Chapter 8; no place like home

As it approached noon the village came into sight. It was cut into the face of the mountain, rather than the beehive appearance of a number of similar villages on earth was more of a greek coastal town where buildings formed into each other. The village itself was rather small, maybe a hundred houses. “Solveig, how many live here?” she thought for a moment “roughly two hundred.” and how many other villages are there?” “on the southern half of this continent there is another, I’ve been told there are four others in the world.” his unease growing “is this a large village for your people?” she nodded her head. Some quick math and head stopped “Solveig, we are carrying six percent of your village.” both turned to him, grim faced “now you know why our mission to return is so important.” Solveig added “some are even damaged to the extent that it is unknown if they can be reborn.” his mind finished the math. In his satchel bag was 0.1% of the species.

As they traveled the narrow path towards the village Samar was reminded of how easily defended this place was. The path was narrow enough that a single warrior could hold the gap against an army. As they approached a massive creature landed before them. Had this been the Gargoyle fighting the slimes Samar would have just walked away. Even with a massive hunch the thing stood maybe seven feet tall, blood red stone skin. A pair of massive wings, and a tail as long as it's body. It was the epitome of a bestial stone demon.

Considering present company Samar was not one to discriminate, putting on a good face “greetings we-” from his side Solveig cut him off “Samar, that's him.” no more words were needed. The world took a red tinge, dimly aware he felt lighting racing down his arm, on his other nothing was left alive. Before he could act on it however a bluish figure moved between them. He heard words being said but their meaning lost to the rage. A familiar hand on his shoulder, he looked and her beautiful, fiery eyes, calmed the fire in his own. He felt the weakness of impotent rage cause cold shivers to run through his body.

The big red bastard made a face between a snarl and a sneer before impossibly taking to the air. Turning to them, Sacara gave them an annoyed look "great work, you haven't even entered the village and you've already made an enemy of an elder.” Samar looked to Solveig and she nodded. Sacara let out a pained sigh “Solveig, I understand that, however, you need a new warband, weapons.” she shook her head “you two, go to the assembly hall, I will fly ahead and gather the elders before Badakar can cause too much damage.” she ran then leapt into the air.

Solveig let out an annoyed sound “Damn, she’s right.” Samar snorted “we have terrible impulse control don't we.” She rubbed at her eyes then looked at him “well, you were fondling my ass within the first five minutes we met, so this is about what's expected.” Samar snorted a laugh as they made their way through the twisting hive of a town.

As they weave their way through the network of houses Samar had the dreaded feeling, he was going to be sent on a quest. Pulling Solveig aside "how worth it is it to aid the tribe.” she gave a confused look. “At the moment it looks like we are going to need to fight an uphill battle just to get warriors and weapons. As a back up plan in case they try and screw us, instead of risking both our lives for a group that doesn't care for us or wants us dead, we give them the cores, we tell them were the workshop is, and we tell them to fuck themselves.”

“And if Badakar gets his way and they try to kill you?” she whispered. Samar shook his head “fuck um, just make sure to bring my corpse out of here.” Solveig gave a small nod then said “there is one thing they have that we want. The ritual of Joining.” Samar nodded “so we go in, willing to help but leaving them to their fate is still on the table.” Solveig nodded “that is not ideal but better than dying." In agreement they entered the big house.

Before them were five Gargoyles sat in a semicircle, before them stood Sacara. Badakar was on the far left, next to him a Jade one that looked like it was between a praying mantis and a monkey. In the center a large blueish grey, winged figure. While not as hulking as Badakar, he seemed to have the lethal grace Solveig carried. To his right was a voluptuous pearl gargoyle with long crystalline dreadlocks for hair. The one to the far right was black as onyx, he looked like a demonic gorilla. The center one spoke, “You left with a full war-band and returned with a single warrior and a human, the council would like an explanation.” he turned and gave a look to Badakar “keep in mind, military failures happen, this is not a trial but a debriefing.” Samar found he already liked the fellow.

Solveig stepped forward “the threat that had killed a number of our tribe are modified slimes.” one of the council members barked a laugh. Surprisingly it wasn’t Badakar but a jade green one. It’s laughter was silenced by a look from the leader. Turning his attention to Solveig “that they were killed by a slime is disheartening, however as Sacara reports before you and the twelve core’s you carry is proof enough. However in your words give us the report on them and what led you to travel with a human.” Over the next thirty minutes Solveig explained the mission, about a third of the way in he started recognizing bits. Eventually the report is over, most of the bits between them were skipped over. As she finished she stated “I make the request for the ritual of binding between me and my companion here.”

