Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

69. Act II-Ch XLII: The Road Home

[ - Author's Note - ]

And in this chapter the long, long, long road trip finally comes to an end. Forty four chapters total; divided between regular and interlude ones... When I started this arc I was hoping for a good blend of action, adventure and plain old fun and never guessed how large it would get. I imagine if someone was insane enough to turn this into an anime they'd see this arc and be like 'we're gonna have jobs for awhile!' Yeah...

That said, thank you all for sticking with this bloated arc. It ends this chapter and then we'll be in the endgame for Act II. For this chapter James and Riri visit a place of note, we see a couple old friends along the way and then...

It shall finally be done.

As always the Straw Poll for the Best Banners of Thorn is up and links will be at the end of the story. So then...

Let's finish this arc off.

[ - Act II - Chapter XLII: The Road Home - ]

I have traveled this continent and to others over the course of my life, meeting with different peoples and races, seeing and learning of their cultures and histories, seeing all sorts of strange animals, tasting curious foods and seeing different styles of arts and stories. And yet what I am always most excited for on any trip is the journey home; back to the old and the familiar.

I enjoy reading up on small bits of Eostia's history I never encountered before and how they relate to the larger picture, hearing of some minor nobility with an odd custom or the discover of an old, pre-Eostian document on the Imperium of one of the nations that formed from it's fall... This land, the Kingdom of Forged Alliances, is my home, my birth land that I love and no matter what I see or how much I experience I shall always yearn for it. I pity a man with no place to call his home.

~Dominic James Pencraft, Sererus: A Collection of History and Powers

[-]

I needed sometime to digest the idea I was now set to be married to two women and both of them were Shield Princesses; honestly I think marrying Prim wouldn't be too surprising to many as we were close and I imagined both our families expected it (And with Prim and myself keeping it as 'need to know' meant neither side knew yet, although I'd be wholly unsurprised if Merlin knew and was keeping it under his wizard hat), but one of them being Kaguya was a surprise. Either way we would stop back in Steel Lock for a night and enjoy the Mignite's hosting us once more.

That night I would enter the Class Menu and selected Upgrades. Straight away the the Conditions List came up into my view.

(-)

General Conditions

(⸜∕) All Primary Stats are 100 or Higher
(⸜∕) All Secondary Stats are 60 or Higher
(⸜∕) All Remaining Stats have a Combined Total of 100 or Higher
(⸜∕) Know 10 Magic Spells
(⸜∕) Have at Least 5 Level II Magic Spells or Higher
(⸜∕) Have at Least 1 Level III Magic Spell
(⸜∕) Know 8 Combat Arts
(⸜∕) Have At Least 3 Level II Combat Arts or Higher
(⸜∕) Have at Least 1 Level III Combat Art

Rune Blade Conditions

(X) All Primary Stats are 120 or Higher
(⸜∕) Know 14 Magic Spells
(⸜∕) Have at Least 7 Level II Magic Spells or Higher
(⸜∕) Have at Least 3 Level III Magic Spells

Mage Knight Conditions

(⸜∕) Str is 100 or Higher
(⸜∕) Con & End is 60 or Higher
(⸜∕) Have At least 4 Level II Combat Arts or Higher
(⸜∕) Have at Least 2 Level III Combat Arts

(-)

There was an option listed as 'Begin Upgrade' and I choose it.

[You have selected to upgrade your current class. This can give you access to new equipment, abilities, skills and traits. Which class you choose will be permanent once selected. Make sure you are sure of your selection before making it.]
[As a reminder, this is your current status.]

(-)

Character Details

Name: James Noxdecus
Social Rank: Baron's Heir
Title: Dark Horse of Eostia
Class: Spell Blade
Level: 28/100
XP: 60/28000

Regular Stats

[X] Con: 67/200 (3087/6000 XP)
[X] Str: 92/200 (4371/9000 XP) (+10 from Equipment=102)
[X] End: 63/200 (4382/6000 XP)
[P] Dex: 100/200 (5814/10000 XP)
[S] Agi: 66/200 (4389/6000 XP)
[P] Acc: 100/200 (6275/10000 XP)
[S] Mag: 82/200 (7127/8000 XP) (+7 from Equipment=89)
[P] Mnc: 89/200 (3901/8000 XP) (+16 from Equipment=105)
[X] Lck: 53/200 (372/5000 XP) (+4 from Equipment=57)

Sexual Stats

Sta: 22+35=55/100 (4224/5000 XP)
Rec: 30+13=43/100 (2983/4000 XP)
Pow: 27+25=52/100 (3651/4000 XP)
Ple: 27+20=47/100 (2567/4000 XP)
Wil: 26+21=47/100 (1337/4000 XP)
Rap: 67+13=80/100 (6567/8000 XP)
Cap: 21+22=43/100 (3071/4000 XP)

(-)

[As an additional reminder this is your currently class and it's information.]

[[Spell Blade]]

Primary Weapon: Rapiers
Secondary Weapon: Parrying Daggers, Knives (All Types), Spell Books
Armor Type: Mage Robe, Gambeson
Primary Stats: Dex, Acc, Mnc
Secondary Stats: Agi, Mag

The Spell Blade while inclined to magic also knows the value of a good blade. Relying on skill in both sword and spell, the Spell Blade relies on speed in both casting spells, positioning and fighting. While an expert in no one discipline of magic the Spell Blade knows a little of all; arcane, holy, elemental and healing alike.

And these are your upgrade options. In addition you can see what Combat Arts/Spells and Traits you will gain from the upgrade in question.]

(-)

Rune Blade Upgrade

+Buckler Shields, Short Bows & Quivers to Secondary Weapons
+End & Str to Secondary Stats
+4 Casting Speed when not using a second weapon or shield

The Rune Blade is what the Spell Blade becomes as they learn their skills and fine tune their style of fighting. As such their spell repertoire has increased by quite a bit in addition to learning the bow. Able to fill any role needed, the Rune Blade is a Jack-of-All-Trades.

Magic Spell Acquired - Arcane Draw: You can draw pure mana from the world around you to cast spells without drawing on your own stores. You can only cast Arcane types spells with this mana
Trait Acquired - Time Dilation: In stressful moments in combat time seems to slow down for you; often when powerful attacks are aimed to you.

NOTICE: You have not completed all conditions to accept the Rune Blade Class Upgrade and cannot choose it.

(-)

Mage Knight Upgrade

+Swords (One Handed) & Short Spears to Primary Weapons
+Shields & Javelins to Secondary Weapons
+Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Splint Mail to Armor Types
+Str to Primary Stats
+Con & End to Secondary Stats
+4 Physical Resistance when using Shields
+4 Casting Speed when not using a Second Weapon or Shield

While the Rune Blade perfects spells the Mage Knight focuses more on physical combat. Donning heavier armor and relying more on the blade then the spell now, the Mage Knight is still a versatile combatant able to fulfill a number of roles. There is never a situation a Mage Knight can't help in.

