Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Chapter 37

*****************Aelisia POV****************

One of the nobles reported that something had been going around attacking and destroying villages on their land. He was a high ranking noble with a large amount of land and people that he governed over so he requested help from the capital. Since the ball was coming up the palace couldn't spare any knights because of security reasons. I ended up having to go out alone to visit these villages.

Currently I was covered in a brown cloak and dressed in a dark green tunic with black pants and boots. Strapped to my side was a plain sword since I left my usual one at the palace. I was riding on the back of a wagon with my eyes closed. I ran for about a day before I found this wagon and asked for a ride. The guy who owns the wagon was a new merchant. Apparently his uncle was a merchant and he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Honestly the guy was a little annoying since he seemed to love talking about himself.

The only reason I even asked for a ride was so that I could take a nap without having to stop. He seemed adamant about telling me absolutely everything about himself so I ended up not getting any sleep. When we finally reached the village I immediately separated from him.

Aelisia:"I guess I'll go find a place to stay."

This part of the country was a big adventurer area since the monster population was high. I knew there would be somewhere in town that offers a place to sleep for the night. I decided to visit the local drinking spot and have them direct me to an inn while possibly gathering a little information. Taverns are always easy to find and have plenty of people willing to talk.

I had received very little information on this mission. This was suppose to be one of the attacked villages, but it looked like it was in pretty good shape. Of course the place wasn't built as nice as the buildings in the capital, but that was to be expected.

When I walked into the tavern all eyes landed on me. There was a bar and only a few tables all made of cheap looking wood. It probably wouldn't take much force to destroy the furniture. The place was small but packed. It was filled with mostly large muscled hunters, but an adventurer group was seated in the back. I made my way to the only seat left empty in the place which was a wooden stool at the bar.

Aelisia:"I need something to drink. Something strong."

I was hoping to get a little drunk so that I wouldn't notice the smell of this place anymore. I'm sure its been a while since these guys last had a bath. While waiting for my drink I glanced around the bar.

My eyes fell on the adventurer group in the back. It was a group of four with one guy and three girls. The guy wore expensive looking leather equipment. I say expensive even though it's leather because I can tell it has been enchanted. His shirt, pants, boots, cloak and leather chest piece along with the bracers on his arms were all black. His hair was brown though and spiked up. Two women around him wore the same kind of outfit only a little more revealing and looked like they could be his sisters, but probably not since they were all over him.

His two sisters had well developed bodies while the last adventurer looked a little childish. Because of her aura I could guess her age. It was easy to tell she wasn't a child and only had an underdeveloped body. Her outfit was plain looking and all a dark blue while her hair and eyes were violet. The reason I pointed the childish one out was because she was the only one not trying to give mister spiked head a hand job. In fact she looked like she was trying to keep her distance, but spike head kept trying to get her to join the other two girls.

*He seems pretty committed to getting her to join in. Maybe he's into little girls?*

My attention was pulled away by the arrival of my drink which I quickly downed.

Muscles Hunter:"You should really move miss."

One of the hunters next to me spoke out in a low voice. He sounded a little scared.

Aelisia:"Why?"

I had no where to move to even if I wanted. Well actually I think there might be a spare seat at spike heads table, but I don't want to get anywhere near him.

Muscles Hunter:"Big Jim will be getting back soon and he doesn't like it when people take his seat."

The hunter sounded worried. I decided to try and do my job instead of moving.

Aelisia:"Hey have there been any attacks on this village recently?"

Muscles Hunter:"Attacks? No more than usual. Though the monsters do increase their attacks when harvest time comes around."

I already knew monsters attack more during harvest season. Monsters like to eat people, but can survive on nearly anything. During harvest season people are the plumpest because of all the festivals and even if they can't get them there are always crops to eat. That's probably why the adventurers are in this particular town. They were probably hired to kill off monsters in the area.

Aelisia:"No attacks huh."

I started to think. Obviously the noble lied but why? Could it have been to get me away from the ball? Was he planning something or apart of a group that was planning something? Whatever the reason is I don't care. Gideon and Becket should be able to handle anything that happens.

Speaking of Becket I told him I wanted to have his kid. I honestly did it just to make him work harder. I thought maybe a little motivation in the form of a pretty girls body would make a difference. I don't expect him to really reach the rank of Warlord without aura magic. Some races can surpass the power of a Warlord without aura magic, but elves just aren't one of those races.

*Well if he somehow really does get stronger then me I'll have to make sure he knows I'm the one in charge. A few kids actually wouldn't be so bad.*

I accidentally let a sinister smile spread across my face. It vanished just as quickly as it appeared. I was actually a little hopeful that Becket would get strong. Ever since I got my youth back I've noticed Beckets been looking a lot more appealing. I've been secretly checking him out during training.

Big Jim:"What the hell is this?"

An angry voice boomed behind me. I turned around to see a large man with muscles and a gut. He was covered in sweat and smelled worse than anything in this tavern by far.

Big Jim:"Why are you in my seat?"

I held my nose while looking up at him.

Aelisia:"Please leave. This place smells bad enough already."

A vein popped out on his forehead and the other hunters around me cleared out.

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Big Jim:"You must not know who I am. This is my town."

Aelisia:"I understand why everyone's so afraid of you."

He smiled.

