Jackson found it way too easy to blame Kevin for what he had done, and like the Madame had said it made it easier. All his hatred, and rage wished for his blood, and hated the fact he didn’t repay him in kind. However, Gypsy had been right. If Jackson or Angela killed Kevin, they’d been seen as traitors and hunted down. It could have even ignited the war, if people played the story correctly.

The party was almost to the Beast Men kingdom’s capital, roughly a week and a half after the death of Scarlet. Being away from the shop seemed to have help most of the girls recover, or at least pretend that they did. Without the constant reminder of what had happened, it made it feel like a dream. It was almost like, when they returned Scarlet would just run up to them, asking about all their adventures.

They were back in the large wooden wagon, with the bird’s nest overlooking the world. Jackson, Barbara and Angela took turns on watch while Gypsy ran the wagon down below. Angela and Gypsy were now wearing dragon leather armor that they bought from a town while heading west. Their armor looked similar, Gypsy being slightly more alluring than Angela, thought that could have simply been her superior figure taking affect. The armor was a garnet color, with some touch and light wool below it. Gypsy had green armor, complimenting her eyes, while Angela went for a winter blue. Jackson had thought about removing that town from existence when he recognized the scale pattern of the armor but was stopped by Angela. Barbara continued to wear Jackson old green shirt, and her leather armored pants with traveling boots.

Jackson used his time on watch to continue his studies but was hitting road bumps. The golem magic research was missing several important factors, and the incantation needed to create one was only half complete. The mad writing of the author had returned in full swing as well, making his progress almost zero. Jackson thought about just going to the third and final book, but when he tried Barbara looked like she’d kill him if he started it early. For now, he’d continue to struggle with the mad research notes.

“You know, our party balance is off.”

Angela was standing watch with Jackson that evening. Jackson was reading the notes when she started to speak.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Joseph’s party was made of two spell casters, one an expert at buffs, and the other a combat mage. They both had healing spells, and protection spells. Then, we had two fights, me and Joseph. I was faster, and more accurate, while Joseph was brute strength.”

“Okay? How does this relate to us?”

“Well, my role doesn’t change. Barb is clearly a fighter. Gypsy doesn’t seem to have combat skills. And you’re a broken fighter trying to do magic. There’s no balance.”

“Gypsy’s a mage. She can also use a blade.”

“Great, just what we need, another close quarters fighter.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“We need a proper mage. Someone who can heal and buff us. We could also use some range, like an archer.”

“And where are we going to find more party members? Just go to a pub and see who rolls in?”

“I don’t know. Maybe, we could ask the adventures guild. Or we could try recruiting.”

“What do we look like? I’m a guard in a brothel, only a part time adventure. We don’t need more people.”

“Okay, what about when the war breaks out?”

“I will stay far away from it.”

“Coward! The kingdom need us!”

“Really? You think they need us? Listen, everyone will be a lot happier if we keep our distance, trust me.”

Jackson was thinking of Barbara. To take her to a war zone was just asking for trouble. One stray arrow, or mistimed spell and the ultimate army slayer would be unleased. Too much risk for Jackson’s liking. Besides, if they got dragged into a war, Jackson wasn’t sure he could protect everyone. He didn’t even know if he could protect himself, and if he watch them die… Jackson pushed the thoughts away as he continued to read the insane notes. Angela pouted, then turned back to the front of the wagon.

An hour passed, and Angela grabbed Jackson, so he could see the capital. It was in the middle of a tropical sea of sand next to the ocean. Even from a distance, the palace could be seen. It was a large sandstone building, looming over the small sandstone walls. On the ocean, large old-style sailing ships were moving. The town had simple designed sandstone building, mostly cube shaped. Some wood used as supports poked out of some of the buildings. Large tents could be seen towards the center of the city, what Jackson guessed was the market. Tropical palm trees decorated the landscape, along with cactuses. What appeared to be camels and elephants were dragging wagons and carts towards the city, and away from it. Jackson loosened his cape, trying to get some air flow as the sun was extremely bright. Angela also loosened her armor slightly.

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The wagon entered the city and was escorted to the palace. Jackson finally saw his first beast men. They looked mostly human but had different extremes of animal side. One guard was part wolf, having the upper body of said creature while retaining his bipedal legs and human like body. Another appeared to be a bunny man, with long ears instead of human ones, his teeth were slightly bucked, however he could pass for human other than those features. Another looked to be part crocodile, with the head and scaled body, but the frame was of a normal man. A small child with a rat’s tail, and a giant owl stood talking with what looked like a mousy woman.

