Nadia grinned to herself as their impressive party approached Bluestone dungeon on their last stage of the return to Earth. A veritable mob, it was an absolute miracle that blood had yet to be spilled considering that their caravan now included Humans, Centaurs, Orks, Dwarves and Elves.
She squinted into the distance, “Looks like we’ll be picking up another delegation Alexander, there seems to be quite a crowd in front of Bluestone’s entrance.”
Alexander muttered a curse and produced his binoculars. After a brief look he nodded. “Looks like one delegation and lots of curiosity seekers not to mention the two guild officials from last time. Time for me to go and greet the politicians, you coming?”
“Well having no desire to catch Skysong’s attention again I’ll remain behind and keep Mariya company.”
Nadia slowed her horse and joined Alexander’s wife Mariya. They rode on in companionable silence.
* * *
Frazee the Reckless watched with trepidation as the Godslayers returned to Bluestone. They were moving slowly as they were now escorting a mass of self important sapients. He could recognize the banners of the four of the delegations present in the approaching caravan. The Elven Empire was present as was the Theocratic Empire of Tall Trees from the world of Alcadar. At some distance from the elves flew the banners of the dwarven Rockcrag republic. Then there were the banners of the kingdom Eltazia. He glanced sideways at the waiting delegation from their own Kingdom of Brakaridas. Eltazia and Brakaridas, cats and dogs.
Then the leader of the Godslayer elves came trotting up with his deputy and councillor. Frazee had to admit that his point about ‘if dwarves, orks and eves can avoid killing each other surely humans...’ was masterful.
‘By all the gods I wish guildmaster Eclavran was here instead of me but with all these high elves, other elves and dwarves a drow would – at the very least – cause friction. And the fact that he’s an outcast wouldn’t help. Damn the snooty elves and the bloodthirsty feuding dwarves.’
Frazee watched glumly as three priestesses of Bast emerged from the dungeon to lead the mob of diplomats and their hangers on safely into the dungeon. Bast’s catgirls were a common sight now that they had opened a small temple in Verilanium.
‘It goes against all I’ve ever known to enter a dungeon like this,’ thought Frazee as he joined the tail end of the delegation from his kingdom of Brakaridas.
‘What? Why are the godslayers tensing now?’ Fraze looked round and finally spotted the inconsistency. At various points along their route there were guards equipped much as the godslayers. Their uniform seemed bulkier and it was enchanted to blend with the background.
* * *
Alexander, or rather major Manukov stiffened when he noted the guards positioned in areas with good fields of fire and readily accessible withdrawal routs. He narrowed his eyes and gestures for his men to be alert.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
At the head of the next ramp staircase combination one of them, a sergeant by his insignia, stepped forward and saluted. “Wolfgar and Antonio came to an agreement sir,” he said in Russian, “and we’re here to help you keep an eye on your guests.”
Alexander relaxed slightly, “so you work for Mr. Muñoz?”
“Not exactly. Currently we’re working for Wolfgar. We’re training some of his more – flexible – monsters in small arms tactics.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes in thought, “and what does Antonio get out of this, aren’t he and Wolfgar competitors?”
The sergeant smiled broadly, “he gets knowledge of several enchantments like this the camouflage enchantment on our armor. And no they aren’t competitors. You could say they’re family.”
* * *
Patsy slowed to hear the major speak with Bluestone’s guard. This whole situation ran counter to what she had learned about dungeons. Dungeons did not hire mercenary companies to guard them. And humans did not work with and teach dungeons to be more dangerous.
‘But the Midgarders can kill gods so probably they’re not scared of rogue dungeons. I’ll have to talk to someone in the Guild on Midgard. And how can dungeons be family?’
Patsy urged her horse forward and rejoined her friend Evgeniya. After descending to level four they came to a huge portal. They transited it and found themselves in a huge crystal and steel dome at the bottom of the sea. Well underwater at any rate.
‘Why are they all staring?’ wondered Patsy as she noted the stillness of the delegations from the two elven empires. ‘Oh!’ Patsy’s eyes widened in realization, ‘there are nine young sea elf children and only eight adult sea elves.’
* * *
Eltarinna goddess blessed couldn’t believe her eyes, the blessing of the goddess showed her that four of the sea elf women in the welcoming delegation were pregnant. And that was in addition to the presence of all the children.
Eltarinna managed to collect herself, she turned to one of the catwomen priestesses. “Four of the ladies are pregnant, and three seem to carry the touch of a god, your goddess?”
The priestess laughed softly, “I follow Bast in her aspect as a defender and goddess of war, let me call Louisa who follows our lady in her aspect of Bastet.” She waved, “Louisa anda cá.”
Louisa ambled over, “What is it Anabella?”
“The lady priestess wants to know about our lady’s blessing on Silverfin’s wives.”
Luisa smiled up at the high elf priestess. “Felicia, one of our senior priestesses blessed the family several months ago. It takes time with elves but the blessing worked.” Louisa beamed with happy pride in her goddess.
Eltarinna looked blankly at Louisa for a moment before her eyes focused. “Thank you dear. I believe I will have to converse with your high priestess or is it priest?”
“Priestess lady. Just come to the temple, I am sure she will be happy to see you.”
* * *
Lilly Ironfounder edged over to the edge of the Rockcrag delegation to better inspect the steel alloy that was being used to reinforce the dome.
‘No not reinforce, to give the appearance of reinforcing. The dome was a single piece of... something.’
Ironfist pushed his way through the crowd dragging the listener behind him. “Lilly, you’ve got to hear what big ears here overheard the big elf cow of a priestess saying.” Ironfist gave Listener a rude shake, “go on, tell her.”
The Listener gave Ironfist a glare before turning to give Lilly a wary half smile. “Well ma’am, priestess Eltarinna let fall that three of the local sea elf females are expecting due to a blessing from the locals cat goddess.”
“Are they indeed? So Iornfist, why are you telling me this now? Surely there’s no hurry and there’s no guarantee it’ll work for us dwarves.”
“Erm... Well me and Onyx have been trying for a babe for years, and I thought as you’re a woman, the only woman in our delegation you could have... a... word...” Ironfist trailed of and backed up a step at the look on Lilly’s face.