I awoke and the first thing my brain thought was five hours until dawn. The bed I was laying in was so soft and smelled of fresh nature after a rain…Kat. Sure enough, I opened my eyes to see Kat snuggled up onto my right side. I go to rub my face with my left hand and notice Pem is laying on it. I try to slowly free my left arm but Pem must be a light sleeper because she wakes up, “Tom?” She rubbed her eyes awake, “You are awake!” She beamed at me and jumped on me in a hug. Kat started groaning, “It is too early.” I hug Pem back and whisper, “I need to get up now.” She rolled off the bed and I did the same.
Looking around the room, I knew I was somewhere very lavish. Expensive looking red and gold everything. “Food?” I asked Pem. She just nodded and walked out wearing her green nightgown. I followed her into an equally lavish long hall. Pem whispered when I caught up to her, “We are in the Palace of Duchess Valene of Maghardt.” “Have I been asleep long?” “Less than four days. We expected longer.” “How are you Pem?” She sighed, “The thought of you leaving saddens me greatly but Kat is wonderful. I am glad we became friends again.” Right even though they are cousins Kat was an adult when Pem was born. I assume that's what she meant anyway. “We are here. Just head inside and I will inform the cooks.”
The Huge long pine colored wooden table has golden floral embroidery inlaid into it and is coated with a thick clear gloss. The twenty six chairs followed the same patterns at the table but had red seats. Pictures of humans I had never seen or heard of covered the walls.
At the head of the table sat a human woman. She was nearly six feet tall, a little heavy, and had long gray hair. She looked around fifty but seemed older. She stood, “Please join me over here.” I walked over and we both sat down.
“I am Valene Duchess of Maghardt and you, my overgrown friend, must be Hero Tom, betrothed to Princess Katilandituril.” She spoke elegantly and dramatically. “You would be correct, Duchess.” “How are you feeling?” “Refreshed. Like I had slept for three days.” I smiled. “Glad to hear it. Healing twenty dwarves in one night is quite the feat.” She took a sip of her drink. “Duchess, why are you up at this hour?” “I will be heading back to bed shortly. A local emergency woke me up. It happens often.”
Pem walked in and headed over to me and whispered, “Your food will be ready soon.” “Pem you should either join us or head back to bed.” She looked at the Duchess with what seemed like disgust, “Bed sounds nice. See you soon Tom.” Pem walked away.. “She doesn't like me.” The Duchess half laughed. “I didn't notice.” I lied, which made her laugh more.
After a moment of silence the Duchess asked, “So Tom how does it feel to be betrothed to the most beautiful and powerful elf?” What? I thought but said, “It's an honor. She is a smart and selfless person. She is also a wonderful teacher.” “Oh she has taught you?” “Yes, mainly Elvish.” I said in Elvish. “She taught you Elvish?” “Yes it filled the carriage ride with something to do.” “And she taught you magic too?” Oh, this has turned into a polite interrogation. “Some yes.” “Like what?” “Well I know Light, Cleanse, Dispel, and Heal.” “Oh that's wonderful, do you know more than that?” I just stared at her, “What about you Duchess?” She knew I caught on, “I know some magic. It was nice talking to you but I must retire. Good night.” “Good night Duchess.”
A moment after she left my food arrived. “Chalgrun meat, cheese, and a potato sir.” “Thank you.” The potato looked like a potato and it was baked. On the same plate there was a small bowl of butter cream of some sort. The meat was tender and very beefy tasting but very flavored in spices I could never explain. The cheese was good.
After eating I headed back to my room. Pem and Kat were curled up together sleeping soundly. I found my armor and quietly put it on. It was very snug now. I guess I got a bit bigger again.