Combat Art Acquired - Breaking Blow: You lash at an opponent with a heavy, weapon's strike; as long as you pull back your weapon for three seconds with a high chance of damaging armor
Trait Acquired - Armor Clad: You wear armor well and it seems to be better on you then others. The Agi Penalty of any armor is halved. +3 to All Resistances to any armor you wear

(-)

[It is time to claim your upgraded class and all of it's bonuses.]
[Please, make your selection.]

Choose Your Upgrade Path
[Choose Rune Blade]-~-~-[Choose Mage Knight]

I had made my choice the moment I choose Spell Blade but I noted to look into Arcane Draw; could be useful... Still I made my choice; Mage Knight.

The first result was I ended up seeing a brief animation of the Spell Blade emblem shaking before and breaking apart to unveil a shining Mage Knight emblem as a proud tune with horns played.

Class Upgraded! You are now
A MAGE KNIGHT!

+Swords (One Handed) & Short Spears to Primary Weapons
+Shields & Javelins to Secondary Weapons
+Chain Mail, Scale Mail & Splint Mail to Armor Types
+Str to Primary Stats
+Con & End to Secondary Stats
+4 Physical Resistance when using Shields
+4 Casting Speed when not using a Second Weapon or Shield

Combat Art Gained: Breaking Blow!

Breaking Blow [Lvl I] (0/1000)
Cool Down: Low
Mana Cost: Moderate

You lash at an opponent with a heavy, weapon's strike; as long as you pull back your weapon for three seconds with a high chance of damaging armor

Trait Gained: Armor Clad
You wear armor well and it seems to be better on you then others. The Agi Penalty of any armor is halved. +3 to All Resistances to any armor you wear

Class Skills Updated: Mage Knight Skills Unlocked
Gain 8 Class Points

Oh yeah, the good old Class Skills. I guess that's back; and I have eight of ten points to spen already. So, what do we got?

(-)

Mage Knight Skills

Physical Defender (0/3)
You've trained to wear heavy armor well. +5% Physical Resistances per Class Point Invested

Magical Defender (0/3)
Your armor deflects magic better then normal. +5% Magical Resistances per Class Point Invested

Chivalry Lives (0/3)
You've trained in all combat arts available to you. +5% Bonus to all Physical Weapon Damage per Class Point Invested

Force of Will (0/3)
You've trained hard in the ways of magic. +5% Bonus to all Magical Effects per Class Point Invested

Balanced Combatant (0/3)
You balance all kinds of offense and defense in your training. +2% to all Resistance, Physical Weapon Damage & Magical Effects per Class Point Invested

(-)

So; my choices here are between defenses and offenses? Hmm... Well I knew this; my Spell Blade Class skills were all in offense and so some extra defense wouldn't hurt from this one. I loaded up three points into Physical and Magical Defenders and the last two I had were set into Balanced Combatant. I'll deal with the last two points when I get them but that was for later. I also made a mental note to pick up a short spear at someplace and train with my mother once I got home. I was a fencer first and foremost (Well, when it came to weapons anyway) but having a spear as a backup weapon would be ideal.

Rapiers were a good weapon for a mage like myself; with the weight mostly in the handle and pommel it was easier to control and hold for awhile, a spell stone in the pommel could act as a magical focus so inverting the weapon makes for a good, ad hoc short staff, you could hold damn near anything else in your off hand or use it to cast spells and so on and so forth.

Spears, by contrast, had their own strengths. They were ideal mid range weapons and while I was limited to short spears that was still around six feet of reach. Additionally depending on the head I could swing it for a slash or blunt blow in addition to stabbing. I could also use them two handed for maximum control and striking power or couple it with a shield like the Arcane one in my glove's stone to maximize a defensive stance. In addition they could also boast stones somewhere in the weapon's head or it's butt to act as a staff while still being a spear.

I was, honestly, considering on how I should reequip myself once I got the equipment from Ansur. Lulu gave me an update recently; orichalcum can be hell to work with and even someone with her skill would struggle with it. Still she said she had the rough form hammered out but still needed to both tighten the shape up fully but also balance the weight of it correctly. As for my armor it too was coming along; the rough shape was finished and much of what was left to be done was the smaller details.

Most of the considerations for me were based on the fact I was working within a Gamer System and could carry one primary weapon and two secondary ones. Things like shields counted as a secondary, of course, but I had the spell stone generated shield to use so I had, essentially, that as a free slot. Currently my slots were taken up by the Unicorn's Horn, my parrying dagger and a number of throwing knives. If I wanted to add a spear to my arsenal something had to go. The Unicorn's Horn wasn't going until I got my shiny new high elven saber which would take it's place, of course, so my choices were to ditch the knives or the dagger... and to be honest? I think ditching the knives were the right move at the moment.

My parrying dagger was overall more useful; it was a good melee weapon if things closed to (Literal) knife fighting range, it was built to catch and deflect weapon strikes, had a spell stone in it to act as a magical focus or wand as needed and could be used in tandem with my sword. The knives were useful when It came to cutting things but if worse comes to worse I could commission a parrying dagger with an edge if I wanted a cutting tool. The knives could be used as a ranged weapon but I had magic for that; Magic Missile was overall more usable except in a stealth situation. They could be used in a melee but, once more, the parrying dagger was more useful in that regard. They had proven useful in the past so I'd keep them, they could still be helpful down the line, but for now they were less useful then the alternatives.

However that was for the future me to consider.

After leaving Steel Lock we traveled to southern Maros, more specifically to a city called Farmer's Flats; a smaller but notable city that grew thanks to the Garan conflicts as it was a notable transport and logistics hub for forces going north and boasted a wealth of warehouses for weapons, armor and supplies for the armies to store and draw from in addition to have a wealth of farms focused on grains, flours and other foods that can keep awhile. We would find lodgings for the day as myself and Makoto left to indulge in the reason we were here; following my maid to the downtown as she wore her new Armor Weave, slowly stepping as she looked this way and that.

"It's... A fair bit has changed but so much is how I remember it..." She said with nostalgia in her voice. After all this was the first time since she was abducted and enslaved she had returned to her hometown.

It's worth noting that she had the option to travel here before; my father had trips related to trade and business in west of course and she was asked if she wanted to go visit but she always declined. She just... wasn't ready I guess and I could understand why. She took slow, easy steps as she looked around before stopping and looking to an alley. "Huh... It's still there..." She let off as I followed her sight. Indeed; I could see some sort of... carving in the wall of one of the stores. I'm not sure what was used to make it but it looked scratched out with something metal or even the edge of a sharper stone. The shape of it was like a capital 'Y', but with vertical lines on the top prongs and a horizontal one near the bottom. "Me and the others from the orphanage scratched it there. We found it in an old book and thought it looked cool. We used it as our own symbol; a way of saying 'we were here'." She let off as I hummed. I wasn't aware of what it was either, to be honest...

