Tyler returned to the camp just as the last body was thrown upon it. HE set it on fire using a breath attack before they left.
"Total?"
"45 silver. Ten banneds. A two foot pile of those spiked balls Lily uses for her forge, and one poison. The girls?"
"Sera has them in the grips of hug death."
The group left then, leaving the pile of bodies to burn red with the fury of the one that had killed them. They returned to the group and mounted up as they headed to the next one. Thistle swapping places with Wulf as was the way the raids would work. Tyler was still enraged, and Wulf could sense the roiling emotion in him.
"I have not seen you with this much pure hate before, Tyler."
"I've spent time with Sallie Wulf. That girl was as sweet, happy, and just such a joy to be around, and she had to suffer hell itself. But, the thing I hate most about it? Her hero LEFT her to die. In plain view of her as well. Let me tell you, Wulf, that SINGLE moment, when the one you had looked to all your life as a source of security, peace, the one that is supposed to protect you, when that person turns around and leaves you to your pain, even though you KNOW they have everything they need to help you, to stop the hurt, to save you from that hurt, seeing them just abandon you hurts you more then anything those vile creatures can do to you. I know that pain well, and is a mantra of mine to NEVER betray a friend, or ANYONE for that matter. It hurts, Wulf. And it was fully preventable. THAT is why it enrages me so. Plus, from the time I've spent with Sallie and Kaori in the spirit world together, we've become a spirit family, so that's just more fuel to my fire."
Wulf patted his shoulder, understanding.
"A father's rage is a truly terrifying force to behold. Just remember Ignatia's warning about spending too much time amongst the dead."
Tyler sighed as he let his rage simmer down.
"I try, Wulf. But, dammit they didn't have to die like that!"
Tyler could feel the pain he had felt at his first betrayal anew, and compounded with the betrayal of the girl he saw at night. Wulf patted him again,
"At least they can get to experience our travels with us. If they'd been alive, they wouldn't have been able to travel with us."
Tyler sighed again.
"You've a point there, Wulf. I think, this will be something that haunts me for the rest of my days. They may have forgiven me, but somehow, I can't seem to forgive myself. It's weird, I wasn't even there, yet I feel like I was and did nothing to help them. There is nothing I could do to save them, even if I HAD known they needed me. Sallie I maybe could've, but that's my heart. My gut says no, and my mind says maybe. And I feel even MORE torn up about Sylvia. My family were the ones that hurt her, and yet I carry that guilt myself."
The ranger smiled.
"To think I once thought you a heartless monster after you told me about that elven girl in Term. Now you're driving yourself insane over incidents you were not even in the same vicinity of."
Tyler chuckled.
"I remember. I think it's because I made it up to her the next day by giving her lead boy a handful of silver."
Wulf looked at the road.
"My advice? Use those feelings to make up for their pain."
"I will slaughter every goblin that draws breath. And those that harmed Sylvia will die screaming by our hands. That will be my redemption."
Tyler then felt a pair of small girls hug him, even though he couldn't see them. He then smiled.
"And we'll take them on the best gods damned adventure that we can."
Wulf looked over, and saw the faint outlines of the two girls hugging him tightly, with wide, happy smiles on their faces. He smiled then.
"Let's hurry up. We're nearly to the next camp."
Tyler smiled with eagerness.
"Right."
They found the next spot easily enough. Once the wagon stopped, the freed captives got nervous as sera hopped off the thing to join the raid. The princess waved.
"We'll kill em all for you!"
Tyler, Kaori, Lucy the barbarian, Wulf and Sera all moved towards the camp. Tyler and Lucy would walk right into the camp and lay waste as the others would fire arrows from a high point. This camp was surrounded by rocks, with bits of wooden wall around it. Tyler climbed a tree, and saw another set of three girls hanging from racks. He hopped down, and nodded to his team. Tyler walked to the front gate, a ten foot tall wood and metal thing, grasped it, and tore it off the wall as he charged a shot.
"Blue demon dragon roar."
He bathed the creatures within in a beautiful flame that once again encased the captives, while incinerating the other things entirely. Then Oblivion and Oathkeeper were in his hands as he started his walk of death, everything that came his way was slashed dead, while Lucy plugged the gate. Tyler was now channeling his rage into his reflexes and strength, as his arms moved in opposite directions slashing goblins dead as another giant rose to do battle. Tyler however, was not in a mood to play that game.
"Water slice."
This was a weapon enhancement that used his path power and added it to his strength to coat his swords in water that added extra cutting force. He severed the things three foot thick legs cleanly before using a weapon skill.
"One handed smash."
He severed it's head cleanly before punching a goblin in the torso so hard the thing was launched into a rock and popped like a balloon dropped from a high building on pavement. Then the battle was ended. Tyler walked to the captives, released them, and healed their wounds.
"The Outcast has come for you."
He then saw one's eyes had been popped. HE looked at his spells, and got an idea.
"Holy Relief."
He cast the spell that cured blindness, and it worked, and the poor girl blinked open a pair of eyes that were brightest of blue. She looked to see Tyler smiling at her.
"I…..can see!"
Tyler handed her a fur blanket.
"Not sure if those eyes were the ones you were born with, but I think you'll like em regardless."
The other girls all watched as he showed the girl her new eyes in a piece of reflective metal. The girl was another mountain elf, so her eyes should have been red. Yet, now she has a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes that seemed to pierce you to your soul when she looked at you. The girl just cried as she saw her new look, as with her dark hair, grey skin now combined with her new eyes, she looked beautiful. Tyler hugged her, and carried her back to the group as the others searched it. He placed the girl next to the others, and they all got hugs from fellow survivors as Tyler returned to the ruined camp. There, the bodies were lit aflame, and the total was 45 silver, one ruby, a few banneds, and another poison. The next two camps were destroyed as well, freeing six extra captives, another set of banneds, 100 silver between them, and a few poisons. Each camp Tyler tore apart, the less rage he felt. As if killings these things were soothing the roiling turmoil within him. Tyler sighed as they neared the last camp.
"I hate these things."
He clutched Sylvia's locket again, as it had become something he did now to steady himself whenever the rage had a hold on him. Some odd reason holding the thing was enough to relax him. They reached the last camp, and Tyler, Kaori, Wulf, and Malico dismounted. After this camp, it was a two hour ride to the capital gate. Tyler would walk through the front gate alone, and set everything that moved on fire. Tyler and his friends all climbed atop a rock to get a look at this camp, only.
"ANOTHER demon?"
A ten foot tall demon was using a naked woman's back as a chair. Tyler smiled darkly.
"I NEEDED this."
There were sixty creatures within the camp, and Tyler looked to his friends.
"The Demon will take this one."
They all nodded and Tyler pulled his dual blades. He took a few steps back, before running forward, and launching himself over the wall into a stance. As the demon looked over amused, Tyler smiled.
"Demon's wrath. Second Rage."
Tyler vanished, and the first twelve creatures all turned into mist as Tyler was heard laughing.
"Come on hornboy! Come on! I'm reeeeeeaaaal pissed! Let's play!"
Kaori just sat down, as his friends just looked at the small army turning to mist.
"Second rage? Don't tell me it got an upgrade?"
Kaori was smiling darkly as the demon was cut to pieces before it's heart was pierced.
"I think this is Tyler fueling the Wrath with his OWN wrath. They watched as the camp was absolutely destroyed by the wrath of the demon. The captives all cowered as Tyler stopped moving. He looked at them,
"I'd really appreciate it if you told NO ONE I can do that."
They nodded dumbly. He smiled.
"Cool. Now, ladies, I'll be back in five minutes."
He fell over onto his back, spread eagled, and panting like a dog in summer. The girls all looked shocked, as his friends came over to both give him a kick, and care for the captives. Kaori kicked him twice.
