Chương 41: Peace and Booze.

Her eyes went wide. So Aurendor had some pact with the things of the deep? Just what happened after they lost that aetherite mine?

"No, the steel ones are gone, long gone, no beings of steel or fire exist on these islands…" She answered. The whisper came insistent and demanding "You lie! You are a being of steel!" it spat.

"Except me" She added in haste.

"And I only arrived here a short while ago, I had not heard of the pact and I am very sorry for violating it… if you could just tell me what the pact is, I'll be certain not to violate it ever again." She pleaded. I am going to need way more firepower for these things. A shame they are so ugly, otherwise we could cook them like livestock. I wonder what they taste like? Its mandibles clicked and clacked, as if in thought. The insectoid head turned down towards the abyss and the mandibles began rapidly clicking.

Minutes later it turned back to her.

"Being of Depth has decided. You will be told the pact." the whisper began to weave a story.

"Beings of fire are not to enter the territory of Being of Depth, Beings of fire are most certainly not to use steel and fire in this territory. Being of Depth will not pillage, loot, or kill Beings of fire's territory." It ended. This sounds like Aurendor bargained out a surrender… just how bad was it?

"I understand the pact, I will not violate it again. May I leave?" She asked.

"You MUST LEAVE, but YOU CANNOT" The whisper furiously responded. An incredible amount of flux emanated from the monster, snaking around stone and bringing it to heel. A short, direct path straight to the tunnel exit was created in the blink of an eye.

"Pay the PRICE PRICE PRICE, or be cast below" it wove its body around the bridge, eyes never leaving Nythera as it created a tunnel of flesh and chitin.

"What price? What do I have that you could possibly want?" Nythera asked, eyeing the tunnel out. If I tried to bolt down that, what would happen? Probably crushed to death by the giant worm. A spindly armored limb reached towards her, the tip refined into a sharp spike.

"ACCEPT OR PERISH" Her finger touched the end, she winced, closing her eyes and turning her end. Blood dripped. Curse of The Deep One: When entering territory of the deep ones, suffer a scaling stat reduction. They are always aware of where you are in their territory.

"GO NOW" The worm cried. Her body felt heavy and her mind felt like eyes watched her every thought. As if one stray thought could cast her into the abyss below. Nythera precariously walked across the bridge, keeping her eyes up and on the exit, not on the abyss of churning spawn beneath her. Nor the giant writhing worm that encircled her passage. Her heart finally rested when the tunnel enclosed her and she disappeared into its winding passages. A sight of relief later, daylight shone on her once again.

I cannot allow anyone in there, consequences be damned, if some kid stumbles into this thing we could have war. And immediately pivoted, bringing her culverin forth in front of the cave.

"FIRE!" She yelled and cannon thunder marked the closing of the cave. I am going to need to talk to the mayors, especially with what's going on in Rustreach, if they mine into the Being of Depth's territory it could start a war. She breathed in deeply. And exhaled. Finally done. Hopefully this marks an end to the war, and whatever is going under Myrraval. The road back to Grandport was lonely. The city burned, smoke billowed up in great columns into the sky.

If Damien's men blew up Marco's I will dig his body out of the wreckage and kill him again. She made way back as fast as her legs would carry her. Storm clouds swirled over Grandport, marking the power of the Stormbridges as a great downpour was unleashed on the city. [System Notifications!] Fuck off, I don't have time for you. She pushed it to the side. Lightning cracked down somewhere deep in Grandport. And again, and then again. The fighting isn't over!

I wish I had Damien's bloody head to parade in front of these bastards. As she ran she knew how hopeless it was, it'd take at least four hours if not longer to get back from Halsbury. She ran anyway, until her stamina bottomed out not even half way to Grandport. Something flaming was launched into the city from beyond, and giant stone projectiles, mere pebbles in her distant vision, flew back in response. Who do they think they are? Destroying MY city! Nythera fumed as she trod back.

If only Damien hadn't forced me to ground my ship I could be back already. Nythera tugged on Precision-Sight and scanned for anything she could target in the distance, but the ships were still hidden behind the town. Left walking, powerless to defend her city. Talvik landed on her right shoulder.

"What have you done with the deep ones? There was a frenzy in every tunnel and cave throughout the island." His voice demanded. Oh… it was that bad? She smiled guiltily, rubbing her neck, "I ran into some giant worm thing screaming about some pact, told it that Aurendor was gone, and then they let me go." She explained. If I tell him about the curse, he might actually kill me. What he doesn't know won't hurt him.

