Julian von Slyke took his sweet time riding up to the palace.
He wasn’t actually needed there. It would be three more days until his younger sister’s wedding, and honestly, he would’ve held off arriving until the day of if he’d thought he could get away with it.
His mother would never let him get away with it. Grand Duchess Callisto of North Sumbria was a legend. He shuddered to think of her storming off to the Northern Fortress and dragging him back by the pointy ear.
Just as she’d done for Julia’s debutante at the Spring Ball this year. His sister had managed to escape her coming of age ceremony until she reached 21, as she was off being a famous adventurer and Paladin of Light. He’d been thinking about not going to the Spring Ball… and then his mother had stormed the Northern Fortress and dragged him back home without a by-your-leave. As her older brother, Julian had escorted Julia and their mother into the ballroom, danced the first dance, and then promptly left to return to the north.
And now he’d left the border again. Twice in one year. Monster surges from the Untamed Ice Fields’ hidden dungeon could happen at any time, and he had to prevent the monsters from escaping into the rest of Valaria. Creatures that spawned in dungeons were born with monster madness, and when the monsters were overcrowded their mana allowed the dungeon to force them out into the real world. If left unchecked too long, then the dungeon could grow powerful enough to escape the confines of it's dungeon and claim the land around it.
If he was going to defeat that dungeon and seal it's core once and for all, he needed to level up enough to find the blasted thing first… not laze around at home drinking tea or dancing at a party.
“Sir, look!” Jeffry called out. He was the other half-elf in the party, and a childhood friend.
Usually if two different people had a child, such as an elf and a human, the system would choose one or the other title to pass along to that child and they would be born an elf or a human. On the rare occasion, like with Julian’s own human mother and elf father, a half-elf could be born.
The Crystal Cast Network flashed just above the roof line. The crystals were installed in every populated locale across the continent, and usually reserved use by those in power with a matching crystal that could activate them. That had all changed five years ago when an unsanctioned voice had echoed out across every single crystal cast in the known world.
That same voice that spoke today.
“Hello everyone, it's Madame Potts!
I know it's only been a few days since my last cast, but I couldn't help myself.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
I hope you enjoyed the fireworks in Peldeep last week, because we’re about to see them again in North Sumbria! Hopefully this time nothing lights on fire.
Visha, darling, don’t drink anything except your own waterskin until after the wedding. I’m sorry I can’t say more but just trust me on this one.
Anyone who wants to swing by the Depths of Despair Dungeon next week will be pleased to know the boss monster on level 3 isn't spawning properly. Half of its abilities won't come back from cooldown and it is easy experience points.
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year. Anyone who offers a prayer to the goddess of Light at her altar will be granted a month long +1 Fire Resistance buff. Highly recommend.
Congratulations are in order for Prince Lucial, who is now engaged to Prince Basil of Peldeep, the third son of Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep.
Everyone will be happy to note that the Molten Ash Vane poisoner has been caught. Some bottles are still floating around, and the Continental Council asks for any and all to turn in their illegal potions. Thank you.
See you all at the Summer Solstice Celebration,
Madame Potts.”
Julian turned with the rest of his party members to stare at General Visha Hemsworth, who looked a bit shell-shocked at having been personally addressed by the Madame Potts. She was the colour of a redwood tree, with the leaves bright green coloured hair pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck.
“Here,” Julian didn't think twice and pulled a mid-grade [Antidote] from his storage ring and threw it at her. He figured his general already had one, but better safe than sorry.
Visha caught the potion bottle in flight and stuffed it into the satchel storage bag she used. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Don't thank me just yet.” He frowned. “And make sure you’re extra careful even with your own drink and keep to our personal supplies.”
He nudged his horse to continue towards the Coral Palace.
“You hear that General?” Sir Tully Grey teased, following up right behind them. “No celebratory wine means none of Colwood’s famous gladevine for you.”
Visha muttered a curse under her breath, and turned on the brown-skinned human paladin, “Is that you volunteering to train the knights every afternoon for a month Sir Tully? I'll adjust the schedule.”
“Wait–” The human blanched.
Julian pitied the man. Even in the north, the afternoon summer sun was unbearable. As soon as the solstice passed, it was three months of sweltering heat.
“But isn’t Pram a better fit? If we switch, who’s going to go out hunting?” The human pointed at the mage in their party, a pale blue selkie with a braid of aquamarine hair hanging down to his left ear, and the right side of his head clean-shaven.
“I can hunt just fine.” Sir Pram smiled, pointy teeth flashing. “It’s not too bad, Tully, just make sure you have plenty of water on hand to stave off the heatstroke.”
“Says the ice mage!” Tully dragged a hand through his short black hair, ruffling the inch long top-heavy frizz.
Jeffry smirked at the crestfallen human. “You did this to yourself.”
“I know,” Tully resumed his usual good-natured smile. He cupped a hand and leaned towards the half-elf Jeffrey, knowing that everyone could hear him even as he whispered, “But it was worth it.”