"Second rage?"
He smiled as his chest stopped heaving like a bellows.
"It's upgraded form. Boosts all stats by 150, and lasts for 15 minutes. I can use either the base form or this one. I can use the base twice a day, or this once. If I choose the first, I can't use this one that day."
He sat up,
"And the length of time of exhaustion for this is 8 minutes."
He got up and cast his healing spells. Afterwards, he escorted them to the wagon.
"Seriously, Ladies. Don't tell people I have an ability like that."
They all nodded.
"we won't."
"We would not spit in the face of our rescuer like that."
"What they said."
They all took seats with the other girls, and got their dose of hug death before the camp was set alight. Tyler using a nearby stream to clean up before they rode on. Now he had Wulf right beside him and Kaori as well, for the gates of the city came into view. Cragspire had been built around a massive mountain peak easily twice the height of the tallest mountain in his old world, with a sprawling city built around it's entire base encased by a massive outer wall. Tyler could see a four spired building near the base of the mountain, and Wulf smiled as he explained.
"That is Rock Temple Palace. My sister lives in the center tower, that extra thick one that looks like a clock tower? See it?"
Tyler spotted it easily enough.
"With all these rock-based names, if I'd heard the names before I'd met you, I'd say that's a dwarven capital, not elven."
Wulf chuckled.
"It is simply staggering how many have never heard of a mountain elf. Also fun as well."
Tyler smiled, only to frown as he saw a small dust cloud headed their way.
"Tighten it up, we got riders headed our way fast."
The party all readied weapons as Tyler used his Farsight to see who their guests were. He saw they were wearing leaf patterned armor the color of stone, carried leaf bladed swords, and ribbons on spears.
"Wulf, those royal guard?"
Wulf sighed hard.
"They are. That man in the lead? Warlund."
"Understood."
Tyler looked at him.
"Should we wait to tell him until he has his wife?"
"No need, she's the second one from the left."
"Understood. Sylvia, your parents came. Welcome home."
He felt her hug tighten, even though he couldn't see her. Tyler and his party waited for the guard to arrive. As they reached them, Tyler spoke first.
"I am looking for Warlund and Marlene Leechwood."
The lead elf rode forward, a now grim look on his face as a female elf joined him. Warlund was a tall elf with an intensity in his gaze. Marlene had hair of fire and beautiful blue eyes. They both looked at the Warrior.
"Be you them?"
"Aye lad. What business do you have with us?"
"The worst kind."
Tyler pulled the locket from under his Mythril and passed to the now tearing up parents.
"No. Please, tell me this isn't?"
They popped it open, and saw the photograph. Tyler looked to the others.
"We need to have a word here. We'll rejoin when they are able. You Guard, be aware, we have rescued goblin captives in the wagon."
They all nodded as Tyler, Wulf, and the two parents rode to a small spot within a nearby stretch of woodland. There they dismounted and sat in the grass. Warlund held out the locket.
"Tell me everything."
Tyler sighed deeply.
"About three days ride from here, me and my party happened upon a small traveler's rest. So, we paid a visit. The family there, an elven family, Eustein, his daughter Rosie, and his wife that I did not learn her name, were all suffering form Water fever. I used my white path to heal them, and since I do not believe in good enough, investigated their water supplies."
Tyler grabbed the grass in front of him as the rage started to boil again.
"The well they used for their baths was clean. Next we checked their outdoor well, only to find it fouled by something. I dragged the well with a net and pulled a week dead elven girl from the bottom. She had been raped repeatedly and tortured as well. That locket was also found with the body."
Tyler's fingers were making crunching noises as he crushed rocks in the dirt he gripped to powder, as Warlund and Marlene sobbed in grief for their little girl. Then he looked to Tyler through his grief.
"What did you do?"
"I laid that poor girl in her grave with my own two hands. I also bore the locket that she may know a true Warriors warmth, as it was Warriors that did that to her."
There was a loud snap as something in the ground broke, and Warlund sensed something else.
"Who were they boy?"
Tyler took off his vest and his own scars were seen, as he looked at Warlund with his own tear filled eyes.
"My mother, sister and step father. Along with Kaori's father. I know exactly what they did to her. For they did the same thing to me. Only I got to live."
Warlund and Marlene could FEEL the boys pain, and felt a warmth for the boy that had found their little girl. Then Wulf spoke up.
"I was with him when we found her. We laid her to rest ourselves. We also swore by blood to end those vile monsters with our own hands. But. That was not all that happened."
Tyler opened his HUD and passed it over. As soon as they saw the high lighted title, they gasped.
"Holy Muse?"
"You've seen our girl? Is she okay?"
Tyler smiled widely.
"She's just fine. She's actually become sisters with another small girl that died before she should have. And, she's sitting right beside you. I can't see her, but I can sense her presence quite clearly now."
The two grieving parents placed their hands on top of the spot, and he sighed hard again.
"You're patting her head."
Tyler closed his eyes, and concentrated on Sylvia's presence. When he did, he found he could hear her as if they were in the spirit world.
"Wow, it worked. She says she's having fun on her new adventure."
Warlund and Marlene looked at him shocked.
"You can hear her?"
"Oddly yeah. Oh, hold up, she's explaining it. Since you two cared about her so much, and since I too care in a more extreme fashion, if I close my eyes and concentrate on her presence, I can hear her like when we're in the spirit world together. Neat trick Sylvia. She also says if you hold my hands and close your eyes, you'll hear her too, and feel her touch."
The two did just that, and then they could also see the small girl in the center ow their circle. Sylvia was smiling as she hugged her parents.
"I'm okay, Mommy, Daddy. Tyler looks after me now."
The two cried hard as they felt their girls touch once more.
"We're sorry we let that happen to you."
"we're so sorry, Sylvi, please, forgive us."
She giggled.
"You did nothing wrong. It's those bastards faults I suffered like that. And Tyler and Wuly will make them cry tears of blood for it."
The two parents gaped at their daughter's language as Tyler shrugged sheepishly.
"Greeeat. I'm a bad influence even on spirits. Thanks a lot Sylvia. Oh, and since they're going to kill me, see ya soon."
The girl burst out laughing as her parents laughed as well.
"Hey! Can I join?"
Sallie came into view then, and Sylvia hugged her spirit sister.
"Of course Sallie! Mommy, Daddy, this is Sallie. We're spirit sisters."
"That's kinda metal, girls. Just saying."
Sallie hugged the two smiling parents.
"Tyler watches over us now. He plays with us every night too."
Sylvia was heard giggling.
"He even brought Wulfy and Kaori to play with us!"
Warlund smiled at his daughter.
"Sweet heart, it looks like you get to experience your own adventure now."
Sylvia hugged her father again.
"yup. It's fun riding with the Outcasts. Even if Tyler's torturing himself over us."
Sallie then hugged Tyler.
"Seriously, let it go. YOU are NOT to blame here."
"I can't let it go. Not those that hurt you still draw breath. Even after they're all dead, it will still bother me."
Warlund and Marlene could feel through their shared connection the torture chamber he'd locked himself in over the deaths of the girls. Warlund chuckled inspite of his grief.
"Me boy, the way your grieving those girls, it's like you were their father."
Marlene was in agreement.
"It is truly beautiful to know you care so much for these two girls you had never even heard of before their deaths."
Sallie and Sylvia hugged him.
"It's why we like him so much. Guy's a dense idiot, but nice."
"Plus, he goes on the BEST adventures! He nearly made Ignatia shit himself! With a single yell!"
"Same thing with Furiosa. THAT was HILARIOUS."
"We were laughing so hard, I think we made her mad."
Warlund was smiling as the two girls chatted as Marlene sighed.
