[ - Author's Note - ]
It's been a little longer then most of my posts, huh? Sorry; life sidetracked me. Finishing off the Manderville Relic Weapons in Final Fantasy 14, Helldivers 2, reading Mobsekai fan fiction (Writing one might be a project to work on post-Harem Quest) and work in general. That's life. Sad.
For this chapter it's a bit of post-Roxford rest, dealing with a couple of little things and James finally meets back up with Kaguya... and well, anything else would be a spoiler.
So, let's get started!
[ - Act IV - Chapter VII: From Steam To The Peaks - ]
There's nothing quite like traveling to get to know someone; you're stuck on ship for so long you've little else to do but work, talk and play what games you can. I've seen strangers become friends, friends become family, friendships break, loves start and more. Shared experiences sure help bonds form or break, I find.
~Unknown Sailor, overheard and recorded into the tome 'Stories on the Waves' by Georgia Lerrina
[-]
We made good time over Camafran on the way home; we rode at cruising speed rather then full speed making for a much calmer return voyage; if a much slower one. Instead of a one day trip it was closer to almost two. That being said we would regain voxlux connection in the middle of the second day and Celestine, my father, Claudia, Klaus and Olga all went below decks to different rooms to get reports and check in. For the most part everything went well, it seemed. Garan was the biggest concern but by all accounts it was business as usual; Rubin Drakepyre was Acting Matron of her house while a Zinaidia Drakepyre acted in Olga's role for the trip.
I ended up sleeping well so far but I imagine that was in part due to Prim cuddling into me the whole night. She didn't pressure me to talk and was just... there...
...I'm kinda glad to marry her now, truth be told...
Alicia was less emotionally supportive but offered herself as a distraction by sparring on the deck. And hey, I needed my sparring XP anyway. ... I then lost track of it all... Well I ended up with sixteen Regular Trait Points and enough bonus XP to put me in spitting distance of a level up so there's that.
Coupled with my Universal Trait Points I could afford something up to thirty points... and I still had a wish list to look at... and after some thought grabbed Arcane Mastery; an additional seven percent power to all arcane spells meant better Arcane Weapons as well. That was great by itself... and what I hadn't realized until later is that it also improved my Paratus spell as well meaning the spells it turned into hit with a bit more force as well. Neat.
I adjusted my armor and weapons after that, of course. We would cross back into Eostia's territory late into the day as I looked over the map projected by the controls. "So, do we want to stop in the air or stop on the ground tonight?" I let off as I looked behind me; Celestine, Maia, Lulu, Alicia and my father were gathered around to pitch in their desires. Olga was below deck and Prim and my mother were doing something in the kitchen; cooking or baking. Chloe was, as she is wont to do, by Olga.
"If I may..." Alicia let off as she stepped up to my side and moved her hand to the map, adjusting it for a moment before pointing to a spot; Feoh. "We're not that far from my home. If we boost our speed a hint we can be there for dinner and you drop me off there; maybe Prim as well." I would nod and pull her closer, kissing her cheek after she spoke.
"Makes sense. After that I can go home, load up what we need for Lulu and drop Olga and Cele off before delivering that." I let off before looking over to Maia. "Maybe drop Maia off at Rad or Ken then off to see Kaguya."
"And you thought Roxford was going to be a break, huh?" Maia let off with a cheeky tone as I sighed.
"Shows me what I know." I grumbled out. I would turn to look at everyone gathered. "Any objections to stopping in Feoh?"
"No, I imagine." Merlin let off as he glanced about for a moment. I would nod and grab the throttle; not pushing Enterprise to full speed but over three quarters to make time.
(For the curious; while not much seemed to have happened it was worth noting that Cress ended up being the one to mind Mungale in the meantime and the Catalan Quintet was more then happy about it by all accounts... and one other thing to touch on later there. On a more pleasant note we arrived before rumors of what the Enterprise did in Roxford did; I was sure that wouldn't last long and I was right. Rumors would crop up in a couple of days... then Maia shared the video with Vult and Lulu with her fellow engineers. Celestine had planned to try and keep a lid on just what happened, or rather the scale of what happened, and facepalmed at that.)
It would not be a long flight and I opted to mind the controls for a moment while most went below decks; all save my father who moved a bit closer. Once everyone was out of earshot I felt him set a hand to my shoulder and I sighed. "I'll sleep." I didn't even need to ask the subject matter.
"How well?"
"...Not as well as I'd like..." I admitted as I set the auto-pilot and turned to him. "I did what I had to at the time... I just... didn't know how much I'd do."
"It must be hard... Ending so many lives all at once..." He said softly... and seemed surprised when I shook my head.
"No, I'm used to killing as... much as I find it a distasteful act... It's not the killing itself..." I explained as I looked away for a moment. "It's how easy it was... How easy it was to just rain thunder and lightning from on high like I was a damned god... I made something more powerful then I had thought and it kinda scares me. I could raze small cities in an hour... I could ruin armies in minutes... I built something for all the right reasons but only then did the ramifications really hit me."
Needless to say; I had to be double careful with Enterprise from here on out. I still had some things to try out but one of them was that I adapted my personal voxlux to act as a remote for the ship while I worked to further make it so I could direct it remotely like how I can now recall my Radiant Gemini to my hand. Once done I could have the Enterprise fly upwards, hang around in the air under cloak and out of sight. A few tweaks to have it land on it's own and I should be able to keep it safe with minimal crew or guarding.
Those were upgrades I didn't have the time to do before with everything I was already doing... Back to subject however... "Killing can be easy, can't it? Sure, an opponent facing you can provide a challenge and make it feel fair." Merlin replied as he moved around the control station to lean into it. "But in the end it's still killing; not to be enjoyed and not to be shied away from. To be done when needed and avoided when possible. I know you know this but, mayhap, you need to hear it once more to summarize your thoughts and feelings on the actions you've done. You have slaughtered men by the thousands, yes... but in doing so you kept thousands from being slaughtered in turned, hundreds of thousands at least from being subjugated and stifled Justical's ambitions of conquest."
"I'm aware. And that there's still a war that will come from what happened; not that it's our fault." Naturally that was something I didn't have a say in, nor would I discourage the collation from going in given what happened. Justical... kinda had it coming.
(One issue the collation had was exactly what to do with any land captured; both Kings Celestia and Xerander would be glad to take new lands but as, nominal, rivals they didn't want to let the other grow in strength. Queen Silentium didn't much care for conquest and just wanted Justical punished and their threat blunted but suggested captured land could be given to Roxford as 'compensation' for the attack by the Kingdom of Knights. Now Queen Alison shot that idea down in a second; she already had a tough job with getting her ducks in a row with the land she was now ruling and adding more, possibly rebellious, territories wasn't something she needed to deal with. She did offer a suggestion however; forming a new nation from any captured territory that could be used as a bulwark from further invasion and even offered a suggestion of giving rulership to such a land to Charles Jerdonn; a former Roxford noble who fled to Balanar and had ties to Camafran as well. It was expected he'd form a nation allied to the current collation at the very least.)
"In that case it is Justical that sowed the wind... and sadly, more then likely, it's people who will reap the whirlwind in turn." Merlin sigh as he turned to the side to look off into the distance. "What happens in the coming war may well change the course of history for that region... but Eostia need not be a part of it; hands full as it is." He said as he sighed. "...I fear the times of strife aren't fully over for us... As a father the fact you'll be called up once more is worrying for me."
"Well no time to be having nightmares then, eh?" I said (somewhat) jokingly. "I'm sure we'll see the other side of it..."
