by Dante King
“Hahaha.” Yo Hin laughed awkwardly, grabbed his cup, and downed its contents. “I’m really not all that—”
A look of surprise crossed his face, and his mouth fell open.
“Well, maybe just a little powerful,” he murmured.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I said and left before he could hear me laugh.
A familiar figure in simple black robes embroidered with the Radiant Dragon symbol appeared as I turned away from Yo Hin. Long black hair was touched with white at the temples and tied back for the occasion, but it was impossible to mistake him.
“Guildmaster Xilarion.” I bowed my head respectfully. “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”
“King Beqai sent me a letter as soon as he woke from his decade-long slumber. I thought I might arrive before the clan attacked the guild, but even guildmasters cannot travel like immortals.”
“We defeated Horix and those who followed him.”
“I know.” Xilarion smiled. “We wouldn’t be celebrating had you not.”
I couldn’t help but stare at the ground, the intense gaze of a man I respected more than anyone too intense for me to withstand.
“I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts,” he continued. “From all I’ve been told, your skill in Augmenting continues to grow. The slaying of the tidal wyrms, some of the most challenging beasts in the Seven Realms, would have earned you high praise by itself. To then defeat Horix and his guild was beyond what anyone could expect.”
“Thank you, Guildmaster,” I said with another bow. “I’m happy that my work here is now done.” I paused before continuing. “Horix spoke of the Straight Path and the people who share his aims. What do you know about it?”
“The Straight Path.” Xilarion frowned. “There have been reports of a similar philosophy in the Gonki Province inland. I’ve heard whispers of the name but nothing firm as yet. It reminds me of the Unwavering Shadows Cult. It could be the newest iteration of the group.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
“There are paths that branch off what many call the Wandering, or ‘true,’ Path, as its devotees call it. One such branch is the Path of Peace. It is the road Beqai and I travel, at least until circumstance make it impossible to do otherwise. Other offshoots exist. Some are noble, but others stray into more dangerous philosophies. I believe that the Path of Peace may be the most noble, but it is becoming harder and harder to walk it.”
“The Straight Path followers believe in the shortest distance between weakness and power. They’re willing to cut corners in the pursuit of their goals.” I shook my head. “That’s what Horix taught his students.”
“From what we have witnessed here, it is clearly a threat.” Xilarion clasped my shoulder with a withered hand and met my eyes. “You have borne the name of Radiant Dragon with pride and honor. But other lands call to you now, young Swordslinger.”
I met his gaze. “What’s my next task?”
“Another old friend—Lord Ganyir—has asked for my help. His last letter told me there was trouble building in his city. It could very well be those of this Straight Path seeking to unbalance the relationship between clan and guild. You are to travel to their city and ease tensions if possible. If not…”
“I understand, Guildmaster,” I said.
A bolt of warmth that had nothing to do with the wine raced through me as Xilarion smiled.
“There you are!” King Beqai staggered up to us as he waved a goblet wildly in one of his tentacles and splashed wine all around.
“My truest old friend,” he said as he slapped Xilarion on the shoulder, “and my best new one.” I too received a hefty slap with another tentacle.
“Your Majesty.” Xilarion bowed his head, though he couldn’t quite hide an amused smile. “Have you been celebrating all day?”
“Not yet! But now that you’re here, we should. It will be like that cherry orchard all over again.”
“Perhaps another time,” Xilarion said. “We both have responsibilities now.”
“That we do.” An earnest expression crossed Beqai’s face. “And that’s why I need to talk to this one.”
He jabbed me in the chest and almost spilled wine down my robes. Kumi appeared from behind him. An indulgent smile slipped over her face.
“As you know, my son has been grievously wounded,” Beqai said. “And my people’s faith in him has been shaken by recent events. While I would once again trust him with my life, he cannot serve as Prince of Qihin City and my faithful right hand. I want you, Ethan Murphy lo Pashat, to take my daughter’s hand in marriage and fill that role.”
For a long moment, all I could do was stare. I knew that the king had been impressed, but this was beyond belief. It was a role better suited for another, not a wandering Swordslinger. My desire was to keep developing my own skills. Not take responsibility for governing others.
“You honor me, Your Majesty,” I said. “But I must decline. Guildmaster Xilarion has given me a mission that will carry me away from here.”
Beqai snorted and rolled his eyes. “Of course Xilarion has. He was always faster to the prize than me.”