(Naturally I looked into it; the sigil was an older one for the Path of Utero, aka the Temple of Fertility. The reason I didn't know of it was that they currently used a different if similar emblem. As a note; the cross at the bottom represented a woman's sex, the lines on the sides of the prongs the ovaries and the center as the womb. Riri blushed deeply once I told her what it was.)

"There was a man who sold fruit over there..." She said, pointing to a wall between two stores. "Sometimes myself of the other halflings would grab a couple applies when the others caused a ruckus to draw everyone's attention. I nearly got caught by being greedy; I tried stealing a large watermelon. If that drunk didn't stumble into the guard I likely would have..." She let off, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I moved to set a hand to her shoulder as she moved a hand to rub the opposing bicep. "Riri?"

"I... I was a real brat back then..." She said, looking down. "I mean we never had much but... that didn't give us the right to steal Gods, how would I have ended up? I could have been some sort of... bandit if..."

"No." I said firmly, giving her shoulder a firm squeeze. "Maybe you were a brat and a budding scoundrel but you wouldn't become a bandit... I don't think you have the heart to hurt people; at least good, honest people."

"...I..." She let off sighing. "Maybe... But still..." She said as she looked upwards. "I..."

"Whatever you think you might have been, Riri, nothing justified what happened to you." I said firmly, getting an inkling of where her thoughts were going. "You were a kid. A bratty kid, maybe, but a kid. You deserved a spanking, not years of torture."

"I-I know... But I... I just wish..." She said, sucking in a deep breath. "...I just... I just wish we weren't so... stupid... I wish I wasn't so stupid." She let off as she moved to wipe at her eyes with a thumb.

"If I may, Riri-san." Makoto said as she stepped next to her, eyes watching for possible issues but she was clearly paying attention. "You do not wear guilt well. What is done is done and shall not be undone. You would be better served pressing forwards and doing something constructive. If not for someone here then for someone else; the Quintet as an example."

"R-right. Sorry..." Riri said as she took a deep breath. "I just... I still can't help but think how things could have been different if-"

"By the Goddess!" We heard as we turned half way to a side street. All three of us reached for weapons from the surprise before seeing... a nun; maybe a well aged thirties or forties woman who was staring at us in shock... No wait, staring at Riri in shock, like she'd seen a ghost. "R-Riri!?" She let off as she ran over; a basket loaded with goods in one arm. Under the coif headdress was short, blonde hair and green eyes. Her body was clad in a sexy, black, gold trimmed nun style habit (Of course, Eostia will Eostia on and on...) with a cut out over the D-Cup breasts with a flat top and 'M' shaped bottom with the points between and beside them, covered in a semi-transparent cloth. The bottom half was s into a loincloth with the cut high enough to showcase thin, gold colored panty straps. Stockings were on her legs and her feet was set into black shoes.

"S-S-Sister Claire!?" Riri let off as she gawked. So; this was the woman who raised Riri back in the day. Claire walked closer and closer as Riri looked unsure of how to react... before the woman charged in and without warning grabbed the halfling into a hard, firm hug; the basket's edge pressing to Riri's back.

"I... I thought you were dead!" The nun let off as she started to sob openly, squeezing Riri with enough force that the girl squeaked.

(-)

Name: Claire Flare
Title: Mother of the Orphanage
Class: Priestess
Level: 11
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 11
Status: Healthy, Surprised, Happy

Romance Rating: 77
Corruption Rating: 10

Known Traits
[?]
[Mother to All] You handle children often and with ease. +20 Reputation to all children you meet.
[Mother's Kiss] Nothing cures a scrape more then a mother(ly)'s kiss. +10% to All Healing effects when applied to children.

The minder of Farmer's Flats largest orphanage she has minded several children over the years; although she had lost more then a few to slavers, bandits and other worldly ruin. In spite of this she does her best day in and out to give her children all they need.

(-)

"Cl-claire..." Riri let off, nearly about to cry herself as she hugged the woman back, nearly clinging to her. "I-I'm sorry... I was never a good enough girl..." She let off as she sniffled then cried for a moment, hugging the woman firmer to the point I was worried she'd cause the nun harm. I shared a look with Makoto before glancing about; we were getting some stares as I sighed.

"Don't say that! Never say that!" Claire replied, sniffling as she finally pulled back to look up at Riri from her knees. "Goddess, I thought I'd never see you again... I thought I failed you all..."

"C-Claire that's not-"

"As heartwarming a moment as this is..." I interjected, making both jump as they looked to me. "We are gaining a lot of attention. We may wish to have this conversation elsewhere, in private."

"R-right... Sorry Master..." Riri said as she wiped at her eyes.

"No need to apologize." I replied, smiling softly. "If anything this conversation is clearly well overdue."

"Indeed..." Claire said, standing... and collecting her expression into a cold look. "So; who are you she so readily calls 'master'?" She asked as Riri moved between us defensibly. I patted her shoulder once as I smiled.

"James Noxdecus, Heir to the Barony of Mungale." I replied smoothly and calmly. "And Riri is my personal maid in my employ."

"Mungale... Mungale's abolitionist, right?" The nun asked as I nodded. "I-I see... forgive my reaction..." She said as her look softened.

"It's fine; we can talk about Riri's... choice of title... somewhere more private." I let off as I carried on my verbal hint.

"Of course..." She said, setting her hand to her chest. "My apologies. Let me introduce myself correctly; I am Mother Claire Flare. Please; come to the orphanage and we'll talk."

[-]

The orphanage was a ten minute walk away and while worn it was clearly well cared for. It seemed to be an old, Imperium-era school that was repurposed. It was painted white with a crusis at the peak of the front wall but the wear and weather took it's toll on it. Children played around the grounds as a pair of nuns tried to mind them; maybe two odd dozen children. According to Riri this was a fairly low number from when she was there.

We were taken to an office and myself and Makoto sat in one love seat and Riri on the other as Claire made tea; a coffee table between the two seats. Once tea was served the first order of business was telling what happened to Riri and her friends (Much of which was in... broad strokes, to say the least) and then I joined in, telling my own story of how I came to the choice of raiding a slave pen and how I ended up saving Riri. Claire was much friendlier from then on as she learned I was the reason she was free... although she was saddened at why Riri (Originally) called me 'Master'.

This led me to a question I... half wanted to ask, half was afraid to have answered. "Sister Claire-"

"I am no longer 'Sister'. I took over the orphanage and I run it now." She replied as I nodded.

"Mother Claire, if I can ask... what news, if any of... Riri's friends?" I asked as she sighed deeply as she shook her head.

"I wasn't able to do much to search but what I could do I did." She said as she gave me a sad look. "Erin, Jacob and Harry were never accounted for. I don't know if they're still in Eostia... Kailey I found in a Delconna brothel but... she was too broken... I tried to rescue her but she ended her life instead." She said, eyes shut as I winced. Riri gave a whimper next to her as she bit her lip. "Jay was worked to death on a Hol'canna plantation. Paulina, the sweet little thing, ended up being sold and married her second buyer. She's... unwilling to leave him." She said clearly unhappy about it. "Tommy though..." She broke off as Riri moved a hand to hers, squeezing.

