by Eden Redd
Edric and Faye glanced to each other.
“That is most kind,” Edric said with a slight bow.
Lyndra nodded, “Indeed. I’m not sure you know but the land is filled with runic stones, leftover rock from when Lukken was born. I have a gift that may aid you in mining the coveted stone.”
Faye looked to Edric, “It wasn’t just wine, was it.”
“I wasn’t completely sure but I had an idea,” Edric said with a nervous smile.
Sekka returned with the dark elves; hand on a dwarf and gently pushing him into the group. The dwarf fixed his shirt and snorted his annoyance.
“The rudeness! After everything I have done!” the dwarf scowled and turned to the strangers standing before him.
“His name is Dumadin Ironfoot,” Lyndra smiled. “He has a knack for finding runic stones. I give him to you as a courtesan.”
Dumadin shook his head, “Aye! You took me in but you can’t go about giving me away to a bunch of strangers who….” The dwarf stopped talking when his eyes drank in Faye’s stern stare.
“Now who is this beauty that stands before me?” Dumadin smiled and smoothed down his beard.
Faye raised an eyebrow as the dwarf stepped over, took her hand and kissed the back of it.
“Pleased to make you acquaintance,” Dumadin said in a light, almost Scottish accent. “May I have the pleasure of your name?” the dwarf asked while still holding the wood elf’s hand.
“Faye,” the monk said and pulled her hand from him.
“I can tell you’re a fighter,” Dumadin smiled.
Rayna and Claudia stifled their laughter. Edric and Juna looked to Lyndra.
“Thank you but….” Edric began.
Lyndra lifted a hand up, “I will take no refusal. He will be an asset to your kingdom and a show of faith between my dungeon and your kingdom. I hope we can put this ugly incident behind us.”
Edric bowed, “Thank you Mistress Lyndra.”
“Now, I will see you to the exit. I’m sure this little adventure has taken you away from your kingdom duties and I’m hoping we want to put this all behind us.”
Lyndra turned and began walking. The group looked to one another for a moment before they followed the dungeon mistress. Edric tried to make sense what just happened, his mind spinning with questions. Glancing over at Juna, more questions poured into his head. He had heard the whispers of stories but he knew next to nothing about the history of the game. He spent most of his time researching the kingdoms update and enough to get an edge, nothing more. The player felt like he was submerged into something deeper.
Juna walked along with the summoner, a small smile on her lips and a light in her dark eyes. Edric could not help but notice she was brimming with energy… or was it excitement? Despite his personal confusion, the fight had become as real as ever. He had just started to truly believe that some of the digital people in Lewd Saga were waking up and now he must carry through with his personal promise to help them. Seeing Juna fight like a goddess only showed the potential they could reach if they had a chance to survive.
Edric’s eyes widened as an alert scrolled across his vision.
You have achieved “Kiss of Legends”! You gain +30 HP, +20 Mana, +5 Str, +5 Int, +5 Wis, +5 Dex, +5 Sta and +5 Cha.
You have achieved “Dawn of Knowledge”! You gain +5 Charm, +5 Snare, +5 Spell Casting, +5 Spell Craft, +5 Gem Craft and +5 Rune Craft.
You have achieved “Summon Angels”! You gain the sphere of Summoning Angels. Summon Angel Mana cost- 40.
Juna looked over to the wide eyed summoner, “Are you okay?”
Edric nodded. “Yea, I think I’m better than okay.”
The player watched as his stats increased, heart pounding in his chest as he walked along the corridor. The player smiled knowing they all had an even better chance to truly build something wonderful.
Nineteen
Cool air drifted in from the entrance. The group slowed as Lyndra stopped before them. The dungeon mistress turned with a small smile. The sky was black but the fresh air was welcoming to the stale dungeon atmosphere.
“I cannot go beyond this point. I wish you a safe journey back to Elora. Please come back and visit so we may discuss our future,” Lyndra said with an understanding tone.
