis’s kind gaze turned dark. The trolls in formation turned, black eyes on the three players. Edric looked to the trolls. They didn’t look like your standard military trolls. They all had various markings and glowing runic weapons hanging or strapped to their bodies.

  Caspian stared in disbelief. The words were caught in his throat, unable to speak the utter rage that stormed in his heart. Beyond the main doors, city guards moved up, spears at the ready. The guards in the throne room all faced their attention on the three players as they stood.

  “This is a very kind gift,” Ralis said, keeping his gaze on Caspian.

  Caspian’s anger turned to an edgy panic, “Edric, you can’t be serious. I allowed you to be in the guild. We took care of you.”

  Ralis raised a smooth brow but said nothing.

  Edric nodded, “You did, before I found out what an evil fucking person you are. I’m not convinced you did it out of the kindness of your own heart. I think almost everyone in the guild knew you were doing things for your personal glory. I wasn’t there for the drama but I trust my fellow rulers and what they have to say on all of it.”

  Caspian’s eyes narrowed, “No one will trust you after this! Players will come to Elora and bash it to the ground for your betrayal! You are siding with the enemy! They want to control Lukken! They killed the dragons!”

  Ralis turned to a large troll, “Put the collars on them.”

  The troll nodded. Several trolls moved through the columns, each holding a black metal collar covered in runes. The one Ralis spoke to took one of the collars and opened it before Caspian.

  “Fuck this!” Caspian shouted as his hand grabbed at his sword.

  Instantly, the trolls pounced as one, followed by the city guard. Caspian barely had his sword clear of the sheath when large blue hands grabbed him and slammed the knight to the ground. Suusa screeched and Tyrath grunted as they were forced down as well. Collars clamped to the player’s necks and runes glowed with ethereal light. Thick arms pulled the three players to their feet while they were relieved of their weapons.

  “The collars will prevent them from calling any concubines they have or use their abilities and spells,” Ralis said with no emotion.

  The troll turned to Edric and bowed his head, “My caravan is still a few days away. We cannot bring prisoners back on the wyverns due to the added weight; they can only carry one rider at a time. Do you have a dungeon we can place them in until the caravan arrives to take them away?”

  “We have a brand new dungeon on the lower levels,” Edric grinned. “I’ll have the guards show you the way.”

  Many guards began to lead the way. The trolls pushed the three players along. Caspian growled with contempt as he was shoved by the large trolls. In a matter of moments, guards, some of the trolls, Caspian and his cohorts were gone from sight.

  Edric pulled his arm back from the troll diplomat and made his way back up the dais steps. Faye, Claudia and Rayna looked down with wide eyes but it was Rayna smiling evilly.

  Edric sat down on his throne, eyes on Ralis and the lamia at his side. “I’m sure it’s been an exciting introduction. The servants will show you to the guest quarters. Tonight, we will have a feast in your honor.”

  Ralis bowed, “Thank you Lord Temple. We look forward to your feast.”

  The summoner kept his jovial smile but a nervous energy swirled in his belly, wondering if he truly did the right thing.

  Twelve

  “I can’t believe that worked,” Rayna laughed as she threw herself onto a couch.

  The group gathered in the common room. Claudia was silent as she walked to another couch and sat down. Faye leaned against a wall, eyes closed and arms crossed. Edric moved to a table filled with bottles of wine and glasses. Leeta stood guard outside, mace still in her hand.

  The summoner poured wine into four glasses. He passed them out to his colleagues before flopping down next to Rayna. The mood was a somber one as they all mulled over what just happened.

  “This is going to hurt us,” Faye said simply.

  “The people can turn on us if there are trolls here. Most ran away from the trolls and dread lords north of the road,” Claudia said in a low voice.

  Edric nodded, “We knew this going in. It might hurt for a little while but it was better than Caspian and his people smashing the city core.”

  Rayna drank down the dark red wine before pulling the glass from her lips. “I’m willing to bet Caspian has more of his people in the city. I’m not sure he was ever going to really work with us.”
>
  Faye sighed. “That may be true but Caspian was right about no one ever trusting us again. We sided with the trolls for protection and that will make us enemy number one.”

  Rayna sat up, eyes on the tanned elf. “There are players on all sides of the conflict. We may not get along with the ones supporting the human kingdoms but others will come to Elora and support us.”

  Edric gulped down wine and held the glass at chest level. “I read the manual about diplomacy in Lewd Kingdoms. Once we are open to diplomatic relations, there is only so much one of the sides can do. I’m sure the trolls would much prefer an easy diplomatic solution then sending their soldiers into a controlled territory.

  “You all heard Ralis. They were already planning to come to us. If we hunkered down and tried to fight them, they would send an army to take Elora. This is the best short term strategy we had.”

  Claudia shook her head, “We spent so much time fighting them and now we are part of their territories.”

  Edric stepped over and sat beside the lancer, “I know it’s not the best solution. We just have to be clear with our diplomatic terms. It will give us enough time to gather our forces and stabilize the kingdom.”

  “They will have spies among our people, if they don’t already,” Faye added. “I know we are between a rock and a hard place but this is going to be difficult.”

  Edric took a sip. The whole plan didn’t sit well with him either. The whole point of building a kingdom was to fight the trolls. Images swirled in his mind’s eye of the night in Lythor and how Elora was murdered. It hurt more than he ever wanted to say out loud but he couldn’t ignore the fact that if they didn’t have a major side backing them, the kingdom would be destroyed and its people scattered. The player knew cooler heads would prevail and if it meant making a deal with the enemy, then that would be the hand they played.