DAYS UNTIL WAVE: 15
Tyler opened his eyes next to see Kaori's face right next to his own. He smiled and felt Sallie's weight still against his chest, and he saw Sylvia happily snuggled into Kaori's soft breasts as she slumbered. Tyler looked down at Sallie's form and saw the spirit was awake and smiling.
"Morning Daddy!"
HE hugged her tightly.
"Morning Sparkles. Sleep well?"
She giggled quietly.
"Uh-huh. You're comfy!"
He snuggled her like a cat.
"And you a cutie!"
She smiled and giggled happily as they played quietly. Tyler smiled as he leaned over to kiss Kaori awake, and got a sigh of happy contentedness.
"Good morning Love."
Sylvia woke next with a cute little yawn before snuggling into kaori's warm chest more.
"Morning Mommy! You're warm and soft!"
kaori hugged the small elf as Sallie giggled.
"She's got a warm and very comfy set of pillows! Daddy's just a nice mattress!"
That got a laugh as they got out of bed. They were dressing when a light knock was heard on the door, and Thorn's voice was heard.
"Tyler, Kaori, your bath's ready."
The couple smiled as they walked out. Thorn had gone from an emaciated girl selling her body for a days meal to a beautiful little girl of Lily's height, with shining shoulder length black hair, faintly glowing pale skin, vividly blue eyes, and the same delicate features she'd used to entrance her customers. She was now clad in a black and white maid outfit that added a level of cuteness to her premature beauty that made Tyler chuckled as he patted her head.
"Well, Lady Thorn, lead the way!"
The tough elf girl snorted and rapped him lightly with a small ruler-like stick.
"Move it playboy."
Kaori laughed as they followed they pretty guide through the palace maze.
"Nice to see you're doing well, Thorn."
She just shrugged.
"Eh. Well's an overstatement. I gotta put up with THIS guy."
She jabbed a thumb at Tyler and Kaori laughed hard.
"So do I Thorn. So. Do. I."
Tyler just went with it and glanced out the window, he sighed soon as he did so.
"I guess the idiots got let back in."
The Warrior sector had numerous glows from fires and pillars of smoke rising above the walls in the early morning light. Thorn gave a disgusted sigh.
"The gates leading into the other sectors are still shut to them. They get ONE sector of the city to ruin. They ruin it they ain't getting another."
Tyler shrugged.
"We're heading out through another gate altogether so no biggee."
Thorn just groaned.
"They get free roam through the city, it's just they can't sleep anywhere but that one. They still can't use most buildings, but ya get it."
The couple parted and Tyler walked into his first royal bath. Tyler placed an extra three gold in Thorn's maid pocket when Kaori wasn't looking.
"I'd like it if someone helped with Kaori's hair, Please."
Thorn smiled.
"I'll do it meself."
"Thanks Thorn."
Tyler now sat in the ceramic hot tub-like pool as the dust and dirt from the road left his body.
"Sir, may we assist you?"
he looked over to see a pair of Elven maids with brushes and soaps standing near the edge of the tub. Tyler smiled kindly.
"Sure, why not?"
The two ladies smiled and stripped naked to join him in the bath for extra access. They were clearly twin sisters, with golden skin, striking silver eyes, large breasts, and neatly tied silver hair. The ladies were laughing as they helped him clean up.
"Wow, Slivi The Outcast sure is a handsome one!"
"I'm amazed too Goldi! These scars just make him look that much more intense!"
"I can't feel any slack in his arms either!"
"Ooohh, look, his sword's ready!"
Tyler just chuckled as he enjoyed getting spoiled for once. Well aware Sylvia and Sallie were on watch in case of hidden dagger or theft. Once clean Tyler was shown to the palace dining hall. The room was a mirror image of the throne room with bright red stone and pillars with a ten foot fireplace at either end of the fifteen foot table lined by highbacked chairs. Tyler took the chair at the end nearest a fireplace and laid out the map and set the bills for the morning raid out for review. The first set was two lisks, a Tyrant, two villages in need of healers, a tomb guardian raid, an Oricah stronghold, a Hill giant camp, A hill gathering, a GOBLIN CAMP, a set of toads, a Warg camp, a Plains strider hunt, a Grand Wall, and a Diadore. Tyler looked at the map as he planned each hit.
"Wow, already at it?"