The group filtered out of the dungeon, bowing to the mistress. Lyndra bowed her head, eyes bright and shining. When Juna stepped to Lyndra, the dungeon mistress’s expression turned to show a thin touch of regret. The troll woman took Lyndra’s hands into hers, fingers gently squeezing. Lyndra nodded in understanding as she let go and touched the troll’s blue cheek.
Edric was last to leave, stepping in front of Lyndra and bowing his head.
The mistress smiled as her hand slipped into her robe and pulled out Edric’s whip. “You may need this again.”
The summoner smiled as he took the whip and latched it to his belt. “We will return and build something great together.”
Lyndra smiled. “I look forward to it, Lord Temple.”
The player watched as the mistress leaned in and kissed his cheek. The group looked back as the summoner smiled. Edric stepped away from the entrance and walked to his companions. They wall watched as Lyndra waved goodbye, her body slowly turning to mist. Tendrils of vapor slipped back into the darkness and she was gone.
The walk back to the horses was quiet. The forest stood, dark and unmoving. The moons sank low in the sky and Edric could feel dawn vastly approaching. When they reached the horses, the steeds kicked their hooves into the dirt, happy for their safe return.
Dumadin looked to Faye, a wide toothy grin showing. “I could use a ride back and I’m more than willing to sit with you if you will have me?”
Faye looked down at the dwarf, eyes half closed and lip curving down. Rayna stepped over and put her arm around the dwarf who was only slightly shorter than her.
“You’re riding with me. I’m sure the horse can handle two people our size,” Rayna grinned.
Dumadin looked to the bard and then back to Faye, “I would rather…..”
“Ride with me? I thought you would never ask,” Rayna grinned and pulled the dwarf to her horse.
Faye gave the bard a quick head nod and Rayna gave her a wink. Claudia pulled herself onto her horse. Leeta moved to Edric and gave him a big hug. The summoner patted her on the back before pulling a lock stone from his satchel. The ogre pulled away, turning into a stream of energy and flowing into the stone.
Edric noticed Juna step closer, eyes kind and a sweet smile on her lips. “May I ride with you, Lord Temple?”
“Please, call me Edric. And of course you may ride with me.”
The summoner put his foot in the stirrup and brought his other leg over the horse. Juna moved close as the summoner put out his hand. The troll took hold and put a foot in the stirrup. With a heave, she sat behind him, hands on his waist. Faye and Claudia looked over with neutral eyes. Rayna gave the summoner a sly look until her eyes bulged from the dwarf hugging her waist like his life depended on it.
“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Dumadin said with wide eyes.
Juna smiled from Edric’s horse, “Neither have I.”
With a flick of the reins, the four horses started trotting along, heading east. Edric wasn’t sure what to make of everything. Questions pulled at his mind and he wanted to ask the troll everything but he kept his mouth shut so not to be rude. Juna held him around the waist. Bodies close; she could feel the tension as they rode along.
“You want to ask me something,” Juna whispered in his Edric’s ear.
Edric turned his head slightly, “I do. I just figured we would have more time at the keep.”
“How long before we reach Elora?”
Edric looked in the distance, “Maybe over an hour at this pace.”
“Sounds like plenty of time for us to talk.”
Edric looked ahead, “I don’t know the legends. You seem very powerful and…different.”
Juna
nodded, “It’s coming back to me in waves, memories of my previous life.”
“Why were you haunting Elora? Why did you show yourself to me?”
The troll moved her face to his neck, the summoner’s scent drifting into her nose. “I…died over a year ago but didn’t, if that makes senses. I was a ghost, walking the Journey Road from the west coast. I didn’t have to rest, eat or sleep. I truly felt like the dead. When I reached the Middle Kingdoms, I knew I could not appear to them.
“I walked on and saw your keep newly built. I decided to stay and see if maybe someone there could help. I saw you and the excitement in your eyes. You had very few people but you treated them well. It was enough to convince me to stay longer and try to make contact.”
Juna leaned the side of her head on the summoner’s neck, “I focused all my will to be visible to you. When I succeeded, I began to have visions of my own rebirth. I knew I was going to come back…,” Juna trailed off.
Edric turned his head to listen better.