It went about as well as Samar expected, the red bastard roared, the green hissed, the leader looked started, the other two, a womanly white marble that Samar assumed was a woman covered her mouth to hide and the fifth an onyx black fell back roaring in laughter. Quickly recovering himself the leader snapped “Silence.” looking to Solveig in a tight voice “as is your right, it will be granted, however a lot has been said here. We need time to deliberate.” he said this, locking eyes not with Solveig or Sacara, but with Badakar. Looking at Solveig he said “I ask that you please hold off on the ceremony, for now please deliver the cores to Artificer Yolwick, see if he can save any of our kin.” turning his attention to Samar “considering the nature of our enemies, there was mention of a weapon that used electric power. Considering the nature of our enemies I would ask to purchase it from you. You could take any enchanted weapon from the vault or instead we could forge you a weapon to your specifications.”

Badakar sputtered, before he could voice his complaint. Samar saw the chief’s face twist in fury. While his face was towards Samar, from the way he looked through him Samar knew the rage wasn’t directed at him. Turning to the Scarlet giant at his side “Badakar, interrupt me again and I will take it as you are challenging me for the opposition of chief” there was a pause “again.” He breath, fire danced from his nose he address the assembled council “For the rest of you, there are twelve cores in that satchel, if a dragon were to attack, I would not expect to lose twelve of our own, let alone the six others that are missing.” he let out an angered huff “A full warband was sent out. Of the two warriors that returned; one refuses to return to finish her mission, while the other is the strongest of this generation. By the Great Faeher, Solveig used to be the Chief.” Samar noted that bit to ask later, turning to Solveig, he gave her a questioning look and mouthed “you could use the Shillaly?” she shook her head “take the offer.” with that he turned back to the council and nodded. Pulling it out he noticed something, it was no longer called the ‘Shillaly of wailing’ instead it had a new description.

“шок’ing stick; originally Shillaly of wailing but after a rename due to a pun game to beat a god, it has since been upgraded. a wooden club that is able to cast shocking touch on contact. Has two uses, each has a 12 hour recharge rate. (Notes** This is a one time upgrade, don't start dropping puns in hopes of future upgrades.)

Samar vaguely remembered the incident when he made that pun, he hadn’t even said it out loud, it had just been a thought. 'Well what better way to reward a god's favor then to trade it for a better weapon. There's no way that could go wrong.'

Passing it to the leader Samar added "it has two charges that take 12 hours to recharge." The large chief took it “some clothes might be in order, something more than a blanket.” Samar was surprised and slightly offended, this was supposed to be the Highlands “Have you never heard of a kilt before?” the large Gargoyle looked at him strangely “where you come from this is normal attire?” The leader shook his head “you are dismissed unless you have other business to address with us, we have need to deliberate.”

With a slight bow they left the council, moving up through the winding streets. Samar ran his fingers through his hair “I think that went well.” Solveig nodded “if Gorag didn’t support us then we might have to leave the tribe. Well there’s a reason he’s the chief.” Samar looked to her “Gorag? I take it, that's the chief.”

Solveig stopped and then looked at Samar “right, you didn’t know any of them.” Samar snorted “as you said it's been a few hundred years since anyone has been invited.” as they arrived at the top of the village, there was a cave, hidden from being seen from below. At the cave mouth Solveig added “Gorag became chief after my predecessor died.” from her tone, she didn’t want to add anything else. They rounded a bend and Samar changed the topic “So why does everyone think so little of slimes.”

Solveig looked at him questioningly “I keep on forgetting how little you know. So just how my people are living weapons, slimes are artificial race made to clean up trash. Now imagine how people feel about epic warriors dying from that.” Samar nodded as they approached the mouth of the cave.

Entering Samar found they were approaching a sort of active volcanic foundry. As they moved in a massive statue came alive. A twin to the onyx counselor. Despite its fiery glow his eyes had a sleepy cast to them “Solveig.” it rumbled “what is it you need?” she raised her hand “I have the cores of the fallen and my companion needs a weapon, he traded his own in exchange for one of your’s. He is a spell blade, so maybe and Arack Sabar.”