"They know…" Talvik's feathers fell, slumping against her shoulder.

"The only reason they didn't take the surface was because Aurendorian artillery fire could eliminate anything that appeared. At least they let you go, that is surprising."

"I must go, do not die, I will be back later. So much to do and so little time." Talvik filled with life and took off into the sky in a split second. Flux streamed off his wings, shooting him forward like a rocket into the distance towards Myrraval's center. What the… He came up with some solution? I hope so, damn bird could be useful for once. The sight of catapulted rocks and striking lightning had stopped nearly an hour before she saw her first people, the town finally drawing closer.

A group approached the road to Halsbury. Waving at her vigorously. Is that? NO!

"It's the Miss! The Miss! LORD!" A familiar voice shouted, they started running. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. No not Leo now, I just fought a battle, I've got nothing to run with. In spite of that a smile reached her eyes. Leo practically crashed into her "Lord, you were so cool Miss! So cool! You took out half their fleet! More than half their fleet! Hey can you teach me how to launch cannons, I want a cannon!"

"Good job kid." Dominic's hand came down on her head.

"We were going to head all the way to Halsbury, you saved us a trip." he chuckled. Kennick stood silently. As they made their way back, she was apprised of the situation.

"With only a handful of ships left, the fighting was manageable, thanks to you pulling out most of their fleet." Dominic explained.

"We captured two frigates actually and a dozen war prisoners. The damage to the city… was quite significant, but we have time to repair before Wrath comes.".

"Hey Miss Lord, it was a hard fight wasn't it? You should go rest, the old ladies are resting in Veymur's Temple, you should go join them." there was a mischievous spark in Leo's eye. He grabbed her arm, holding it gently "Come now, I'll help you get there." Her glare carried fiery death within it… and she was powerless to resist being completely out of stamina. Leo's far superior physical stats allowed him to drag her forwards with ease.

Before long she crossed the door into Veymur's Temple, finding a temple-turned-hospital inside. Women and injured were spread out within the dim interior.

"Now just rest here, Gran… Miss Lord." Leo said and pushed her towards one of the beds the old ladies occupied.

"Ill be off now, got to help with relief efforts" Leo said, saluted, and practically ran out the door, snickering the whole way. That little shit, think you can keep me in here? He's lucky I didn't pull out the Culverin.

"Lord, you fought with Damien? What was he like?" one of the old women asked.

"Thank you so much Lord, my son was out there fighting and he said you single-handedly saved us all" Another old lady hobbled over.

"Miss… Lord, could you teach my son some of that sorcery? He's a real good boy, please teach him." yet another old lady beckoned to her. I don't have time to deal with this, I need to get out there and help. If I stay here too long someone's gonna start proposing suitors. She shivered.

"I'm sorry, I have to go help with relief efforts, I'll do my best to keep your sons alive." Nythera said, a smile on her face. Nythera retreated outside the Temple and rushed through the streets. She passed a row of burnt out houses and blast craters and made way straight for the port, where the majority of the fighting should have taken place. An entire warehouse at the seaside marina had collapsed, smoldering embers still burning.

"Get a water mage over here! Fast!" a soldier called out to his squad captain. She rushed in without a thought. I've got heat resistance, they don't. She thought.

"Anyone in here?" She called out, covering her mouth with the cloth of her cloak. Coughing sounds appeared up ahead, she ventured deeper into the structure and found soldiers huddled behind a wall of flaming wood. Their clothes were burnt and scorched through and they seemed listless.

"Lord? What cough are you doing in here?" One asked in obvious surprise.

"Shut up and listen to me, back up from that wall." she commanded, bringing the Culverin forth without a second thought.

"FIRE" she commanded as soon as it was ready, blowing a hole straight through the brick to the outside.

"Go, go, head to the Temple of Veymure, there's a hospital set up there." The soldiers obeyed without question. … The sun sank below the mountains as Nythera helped pull the last stragglers out of a collapsed house near the coast. Her legs were like lead and her arms, like stone. Grabbing her cloak, she wiped the sweat and soot off her brow. That should be the last one.

"Hey Nyth!" She heard a voice call from behind. Oh no… Turning she came face to face with Shelly. But this would be a really stupid time to go, everyone's exhausted, we barely survived…

"Nyth, tomorrow there's going to be some kind of speech in the plaza, but for now everyone's going to…" Time slowed, her eyes dilating. Every single time I go something bad happens.