[-]
I still had a Cloud Rider in the ship's hold so once we landed on Feoh we were able to use it to quickly traverse inside of the fortress where Aston opted to maintain his home as opposed to head into a palace within Lancefort City. It wasn't that much of a ride to get there and a half dozen guards was left on the ship split between Olga's guard, Mungale regulars and Dawn Templars. We would arrive at the keep and disembark... to an odd sight... Alicia's brothers, Benton and Christopher were there to greet us but they looked very worried... because of who was between them... "Father! What are you doing out of bed?"
Indeed, the normally bedridden King Aston Arcturus was standing; although in a somewhat shaky manner. He wore blue robes over his frame propped up with a crutch under one arm and a cane held in the hand of the other. That was surprising to me; although I didn't rush to his side like Alicia did as the ill man chuckled.
"Come now, Alicia... I still have some motion in these bones... Besides, given the esteemed company I wanted to be standing to greet them." He said with a warm smile as he looked off to the people disembarking... or rather one person in particular who was walking over to stand before him. "...I never thought I'd ever say this... but welcome to my home, Queen Discorida."
"King Aston... My old foe..." Olga let off as she shut her eyes for a moment. "I never thought I'd live to regret seeing you in such a sorry state. To be frank you came closer then even Hogan in besting me in that one, brief moment. Were I a hint slower and you might have bested me."
"If it helps I've replayed that fight in my nightmares more times then I care to count." Aston replied, smiling as he shuffled his cane to his other hand to extend it. "But come now; let's leave this 'old foe' non-sense behind us. I've lived to see that war come to a close; so let us join as friends."
"...A fair request..." Olga replied, stepping it and, rather tenderly, shook his hand. "But let us go inside and get you off your feet; I would hate for the Great Warrior King to be felled by a stiff breeze." She said with some humor.
Humor that got Aston to give a good laugh...
Unknown to me a butler snapped a picture with his own voxlux and would use the image as the basis for a painting. It wouldn't be ready for sometime and for a change I was pushed to the background as Aston and Olga, shaking hands, was front and center of it (Although the Enterprise was painted in the air behind the fortress despite that it was on the ground outside of it) with the title of 'Old Foes, New Friends' given to it.
I would, eventually, get a copy.
[-]
Once dinner was served Alicia and her brothers relaxed a bit given that their father was seated and not standing anymore. As we waited for the food to arrive the details about what happened in Roxford was told... and yeah, there was a lot to tell. Needless to say the tale was concerning but, in the end, Aston, Benton and Christopher were all grateful things turned out all right; more or less. "I've heard of the problems in Roxford but I hadn't heard they ran so deep. That the Republic failed is a mixed problem; I imagine Rycall in particular feels it's loss." Aston let off as I winced at that thought; The Rycall Republic was one of the few democracies you could find and they were glad to have another joining their ranks. The return of the Kingdom of Roxford must have been disappointing to them.
(I was half right; they were but took interest in Alison forming an elected council under her and asked to observe it's founding, something the new Queen was happy to do.)
"It's best we hope Alison can sort the nation out; but she has her work cut out for her." I said with a sigh.
"Hmm. I imagine she'd like a visit from relatives, distant as they may be." The king let off as he stroked his chin. "We have an off-shoot of the family as minor noble house overseeing Plateback City (A small city in Feoh that was near the borders of Mungale, Arafe and Elddale); I imagine they'd like to visit at some point."
"I ended up going through there on my travels..." Benton let off as I looked over to him. "It always did feel a little resentful under the surface of it all; I can only guess at how obnoxious a job she has before her. But I think that's enough about that, yes?" He said as he smiled as he clapped his hands. "Let us talk about other affairs; like Lulu's odd invention." The halfling in question nodded as she grinned at us.
"Heh, I'm just in need of a little help but I think we'll see a routine route up in a couple of months; we only have a circular track to one other city at the moment." She let off, patting her nearly flat chest with pride. That 'help' was in the form of spell fiber (And I'd help enchant the first train at least) and I'd get to see how far her project came along before I went to visit Kaguya.
(On that note I did apologize for being unable to bring her along, of course, and promised to give her a ride once my duties with Lulu were done. She was eager but said I shouldn't rush; she spent a fair bit of time down in Eastport overseeing adjustments to local forts. Nyaru was on edge after the Garan War was done with and I imagine they wouldn't need much convincing to not pick a fight now. Doubly so once word of what the Enterprise can do reached them.)
"Honestly; I can't wait to see what it can do." I pitched in with a smile. "She could, maybe, haul seven times what the Enterprise can, even if it's limited to rails."
"Ha! They'll haul ten times and more!" The halfling let off, leaping onto her chair and pointing upwards; Claudia would simply reach over and push her down by the shoulder with a single hand. Lulu gave her a look but she was still grinning as the food started to arrive. "And once I start to perfect my engines they'll haul twenty times more!" She boasted.
"I've read the reports." Aston replied with a soft grin. He said as he looked to Olga. "Honestly; I'd do anything to be young again in this era. So much hope and happiness these days."
"The benefits of an elven lifespan." Olga replied as she looked back to Celestine in turn. "I imagine you've suffered through many deaths around you from old age then."
"Sadly, yes." Celestine said; even so she offered a warm smile. "Human lives are painfully short but they do burn so bright... I am always saddened by a loss but I find comfort in knowing them in the first place."
"In honesty I am still a bit shook to meet King Aston in such a state." Olga added as she looked back to the king. "I mean no offense when I say you are in such a sorry state. I have fought many of your race, even your ancestors... that such a powerful man is so reduced... I am unsure of what words to put to my feelings."
"If it helps, I've taken no offense. If anything I always wondered how this would seem to you, I suppose." He replied. "If anything I would wish you well on making Garan a truly great nation." As he spoke the food was set down, plate by plate; a tomato soup in a bread bowl, a spiced meatloaf that I would learn was a mix of mostly beef, pieces of corned beef, peppers and some bread crumbs to help bind it all together. It was better then you'd expect. Mashed potatoes and some vegetables as a side finished the meal and small talk followed as we ate. Desert would be Blackcut Cake, something that surprised Olga it seemed.
As dinner wore on Aston would cough, softly for the most part and with long distances between them. I was worried but Alicia and Christopher ignored it and while Benton seemed worried he made no motion to assist. I imagined this was common enough an occurrence that it was routine-ish; even Celestine seemed worried but didn't move... At least until a few moments after dessert was done; coughing turned into hacking and the High Queen was quick to move to him although her motions were calm and controlled. "My, hahck, apologies..." Aston let off as he patted his chest; his voice sounding heavier and more worn then usual. "My illness is, ah-hahck..." He would wipe his hips with a handkerchief and blood was clearly on it.
"A part of it is leaving scars on his lungs and inside of his throat." Celestine let off as she kept up her healing spell. "Sadly the scars keep opening up when he has hard coughing fits."
"We've gotten used to it... at least until the harder fits happen..." Alicia said as I frowned and thought. Internal scarring...?
"May I try something?" I said as I moved off my seat and around the table to the King. He lifted an eyebrow as Celestine finished her spell and tilted her head to me. "I've been experimenting with hybrid spells and I've made a very potent water/holy healing spell; when I was testing it people would say it removed old scars." Celestine blinked as Aston looked to me and chuckled.
"Well, our good hero is trying to do even more?" Aston said with a grin; a drop of blood at the corner of his lip. "Alright lad, give me your best shot." I held a hand out with with a simple flex a half of the Radiant Gemini detached from it's twin and flew to my hand. The stone glowed a silver blue hue as I set the spell onto him at his back as he arched his back a bit as I worked.
"I'm surprised you hadn't mentioned this spell earlier to me." Celestine mused as I chuckled softly.
