Chapter 24: Two Rings

A/N The idea of the Moonblood ring comes from Fiftyfiftyfifty.

———

The war efforts in the south of the Fifth Kingdom and the north of the Sixth Kingdom resulted in human victories. The adventurers return to Northhall, seeking their next quest.

“What the fuck was that?” I asked.

“Cutscene, maybe?” Sasha shrugged. I’d gone instantly from the tent with Tessa and Makhel’s corpse to standing outside the Northhall castle, joined by Amaya and Sasha.

We entered the castle, and found the royals waiting for us, along with the Prince.

“Champions!” the King greeted.

“Hello, Your Majesty.” Amaya curtsied.

“Your Grace.” I bowed to the Queen. She favored me with a warm smile.

“I’m afraid the problems in the eastern world are only growing. Darling, would you like to address your Champion first?” the King asked his wife. The Queen’s teal eyes found my own green ones.

“Champion, my son has been invited to a ball in Highview. The ball is to find suitors for the daughter of Highview’s lord. Our city would benefit greatly from a union with Highview. My husband and I will be joining our son on this journey west. You will be serving primarily as a bodyguard.” the Queen explained.

“Ah. Of course, Your Grace.” I nodded respectfully.

“My Champion, I have a much grimmer task for you, I’m afraid. You will need the entirety of your party for this one, except whoever my wife’s champion chooses as his company. Deep in the mountains to the north of us, rumors are running rampant about a dragon. Dragons, as I’m sure you’re aware, are virtually immortal creatures capable of breathing down hellfire upon us. Those rumors require verification.” the King said.

“It shall be done.” Amaya said obediently. Both monarchs nodded, and the three of us left.

“Why do I even go to those meetings?” Sasha huffed. I wrapped an arm around my sister’s shoulders.

“You’re supporting your brother and your friend.” I grinned at her. Amaya didn’t even look at me.

“Amaya.” I said loudly. She turned. Sasha wisely hurried along, leaving us a moment of solitude.

“Why are you so cold and distant?” I asked.

“You really don’t know? You convinced me to give up my life on Earth to be with you, and then you run off with some big-titted elf girls!” Amaya exploded.

“Wow. I... I never thought about that. Amaya, you have to understand. I have been through hell with Jess. I guess Fay, too, but I’ve been with them for months. To me, they’re real people. I know it’s hard for you to see that right now, but it’s not like we’re in a video game anymore. Whatever Zahreem did to us, we’re stuck here now. This is our world, and I... I still love you. But Jess and I are something special, too. I never meant to hurt you.” I said honestly, and cupped Amaya’s cheek. She froze.

“Thank you for being honest.” Amaya said. She stepped back, and I let my arm fall.

“Liam... I know what you mean. On the way down south, we encountered someone. A young man, named Brogan. We... I... we kissed.” Amaya admitted. Some part of me ached at that news, but it wasn’t like I had a leg to stand on.

“This world, these people... they’re all so intoxicating. So real. Brogan makes me feel things so strongly... I never felt that about you.” Amaya said quietly.

“I’m the same way with Jess.” I admitted. Amaya reached out and squeezed my hand.

“I’m not angry at you. I actually love it here, it’s like one of my dreams come true. But... I just had so much anger aimed at you, for toying with me, for cheating, I never considered that we’d both moved on. Became different people.” Amaya said.

“I think I agree.” I said. Amaya leaned in and kissed my cheek.

“Good.” she whispered, and we walked out the gate. Sure enough, an unfamiliar young man with curly dark hair and sapphire blue eyes was sitting in the grass beside Ellie. The dwarf girl was shamelessly flirting with him, but he seemed uncomfortable, until he saw Amaya. Then, his face lit up. It rapidly shuttered when he saw me, though.

“Ah. Sebastian, I presume.” he said, extending a hand.

“Brogan, I presume.” I grinned, and shook it.

“Yes. I encountered your friends as they were nearing the battle. I’m quite alright with a sword, and offered my aid.” Brogan grinned.

“He really was quite heroic.” Ellie said dreamily. Lily, thankfully, looked unimpressed by Brogan.

“So, who are you choosing?” Amaya asked me.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been assigned to guard the royal family as they head to his ball in Highview. Any volunteers?” I asked the assembled ladies.

Jess, Lora, Fay, Dura, Sasha, and Lily all raised their hands.

“Ok. Well... I hate to be species-ist, but I don’t think bringing an orc to a fancy royal ball is a great plan.” I said apologetically. Dura didn’t look surprised as she lowered her hand.

“Fay, you’re kind of on the run from your father, so I’d rather not bring you into a royal ball. Hell, I’d rather not bring MYSELF into a royal ball, but here I am.” I sighed. Fay lowered her hand, looking saddened.

