Dinner was served by the church. A long rectangular table had been littered with enough food to host a king. Trout, salmon, goose, chicken, pies, bread, cheeses, stew, vegetables were arrayed before the eating crowd. Fritz had been situated near the head of the table. The mother superior sat to his left. Beside him, the elf lady sat with her back perfectly straight. Her cloak had been left behind displaying her stylish traveling clothes. She nibbled daintily at her food. Next to her, Fritz's companions set in eclectic order.
Neva had gotten an early start on drinking. The left side of her face, scarred and brutal, warped into a dumb smile as she got progressively drunker. Right beside her, Brenn kept encouraging the older wolfkin.
"Fritz!"
"Heads up!" Fritz yelled back. A bottle of liquor sailed through the air, before being caught by Neva further down the table.
"Must you? Your manners are terrible!" Mynuru seethed.
"Forgive me...." Fritz started, as his brows drew inward trying to remember her name.
"Mynuru. Princess Mynuru. First daughter of the eternal queen."
"Forgive me, Princess Mynuru. It's how I keep them happy."
"Fritz! Meat!"
"Can I get some cheese too?"
"Heads up!" Fritz tossed a raw steak over the head of the elven princess. Ada caught it with her mouth. Chewing like a bored child she sat by the black-haired lamia. A block of cheese sailed over next. Brenn teleported into the air to catch it, before letting herself drop back down into her wooden seat. Marcelle glowered and sulked barely eating. With a scowl she removed herself from the table. Slithering behind Fritz she leaned in. Behind Fritz, in the shadows, another cloaked elf waited. His hands moved towards a weapon hidden underneath his cloak as he watched the lamia.
"Minion. I require reagents. Come report to me later. I shall be in the library. Or what passes for such in this shithole." Marcelle said.
"Later, then." He said, as Marcelle slunk away.
"It's not too late, champion." The elven princess leaned in close to Fritz.
"Call me Fritz."
"It's not too late." The elven princess repeated.
Neva and Brenn had pulled a trio of priests into a drinking competition. Downing the remainder of their wine goblets they each received a generous helping of whiskey. Drawing back they each tried to down the high proof liquor before the others.
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"No. I am staying. They need help." Fritz said.
"It is futile. These beastskin are lesser beings. They do not understand the danger they are in. The vampire and their undead minions will raze this city to the ground."
"All the more reason to help."
"Your help would be a futile gesture. I am sure of it. You must think of your true purpose. What has the goddess sent you here for?"
"To help. To stop them from fighting."
"Then she sent you here?"
"No. Fehrenn. I was to go to Fehrenn. This is just a stop."
"Then you are defying her wishes."
"These people need help, and I will help." Sighing to himself he paused looking down the table. "What makes them so dangerous?" Fritz asked.
"Where to start?" Mynuru asked wistfully. From down the table, goblets slammed against the hard wood of the table. Neva roared to celebrate her victory. The priests started slumping into the table, as the whiskey loosened their limbs.
"Your companions are quite something." The mother superior commented. Fritz gave her an awkward smile.
"Fwitz!" Neva slurred. "Anodda bottle!"
"Heads up!" Fritz tossed another conjured bottle of liquor down the table. Neva made to catch it. Her fingers slipped from between the glass as the bottle fell towards the floor. Ada's hand shot out catching the bottle.
"Ada! My dearest!" Neva exclaimed, as she received the bottle. Ignoring the drunk beastkin, Ada watched Fritz and the princess.
"The countess's house has a retinue of immortal warriors. They have trained for countless centuries in the arts of warfare. They are masters of combat. Unparalleled against mortals. They cannot be beaten easily. To fight one in a direct duel is to invite death. There are tales of fifty mortal men fighting just one, and barely coming out alive." Mynuru said.
"They wear armor? What weapons? Tactics?"
"Plate armor is traditionally worn. Piercing and slashing weapons are mainly used. Rapiers and other swords are common."
"How many?"
"At least two hundred."
"They'll siege a city with just two hundred?"
"Not just them. Vampires are higher undead. They will bring their servants and mercenaries from the necromancer guilds. Ghouls, abominations, zombies and skeletons. They will perform the grunt work for their decaying masters. They will form the line around this city while the vampires wait for the perfect time to strike. They will break down the gates, and engage your warriors while the vampire knights lie in wait."
"Hmmm.... Knights. Knights. How to kill a knight?" Fritz hummed to himself lost in thought.
"Well then champion-"
"Fritz."
"Do you see the light? Will you reconsider this foolish course of action? The elven court will welcome you with open arms. We can offer you guaranteed protection. My mother would be most interested in making your acquaintance. We have the greatest bards. The most exquisite wine. Our lands are the most beautiful in this entire continent. Will you return with us?"
"No. I am saving this city."
"How?! How?! Do you not understand your situation? Your allies cannot save you! They are outclassed! A horde of undead will descend upon this city! Your fate is sealed if you stay! Just because the beastkin are ordered to fight, doesn't mean you must as well! See reason! Flee to the elven cities!"
"Most complex problems have simple solutions." Reaching underneath the table, Fritz pulled out his shotgun. "I am going to give them some serious firepower."
The elven princess pulled back. Her face screwed up in confusion.
"You are a fool. You will die."
"You'll see. I won't abandon those in need. I will not let innocents die for my own safety."
A hidden smile tugged at the mother superior's lips. She hadn't needed to intervene at all.