Duncan groaned in agonizing pain. It seared through his entire body, each movement sending lightning through every nerve. His tongue felt coarse, and his throat screamed for water. His eyes opened slightly, but he flinched at the sudden appearance of light.

“Veyl.” he moaned. “Veyl!

“I’m right here master.” Veyl’s sweet voice eased some of his tension. “Here, drink this, slowly.” The water slid down his throat with a sweet, refreshing taste, but pain followed with each swallow.

“What happened?” Duncan mumbled. “Why am I in so much pain.”

“You don’t remember?”

“I remember a fight, and I lost.” Duncan sneered in shame. “I lost to that damn orc again, didn’t I.” His eyes were slowly getting accustomed to the light.

“No, master.” Veyl sniffled and gently touched his cheek. “You didn’t lose to the warlord.”

“Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m so happy you’re awake. I feared what the dragon-heart might have done to you.”

“Dragon-heart?” Memories flooded Duncan’s mind, and the shame he felt intensified. He bit his lips trying to keep himself from crying. “Dammit! Why was I such an idiot?”

“Master, you did nothing wrong.” Veyl cooed.

“Of course I did!” His throat burned with pain when he screamed. “I underestimated that damned monster, and she humiliated me.” He gasped. He tried turning his head, but the pain was too much. “My arm! What happened to it?”

“The Saint was able to reattach it,” Veyl said, “But you were nearly dead, so she had to use the remainder of her power to get your health back up. You’re going to have scars master.”

“So that explains the pain.” He opened his menu and sighed. “Looks like my left arm is still broken.”

“Once you’ve recovered enough, the other priests will tend to your wounds.”

“What happened to Light?”

“The Inventor is still here.” Veyl snarled with hatred in her eyes. “He’s staying for the banquet in a few days, and then he’s going back to his village.” Duncan nodded. “Is there a reason why you asked?”

“I don’t know.” Duncan sighed. “I hate to admit it, but he may be needed to help with the war. However, I still want to kick his ass.”

----------------------------------------

Ophelia held her head in her hands. The blowback from the Champion’s loss had hit her hard. Doubt about the Champion’s ability to protect the kingdom were spreading like wildfire. The very foundation that supported Gilbrant broke when the Champion lost to a monster. What’s worse, many of King Rogmier’s enemies were gathering around the VuRant family with Nathaniel becoming their figurehead.

“How do I fix this?” Ophelia stared at her clenched fists.

“Quit scowling dear.” Ophelia stared in horror as her mother walked in. “It’ll give you wrinkles.”

“I’m sorry mother,” Ophelia said, “It’s simply that things are getting out of hand.”

“I’ve heard.” Euphiere sat down with a motherly smile. “After all, it’s causing trouble for your father and I.”

“What do I do?” Ophelia pleaded with her mother. “Nathaniel is now in the middle of a political squabble between the King and his naysayers. I want to protect him, but I don’t know how?”

Euphiere sighed while rubbing her eyes. “Ophelia, quit treating the man like he’s inept.” Ophelia gawked at her. “You are the Oracle, it’s your job to oversee the heroes, not protect them.”

“But,”

“Don’t interrupt.” Euphiere snapped, a fire burning in your eyes. “I may not know the Inventor personally, but I’m aware of what he’s going through.” Ophelia shrank under her mother’s stern gaze. Euphiere rose from her seat and stared out the window. “The nobility will never accept him if he doesn’t prove himself. That means he’ll have to struggle and earn their respect one family at a time. Then, once enough nobles have come to support him, the others will fall in line, even if they don’t want to. It’s hard getting even one family’s support, and he doesn't need you holding him back.”

“I’m not holding him back.” Ophelia stared at her hands. “I don’t want others to lead him astray.” She couldn’t keep the sneer off her lips.

Euphiere huffed with a knowing smirk. “Quit being spoiled Ophelia. You’re going to have to share him.”

“I… know that.”

“Then you should start acting like it.” Euphiere patted her daughter’s shoulders. “You should start by asking for forgiveness from both him and his slaves. Then you can start repairing your relationship.”

Ophelia nodded. “You’re right mother.” She rose to her feet. “I should go speak with him.”