“Even if you can’t stay,” Kumi said to me, “my father has ordained that I should be your wife, and I will act as such.”
I stared at her. “You’d leave everything behind and come with me?”
“That’s precisely what she means!” Beqai said with a laugh. “Now, where did Xilarion run away to?”
The king turned and caught up with the retreating back of the Radiant Dragon Guildmaster. Beqai wrapped an arm around Xilarion and led him away toward the heart of the party. “Now, tell me, old friend: how have the tides of the world been treating you?”
“Uhhh…” I looked at Kumi in astonishment. “I’m honored.”
She kissed me so hard that I had to take a step back to maintain my balance.
“I have no desire to leave you behind, Swordslinger,” she murmured in my ear.
The party went on late into the night, but as all celebrations do, it finally came to a close.
We gathered the next morning in King Beqai’s great hall amid the shallow waters in front of his throne. All of the visitors from Radiant Dragon were there. Kumi stood beside us. Guards stood stiffly to attention while Beqai beamed down at us. He looked no worse for wear after his night of partying.
“I have something for you, Ethan,” he said as he held out the Depthless Dream Trident.
I stepped forward, bowed my head, and accepted the weapon.
“Are you sure, Your Majesty?” I asked. “Shouldn’t a spirit weapon like this stay here with you, to protect your people?”
“My people are safe, thanks to you,” Beqai replied. “And I can think of no better betrothal gift. If I can trust you with my daughter, I can certainly trust you with this.”
“I’m honored, Your Majesty,” I said with absolute honesty. “I will bear it with the pride and the history of the Qihin people behind it.
I returned to my companions, and Faryn and Vesma exchanged odd looks before they turned to the king.
“It’s quite all right,” Beqai said jovially. “You can all be his wives if you want.”
In the silence that followed, I could have heard a pin drop.
“I just might take you up on that offer,” Faryn said at last.
“Whatever,” Vesma said. But I could have run a house on the wattage of her grin.
“Don’t I get a say in it?” I asked.
“Are you saying no?” Vesma asked with a crisp tone.
“Of course not, but—”
“We should go,” Xilarion interrupted with a merciful changing of the topic. “Yo Hin, Veltai, you will come back to the guild with me to continue your training.”
“Yes, Guildmaster,” they said.
“I’ll be going with them too,” Faryn said. “I have new initiates to teach.”
She walked over, placed a hand on my shoulder, and kissed me briefly on the lips.
“We didn’t get our moment alone, but I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.” She winked. “My betrothed.”
Then the four of them strode out of the palace.
“We should be going too,” I said. “There’s been rumors of Straight Path devotees in the Gonki Province. If they’re anything like Horix, then the people there could do with support. ”
“The Gonki Province is a valley region known for its powerful earth Augmenters,” King Beqai said. “The Steadfast Horn Guild are famed for its strength and hardiness. This will be an interesting challenge for you all, but one I am confident you can face.”
“Thank you, Father.” Kumi walked up to the throne, and the two of them exchanged a hug. “I will be home soon; I promise.”
“Be home when your adventures are done,” he said. “Not a moment before. This is not an opportunity to miss.”
We bowed and marched away from the King of the Qihin, the ruler of the Diamond Coast. We had ended the conflict we had come here to settle.
And now, I was off on my next quest, bold adventurers and a talking sword to keep me company.
The Depthless Dream Trident trembled beneath my fingertips. Vigor coursed out of the weapon before racing along my internal pathways.
“Salutations, my new master,” a voice whispered softly in my head.
End of Book 2
Want More Immortal Swordslinger?
Thanks for reading Immortal Swordslinger #2.
Want more Immortal Swordslinger novels? Please leave a review here to let me know you’d like more.
Have you read my dungeon core story, Monster Core? Check it out on Amazon.
If you want fast notifications, then the best thing is to join my Facebook fan group and follow my Facebook page.
If you’re not on Facebook, you can join my email newsletter list here.
Amazon is often slow to update readers on new releases, so the best way to get notified is by clicking this link and then clicking the Follow button.
Thanks again and I look forward to sharing more stories with you!
Do you like Gamelit & LitRPG stories? Check out the Gamelit Society Facebook Group for recommendations and fun!
How about harem stories? Check out the Harem Lit Facebook group.
About the Author
Dante King is an author of Men’s Adventure fiction in various flavors. His books involve strong male protagonists who know what they want and do what’s required to get it.
You can connect with him at DanteKingAuthor.com