"Please..." She said firmly as Claire sighed.

"He's here." She said as she bit her lip. "But... I don't think you'd want to see him. He escaped his master along with other slaves from Elddale years ago. Slave hunters were set to them as his 'owner' gave chase himself. He hung back to let the others escape and tried to lead them away. I don't know the details but he and the man fought and he was sent off his horse and onto a rock; breaking his neck and killing him. He was caught not long after and the man's son opted to torture him by... Tommy... had both of his eyes removed..." She let off as we all winced. "He's been blind for a year... I... I want to help, but I can't find an enchanter willing to work or spell stones for eyes. He's been a bit... bitter..."

"Well you do now!" Riri let off and making Claire jump slightly at the outburst as I chuckled as she looked right to me. I was already pulling out my voxlux, the thing pinging.

"Wh-what do you mean?" She let off as Aeris' face appeared over my device. "What!?"

"Sorry to bother you Aeris." I began, smiling to her. "I need you to go into my spell stone stockpile and bring a pair of them to an orphanage; eyeball sized. They don't have to be the good ones, just good enough."

"So, you're reducing me to an errand girl then?" She let off as she rolled her eyes in an over dramatic fashion. "Yes, yes... where will I need to go?"

"But... How...?" Claire let off as I gave Aeris the instructions she would need.

"Master is an enchanter who is very talented... and this is, what, his third time he's made spell stone eyes?" She said as I gave her a thumbs up. Once Aeris had her marching orders I shut it off and set it away, taking a moment to finish my tea.

"So; shall we visit the patient in question?" I asked as I set the cup down.

"O-o-of course!" She said, standing up. "Please... Follow me." She said as she stood and then led us out of the room. We would go down a hall and to a smaller room that she knocked on then opened; I think it was a large closet refurbished into private quarters; at least the windows didn't look like they matched the rest in the building.

"Oh, Claire." I heard as I looked to a man, seated in a chair; maybe five nine when standing. The room was simple; a bed, chair, desk and dresser. There was a violin on the desk as was a flute. I suppose without eyes there... wasn't much you could do until someone invented Braille. "You brought guests?" He let off and you could hear the soft bitterness in the tone. He wore a simple, blue tunic and black pants; no shoes or boots, just black socks. He had blonde hair cut short and a strong jaw but a cloth was tied over his eyes; likely hiding the gaps where his eyes used to be.

(-)

Name: Tommy
Title: Blinded Freeman
Class: Peasant/Bard
Level: 3
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 9
Status: Healthy - Blinded, Depressed, Annoyed

Known Traits
[?]
[Ear For Music] You have a unique ear for music. +15% learning speed to any musical instrument
[?]

An orphan turned slave he managed to escape one of his masters and fled Elddale with as many slaves as he could free. However his former master gave chase and during a struggle he was killed. The man's son then blinded Tommy in revenge, leaving him for dead and needing his fellow slaves to assist him.

(-)

"Yes... but two you'll want to see." She said, setting a hand on Riri's shoulder as she stepped closer. Her steps were quiet but Tommy's head turned to her. Finally she took in a breath to speak.

"It's... been too long, Tommy." Riri let off as she stopped in arms reach to him. His face took on a look of surprise and I think he was blinking under the cloth but I couldn't tell.

"I... I've heard that voice before... But where...?" He asked as Riri knelt down and set and a hand to his knee.

"It's... ummm, been... a while since last we played... And scammed some of the store owners... And you still owe me a watermelon." She said as you could see his face light up."

"R-Riri..!?" He squeaked out, his hand moving out now, feeling up her arm then grabbing her face; thumbs and fingers feeling over her face, almost groping it. "Is that really you? Is it really you?"

"I-It's me... I'm here... I'm okay...?" She said, setting her hands on his biceps as she let him do as he pleased before he leaned in and hugged her shoulders.

"Oh, Gods you're alive! Dear Gods!" He let off as he started to shake. "I'm sorry! It's all my fault! I-I thought it was a good job... It was going to be an easy one and we'd be able to eat more and maybe buy a warm blanket and-and-"

"S-stop... We all agreed to-"

"I was the one who talked us all into it though..." He said, sniffling. "I got us all killed or worse... I just... I couldn't..."

"Stop blaming yourself... Gods, I thought I was bad at that..." Riri let off with a sad chuckle as I walked closer, dragging my feet a bit to not startle him. He still jumped slightly, head turning to me.

"I'm sure you'll have a lot of tales to tell once we get you sorted out." I said smiling to him, even if he couldn't. "Claire told us you had a minor issue of missing eyes. I'll be the one to help you with that."

"I... I beg pardon, sir, but... who are you?" He asked as Riri moved to take hold of his hands.

"He's my... employer." She said, stopping herself from her usual address. "He's a Lord from Mungale and an enchanter. He can help you see once more."

"Wha... Y-you must be joking..." He let off, gawking as I smiled to him.

"No joke. Mind if I see under the cloth; I want to make sure there's nothing that will interfere once I have the spell stones in hand." I told him as he shivered a bit before moving to pull the blindfold off. I would move to open his eyelids and used magic on a finger to look into the eye holes. I'd like to make it known this still creeped me out; eyes should be there and not seeing them there was disturbing. That said I saw nothing wrong; no signs of infection or open woulds that might cause issues. "Okay then... I can also add an illusion to it to make them look natural; what was your eye color?"

"Brown." Riri and Claire let off as I chuckled. Okay then...

"Ahhh, M-M'Lord..." He began.

"It's James. James Noxdecus." I told him as he nodded.

"J-James... Can you... make them purple?" He asked as I blinked at him. He seemed to sense my curious mood as he kept speaking. "I... always liked purple."

"If you want purple eyes then purple eyes you shall have." I replied as a nun looked into the room and then stepped back as Aeris walked in.

"Aeris; you came swifter then expected." Makoto let off as Tommy looked to her. The elf shrugged and deftly threw two things to me, one after the other. Both spell stones.

"Ahhh, thank you Aeris... Yeah; these are just what I need." I said as I moved to sit on the bed, setting one to the sheets and cupping the other. "I'll need a few minutes here. Why don't you all talk while I focus, okay?" I said as Riri giggled and moved to sit next to me as she and Tommy started to talk.

Mostly they shared experiences of what happened to them after being caught and sold; both abridged of course. As it turned out Tommy was a bit 'lucky' as he wasn't pressed to hard labor or sexual service; rather he was made into a butler in Alcanth before being resold to House Burnside in Elddale. I was aware of them; they helped Blitzhaus by managing the eastern most section of Elddale which was heavily fortified because... Garan. His duties were shifted to a quartermaster and he managed supplies in a major fort... that included pleasure slaves.

