Tracy

The party left the long tunnel roughly a mile from town, by Trevor's estimate. Since he spent several years traversing the underground tunnels and sewers of the capital, the rest took his word for it.

Tracy turned to the mouth of the tunnel and stared speculatively at it for several minutes before speaking. "How do they keep the tunnel dry? We are on the outskirts of a swamp, that tunnel shouldn't be possible." It took another few seconds and the sound of drawn weapons before Tracy realized she spoke out loud.

Trevor gaped at his twin sister. "How did you do that." He signed, jealousy written on his face. The other two held their swords in a ready stance, eyeing Tracy suspiciously.

A new voice spoke from above them in a cheery voice. "I believe I can answer both questions.", everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Then, looking up, they saw relaxing on a branch was an Immortal dressed in flamboyant traveling clothes preferred by Bards. "Hello everyone pleasure to meet you I am Jeffree but everyone in the village calls me, Barkeep. Well, they did before that PKer showed up two days ago."

Although none turned their swords toward the man, they still eyed him suspiciously until he hopped down, and they could see his eyes more clearly. Afterward, they lowered their swords but didn't sheath them. Stacy narrowed her eyes. "Barkeep huh, judging by the fact that this tunnel leads to a tavern I assume it is or was yours."

Jeffree smiled. "Smart, I was actually on my way back when I noticed my property was moving my way. So I decided to wait in ambush in case it was another player. However, I was not expecting an Andorian with the ability to speak. Honestly, in twenty years, you are only the second. The first happened to be my tenant, a certain Miss. Rachel, or as everyone knows, her Aunt Rachel." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "That silver pendent just so happens to belong to her."

Tracy took a step back, drawing her two-handed sword from her back. "This pendant was given to Princess Rachel by the King from the Royal treasury. I will Return this to His Highness Prince Michail or failing that the rightful King of Andoon."

He was holding his hands up in a placating manner; the stern look he had been using softened. "Ah I see now, you must be Tracy Lionsgrave former head of the Queen's guard. You are just how Rachel described you. Fiery red hair a short temper and taller than the average Andorian. But most of all loyal to her friends, Crown and Kingdom."

lowering his hands, he used one to cup his chin. "Huh Princess I mean I had my suspicions over the years about those three's identity but even after nearly twenty years living together I never heard her mention she herself was a part of the Royal family. I suppose it makes sense considering the obvious education she has which as far as I can tell was an optional undertaking in Andoon."

Finally, Tracy relaxed and lowered her sword. That's right. I hadn't thought of our childhood in years. All children had to take classes that lived in the Palace regardless of station. It was during our mandatory classes that Benson and Rachel got close. Rachel took to classes like a duck to water while I hated every moment except weapons practice. But those didn't start until we turned twelve. The King would not risk our immature bodies taking permanent damage.

While Tracy got lost in her inner thought, Jeffree let the other three introduce themselves. Then, surprisingly, he answered back in Andorian sign language. "Hey thats supposed to be a secret we don't use it in front of your people so you cant learn it."

Jeffree only looked at Tracy like she had two heads. "What part of I lived with Rachel and her two kids didnt you understand? I mean after nearly twenty years together they obviously spoke to me often. Also the hand gestures aren't much different than sign language from my old world."

Slumping her shoulders in defeat, Tracy took the small gem from her scabbard and handed it to Jeffree. "I think this is yours although I have never understood why you guys always go to so much trouble to retrieve them."

"That's simple enough to explain. It's because when we die ten percent of our accumulated experience for our current level is taken from us and placed in this tiny gem. Every day that we don't collect it, it loses one percent of its value. After a week it shatters into dust." Jeffree smiled as he placed the gem on his forehead. "Nice only lost two percent this time." Looking around at the small group, all he saw was confusion in their eyes. Well, maybe not as simple to explain as I thought. "Think of it as leaving a part of my essence behind If die enough time it will run out, and I don't really want to find out what happens then."

Tracy and her group tried to hide the surprise and a bit of glee at those words, but they were short-lived.

"I know what you are probably thinking but forget about it. When we die, we have a six-hour grace period where we cant harm or be harmed. Plenty of time to escape or pull a group together." Jeffree smirked at the dejected looks on their faces but soon turned serious. Honestly, I haven't been able to think of a way to get the rogue players under control. The only thing I can think of is destroying the respawn, but I have no idea if that is possible. Also, it will more than likely kill all the players." No, we're not players. I need to stop calling us that for better or worse, either we were lied to about what this place is. or something went wrong with the new pods, and we are probably dead on the other side.