He looked up to see the Were Tiger Whisper walking into the room with Serafina and Lyrica. Tyler smiled widely.
"Morning ladies. Sleep well?"
Serafina smiled shyly as the kindly Wraith sat nearby.
"I did, Whisper is most warm to cuddle with."
The blue haired lady chuckled.
"Not every day I meet such a kindly, shy Wraith. Even IF she was scared to really hug me."
Lyrica flicked her long blood red tresses as she got a morning kiss before sitting a chair from him.
"So, we set?"
Tyler tapped the two healer bills.
"We'll hit these first. The grand Wall and striders right after. Whisper, compared to Wulf, where are your skills as a Scout to his ranger?"
She smiled.
"I be his equal in all except tracking small animals like rabbit. I understand his role is mainly guide and terrain expert, correct?"
Tyler nodded.
"It is. If Kaori or Ashy has no clue we look to Wulf for all things Lectis outdoor life. To be perfectly honest it's been kinda bugging me how he has to do all the work on that end."
Serafina smiled.
"well, at least he has help now."
Tyler chuckled as kaori came in next, and the ladies gasped as her hair was more gold strand then mere hair.
"I see thorn's good with a comb."
She kissed him and sat beside him.
"She is, and very gentle. So, we looking good commander?"
Tyler nodded.
"I'll give the heads up once the others get here as we're hitting the villages first and their threats."
the blonde nodded.
"I'll feel better on the other hits once we've done what we can."
Tyler sighed.
"If I'd noticed these earlier yesterday I'd have had us do these instead or on top, but that's just me bitching."
Erica, Sera and Lillia came in next. The queen was a little surprised to see Tyler with the map out and bills too. Sera skipped over and took the last empty seat beside him as he hugged her. Erica sat next to kaori and looked at the map.
"I see you're already at it."
Lyrica smiled.
"I said the same when I walked in too. He was already set up like this when me, Serafina and Whisper walked in."
Sera was happily giggling as Tyler teased her by poking her side as Kaori spoke to the newcomers.
"Tyler's the first one up in camp. Watch, we'll make camp and as soon as everything's set that map is the first thing that comes out. In the mornings we'll walk out and find him looking it over as the breakfast is cooking over a relit fire."
Erica and Whisper were impressed.
"A never resting leader."
"His work ethic is incredible."
Tyler looked at Whisper.
"We need to get you an arrow necklace and a rally whistle, Whisper. Plus some better gear. Your fur skills aside, the leather just isn't going to cut it out there."
She sighed.
"I agree. Do we have the materials for good gear?"
"We got high dragon scales, numerous demon horns, gems of every kind, pure Magicite, Glacious' scales, and other high level materials."
The yellow eyed girl gasped. Then laughed.
"Of course you do. I'd need them to be shift friendly, but no biggee. My weapons be this here."
She pulled a pair of one handed axes from a belt slot as they had a collapse function and set them on the table. Tyler smiled.
"Great. ANOTHER lady with axes to grind. Bow?"
Whisper smiled as she pulled a red Magicite bow out and held it in view.
"I'm pretty decent with it too. My best be a running hare at 50 yards third shaft."
Tyler nodded as he patted Sera.
"Not bad, Whisper. I think your Were skill will be more for things like orcs or other small fry until I get a better understanding on how it stacks up."
She nodded.
"I understand. And thank you for yesterday, if I get too angry the change happens without my consent and I go berserk as a tiger."
Tyler sighed.
"No problem. Just, in the future since you're part of my camp, if you feel like you're getting to close to that point, I'd ask you to just leave the outright. Okay? I can't have a sudden Were tiger attack."
She nodded ruefully.
"Again, I understand. And I will try, but I'm sure you understand it be most difficult sometimes."
"Trust me, Whisper I do. Just wait till MY GOBLIN CAMP."
He felt the rage anew as he looked ahead to another wholesale slaughter of the creatures. Whisper just sighed.
"I see you still hate them. And you have my pity."
Tyler sighed as he forced the rage back down.
"I'll take it out on them. I'll give the details once the rest of the nuthouse sobers up and recovers, right Lyrica?"
The succubus smiled as she remembered.
"I love me a busty fox."
"We all love our Busty Vixen."