Big Jim:"I'm glad you understand. You're actually pretty good lookin. If you spend the night with me I'll forget all about you taking my seat and even your insult. If you don't accept my kind offer....."

He didn't finish his sentence and instead started cracking his knuckles.

Aelisia:"People are afraid to be around this stench for too long."

His face went red with anger and he drew his fist back. I was wondering which bones to break when someone drop kicked him straight through the wall.

Spike Head:"Are you alright miss."

Aelisia:"Oh spike head."

A vein popped out on his head too.

Spike Head:"My name is Gwen."

Aelisia:"Isn't that a girls name?"

Unlike Big Jim Gwen here was able to control himself. The vein on his head quickly vanished. He then placed his hand on my shoulder.

Gwen:"I'm just glad you're not hurt."

Then I noticed it. He was wearing an enchanted stud earring. I hadn't realized before because of all the other enchanted items on him. This ones enchantment was easy to tell since I could feel it. It must have some kind of charm enchantment. Of course once I noticed the enchantment I easily brushed it off. Aura magic is just as good at defending against mental attacks as physical ones. He started to smile thinking he charmed me.

Gwen:"Now I'm sure you're eager to get some alone time with me so..."

Aelisia:"Not really. In fact I wish you would leave me alone."

I interrupted him. I reached out and tore the stud out of his ear.

Gwen:"Aaaaahhhhhh!!!"

He fell down while clutching the side of his head.

Aelisia:"This must have been expensive. Charm enchantments are rare."

The voluptuous sisters ran over to him while I examined the stud earring.

Aelisia:"I think I'll keep this."

Spike head stood up while still covering his damaged ear. His sisters/girlfriends stood beside him. The childish adventurer was still sitting at the table.

Gwen:"I'm gonna be needing that back."

Aelisia:"It's mine now."

He smiled.

Gwen:"I'll still be taking it back."

I stumbled to the side, but stopped myself from falling to the ground by catching the side of the counter. Everything around me was spinning.

Gwen:"I just wanted to try charming you. Guess the enchantment didn't work. Should've just waited for the drugs to kick in."

*Drugs? Damn! That drink was drugged!*

My fingers went numb so I couldn't hold onto the counter anymore and I fell to the ground. Spike head was standing over me smiling. My vision was going black so as my last act of resistance I tripped him before passing out.

.

.

.

.

.

Gwen:"Oh she's waking up."

When I opened my eyes I was no longer in that tavern. I was lying on top of a blanket inside a carriage with my hands chained behind my back.

Aelisia:"I'm not dead? What a bunch of idiots."

I was surprised he didn't kill me since it shouldn't be hard to guess that I was going to slowly tear off each of his limbs once I woke up. It was uncomfortable so I sat up.

Aelisia:"Where are we headed."

Spike head and that violet hair little girl was sitting in the back with me. The other two were up front. One was driving the carriage while the other one was sitting next to her probably on watch for thief or monster attacks. Spike head had bandages wrapped around his head for his bleeding ear. The stud was now in his opposite ear.

*Maybe I accidentally tour the whole ear off?*

Gwen:"We're headed to finish this job."

*Sounds like someone hired them to kidnap me.*

Aelisia:"Who're you working for?"

Gwen:"You'll meet him soon enough. Now shut up."

I decided to wait for them to take me wherever they planned. The leader of this will have to show up at some point and then I can kill him along with spike head. Eventually we came to a large brick estate that I recognized. It belongs to the noble that governs over these lands. The same one that asked for help with the destroyed villages. I let the guards and spike head escort me inside. It would be better to start the massacre with the man in charge.

Gwen:"We've brought her sir."

I was taken to a study where two men were waiting. Two knights stood outside while four entered with me, violet haired little girl and spike head. His sisters/girlfriends waited outside in the carriage.

Noble Man 1:"It feels good to see you in chains Aelisia."

Only one of the men spoke. Seeing his face I finally understood what this was about.

Aelisia:"Is this about your son Felix?"

One of the men was the noble who asked for help while the other was Felix's father Henry.

Henry:"Of course it is!"

He yelled angrily while walking towards me. His hand was stretched out in front of him with his finger pointed at me.

Henry:"You scum murdered him! Then you killed the king!"

I remained silent.

Henry:"All of the current royals need to be purged. Especially that whore of a princess. I heard she had my son killed because he tried to stand up to her lover. I've already set my plan in motion and everyone in the palace will die."

Violet Haired Little Girl:"Father calm down."

Henry's head spun to the side and glared at violet haired little girl.

Henry:"Quiet Felicity!"

The girl took a few steps back.

Aelisia:"I never knew you had a daughter."

His head spun back around to me.

Henry:"There was no reason to announce her. Dwarves hold no claim to the estates of nobles in our kingdom."

I looked over at her.

*So she's half dwarf. Must have been from one of his mistresses. Explains why she looks so young.*

Henry became even angrier. He had answered Aelisias question without even thinking about it. He reached around his back and pulled out one of the pistol artifacts that Felix used in his duel.

Henry:"In case you haven't noticed those chains binding you stop all forms of magic. You can't even use your aura."

He smiled and point the gun at my head.

Aelisia:"It's alright I already knew that. I didn't become a Warlord thanks to magic alone."

I smiled.

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