Tracy spoke up, seeing that Jeffree was lost in thought. "No Queen Elenore would never allow us to do something like that. Besides what if that harm's the Prince. He is after all Half Outworlder."

Jeffree gave a bemused smile. "Ah, so that's why Theo always reminded me of Ellie he has her eyes... Honestly, I can't understand how some of my brethren think. We were never Immortal just average humans, some with more darkness inside than others true. But before I volunteered to test these new state-of-the-art pods I was a part-timer at an orphanage... Well enoughabout that we have wasted enough of each other's time for now I think. You have places to be and I have friends to bury."

Tracy nodded, agreeing. "Before you leave, you said you know why I can talk why don't you start with that?"

"Simple that pendent is the only common denominator therefore the obvious conclusion is it has some kind of nullifying effect on the geas. Before you ask the tunnel has a simple runescirpt on the support braces. usually, it is used to dry clothes but we have found it works just as well on everything else." With those words, he pushed past them and entered the tunnel with a wave. "Continue south half a mile and you will reach the King's road."

Two hours later, three very annoyed and muddy people stumbled off the small animal track Jeffreee claimed to be the King's road onto the actual Kings road. "I'm going to kill that man if I see him again." Tracy said while doing her best to stomp and shake the mud that seemed to cake her entire body.

Following behind, a relatively clean Trevor did his best not to clap his hands in mirth. Instead, he took in the spectacle of his too serious sister-covered head to foot in slimy mud. "You three smell like a swamp."

All three turned their gazes on Trevor and took a step toward him. Smirking, Trevor dashed away quickly, staying out of their reach. As he turned to mock them more, he got a face full of foul-smelling mud courtesy of Tracy. Hah, like it's my fault you three tripped over every root we crossed or slipped anytime it got a tad slippery. I say you should learn to watch your step. But, of course, he would never say that aloud.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

A couple of hours later, they had returned to where they last spotted the Prince. Tracy stood staring out into the wastes before making a decision. "We need to split up you three need to inform the Noble families still searching for the Prince. I will follow the Prince myself. if he is anything like his Father then he will sprint headlong into whatever trouble he can find, while more will be sneaking up on him and kick him in the rear." While playing pranks on every person he meets along the way.

Getting nods from the two ex-soldiers, she turned to Trevor. "Nope, I am sticking with you little sis you need someone to keep your temper in check. it's probably better if you don't kill a mischievous Prince as soon as you meet him."

"See even they agree." to Tracy's dismay Trevor was right.

"No I got a better mission for you. You are going to find your old bosses. Convince them to begin sneaking our people to Underground. The City should be ready by now and Sneaking is their specialty." Before anyone could argue, not that they would, as it was a good idea, even Trevor agreed. Tracy checked the strap on her pack and cursing the fact that the only garment they could find that sort of fit was a flowery dress.

With the sun rising at her back, she sprinted into the flatlands.

- - - - -

Michail

Michail swung the pick shattering the ore node. Then, after wiping his brow, he began picking up the copper chunks tossing them into the cart pushed around by Tallia. She always seemed to know when someone was about to finish a node and appeared almost like magic. Well, I suppose if you grew up in the mine since the age of four, you might pick up a trick or two.

Tallia bent down next to Michail and helped pick up the rest of the ores, and standing with a slight jump smiled brightly at him. "Hey, Boss says hour break lets go explore while the slowpokes eat." Then with a pouty face making her eyes as big as possible. "Please."

Michail eyed Tallia for a moment, then let out a long breath. "ok fine but let me return this book I borrowed earlier Max would pitch a fit if I damaged or lost it." He watched as Tallia excitedly thanked him before returning to her cart and returning to the Overseer's small table so he could tally everything from the morning session. Max watched her excited hand gestures before he gave an exasperated sigh and waved her off with a nod. Did she seriously ask me before getting permission from the Boss?

Slinging his pick over his shoulder, he made his way to the Overseers table. Michail only had to wait a couple of minutes for the Overseer to get to him. "What! you know where the chow is get it yourself. -- Oh, hey Mic whats up I thought you had a date with our little Princess?"

Handing the Book over, he rolled his eyes. "Here I don't want to damage or lose it on whatever trouble I am about to get into." Max took the book and waved him off as he took more ores from the cart.

Michail jogged back to Tallia and took her by the arm as they walked into the tunnel. Behind him, he heard Max shout. "Remember you got fiftyfive minutes so be quik about it." Then all the other miners clapped as Max whistled, making Michail roll his eyes again.