"It would seem her afterlife will be even BETTER then her actual life."
Tyler smiled.
"That it will. And it will be for far longer."
Warlund sighed as well.
"Sylvia. I love you, and we will miss you."
"I love you too, Sylvia. I will miss you as well."
Sylvia hugged her parents again.
"We can chat whenever Tyler comes to visit. As, well, he was gonna offer anyway."
That got a chuckle, as Tyler smiled.
"Wow, it's like you know me or something."
Sallie was sitting in his lap.
"Dude, you ARE kinda predictable."
"Wow, a spirit world burn. Least you're learning something Sallie."
She groaned.
"I'll file this way for kaori to smack you for later."
"Love you too, Sallie."
"That one too."
"Wow, harsh."
She giggled.
"That one three!"
"And I'll file this one for tickle torture later."
She gulped, and looked to a laughing Sylvia.
"Sorry, Sallie. You made that bed, enjoy laying in it."
Warlund and Marlene were also smiling.
"Okay, Warrior. We've made our peace."
"Indeed. Thank you for this."
"Sure. Sallie, Sylvia, we're adding the cat to our night runs."
"Yay!"
"I've sooooooo wanted to pet her fur!"
They let go, and opened their eyes. Tyler wiped his eyes, and so did Warlund and Marlene. Tyler smiled as he flet the two girls sit on his shoulders of all places.
"I'm glad that worked."
Warlund offered his hand.
"Thank you for going so far for people you had never met."
Tyler grasped his hand.
"And I'm sorry my family took her from you. She deserved far better then what she got."
Marlene hugged him.
"And now she's getting it. Maybe not the way you would like, but at least she's safe and happy."
Tyler hugged the woman.
"I suppose that's what's most important. Even if it still bothers me for some odd reason."
Warlund understood.
"That's called a father's love me boy. Gods help those that makes our little girls cry."
Tyler smiled.
"I never knew a father's love, so, have no clue what it's supposed to feel like. That said, you are right."
Wulf had stood watch over the meeting. Now he spoke.
"I'll see her as well. Maybe not as often as Tyler and Kaori will, but rest assured I'll look after her as well."
"Ah, Wulf? She just hung her head in shame."
Wulf just sighed,
"And TRY to keep her from learning too much of his idiocy. Or to be as infuriating as he is."
That got laughs from all, as Warlund looked to Tyler.
"Come on, lad. We're keeping the ladies waiting."
"Sure."
The group mounted back up, with two small spirits joining them, and rode back to the group. They found the group waiting by the road, as a set of healers from the Guard that had rode out to meet the Warriors were looking over the freed captives. The girls all crying a little as they saw their nightmare was truly over. Before they rejoined the group, Warlund held out the locket to Tyler.
"Here. She loved that thing, I'd like it if you kept it close to her."
He smiled as he replaced it under his mail.
"I will keep close."
He had left his shirt with the girl he'd given it to, so as soon as the guards got a proper look at it, they gasped.
"Mythril."
"This is a surprise for idiots. Appreciate it if you'd not tell anyone."
His shirt was tossed back as the lady had been given a proper gown made from a spare buck skin they'd had, and when he donned it, the Mythril was perfectly concealed. The elves all chuckled at the tactic.
"Aye lad. A nasty surprise an no mistake."
"Should see the reactions I get when a greataxe or sword just bounces off me. Priceless every time."
Warlund and Marlene took up spots on either side of Tyler's horse.
"We're an honor guard sir."
"Ah. Then, miss Marlene, I'm afraid you in Kaori's spot."
That got a laugh as the elf lady moved to allow the blonde her rightful place at Tyler's right hand. He kissed her, getting a round of applause, before looking to Warlund.
"Let's go make a scene!"
They all laughed at that as they rode to the city gates in style. As they approached, a blaze of blaring trumpets, horns and drums beat their arrival.
"HAIL! THE OUTCASTS!"
Tyler saw the walls were lined with thousands of cheering elves, humans, and others that lived in the city. Their cries sounding like a waterfall of noise that made Tyler smile as he nudged kaori.
"I got an idea."
The blonde beauty smiled widely as Tyler drew in a breath while aiming at the sky.
"OCEAN DRAGON ROAR!"
He breathed a hundred foot tongue of flame in full view of the walls, making them go silent for the time the flames were visible. Then tyler pulled out Gliepnir, and waved the Mythril Magicite blade in view of all as he roared at the walls.
"HEY! SOMEONE TELL THE QUEEN THE OUTCAST HAVE COME CALLING! HEARD HER BROTHER GOT LOST, SO, HERE TO RETURN HIM!"
The crowd lost it, as Wulf groaned hard.
"There goes my hard earned reputation. Goodbye respect, and hello indignation."
Lily was riding on his horse, and patted his leg.
"Don't worry uncle Wolf, no one really respected you to begin with."
Wulf just smiled as he patted her head.
"Glad I have you to tell me the truth Lily."
Tyler and his party, along with Yorlund, his family, and the freed captives, were given a hero's welcome as Tyler led them down the winding streets. Whereas Tyler got looks of awe and respect, Kaori got looks of awe, longing, jealousy, and respect. The roaring ocean of cheers doubled when Tyler pulled kaori over for a kiss in full view of the going wild crowds. Tyler would add to the spectacle by breathing his fire at regular intervals, alternating between red, green and blue. Although the beauty of his blue flames got more oohs and ahs then the cries of awe from the boisterous crowd. Warlund just shook his head at this boys antics.
"Lad, you sure know how to make an entrance."
Tyler smiled as he spotted a small girl looking up at him with wide eyes as he passed. He waved as he went, and she gasped.
"I've always loved showing off. So this is a natural fit for me."
That got a laugh, when a small girl got shoved hard into the lane they were riding through. The group halted as she hit he ground hard face down. Tyler looked to kaori and his group got the silent heads up as he got off his horse to help the fallen girl out of the puddle she'd fallen in. She wasn't a mountain elf, as her skin was a light yellow, her hair golden, her eyes green, and her ears more pointed. She was wearing a ragged grey mock and tattered shoes. She was wide eyed in terror as she saw Tyler had helped her out of the puddle himself. She was bleeding from her nose, and was crying in shame.
"I'm sorry! I got pushed!"
"I saw. I know just what to do."
Tyler lifted the small girl, and used his white path to both heal her, and cure her infection as he looked at the tall mountain elf in a fine silk robe with hate in his demon glare.
"YOU are a miserable man indeed to push a small girl not even the size of you calf down like that. Apologize."
The man huffed. The WRONG response was then given.
"Why should I apologize to a mere slave?"
The atmosphere in the street went from a joyous, festive time, to a VERY brittle calm, as Tyler had a look of EXTREMELY strained calm as he looked to Wulf,
"Wulf."
Every person on that street shuddered at the nearly exploding rage contained in his voice. The ranger gulped in fear.
"Yeah?"
"Is this a slave city?"
Every single person on that street was shaking. Wulf included as he found he'd forgotten to tell him.
"It is."
"Outcasts, fuck em. We're leaving."
He looked at the slave owner.
"AFTER we slaughter these monsters."
"Wait!"
Wulf was off his horse as Tyler sat the girl on his horse and drawn his blades, getting looks of terror from the onlookers. Wulf approached the now grinning with rage Warrior.
"It's not what you think."
"You sell slaves."
Wulf was aware that if he did not play this right, the city would burn, for Tyler had made it PAINFULLY clear he hated oppressors of ANY kind.
"They are slaves, but they sell themselves. If they cannot afford a home or food, they can chose to sell themselves into slavery to support themselves. They get paid, fed, housed and clothed."
Tyler looked at the girl.
"I cured a raging infection in her Wulf, and, I can see you're leaving out something. Something you KNOW I will level this vile city over."