"Sorry; I had meant to but... Roxford became more complicated then I had expected." I let off with a chuckle. "I had planned to teach you and Kaguya. I imagine spreading it about could lead to good results; even if it's mana inefficient." It was then Aston took in a long, deep breath and gave a long exhale.
"Well I'll be..." Aston let off and a lot of the wear from his voice seemed to be eased. "Heh. I feel about five years younger from that!" He let off as Celestine stepped back in to use her magic to scan him once more as she blinked.
"It clearly didn't do anything for his illness... but I have to say I'm... not picking up the scarring that was there." She let off as she gave a long, soft smile.
"Hopefully that will make him a bit more comfortable." I let off as the king took in a deep breath once more before patting at his chest.
"Ohh, my lad, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my chest." He let off as I set the Gemini half away. Before I could get another word in I was softly tackled and pulled into a hard hug. He'd laugh as I turned and found Alicia clinging to me. I smiled and moved my arm around her shoulders, squeezing softly.
"Thank you..." She let off as she smiled up at me. "I... I know how hard father has it, and while it's become easier to ignore... it still hurts to see him like this." She said as I leaned in to kiss her forehead.
"I'll teach the spell to the local healers as well; I imagine his illness will open new scars up." I let off. With luck I made the king's time on this realm more comfortable...
[-]
I would indeed pull Celestine and two of the fortress' healers aside and, over the course of the evening I would teach them the spell. Perfection would, of course, take time but they had the basics down well enough. Come the morning Alicia and Prim would indeed remain in Foeh and bid us well (And I gave both a hug and kiss before we took off as well) before we sped off to Mungale and landed outside of the manor. With that we would disembark and enter our home which, sadly, wouldn't be for long for me. Once we went inside Cress was there to greet us, as expected... "Welcome home everyone." He let off, slightly nervously.
"Good to see you all!" And the likely source of said nervousness was the woman with him; Campbell Galeraven, wearing a mid-thigh length tunic that was trimmed with golden and silver designs, knee highs boots and no pants to let her tunic act like a dress. That was a surprise and Miria was blinking at him.
"I'm a bit surprised to see you here, Campbell." I let off as she rubbed the back of her head with one hand... and pulled Cress into a hug with the other.
"Well someone took off for Roxford on an airship and didn't invite Cress along." She let off as Cress squirmed a bit. "So someone had to keep him company while you were off having fun in Roxford." She let off... before seeing she was getting a mix of dark looks and glares. "...What is it?"
"I would call what happened in Roxford anything but fun." Miria let off crossing her arms.
"I got these kitty dolls though!" Miika let off, holding up her stuffed dolls; the white one named Hikari and the black one Yami, literally light and darkness. Makoto suggested the names, it turned out.
"It's a... long story; short version is this." I began. "Justical came to invade, the Republic's gone, Princess-in-Exile Alison DesCieux is now Queen Alison of the returned Kingdom of Roxford and I... might have sunk a navy and routed an army by airship."
"...Define how one might have sunk a navy?" Cress let off in a confused tone as I sighed.
This was gonna be a tale...
[-]
Campbell decided a vacation in Roxford was not in her itinerary for the near future. Good idea. As for what Campbell was doing in Mungale; she went to Iron Road to visit Cress, found out he was asked to play Acting Baron/Count once more and moved to Argon City to visit him once more. I can imagine what they've been up to; Campbell made her interest in Cress clear and this is Eostia.
Once back I would ask the Enterprise be loaded with the spell fiber for Lulu. When landed the power used make it levitate via the spell fiber could be redirected to an arcane weapon spell that made a somewhat basic crane controlled by the control stick. It made loading the spell fiber much quicker and easier. As that was going on I invited Olga out onto the Cloud Rider to do something she was overdue for. "This seems... irrelevant." Olga said as she looked straight ahead at me, keeping me in her view from the waist up.
"Given how your shaking it's quite relevant." I said as I floated in the air as Olga stood on the Cloud Rider at the back of it with it's back end hanging down, a nervous Chloe behind her. She already knew the Levitation spell (Or at least some close enough variant of it) so she had no excuse here. I told her what I planned to do. She nodded to me, said nothing, boarded the Cloud Rider as we flew over a forest some distance from any of the towns to avoid being seen. Chloe came along as moral support and that was it; I asked Celestine if she wanted to come along as additional moral support but she declined.
(She later told me the reason was two fold; that Olga would be more comfortable with fewer people seeing her in a state of 'weakness' and needed someone willing to just throw her off the cloud rider if it came to it. That seemed a bit... too firm if you asked me.)
"I... do not like this..." She let off as I hovered closer to her, sighing as I moved my hands to her shoulders, clapping them down softly. I sighed and looked to her.
"Look... I get it." I said, smiling to her. "There's no shame in having a fear. That's not a weakness in itself." She glared to me for a moment and having that shift in emotion gave me the opening to launch my next point. "But allowing a fear to rule you is another thing. Do you want to remain afraid or do you want to conquer that fear? After all what would happen if you and Chloe ended up trapped someplace and the only way to safety was flight." That made her stiffen for a moment as her eyes widened while Chloe, thankfully, stayed silent; likely unsure on how to help Olga in a situation like this and just holding onto her staff. Saving herself? I doubt that would be enough motivation for Olga.
Saving Chloe in such a hypothetical scenario? "Very well." She said gulping as I smiled and moved back a hint and held my arms out.
"Cast the spell and take my hands. We'll start slow and easy." I told her as she nodded and once her spell was cast reached out slowly and took my hands. One gentle squeeze and I backed up, pulling her along as she floated after me as she tried to keep an even, neutral face... but you could see she was scared; clearly and more so as she drifted off the edge of the Rider.
Even so we were, gently and slowly, drifting from the Cloud Rider as I smiled to her. "So far so good." I told her, smiling gently to her. "You're well away and from the Rider. You're in control of this right now, aren't you?"
"I... don't feel in control." She admitted, her body shivering a bit as I sighed as I adjusted to pull us up higher.
"You're a queen; take control." I let off, maybe a bit more snippy then I had intended. She gave me a glare but she still shivered. "Glare if you want; I'm right. You can do this. I don't know the source of these fears but I do know you can overcome them. You thought you were sick and dying and still stepped up to fight in a battle that you held the disadvantage. If you are lacking in anything it's not courage."
"... My... issues stem longer then you've been alive fifty times over..." She said softly as I smiled to her; surprised she would admit that much.
"You'll be fine." I replied as I did something a bit cheeky... I let go of her and backed up sharply as she gawked. She even yelped as she flew after me, for a moment flailing like a child in the water before they've learned to swim as she, a bit awkwardly, gave chase.
"H-h-hey! Don't fly away from me!" She let off as her fears finally reached her voice. As opposed to do as she said I reached out, booped her nose with a finger and kept flying away and up; that annoyed her as she stopped flailing as much and gave chase in a more proper manner for a moment. For about a full minute I kept distance from her before she just opted to speed up and grapple at my armor's collar. "Why did you do that!?" She yelled (A rarity!) at my face as I found myself hugging her around her waist for a moment.
"To piss you off enough to make you forget you're afraid." I replied bluntly as she blinked and turned her gaze from glare to a flat glare. I chuckled a bit and looked off to the side. "It is quite the view from here, don't you think?" She ended up looking before she thought and blinked. We could see a small river off in the distance past the trees as a windmill on the horizon turned lazily. "You're in no danger of falling. And not because I'm holding you." I teased, pulling her a bit closer.
She huffed and looked down and to the side... but to my surprise didn't pull away. "You infuriate me, sometimes." She said as I chuckled and slowly pulled her closer into a proper hug.
