Too Many Elves

The knife was shaking in Gabe’s hand as the audience committed to their discourse. The choice they eventually settled on did not sit well with him, but he had to trust that they knew best. He dropped his shaking knife, the world suddenly came back into focus and time continued normally. “It wasn’t my intention to offend you.” Gabe started with Illumi then turned to Night. “But know that seeing one of my precious princesses in this state offends me.” He sighed. “I ask you to release her as soon as your goddess allows.”

The high priestess smiled, basking in the vapors of Gabe’s defeat and humiliation. She dreamed of the day she could tie him up and make him pay for all the indignities her people have had to swallow under his rule. But that was not today. Best not to push things. He’d given in to her demands, best to reward that good behavior. “I’m glad to see wisdom ultimately wins the day in your court, I take no offense to your heart’s passionate reaction.”

“Thank you.”

She spoke more loudly now. “We are the civilized races of the world. Though we agree on little, it’s good to remember that it’s better to tolerate our differences than to return to war and Chaos. Our Prince protects us not only from the chaos of the monsters, but also ourselves. Long Live Prince Gabriel!”

“Long live the prince!” The crowd shouted back.

Night glared daggers at Gabe, harsh enough that he couldn’t stand to meet her gaze.

Illumi returned her voice to its normal pitch. “Because of your predecessor I’ve refused to allow Drow Vedors to sell within the capital. I can see that you are someone who can be worked with, and as such I’ll repeal my embargo. Drow items and armor will be available for purchase by the time Skye opens your treasury.”

Interesting. Surely Night would understand, now that there was a mechanical benefit to his choice.

He nodded to Illumi, and returned to the throne, trying not to imagine a tail between his legs. Jasmine was the only one who could meet his gaze, and she did so with a glare. Even Precious stayed out with the rest of them once he was sat down.

Illumi giggled once the court had recovered from the moment, and continued her parade to the throne. “As I was saying, the Priesthood of Lolth thanks you dear prince for affording us the honor of The Quest. We thus present to you the greatest of all our slaves: Night. Tempestuous and head strong she has not yet been broken to the saddle, we leave that honor to you, lord.”

“And when do I get to cut her down?”

“Never.” Illumi grinned. “Freedom can not be given, only earned.”

Gabe was begging to lose his patience. “Then you’ll have to take back those nice things you said , because that doesn’t work for me.”

“Come now.” Illumi scoffed. “You have in your possession the greatest thief in the world. You would rob her of the chance to prove herself to you?”

Gabe cocked an eyebrow. “She can escape from that?”

Illumi chuckled. “For my own pride I hope not, but I’ve yet to weave the web that will finally hold our Princess. I’m sure this is no different.”

Welp, time to do what a good coach should do in these moments. Trust the player to know their limits. “Night.” She looked at him. “Can you do it?”

Despite the anger in her eyes, she nodded.

“You’ve got an hour.”

——-

Hilda adjusted her gloves, she was so curious about this whole event, it was almost exciting. After two hundred years she’d given up on it ever happening, but here she was. The Prince had put out the call and the eight princesses here to save the world.

She supposed there were some reasons to be excited. Though her heart truly longed to be with her son and grandchildren. Lolwyn was still so weak, she wanted to be there to help, but she knew neither would forgive her if she abandoned her duty for them. The big family isn’t the only thing they liked about the dwarves, stubbornness seemed to have rubbed off on them too.

She looked behind her where the trembling goblin stood as her last remaining companion. The poor thing was the least hearty of all of them, and had to wait the longest. Her nerves couldn’t have been helped when the dwarf came running out of the hall crying.

The goblin noticed her noticing and avoided eye contact as quickly as she could.

“No need to be nervous.” Hilda said gently. “I will endeavor to create the most unspectacular entrance I can. Then you’ll be the last one to sweep it all up. Sound good?”

Eyes still downcast the goblin nodded vigorously.

“Lady Pyroklept, you’re up.” Said a servant.

Hilda winked to the goblin. “Wish me luck.”

——-

Gabe smiled.

There was Hilda. He surprised himself, this is who he’d been waiting to see. He was getting his little sidekick back. Hilda had always been a loyal and eager member of the team. Plus... well… you know. She was the girl he was already sleeping with. He'd been in hostile territory so far, but the two of them were in the same camp. In his plan to... enslave his whole team, she was the first step. Lock her down as his main girl, and then work on the others. He hated how callous that sounded, but the plan was the plan. Otherwise, they were all dead.

Hilda came into the room like a lit matchstick. Her red hair was recognizable even in this fantasy world. Unlike the sparsely clothed Drow Hilda had a bulky figure. She was swathed in robes, a cape, gloves and boots. Even her robes had a collar. Her only exposed skin was from the chin up.

Even with such modesty, she was a fluorescently confident woman. In truth her hair was the only recognizable thing about her. She was tall, poised, and self-possessed. The assembly obviously held her in great respect. Gabe had the impression that it was his honor or to have her, and not the other way around.

She stopped before the prince, her shadow was cast back all the way to the entranceway, she looked above him even as he sat on the dais.

“Prince Gabriel.” Her voice was a bit huskier than he remembered despite her face remaining quite youthful. “As Princess of the Elves our meeting as been long awaited.”

Gabe nodded. No fight, no politics. So far so good. “Hilda, remember.”

The elf gave him a half smile. “I do.” She then graced him with a bow, and joined her teammates at his side. It was as graceful and anticlimactic as you could imagine. Gabe was stunned to silence, but the others were happy to have their junior back among them. She had to dodge a hug from Precious and Vera. She side stepped with gracefully, but the meaning behind the gesture was clear. She did not want to be touched.

The two shorties looked up at her with big sad eyes.

“I’m not very touchy anymore I’m afraid.” She gave them both a gentle smile. “It is nice to see you again, however.” She then turned to Anna. “Lady Merah, for the sake of our unity I wish to apologize for the injuries I inflicted upon you in my youth. The event is a sliver, of a memory, of a dream to me now. But I realize to you it is not so. All I can do now is say I am sorry, and assure you that I’ve long grown beyond such behavior.”

Anna shrugged, creeped out by this new calm Hilda. The little twerp was usually a hyper, shy pest. She was a completely different woman now, and her height only served to make Anna feel more petty and child like in her presence. “Sure, it’s fine.”

Hilda then gave a pleasant smile to Lana. “What was your name again sweetie?”

Lana gulped, somewhat picking up on the tension with her twin. “Lana Merah…” She mumbled.

“Ah yes!” Hilda laughed. “The sister, how could I have forgotten. To think the sisters from the human kingdoms were my old companions all along.” She snapped her gloved fingers. “You’re the one who first noticed the bus driver was passed out, yes?”

Lana blanched, flashes of them being hurdled through the air assaulted her mind. “If I’d noticed sooner, we might still be alive…”

The elf crouched down to give the blonde a gentle look. “No one is dead yet dear. Don’t carry this guilt with you, what happened to us was an accident. No one blames you.”

Lana gave a monosyllabic laugh. Even though Hilda hadn’t laid a hand on her, she somehow felt caressed and eased by her words. “Thanks…”

Anna pulled her twin away by the arm. Reminding her that they were still angry with the skank. It didn’t matter how elf y she was in here, out in the real world she’d been on her knees with Gabe’s dick in her mouth just a few hours before.

“What’s wrong with her?” Gabe whispered to Skye.

Hilda’s ears twitched. “I don’t want to make much of a fuss.” She said. “I promised your final princess she’d have our full attention.”

“Another time then.” The matronly goddess cooed. It will be best to explain everything once our final contestant arrives.”