“I have honestly no idea who to pick.” I said, looking between Jess, Lora, Sasha, and Lily.

“I’d pick Lora. She’s the best of the best.” the Prince suggested, walking up behind me.

“I was figuring she’s not intimidating enough to be a bodyguard.” I admitted. The Prince laughed.

“True. But she could kill men thrice her size.” the Prince informed me. I considered the Liakalyn sisters.

“Jess... I want you protecting my sister on this one, I think. If the Prince vouches for Lora, I’ll take Lora.” I said. The blond half-elf rogue gave me a huge smile. Jess walked up to me, and we shared a kiss.

“How did I get so lucky?” I sighed, looking up into her eyes.

“Beats me. You’re not even that impressive.” Jess teased, and kissed me again.

“Hold on. That busty bimbo replaced you, Amaya?” Brogan’s drawl sounded. I turned to Brogan, eyes blazing. I snapped my fingers and a blast of ice hurtled towards Brogan. He lifted his hand casually and the silver ring sparkling on his middle finger absorbed the magic.

“Yawn. Moonblood rings absorb magic.” Brogan grinned.

“Moonblood? I met one of you before. He wanted me to steal from the barmaid.” I recalled.

“You didn’t tell me you had an allegiance.” Amaya said uncomfortably. Brogan patted my ex-girlfriend’s hip.

“No worries, dear. I’ll kill this upstart in a sword duel.” Brogan chuckled, and drew his sword. It was thin and decorative. But something about his confidence made me wary. I drew Stormcaller, and held the elvish blade with one hand, and I held my dwarvish shield in the other.

Brogan rushed me, and to my complete surprise, he was ridiculously easy. I sidestepped his first attack and bashed him over the head with my shield. He crumpled.

“What an idiot.” I sighed. Jess reached down and pulled off his magic-absorbing ring. She offered it to me.

“To the victor go the spoils.” she said. I slid the ring on my index finger, which had felt oddly bare since I pulled off Zahreem’s ring, though it was a relief.

“Don’t steal his ring.” Amaya protested. I glanced at the Prince.

“Let’s go, then.” he said. Lora fell into step alongside me, and we walked around the city wall to the waiting caravan.

———

The next two weeks were surprisingly boring. Lora and I walked alongside a caravan of carriages for most of the day, and nothing fun ever happened. At night, Lora and I got to rest, and the petite girl usually fell asleep on my shoulder, my arm around her.

The highlight came on our fifteenth day of travel. The caravan slowed a halt. The Queen stepped down out of a carriage, and saw me guarding it.

“Ah, Champion. Good. I’d love a walk through the forest. A bit away from the caravan, if you don’t mind.” the Queen asked hopefully.

“Of course, Your Grace. Come with me.” I said, offering my arm. The Queen took it, and it squashed into her sizable breasts as we walked. She wore surprisingly functional clothing, pants and a loose tunic, and her golden hair tumbled down her shoulders like a waterfall.

“When I was a girl, I loved coming to the river, and just washing it flow by. Those were the days before I was made into a ‘proper lady’ by my mother and governess.” the Queen said wistfully.

“I enjoy rivers, too, Your-“ I said. The Queen waved me off.

“Please, lose your formality. You may call me Reina when it is just us.” the Queen said.

“Ok. Reina.” I tested the name, and the Queen smiled.

“What was it like for you growing up?” Reina asked.

“Uh, very different than this. I lived in a big city.” I explained.

“I see. You are not a nobleman, are you?” Reina asked me, curiously.

“No, I am not.” I shook my head.

“I think you are quite deserving of a title of some sort. You have served the Seven Realms well.” Reina said. I shrugged.

“I haven’t done that much.” I said modestly and truthfully.

“Nonsense. You made it to Northhall, and have spent much time catering to my whims.” Reina giggled.

“Your requests haven’t been too extravagant.” I promised the queen. She touched my cheek lightly.

“Still. You deserve some sort of reward. I think Lord Sebastian is quite fitting. I have a manor that my father left to me in my will. It’s a lovely place in the Seventh Realm. Right on the coast. It’s called Starfall Chateu. If anybody asks, you’re Lord Sebastian of Starfall. Understood?” Reina asked gently. I nodded.

“Good. I’ll make it official as soon as I return to my carriage.” Reina promised me. She looked at her hand, and pulled off a silvery ring embedded with shooting stars along the band and a gorgeous gem the color of the ocean sitting on it.

“In the nobility, it’s customary to have signet rings for your properties. This is the Starfall ring.” Reina said, and slid it onto the ring finger of my right hand.

“Thank you very much, Reina.” I said seriously. She blushed lightly.

“It’s no problem at all. Now, Lord Sebastian, I think I’d like to return to the carriage.” Reina said, and I nodded.