"Someone has to." I replied before letting go and pulling away, but this time I moved to her side and took one of her hands. "Come on... Let's have a bit of fun while we can." I told her as I smiled and started to pull her along once more. "Just relax... Remember if you don't want to fall then don't; you are in control." I told her as she nodded as, soon, we started to fly side-by-side. She was still nervous and seemed uneasy as we flew about in a lazy manner, doubly so when I took her for short, brief dives over the forest. She sucked in a deep breath as we dove down, several feet over the tree tops before finally pulling upwards and circling back to the Cloud Rider. It was, maybe, a ten minute flight in total before I let her go and sped up to land on the back of the Rider and turned. Olga would land a moment later; with much less grace and a slight stumble. Even so she came to land on her feet before trembling a moment and collapsing to her knees.
"My queen!" Chloe let off, by her side in a second as Olga panted as I moved to kneel down her; for the first time since this started I was worried for her as I reached out and set a hand on her shoulder.
"Did I push you too hard?" I asked softly as I looked to her face. She shook her head and said nothing for a long moment and swallowed before finally moving to stand back up; using a hand on Chloe's shoulder to help herself up.
"No... I needed to be pushed..." Olga let off as she started to compose herself as I stood as well. "...But I do not think I have conquered that fear yet..."
"It's not something you can just do all at once." I told her, smiling to her. "You need to do it step by step. You took a big, first step is all." I said as I moved a hand around her shoulders and pulled her into a firm hug. I half wanted to kiss her cheek but felt that would be a bit much. I did give Chloe a look though. "Oiy, you gonna hug the woman or just stand there?"
"That's n-not my pla-whoa!" Olga just wrapped and arm around her and pulled her to herself and I chuckled and moved to hug Chloe as well.
"Come, Chloe. This is not so difficult for you, is it?" Olga replied with a chuckle as I smiled and let go to move to the pilot's seat.
"Okay ladies, let's head back. I think Olga's made a strong start." I said, and once they were seated we took off.
I'd notice while still nervous Olga would, time to time, look out to the passing scenery.
[-]
Once the Enterprise was loaded and we took the time to have lunch were were off. My family stayed back in the manor although Makoto and Riri stuck with me. We would drop off Olga and Chloe first (With some gawking by General Dreadblade at the flying ship) before going to Ken to drop off Celestine, Claudia, Klaus and Maia. There was very little drama there beyond me whispering 'owe me' into Celestine's ear earning a blush from her. From there it was off to Ansur and landing outside of Ironwall City. A few Mungale Regulars came along to mind the ship as we set to work. "So, this is the full scale prototype, huh?"
This one was a bit different then the one I had seen earlier. It was large; fifteen feet in height and forty feet long it was a classic, steam powered locomotive that was missing the coal cart but given the plan that was unneeded. This one was located outside the city in a small camp that was built up and was set on rails; two large back wheels about as tall as I was on each side, two smaller wheels at the front (Each side as well) that still came up to my knees. The main body was cylindrical but with flat sides and rounded nose. Unlike the classic trains of my old world there wasn't a smoke stack but rather vent pipes that went along the sides to the back of the train, slightly behind it and aimed outwards slightly. A control room was set in the back that was raised enough to see over the whole engine; inside was a bench to one side, a raised bench on a platform before the controls and even a small table to one side with chairs to be used as a place for lunch or breaks. Hell, the side bench itself was wide enough to be used as a bed, if need be.
The plan, it seemed, was to have teams of two to three operators at any one time which made sense. As for the camp there was a large, eighty foot long turntable built into the ground that was set in position to allow the train to be turned about. She had much of her rails figured out; how to merge rails, swap from rail to rail, so on and so forth. "Once we have her enchanted she's gonna go zoooooooom!" Lulu let off with a grin. The front and top of the engine was lifted up like a car hood and she waved me closer. She would rush up to the train as I followed and clambered up onto it's side; there was a foot and a half wide path on either side of the long cylinder which itself was four feet wide. She would shut the 'hood' of the engine before moving along the side and undoing several latches; heavy ones mind. Reaching down she lifted the side up which lifted the cowling of the engine and rolled it to the left side of the train. "Here, this is what I need to have done." The nitty-gritty of the engine didn't interest me; there was a lot of tubes and such but what mattered to me what the heating plate, which needed to get hot to boil water into steam and the water tank that would hold the water in question.
Once we had the details hashed out we set to work; the water tank bore a lid that could be unlatched and allowed my access to it's inside. We would apply the spell fiber to the upper part of the tank; some bolts that stuck inwards a little made useful anchor points and I would enchant a simple Conjure Water spell. I set it to create water until A) the tank's capacity reached the fiber, B) it filled the tank (In case something glitched in the first condition) and C) the lid was removed; to avoid spilling water when the tank was opened. That was easy enough.
With the heating plate, set under a lot of tubes, I set it all up on a rack Lulu had preprepared for the fiber and used a simple, modified Flame Thrower spell and keyed them to the controls of the train. I even added a light, modified Frost Thrower spell in the event they needed to cut power quickly; although I made sure that the water wouldn't freeze in the pipes due to it. It took sometime and effort but it was done and you could hear the tank filling with water. Lulu, with a well placed cable, pulled the cowl back over and directed me over to the giant turntable. Soon it too was enchanted and she would be able to turn it with relative ease, grinning the whole time. "There." I let off as she hopped up and down.
"Nice! Come on, let's get going!"
"Huh?" I let off before she grabbed my wrist and pulled me along like a child leading an adult... if that child was strong enough to wrestle a grizzly bear. "Whoa!"
"We have a rail line compete that leads down to Coal Road (A smaller city inside of Ansur) that loops around!" She let off, grinning in a feral manner, almost. "Let's go!"
"NOW!?" I let off, gawking a bit as she dragged me up onto the train's control room. One thing I hadn't noticed until now was the slim door leading to the outer paths of the train. A railing was at the back of the room and short, half doors by the stairs to ensure a measure of safety.
"No better time! I know these things work!" She boasted with a grin. "I know your enchantments work! Time to see how well they work together!" I mean... yeah, a shake down cruise was needed... but I wasn't expecting it to be right away! She stood on the bench and undid her cape and hat, hanging them on a hook on the side of the wall which left her one, oversized band-aid from nude as she took hold of the controls and grinned. "We're rollin'!" She let off, pulling a break lever before pushing a throttle forwards. The train jerked forwards and, to her credit, it was just us and not a dozen or more other people.
Guess that's my curse. One day I'll make a spaceship and the day I'm ready to test it half of Argon will be piled into it before I'm ready.
Also to Lulu's credit she didn't just hammer the throttle back and have us rocket off; she eased it up and looked to her gauges before looking up and over the window as she leaned over. Even seated she would have had a view outside of the window, if not as good, as she leaned over as she pushed her pert, cute butt backwards at an angle that highlighted it's shape and tone.
The machine was reaching a good clip as I stood up to the side of her bench to look outside the window. It was hard to tell the top speed but I would say what my old world would consider 'highway' speeds. It was impressive but it wasn't anywhere near it's top speed; maybe under a quarter power. That said the train also wasn't held back by any cars right now which made me frown as I came to note it. "Easy on the speed; she's not loaded down."
"I know, I know." She said, waving to me with one hand as she grinned and then pointed to the seat next to her. "Even if I pushed her down all the way she's not designed for speed." Nodding I would move to sit down as she bumped her hips to my shoulder as minded the controls. After some time I found myself wrapping my arm around her legs with my hand resting on her side as she adjusted the speed a bit higher as she smiled. She'd keep a hand on the controls but would place the other on my shoulder and squeeze softly and, at the odd time, rubbed there as well. I wouldn't notice for a bit but I ended up rubbing her side as well by her hip.
