A servant gently shook me awake. "My Lord, your cohort is mustering."I groaned softly and rubbed my eyes as I sat up. I went into the bathing room and freshened up, then came back out to dress in my armor. I dismissed the servant, double checked that I hadn't overlooked packing anything essential, grabbed my pack, then headed out to the main hall.Everyone was gathered as I arrived. I sent Bann to let Wayland know to set up the wagons. "Stay with him to help get it done, Bann."Bann nodded and dashed out the back entry.I had Tay'La inscribe a parchment to take to the King, detailing that I needed a small pouch of doubles with an assortment of gems for purchasing things along the way, and a small chest with a specified amount of gold and gems as a form of tribute, in case the humans demanded one. I suggested that the chest be locked with a scrambled glyph and trapped with an incendiary device. I rolled up the parchment, sealed it with red wax, and pressed it with the signet ring that

On Earth, most hotel rooms have doors that automatically lock when closed, and the maids knock before entering. Sometimes they will even ask you to step out of the room while they tidy it up for you. It's not unheard of. but it's rare for the maid to actually be receptive to your sexual advances. They're on a schedule, they have a job to do, and half of them aren't very attractive.On Aeryllia, there are several reasons to make sure that your inn room door is locked before going to sleep. You could wake up to find things missing, you might wake up to a slit throat, or you might wake up to a beautiful girl riding your morning wood. An unlocked door is an invitation, and the custom of an Aeryllian maid is to first try the door handle, and then knock if it's locked. After Megz left last night, I forgot to lock my door.In the past two days, I had been shot by several poisoned arrows, stabbed, cut, clawed, tackled, bruised, tossed around like a ragdoll by a couple of pissed off werebears,

I had given instructions for preparations to begin very early. The second sun hadn't even risen yet, when the sounds of wagons being moved around, orders being called out, and hammering woke me up. We gathered in the common room of the tavern for a big breakfast, and the innkeeper had even thoughtfully given us sliced mutton, cheeses, several loaves of freshly baked waybread, and sliced vegetables to make sandwiches with later.Magistrate T'Vann had already squared away troops, scheduled patrols, and even had a work crew breaking ground for the new Citadel by the time we loaded up our wagons. I was fairly impressed with how efficient he was. Darmon and Sylva gave him hugs in farewell, and we were rolling. We passed through the north gate just as the second sun broke the horizon.As with before, we kept vigilant watch for signs of trouble along the way. We passed by several burnt out old homes along the way. A silent witness to the atrocities the elven people had been subjected to over

I told one of the guards to go and bring our young guests to the meeting hall. He arrived a few moments later with the two siblings in tow."I have some good news, and some bad news." I began.Freya spoke first, "And what would that be? Are you going to say my father died or something?" She rolled her eyes with a haughty expression."Well...I actually meant to break it to you more gently, but since you seem to think this is all a big joke..." I opened the lid on the chest with the King's and Duke's heads in it."Those are fake! This is some sick twisted prank!" Jared exclaimed.I allowed the crown to ring my finger as I twirled it in the air. "Oh, it's no prank. I wouldn't mourn them too much though, if I were you..." I nodded to Tay'La, who set the recording gem down on the table.I touched the gem, and it played back everything that happened, everything that their father had said and done, right up to me ripping his head from his shoulders. I grinned darkly as I watched them go pale,

[Aeryllia, About 5 years ago.]As soon as they had arrived through the portal, Corvash went to work gifting Athena with his blood.Corvash cut her hand with his blade, then cut his own, grasping her hand with his and forcing his blood into her hand. "I will not lie. The transformation will be painful and surprising." In years to come, she would remember that this was one of the few times that he actually DIDN'T lie to her.The pain was excruciating. She first whimpered as the pain began, but as her whole body became wracked with intensive pain upon pain, she screamed in agony, falling to the ground and curling into a fetal position as every fiber of her being reeled in agony. Eventually, she passes out from the torment as her body continued to change.Her skin took on a green hue, her full breasts shrank some, but became firm and perky, and she gained severe muscle mass. Her eyes changed from a bright blue to a striking color of emerald green, and small tusks grew from the corners of