As for how he got loose he, amazingly, conned a smith into showing him how to make molds... And then managed to, with some clay, make a mold of a key for a collar and casted a copper one while no one was looking. While a collar's programming limited what you could and could not do if you could convince it's programming that, say, a spare key was useful for one's owner then you can manage it. As for how he opened the collar from there, he defined it as 'sheer willpower' which I've heard was possible depending on the type of collar you wore but even then it was impressive... and likely painful. Like cold, iron nails being hammered into your eye socket painful.

From there he fashioned a fake collar to wear and spent four months preparing how he'd flee while bringing as many people along as he could; the answer being a suggestion to the commander that passing out the good ale to the men would improve his standing with them and adding a bit of a sleeping drug to them. As it turns out pissing off the guy in charge of the food and drink is a bad idea, and doubly so when you think he's harmless. He then freed every slave present and directed them to a few wagons and fled southeast then along southern Jetra. On the surface it was an odd choice; Jetra was a Limited State and one slave hunters could operate in openly but the thought was it was such an ass backwards idea no one would do it... And they got all the was to Smol before anyone caught onto it. By the sounds of it mostly it was bad luck that got the hunters onto their trail.

He would then go to try another high risk idea and turned north into Traditionalist Caul and moved east along the Garan border. It was such a risky and ballsy move that was worth question his sanity over but the fact was it threw off the hunters a second time. They had entered Peerus from it's north west where they should have been safe but hunters have been known to ignore borders before... and with their old owner, Lord George Burnside, along for the ride there was an emphasis to catch them that he spurred on.

After that it was as Claire had told us; he pulled them away by acting as a decoy and along the way tackled the man off his horse and to the ground with Lord Burnside landing wrong on his neck. His son, Victor Burnside (Yeah, it was yet another Victor... yeesh...) would then claim his eyes, kick him while he was down and left. The other escaped slaves found him and took him to a city to try and help him. A now Mother Claire was made aware of him when one of them found her, knowing of her from Tommy's stories. What I didn't understand is why did they end the hunt for the slaves? As far as they knew they just... stopped after that and gave up for no reason... It didn't make any sense to me at all.

(I asked our people to look into it later. As it turns out George Burnside had all three of his sons along for the ride and there was a blowup between them when he died. Two of them carried on the hunt but then Victor turned to leave for Elddale; thinking he could claim his father's inheritance if he arrived first. The other two caught on to what he was pulling and it became a race with all three paying the hunters to trip the others up; Victor would take over his father's estate but by then he must have assumed the slaves were lost in the wind. Yes, petty inheritance politics was the true hero of the day that saved them all in the end. I don't know if I should laugh or cry.)

"There..." I let off, getting everyone's attention. "I'm ready." I said as I smiled and looked to Tommy. "Mind facing me?" I asked as he did so quickly. I would resize the stones to fit them into place, one then the other. Once he assured me they felt right I added the illusion to give him his purple eyes; hindsight being twenty-twenty maybe I should have done that for Anaya before connecting them... Oh well, live and learn. Once done and I was sure it was lined up I started connecting them to his nerves. He would gasp as half his sight returned then the other half. I would ask questions and adjust before calling it done. He would turn his head to Riri... and for the first time since we arrived he offered a wide and honest smile.

I was unsurprised that the two moved to hug each other right away with Claire moving to hug both of them. I chuckled a bit and stood. "I think we should go back to that office and have some more tea. They might be awhile." I suggested as Makoto nodded as I slipped away, patting Riri's shoulder as I went, shutting the door as I went to give them privacy.

Come the next day Riri would talk openly about what they did. Most of it involved crying.

[-]

We would spend over forty minutes having a chat in the office; mostly Makoto and myself explaining to Aeris what happened to bring us here and followed by a few odd stories centered on Riri. I was pressed to retelling how I saved her from that slave pen, for starters, and had only just finished it before the door opened and my maid, her old friend and her old caretaker all walked in. "Everything well?"

"Better then well." Tommy said with a wide grin. "Since losing my eyes I've been, as much as I hate to say it, a bit of a lump. Now I can find work and start paying back Mother Claire for all she's done for me and stop being a burden. I just... I don't know how I can repay you for-"

"Riri's my personal maid, but she's also my friend." I said, cutting him off. "I can't well watch her friend suffer when I have the means to assist. I don't need repayment beyond one thing."

"And... what is that, M'lord." He asked as I gave a soft chuckle.

"Become the sort of man that Claire and Riri can be proud of." I replied as Claire giggled, moving to set her hands on his shoulders.

"He's mostly done that. This last year of depression is the only real issue..." She said as she smiled. "But he's proven to be clever and brave. I am proud of him."

"I can't say much else." Riri added as she smiled as well, reaching up to pat his arm. "Trust me, I know much healing still needs to be done; more then most... but he can do it."

"We can do it." Claire added as I chuckled and stood.

"Good to hear." I said, smiling as I looked to my maid. "Remember we're off in the morning. Until then your time is your own." I said as she nodded before I looked to Claire. "Be well, good Mother."

"And you as well, Lord Noxdecus. Thank you." She said, bowing to me deeply. "You have done the Goddess' work without complaint. We need more like you." I smiled and nodded once more before looking to Tommy next.

"Be well, good sir."

"And you, M'lord." He replied before I left, Makoto and Aeris moved to flank me as we left.

"I wonder how long until your other gift is spotted?" Makoto mused once we were out of earshot as I smiled to myself.

[-]

Office of Mother Claire
That Evening

"What a wonderful day..." Mother Claire Flare let off as she walked back to her office. She would move behind the desk and half collapsed into her seat. Finding Riri, Riri, of all people alive and well was a relief she couldn't describe. Honestly the lost of seven of the nine Rascals was... painful for her in a way she couldn't describe; doubly so when she found out they were abducted by slavers. She was powerless to do much for them; she used all the contacts she had in the Church to just find them and was met with failure after failure in her attempts to locate or rescue them. Even Tommy was a failure to her; he had escaped on his own and all she could do was offer a blinded lad meager comforts...

And in one swoop he was regifted his sight and she found one of the ones she had never found; free and alive. Two of her children were returned... Ever since their loss she did everything she could to ensure none of the rest would be taken; even usurping control of the orphanage from Mother Khallana to do so. The fact that much of the funds meant for the orphanage ended up in her wine rack didn't help the children either.

She felt the need to write a letter to a friend to express the good news so opened the drawer to pull out a sheet... as the sound of clinking metal sounded. "What?" She let off as she looked down... and found a small, cloth pouch that shouldn't have been there before and lifted it out with it's odd weight and opened it to look inside... and gasped openly.

Three platinum, ten gold, twenty silver and twenty copper. Enough money to help buy food, repair parts of the orphanage, cloth the children and even buy books, paper and pens for the children... to help fund their needs. "Where did this come... no..." She let off as she sat up straight before looking up and slowly smiling wider as she leaned back. "Bless that man..."

