Lorafir, p.14
Lorafir, page 14
“Are you waiting for Alex, party of three?”
“Yes, sir. Would that be you?”
“Yes. Here is my ID and my confirmation number is B551.”
“Very good. Right this way we will get you set up for the next ride.”
“Thank you.”
Ava and Mia just smiled, while a few who were in line commented on how it wasn’t fair for them to skip the line like this. Alex just kept quiet as they didn’t need to know that he had essentially paid a few thousand credits to arrange things, such that all he needed to do was show ID and give his confirmation number, and they would move to the front of any line. Still, most seemed to assume that he had paid extra as several commented at the fact that the park worker had been holding a VIP sign. This caused others to wonder who they were and Alex might have been irritated had he been able to hear the theories they were talking about, due to him walking with a lady on each arm. Once they were pulled aside, it didn’t take long for the three of them to be suited up and once the prior group was done and cleared the area, Alex found himself between Ava and Mia as they were secured. Next, they were slowly pulled backwards and up as the twins giggled into his ear before the pulling stopped, and after a short pause they were released. The pair of screams that the twins gleefully unleashed on Alex made his ears ring as he enjoyed the sensation of flying. When they reached the point where they were vertical and weightless above the gorge, the screams of the twins had turned into giggles as they kissed Alex just as they paused for a split second, before falling backwards again. The rest of the ride was full of the twins demanding kisses and enjoying the feeling of the wind against their skin, even though it was winter.
After they were back on the ground, they spent the rest of their time wandering around as they enjoyed the various other attractions. This included ziplining, riding the gondola and walking across the bridge slowly, while enjoying the view at their own pace while they did so. They even checked out the water clock and other historical attractions in between, while enjoying a snack from the onsite restaurant. Finally, they closed out their time there by riding the sky coaster once more, before Alex drove them back to the helipad, where Mark was awaiting them ready to return home. Once they were airborne again, Ava and Mia enjoyed the view once more, though this was a shorter flight as Mark didn’t take as scenic of a route. When they landed, Gido was already waiting for them and they all got into the SUV as Ava and Mia snuggled into Alex.
“Thanks for the adventure,” sighed Mia.
“Yeah, it was great,” added Ava.
“We just wish it wasn’t such a short break.”
“Yeah, when are you going to take us on your adventures in ED?”
“We know we are under leveled.”
“But we are a bit envious of Sam and Nicole.”
“We aren’t alone either.”
“All of your ladies that we are with want you to spend some time leveling with us.”
“I am aware and it is unfortunate that it is not in the cards, at least not until they are ready to make a real push for tier-6 after taking care of the obligations of nobility.”
“We know. Soon you are going to be marrying all of them.”
“Yep, and then you will have to give them babies.”
“It is making Kate and us feel left out.”
“Though Kate is in no rush.”
“Ava, Mia, not happening for at least the next year.”
“We know.”
“It’s just hard at times.”
“Especially after such a great date.”
“Honestly, are you worried that things won’t work out between us, or what?”
“Truthfully, yes. With Sam and Nicole I can believe that they can get along just fine together as they have been doing so since before they could talk. I know you two by yourself are the same and everything is working well so far, but it hasn’t even been a year. Then you add in Kate, who has been used to being self-sufficient her whole life, as she was continually alone as she figured out how to get what she wanted. The last thing I want is to force the adjustments due to my own desires and cause the relationship to become strained.”
“Alex, you worry too much.”
“Yeah, Mia and I already feel like everything will be fine.”
“Say that to me after Sam and Nicole give birth.”
“Do you think we are going to get scared off?”
“Or are you expecting something to change in how we get along?”
“I have no clue what to expect. For all I know, everything will change,” sighed Alex, as he leaned back and stared at the ceiling of the SUV.
“You’re just feeling what it’s like to be an expecting father.”
“Relax. It is one of the reasons we know that everything will be fine.”
“Besides, we know that it is too soon for you.”
“Yeah. As frustrating as it can be, it is also refreshing.”
“At the very least, we know that isn’t all you want.”
“Besides, you only have three maternity pods.”
Alex just chuckled as Ava and Mia teased him lightly as they pulled into their driveway at around 4:45. The three of them smiled as they went straight to the dining room where everyone else was and enjoyed a quick meal, while Ava and Mia told everyone who asked to wait until breakfast for details on the date. Alex made sure to give Kate, Sam and Nicole hugs and kisses, before sitting down and worked quickly on his food before everyone left to return to playing ED.
When Xeal awoke, he found that only Eira was still in the room as she slept in an armchair. Xeal frowned when he saw this as he knew that she had a thing about sleeping in bed with him when he wasn’t logged in. He wasn’t sure if it was her not trusting herself not to take advantage of it, or the off feeling his body must give off when it was empty. Xeal also wished he could have his body fade from existence like most players could, as it would only become more inconvenient as time continued. As it was, he was already having to spend the ever-rising cost of advanced return scrolls as more players discovered their existence. It made him lament when he could use one to fool almost every player when they thought that they had him cornered. As he thought about this, Xeal had a thought and decided to check something.