He looked at Wulf, and the look of rage in his eyes was simply terrifying.
"Don't you?"
Wulf gulped.
"We've been having a corruption problem. And slaves getting abused by owners."
"Oh? Well then."
Tyler walked right over, and grabbed the now screaming man and dragged him into the street. He looked to the girl on his horse.
"Miss? What has he done?"
She looked at the Warrior as Kaori took her arm.
"It's okay sweetie, Tyler will kill him and keep him from hurting you again."
She opened her mouth to speak, only for a crackle of lightning to encase her in a torrent of torture as she screamed in absolute agony. The man had only the time for a single scream before Tyler took his head clean off. Tyler looked at Wulf.
"You are cast out of the outcasts for this horror. Had I been aware of this city's evil, I would NEVER have come here with those that AID the spread of slavery. Enjoy your new hell."
The lightning had disappeared as soon as the man had died, and she was crying as Tyler healed her again.
"kaori, we got a city to burn."
"WAIT! PLEASE!"
Tyler and his crew looked over to where a group of elves on white horses with a tall lady on the lead horse. Tyler pulled hid bow off his back and threw it to the ground with a heavy clack.
"Take the bow and shove it Tatiana. I regret coming to this vile city. Now, watch it burn."
Tyler then started channeling his rage into his new attack, Roar of the Forest. The sheer power he was now radiating sent the queen into IMMEADIATE overdrive as she screamed at him.
"WULF WAS BORN A SLAVE! SO WAS I AND WILLOW! JUST LISTEN TO US, PLEASE!"
Tyler ignored her as his power was about to be unleashed,
"Love, look at her."
Tyler looked, only to see her on her hands and knees as she begged him to let her explain. Tyelr sighed as he stopped charging.
"You get ONE chance, Tatiana. By the grace of Kaori. Fail, and all that will be left of this city, will be a crater."
She gasped with relief.
"I am trying to abolish the slave trade, but nothing I do works."
"Kill the owners."
She looked at him.
"I can't! They hold too much power-"
"Then just kill yourself, as it'll be less painful for WHAT I will do to you for making us come all the way here. Have too much power? Bitch, that's just an excuse. Your nothing more then a puppet too. Ishtar has the pope with a hand up his ass. YOU have slavers up your ass, and wherever else you let them shove it to you."
Tyler looked to Kaori.
"Called another one. Let's get this done and get the fuck out of here. Thank the gods Lillia and Sera chose to come with us, cause there is no WAY I'd leave them in a slaver city."
He turned and was about to get on his horse when he felt an hand on his shoulder, he looked, only for the queen to be looking at him with tears in her eyes.
"Help me clean my city. Please."
"Why the fuck should WE clean YOUR mess for you?"
She sobbed at the look of coldness in his eyes.
"Because you're the only one who can."
"Then do it yourself. Get off your ass and do it. I will NOT do it for you."
Lillia and Sera came riding up to add their two cents.
"Our capital has it's problems. But father has NEVER allowed slavery of ANY kind to take root."
"And when Tyler gave him the same speech, he leapt to it himself. It's why Tyler's given him a little more wriggle room on his hook. At least he was willing to TRY."
Tyler swung back onto his horse, as the streets had become deserted as the onlookers had realized this Warrior was NOT as merciful as their queen had been with slavers. Tyler looked to Warlund.
"I really want to say something, but, such evil is beneath me."
He was swinging his horse around, and so was his party, when the queen spoke up again.
"Please, I need your help to do this right."
Tyler sighed and looked at her,
"Are you willing to actually get off that throne you love so much?"
She had tears in her eyes.
"If I must."
"You don't fucking get it, do you? Getting off your ass is NOT a last resort. As soon as a problem arises, you get up, walk over, and fix it. You do with your own two hands. Anyone tries to speak up gets cut up. For those that would allow such evils to exist and seek to spread them are not worthy of the air they defile with their breath."
The queen hung her head in shame as the Warrior admonished her, as wulf looked at him angrily.
"Our people started this practice to help the homeless and destitute. What would YOU have done?"
"Riiight. Homeless. I'd have given them jobs as aids in hospitals, hands to clean weapons for barracks, shops and smithies, or, ya know, OPEN THAT OVERSIZED BUILDING AS A FIRST RESORT. OR ANY OTHER BUILDING THAT HAD ROOM. As for the unlearned? Pay the homeless to teach them, as aids to teachers. Teaching is easy, you just have to WANT them to learn. Not to be mean, but if a pair of pampered, royal princesses can learn to survive in the wilds to the degree that Sera and Lillia can, then these poor souls can be taught as well."
Wulf now also hung his head, as Thistle joined them on the ground in their shared shame. Then Tatiana sighed.
"I understand why Ishtar listened to you so readily. Your words cut deep, and ring with truth."
She clenched a fist as she looked at Tyler with a fury in her eyes.
"What was that saying you taught Ishtar?"
Tyler smirked.
"It is better to be feared then loved, if one cannot be both."
She was shaking with an unidentified emotion.
"I have fallen as low as a worm to grovel at the feet of another to protect MY people. When once I was a most feared elven Scout."
She lifted Tyler's discarded bow and held it out to him.
"Lets make a mess."
Tyler got off his horse and walked over to her.
"Will you draw steel?"
She smiled a dark smile.
"No, boy. FIRE is MY weapon of choice."
"Pretty bold words to one that breathes the flames of dragons."
Wulf was also smiling.
"Allow me a chance to redeem myself here."
Thistle was also smiling.
"I too, share this sentiment."
Tyler took the bow.
"I will NEVER do a job for someone they themselves refuse to. That said, if they ask for AID in doing that job while doing the work BESIDE me, then we have a deal."
Wulf and Thistle grinned as Tatiana blew a sharp whistle with her lips. Ten elven scouts appeared like magic. Tyler chuckled.
"You know I knew they were there this whole time, right?"
The queen shrugged.
"Still a neat trick though."
She looked to one scout.
"My staff."
"At once my queen."
She looked to another scout.
"They meeting right now?"
"Indeed Milady."
"Warrior, your orders?"
Tyler tilted his head.
"Need a map of the place."
A scout produced one like magic. Tyler opened it.
"Thirty seconds."
Te map was of a three story building near an intersection, with windows facing the street, a flat roof, and sheer walls.
"Number of men inside?"
"Thirty."
"Guards?"
"Twenty."
"Mages?"
"ten."
"Captives?"
"150"
"Troops available for us?"
"Entire elven guard."
"Alright."
Tyler laid the map on the street so all could see it.
"Have in plain sight scouts here, here, here, and here. I'll kick the front door with the queen, Wulf and Thistle. We'll kill any that try to stop us. This the only house?"
"Every owner in the city is attending a live auction."
"The rest of the party will follow after for both retrieval, searching, and captive care. No survivors. Kaori will also join the raid. After, mount the heads on pikes as a warning that slavery in this city is dead and buried. Got a problem? We got a pike. Issues or complaints?"
The queen had a long staff with a blood red ruby on one end.
"When can we move?"
Tyler rolled the map up.
"Now. Outcasts! Move out!"
Tyler was back in the saddle behind the now giggling small girl.
"You'll stop them from hurting us?"
Tyler hugged her tightly.
"We will kill them all."
Wulf came up beside him.
"I forgot to explain my home's plight. We've been fighting these slavers for a century now, ever since the old king was overthrown. Nothing we did ever stuck, and my sister had been bound to the throne by a tradition that the rule CANNOT draw her weapon again."
"If you had told me this earlier, Wulf, you're city wouldn't have been nearly reduced to rubble."
The elf hung his head.
"I made a mistake. For that, I am sorry."
Tyler sighed.
"Well, what's done is done. Least the mess will be cleaned up the right way now."