Juna sighed and continued, “I can’t explain it but I saw…..code? It dictated rules of my rebirth. It was odd to see that I needed a…player….to wake me once I reformed. I could think of no other better suited than you. You will have to excuse me because I’m not familiar with all these different terms.”
Juna looked up at the stars, “I watched how you and Claudia made love and it spoke to me. Once I knew my rebirth was coming, I had to make an effort to instruct you of the rules.”
Heat rushed into Edric’s face, “You did a great job. I wasn’t sure why but it was pretty obvious with the comet and the kiss.”
Juna smiled. “I knew you would understand.”
“Now that you’re here, what’s next for the great and all powerful Juna?”
The troll let out a small giggle. “I’m not sure. I may need a few days to feel like myself again. I was so used to be being a ghost, actually being here feels amazing.”
Edric nodded, “Stay as long as you like. I’m sure we can help you with anything you need. We have plenty of space at the keep.”
“Thank you,” Juna smirked.
Edric was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “So you watched us?”
The troll nodded. “I saw a lot of what was happening in the keep and…,” Juna trailed off before her eyes widened.
Edric turned his head with a raised brow.
“We have to get back to Elora as soon as possible!” Juna shouted.
All heads turned to the troll.
“Caspian has been planning to break out of the dungeon! He has players and paid guards working for him. Tonight was when he was going to break free!”
Faye flicked the reins and charged ahead. Claudia and Edric followed suit. The horses broke into a charge just as the first rays of dawn struck out from the eastern horizon. The dwarf clung to the bard, shutting his eyes and gritting his teeth.
The shadow of night slipped away as the glow of morning spread out. Edric rode hard as his eyes looked off to the distance, the outline of Elora standing as a dark structure to the horizon. The highest point was the near rectangular shape of Gray Haven Keep, plumes of smoke curling into the clear morning air.
Edric, Rayna and Claudia pushed their horses until they were all side by side with Faye’s horse. The monk looked on, eyes narrow and drinking in the smoke, the wood elf’s heart beating in her chest, worried innocent citizens may be hurt.
“We need a plan,” Edric shouted over the thundering hooves.
“Can’t Juna go in and slaughter them all like back in Lyndra’s dungeon,” Rayna shouted back.
“I can’t. The Arcane Surge has a six hour cool down. It will be another five hours before I can do that again.”
“Caspian is going to be waiting for us,” Faye said over the racing horses.
Edric nodded, “I think I have an idea.”
Claudia, Rayna and Faye looked to the summoner.
“Let’s stop for a moment and I can give the details,” Edric said with a serious edge.
***
The sun rose higher, clearing the horizon and basking the kingdom of Elora in brilliant light. Guards stood at the western gate. Eyes squinting, they watched as four horses rode, a cloud of dust billowing behind them. They began calling to each other and pointing. When the four horses reached the gate, they skidded to a halt.
The companions dismounted and landed on the dirt road. Guards rushed to their sides, eyes wide.
“What’s happening here?” Faye asked with a stern voice.
“Invaders from within the keep have taken it over,” A guard explained. “They have barred the doors and will not let anyone enter until the rulers of Elora arrive.”
The four rulers walked together, Juna and Dumadin trailing behind. Faye and Edric led the group. The dwarf looked around as people gathered in the street, eyes filled with concern and worry. Some called out the wood elf, asking her to smite the enemy from the kingdom. Rayna pulled her lute to her stomach as Claudia walked with spear in hand. Juna eyed the people, feeling their expressions weighing heavy on her.
Edric looked to the people as more guards joined them. They cleared a path as they walked Discord Street, Gray Haven Keep standing at the end of the road. The keep looked untouched except for boarded up window alcoves and closed doors. Smoke rose from the top of the keep but Edric couldn’t tell if the top floor was on fire or they simply burned something to gain their attention. Either way, it didn’t fill the city with confidence that the enemy took control of it.
Edric checked his stats as they stepped along the cobblestone street.