The ebony gorilla nodded and in a tired tone “I will place them in the Crucible in a moment. Come here companion of Solveig I will take your measurement.” he pulled out a rope that looked oddly like the color of their skin. It had knots at equal intervals down its length. Once measured, Samar had an idea he had been playing with. “This may sound like a weird question but is this rope made from your skin?” the demonic Gorilla gave him a look “it is, and why would that be a weird question?”

“I have another request, a weapon for Solveig. I would also recommend making a number of them for the tribe.” The Forgemaster sighed and looked to Solveig “are you in need of another weapon?” she gave Samar a curious look, “is it for the slimes” Samar nodded “in that case yes, we have encountered a deadly threat.”

Samar quickly sketched out what was needed, it was in short a lacrosse stick. “You know your people and their limits better than I do, but it would be a staff weapon.” from over his shoulder Solveig asked “why didn’t you mention this before.” Samar pointed to the knotted rope “I lacked the materials needed, your skin is stone based and so has a high acid resistance. When we first met you had your skin soft but still when it still resisted the slime, where I was blinded from the pain.”

From the massive Forgemaster “I will not ask why the young are touching each other however I have little skill in thread work. I can craft the weapon however you will need another to craft the basket. I do not know if this would even work as a weapon, and only am willing to try since Solveig seems to trust your judgment.”

“Would you mind crafting the head now so that we can get someone working on the threading.” there was a sort of rumble clicking sound that Samar figured was annoyance. Solveig came to his rescue “it doesn’t need to be a living weapon, instead it just needs a spell of hardening." The head nodded, moved over to the flow of magma. It stuck its hand in, rumbled a few words and pulled out the full staff. Instead of just the head it was one long piece of obsidian. As he drew it out, he etched a number of runes on it before passing it to Solveig.

She placed her hand on his forearm “come” then to the Smith “Thank you Yonrak” she led Samar out of the cavern “lets go fine Sacara, she might be willing to weave this for us.” Samar looked at Solveig “You think it's a terrible idea too.”

“I didn’t say that.” Solveig replied a little too quickly, pausing “it's just...you want to kill slimes with nets.”

“See you think it's a bad idea!” The pair bickered like a married couple all the way to Sacara’s house. Solveig knocked but there wasn’t a response.

She was about to kick the door down when Samar stopped her “she’s been through a lot, maybe a lighter touch.” leaning to one of the cracks he thought he heard movement “Sacara, I’m told you're a good weaver, and we could use your help.” a shadow moved and through the crack in the doorway a glowing eye peered out “a modest weaver, compared to that brute next to you” Sloveig tried to burst in but Samar stopped her. “That's why I’m coming to you instead of asking her.” soft almost nervous laughter, “am I making you a pair of pants?” Samar had to turn away “does no one on this damn rock respect the Kilt.” he felt a hand slide in, and fondled his balls “I love it” Solveig purred “gives me easy access.” he tapped her leg “later, we” he looked to see the lone eye watching intently “or maybe let's move this inside.” a muffled meep followed by “n-n-noope no no need.”

A hungry purr in his ear “once we’ve gone through the ritual, I think I’m going to enjoy watching you breed her.” she nibbled on his ear, just lightly enough that it didn’t burn. Nuzzling his head against her, while his eyes were still locked on Sacara’s “alright love, let's stop teasing her, at least till we can actually enjoy her.” she purred in agreement.

Freeing himself from his lover Samar moved to the door again "teasing aside I have a weapon that I plan on using against the slimes. I need a weaver to create a basket for it and was hoping you would do it."

“I-I can help, so long as I don’t need to fight any more.” she opened the door. As they entered Solveig asked “I intend to have the ritual of joining performed on us.”

Looking confused Sacara nodded “I was at the council when you announced it.”

Solveig moved close “I saw that look in your eye. Once we are joined, I plan on sharing him with you.” Sacara’s eyes widened, and Solveig took a handful of her breast and found the nipple “and if you are a good little girl, I will have him breed you.” Sacara whimpered.

Clearing his throat “As much as I would love to see you two go at it, believe me I do. There are currently only two things in this village that can deal with the bombardment that is about to commence.” Solveig turned to look at him, she had Sacara already on her back and legs spread, her pussy, glowing cherry red, exposed. “what?”