Wulf gritted his teeth.
"Indeed it will. You are a very harsh, unyielding, uncompromising man, Tyler the Outcast. But you do NOT lie. You are harsh, but fair. And you tolerate NO cowardice or excuses. For that, you earned my respect. All I ask is a chance."
Tyler smiled.
"Depends on how many you kill in there."
"Deal."
Tatiana was next to ride up beside him, on kaori's other side.
"My apologies for not warning you about our city previously. I had thought Wulf had already explained our problem, and you'd agreed to help."
"You DID hear how I reamed Ishtar, right?"
She hung her head.
"I see your point. I was wondering why I was getting let off the hook so easily."
Tyler sighed as he looked at her.
"NO one gets let off MY hooks easily. Except, Kaori, Sera and Lily. Everyone else, should they find themselves on my hook, will get a reaming, and have to bust their ass to get off it again."
Lily was heard chuckling.
"Easily forgiven? As my future husband should be."
"I included Lily on the list, since, ya know, ferocious elf girl with a hammer."
That got a laugh as he looked to Yorlund.
"Sorry for ruining that for the girls."
Rylie popped her head up to reply.
"NO True Warrior tolerates slavery."
Kylie popped next.
"Yeah! Hey, can you pass her back here?"
Tyler smiled as the elven girl in front of him was passed like a giggling package to Yorlund's wagon where she was placed within the now empty cart, as the freed captives had been taken to a nearby temple for more healing, prayer, and rest. The war party arrived at the building in question. Tyler got off his horse and drew his blades and started walking towards the front door.
"You better be able to use that thing Tatiana."
She was right beside him, with Wulf on his other side and Kaori behind him with Thistle. The building was a large warehouse, with a ten foot door one the front. Tyler grasped the doors and tore them open, revealing an auction in progress. Tyler smiled darkly.
"Water wall."
The spell raised the ten foot wall of water between the slaves for sale, and the buyers.
"Slavery is dead in this city. And it will be buried with you!"
Tyler and Kaori surged forward as Tatiana sent fireballs as Thistle swung her axe. Wulf fired arrows as the vile slave trade was dismantled by the severing of the head entirely. Not a single owner was left alive after the assault. Once the last fireball burned out, Tatiana walked outside to use her Power of the elven Queen to broadcast her voice to the entire city.
"My people. Today, a great victory was won for our freedom from the past. I stand here, outside the smoldering remains of the Slaver's Auction, as not a single owner remains alive. This city will NOT tolerate slavery. I have waged this losing battle alone, and yet could never manage a victory."
She looked to Tyler.
"Thankfully, one came to hold me accountable for my failures as a queen, a lady, an elf, and as a living being. He is a harsh, unforgiving, downright uncompromising young man. One I ma proud to call my friend and advisor. That boy is Tyler the Outcast. For so strong is his will to defend those that cannot defend themselves, not even a Queen is safe from his scathingly harsh criticisms. He never minced his words in his just chastisement of my failures, and NEVER said a single word of lie. Speak, Tyler the Outcast. Let them know you."
Tyler was heard chuckling.
"I will NEVER help someone that REFUSES to help themselves. And I will NEVER do a job for someone they themselves refused to do. NO one is above this. If you're wrong, I will either just kill you, or in the event of Kaori asking me to pretend to be merciful, will rip you apart with your failures. If you have a job to do, do it. Period."
Tatiana spoke next.
"What more can you expect from the Dragon Ambassador? This city WILL NEVER hold another slave auction again. All slaves will be given proper employment, housing, and clothing. If you have a problem with this, the front gate is over there."
She let the power go, as a roaring cheer was heard thundering from every corner of the city.
"OUTCAST! OUTCAST! OUTCAST!"
Tyler tilted his head.
"Huh, was kinda expecting a Long live the Queen thing."
Tatiana smiled as she placed her staff upon her back.
"The city was aware of my failures. Yet, not a single soul knew just WHAT to do about it. Then you ride in, and in the middle of a parade I threw for you no less, and throw this city on it's head. All for a girl you had never met, just because you saw her get hurt. My people are not idiots or blind. They saw EXACTLY where that sudden rage came from, but they were all too scared to step up and do something. Plus, the wielder of Eilisef's bow himself was the one doing the chastising, and it was well known Eilisef's vicious hatred for all things slavery, as she too was born a slave, and was tortured before she broke her own chains. So, you were already hailed as a fearless hero that would stand fast against all. NOW you have the reputation of being ferociously staunch in your defense of freedom for those that have none. Check your HUD for moment Outcast."
Tyler brought it up, and saw an icon for a new title. He tilted his head.
"Warrior's Council?"
Tatiana laughed.
"The only way to get that title is to call out TWO rulers of different countries on their failings, NOT LIE, and offer both a solution to their troubles, and be unyielding in your own ideals and convictions. Basically? You just got named the best one for a ruler of anything anywhere to talk to or ask advice."
Tyler was looking at the stat boosts.
"Boosts perception, Mental fortitude and willpower. Totals are now: Perception: 750, Mental fortitude: 1500, Willpower 3500."
The queen had to look at them herself, so extreme was her shock. She saw them and sighed sadly.
"No WONDER you were so forceful in you criticisms. You know what pain is."
Tyler chuckled.
"I been there and done that a few times. Now, I got a question."
The queen and Wulf looked at him.
"What?"
"This oughta be good."
Tyler smiled as he jabbed a thumb at the carnage.
"We ARE throwing a freedom party for that, right?"
Tatiana burst out laughing as Wulf chuckled.
"See, dear sister? That mind is simply terrifying."
The high Queen of the elves got her mirth under control as she wiped a tear away.
"We have a few things to do before we go wild."
"Sure. Oh. I should warn you, but me and my party are expecting both another attempt by the church to claim our bounties."
He then leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"And for someone to try for your life and have US take the fall for it."
The Queen's face hardened.
"So THAT'S why Glacious' been so restless of late."
"That your bed maid?"
That got a snort.
"My guardian dragon."
"Yeah, I'mma need to see it toots."
Tatiana laughed again.
"Very well. She's in the Palace."
Tyler looked and saw his party all accounted for.
"Let's mount up."
His crew mounted up as Yorlund chuckled.
"Well lad, we'll take our leave now."
Tyler shook the man's hand as Sera hugged Rylie and Kylie.
"Take care Yorlund. Watch those girls."
"Will do lad."
Tyler and his party followed the queen to her seat of power, and Tyler finally noticed she was riding a white unicorn. The mystical horse flicked it's head as it saw Tyler had just BARELY noticed, as if to say: You just noticing I was here? Tyler shook his head as he then noticed the Queen was wearing a red gown now stained with the water from her pleading for her city to NOT be turned into glass. Kaori came up beside him to take his hand.
"I'm glad we could help those poor souls."
Tyler sighed.
"We're not done yet. Remember the tropes that accompany that kind of mess?"
Kaori gave a disgusted sighed.
"Ugh, now I do."
"If an official speaks up, I'll dissect their soul. With razors for my eyes."
Kaori nodded and flipped her ponytail at the rest of the party, and they all got the heads up to not let their guard down. They stabled their horses under Kaori's watchful eye, before Tyler flipped the Ferrier 20 silver. A gesture the Queen and the lad both picked up on. Then they walked into the grand hall of the palace. The main interior was a large hall with silvery pillars supporting a grand arched roof with stained glass windows that filtered light onto a scaled throne at the end of a long hall with an upper floor, a set of stairs near the half way point in the hall, and numerous doors lining the walls. Tyler took one look at the setup and sighed.
"Yup. This REEKS of a setup."
Kaori took a step beside him.
"You thinking Lord of the rings?"
"More GoT."
"I agree."