There was an... odd cuteness, I'd even say sexiness to Lulu's chest, flat as it was. Maybe it was because of the contrast between her small buds and the usual hefty humps a lot of women around me bore. I swear, sometimes I wondered if D-Cups were the standard some days in Eostia. Said buds were right there in my peripheral vision and given she didn't have her cape on which normally covered them somewhat, if only a hint.
Lulu was an adult, halfling body type or not, and was still attractive if more on the cute side of the scale then sexy, normally, but the honest, triumphant grin she bore as she drove her new machine forwards was sexy. I had laid with halflings before, of course, with Riri being the most notable there. It was... there was always mixed feelings to attraction to such girls but sometimes you can't really help it.
A slight turn from her had my hand cupping her rump, her tail pressing onto my wrist before she turned back as I looked to her face in a bit of surprise as she smiled back. Her tail wasn't very prehensile or strong and was short so there was no real force pinning my hand down... She was placing an invitation and seeing my response to it. I gave her rump a soft, honest squeeze as I mulled over it; if I was honest to myself of the Seven Shields Lulu was the one I was the least close with but I'd still call her a friend and we were collaborating. I recalled our old talk when we swam together, shifting through the Spell Sands.
'Oh, I am proud of my looks. I have to beat men off of me. Halfling men. But... you know, I don't want to limit my...ummm, limit my... options to just halflings; maybe I'll find a nice human man, or a dwarf or an elf... ... Okay, maybe not an elf. But I do know human men like women to have... you know...'
I don't think I wondered at the time but I have to wonder now; does she prefer human men? Or is she just open to non-halflings? That was... I mean I've heard of more then a few halflings with an interest in humans bordering on fetish; not that I'd judge them for that, or any humans for having a halfling fetish. I mean better a fetish for halflings then children, after all. So... Lulu was interested and inviting me... Do I accept?
...
Fuck it, why not? After squeezing her ass for a moment I moved my hand finally, reaching between her legs and pressing two fingers onto her sex from behind; getting a squeak from her as she parted her legs a hint more. Invited further I would remove her C-String and press two fingers to her sex more directly for a moment before moving my hand away to slip my glove off. Once I returned it I found a moist sex awaiting me as I rubbed her slit back and forth softly. She would moan and I quickly noted that she would slow the train down a bit as I pressed two fingers up into her. "Was this the reason you pulled me along?" I asked after a moment.
"Heh, heh, heh... Spur of the moment..?" She let off, blushing as I let go of her but this time to stand and move behind her to get a better angle; two fingers back to her sex and pressing up and in gently as my other moved to her bare, small tit. I half believed her; I think she was interested for a bit and found an opportunity to make her invitation to see if I'd notice or accept.
"Might want to slow the train a hint then." I told her, moving my hand from her chest to swat her ass as she yelped and blushed. Even so she did slow the train a bit as I worked, hand back to her chest and pinching a nipple gently. I'd lean in and kiss at her neck for a moment as I worked my fingers in her sex deeper and deeper; given her size it was best to stretch and loosen her up a bit to ensure minimum discomfort once it was time to drive in.
"At least, ahhh, I don't have to steer it..." She joked as I gave off a chuckle. "Ahhh... Can you, ummm, pull out your thing for me to see?"
"'Thing'? Is that your idea of a technical term?" I let off as she lightly elbowed me.
"PENIS! You jerk!" I chuckled but smiled as I let her go for a moment to open up my pants up. I was just short of fully hard and moved it between her legs, slapping it up into her sex as she jumped, looking down at it with a blush and a gulp. "Whoa..." She let off as I moved my hand to push her thighs together gently to trap the shaft of my cock to the slit of her sex. Getting the idea she held her thighs closed around me as I started to slowly thrust and rock my hips into her rump which dragged the shaft of my cock along her slit, causing her to mewl out softly as my hands moved to hold her hips.
"Relax." I let off, moving one hand back to her chest, the other turning her head to lean in and kiss her properly as my hips worked. Once our lips were locked my other hand moved to her chest, rubbing softly at first the more firmly before I softly pinched then tweaked her nipples gently. As she squirmed before me my fingers moved to press her nipples into her tiny chest before I started to wriggle them in, almost as if I was grinding them down, breaking the kiss for a moment to speak.
"I-I wouldn't say this is relaxing..." She moaned out as she leaned back into me as she rocked her own hips back and forth as well in a slow, gentle circle. "...but it's goooood..." Before I could reply she pulled my head back down for another good, firm kiss. She would move her other hand down to grip my dick in her free hand under the head, stroking softly as I shivered behind her. "P-Put it in, already..."
Well, who am I to deny her? I would draw myself back as Lulu parted her legs. I would adjust her hips to a better level before finally prodding at her sex for a long moment before reaching around her to use two fingers to part her lower lips and make it easier to wedge into her; halfling stretchiness ensured I'd fit once I got inside. Once I had wedged inside I rocked a bit softly to bury in a bit more with a deep groan before holding her hips firmer and pressed up firmer and harder, aiming to get as much in until her body stopped me or she seemed uncomfortable with my cock's progress-
-only to feel something give way as she winced and gave an oddly cute but still pained squeak as I stiffened. Was she..? "Lulu?"
"Ahh, I'm okay, I'm okay..." She let out as she looked back up at my surprised face. "Just... don' tell Maia this was my first time, okay?"
"Just... well, a little surprised I'd be the one to pop it." I let off as I rocked my hips slowly, making sure to let her adjust to what I was doing. "And not someone else you've known longer... not that I'm complaining."
"Heh, heh, heh... Yeeaaahhh..." She let off, looking oddly bashful as the train rocked gently as I did so into her, a blush coming to her face. "B-b-b-but I might have a... thing for humans... Tall... cuddly.. humans..." I chuckled and ruffled her hair softly making her pout. "I just... well... I don't want someone who wants a child..." She let off, her tail swishing and brushing me over my abs softly. "And, ummm, w-well, ya know... I might... ...like you and stuff..." I stiffened at that before smiling down at her and leaning down and kissing her softly for a moment.
"I'm not... sure I can say that much, but I do like you, Lulu." I said as I groaned over her as I drew out a mewl from her as I kept going. "But you're a good friend... It's a shame we haven't worked together more, really..."
"Plen-ahhhh-plenty of time for that la-ooohhh-later... Fuck..." She let off, quivering before me as i started to pick up my pace of thrusting before moving to kiss at her neck. I nearly had all but two inches inside of her and was worried if I'd hurt her getting the rest in; not that I needed to as it seemed she was enjoying it as it was. She moaned and mewled before quivering once more. "Fuuuuck... Woulda... took you at the sands... if I knew it was this gooooood!" She let off, squealing as she finally came as she squealed out loudly as her back arched. I kept going for a long moment before grunting harder and louder as I finally came inside of her as I groaning out loudly behind her as I shook a bit before unloading a thick, hard load into her as I finally slipped myself free of her.
She stood on shaking legs on the bench as she looked forwards, panting as the world rushed by us while we rode the rails. Finally I managed to find my voice. "How long until we get there?" I asked.
"Coal Road? An hour... maybe." Lulu let off as she panted... then yelped as I set myself back to her sex. "Eeep!"
"Well, we need to pass the time somehow..."
As it turned out it took us an hour and a half. We were asked why it took longer then expected at Lulu explained she needed to perform some... maintenance on a somewhat stiff shaft. Nothing that some lubricant couldn't fix.
