“I’m surprised by how well you’ve all done.” Illana Maple, with her dimpled cheeks and big, brown eyes, melts my heart with a smile. “With so few people, it’s a wonder you survived at all.”
“The hidden bunker was a boon, that’s for sure. The stash of gold allowed us to get a Shop, and the Shop let us buy equipment. Otherwise, I know we’d have died off long ago.”
Eric Breckenridge raises his glass in a toast. “To Carcosa!”
Cheers ring out from everyone at the table.
Actually, it’s not so much one table as several pushed together in an ugly amalgam. It’s so big we had to take everything else out of the living room. I’m glad they didn’t want to fit everyone from their delegation at the same table. Fifteen people make it a tight fit.
The meal is Thanksgiving style. Big bowls of food fill the middle, and it's up to everyone to fend for themselves. With our System enhanced metabolisms, there’s enough food for twice as many people. There’s barely enough room to fit everything, but the fresh baked bread and seared meat distract everyone from the claustrophobia.
The Braycotts are excellent conversationalists, and they keep the topics light and friendly through the meal. We exchange stories about both of our Settlement’s first few weeks, experiences with monsters, and the different dungeons we’ve run.
Illana seems fixated on Andy, while Andy is ambivalent towards her. It’s quite funny to watch the woman’s flirting go unnoticed or ignored. If she’s put off by the Rogue’s attitude, she doesn’t show it. In fact, she seems to double down on her efforts as time progresses.
Breckenridge does more listening than talking. He lets the other members of his delegation take the limelight, accentuation stories with anecdotal comments, or laughing when appropriate. Breckenridge seems like he’s letting one of the younger Braycotts, a man I want to say is named Emory, converse the most. He directs most questions to the excitable, though entirely unforgettable looking, man.
The other delegation members are a mix of genders and ethnicities. Because of its location in the rural countryside, Carcosa is home to mostly Caucasian people. Springfield’s always had a rather diverse population, so it makes sense Braycott’s populace would match the demographic.
Braycott’s other people, the ones who wouldn’t fit at the main table, are having dinner in the barn. Brian, Jason, and Sarah, along with a couple of other Carcosians, are entertaining them. There’s twenty of them, and even if we had people sit on the floor, they wouldn’t fit in the house. Illana and Breckenridge assured me those sent to the barn wouldn’t complain. I’m assuming they’re stragglers who wanted to go on the trip.
Two hours later we’ve finished dinner and are having a digestif. No one dares to drink whatever the hell Curtis’ been brewing, and Chugg doesn’t sell much more than moonshine and beer. I’m glad the Braycott’s have several cases of wine with them. One of their residents classed as a Brewer and took the Talents to make the beverage. Grapes aren’t easy to get, or so I’m told, so the case we share is a rare treat indeed.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
We break into smaller groups and spread throughout the house. I’m talking with Illana and Justin in the kitchen while we all do dishes. Sure, the dishwasher works, but a collaborative effort helps form bonds.
“So, Illana, how’s your stay in Carcosa been?” Justin dries off plates for the woman to put away.
“It’s a nice place. Not being in the city is a pleasant change of pace.”
I nod as I scrub the inside of a cup. “I don’t know if it’s my Druid class, or the fact it’s the apocalypse, but the city makes me uncomfortable. Probably a bit of both.”
“It’s odd how that works.” Illana pauses in thought. “As a Diplomat, I have a powerful desire to help groups collaborate. I know the dangers of travel, and though I’m woefully unable to defend myself, my desire overrides my common sense. It’s been a struggle to convince the council to send us out.”
Justin huffs to himself. “Let me tell you, Paladins really want to enforce the law.”
Illana and I look at once another, then we turn to stare at Justin.
“What?” The Paladin frowns and adjusts his stance. “Not like I really cared before, or anything. I was a jaywalker and speeder, through and through. Now, when someone doesn’t follow the few pseudo laws we’ve set out, it irks the shit out of me.”
“Ah, yes, Braycott has a Paladin. He’s similarly passionate about our laws.” Illana gives a half-smile/half-frown. “Almost to the point of absurdity. We’ve had to have several talks.”
“Justin here tried to get corporal punishments instated several times.” I give the man a sideways look. “I’m glad his suggestions have yet to be implemented.”
As I finish washing a plate, Donald, one of our Wizards, bursts into the house’s entryway and starts screaming my name. I drop the dish and rush into the front room with axes in my hands, ready for combat.
Donald walks up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Braycott is being attacked.”
*****
“How long ago did this attack start?”
Ever the consummate professional, Illana Maple speaks in a slow, even tone, bringing a level of calm to the tense situation. She and Donald sit across from one another in the living room.
“I’d guess twenty minutes ago.”
“And why did you learn about this before our people did?” Illana looks up at me. “We left two Wizards behind to alert the one we brought with us if something happened.”
Donald shrugs. “All I know is the message sent to me came from Dominick at the Valley.”
Breckenridge, standing to Illana’s right, rubs his chin in thought. “If our magic users were killed or incapacitated, it stands to reason that one of the Twin Rivers delegation would do what they could to alert others.”
“VTR has a delegation at Braycott?” I raise an eyebrow in question.
“Yes. Twin Rivers visits us while we visit with you.” Breckenridge looks at Donald. “Have you received any other messages? What did this message say exactly?”
“Beyond the fact Braycott is under attack? Nothing. Dominick’s message was rather concise. He said the enemy force fights under a banner of solid red, and fields a force of several hundred.”
Illana stands and pulls Breckenridge off to the side for a private conversation. They nod a few times and then turn to face me. Illana takes a step forward, bows, and then speaks.
“Leader Jordan, as per Article 8, Section 12, Paragraph 3 of the cooperation agreement between Braycott, The Kingdom of the Twin Rivers, and Carcosa, I formally request military aid.”
I can only blink a single time at Illana. The defensive section of the Tri-Alliance was thrown in there as a sort of hey, let’s show we’re friends kind of thing. I figured we’d need it one day, but not so soon.
The Carcosa residents in the room are staring at me. I’m the leader, and if I agree, I’m sending our people into a lethal situation. If I decline, I’m not only throwing our alliance to the wind, I’m leaving the Braycott people to whatever fate befalls them.
“Braycott calls for aid, and Carcosa will answer.”