Tatiana was in the lead as a voice called out to her.
"Your Elegance! How could you?"
An elf in a white robe came striding over to meet the Queen and the party. The elf had such a look of horror on his face, that Tyler smiled as he to stand beside the Queen. Tatiana smiled as well.
"Councilmen Timber. Whatever do you mean?"
The elf stood before his queen, and Tyler began his search as he spoke to his queen in a wheedling voice.
"Lady Tatiana, you raised your weapon again! When you swore you would never touch it again! And against your own people no less!"
"Timber, right?"
The elf looked at a now smugly smiling Tyler. He huffed.
"Hush Child. This a conversation for rulers."
"Must suck to know all your business partners are now feeding the worms. AND you just lost access to those toys you soo love to torture in your free time. YOU were placed on her Council along with a decent amount to fight the Queen into submission on anything and everything remotely resembling reform or abolition of the slave trade. You would be given coin, and your pick of each crop to both sate your own evil lusts, and to grace your bed on the nightly. You got off on their pitiful screams of pain and begging, as you yourself did the same when your father would visit YOUR bed chamber at night. How's it feel to sit down on anything every time and feel him inside you? You KNOW you loved it, as it was the only times you ever truly felt like he loved you-"
"STOP! Please! No more!"
Timber's mind was shattered by Tyler's dissection of his soul like he WAS him. The elf dropped to the floor and curled into a ball, as Tyler continued.
"It musta hurt the night your mother joined in the nightly visits as well. Or when she got herself fitted with that toy to take you herself like your father always did. And you know what? You liked it even more."
"Stop. Please stop. No more. Please stop."
Tyler laughed,
"The others placed on the council with you?"
" I'll talk daddy, I'll be a good boy, I promise."
Tyler laughed as he looked to a horrified Tatiana, as Vixen was heard shuddering.
"He did the exact thing to me to win a Joker's Wild hand."
Kaori tapped the Queen's arm.
"It's a trick he does. One look into your eyes is all it takes. And he can dissect your heart, your mind, your very soul as if he WAS you. Then he can use all the fears, haunts, every regret you have to utterly unhinge your mind. He made a guy kill himself after one such dissection."
Kaori smiled as she watched Tyler searching the mentally shattered elf.
"As strong and powerful as he is, it's those eyes that are his most terrifying weapon."
Tyler was still smiling as he cut a ring of Licenses off the man's ring with Oblivion to flick to Kaori. The blonde flipped through as Tatiana addressed Tyler.
"That was the most disturbing thing I have witnessed in years."
Tyler chuckled.
"I can do to you at will. And it's a very useful trick."
the Queen looked to her brother, who shrugged.
"You get used to it. Kinda sorta."
Tyler left the broken elf to look at the Queen.
"Soo, this dragon?"
The queen sighed.
"Very well."
Kaori passed a few licenses to Malico as the party went on their way, leaving Timber to his newly retorn scars. Tatiana led the party to her throne, as a thirty foot long dragon that stood ten feet tall lifted her head to look at the group from behind the high backed chair.
"I see you've brought visitors Tatiana."
The dragon's voice was far lighter and warm than the previous dragons Tyler and his crew had encountered, and her scales were a most curious multi-colored like an opal. Tyler tilted his head.
"A crystal dragon?"
She looked at him with amusement.
"You know dragonkin, Ambassador. I am indeed a crystal dragon. My name is Glacious. An honor to mee the one thought so highly of by our leaders."
Tyler smiled at the crystal dragon.
"And same to you, Glacious the crystal dragon. Wow, that some's ring."
She chuckled as Tatiana was handed a list from a cloaked scout. She took one look, and smiled.
"It would see timber has pointed to over a hundred others for their role."
Tyler smiled as well.
"Shall I dissect them as well?"
"No need. Timber was their leader. Once he was broken, the rest all but killed themselves."
Tyler looked at the dragon.
"Still feel like there's a nasty surprise in store for us here. So, ya know, heads up."
The dragon growled.
"I have tasted dark machinations in the air as of late. Hearing you share the same feelings has settled the matter for me."
The dragon lifted her head to fix Tatiana with an eye that reminded Tyler of the opals he and his party had.
"Tatiana, wartime procedures. Not a request."
Tatiana sighed.
"So be it."
She raised her voice to the Palace.
"Glacious has tasted danger in the air. Set the city to wartime procedures, place emphasis on all within the palace."
A set of thirty shadows were seen moving like wraiths as Tyler went to stand before the dragon.
"Let me look into your eyes, Glacious."
THAT got a low growl.
"You DARE question my loyalty?"
"With the SOLE exceptions of those that arrived with me, this ENTIRE city is on my list of suspects and potential threats. Even you."
She roared at him with a fury, and Tyler just glared at her with his demon's glare, as he channeled a little of his rage into it.
"Don't you give me that shit, dragon. Me and my party have worked TOO hard to get where we are. Now. You have two choices: 1: Cut the dragon pride routine and let me see if you're as loyal as you claim."
She was on her feet, wings raised, and tail swishing.
"Or what?"
Tyler moved like lightning, grabbing the dragon by the neck and pinning her to the floor with Gleipnir pressed under her throat. Now effectively helpless, she could only squirm.
"Or I add dragon slayer to my list of titles. Make a call."
All present in that hall were speechless at the sight of Tatiana's dragon guardian so completely outmatched by the Outcast's strength. Wulf was shaking his head.
"That man has put BOTH Furiosa and Ignatia on the defensive with but a yell. Glacious, as he is now, you are no match for him."
Tyler had her pinned by a long spike on her neck, as he was holding her, he realized something.
"Wait, hold up. You're not a true dragon, are you?"
Glacious froze like she was made of ice. Everyone in the room went pale as Tyler let her go. Tyler tilted his head as he slung Gliepnir across his shoulder.
"A Greater Dragonling? No. No member of the dragonkin would be THAT foolish to openly defy one such as me when I carry the titles of Dragon Friend to three of the Lords of the Skies as well as Ambassador."
He looked at the shock in her eyes.
"A shapeshifter? Seriously?"
Tatiana was backing away to stand within Tyler's party.
"No, Tyler. Glacious is indeed a true Dragon. She's a young crystal dragon. She will only get as big as a royal transport wagon. I rescued her myself and she swore a dragon's blood oath to protect me. THAT'S AN IMPOSTER!"
Tyler smiled widely.
"A doppelganger. A demon of mimicry."
Tatiana breathed a sigh of relief.
"Glacious lives, for a doppelganger needs to keep the original alive to take it's form.
There was a laugh.
"Indeed elf queen. But I got what I wanted."
The fake crystal dragon glowed as it transformed into Tyler's twin, complete with his own equipment. Tyler just laughed.
"Welcome to MY hell."
The anti-Tyler tilted his head and replied in his voice.
"Why can't I read your eyes like you do to others?"
"Did you get my memories?"
"No I did not. This only copies abilities and stats."
"My eye reading is NOT skill I got here, pretender. It's a skill I learned back in MY world. Along with a few other tricks."
Tyler surged forward to swing Gleipnir, only for the doppelganger to block the strike with it's own Mythril blade.
"I got all your skills and abilities!"
Tyler smiled, and reversed grip on his blade,
"yet, did you get MY mind?"
Tyler twisted his blade around, locking the enemy blade against his vest, before dropping backwards on his knees. The result was him bending in a most disturbing manner to flip the thing over his body, land on it's back, and to see Tyler stab it in the head, as he tore the vest out of the way. He stabbed it in the heart as it was still recovering from the most bizarre counter it had ever seen. Tyler was laughing as he watched it burn.
"There is only ONE way to become like me, demon: You need to have MY mind, AND MY MEMORIES. But, if ya did, you'd be too busy screaming to even raise a sword."