[-]

As we rode westward we would stop at Erogus to drop off Count Rigald's man, Micheal Verdant, off. I gave him three additional gold despite knowing the Count was paying him anyway; both as a personal thanks and as a reminder about keeping his mouth quiet on a certain point. We stayed a night with Tamah offering me entertainment (Both as a hostess and as a lover) before we left in the morning to Smol. We would dip down through southeast Jetra to arrive in Alterun and Lumiere Sacree City. We would arrive this time at Castle Alterun and be admitted in and arrive to it's keep.

The moment we were out of the carriages the doors opened up as the heiress of the county, Nikita DeSagesse, walked out with her staff held to her back (Via magic, I assume) as she smiled to us. "Well, well, well. Look who has returned to the grandest County of all of Eostia! Couldn't get enough of me?"

"As much as I'd love to give a comeback to that it's good to see you once more, Nikita." I said as I reached out for a handshake... only for her to ignore it, step into me and give me a hug around the neck, leaning into me as my hands moved to her waist. The hug lasted for a moment before she stepped back from me.

"Oh-ho!" She let off with a laugh. "Come in, come in. Father is, sadly off to a set of meetings in Jetra and Elddale. For what I'm not fully sure, but I think it's about Garan given how close to the border we are."

"Ahhh, right. I haven't met him yet; Count Arron, yes?" I said as she nodded and led us inside. "I just hope he knows how to handle House Blitzhaus then..."

[-]

County of Elddale
Castle Elddale's Cellars

Two men walked down the halls underneath Castle Elddale, moving to a corner in the back. One looked down the two passages to their location before reaching into the corner, reaching up between two stones. His fingers passed an illusion where mortar would normally be and pulled on a latch, the wall to their left shuddering before a section turned slightly before sliding backwards to let them in. The hidden door would shut behind them as they looked over the room.

The center was dominated by a large, circular table fit to seat a dozen men with comfort and a dozen and a half with less comfort. Records were kept on shelves in the form of books and scrolls. Dominating a wall was a large, large painting set on a canvas that had to be designed to be split into four foot by three foot pieces as together it was eight feet tall and fifteen wide. It depicted a scene in this very room; Fifteen men set with the men in armor in the front and center, mercantile men to the left side and noble looking men on the right. It was the last meeting of those loyal to the Brazen Empire before forming the Brazen Blades, Cloaked Crowns and Undying Skulls.

Men from a time now gone. A time they sought to restore; at least in part and in spirit. One of the men looked to another within. "Father, we've arrived." The first man let off as he looked to Count Arnold von Blitzhaus as he adjusted the rifle slung to his back.

"Thank you, Jaeger, for fetching him for me." The count said as he turned from the small fireplace; a large smoke stone in place to ensure there was no need for a chimney. He walked over to the second, five nine man, taking his hand in a firm shake. "Arron, welcome my friend. It's been awhile since I've had the pleasure to host you." The man in question chuckled, moving to stroke one side of his short mustache.

"Ahhh, Arnold my friend! It has been too long since I've been here in this historic chamber." He replied as he looked around once more. "To be the custodian of this chamber, this meeting place... I always envied the honor you hold."

"An honor and, at times, a burden. Meeting here is riskier now with the agents of Celestine and the Liberalists here, looking over my books..." Arnold said with a huff as he moved to a seat at the rounded table. "Sadly our normal meeting cannot be held here until things change, nor can I leave until this audit is over."

"In fairness, now is a bad time regardless, given the Garan reports we've been getting." Arron said as he took his own seat as did Jaeger. Arnold groaned at that but didn't dispute the point; their allies in Jetra, Caul, Albia, Maros and Hol'canna (Well, as much as that Stoneshard could be called an ally; with that sentiment going double for House Pugnator) would likely be drawing conscripts and training or retraining them in preparation as he was doing the same. Arafe and Yerical based on what he knew were doing the same. Most of the remaining states were likely starting as well, at least he knew his old enemies in Mungale were stocking up on arrows in a hurry and checking their bows. In addition Mungale hosted warehouses of equipment used by the more southern states and were likely taking stock.

"As painful as it is to say this I am truly grateful for the voxlux the Noxdecus brat has crafted." Arnold began. "We may be no closer to unlocking it's secrets or understanding it's means of function but the usefulness of it is paying off in dividends. A warning of a such a build up might have taken two or three weeks to arrive before. We can already prepare our defenses and brace for the coming attack and train additional troops ahead of time. With luck the full might of the Eostian collective state militaries will be at the border to greet Garan if they choose to mobilize."

"I'll admit father, I would love to see the Drow Queen's face when her forces arrive only to find a wall of men, spears and arrow fire awaiting to greet her." Jaeger let off with a huff. "But I also admit that praising someone like Noxdecus is annoying..."

"Frustrating as it do not allow yourself to disregard it; it's a useful tool and one with exceptional application." Arnold let off as his son huffed softly but nodded.

"Sadly my men are no closer to cracking the device." Arron added with a sigh. "And not through a lack of effort. Honestly; as frustrated as we might be at the lack of progress they've been feeling it more so. I ordered them to Bria for a week of rest just to keep their stress down. That they've made minimal headway wounds their pride as enchanters."

"Indeed... We may be funding their efforts but they're the ones attempting the feat." Arnold said as he crossed his arms. "That such experienced professionals are vexed... It must be like a lumberjack attempting to cut a tree made of steel."

"And without the correct tools to do so..." Arron added with a groan.

"Channer did once say the more he examined the defenses the stranger they seem." Jaeger added after a moment. "He defined it as almost... alien."

"Creative lad, I'll give him that." Arron huffed. "But it will be cracked. A matter of if, not when."

"Still, enough talking of the bastard." Arnold declared with a firmness that did, indeed, state 'enough'. "What of this... Varro? By my accounts his pigmen aides are in Zenith doing his bidding, if not departing from there. But aside from awaiting him to deign reveal himself at last I've heard little of his actions."

"He seems to be on a recruiting drive, I hear." Arron said, leaning onto the table on an elbow. "It seems he secured the services of General Grave."

"General Levantine?" Jaeger let off in surprise. "They say he may well be the strongest man in Eostia; even in his old age."

"At the very least he is not a man to make a foe of lightly." Arnold said with a nod. "I trained under him for a time; a mere few months and sadly not more. He was a demanding taskmaster but one you grow quickly under. That said he always talked about one of the biggest problems in the realm to be addressed..."

"The Church..." Arron huffed out as Arnold nodded sagely.

"There's evidence, although not firm, that they were behind the circlets..." Arnold said, as Arron nodded in response. "As such we must assume they have plots to control the nobility... Of course the issues is-"

"Is that the Church has influence over much of the Council. Even we needs be seen as respectful to the Archbishop..." Arron said with a hum. "But that does mean we have to be careful we don't tip our suspicions yet. They'll needs be crushed sometime, but more importantly they cannot be allowed to escape and attempt to restart elsewhere. The Archbishop and all of his Cardinals will need to be dealt with at bare minimum. That said, bringing the Faith to heel will need to follow that. We cannot afford the Pope rallying a revolution against the new regime, after all."