I think at least two of the people on hand caught her real meaning... maybe... It was hard to tell.
[Fucked List]
Lulu, Daughter of Sarsar=100xp x 20 First Time Shield Princess Bonus=2000xp
+20% Hero of Eostia Bonus
Gain 2400xp Total
[-]
Once we rode the train back to Ironwall (With Lulu sitting in my lap that time. Just sitting) I'd stay for dinner but would bid farewell in the following morning to go to Port Lacus Vigil in Eastport. As it turns out Kaguya's duties had wrapped up the day prior and she was looking upwards as my ship came down to land; Zealand by her side gawking upwards as Kiyono Kaido seemed to be impressed as well. By contrast Kaguya gazed up with a wide, if calm, smile. Once the Enterprise touched down I moved to the side and turned on the stairs for them to board. "Sorry to take so long, Kaguya." I said as she walked up to the deck as I offered a hand to her once she was close enough. She pressed herself to me and leaned up for a kiss; one I leaned down to give her as I wrapped by hands around to grip her butt and lift her up with a soft squeak from her. Once the kiss was done I looked to the other two women, escorted by Two Blade Guards and Eastport Regulars, respectfully. "Kiyono, Zealand, it's been awhile." I said, moving to hold Kaguya with one arm around the waist as she blushed, freeing up my right to shake their hands.
"Pleasure's mine, trust me!" Zealand let off as she shot off to the other side of the ship, looking over the railing with a childish glee.
"It's good to see you once more, Champion." Kiyono let off by contrast as she moved to the middle of the deck as she glanced over the ship; as such I looked back to my bride-to-be.
"Do not worry about such things; you were needed and that's that." She said, patting my chest with one hand before kissing my cheek. "And once duty was done you came to make up for what you couldn't. That said I am eager to see how well your crafted airship performs." I chuckled, patting her hip for a moment.
"Well once you've loaded your things aboard we can be off; at least to where you want to go." I told her with a smile. "So long as we don't go too far afield; I don't want another Roxford trip right now."
"That's fair; given what I've heard it was... a rather frustrating trip." She replied with a soft smile. "I think a trip over the Thunderblaze should be more then enough; maybe a trip to the eastern nations once... that thing settles down." She suggested; likely referring to the Black Storm.
"Thunderblaze it is!" I let off with a smile. "We'll just need to mind our course more then normal." A kiss to her cheek followed as I led her to the controls. Once everything was aboard (With Zealand insisting to join; because airship) I let Kaguya go to grip the controls and took the Enterprise up and into the air. Once we rose high into the sky I turned the ship to course and powered forwards as Zealand moved to the quarterdeck where the controls were to look over the edge of the ship as we flew forth.
"I can't believe no one was able to make something like this before..." Zealand let off; showing her ass off to myself (And Kaguya who did take a look) without meaning too as I chuckled.
"If you didn't have a massive, quality spell stone you couldn't." I said with a shrug as the cute, freckled Duchess turned to look at me. "I'm not giving up my secrets here but I found another means to give it the power it needed. The larger stones I do have are used purely for offensive and defensive means."
"You and your inventions are a treasure." Kaguya said as she set a hand to my upper arm. "Celestine told me much of what happened in Roxford; knowing what Enterprise can do is reassuring to me."
"Let's... just hope I don't need to use her to drop another hammer." I replied with a, somewhat, awkward shrug. Yeah... slaying an army casually was... well, I was able to sleep well enough but I still didn't like to think about it.
"As do I." Kaguya said as she hugged into me as I gave one, quick glance to Zealand.
"I'm not surprised she'd want to come along but I'm surprised you don't mind; this was meant to be a little trip for us to make up for, well... you know..."
"We'll have plenty of time for that; do not worry." Kaguya replied gently. "But when she learned of the airship and I saw her eyes go wide I knew I had to bring her along."
"That's quite kind of you." I said, leaning in to kiss her temple. "That said just remember; I'm doing this for you."
"Thank you." She replied as we mostly went quiet. Small talk would ensue, of course, but for the moment we just enjoyed our time together as the Enterprise rose upwards higher and higher to soar over even the mighty Thunderblaze...
[-]
That Moment
Courtyard of Mungale Manor
County of Mungale
"There you go, there you go..." Cress encouraged as training foil and practice blade clashed as he deflected the latter's wood with the former's blunted spring steel. Opposing him was Miria, doing her best to improve her close range combat skills; she had always been weaker in close ranges as she was an archer, tracker and hunter first and fighter second. That having been said since joining her brother on the journey to install the Voxlux Boosters this weakness was one that she found painful; mostly in her fight against her birth father who was sitting nearby and watching the spar. It was a skill she was working on and Cress was her preferred teacher while he was on hand.
And no, it wasn't that she could use his obvious crush on her to have him take it easy; that would defeat the point.
The reasons were that he was skilled in fencing in his own right, wasn't as likely to grind her into the ground as her mother would, his agility made him a tough target and... well, she wanted to spend time with him... Her blade was deflected by a buckler Cress held in one hand as she chopped down in a two-handed diagonal slash only to thrust back his own blade; she turned her arms to let it glance off her own buckler; strapped to the back of her left forearm.
She still remembered the boy who fled in fear as opposed to help fight the bullies who ended up leaving her with quite a few bruises and yet as each day past saw him less and less in the Cress before her now; he had changed and mostly for the better. He didn't even flinch when facing Kull'Karna or when he beat him to death and against Caulder Doppiodrago he held his own and won when it counted the most. Over the course of the war he didn't stand out overly much but fought dutifully and without faltering.
Girlish as he looked the boy had become a man; or at least was on the cusp of it and had proved it, at least to her. She was... not sure what to feel about him; they had sex once with James in the mix and once later without him in the mix. They had grown closer, that was for sure. For a moment they would lock blades; pushing to bull one another over only for her to yelp and stumble forwards as Cress let himself drop back and lifted a foot up into her abs to monkey flip her over his head. He would kip himself up while she was in the air but her own agility allowed her to speed up her spin to land on her feet before mule kicking back to try and catch him off guard-
"Ooouuuf!"
-and caught him in the sternum with the impact; his eyes wide as he fell to his back with a firm impact. He coughed and rose slowly as she walked over. "Sorry, are you okay?" She asked. He nodded but said nothing as he coughed and groaned before she extended a hand to help him up to his feet. Even once on his feet he was doubled over and still coughing as she looked on in concern; she was sure he didn't hurt him too badly but-
"Sweet Cress!" And she was pushed aside by Campbell (In trousers and a tunic) as she rushed to his side; not hard but she still stepped back two paces from the shove as she glared to her. She could see Mokria where he sat cross legged at the side as he raised an eyebrow but otherwise not reacting; likely trusting her to handle the situation as she wished.
"He's fine." Miria let off, moving around to Cress' other side as she shifted the practice blade into a reverse grip in her left hand. "I just knocked the wind from him."
"You hurt him!" Campbell let off as she turned on her with a frown.
"...it's... sparring..." Cress let off, finally speaking as he got his breath back. "...good kick..." He let off finally rising to his full height...
...and saw two women glaring to one another with such intensity that he almost saw lightning spark between their eyes... "Cress doesn't need to be coddled." Miria let off as she moved her hands to her hips... as Campbell pulled on his neck, pressing his cheek to her bosom.
"He's a delicate boy, you brute!" The knight replied as she glared to the Catalan.
"E-easy Campbell..." Cress let off... before being yanked away by Miria she just held onto his arm as she glared back at Campbell.
"He's not delicate! He beat the face in of a man twice his size!" Miria barked back at Campbell who grabbed his other arm and yanked him back to him as Mokria smirked in bemusement at the sight.