The thing vanished, and a large glow was seen in it's place, as the sound of breaking chains were heard, flowed by a heavy thud. Then the light died, revealed the REAL Glacious the crystal dragon standing there. Tyler held out a hand as Tatiana went to hug her.
"Not yet."
Tyler walked to the crouching beast.
"Let me look into those opal eyes."
She looked up without hesitating as Tyler peered deep. HE only needed ten seconds before patting her.
"Yeah, yer clean. Welcome back to hell Glacious."
The dragon was the exact same as the demon's copy. Though, her eyes seemed to be softer. She pressed the tip of her jaws into his forehead.
"Thank you for freeing me."
Tyler chuckled.
"Let me guess, it borrowed Tatiana's form to get within touching range."
The dragon rumbled.
"Indeed. I had no clue what just happened, as next thing I knew, I was locked within a floating cage I could not break. From within I could see what he did with my form."
Tatiana came forward and hugged her dragon friend. Tyler smiled as he felt his bad feeling vanish like smoke. He looked at Kaori.
"All we need to be on alert for now is a visit from the church."
They all nodded as Tatiana looked to Tyler.
"Yet again, you've done the elven kingdom a service. This time, you just saved the queen herself from a would-be assassin."
She sat in her throne, as a scout arrived with a scroll. Tatiana opened it, and smiled as she handed it to Tyler.
"It would seem the church was found."
Tyler took the scroll, and laughed.
"It would seem, that a set of agents from the human church had infiltrated the guild hall, the Palace servants, and a hospital under orders to both sabotage the Outcasts reputation, assassinate the queen and make it look like Tyler did it, and do everything they could to make live miserable for them. They were consequently killed to the last man."
Tyler smiled as the last of his bad feelings now left him as well.
"Alright. That's it for my bad feelings. Every remain on guard, though, for when the guard is lowered is when the dagger gets you."
They all chuckled.
"Sera, Lillia and Lily do NOT go ANYWHERE alone. Groups of two minimum. And by two, I mean Wulf or Vixen."
Another round of nods. Tyler looked to Tatiana.
"Me, Kaori, Malico and Wulf have news. And a full."
The Queen nodded.
"I understand. So you know, my scouts will be patrolling this city every fifteen minutes, and every time someone sets foot outside, thirty unseen will shadow their steps."
"Still want at least two of my crew with them."
She smiled.
"Of course."
Tyler and those named went with the Queen, as the others would explore the Palace together. Glacious had retaken her spot behind then throne, and curled around it.
"I missed this spot. Sooo comfy!"
Tatiana led the group into a side room with a desk and set of chairs. The queen sat at the desk as Tyler and his friends claimed seats. Malico placed their full ring of banned spells on her desk, and she gave them a new ring three times it's size. She then sighed.
"What's the news?"
"The pope has enslaved airship crews to take sky sharks from the dragons in an attempt to discredit the crown and usurp control. I also informed Ignatia of a potential for a trap at the Meeting of the Skies. That was what that warning was for. So. Any airship that wants off the ground WILL subject to a thorough examination and search by a dragon appointed white path before being allowed off the ground. In the event of the crew being slaves, that ship is grounded. The slaves either imprisoned or killed depending upon the type of enslavement. And the ship company behind it is to also be thoroughly examined as well."
Tatiana sighed.
"Furiosa has already informed me of this deal. The airship companies are fighting me on this tooth and nail."
"Shut them down then. NO ships get off that ground until they agree. If they keep refusing, play the disobeying the queen card, and seize them period. If they STILL resist, kill them all."
Tyler fixed Tatiana with an intense glare.
"I will NOT get caught between a war between humanity and dragons. And Tatiana. We literally JUST had a similar issue not even two hours ago."
She glared at him.
"I have towns in the mountains that will STARVE without the airship deliveries! I can't afford-"
"Bitch! Seize the fucking airships themselves and crew them with elven guard! Jesus Christ in a hand basket, are YOU a queen or am I the damn king here?"
She dug her fingers into the desk.
"It would seem I've fallen lower then I knew, if such a simple solution escaped me."
Tyler was rubbing his temples in frustration.
"Lady, this the SECOND time in the three hour span I have been in your city I have had to TELL you HOW to be a fucking leader. How the hell did you get put on- oh."
Tyler sat back and looked into her eyes. Tatiana froze in horror as she saw his gaze lock with her own. Then he sighed.
"You DIDN'T want to be queen. You were put on throne because every councilmen all but forced you to sit in it."
Tyler held his aching head.
"And you've bitched and complained about the unfairness the whole time. Truth be told, you let the council run this country so you can play and frolic and bed your hand maidens."
Tyler just started laughing at her.
"No fucking WONDER slavery took root in this city. No fucking wonder a demon just waltzed in here."
Here he leaned in to glare at her.
"No wonder poor Sylvia was kidnapped off the fucking street. You knew, Tatiana. Didn't you?"
His voice had a most dangerous of under currents as Tatiana collapsed into her seat as Wulf looked at her in horror.
"Tatiana. You knew? And did nothing?"
Tatiana just burst out into tears as she replied.
"I did know, Wulf. I WANTED to sent the entire guard after her, but the council ignored my pleas."
Tyler got up, grabbed the black spells, flat out ignoring the excoriating pain as he gave them back to a shocked Malico.
"You no queen, Tatiana. Just a woman with a craven heart that likes a tall chair. YOU let her suffer like that. Just like Charlotte let Sallie die. Pfff, that's it. I am DONE with this fucking city and I am DONE with you. Let's go."
He went to walk out, when she grabbed his arm,
"Let go, lady, or I'll CUT it off."
"Please, teach me how to be strong!"
Tyler looked at her,
"YOU? Strong? Grow a fucking spine first."
He walked to the door, as his party went to follow him, when he sensed Sylvia's presence blocking the doorway. HE sighed.
"I can sense you have something to say, Sylvia. Alright. Gimme a sec."
HE sat on the floor as Tatiana looked at him in shock.
"What do you mean, sha as something to say?"
Kaori had a look of disgust on her face as well when she turned to look at her.
"He's a Holy Muse."
Tatiana gasped in shock as Tyler closed his eyes and concentrated on Sylvia's presence. He then could see and hear her clearly as she sat in his lap.
"Your being very cruel to her."
He sighed.
"I have a very special hatred for people like her. They ruined our old world with this bullshit, and I was left to my pain dozens of them as well."
Sylvia hugged him.
"I see. But throwing me in her face like that, and that comment to daddy, hurt me as well. You're taking out your own rage on them. And that's not fair."
Tyler hung his head as he saw she was right.
"I'm sorry, Sylvia. It seems my mind is getting poisoned again."
She sighed as she rested her small head against his chest.
"Remember this was my home, okay? I'd like it if you could make it a happy place again. For me?"
HE hugged her tightly.
"I'll try to, Sylvia. But, I have a limit."
She smiled at him.
"I know you do, but at least TRY. If it turns out that this city is truly beyond hope, then you have my permission to walk away. For like you said, you're NOT here to babysit this world."
He smiled as he hugged her tightly.
"Thanks for helping me get my head out of my ass, Sylvia."
She snorted.
"Kaori's awesome, but she can't do it alone."
He laughed,
"Oh, and hi Sallie."
The green haired spirit giggled as she too got a hug.
"Can't have YOU feeling left out."
Both girls giggled as he let his power go and stood up. He then looked at Tatiana.
"be thankful Sylvia is a far kinder soul then me. Very well, Tatiana. You want strength? Let me ask this."
She gulped.
"What?"
"How far are you prepared to go to make your point?"
She began trembling.
"What do you mean?"