"The biggest challenge in that regard, if you ask me, will be Rycall. They would gladly host a church or government-in-exile if they had to." Arnold let off with a hum. "But regardless; Varro... When the new empire comes what will his place be? By all accounts he may be the one to earn the title of Emperor when the time comes; if nothing else he is the one pulling us all together to bring Eostia under better rule... and by the sounds of it may command a sizable force of men; more then we can cobble together even."

"At least more then individual Crown members can do so alone." Arron added with a huff.

"If I can say, we're putting a lot of faith in a man we know very little of." Jaeger said firmly with a scoff. "Perhaps this man of mystery has the force, means and will to rebuild what was lost two millennia ago but a man who can manage battles may not be able to manage an economy or a people."

"Indeed, that is an issue but the Crowns have more then enough people who can do so." Arnold told his son as he sighed. "No; the issue comes after victory. Those who lead revolutions tend to... trim the ranks."

"I... excuse me, father?" Arnold's second eldest son let off but it was Arron who answered.

"What he means is that those who lead and emerge the winner of a revolution tend to cull those at the top." The count said with a frown. "There are reasons for this of course; to reduce the key supporters one needs to the bare minimum or at least an acceptable minimum while employing only the most loyal under them. It's what is done in most any coup; even Rycall and Roxford did such as they transitioned to republics. In a way Roxford's current leadership pulled a coup on the ones who led the previous revolution feeling that they were too, bah, 'brutal' and were hypocrites of their oaths. Sad; the guillotine was so efficient..."

"The Pact of the Crowns is a code binding our behavior with one another." Arnold let off, looking back to his son. "Not just on what policies to be set but that we are to stand shoulder to shoulder and bring each other upwards, together. Most of those in the Crowns operate under much of their own self-interest but alone we cannot achieve the ends we seek. Together as a whole, however, we stand a better chance of doing so. The urge to betray one another or let rivalries dictate what we do can shatter the whole and then no one benefits." Jaeger frowned at the words but nodded and said nothing in reply.

"As Varro isn't in the Crowns we need to be sure that we won't betray us come a victory... and be ready to remove him if he does try." Arron let off as he sighed deeply. "Of course, all that being said we need to win against the High Throne first and we're months away from the Black Storm. Until then we prepare as best we can... and learn all we can of who, exactly, our 'ally' is."

[-]

Nikita was a gracious hostess overall during our stay; I'm still surprised at how her haughtiness from when we first met was... not so much discarded as it was tamed. After having enjoyed her company we once more headed west first stopping at Tyn with House Calloway and then to our current destination; Wallace City in the County of Ferra. The massive, ancient tree of the city was visible once more well before we arrived. We rode into the city and towards the castle proper and moving between it's two walls and the magical tunnel holding back the water between the walls that acted as an additional, odd defense.

The party was mostly the same since the last time we were here save we didn't have Prim and her guard; instead we had Cress with us this time. Once we parked and disembarked from the carriages we walked into the keep and felt at home; not in the sense that it was home but a nice, familiar place. And waiting for us... "Ach, now! Look who's found their way back! James and Miria, welcome to my home once more! And I see this time you brought Cress along too!" Jamaica Galeraven let off at the bottom of the stairs where she was waiting; that soft, Scottish tang filling her voice as she stepped into me with a hug, giving me a good squeeze before doing the same to Miria and then Cress. "Aye lad, you've even grown a hint, haven't ye?"

"It's been awhile, huh Auntie Maica." Cress let off, hugging her back. He was about to say something else before she ruffled his hair with a hand. "Hey!"

"Ha, ha, aye you're growin' a bit, but you're still the adorable little lad hidin' behind his mother's skirt I remember." She let off as Cress gave a hard, deep pout at that... which made her laugh harder as the keep's doors opened once more. "Ha ha! But I see a little more steel in that gaze of yours."

"Ach, well that's a good thing to hear." Someone new said as we heard armored footsteps walking in from the front doors as we turned and saw a young woman about our age how also bore a soft, Scottish twang to her tone.

Taller for a lady at maybe five ten she cut quite the figure. Eostia had the stereotype of the lady knight or the princess knight; someone who was as much a feminine woman as she was a defender of the realm and she fit it to a T. She wore a set of full, steel armor (I would later learn it was half steel and half mythril, so solid stuff) with rounded pauldrons, tall armored boots, gauntlets, tassels and so on. Black cloth could be seen over the thighs and biceps and a red belt was around the center of it. Around the gorget was a full, red cape that fell behind her to the ankles with matching hair in a messy ponytail with long bangs hanging down to her chest; the size of which I couldn't make out under the breastplate but C-Cup or lower, I assumed give the size (I'd later learn they were Bs) as green eyes set to a freckled face looked to us. A circlet was over her forehead; likely a piece of mana armor with a small, rounded plate in the center outlined with the braided, yellow chain and red background of the House Galeraven banner as well as that dark blue raven with the red markings on it in the center. For weaponry she bore a very large, two handed bladed on her back, an arming sword to her left hip and one handed axe at the right. She must have been from House Galeraven but I couldn't place her. "Cress... It's been too long." She let off, looking to him with a soft blush. I felt like I was supposed to know her...

"Do I... know you, Miss?" Cress let off, blinking as he looked her over. "I feel, at least, as if I should know you." He said as Miria snickered.

"A weird way to hit on a gir-" She started before her nose twitched followed by her eyes going wide and looking to her. "W-wait... That scent...? But..."

"Ahhhh, Miria...?" I let off, looking to her as the mystery girl covered her mouth, seemingly about to break into giggles. "You wanna clue the rest of us in?"

"You remember Campbell?" She said as she looked to me. "Chubby Campbell? Well..." She let off, looking back to the woman as her hands moved to her hips, standing proudly as memories filtered in and filled in the blanks. "She... dropped the chubby part."

"... Wait!? Belli!?" Cress let off as I also looked to the girl in surprise.

"Aye, aye... been a few years since last we met, hasn't it?" She let off with a wide grin, rubbing the back of her head with a hand. "Ach, I know I changed a fair bit, but it's still amusin' to see people react to it all."

(-)

Name: Campbell Galeraven
Title: The Red Knight of Ferra
Class: Hero
Level: 26
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 54
Status: Healthy, Joyful, Excited

Romance Rating: 84
Corruption Rating: 13

Known Traits
[?]
[Beacon of Light] You are an inspiration to allies and intimidating to foes. +5% all Stats to allies with a Corruption rating of 25 or less. -5% to all Stats to all foes with a corruption level of 50 or higher.
[Moxie] Each time you defeat a foe in battle increase your Con, Str, End, Dex and Agi by 2%, up to eight times. This lasts up until one minute after your last fight
[Steelclad] You wear any metal armor like you were born in it. +15% bonus to all Resistances for Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Splint Mail and Plate Mail. Additionally you can wear any type of metal armor.