With over three hours until dawn I figured I could explore Maghardt a bit. Why were these palaces so big? It took me almost thirty minutes to leave. An older human guard stopped me, “State your business?” “I'm going out.” “Name?” “Tom.” Staring at this guard put my new height in perspective for me. All the elves and dwarves and Tal Aren't from earth but humans are and to be towering over a nearly six foot tall one made me guess I was closing in on six eight now. The guard interrupted my thoughts, “Tom shall I leave a message for someone?” “Oh, uh sure. If my betrothed comes asking for me just let her know I'm exploring the beautiful city of Maghardt.” “Very well.”
Leaving the palace the first thing I notice is the smell. It wasn't strong but it smelled like rotting food and cow farts. Leaving the palace courtyard and past its red stone colored walls I started walking west along a cobblestone road. Around here it was mostly gated estates but it quickly became wall to wall multistory buildings along the cobblestone roads. A bit less than an hour later I found the Great River. My vision at night had gotten pretty good. It was like late evening before full darkness or early morning before there was sunlight but things started brightening. One of the giant bridges was just in view from where I stood and I was disappointed. It was a bit bigger than the one in Port Glimo but almost identical. Three layered arches with human statues instead of Dwarves.
“What's a big guy like you doing out here alone.” A younger human male asked me in his group of six. The group started laughing like a joke was said. My mind ran through ideas of how to avoid trouble and I landed on aggression. “I came out looking for trouble.” I clenched my fists and put an angry face on and faced them. They all halted and clearly didn't want to fight. Mission accomplished I thought. “Come on honey, don't let him scare you.” a girl said in the group. I sighed, “Is this what you do? Pick on strangers at night in a group to show how strong you are?” “You are clearly just an oversized peasant…” I interrupted him, “Then what does that make you?” “I am Lord Blythe. My father is the Earl and I'm a tier three mage!” he sneered. “Well my name is Tom and I’m also a…” “Flame!” The young lord yelled as he charged me with this hand on fire like the elf from the boat. As he got to me I shot my hand out and grabbed his forearm squeezed and yanked down breaking the bone and putting him on the ground. His friends were yelling for guards. “My father is going to take your head, peasant!” I imagine the bones I just broke to mend back together, “Heal.” I let go of his hand. “I’m not a peasant by the way.” I walked away back to the palace. What a pain. I thought bratty young nobles were just a dumb stereotype.
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I arrived at the palace just before dawn and headed up to my room. “What are we going to do about it?” Pem asks Kat as I walk in. Pem and Kat are in the bed talking. “About what?” I Ask. They look surprised to see me. Kat finally answered, ”Well…About you going home.” “If I go home I will miss you two.” I walk over to go hug them but they are naked which they weren't when i left. So I just turn around and walk out. “Wait, Tom!” I hear them both say but I keep walking.
Why is this bothering me? Why does it feel like a betrayal? Aren't they related? I walk out of the palace and head to the livery stable I saw on the way to the bridge. I just want to get home to my wife. Why am I so angry? I started walking quicker.
“Are you the peasant Tom that injured my son?!” Not this right now. “Arrest him.” A dozen guards surround me and more are showing up. “Did your son not tell you that he attacked Princess Katilandituril's betrothed? Then instead of killing him I only defended myself then healed his broken arm!” Why am I so angry? The Earl yelled back, “You Lie! The princess’s betrothed wouldn't wear such peasant armor!” Thirty guards were now around me and over one hundred onlookers were watching. “Earl, you will lose everything over your son's actions if you are not careful here.” I say trying to calm myself and the situation down. “Your intimidation will not work on me!” “This is your last chance.” I say in rough Elvish. A bunch of commotion started as a few of the princess’s guards showed up, “Hero Tom please return to the palace with us.” Still locked onto the Earl he finally saw the truth, “Let him go.” I started back to the livery stable to get a horse. “Hero Tom please return with us. The princess is worried.” “Well you can tell her don't be, I'm going home.”