"I torture bandits to get the locations of their camps. I dissect people with my eyes to shatter minds. I even once mugged an elven girl to get coin for a nights meal and rest."
Tyler strode across the room as he spoke.
"I am all too willing to stick my hands in the blood and mud to get done what must be done. I do not care what others besides my crew think of me or my actions. Keeping Kaori alive is my number one priority in this world, and so, to that end I will do whatever I have to. Now. How far are you prepared to go to make your point?"
Tatiana was slowly backing away from the Warrior's gaze as he neared her desk. Tyler stood on the other side of her desk, and looked at her.
"I promised Sylvia I would try to help you. But. In the same breath, she told me that if this city is truly beyond hope she would NOT hold it against me if I walk out that door and leave you to rot."
Tatiana gulped as she quaked in her boots behind the desk.
"I'm scared."
Tyler sighed.
"And what will you do with that fear?"
She gulped again, as her red eyes were wide like a frightened child's.
"Look, Tyler, I have no idea how to be strong like you are."
"I thought you were once a feared adventurer?"
She sighed as she looked at her staff.
"I was only feared because of my powerful path. Those that knew me all said I was a coward."
Tyler looked right at Wulf. HE sighed.
"My sister is a very timid soul. She would rather bend the knee then raise a fist."
Tyler placed his hands on the table before he outright strangled the lady.
"Why o why wasn't Willow put on the throne instead?"
Wulf chuckled.
"In all honesty? She wanted to be queen. Problem was the council has to elect the queen themselves."
Tyler tilted his head.
"DOES Willow STILL want to be queen Wulf?"
The ranger saw where he was going.
"Indeed she does. She's often called Tatiana out saying she should hand the crown over to her, that way the kingdom would have an ACTUAL ruler."
Tyler nodded,
"Alright. That's the solution."
Tyler fixed Tatiana with his gaze.
"Why haven't you handed the crown to Willow?"
Tatiana sighed.
"Because the council threatened to have her assassinated if I handed her the crown out from under them."
"Is that right? Well, there's an easy way to fix that."
Tyler stood upright.
"Tatiana. You have NO business on that throne. A leader like you is just a puppet for those that can fit their hands up your ass. Now. Wulf will oversee your call to Willow, and ensure the crown is passed. I will deal with the council. Afterwards, Willow will be queen, and Lily will be a princess."
That got an affectionate laugh from all. Kaori just shook her head.
"Nice gift."
Tyler chuckled.
"I can't wait to hear her response when I tell her I made her a princess."
HE looked at a quivering Tatiana.
"Do you any issues with this plan?"
She gulped.
"What will happen to me?"
"I'll ask Willow to indulge your easy lifestyle. Actually, use a crystal to contact Logrian. Kaori needs to give him a heads up as well."
Tatiana nodded and pulled the crystal over and activated it. Kaori hugged Tyler.
"Thanks for not forgetting."
He kissed her.
"Like I said, Kaori. MY number 1."
Malico had remained silent the whole time, but seeing Kaori bent over in front of her like that was a little TOO much for her to resist, and she caressed her rear.
"Ohh, I wanna play with you Kaori."
Kaori smiled and leaned forward a little more,
"hey, Tyler."
HE cocked an ear as she whispered into it.
"Invite Malico to our room tonight, but DON'T tell her I'm in there. We'll surprise her together!"
HE smiled as he patted her.
"As you wish."
Then both he and Kaori looked at a now nervous Malico,
"Umm, why are you looking at me like that?"
They both leered at her busty form.
"Oh, no reason. Just checking out the hot kittycat."
"uh-huh. I wanna taste! But I'll be patient."
Malico gulped as her tail was waving nervously at the now hungrily-gazing-at her form couple. Their teasing had to end as Logrian's image appeared.
"Milady?"
"Fetch willow, Logrian. Me and my sister need to have a private discussion."
"At once your highness."
She sat in her chair as the man left the crystal. Tatiana looked at Tyler.
"Will this work?"
Tyler looked at her.
"You said the people are aware of your failings."
She nodded.
"They are. They have even sent petitions for me to hand the crown to another."
"They have a pick?"
She smiled.
"Willow. She was always regarded as the one that should have become queen."
"Surprised that jackass wasn't an option."
He jabbed a thumb at Wulf.
"Our rulers are Queens. Kings are second in power."
"Like I said. He'd make a great Queen!"
Wulf straight up slugged him as the ladies lost it.
"I am going kill you one of these days."
"Wow, he even HIT'S like a- ya know what? I am not gonna finish that thought."
Kaori had a sweet smile of maliciousness as she patted his back.
"A very wise choice sir. Very wise."
Tyler smiled as Willow's burly form appeared in the crystal.
"What sis?"
Tatiana gulped.
"You alone?"
"Lemme check."
Tyler smiled as Willow pulled a small hunk of metal, and threw it at the door, getting a hefty thunk, followed by her yelling.
"I tol you to get the hell away from the door! Pull it agin and I'll throw an axe!"
She looked at the queen.
"Now I am"
Tatiana took a deep breath.
"I'll hand the crown to you."
Willow dropped her kerchief, so great was her shock.
"What brought this on all of a sudden? Last time I offered you nearly banished me from the capital period!"
Tyler took it from there.
"I can explain that, Willow."
The mother to Lily chuckled.
"Ahh, now I see. First off. Hows me girl?"
"Still scaring the hell outta me with her fire. She's safe and having fun."
She nodded approvingly.
"I didn't raise no damsel. So, why now?"
Tyler spent the next twenty minutes explaining.
"yeah. I was all for just walking out that front door, when a spirit I'm close to through an ability told me to at least try. But, I can't make iron out of tin here."
Willow was nodding as he'd explained.
"I see you don't play those court games."
"Nope."
"I'll borrow that airship the elven guard came on and be there in a day."
Tatiana had another idea.
"Sister, we need you here faster. I'll ask Glacious to bring you here herself."
Tyler smiled widely.
"Now THAT is something I wanna try."
Kaori burst out laughing.
"Don't tell me you JUST thought of that now?"
Tyler looked at her.
"I did, and yes I'm pissed as well."
Willow looked at Tyler.
"So, the council?"
"Will either shut the hell up, or die."
Willow tilted her head.
"My own thoughts? Disband them. Those lousy chair riders have been ruining our capital for centuries. Actually, if I ever got the crown, that was to be my first degree, that the council disband and the members banished. They're all snakes."
"That works too. I'll rally my party for then hand off, and tell lily I made her a princess."
Willow nodded again.
"I'll have guard move me smithy to the capital."
"I'll have Glacious take off."
Tatiana left with Wulf to sent the dragon on her way. Tyler looked to Willow.
"I'll ask you the same thing I asked Tatiana."
The mother to Lilly looked him in the eye,
"That be?"
"What are you prepared to do to make your point?"
She smiled.
"Thing about iron, is you need to hit it really hard a bunch of times before it learns you're in charge. So lad, to answer your question? Any that cause me grief get wacked with me hammer."
"Good answer. Oh, and have Logrian come in for a sec."
"Aye lad."
The mayor came into view.
"Have you need of me?"
Kaori appeared next.
"You should be aware you received a bad shipment of horse feed. It's contaminated with tapeworms."
HE groaned.
"Our horses HAVE been acting odd of late. Least now we can help them."
"We'll be passing through within the next few days, so I'll be able to lend my spells. Kaori her expertise."
He smiled gratefully.
"We'll expect you."
Tatiana came back into the room.
"She's airborne."
Tyler smiled.
"Is the council meeting right now?"
"They are. They're currently discussing whether or not to throw you and your party out for disrupting their city."
"Well, what a coinkidink. I'll go say hi."
Tyler and his four friends got up.
"Willow, I'll go let the council know they're done."
"I'll grab me hammer."