“Good girl.” Euphiere smiled, following her. Ophelia looked confused which caused her mother’s smile to grow. “It’d be best if I come along, to make sure you two have proper compatibility.”

Ophelia sighed but let her mother be. The two women walked down the fully staffed halls to Nathaniel’s room but found Porman approaching with a group. She recognized Porman’s wife, but she didn’t recognize the young woman with black hair that shined blue in the sunlight. Her tall, lithe frame gave her a delicate beauty that reminded Ophelia of the glass figurines her mother owned, and the beauty mark under her left eye drew attention to her stunning teal eyes. What surprised her was that Krietsky La’ Maire following behind them.

“Lady Oracle, your Grace.” Porman bowed to them. “It’s a pleasure to see you this morning.”

“Master Quarmane.” Ophelia nodded back. “Are you here to visit Nathaniel?”

“Yes ma’am.” Porman pulled out a thick roll of parchment. “We need to discuss business.”

“May I join you?” Ophelia smiled warmly. “I need to speak with Nathaniel as well.”

“Of course.” Porman knocked on the door.

The dark elf opened the door and smiled warmly at Porman. “Good morning master Quarmane.” Her gaze turned to Ophelia and her smile lost its warmth. “Lady Oracle.”

“Is Nathaniel awake?” Ophelia asked, trying to produce a warm smile.

“He’s still asleep.” The slave welcomed them inside. “Ralia… kept him up late last night.” Porman bellowed out a laugh while Ophelia swallowed the words she wanted to say. “I’ll go see if I can wake him.” Ophelia led her mother to one of the sofas and sat down. She noticed the fey girl glaring at them.

“It’s rude to glare at your guests.” Euphiere said imperiously and snapped her fingers. “Come here.” The fey slowly stepped towards them, pouting at the ground. Euphiere gently straightened out the girl’s dress and fixed her stray strands of hair. “Quite lovely, what’s your name?” She smiled.

“Hope.”

She noticed the girl’s metal limbs and tenderly inspected them. “And what are these?”

Stolen story; please report.

“Some mean humans cut my arms and legs off.” Hope said shyly. “Master… made these to replace them.”

Euphiere’s eyes widened in shock. “The Inventor made these?” Hope nodded and quickly looked up at her. “He truly is an impressive man.” A motherly smirk came to her lips. “And I’m certain you love him dearly.” Hope blushed with an enthusiastic nod. Euphiere leaned in and whispered into the fey’s ear. Her smile grew along with the red on her face. When Euphiere pulled back, the fey gave her a loving smile.

“Really?” Euphiere nodded, and Ophelia was surprised when Hope gave her a quick hug before running into the servant’s room.

“What did you say?” Ophelia watched her mother smoothen out her dress with a bright smile.

“I simply gave the girl some advice.” Euphiere chuckled. “The poor girl has to compete for her master’s attention after all.”

“I’m surprised, most noblewomen wouldn’t engage with a slave.” Porman smiled warmly at her.

“Being a Matchmaker has given me a soft spot for young girls.” The door to the master bedroom opened and they all rose to their feet.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting.” Nathaniel tucked in his shirt and desperately tried tidying his hair.

“I heard you had quite the night.” Porman chuckled which caused his wife to playfully slap him.

Nathaniel smirked, but it quickly faded when he spotted Ophelia. “Ralia… didn’t take the news of the wager well. So, she’s being a little clingy right now.” He strode across the room and pulled an armchair over. “We haven’t been introduced.” He held out his hand to Euphiere.

“I’m Ophelia’s mother, Duchess Euphiere DeMare.” She gently took his hand.

“A pleasure.” Nathaniel smiled and turned to Ophelia. “Was there something you needed, or is this a courtesy visit?”

Ophelia wringed her hands, trying to find the words. “I’m here to ask for your forgiveness,” She said, “I should have told you about my talk with the King, but I let my emotions get the better of me.” She looked at Nathaniel and then the dark elf. “I apologize to both you and your family.”

