Chapter 440 To Finish A Quest

Chapter 440 To Finish A Quest

Karl had no idea that his mother and his Dana were getting along so well, or even that they had met.

Instead, he was busy with a much more important matter, making sure that a horde of small Elven children made it home safely and that the people who came for them really were their parents.

The chances that someone was trying to steal one of the kids seemed pretty low in a village like this, where everyone knew everyone, but the risks were never zero, especially when there were likely to be people who had skills that allowed them to disguise their appearance.

The obvious advantages of that sort of skill for persuasion and trickery were obvious, and he didn't want to mess things up at the last minute by passing one of the kids off to the wrong person.

So, he waited and watched as the Elves set up a feast in the forest below the Mayor's office, and everyone from town began to gather to welcome the kids back.

It was a touching scene, proof that people here really did care for their little ones, even after they had gathered great power for themselves.

Back home, politicians were better known for passing their kids to a nanny to raise, so they would rarely actually see each other, unless it was for a social event. But here, the kids were part of everything, and there were Elves from every age group present. From the ones that could barely walk, all the way to ones that could barely walk anymore.

"Sir, if you would like to come down, the food is ready. I know how your people feel about all vegetable dinners, but I promise it will be good." The Mayor insisted.

"I have no doubts about that. If I wanted meat, I could cook it myself. The beasts have a plentiful supply stored. But personally, I have gotten quite familiar with the food creation abilities of my Green Dragon Cleric companions back home." Karl explained.

"Rice and Beans!" One of the kids shouted, before the rest burst into laughter.

"Exactly. But she also has the advanced spells, so she can make other forms of food products with her magic. That gives us a wide variety of options, and we're never wanting for flavour."

The elves all seemed to be delighted with those answers, and they had prepared a veritable feast to celebrate the return of the kids. Some were even still in mourning clothes, which they were hastily changing out of when they were reunited.

Thor snorted in amusement at the spider, but Remi laughed at them both.

[Thor isn't innocent this time. How many times did he ignore deployment orders so that he could go charging through enemy lines with Tessa?] She asked, rhetorically.

[Three.] Hawk added.

[Not more than two. One of those times was after I got permission.] Thor countered.

Karl shook his head. [I am glad you understand the issue. Rae gets a bit more leeway since she can shadow step, and return instantly, but Thor has buffs centred on him, so he needs to be in position or other team members could be unexpectedly without circle of protection.]

Karl sat at the table of honour with the Mayor and a few elderly clerics, while the children of the village ran around and played.

"Hey, I'm almost grown now, you're only eighteen, just a little kid." One of the young teens was shouting at another.

Karl couldn't resist laughing, and the Mayor politely hid his laughter behind his hand, while the old woman to Karl's left just smirked.

"Don't feel too bad about being youthful, son. I can't even argue that I'm middle-aged anymore. I've been alive a hundred years for every one that you have." She whispered.

Karl turned to face her. "I didn't know that Elves lived that long."

The old woman laughed. "That depends on how powerful they are, now doesn't it? As powerful as I am, I have bought myself an extra thousand years. Elves get more extra time than humans do as they get more powerful.

So, when you've reached even my level, you get three times the lifespan instead of double. I would imagine that you'll live a good long time if you aren't cut down in your prime like so many of the violent humans are."

Karl chuckled. That was a very real possibility.Nôv(el)B\\jnn