“Watcher, are you there?”
Xeal waited for a good minute before he could hear Watcher respond in his head.
“I am not helping you pick your next target among the phoenixes, Xeal.”
“Ha, not what I am after and I’ll admit that Levina was a bit much for me to handle and I got lucky. No, my question is if there is any way you can act as an emergency pilot for my body when I am not in this world?”
“I could, but it would kill you in about five seconds, as you are now. Each level you gain brings you closer to being able to handle such an arrangement.”
“You’re not planning to take my body out for a spin while I am offline, are you?”
“Ha, I doubt you will ever be able to withstand more than an hour, unless you ascend to godhood somehow.”
“You could still mess a lot of things up in an hour.”
“And you would know if I did as you would be in agony for days after, as your body recovered from trying to contain what I am without being destroyed.”
“Still, that may be better than dying would be. I’m sure you could take care of any issues in less than five seconds.”
“Not with what you would be giving me to work with. I can’t use my power and would have to rely on yours. Escape might be possible if I had 45 seconds, but that is the best I could see and only if the attackers weren’t far stronger than you are.”
“So, I am at the mercy of how guarded I am when I am helpless then.”
“Indeed, as are all of the vessels of the phoenixes, and any other primordial entity’s mark bearer. Not to mention the lesser versions of such marks, but you are quickly attaining the best guards you could ever want. Though it is a shame that you didn’t accept the elf queen’s affection.”
“You’re hopeless, you know that. Anyhow, I am just about out of MP, so this is goodbye for now.”
“At least I don’t let my worries about how my wives will get along dissuade me from enjoying what is freely offered.”
Xeal was tempted to use the last of his MP to respond to Watcher about that was why the gods had decided to imprison them all, but held his tongue. Instead, he stretched as his movement caused Eira to stir, and when she saw Xeal looking at her, she smiled and quickly joined him in the bed, where they stayed for the last several hours of the trip. They simply enjoyed being there as Xeal held Eira close and she wrapped her tail around his waist as they chatted idly. It wasn’t until Bula came and knocked on the room’s door to let them know that the port was coming into view, that they left the bed just before midday. When they stepped out onto deck, they were joined by Alea and Rina, both of whom looked nervous as they watched the shoreline approach.
“What are you worried about, you two? It’s not like you are headed in to a monster’s den,” asked Eira, while looking smug.
“Ha, easy for you to say,” replied Alea. “No Lorafir has openly stepped foot outside elven lands in several centuries. When they do, it has always been under an assumed identity. It is why elder brother dislikes Xeal so much, as it will be a century before he can venture out again, unless Mother lifts that restriction.”
“Alea, your mother intends for you to usher in a new era. You need to be ready for what that means,” commented Xeal.
“Yeah, either sitting on her throne, or your lap.”
“No, forging your own path. You may be here beside me and I may even overshadow you to most, but I expect you to far surpass your mother and do what you want. If that means you rule the elves, so be it. If it means you become one of my wives, well, that is a fair bit more complicated, but if you want neither of those, then when you are ready, let me know and I will assist you in escaping to where no one knows you. Just please stick around until after I destroy a certain demon.”
“Only you would say that marrying you is more complicated than sitting on a throne. Still, you’re not exactly wrong,” interjected Bula.
“Indeed. Ruling my people would be far more straightforward, especially with the partners you are entangled with. We are not even sure that Alea and I would even be welcomed,” added Rina.
“You two will be just fine. Trust me, the only comment that Gale is likely to make is that only seven more slots are available,” quipped Eira.
“Wait, what?” asked Alea.
“How much have they all been sharing with you, Eira, and when do you have time to chat with them this much?” interjected Xeal.
“Where do you think I go whenever you are working at your guild? I share what you have been up to and they talk about their fondest memories with you. Honestly, I don’t know why you would think that I wouldn’t know how you got Enye to shut down recruiting you a noble daughter from half the houses in Nium.”
Xeal just shook his head as they arrived in port and one of the elves that were currently sailing the Siren's Song, brought a chained Odelia to him. This instantly ended the conversation and as Xeal walked down the ramp to the dock, he found the young Marquess Rais, with Taya and several other FAE members, waiting for him. Xeal smiled as he greeted them both, as Taya ordered the players to give the Siren's Song a full once-over as they prepared to become its crew, for the time being. Marquess Rais was quick to greet Xeal and after the normal etiquette was observed, Xeal assured him that he shouldn’t need to worry about trade issues, other than an increase in supply for the time being. It didn’t take long for Xeal to escape with Odelia and the rest of his party, as it was clear that he was in a hurry to meet with Prince Victor, who was expecting him. Marquess Rais was also accompanying them as he, along with every other marquess, had been summoned as well to ensure that they could get to work right away on ratifying the treaty, or sending back their revisions. Either way, Xeal’s role was all but over as he wouldn’t be the one who would tell Queen Aila Lorafir to accept any changes.
