An Elven Invitation

THE NEXT MORNING:

The strong combined smell of sweat and sex fills the room where the trio currently sleep.

That wouldn't last for long however as John begins to slowly stir.

He opens his eyes, and immediately feels the effects of last night. His entire body is sore, his core still on fire from all the riding he went through. He examines his body and sees fading scratches, but that's not all, because on his chest, he sees a multitude of fresh hickeys.

The combined smells of the night then fill his nose, and he visibly recoils at said smell. John then decides to go wash off the gunk of last night, but as he goes to get up, he is brought back down by two sets of hands.

"Where do you think you're going?" Kyuala asks groggily.

"Well I was going to go take a bath...".

Tally is the next to speak as she says, "Without us? We really need to work on your manners, my dear".

"As much as I would like to teach you those manners, my body is very sore, and... we do really need a bath" Kyuala says as she snuggled closer to John.

"Why don't we all take one then?" Tally asks.

"You've seen the size of the tub, no way it'll fit three people. You'd be lucky to even get two" Kyuala says, her head now resting on John's chest.

"That's perfect... We only need two in the tub, and one to sit on the edge, after all... every body of water needs someone to watch over all entrants".

John hears Tally's poor attempt to convince him and Kyuala for a bath tub threesome, however he feels like he's heard a similar line before in some sort of video before, but he can't quite remember.

His thinking is then interrupted as he hears Kyuala say, "Let's do it".

John looks in-between the two women, but his expression is one that shows how unsurprised he is that Kyuala actually went along with Tally's idea.

Just then, the women begin to excitedly drag him off the bed and into the bathroom.

ONE (STEAMY) HOUR LATER:

The trio finally leave the bathroom, arguably dirtier than when they went in. They did manage to wash off the sweat from last night, although by the time they were finished, there was more water on the floor than in the tub.

Now however, they're finally getting dressed, but as they are, there's a few light knocks at the door.

"Who is it?!" Kyuala asks.

"It's Lani!".

"You can come in!" Kyuala responds, and a few seconds later, Lani slides in under the door before flying back up.

"I will admit, I tried the handle... it did not work" Lani says, getting a laugh from the trio.

A few moments later, John then asks, "Are the others awake yet? I'm starving".

"We did work up quite the appetite last night... and this morning" Tally comments, causing Lani to make an uncomfortable expression.

"Okay... didn't need to know that... anyway, Terra asked me to come get you guys and for us to meet her downstairs. No idea why though, but she said she'd explain when we were all there".

The group look at each other, wondering if anyone knows the reason, but seemingly no one does.

"Alright then, let's not keep her waiting" Kyuala says before the four head to the door, and leave the room to head downstairs.

DOWNSTAIRS:

As the four head down the last steps and turn the corner, they see both Daffy and Amilia sitting at the table. The latter her arms crossed, seemingly bored of waiting already.

"Ahh, the fuck train finally decided to come down! Hurry and sit down, tell us every detail, and I mean every little detail".

Kyuala and Tally laugh while John feels a little embarrassed while Lani just laughs at his reaction. Eventually the four are at the table, Kyuala, Tally, Daffy and Amilia talking about the events of last night while John and Lani just listen on.

Suddenly, the door is opened and in walks Terra alongside a very sharply dressed elven man.

"Good, you're all here" Terra says in a less enthusiastic tone than she usually uses.

"These are your companions Miss Terra?" The elven man asks.

"Yes" Terra responds, obviously irked by the mans presence.

"Who's the dick in the suit?" Amilia asks off the bat in her classic blunt way.

"My apologies, my name is Durat Jans. I am an associate of the Tarron family of Mulvenscroll. It is a pleasure to meet you all, especially you John Doe. I believe you are the one they call the Hero of Reduna'z Gaze?".

His words quickly stun the sitting group for a multitude of reasons, but John is the first to ask a question of the man, "That's what they call me anyway... if I may ask, why are you here?".

"I am here because I was tasked with delivering a message from Master Holvaeth Tarron to Miss Terra, and to you John".

Durat then digs into his pocket to pull out a letter before reciting it verbatim,

"Dear Terra. I hope this letter finds you well. I have been hearing through our many, many friends of your exploits, or should I say, heroics, in Reduna'z Gaze. Now, you know of my feelings about you adventuring, but I know you do not care for my opinion on that subject. I've also heard that you are friends with a man they call the 'Hero of Reduna'z Gaze', a man who reduced the great Imoga to ashes... whether that is true or not, I do not know. What I do know is this... I need your help Terra... yours, and this so-called hero's. I've sent letters to all of your sisters, whether they respond or not is up to them ultimately, but my dear... I am in dire need of all of your help. It's not just me either, it's all of Mulvenscroll, maybe even all of Muprosyll needs yours and this hero's help. The Giant Queen has finally come calling. You are forever in my thoughts, and I hope to see you soon - Father".

Durat then hands the letter to Terra who begins scanning the letter intently as John is in disbelief as a lot of questions form in his head, "So... there's a Giant Queen? And he wants us to help kill her?".