"Marco's". Shelly's voice seemed to echo in Nythera's brain like thunder.

"I'm sorry Shelly." She cast a downtrodden look at the ground.

"I have sworn off booze, it is the drink of dead gods, not something for the living." She said, as if mourning her dead husband. Shelly sucked in a breath.

"Drink's are on the house."

"Alright lets go." She pivoted on one foot straight for Marco's. The plaza was packed to the brim with people, tables had been set out on the cobbles and people were already chugging down pints. Shelly dragged Nythera straight into the tavern itself, which was completely packed with people. She shoved her through the crowd until they reached a table on the edges of the room.

"Hey! Its the Lord! My grandma said she talked to you today, tried to marry me off." The man chuckled and got up out of the chair. Shelly seated Nythera right into it.

"Can't have our lord standing around like some commoner.". A pint of Marco's Beer is passed through the crowd, various people clinking glasses with it, before it clanks right down in front of her. Oh no. Weird Frank was seated at the table and kept slipping food to something beneath it. But that wasn't the bad part. Rowen stared straight at her from across the table. His hair was completely disheveled as if struck by lightning and one of his eyes twitched.

"Not this again." he muttered and took another swig of beer. Nythera buried her face in her own glass. I do not want to deal with this snob right now. She kicked him under the table and sent a deathly glare from over her glass. A confused look painted his face, he shrugged and then tried talking with Frank. Tried because Frank was busy feeding bread to Henry under the table. She took another gulp, the pain of the day began to fade. And another gulp. And yet another, the feeling in some of her limbs became hazy.

The chatter around her dimmed out. I think this party needs… some action. Nythera stood up suddenly. She gestured authoritatively to Rowen "get one the damn table." He sighed and clambered up to the top of the table with Nythera. She took a massive swig of beer, then passed the empty glass down for a refill.

"THREE CHEERS FOR STORMBOY" She shouted into the crowd, grabbing the glass as it was passed back, full of sloshing beer. The people near their table rose their glasses in cheer. Rowen's face turned a deep shade of red.

"I hate you." he whispered. Oh we are not done yet, just you wait. She grabbed his hand and raised it in the air.

"CHEERS TO STORMBOY" she bellowed with the same voice she used to fire her artillery. Half the room turned to face them, people at various tables stood up, the chatter died.

"CHEERS TO STORMBOY." shouted so loud the building's timbers vibrated. Everyone took a swig.

"Alright you had your fun, get off the table, stagesss mine." Nythera whisper-shouted to Rowen, slurring her words. Rowen nodded, hopping right off the table.

"ALRIGHT LETS DRINK!" she shouted, but a commotion in the crowd caused to fall on deaf ears. Some people were pushing their way through to her table. Who the Hel is ruining my performance? She glared into the crowd scanning for the faces of the perpetrator but it was too blurry.

"Yup its 'er alright, we certainly got a crazy lord." A voice beneath her said. Ollie, Noah, Felix, Lance, and some guy she didn't recognize. Oh lookie here it's all the mayors. She waved.

"I think we ought to do it now. We got quite the crowd here, we can make a more formal announcement in the morning." Noah said.

"I agree, this will set a better mood for the night, too many good men were lost today." Lance lamented. What are they talking about? These guys, always up to so much crazy shit. Lance leaned back, breathing in.

"ATTENTION" his voice carried like thunder, dust fell from the rafters as the building shook. Noah hopped up onto the table behind her.

"I have an announcement to make to the fine men of this establishment.". People crammed themselves into the windows and doors, baited breath waiting. Noah raised her hand into the air "Welcome to the LORD OF MYRRAVAL" he shouted as best he could manage.

"Come tomorrow to the plaza for the official ceremony!" He followed up by raising his glass.

"HERE HERE!" The room cheered with him. … Hours later, Nythera slept silently on a table, liver busy with the alcohol.

"At least we kept her from spending tokens this time." Noah said.

"The lass is going to need some time after all this." Felix nodded in assent. Lance nodded "Her coronation present is done as well.".

"See you in the morning." Ollie whispered and waved as he went out the door. A man in farming clothes approached her from a dark corner of the room. Bringing a dagger to her neck, he nicked her skin. A single drop of blood rolled down. He pulled back the dagger and scowled "Fuck, May the emperor have my head" he hissed and exited the tavern.