Two hours later, Xeal sat alone with Prince Victor after he had finished looking over the treaty and having Xeal explain the conditions and situation around Alea. This included a summary of events, though he was sure that Enye had been sharing what the twins told her with him, for the most part. Finally, after finishing what Xeal felt was an internal debate, Prince Victor spoke.
“Xeal, why did you have to make things harder on me?”
“What do you mean?”
“This would have been almost perfect had you not made it clear that Alea must choose you, or her mother’s throne.”
“I would have thought that the power that would have placed on me would have only caused more issues. Besides, it is not a lie. I will not sit on any throne once mine and Enye’s child is old enough to do so.”
“Yeah, I know. Enye has told me about your goal to hide away with your wives as you just enjoy life once you have everything settled on this end. Still, I could sell the possibility of a true merging of our lands if you were positioned to marry the future elven queen.”
“I wouldn’t have supported such a merge as it would be a mistake. Yes, I wish for travel between both to become simple, but becoming one kingdom would lead to a revolt eventually, as things are currently.”
“I am aware, but the possibility would still be tempting to any who are on the fence.”
“And I once more gain power, putting those who worry about my rise more on edge. Now, do you think you can get it signed as is, or are you going to waste all the work I put in and insult Lady Lorafir as well?”
“I can get this signed as it is much better than what I had hoped for, though it will take a bit of work. The real issue is your little surprise. How the hell did you end up with Odelia Neriven, or one of the Sirens, as she is known to our navy, as your prisoner?”
“I saw an opportunity and took it. Do I think she deserves the mercy she and her associates are going to receive? Absolutely not. However, there is no denying that the five of them are among the most useful when it comes to sailing the seas and they will make excellent assets for my guild.”
“How are you going to keep them under control when you’re not around to ensure that they are living up to the spirit of their contracts?”
“Each of them will have an overseer who would be the captain of their ships as well, not to mention that they will be forbidden to leave their ships unless it is sinking…”
Xeal and Prince Victor continued to go back and forth on how FAE would manage the five illusionists, before Prince Victor was satisfied. He agreed to send the kingdom’s forces to capture the other four and the island that they were using as a base. Xeal was sad that he would likely not be allowed to use the island for his own designs, if it could be of use to Nium. Still, the fact that he would be walking away with five ships and their captains was enough to make Xeal celebrate, as it would put him way ahead of anything he could have hoped for at this point. The meeting ended at that point and Xeal bid Victor farewell as they parted ways, with Victor headed to meet with the waiting nobles and Xeal walking into his mansion, where a bunch of women and a cat were awaiting him. When Xeal arrived, Maxwell was already awaiting him out front.
“Sir, I would hold off a bit longer before interrupting them.”
“Oh, is it getting heated?”
“Not exactly. I would call it more of a bonding moment than anything else.”
“Oh, then why are you out here?”
“That’s, well, sir, it is currently not advised that any males enter your home. If you would like, I can fetch a maid to inform them that you are home.”
Xeal just blinked as he started and then stopped almost immediately to think of what they could be doing in there.
“Sir, I assure you that whatever you just thought of is not the case. The ladies just wished to exchange some information that is rather sensitive.”
“Right, I have my own way to let them know I am here.”
Xeal sent Aalin and Gale a quick message and around ten minutes later, Eira came out with Midnight riding on her shoulders, looking slightly confused.
“Xeal, you called for me?”
“Yes, the rest of my day is yours. Happy birthday, by the way.”
“Wait, what? How do you know it’s my birthday?”
“Your mother likes to talk. Now, let the rest of them figure out how to handle Rina and Alea. I am already sure that you know how to coexist with them, for the most part.”
“But you have been gone for weeks. Shouldn’t you at least greet them before leaving?”
“No, though Midnight should stay here as this is meant to be your time. I will see them when we return and find out how whatever is going on in there turns out.”
“Oh, um, yes.”
Xeal smiled as Eira turned red and a disgruntled Midnight sauntered off to wherever he pleased. With that taken care of, Xeal extended his hand to Eira and she took it with her own and he took her to the teleportation hall. From there, Xeal transferred to the Dragon’s Eye outpost and smiled as Eira continued to be confused.
“Xeal, why have you brought me to such a remote area?”
“I thought it would be fun to just enjoy a fun game of cat and mouse. Of course, you will be the cat and I the mouse and if you catch me, you get a kiss.”
“What if I want something else?”
“Sorry, but a kiss is the most I can do today.”
“No, I don’t want you to hold back. Two hours. Give me two hours. If I can catch you in that time, you will accept that I have caught my prey and accept my embrace completely.”
“Eira, you know that I will not allow you to catch me if that is the case.”
“Just as I know that I will never catch you without rigging the situation in my favor. However, I want to try and who knows, perhaps you will make a mistake, or a monster will get in the way just long enough.”