"That is partially correct. I am unfortunately unable to tell you all the details as I do not know everything, but as you heard, the situation is... most dire".

As Terra reads the letter over and over again, she says, "It can't be... we've had peace with the Giant Queen for hundreds of years... why now?".

"That is unknown, every messenger we've sent to the Queen so far, have yet to return".

Terra sighs, putting the letter down before putting her head in her hands. Lani is the next to speak as she asks, "That said Mulvenscroll right? As in the capital city of Muprosyll?".

"Correct" Durat responds.

"My home..." Terra says, her mind obviously torn about the current predicament.

"That is no quick journey, you must have sailed for nearly week at least" Tally comments.

"It was long yes, but it luckily we avoided any storms. The waters can be very treacherous sometimes, but our captain is among the most skilled" Durat says before looking to Terra, "Miss Tarron, you know even better than I do about how little your father asks for help. As a loyal assistant, and advisor, on occasions, to your family, I would implore you for your assistance against this threat, you as well John".

The two mentioned just look at each other, wondering if the other has an answer. But before either of them can speak, Durat says, "I realise this is a lot to ask of you two, after all, i'm sure you all are still reeling from the attack. I will give you both the rest of the day to think on it, and I will come by tomorrow for your answers".

Durat then gets up, "I wish you all a good day" He then leaves the Kauldron, and the group are stunned.

"Well... anyone else hungry?" Amilia asks to break the tension.

A COUPLE MINUTES LATER:

The group are now all in Kyuala's room, discussing the current situation at hand.

"So... your family's rich?" Tally asks.

"That we are. The Tarron family have been an incredibly wealthy family for hundreds of years. Our wealth originally came from mines and farming lands, but my great grandfather eventually began investing in buildings. He eventually settled down in Mulvenscroll after helping build most of the newer districts, and then we became a major family in Muprosyll continent".

"And you decided to leave all that glitz and glamour to go hunting in some damp cave before getting kidnapped?" Amilia bluntly ponders.

"Well... yes. Do you remember what I told you all after we got back from the Darkcross cave?".

The group, minus Tally, murmur yes as they somewhat of remember, however they can't remember everything due to them celebrating.

"I suppose we did have quite a few drinks that night, so let me fully explain. A few years back, my mother and I had quite a... falling out, which in turn caused me to fall out with most of my extended family. It was then when I finally decided to live a life that I desired rather than one that was **** upon me" Terra responds.

Daffy then asks "And wit aboot yer da? Wits he like?".

"My father can be quite the manipulative bastard to the untrained person, luckily, I've had quite the extensive training when it comes to his manipulative schemes".

"And is this one of them?" John hesitantly questions.

"I... do not know. I haven't spoken to him since before I left, so maybe he has upped his game, but I cannot say for certain" Terra replies.

"So, why would he reach out now? Surely he could just get a legion of mercenaries to fight this Giant Queen?" Kyuala asks.

"Normally he would, he has many contacts to help with just that. But if he is specifically asking me and my sisters for help, he must be ****".

The group look amongst each other before Tally then asks, "You said you fell out with most of your 'extended' family... what about your sisters?".

"All of my sisters argued alongside me against the marriage, but I am closest with my eldest sister Kiera. She and I are very alike in our passions in the world, we bonded over everything from alchemy to digging up coins. I am also quite close with one of my younger sisters, Manai. She was the one to help me get away from Mulvenscroll without my fathers prying eyes from seeing me. I had heard that most of my other sisters were happy for my revelling against my mother, however I cannot confirm if that is still the case as there surely had to have been some backlash upon them too.".

"And what was your decision again?" John asks.

"To not be married off to the heir of another major family".

The group are stunned as they remember when Terra first mentioned this during their celebration. Her admission back then was so cavalier because of the ****, but now... it quietened the room.

This gives Terra the chance to explain further, "During an incredibly lucrative business deal, my mother and father along with Kyarl and Marie Knagstun, the heads of the Knagstun family, came to an agreement which almost **** me into a marriage with their egotistical, self-absorbed son. I refused, and that led to my mother screaming in my face until she went hoarse. From that moment forward, we argued day after day, week after week in front of my father, all of my sisters... and even guests. Eventually I decided that enough was enough, and made the decision to leave".

The shocked silence only continues, the group unsure of what to say. Amilia then steps up, trying to make the situation a little less awkward, "Wait... all of your sisters? How many damn sisters d'you have?".

"Eleven. My father often joked that he was cursed with the inability to have a male heir".

The rest of the group look amongst themselves, before they all collectively say, "Eleven?!".

"Yes, eleven. Why?".

The group eventually fire a cavalcade of questions toward Terra with a few of them being, "Do your parents not have anti-fertility potions?", "How big was your house?", "Are they hot?" which Amilia really wanted the answer to, but she didn't get.

Terra did her best to answer as many of the questions, but eventually they became too much answer one-by-one, so she decided to answer then all at once.

"Okay, first off, I am the middle child of twelve children. Secondly, our house was more like a small castle. Thirdly, I do not know, nor do I care to know about my parents sexual habits or preparations. And finally, I am, under no circumstances, introducing you to any of my 'single and hot' sisters, Amilia".

