It was a mighty effort but after a lot of sweat and tears the people of Skull City had finally cut down the last plant monster. Thea’s swords proved highly effective and by the time the larger creatures were destroyed even the local children had a go swinging toy swords at the smaller plants.

The pile of dead vegetation was then transported to the crater that had conveniently been made only recently. The farmsteads would have plenty of compost for the entire year, yielding even more spectacular produce. The damage to the houses and roads however was substantial.

Thea felt sorry for the mages at Skull tower. They would be busy working for the next few months, helping rebuild all the damage from the battle. Thea put such thoughts aside. It was time for a serious chat with the leadership of Skull City. A meeting was planned and each of the party members were required to attend.

The meeting room inside the royal castle was extravagant, with high polished marble walls and tasteful tapestries of the city’s history. A giant fireplace sat on one side, glowing with embers as a faint scent of burning wood filled the air. It truly was extraordinarily cosy.

If only the present company were as pleasant.

So, this is what hell is like? Thea thought, staring around at the many faces around the circular table.

Currently seated were the representatives of Skull tower, including Junior and Jim, followed by representatives of the Noble factions comprising Ulberto and his closest frenemies. They were arguing across the table, throwing insults towards her and the rest of the party, while Jim tried in vain to calm their tempers.

On Thea’s right were Melly and her mother, who had been arguing profusely ever since they had sat down.

“You still are harping on about players!” Melly said angrily. “They’re my friends!”

“They’re reckless and stupid!”

To Thea’s left were the King and Clemiticus who had not shut up about their ingenious sword techniques during the battle. Directly across from her were Derrick and Nuecus who were shouting at each other. Their noisy debate was over the deadly explosive properties of the new balloon’s levitation source.

“Why on Fanswald would you use that? One single spark and we would of all been vaporised!” Derrick shouted, “You nearly killed us all!”

“I flew my brilliant rust bucket to save you magnificent mouth breathers!”

“Did you see my sword swing that one time,” Ed said. “I went hey yah! And the plant went ugh!”

“Brick brained idiot simpleton outsiders!” Ulberto shrieked.

Yep, it’s official. Fanswald has a hell, and it’s right here! Thea thought bitterly.

The yelling match continued around the table without any direction.

Although Thea overheard one interesting snippet of information. To her surprise, it came from Melly’s mother, Tanwen. When she was complaining about Melly’s involvement with Clemiticus, she let slip that players had a chaotic influence on the land. Thea went silent, falling into a storm of thoughts. Carefully analysing Clem and her involvement in shaping the world around them. From what Thea understood, Fanswald had a set of rules and regulations that had stood the test of time.

When Clemiticus was thrown into the mix, he had influenced not only the land but also the surrounding people, far exceeding those set of rules. Thea continued to listen to Melly as she argued with her mother. Her friend said Clemiticus affected many people in many bizarre ways. One thing was for sure, the strange power he lorded over others was by proximity. Simply by walking into a room, Clemiticus could affect everyone inside with whatever whimsy came to mind.

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From what Thea could tell, Fanswald was not a world created for players' amusement yet players could modify the world depending on a set of predetermined gaming rules.

This extra bit of information increased Thea’s curiosity. Just how much influence did she also have? Thinking back to the town she created and the influx of material and knowledge she had inserted into a deserted area. Imagine what would happen if she created a city, a country, or even a continent. Her attention was caught by Clemiticuses’ blue-winged helper.

Fairy sat idle on his shoulder happily listening to the conversation. Each time one of them made an imitation of a sword strike no matter how foolish the fairy clapped excitedly.

The green fairy then drifted into her thoughts. Midori had abandoned her for an unknown reason and sided with a God.

Does that mean there are other gods? Other fairies? Players?

Melly’s mother slammed on the table, “That cow!”

All heads turned towards the dragon-tamer; their arguments quickly forgotten.

“This seed magic reeks of the Witch Queen! You must send a force to intercept her at once!” Tanwen shouted. “Her magic goes against the Gods!”

Clemiticus stood from his chair and held out both his hands as if to conduct the meeting like an orchestra. “Good people of Skull city,” he began then gestured towards Thea and Melly, “We the party of stunning excellence have already been granted a mighty quest to slay this Queen lady person and we will succeed and gain the rewards!”

“What?” Spluttered Ulberto. “If you are already fighting with the Queen, that means it’s your fault that Skull City has been trashed!”

“Um, no it doesn’t,” Melly replied.

“Shut it, girl!” Ulberto said and puffed up his chest and jabbed a finger towards Clem. “First you ran away from our musical duel and then you bring about this disaster. What do you say in your defence?”

“Um first, screw you buddy!” Clemiticus answered, “and secondly nah we didn’t do nothing!”

“How dare you!” Junior said. “Liars!”

The King stood up, imitating Clemiticuses’ hand gestures hushing infuriated individuals.

“Now, now, Alberta, was it?” he asked.

“Ulberto, Sire!” the poet corrected.

“Yes, whatever, the plant monsters were clearly an outside job from the Queen and Clemiticus won the music duel!” the King declared. “His song was awesome!”

Nods and murmurs of approval echoed all around the table. Ulberto’s face went as blue as his customary clothes, the strain almost blowing a few blood vessels in his forehead. He then made a high-pitched squeak, then looked down at his feet, enraged.

No matter how angry the poet was, there was nothing he could say against his own King.

“Well, to more important matters, the Queen!” the King continued.

“Yeah, we got this,” Clemiticus said.

“Do you require any assistance in this endeavour?”

“Nah we good.”

“Clem!” Melly shouted. “This isn’t just a one enemy quest.”

“I’m afraid my rather naïve daughter is correct,” Tanwen added. “The Queen has an army.”

“We got a whale,” Clemiticus said.

“That hardly counts.” Tanwen countered.

Clemiticus sighed and sat down. A look of defeat overshadowing his usual perky demeanour. Luckily for the rest of the party, this meant that they wouldn’t go charging in alone into an impossible fight.

“I will lend you a small group of reinforcements!” the King said then looked up at Melly with a knowing expression. “I believe you know them.”

Clemiticus looked over towards Melly with confusion.

“Thanks Sire,” Melly replied. “The Hunters will be enormous help!”

The King nodded.

“What about the dragon?” Clemiticus asked. “Are we going to get any help from it?”

Tanwen looked at the bard with utter contempt. “I will never travel with the likes of you. You reek of ignorance and ooze misfortune. Anyone who would travel with such a simpleton is doomed for a long and painful death.”

The members of the meeting fell silent, waiting for the bard’s epic comeback. Thea was sure he was about to say something very ‘Clemiticus’ like.

“Um, yeah. I wasn’t asking for you but your pet lizard.” Clemiticus said sheepishly. “We don’t need another crazy old person onboard.” He pointed towards Nuecus. “We already got one.”

“That’s right.” Nuecus added.

Melly laughed.

“Crazy old?” Tanwen shrieked, then stood up sharply. “I hope the Gods curse you for all eternity!”

“Mother?”

“You too, daughter! I can’t believe I spawned such a disappointment.”

“Oof!” Clemiticus said. “That’s a tad harsh.”

Tanwen stormed out of the meeting hall shrieking, “Good riddance!”

Derrick flinched as the dragon-tamer left, slamming the door. “Handled as perfect as ever lad!”

Clemiticus shot him a thumbs up. “Got rid of her, didn’t I?”

Melly shrugged, not unpleased with the change in circumstance.

The room quickly fell into another round of arguments after which the logistics of the journey was ironed out. Supplies and schedules were determined allowing the party to leave the crowded meeting room. Their preparations would be immediate, for tomorrow begins their next and final quest.