Edric Temple
Summoner
Hit Points- 100/100
Mana- 10/150
Armor- 5
Strength-19(+3)
Intelligence- 25(+4)
Wisdom- 22(+4)
Dexterity- 21(+3)
Stamina- 25(+4)
Charisma- 26(+5)
Spell Abilities
Charm- 33
Snare- 31
Channel- (+STR/HP/DEX)
Lock Stones (1)
Leeta (Ogre)- HP-220/220
Spells
Summoning Spell- 10 Mana
Summon Demon Spell- 2o Mana
Summon Angel Spell- 40 Mana
Light Spell- 5 Mana
Primary Skills
Spell Casting- 38
Spell Craft- 17
Gem Craft- 22
Rune Craft- 17
Enchantment- 12
Melee- 14
Wilderness Lore- 13
Equipment
Lightning Whip- 10 to 15 damage/Gem Slot-Lightning damage 10% Stun
Dark Green Robe- 5 Armor
Healing Potions (0)- Heal 50 HP
Edric squared his jaw as they arrived at the base of the keep. A guard called out as people gathered in the circular square around the keep. People parted. Something slid out of place behind the thick double doors and one side opened. A hand beckoned them in.
A guard turned to Faye and Edric, “They told us to bring you here. If we enter, they will start killing hostages.”
Edric looked to the guard, “Its fine. Keep the people back while we investigate.”
The guard stepped in close to the summoner. “They have about twenty adventurers in there and some of the guards have turned to their side. I’m afraid you’re walking into a trap my lord.”
Edric put a hand on the guard’s shoulder, “The important thing to do right now is to be ready. Have as many trustworthy guards surround the keep. If anyone tries to flee, subdue them but do not kill unless you have too. Protect the people at all costs.”
Sweat touched the guard’s brow as he nodded. He stuck out his chest and gave a salute before turning to the crowd. He made hand signals to the guards and they spread out.
Edric looked to Faye and then to the rest of the group. Everyone nodded except the dwarf.
“You expect me to go in there with nothing but my wits?” Dumadin huffed.
/> Rayna pulled a dagger from her belt and handed it to the dwarf, “The pointy end goes into the bad guys.”
Dumadin took the dagger and eyed it with contempt, “This isn’t a real weapon. What do you expect me to do? Pick their teeth with it?”
Faye looked back with a hard stare, “If you fight, maybe I’ll let you hold my hand.”
The dwarf’s eyes widened before slipping the dagger into his belt. “For the chance to touch your hands I would have done it with a toothpick. What songs they will sing if I slay the enemy with such a weapon.”
Faye closed her eyes and shook her head as the dwarf grinned.
Edric and Faye led the way. Stepping into the keep, they immediately noticed ten players waiting for them. They all leered evilly. Faye’s brow hardened as she knew most of the players from their former guild, the ones that kissed Caspian’s ass the most. Fingers curled into fists as she resisted the urge to start punching.
The summoner watched as the players stood on either side of the group, hands on their weapons. They escorted everyone down the hall and toward the throne room. The player questioned why their weapons were not taken but he quickly remembered they could only be looted once they were dead. It seemed Caspian wanted to see them first before he attempted to slaughter them.
The large group reached the wide western door to the throne room. They stepped inside as the enemy players peeled off. Sunlight poured through colored stain glass, touching the center of the large room. Caspian, Suusa and Tyrath sat on three of the four thrones, eyes peering down with sickening smiles. Edric, Faye, Claudia, Rayna, Juna and Dumadin were escorted to the middle of the room. Guards lined the walls, some looking to their former rulers and others casting their gaze to the floor.
Caspian leaned forward from Edric’s throne, “So good to have you back home.”
From a dark corner, guards pulled Ralis and Thalia’s bound bodies and threw them down on the dais steps. They were gagged, minor cuts and bruises all over their bodies. Clothes were torn and disheveled. The lamia looked to Edric with sad disappointment.
“It’s a shame we had to wait for you,” Caspian continued. “It was a hell of party, your guards fighting their fellow guards, the lamia and troll putting up a fight to the bitter end, truly the stuff of heroes.”
