Chapter 57: A Royal Pain

Chapter 57: A Royal Pain

March 3rd, 2089

I look around the streets of Obsidia in a cheerful mood as I walk towards the 9 Lives Trading Outpost. Im in my full bounty hunter gear and I have also shapeshifted beneath to my elven form. I have moved the gargoyles and the vengeful undead ghosts to the apartment, while also removing all my hex magic.

Real estate is valuable here so I am selling the store to gather funds to purchase consumables for my upcoming battle with Jupon. Higher level healing potions are quite expensive after all. Ill leave a couple of my safe houses in Obsidia intact just in case I do ever have to return here. The buyer was a dwarf planning to open up a smithy and he was happy to pay my 20 gold asking price.

I handed over the keys and immediately headed to the nearest alchemist where I blew 120 of my 220 gold coins on the very best potions available. I have decided to keep the remaining 100 gold as an emergency fund in case I come back here. I have absolutely no intention of doing so, but I have learned that things happen regardless of ones intentions.

A good example would be whats happening right now as I am surrounded by members of the Queensguard right as I left the alchemists shop. As expected of this worlds naming sense, the Queensguard are the elite personal guard of the Queen comprised of dark elves. A single one of them would have qualified as a threat level 11 before my recent upgrades. Now however, the entire group is probably around a 5.

You have been summoned to appear before her majesty the Queen. Follow us. I am surprised that the Queen even knows my name let alone that she wants to meet with me. What on earth does she want from me? I kept thinking about that question as I followed the soldiers.

After about a half hour or so of walking the Darkmoon Castle loomed above us. It was constructed of obsidian and dark mortar and seemed like the residence of a demon king. It had many jagged spires and gothic style decorations on it. But I think it was the gibbets all around the castle that made it look so demonic. We entered through the raised portcullis and I started doing my usual preparations for a hasty escape. I distributed faeire dust freely around and made sure to note quick exit points as I entered the throne room.

I really want to refute whatever the info is just so I can see Arinera and Icarus freak out, but the Court Wizards likely have cast truth spells of some sort. I believe the 5 Chains also grant Erilom the ability to recognize lies. So as tempting as it is to screw over the Fells, I will have to restrain myself. I am at your Majestys service, please ask.

The Queen nodded regally and then asked You are the first person to have successfully journeyed to the Fairy Queens Grove in the heart of the Fey Woods in the past 300 years. The Prime Minister has provided information passed down his household for generations that claims that one can contract with the one of the high-level fairy spirits that reside there if they bring an offering of water from the Tearful Maidens Spring. Is there a naturally formed cup and altar at the grove where one can pour in the water? I paused at her question as I brought back my memories of the Fey Woods.

The Fey Woods are located in the northeast of the Darkmoon Queendom and are a forest of illusions with many wild fairies roaming there. The Fairy Queens Grove is where the strongest fairies reside and they are notoriously difficult to contract with. Fairies are a subset of spirits that are the magical personifications of the natural world. Dryads, undines, etc. are all considered fairies.

Elves and pixies are in fact believed to be descended from fairies and thus are sometimes called fairy-kin. Spirits are able to reproduce with residents of the material world, although they have to be extremely high-level to do so. Interestingly, it is believed that the human was the precursor to all of the races of this world. They mingled with the various spirits in this world and eventually the pure-blooded human disappeared. This theory does explain why all the races can interbreed and why they all have somewhat similar forms and ways of thought. But I digress.

The illusions in the Fey Woods cause people to get lost and fall prey to the creatures lurking there. I had gone there to hunt Dreamwood Treants for an alchemist that needed their bark for his experiments. I was able to navigate by using a compass to keep my bearings, which doesnt exist in this world, while also mapping my environment. I then ran into a high level dryad and immediately ran away before it noticed and seduced me.

In my haste I got lost and ended up at the grove. There had been a cup and altar there made of wood and flower. Yes your Majesty, I do remember a cup and altar at the grove. I responded. The Prime Minister and Arinera visibly relaxed at my confirmation. The Queen nodded I see, then I declare the debt settled regarding my nieces treason. At this point Erilom stepped forward I have witnessed this declaration. The Prime Minister has honored the Chain of Blood.

The Queen nodded towards them You may leave now. The rest of this discussion will not concern you. Arinera and Icarus were sent out and the Queen now brought her attention back to me. Now I will tell you my request. I really want to leave, but I am wary of the Court Wizards and the 5 Chains of Adligo. Ill have to hear out this request, hopefully I can get out of having to do it. Follow current novels at novelhall.com)