"Well he shouldn't need to!" Campbell let off as her voice raised further. "He needs a good knight to protect him!" Cress yelped as he was yanked back to the female knight before Miria pulled back.
"He needs someone who will stand by him!" Miria shouted back as Cress yelped.
"G-girls!" He let off as he was yanked back and forth.
"He's in need of a guardian!"
"What he needs is a partner!"
"He needs someone able to guard him!"
"He's strong on his own! I've seen it!"
"You think you know better!?"
"Do you think you do!?"
"I maybe mistaken-" Mokria began as the the two women glared to him; a fact he ignored. "-but he is to become the next lord of this land once James marries, yes? As such would not Cress be allowed two wives by the customs of this realm?"
"Bah!"
"Beh!"
"Buh!"
Miria and Campbell looked to him quickly with blushes with Cress' head snapping up right after. The two women finally let him go and squirmed for a moment.
"I-I-I don't know about that; she coddles him too much..."
"W-w-well you don't coddle him enough..."
"D-d-do I get a say in this!?" Cress finally let off as she rose a hand up as he gulped... as he realized none of them had considered the option until now.
Mokria kept an even face on the outside. On the inside he was glad he had the means to tease his first daughter...
[-]
I let Makoto take over piloting duties while I had lunch with Kaguya near the bow of the ship for a mix of the view and some level of privacy as no one else was on deck. We had entered the Thunderblaze and Makoto kept us semi-level with the lower peaks of the mountains around us granting us a wonderful view, although the snow capped peaks of the tallest still towered well over us for an even greater and majestic view. Even up here life could be found; the odd mountain goat watching our passing, hawks and other birds flying past or along us, nesting or resting as we flew by. One even landed on the Enterprise's railing, looked us over then looked off the side; hitching a ride to where it wanted to go and flying off once it felt it was close enough.
We had a table and chairs brought up with tea as Riri cooked for us under the deck in the kitchen. In the meantime I brought her up to speed on my end of the events of Roxford and... yeeesh, what a tale that was. "So among your accomplishments you have crowned a queen? Well now, you are either blessed or cursed with an interesting life." She mused with a soft giggle as I sighed with a rueful smile and shrugged.
"Can't it be both?" I let off as she chuckled, moving to refill her tea cup, then mine. "I imagine once the Canal is fully operational we'll see the benefits in a hurry. That said the coming war over there is going to be something to keep an eye on..." I added with a sour tone to my words. What was already being called the Canal War (Despite the fact not a single battle had been fought officially yet... unofficially what happened in Roxford was included) was a concern of everyone on the continent's center and while Eostia wasn't going to be taking at active part in it there was a deep interest in the outcome; I noted that Celestine opted to subsidized passenger fare on the Great Atlas and Snake Tongue's Rivers towards Camafran... and a lot of mercenaries looking for work suddenly wanted to go southwards. "I know it's the civilians that will take the worst of it but I can't help but want to see Justical be given a good, telling blow in the war."
"True on both accounts; even if there is good reasons for a nation to choose the path of war it is the common man to suffer the most or, at least, benefit the least." Kaguya replied as she shook her head for a moment.
"Well I filled you in on what I've been up to; how about you share? Hopefully something more cheery." I said as she nodded.
"Mostly so. The checks of Eastport you know enough of; there was little of interest to speak of." She said with a sigh. "In truth I could have slept through it all for all the input I gave. That being said it was not all I have been up to; as you were a part of the discussion you know the Or'gon tribe was bringing voxlux boosters into these mountains and setting them up. Our ambassadors in the east are now in contact with us once we sent them a few voxluxes and I imagine merchants gaining them will follow soon." That's right, I recalled talking with one of the Or'gun representatives in my Thorn tour when I was putting up the voxluxes.
"Oh, have you been talking with anyone?" I asked as I smiled to her. "There must be some of the Seindai's followers that are on the other side of the range."
"That's right; not all of us made the journey and some have kept our teachings alive over there." She said, almost beaming as she smiled to me as she clasped her hands together. "I was able to speak with some of our priests there and I was even able to attend a ceremony remotely. I would have rather been there in person but perhaps you can take me there once time and duty allows."
"Maybe we can make it a honeymoon trip?" I suggested as she perked up straight away. "I'd love to see it myself once a certain 'storm' passes."
"Likewise." She said as she looked about to say something else but stopped herself; namely as Riri was bringing a food laden tray over. Nothing too fancy; pasta formed into short spirals covered in an Alfredo sauce capped with cooked chicken. I thanked my maid, of course, and pulled her in for a kiss to the cheek... and was a bit surprised as Kaguya pulled her in for the same, my maid blushing but smiling and giving a short bow before leaving us. As Riri left us to our lunch Kaguya would smile back at me.
"Thankful for lunch, are we?"
"Well, I was hungry." She giggled as we moved to focus on eating, although with some small talk between bites; mostly on what talks and such she had over the voxlux with her disconnected Seindai. Once done I would wave her over and pull her to sit on my lap as we watched the peaks of the Thunderblaze go by. "You don't usually see the world like this..."
"I know... sort of breathtaking, really..." I replied. A mage could use Levitation to come up here for a time but waste most of their mana doing it. Aeris with her staff or myself with my armor could do it without the exhaustion although even they didn't have the power to do it twenty-four/seven. The Enterprise was designed to loiter for months without worrying about running out of juice. I idly stroked the outside of Kaguya's thigh; not wanting to entice her into sex at the moment but rather just enjoying the intamicy; a soft moan from her told me it was well enjoyed.
I liked this; it was just so relaxing... so cozy and enjoyable... so warm and joyful...
...so of course we started to hear screaming... It would be followed with a large screech so piercing the Enterprise shuddered as Makoto jerked at the controls. "...I'm getting my kit." I let off as Kaguya moved so I can stand. "Makoto! Stay alert! We might have trouble!"
[-]
I grabbed my equipment and donned my armor, grabbing Kaguya's shield and kanabo as I returned, passing them to her as soon as I could. I gave an alert as to what was heard and soon all hands were on deck with a Mungale regular taking over piloting duties. I sort of wish I brought my sister along as the echoing of the peaks and mountains made it hard to pinpoint the sound and her ears might have had a better chance at doing so. What we did have was Kaguya who was praying on her knees; using her connection to her god to cast, for lack of a better term, an advanced scry spell that would give her a direction to the disturbance in question.
"That way!" She finally let off, pointing in a direction. There was a tall peak in the way but our pilot would deftly fly around it, even as he picked up speed while we moved to discover the disturbance. I stood by the railing near the bow on the port side, looking down as what we heard could easily be below us. Screams and screeches echoed as we rounded the peak and-
-there!
Instead of a peak one mountain, well below us, was partly made of a flat plateau that made Mount Craig of Mount Craig City fame look small by contrast; easily four times the surface area if more hilly near a peak that made it look like someone placed another mountain by it with a small waterfall that formed a creek that ran a third of the way through the plateau before curving to the end to make another small waterfall. A few small trees speckled the land but it was mostly grassland with small huts made of animal skins, sticks and mud showing someone lived here; members of the Or'gon most likely... said members were holding spears and bows and directing ire upwards as a flock of winged humanoids dive bombed them with one grabbing a woman and lifting her up while ignoring an arrow glancing off it's hide.
Gargoyles...
"Get ready for combat!" I bellowed out as I moved to the controls, Makoto moving to follow. If we were noticed yet I didn't know; we were well above and still a half mile away but we were closing in fast. Once at the controls the pilot let me have them as I started to cast with the main stone. Given the situation Chain Lightning, while impressive, would cause too much collateral damage to the village on the mountain so I opted to load an overcharged Holy Flare Spread instead.