Nathaniel looked at Bella who gave him a quick nod. “It’s okay Ophelia.” He sighed with a small smile. “After thinking it over, I realize that you were helping me. I hope we can move past this.” Ophelia nodded with a hopeful smile. He turned to Porman and his family. “I guess it’s time to pay the piper.” He tossed two small coin purses onto the table. “There’s the original twenty coins along with ten gold coins as interest. You’ll get the rest when Gabriella can pry it from the nobility.”

Porman took the larger sack. “Keep the ten,” he said, “I’d rather you sign this instead.” He handed Nathaniel the rolled-up parchment.

Nathaniel unfurled the paper and slowly started reading. “You’re wanting to own land in Treante, a pretty large plot it seems.” Porman nodded. “Oh, you want to build a warehouse. Not a store?”

“A store isn’t needed. However, you won’t have the time to make regular trips to the trading house, so I thought it would be best to take that over.” Porman looked at the girl sitting between him and his wife. “Also, I want to build an estate in Treante as well.”

“Please tell me its’ not for Cymella.” Nathaniel looked concerned. Porman’s family laughed at the merchant shook his head. “Good.” Nathaniel flipped to the next page. “You want to be the sole distributor of my product. You’re offering a great rate, so I have no problems with that. Quarmane Trading will be my primary agent for negotiations. That’s fine.” He flipped the next page, and his face went pale. “You’re daughter’s hand in marriage?”

Ophelia tried to keep calm as Porman smiled. “That’s right.” He chuckled. “Shazelle and I discussed it, and we feel our daughter Aniphrae would make an excellent wife for you.” The girl in between them smiled warmly at Nathaniel. “Of all my daughters, I feel Aniphrae is the best suited to you.” He gestured to his daughter with a dazzling smile “She has the Merchant class so she’ll be of use promoting your works, and she has the [Merchant’s Eye] talent which means she can price your works.” His smile turned vicious. “You wouldn’t turn me down after all I’ve done, would you?”

“I wouldn’t have any issues with marrying your daughter.” Nathaniel tried to smile politely. “It’s just that she might not want to. I’d hate to force her into something that she doesn’t want to.” Sweat started forming on his forehead

“Unfortunately, most of my other daughters are underage, and the ones that aren’t are married.” Porman sighed looking at the servant’s door. “Besides, marrying you would put my mind at ease. After all, a father wants his daughter to find a good husband, and there I can see none better than you.”

Aniphrae smiled warmly. “Master Light, I would consider it an honor to join your household.” She rose and gracefully glided over to him. “If your concerned for your slaves, then don’t be. I wish not to break the bonds you’ve formed with them, but only wish to strength the bond between our two families. Although, I understand if I’m not to your liking.” The girl’s smile became half-hearted as her eyes became tearful.

“You should take note.” Euphiere whispered to Ophelia with a smirk.

“It’s not that.” Nathaniel gave her a reassuring smile. “I just don’t want to you to rush into things. I don’t want you to resent this decision later in the future. We barely know each other. It would be foolish for us to get married right away.” Her eyes grew wider as her lower lip started quivering. Nathaniel looked ashamed as the girl was nearly in tears. “How about you come live in Treante. We can get to know each other, then after some time, we can plan after that?”

Aniphrae took his hand with a bright smile. “I’ll look forward to that day!” When she turned around, she gave her mother a victorious smile.

“Bella, can you bring me a pen.” Bella set down the quill and ink set on the table and Nathaniel signed the documents. “You trained your daughter well.” He chuckled as he handed it back. “Even with [Intuition] I couldn’t help but give in.” Porman chuckled as he slipped the papers into his pocket. “So, do you think the king will keep his end of the bargain?”

“I think he will,” Porman said, “King Rogmier has a reputation of backing out on deals. You’ll need to find some way of backing him into a corner, so that he can’t worm his way out.”

Nathaniel tapped the arm of his chair in thought. “Which nobles are currently under threat from the Horde and demons?”

“Currently, Duke Warnmier’s and Duke Sigmund’s domains are under threat.” Ophelia replied, fidgeting with her hands. “After that, Duke DeMare, my father, and the nobles under him would be the next under threat should either of them fall.”

“What’s their relationship with the king like?”