"Oh please, like I was the only one thinking about it!" Amilia says trying to defend herself.

"You were" Lani responds, causing Amilia to look at her with an annoyed expression.

John then cuts into the back-and-forth before saying, "There's one thing i've been wondering. Why did he ask for my help? I don't know anything about a Giant Queen".

"That... I do not know. My father has always been weary of unknown outsiders, but he carries an intense hatred for anything affiliated with demon-kissed, including half-marked's".

The group all then internally freeze up as they realize that Terra still doesn't know that John is human. Luckily for them, Terra continues on, "I suppose, my father doesn't have to know, but trying to explain what John is may be a problem, especially if my sisters get to him".

"What does that mean?" Kyuala asks with a little hint of worrying anger in her voice.

"Most of my sisters, from what I remember, are very... flirtatious... especially toward good-looking men like John".

The group all look at Terra surprised since she doesn't really say anything like that about anyone.

Amilia then jokingly asks, "So, you'll let your sisters flirt with John, but I won't even get introduced?".

"Because I know that's as far as they'll go. My sisters were masters at flirting to get what they wanted, but not actually going any further than that".

"Shame, they'd be missing out..." Amilia responds, "He's got a pretty good cock for a human".

Amilia places her hand over her mouth in shock as the entire room falls silent. Eyes open wide and faces drop as Terra's face turns into the visual definition of the word, confused.

The room is so eerily silent, you could hear a crumb falling onto the floor. The only comparison to the silence would be the vacuum of space.

Everyone just looks at Terra, waiting for some sort of response to the accidental bomb that was just dropped.

Eventually, sound returns to the room as Terra asks, "What?".

The silence quickly returns as no one answers, but Terra then asks again, "John... did she just say that you are...?".

"Human. Yes... yes, she did" John responds.

Terra just looks at him with her eyes wide, jaw agape, and her knowledge of John completely shattered.

"You... are... human? Really... human?" Terra slowly asks, waiting to see if this is all some big elaborate joke being pulled on her.

That doesn't happen however as John just responds, "Yep... i'm as human as you are an elf".

This confirmation from John himself shakes Terra's perception of everything about him since the moment they met back in those cages in the Darkcross' hideout.

She wracks her brains, and realizes just how weird everything with John seemed to be since the start. Kyuala was always so protective over him, she assumed it was just out of love, but now, it makes even more sense.

She even thinks about the moments when John was in his coma. She remembers being in the room with Lani as she was using a healing spell on John.

FLASHBACK:

A few days after Imoga was defeated, John was still in his coma as both Terra and Lani are watching over him. Lani is flying above John as she is casting a healing spell while Terra sits in the chair next to the bed.

"Do you think that will work?" Terra asks.

"I'm not sure, but it's better than doing nothing" Lani says as she completes the healing spell.

Terra looks at the man, feeling bad that she can't do anything more than what they've already done at this point. In the few days he's been ****, they've tried shaking him, shouting, smelling salts, waking spells and even pouring freezing cold water over him, but nothing. Kyuala did also try to wake him up by stroking his member, but she quickly stopped since she felt like she was taking advantage of him, plus, it didn't work anyway.

As Terra looks at the man, she can partially see his chest, and she doesn't see any sort of marks.

That's when she remembers back to the cages in the cave, overhearing Kyuala and John talking about how Amilia pretended to betray them. She couldn't hear exactly what was said, but she definitely heard Kyuala say something about a demon-kissed.

That's when Terra finally asks, "Hey Lani? What is John exactly?"

Lani looks at her, "What do you mean?".

"I mean his race. He obviously isn't a furfolk, scalefolk or anything like that... so, what is he?".

"Oh!" Lani then quickly follows up with, "He's a rare half-marked. When he dropped in, he was taken almost immediately and used to make a full demon-kissed. Luckily that failed however, and he escaped".

Terra listens to Lani's explanation and can't help but think that it sounded, almost... well practiced. It could just be that Lani has had to explain it so many times that it seems that way, but Terra can't quite shake that feeling that something isn't what it seems.

BACK TO THE PRESENT:

Terra snaps out of her momentary flashback before looking at John once again.

Just then, Terra stands up from her chair before moving toward John.

The entire group is frightened of what's about to happen. Terra's face showing no emotion as she moves toward the man.

As Terra gets just a few feet away from John, she stops.

It seems like the air has been sucked out of the room as everyone holds their breath.

Terra looks at John in his eyes, scaring John to his core as the elf has an aura of terror currently around her.

Just then, everyone is shocked as Terra leaps forward and...

Hugs John.

John instinctively wraps his arms around the smaller woman, unsure of what to do in this situation, but that's when Terra says, "A real human! An actual living human right in front of me! Oh Zirnor, you're so soft!".

Everyone is speechless, unsure of what to say as the elf just buries herself into John even more. John then finally lets out a sigh of relief before saying, "Actually, I think that's just cause Tally made my clothes".

"You're welcome" Tally says, getting a laugh from her fellow elf.

Eventually Terra lets go of John before asking, "I have a lot of questions".