Gypsy dragged Barbara to the bird’s nest and looked around in amazement. Barbara just sunk into a corner, half asleep without a care for the sights. Jackson guessed during her time as the Berserker, she’d seen such things before.

“Honey, did I ever tell you I’m part cat folk?”

Gypsy said excitedly. She turned back, pointing to her cat like eyes.

“My father was only half, making me a quarter. He had a tail and ears. I was so upset when my mother told me, I wanted a tail as well.”

“You don’t say.”

“At least pretend to care!”

“I do care. I think it really cool your one fourth cat folk.”

“Good, or otherwise I’d shown you my claws.”

Jackson felt a moment of fear as he heard nails tapping on the wooden frame of the basket they stood in. Jackson made a mental note on that day, compliment her eyes a lot while being in town.

They were led into the palace, with Joseph’s party. Kevin was all the way in the back for his protection. Much like Gypsy had guessed, Kevin wasn’t punished by the Kingdom. They simply told Joseph and his friends not to bring up the incident, and act like it never happened. Of course, the hero that Joseph was meant he couldn’t simply do that. Franklin was in the same boat and resisted the urge to continuously beat him to death. Kevin was now hidden from the public view, scorned by his team, and a shadow of his former self. No one felt pity for him.

“This has got to be a trap.”

“Don’t be so negative, it might not be.”

“Just in case, Barbara, make sure to run away without getting a single cut!”

“Why only her?”

“Because, I don’t get paid enough.”

Jackson didn’t trust the fact that they were being taken to see the king and queen of the beast men with the heroes. It felt like a trap. Why would the royals allow the enemies most powerful units anywhere near them?

“Welcome Heroes of the human kingdom, and honored representatives of Madame Julia. I trust the Madame is well.”

The Queen spoke to her guest from her throne. Jackson concluded from one look at her that she was either really dangerous, or really stupid. The queen had slightly tanned skin, with dark greying hair. Her eyes were bright green, similar to Gypsy’s, and she dressed elegantly. In this case, a formal orange dress, with a black trim in an eastern style. She lacked human ears, and instead had two pointy cat ears on her forehead. A tail looped onto her lap. Her husband, a rather larger, terrifying man stood next to her. He had tanned skin, and white hair. One of his eyes was hidden by an eye patch with a scar running behind it. He had a beard that reached his chest, and cat like features. His ears stood on end as he looked down on the humans before him. He was dressed in an orange and black robe with a sword on his back.

The throne was above Jackson, with a single seat for the queen. A red carpet covered the steps. The room itself was made of sandstone and had a slightly off-white color to it. The guards in the room were minimal, leading Jackson questioning the queen’s sanity. Only six guards were standing duty and were the only other people in the room. Had Barbara not been staring towards the ceiling, Jackson would have never known someone was hiding up there in the shadows.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Queen Taiga Liliana Kaiser, and this is my husband, Albert Alexander Kaiser. Now, you all must be wondering why I summoned you, and why I offer the hand of my daughter. I cannot say yet, as it will be announced tomorrow at a formal dinner and ball. I hope you all will look forwards to it. I will say you have nothing to fear from us, and we hope to foster peace between us and all nations through this arrangement.”

Joseph smiled and bowed politely. He had no reason to not trust the queen and was simply going blindly along with her. Jackson was another story.

“You want peace, but summoned heroes? I’m going to call bullshit on this one, this feels like a trap.”

“Jackson, she’s a queen!”

“Man, mind your manners.”

Jackson wanted to retort, but the queen started to speak again. She rose to her feet and looked saddened by Jackson’s statement.

“I assure you; this is not a trap. We summoned heroes because the other nations did so. We do not wish war, nor do we wish to cause conflict. This is an act and a means to stop the coming tragedies. Please, young man, I beg you to give us a chance.”

“Sure. I’ll play along, if she stops aiming an arrow at me.”

Jackson pointed to the shadows, where Barbara had first looked. Indeed, a person was aiming her bow directly at him. The arrow was readied, and at any moment she could end his life. The queen held her face, while the king look impressed.

“Daughter, please stop this game.”

The queen sounded disappointed. The king laughed, it was low and intimidating. Jackson watched as the arrow was slowly withdrawn from her bow, and the person vanished.

“Sorry, she… um… testing the possible suiters. You understand, right?”

“Kid, you’re the third person to have spotted her, and the first to have said anything.”

Jackson worried for a moment at the word suiter, Barbara twitched for her blades. Jackson found it convenient that all the player of the coming war had all gathered in the beast men kingdom, including the most feared Berserker.