A Silver Lining at the end of a Dark Day

Obviously the guild did not stop an Orc Invasion, watching as the Human city of Deirdre crumbled from its rocky mesa, and the first signs of the Dark Elven city of Pythorias begin to rise. The sounds of Orc horns and victorious battle cries could be later heard, as the last of the Deirdre human soldiers fell to the blades of Orc axes, Goblin spears, and Dark Elven swords and magic. Perhaps this was a necessary evil, as Valnora had pointed out. Jarlaxle, the Demon Lord, had collected on a blood pact that had been long past due. The Dark Elves, who had longed for a place on the surface, now have it with Pythorias rising to the surface, led by their Matron Mother, Indira. The Orcs, who've longed for more fertile land from the semi-arid or arid landscapes of Dubrovny, now had the fertile farmlands for their own agriculture, and they had the Sabretooth Triad of Orc clans to thank.

So as the airship carry the guild and evacuees from the city back to the guild's home, in their coastal, multi-racial home city of Freeport, the people on board began to reflect on such a tragic but necessary event, as the suns began to set. Valnora, in particular, staying in her human form of Ursula, watched the sun set from one of the lower decks, thinking of her three-year work to fulfill her master's wishes. Hearing the sounds of approaching footsteps, she turned to see Cat walk over to her. Reasonably dusty from having run through falling rubble and debris, the Half-Elf found a spot, standing next to her.

"Long day, isn't it?" Cat spoke softly to her.

"Yes, a very long day, especially for me." Valnora nodded, kissing his temple gently. "Three years of hard work, and I've finally finished my task for my master."

"Aren't you going to change back into your demon form?" Cat looked to her, speaking as quietly as he could.

"Not yet, Cat." Valnora responded. "I do not want to hurt the feelings of those Deirdre humans any further than we have. After all, it was the king's contract that drew you and the guild to the city in the first place. Now their city is gone, and so is their livelihood, their way of life."

"It may be traumatizing for them, yes, but hopefully, they will be able to rebuild their lives in Freeport, even if they may be shell-shocked at all the different races that live there." Cat spoke again. "If not, then I am sure they will keep Cesar & Janissa busy while they help them find more suitable places to settle and rebuild. The guild at least owe them that."

"True, to say the least." Valnora nodded, then grinned. "Which reminds me. There is the cargo that we have to retrieve from the ruins, if they have not been found by the Dark Elves." She moved to a more open space, and then worked her demonic magic to retrieve those large treasure chests, as well as additional treasure chests that had been brought in from the Demon Realms, in exchange for those family brooches. "The three you found in the castle, plus seven additional chests courtesy of my master. That should be more than enough for the guild to provide more than enough compensation for those people you evacuated."

Cat's eyes widen, and then he carefully picked open the locks, one at a time. Each one he opened, he carefully checked the quality of the gold coins, and then smiled at Valnora. Then he did the same with the gems he found in the pouches, and smiled. When he got to the last chest, his smile grew even more. There were a pair of new daggers for him, with the blades made of Elven Glass, and lined with silver. The hilts were of gold and ivory, and had a set of emerald gems inside of them. As he took the daggers and felt them in his hands to test their weight, he saw the hand crossbows, and took them carefully.

"How can the guild and I thank you for all of this?" Cat looked to Valnora.

"You can start by letting me be a part of the guild." She walked over to him, and kissed him hotly. "Of course, you will have to reserve a space in the guild house for a demonic sigil, to allow for a gateway so that I can at least communicate with my master."

"Down in the sub-levels for safety, of that I am sure we can arrange." Cat looked up to Valnora, smiling.

"Good." She smiled, and kissed him some more. "A silver lining in an otherwise dark day, hmm?"