Why do I feel betrayed? The last forty days have felt like a lifetime. Once I reach the livery stable I stop and go into an alley and sit down with my back to a building. “Scry Katilandituril” Kat and Pem were clothed and sitting in the carriage. They were hugging and sniffing back tears. Kat just repeated “Why…” over and over until Pem finally muttered, “We should not have done it..” “But I am in love with him…The first male who is not intimidated by me and is also willing to learn from me…he is also taller than me now and he is so warm...” “We should not have done it.” Pem repeated. “You are in love with him too.” “Yes…but us both being together clearly upset him.” “It was your idea…” “Kat, I am so sorry…I thought he would like it.” “I thought so too…I miss his warmth already.” After a minute of silence I let the image fade. I stand up and start walking to the palace.
On my way back I thought about how I made the same mistake I made with Maria. I will stop being rash and hear them out completely before I….run away from the problem. I start tearing up with that realization. I ran away from Maria and the issue we should have faced together. I didn't stay and fight for us. I knew working through it together was the right choice but should have thought that way from the start.
About an hour after dawn I arrived back at the palace and the elven guard followed me to the carriage. I walked up to the carriage and heard a little shuffling around and giggling. Knock or open? I open the door. Kat was topless and looked like a deer in the headlights. Pem had some of her leather armor on but not all. I’m getting my answers now. “Explain.” I say as I climb in and close the door behind me.
Pem starts off, “Tom, we made a big mistake this morning.” “Clearly more than one.” I replied, looking them up and down. Kat really was gorgeous. She finally came out of shock and put her top on quickly while talking, “What?...No Tom we did not get dressed for travel earlier so we were now. We were going to head straight to Eldrin soon.” “And earlier?” Kat sighed. “We love you and wanted to show you.” “By sleeping together naked?” “We both wanted to be….Intimate with you.” “So you were intimate with each other first?” “What!? No we would never!” “So you both got naked and climbed into my bed and waited so you could seduce me?” They both teared a bit at my heat but nodded. I took a breath to calm down and now having the full story, “Look, let's get to Eldrin and see what happens next. Kat even though we are doing the royal tour parade thing I know you would want to be here helping me and that means a lot to me. You too Pem. Now I'll let you two finish getting dressed.” I smiled and stepped out of the carriage.
Taking a deep breath I look around. The morning light is now brightening the city. It really is beautiful and every time I think about where I am it makes me feel so…small yet so big. I'm on another planet but at the same time there's more life on other planets. Kat and Pem hop out a few minutes later.
They didn't say anything and were clearly sad so I said something, “Have you two ever looked at it from my point of view? I was forced to leave what many in my world would call a perfect life to waking up in the Great Forest nearly naked and alone. Then meeting the Murichi, then Lax, then you Pem. She smiled. All of this is overwhelming at times and Half of me hopes there is no way home because feeling more than average has been amazing.” They nodded along as I was talking but seemed to cheer up at the mention of me wanting to stay and Pem can see the truth of everything I said so her approval made what I said weigh more even for me.
Wanting to change the subject and lift the mood a little I asked, “Hey Kat am I ever going to stop growing?” She thinks for a second then uses her teaching voice, “When you are near your peak. You should also stop passing out from using magic soon as well.” “Why am I passing out exactly?” “You are using more mana than your pool has. Normally the spell just should not activate or only activate up to the pool's limit but I assume because of your tier you may have a second mana pool. Your body then needs time to recover from using magic and refill and sleep is the best way.” The head royal guard walked over to Kay “Your highness we need to convert the carriage. We are already late.” He stared at me implying it was my fault.
And so the royal parade through Maghardt started. It is a beautiful city. There seems to be no poor neighborhood or dilapidated buildings and there was some construction work being done which made me wonder how good of a builder I would be here with my ten years of construction experience. It was early afternoon when the royal parade ended at massive stone walls. The stone walls were very tall and the angle at the base of them kind of reminded me of skate ramps. The gates were very thick large wooden doors. We exited through the gate to the fields half of the city. So this is where the poor and rundown places are.
We traveled on a cobblestone road with farmland on both sides until almost dark. We finally arrived at another wall and gate and decided to stay inside the walls. The guards let us set up camp and some even joined us for dinner. I practiced some spells until I got tired and passed out alone.