By affecting only the Gargoyles I could, quickly, thin the herd. I would ignore the one carrying a woman; it was leaving the combat area and was high enough up the woman would die if I took her captor out. Some might prefer death to what they had planned but I couldn't make that choice for them and a chance of rescue existed. The Enterprise's horn would come alight with golden flame as I took aim and gave one last glance to Kaguya who nodded back to me. Once ready I unleashed; I Dual Casted of course so when I casted it was two blasts of shotgun flames; not a tight cone of mini-fireballs but rather a spreading wall of them; a half dozen of the winged aberrant were knocked from the sky on the first hit; two with broken wings and falling to the ground where the locals could handle them, the rest falling, impacting the side of the mountain and then tumbling down further and further, likely dead.
Naturally I was readying a second shot but now a flock of a dozen and a half decided to rise up to the ship. "They're coming to board! Get ready!" Kaguya called out, sending down her own Holy Flare as I fired a second pair of Holy Flare Spreads with Enterprise; I'd hit a couple but now they were ready for an attack as the rose up to the ship's height and over it; out of the horn's arc. One popped up near the ship's rear and roared at me with fangs barred... only to be shot by my Horned Colt with Paratus turning into Arctic Orb; icing him up on the impact. He would impacted the railing of the ship and fall back as I did the same with the next one who opted to attack me. A third managed to get close but Makoto was between me and him and had Kouzenken drawn and alight, slashing the Aberrant with Sonic Wave; the overcharged Arcane Weapon generating a powerful arc of power and slashing it in two despite the tough skin. Once more a gargoyle (In two parts this time) hit the railing only to fall back off to the rocks below.
Two more, closer to the bow, would charge Kaguya, clearly aiming to grapple her and make off with her... only for the first to meet her kanabo head on with the head losing and caving in while his buddy snarled and rushed in... only to find Zealand's trident meeting it's side; Shocking Weapon coating it to both let it punch into it's skin and fry it's nerves as she yelled out, turned, slammed it to the deck, pulled her trident free only to jam it into it's throat. A third moved to dive them but I had a clear shot and took it with the Horned Colt, this time Paratus turning to Black Shard to add force to knock it back; which it did as well as punching deep wounds into it. Four members of the flock banked and moved to flee leaving another six still rushing us... until Kaguya swung her weapon once and used a spell I was unaware of; sending an arc of golden light out to impact them hard, knocking them back and out of the air.
A check of my screens showed no more in the area; a few more could be seen but they were all in retreat. I could see one flying away with a woman who was moving to dart along cliffs and mountain sides where the Enterprise couldn't follow with ease. Holstering my weapon I sighed and called out towards Kaguya. "I'm bringing her down to land! Let's see if we can aid them!"
"Agreed!" She let off as I found a good patch just outside of the village as I guided us down. I was mindful but soon we touched down and I extended the arcane walkway as we moved to the port side; Kaguya beating me there and moving to disembark. "Is everyone okay? Does anyone need healing?"
"I... yes! Many do!" A man let off; tall enough, some six-one. He bore fur briefs that were black and a matching vest, his hair deep green like his eyes. Said hair was shoulder length and wild. I hopped off the ship and jogged over. "I do not know what that... craft of yours is but grateful am I you arrived in it." I took a look over the situation; a handful of dead gargoyles were on the ground and a few dead people but most were just wounded. Sadly tribes like these rarely had spellcasters and given how tough gargoyles were against physical damage arrows alone just didn't cut it. Sure; a good hammer blow or pick attack might do it but then you still had to deal with a flying foe who could remain out of reach until they were ready to deal wit you. That's a major disadvantage.
The people in general here wore fur loincloths or briefs with something covering women's breasts and vests or capes for the men. Kaguya was quick to go to the wounded as I moved to the man who replied to her. "Are you in charge here?" I asked as I walked over. "I am James Noxdecus, Heir of Mungale, Hero of Eostia." I listed off to him as he sighed and looked to the side.
"I am now... My father was the chieftain." He said with a huff as he set the butt of his spear to the ground. "I am Jul Deergh of the Or'gon."
"Deergh? Are you related to Bon Deergh?" I asked him as he nodded.
"Yes; I am her brother."
(-)
Name: Jul Deergh
Title: New Chieftain of the Or'gon's West
Class: Hero
Level: 34
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 52
Status: Healthy, Frustrated, Worried
Known Traits
[?]
[Mountain Man] You operate well in high places; the thinner air doesn't bother you.
[Spearpoint] Your spear thrusts have a better chance to punch through armor. -3 Piercing Resistance to all targets when thrusting a polearm at them
Now chieftain of the western Or'gun tribes he was raised as a warrior and hunter. While well trained and seasoned in such he is still learning the art of leadership. Despite this he is proud and eager to lead his people to greater heights and is willing to offer his life to defend his people.
(-)
"My condolences for your loss." I said softly with a nod. "We were flying by for reasons of leisure but I wish we arrived sooner."
"I am glad you arrived at all... These bastards have been terrorizing us for sometime now..." He let off as he clenched a fist. "They're not trying to kill us; just stealing all our women..."
"Must be difficult handling flying foes in this region..."
"We've managed it in the past." He replied with a huff. "They still need to land somewhere and we can usually find them there as they nest. We've gotten good at using the cover of night to deal with them... But now they nest in a cave on a sheer peak; no man can climb it... and if we could the noise would be too much..."
"...How many have been taken?"
"Too many..." He said, clutching his fist tighter as he lifted it up. "And we have no way to get them back..." The question for me in the moment was; do I help him? Eostia and the tribes held no formal alliance and what deals there were was with states as opposed to the main kingdoms or central government. I was under no formal obligation to help. Having said that I was also under no obligation not to help; and they needed help.
"You do now." I replied as he looked to me as he jumped softly. I would use my thumb to point back to the Enterprise with a smile. "If you know where they're nesting then we can reach it with the Enterprise."
"Your craft..? Why would you be so willing to help us?" He let off as he narrowed his eyes at me; his look turning shrewd.
"Well it's the right thing to do... but also I don't like the idea of a large flight of gargoyles hanging out next door to Eostia." I replied; realizing he'd need a practical reason as a means as to why we'd want to deal with it. "Besides; do you have another means to hit them?"
"...No... No we do not." He replied with a sigh as he looked to the side then to my ship. Finally he looked back to me. "We will be in your debt."
"Don't worry too much about it." I said, moving to walk past him to join Kaguya. "Come on. Let's see about your people first, we can talk about attacking the gargoyles once we're done."
Well... hunting gargoyles wasn't exactly how I wanted to spend my time with Kaguya but I guess there are worst dates in this world...
[Defeated List]
12 Gargoyle Air Raiders x 310XP=3720XP
+20% Hero of Eostia Bonus
Gain 4464XP Total
Level Up!
You Are Now Level 40!
+1 to Con, Str, End, Dex, Agi, Acc, Mag & Mnc!
+1 to End!
+1 to Rap!
+2 RSP & SSP!
+5 UTP!
[ - Author's Note - ]
And there we are. James and Merlin have a little post-trauma chat, a meeting between Olga and Aston, James helps Olga with her phobia, James and Lulu enjoy work and pleasure, Miria trains and ends up butting heads with Campbell over Cress and James' date with Kaguya gets a little side-tracked... And next chapter...
Gargoyles... and more...
As always leave a comment and tell me what you liked and didn't like in this slower chapter. And hey, under twenty thousand words this time! A little constructive criticism is always welcome, of course and with luck the next chapter won't take so long to get out.
~Eostian Scribe