Elle grabbed Deacon by the arm and led him away from the area. Before he left, he picked the chair back up and put it in his bag. Typhus grabbed a roll of leather from his bag to pick up the dagger sticking out of the ash. He wrapped it up and stuffed it in his backpack. Typhus then noticed another object jutting out from the pile of Victor. Pulling one of his daggers out, he dug around in the pile revealing a communication crystal. One just like they found on the mages body back in Everhart.

  “Armand, I think you need to take a look at this.” Typhus called out.

  “What did you find?” Armand asked.

  “I think we have another problem. Your little good luck charm keeps stumbling across one disaster after another. What does that outer wall look like to you?” Typhus asked as he passed the crystal over to Armand.

  Armand’s eyebrows almost shot off his head as he realized that was the outer walls surrounding the Iron Mountain Plateau. In his mind there was someone pulling the strings surrounding all the events that have happened in the last several months. The lack of patrols, the missing townsfolk, and bandits freely attacking citizens on the King's Road. Someone is planning something nefarious, and they are based in his hometown.

  “I think we need to put some more effort into getting home.” Armand said as he pocketed yet another crystal.

  “Maybe this has something to do with why your father wanted you to go directly to the keep when you arrive. I don’t like this at all. Ever since we met him nothings gone right.” Typhus replied.

  “When was the last time you leveled twice in such a short time? Received a god's blessing? Found answers to a centuries long mystery? Don’t act like it’s all been a bad experience.” Armand said pointedly.

  “Ya, there are some benefits, but he wasn’t kidding when he said he was Cheshire’s chosen. He’s also a good kid. I keep forgetting all of this is new to him. Maybe we should get him to relax a little. The boys not even level 10 yet.” Typhus ruminated.

  “Let’s see if we can find Ferent. I’m sure there will be much more to explain. Where do we even start?” Armand asked.

  “I’m gonna let you do the talking. That went really well last time.” Typhus snickered.

  “He told their elders to fuck off. Yea we’ll have to have some discussions with him about decorum and diplomacy.” Armand replied as they began walking away from the new building.

  “Oh, please let me know before that happens. I want to get some snacks.” Typhus said.

  Deacon walked out with Elle into a sprawling metropolitan area. The buildings were very modern and there were parks dotted along the landscape. Large yards with fountains surrounded by what looked like a jungle gym designed like a root system. There was a parade of Mulvarians working there way up the winding paths that lead to the summit. At the front of the pack was largest specimen Mulvaria ever produced. He was easily five foot eight or nine. As he got closer Deacon recognized his large granite mallet. The general of the Mulvarian forces had random pieces of full plate still hanging from his body. Once he saw Deacon he started running toward them with purpose.

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  “You did it!” said the General.

  “We didn’t do anything. I swear.” Deacon replied.

  “No worries young citizen. This is a gorgeous city, and it now belongs to us. No more curse hanging over our heads. You liberated us.” He said as he swept them both up into a big hug.

  “Please...guh...release us.” Elle coughed out.

  “I’ve given orders to secure the mountain. Being part of a kingdom will be an adjustment for our people, but it helps that they speak the common tongue now. No more translation stones.”, Exclaimed General Ferent as he let them go, “Where is Lt. Lenny, I’d like to congratulate him as well.”

  Several of the surviving soldiers from the fight with the skeletal rattle bi-dra came around the corner looking around at what has happened to the city. When they saw the General, they ran over and snapped to attention. It was at that time General Ferent put two and two together and frowned. He saluted his troops and directed them to join the others below.

  “He was an excellent Lieutenant, and he will be honored for his sacrifice.” Said the General turning back to Deacon and Elle.

  “We would really like a place to rest. This has been a more intense trip than expected.” Elle replied.

  “Of course, of course. Let’s see what we can find in our new home.” He said with a smile on his face.

  Several hours passed as the population of Mulvaria discovered their new home. Some fights broke out over different locations for shops and homes. Most of the trouble was squashed by the elders as they needed to administer land rights and divide up living spaces. Several new departments were created in the government that simply didn’t exist when all they saw above them were exposed roots. Michael and the remaining bandit were cleared of any moss and healed. Armand true to his word, didn’t go looking for them and they disappeared the next day.

  Overnight Deacon had nightmares about the monsters and unspeakable things he saw in those ten portals. After waking in a cold sweat for the second time he decided to meditate hoping it would calm his mind. This time his goal was to avoid the attention of this world's gods. He’s had quite enough of them for the time being. Deacon wanted to get his mind under control, but Cheshire had other plans.

  “Greetings champion.” Said the enormous smile.

  “Not now. Working on keeping myself sane.” Deacon replied.

  “I’m willing to bet being a little crazy is why I picked you.” Cheshire replied.

  “What? What do you mean?” Deacon asked immediately regretting it realizing he fell right into his trap.

  “Well in your past life you were a perfect mix of functioning adult and borderline sociopath. You did your job, paid your bills, and took no chances. You buried yourself in anime and video games. I wagered you’d be able to deal with the harsh realities of this world since you were barely invested in your own.” Cheshire explained.

  “Now that is a fucked-up thing to say to someone. You were completely serious without even a hint that you were kidding. Ice cold. So what? I knew what I enjoyed and leaned into it. I was also a damn good business analyst. Someone had to move those numbers around a spreadsheet…skills I realize now are a complete waste here.” Deacon said.

  “Anyway, I really need you to get on that quest I gave you. Now my brothers and sisters all have their little schemes they are planning on the mortal plane. If you involve yourself in all of them, you’ll never get anywhere.” Cheshire advised.

  “Do you have any other sage advice, or should I just keep stumbling into everything? Also, your sister blessed us. Was that something I should have avoided? Also, why can talk to gods here but I’ve seen no sign of my personal dragon” Deacon asked.

  “Oh, that’s a lesson you’ll learn on your own. As for advice, focus on your powers. You are at a disadvantage with the whole no weapon thing. You’ll have to compensate with your skills. That’s your best bet. Zageracks is an old dragon. He’s simply more skilled or ignoring you.” Cheshire said as his smile faded from Deacon's starry mindscape.