Daughter of Jamacia Galeraven and current Heiress of Ferra, when she lost her father she turned to food for comfort. After years she finally began to change herself, discarding her responsibilities for a time to train with the Steel Guard in Faircas as a means of both reclaiming her health and becoming a worthy heiress. Now she is ready to resume her duties in the county.

(-)

"I beg the pardon..." Makoto began as Cress gawked as he looked her over. "Why did you call her 'chubby'? Some childhood taunt?" She asked as the Heiress of Ferra chuckled, even as a blush hit her face.

"No; because back when we were in school she really was fat. There was, somehow, three other Campbells in the school so they all got nicknames starting with 'C'." I started to explain. "One got Cute, one got Clumsy and the other got Crazy..." I said as I looked over Campbell before walking over. "But yeah, you have changed a lot Campbell. It is good to see you." I said as she giggled and turned her head to look me for a moment as I extended my hand, receiving a shake quickly.

"Likewise, James. It is always good to have friends about." She said before looking to Cress once more as she let my hand go. "Especially you My Sweet Cress."

"I, ahhh, haaaaa..." Cress let off with a blush, clearly unable to react. Once more my time in the same school Miria and Cress was in was limited as I was schooled with a more magical focus but Cress was a major target for bullying... but so was Campbell, so the two ended up bonding and Cress would often sing to her as a means to help both of them but... Well, before he could do much of anything she took his hand and bowed down to kiss his knuckles like he was the maiden. "B-Belli!"

"Come, come, you'll tell me of your travels thus far, yes?" She let off, taking his arm and moving to lead him away to one of the sitting rooms as Miria looked to them, blinking. I could see her eye twitching before she looked to me.

"What is she doing!?" She let off.

"Well, I'm no expert in the mysterious realms of the romantic, but it seems to me she's flirting with him."

"I can see that!" She let off with a huff. "But she knows he doesn't like being treated in a feminine manner." She let off as I chuckled.

"Well, you can go be the feminine one if you want." I shot back with a grin as her eye twitched more. "Come on. Let's go and talk; see what's she's been up to." I let off as I moved to follow, Jamaica already doing so.

It seems a rival has appeared... and while Miria is still sorting her feelings out about her own romantic interest.

...

Holy shit, adopted or not she really is my sister, isn't she?

[-]

As usual dinner at Jamaica's was good, simple and filling and with more good company with Campbell present. Based on my memories Campbell really had changed and more then just size; she was happier and more sure of herself then before. It was good, really. That said we still needed to leave come the morning... although we got a bit of a late start due to an unexpected rainstorm that lasted a good chunk of the morning. We ended up staying for an early lunch and left in the early afternoon northward bound.

In the end we didn't make as much time as we should have and by the time we arrived back Mungale and saw Argon City on the horizon it was an early evening. Even so it was a good, welcome sight as we pulled up to the manor and finally arrived, pulling inside the walls and around the statue of Annabelle of the Runes. It wasn't until I set my feet on the ground and outside of the carriage that I felt a weight pull off my shoulders. "We're home..."

"Yeah." Miria let off as she stretched out next to me. "Man, we were gone too long..." She let off with a grin... before stiffening the grin removed in a second with a look of worry. "Oh no..."

"What do you mean-" I was cut off as I felt the ground shiver then shudder. We both gulped and shared a look of fear as we braced for impact...

There was, after all, nothing else we could do...

"MY BABIES ARE HOME!"

And the first thing that happened were the doors being blown off their hinges and thrown outwards, pinwheeling off to the lawn (With two of the horses being rightfully spooked as they narrowly avoided potential decapitation) before becoming half planted as they struck the ground, corner first! Before either of us could react to that we were grabbed in the same, bone crushing hug... as I used both Steel Skin and Physical Boost to help resist the pressure of the squeeze of the woman who burst out of the manor.

"H-h-hi mom..." I squeaked out. Even with both the Combat Art and spell's help my ribs were protesting at this pressure.

"G-g-good to see you... again, M-mom..." Miria choked out as a soft chuckle sounded as a hand landed on Saxon's shoulder.

"Come dear, calm down." Merlin said with a soft chuckle. "It's good to welcome them home... but you could take it easy on the doors while doing so."

"Ohhh... Right... Sorry dearest." Mother let off as we were released as I landed on my feet and nearly toppled over; had I not pulled up protections I would have as I let go of Physical Burst. Miria did topple over but Cress was quick to catch her and bring her back to her feet quickly.

"Oh well... Just add a few of your cookies to the payment when the carpenters handle this." He said as someone else walked out.

"Wow, Lady Noxdecus really gets excited, huh?"

"Tiffany, it's been awhile!" I let off as she smiled and waved, walking over to us. I used Observe to check her current level and it seems she got up to twenty two while we were gone. Given the girls and Cress hit twenty four she was keeping pace. "I got a gift for you while we were out. Although, if you don't mind, I'll give it out tomorrow. I think a good dinner is more important at the moment, no offense."

"As someone enjoying Lady Saxon's meals; none taken." She said with a long giggle.

"Speaking of gifts..." Merlin began as he smiled to me. "I considered telling you over the voxlux but I thought it better to tell you in person since you were only a couple days away. The project you commissioned is complete. " He said as I grinned wide. "I'm curious as to it's purpose... but it can wait until the morning. You've been away from home and on the road for sometime now, my son, so you should settle back in for the evening and enjoy the comforts. And of course... Welcome home..." He said, setting a hand on my shoulder and the other on Miria's as he smiled. "To both of my children, my apprentice and their aides all. Welcome home."

"It's good to be home, Dad..." I said as we finally walked inside to Mungale Manor...

Home at last...

[(⸜∕ ) Return Home to Mungale]

[Quest Complete: Need A Boost?]
+10 USP
+20 UTP
+5000 XP
+5000 XP to All Stats

Stat Up!

+1 to Con, Str, End, Dex, Agi, Acc, Mag, Mnc, Lck, Sta, Rec, Pow, Ple, Wil & Rap
+2 to Cap

Achievement Unlocked: Eostian Tourist
You've visited all Seven of the Great Kingdoms in a Single Quest

Achievement Unlocked: Double Stat Up
Earn enough stat xp to get two Stat Ups for the same stat at once

[ - Author's Note - ]

Whew. What a long arc... Glad to be done that... So, what is up next chapter?

James gives Tiffany her gift, we finally get to see what project James had commissioned and I'm sure some of you will understand what kind of game changer it can be. Don't worry, James will begin to exposit. He's good at that. More over we'll be off the Guild and see what's changed... Oh, and a job will come up...

And something shall stir in Feoh...

Once more the Best Banners of Thorn is up and ready at strawpoll(Dot Ccom)/polls/e6Z28OaEGnN and can also be found on Twitter, eostian. Please go and vote in it and let me know which of the many banners you like most; I worked hard on them all! ... Some harder then others...

As always leave a comment telling me what you liked, didn't like and thought could have been done better. And maybe tell me what you thought was the best or worst part of the Road Trip arc. Until then, have a good time.

~~Eostian Scribe