“It’s not the most stable.” Euphiere sighed deeply. “Duke Warnmier is upset with how poorly the royal army has been performing lately. As for Duke Sigmund, he’s too busy rallying his own forces to keep his lands stable. He’s mainly been dealing with the refugees that are coming in from the north.” She turned to her daughter with motherly concern. “My husband and the King have had a few scuffs when it comes to the war, but the King’s desire for my daughter has made him overlook my husband’s opinions. However, I doubt that will last after yesterday.”

“Did your husband watch the duel?” Nathaniel’s lips quirked into a smile.

Euphiere returned the smile. “He did, and he was quite impressed.”

“Porman, what would you say to selling armor to the three dukes at a steep discount?” Nathaniel smiled viciously at the merchant.

“In exchange for their support against the King. That makes sense.” Porman’s eyes shone mischievously. “I say we extend it to all the lords under them as well. After all, it’s a hero’s duty to serve the kingdom.”

Euphiere stood, pulling Ophelia to her feet. “Then I should go speak with my husband.” She smiled sweetly at Nathaniel. “Any chance I could persuade you into making power armor for my husband and sons?”

“No,” Nathaniel replied, “I’d be a fool to hand out power armor frivolously. However, I can make them a suit of armor like what Ralia wore in the duel.”

“I understand.” Euphiere curtsied. “I look forward to our next meeting.” Ophelia followed her mother out of the room. They were a few steps from his room when she started whispering. “I wonder if little Illuiene would oppose an arranged marriage.”

“Are you considering marrying my cousin to Nathaniel instead of me!” Ophelia gasped in horror. “You’re my mother, why are you working against me?”

“I’m simply doing my duty.” Euphiere smirked at her. “Who’s to say he can’t marry multiple women from the same family.” Ophelia pouted at her. “But I’ll hold off for your sake.” She gave her daughter a warm smile.

“Thank you, mother.”

----------------------------------------

Nathaniel waited for the door to close before turning back to Porman. The La’ Maire boy stood behind them with his face towards the ground. Every now and then he would look up but then return his gaze downward when he noticed Nathaniel staring.

“Thanks for finding him, Porman.” Nathaniel said with a tired smile.

“It wasn’t hard.” Porman chuckled. “The boy walked right into my trading house to sell his talents. It’s a shame he doesn’t have any.”

“You’re telling me he hasn’t learned any skills?” Nathaniel stared at the boy in shock.

“No,” Krietsky mumbled, “Moth- Lady La’ Maire didn’t invest in any. My father wanted nothing to do with me either.”

Porman leaned over to whisper. “Dwarves are a strange bunch. They have a crafter caste, but the hierarchy favors crafters with more practical uses like blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons. As a Potter, he’d be considered the bottom rung of the crafter caste.”

“Jewelers are the only exception.” Krietsky snapped. “Simply because jewelry can make them rich.”

“Well, that’s just stupid.” Nathaniel scoffed. “Back in my world, ceramics were used in practically everything.” He rose from his chair and walked up to the boy.

Krietsky couldn’t have been more than five feet tall. His short curly hair hung around his misshapen ears, and a scruffy beard was starting to appear on his jaw. It must have been the half-human side of him that made him look more like a child.

“So kid, I’ll take you.” Nathaniel smiled at him.

“What?”

“You heard me.” Nathaniel patted the boy’s shoulder. “In my world, ceramics were very important, and I’m going to bring those ceramics here.” He chuckled and held out his hand. “You want to help me?”

“What could they do?”

“God, what couldn’t they do.” Nathaniel tapped his chin. “Ceramics are well known for being able to handle heat, and I mean intense heat, but that’s just scratching the surface. As I said, we used them in practically everything.” Krietsky stared up at Nathaniel in wonder. “So, want to join me?”

“Yes.” The boy wiped at his face. Krietsky started crying hard.

Nathaniel hugged the boy. “Everything’s going to be alright kid.” He comforted the boy. “Can I get you to buy pottery books for me?” He asked Porman.

“I’ll get to it.” Porman smiled. “I’ll even throw in the tools you’ll need.”

“Thanks.” Nathaniel rubbed Krietsky’s back. “Don’t worry son. I’ll see to it you have a place to call home.”