Book Two Chapter Twenty Three: Summon Mount

Book Two Chapter Twenty Three: Summon Mount

As they left the chaotic mess behind them, the Chosen One headed towards the Royal Bestiary. Qubes mental map of Cobbletown updated as they ran, noting the way that the streets seemed to curve in on each other, giving the illusion that the city was bigger than it really was. And, in the middle, ever present, the castle loomed.

The Chosen One grabbed his backpack off of his shoulder, rummaged around in it, and pulled out a pair of wings. Slapping them onto his back, he jumped. Qube expected the wings to burst out, and for him to take glorious flight. Instead, the wings dropped to the ground, and he stumbled as he landed awkwardly.

Oh, come on! the Chosen One shouted, pivoting and scooping the wings up. Seriously?

Why arent they working? Qube asked, worriedly.

Oh, they wont let you use them in towns, probably, the Chosen One said disgruntledly. I dont know why, though.

As a safety feature? Qube pondered.

Blergh, probably, the Chosen One said. Theres probably some kind of smart reason, but I dont know it.

There must be some kind of safety reasoning behind it, Qube thought. Something that they had built into the wings themselves. Possibly some kind of enchantment that deactivated the wings when they entered Cobbletown but reactivated when they left? She would have to look for rune markers when they set out for the next Temple.

The more she learned about the world, the more she realised just how wonderfully complex it was. It was so much more than she ever could have possibly imagined back when shed been in the village. How different her life would have been if her Chosen One hadnt been Chosen! Sure, she would have insisted on joining whichever of the others was Chosen, but it wouldnt have been the same.

Would the other Potentials come and join them in Cobbletown once one of her letters managed to get back to them? At first they would probably be too busy rebuilding all the houses the Evil Emperor had destroyed, but maybe afterwards

A part of her felt a twinge of protectiveness. This was, after all, their Golden Prophecy-ordained quest. The others probably werent even special enough to get the devs attention. She ruthlessly stamped down that moment of jealousy, using her confidence in her importance to the success of their quest to lock it back up inside her.

So busy was she in her mental control that she nearly ran into the Chosen Ones back as he stopped at the Royal Bestiary. He was standing in front of the Beast Keepers table, ignoring all the other merchants loudly hawking their various animal-related wares.

The Beast Keeper looked at him sourly.

The Chosen One gave him a not very nice smile, and slapped down the medallion given to them by Zakora. The Beast Keeper looked down at it and, for a second, his muscles violently twitched, as if he was fighting against himself. Then, with a shudder, his face snapped into a look of semi-approval.

Looks like youre worth something, after all, he said in gravelly tones. That there is a royal order.New novel chapters are published on

Yeah, I know, the Chosen One replied smugly.

Which means you get a special mount, the Beast Keeper continued as if the Chosen One hadnt spoken.

Aw, yes! The Chosen One pumped a fist in the air.

Follow me, the Beast Keeper said, abruptly turning and leaving his table (with all its wares) out in the open as he ambled into the Royal Stables. Qube glanced around, but there were no city guards watching over the now-abandoned goods. But the other merchants were all looking at them. They must keep an eye out on each others stalls for them if they had to go for a break, she thought approvingly. It was like its own little community!

All of which she promptly forgot about once she entered the Royal Stables. As she stepped through the wide wooden swinging doors, several sensations hit her at once. The first was visual: there were easily half a dozen different animals in their own stalls, each wildly unlike the one next to it. The second was aural: the noise was intense. From a horse continuously neighing and whining, to a roaring sound from the back stall, it was an overall cacophony of animal sounds that had somehow been blocked by the doors. The third was smell. It was atrocious. Too many animals together created a strange brew of odours that hit the party like a wall.

The Chosen One covered his nose.

Why would they make it so strong? he asked, facing the Beast Keeper. The Beast Keeper just looked confused.

Then Squiggles entered the Royal Stables.

The closest creature, a beautiful grey horse, reared back and screamed. Squiggles raised herself up on her tentacles, and opened her mouth threateningly. The Beast Keeper swung around, and glared at the other party members.

No, its real, the Chosen One stepped back into the Royal Bestiary and touched his necklace. The wyvern reappeared, the Chosen One in place on its back. Go on, pat it. Scaley-waley, behave, he told his mount. It ducked its head, allowing Qube to tentatively reach out and gently touch its snout. It snorted at her, and bared its teeth.

Then Squiggles attacked it.

She launched herself at the wyvern, which reared back, swiping its massive claws at the sharktopus.

Squiggles, no! Qube cried, reaching out and grabbing at her pet.

Scaley-waley, down! The Chosen One grabbed at the reins, desperately trying to control his mount.

Squiggles latched onto Scaley-waleys face, biting at the top of its head. The wyvern whipped its arrow-pointed tail, driving it into Squiggless side. Squiggles widened her mouth, sinking in multiple rows of teeth as her tentacles tried to jam themselves into Scaley-waleys jaw. The wyvern hopped on one foot, using the other claw to grasp at some of Squiggless tentacles and attempt to rip them apart.

[Lesser Shield]! [Lesser Shield]! Stop it, the pair of you! Qube didnt know whom she was supposed to protect, so she shielded both of them, making them invulnerable to each other. The Chosen One grabbed at his necklace, causing the wyvern to disappear.

Squiggles, now the sole fighter in the field, started speedily slorping around the grounds, hunting her opponent.

Squiggles! Qube said, nearly in tears as she grabbed the sharktopus and attempted to lift her up and cuddle her. Squiggles you cant just attack things like that! Thats the Chosen Ones steed! Its our friend!

Squiggles huffed, still bleeding black blood.

Oh, Im so sorry, darling. [Lesser Heal], Qube said, watching her mana sink into her pet. Sewer Bard and Sexy Screamy Spider were at her side, both of them holding the agitated sharktopus.

My fair Healer, Lady Squiggles, are you both safe? Sewer Bard asked, with an uncharacteristic amount of agitation.

I just dont understand why she attacked like that! Qube sniffled. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady ran a claw through Qubes hair.

She probably thought that beast was going to bite you, the Hunter said soothingly.

Sewer Bard nodded, as he strummed a few notes on his lute. Green mana wrapped around the group, and Qube felt herself relax.

It is only natural, he agreed. She would want to protect her mother.

Her mother? Qube echoed, looking down at the sharktopus. Squiggles looked back up at her, her little black doll eyes shining.

But Scaley-waley probably couldnt even see me, Qube protested half-heartedly.

Hey, are you all right? The Chosen One approached the huddle. Behind him, Definitely Bad Guy was simply standing there, watching.

Squiggles, now completely calm, waved a few tentacles at the Hero in greeting.

Im fine, Chosen One, Qube said. As is Squiggles. Arent you, girl? Squiggles started dancing. Where did Scaley-waley go? They looked like they needed a [Heal].

Oh, probably teleported back to the stables, the Chosen One said. I probably summon it from there and it goes back when unsummoned. They would know how to take care of it there. Probably.

Oh, that makes sense! Qube said, smiling in relief. The necklace was just a simple teleportation stone, capable of moving a multi-ton beast anywhere in a split second. That was normal magic.

Total sense, the Chosen One agreed, sounding rather amused. Now, lets go to the creepy guys house. He jerked a thumb at the Mage.

Definitely Bad Guy scowled.