Tallia watched Michail's face as they walked until he bent his head down and gave her a gentle kiss. "What are you looking at? watch ahead or you might trip down a pit and take me with you."

They walked hand in hand, occasionally pointing out nodes that Micail marked on a rough map to give to Max later. Twenty minutes later, they stopped, and Tallia handed him a sandwich wrapped in oilpaper, and they sat against a wall to eat. "Tomorrow is the tenday that means we can spend the day outside," said Tallia.

Michail nodded and swallowed the last of his sandwich. "Hope it's not raining this time. We should head back if were late Max might get in trouble for being to lax with us." Standing, he snatched Tallia's uneaten portion and ate it before offering his hand to help her up.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave Michail a long kiss before she nodded. Then turning around headed back to the rest of their group.

Twenty minutes later, Michail passed the rough sketch to Max and returned to work. Max noted it down and marked the scouting under Michail's name, so he got the credit. Then he picked up his own pick and joined the rest of the group.

- - - - -

Theo and Anna

Anna's throat hurt. As soon as the awkward act of introducing herself was over, the Prince had wrapped his arm in hers and began leading her north. When she first tried to pull her arm out, she seemed to pull Theo's focus back on her, and he started having her practice talking. He would give her longer and longer phrases to say, and she had to repeat them till he was satisfied.

Now she just finished singing a childhood lullaby for the seventh time. Her arms were burning except strangely where the Prince was in contact with her to add to her problem. Unfortunately, Anna could not muster the courage to ask him to change where he held her. It was at that moment she realized that at some point, the Prince had interlaced his fingers with hers as he continued rambling on about life growing up in a tavern.

Theo was not entirely zoning out as Anna thought. He was searching and listening for any sign of water. He could tell the welts on her arms are beyond just burning now as she kept squeezing his hand tighter all the time. I don't even know if she realizes that she grabbed my hand. I better continue to keep her mind busy for now. "Alright, that was perfect you will make a great mother someday with such a lovely singing voice. Let's try something harder, tongue twisters."

Anna nodded, eyes slightly glazed as she gave a small involuntary whimper. Theo kept up the lessons as he examined her arms. The welts had spread into an ugly rash. Damn, she must be allergic, but why is the spread slower right here? Then another thought struck him, making his stomach roil. I put them in our breakfast.

"That is some willpower you got I don't think I could have stopped myself from scratching my arms till I bled out." Theo tried to encourage Anna, but he didn't know if she could hear him as she repeated the tongue twister repeatedly.

Anna kept it together for another hour. Eventually, though, the whimpering became constant, and she tried to fight Theo for control of her arm. "No, I am sorry babe but this is for your own good." But she either refused to listen or couldn't. Damn, well, this is a theory but let's try. Reaching around her, he grabbed her other arm and, with a bit of difficulty, shoved it under his shirt, holding the worst part rested against his bare stomach.

A few seconds later, she quit trying to pull away and shoved her other arm in as well. Eventually, she stopped shaking and lay her head against Theo's chest, small sobs occasionally reaching his ears. Hopefully, I cooked out whatever you are allergic to, or this won't be good.

A few minutes later, Theo finished convincing Anna to get on his back while he continued to find water. "I cant walk with your arms wrapped around my body like this and if we don't find a clean source of water I'm afraid things will get worse."

Thirty minutes later, he still hadn't found any and started to get worried, although he could feel Anna breathing. She had been quiet for a while now. I really hope she only fell asleep.

Several hours later, Anna woke to find herself submerged in a small inlet off a river she could hear on the other side of a pile of rocks but not see. Anna also immediately noticed that the Prince was snoring softly behind her with one arm wrapped around her stomach, holding her in place. Or at least she sincerely hoped it was the Prince. Turning her head slowly, not wanting to wake him knowing how exhausted he must be. Although she had been mostly out of it most of the day, she still remembers the Prince carrying her on his back for hours.

Lifting one arm from the water, she cringed at what she found. Well, at least the pain is more bearable now, but I think I will leave it in the water for now." Then, turning her attention back to the Prince, she noticed that his usually ashen skin is now bright red. Oh, that's going to hurt.

Carefully she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the Prince's lips. "Thank You, My Prince Theo. I will do everything in my power to help you retake your throne; I swear." Then she settled back with her head comfortably against Theo's broad chest and fell asleep while watching the sunset. Not realizing someone or something heard her words, and one should always be careful of making promises.