There was a happy sigh as the Busty Vixen walked in with a flush in her pale cheek to kiss Tyler good morning as Ashy and Wulf came in with her. The Ranger taking a seat by the map as the rest of the party filed in. Once everyone was seated and the breakfast laid out Tyler laid out the day's plan.
"We're hitting the villages first. Throw my white path around before we kill the corresponding creatures. We'll start with the grand wall. Sera, Lily and Lillia stay five treelengths back. I do not want anyone in that thing's shadow unless it is absolutely necessary. My Holy Sanctity should be more then enough to kill it, but ya know the drill. Whisper, Erica and Lyrica will rotate on raids to learn how WE do things. Of note are these two here. The stronghold and gathering, we hit this as a party. Lyrica is with Vixen, Erica me and Lily, Whisper with Wulf and Ashy. Questions, concerns, Ashy?"
the dirty blonde snorted as Whisper looked at the stronghold.
"How many creatures for these again?"
"250 for the orcs, 100 for the gathering."
A runner came in then.
"Message for the Outcast!"
"Here, lad."
The boy ran over.
"Burlock's finished yer order Sir!"
Tyler gave him twenty silver.
"Good lad. Watch fer idiots."
"You too, Sir!"
He ran off as he rolled up the map.
"Once we've fed and I've kissed Malico we're out."
They laughed as Malico came right over for a good morning kiss as he petted his favorite cat's fur. The party headed for the stables as no one went anywhere in the city alone or not in force with the other Warriors in the city. Tyler chuckled as he saw Whisper's horse was a Thoroughbred like Thunder, only a smaller beast, and Erica's a similar mare to Lillia's own. The party rode along the street to Burlock's shop to get Lyrica and Erica kitted out with their path boosting gear. Tyler led the ladies inside with Whisper and Burlock smiled widely as he saw them.
"Morning ladies and Tyler. Your gear be ready."
Lyrica took her ruby gauntlets, putting them on they morphed into another set of fingerless gloves, her greaves and bracers molded into cloth thing strips, and her shoulder guards became mere puffs. The sexy succubus strapped her new dagger set into her belt as Erica donned her Sapphire vest that added extra emphasis to her massive breasts, her boots molded into spiked heeled boots, gauntlets into fingerless gloves again, and she strapped her new bow and daggers on as well. Kaori came in then and smiled at Tyler.
"The copies of the crystals are ready."
He kissed her.
"we'll have Ishtar send them after the first set."
Tyler placed an extra 300 gold on the counter as Whisper came up. The smith laughed.
"Another one? Where the prince be?"
Tyler just sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"We had some...issues."
Erica frowned.
"By issues, Burlock, he means Kazuma challenged him to guild duel."
Burlock looked at her shocked.
"His terms?"
"Tyler fight him bare chested and empty handed with no spells and no skills whereas Kazuma had his entire arsenal. Basically, Kazuma had Tyler fight him exhausted to the point of collapse, without weapons, armor, spells, skills or even a potion at the start. Show him what you had to do yesterday, Tyler."
Tyler showed him his HUD and Burlock gasped.
"8 Lich's Bane title?"
Lyrica spoke now.
"Tyler fought two at once and won. Then a mere few hours later, fought five more at once. AND WON. In the hall, Tyler's sheer willpower alone plus having Kaori right next to him was all that was keeping him on his feet. We ALL could see he was about to drop."
Burlock just sighed.
"I see. His demands on a loss?"
Whisper took up the thread.
"All Tyler asked was for Kazuma to leave his party alone as I guess they'd had a falling out prior Kazuma refused to let go of. Kazuma had done everything he could to provoke Tyler, and in the end succeeded into taunting him into a near blind rage."
Burlock just looked at the Were tiger.
"How the hell he manage that?"
"HE basically said he only loved Kaori for her body and called her a whore in the same manner. Yeah, we needed to replace the guild hall wall for that. Tyler's footing the bill."
Burlock sighed sadly now.
"Kazuma's terms?"
"Tyler hand over everything he had to his name, weapons, gear, women, party, the lot to him and never see them again period."
The smith just looked at Tyler with pity in his eyes.
"I'm sorry you had to put up with that."
Tyler shrugged as Whisper laughed.
"Tyler made him look stupid! Kazuma used every trick he had, ice floor potion, invisibility, hell he even tried to poison him! Nothing even TOUCHED him! Well, Tyler did take a nasty gut shot but all it did was put a new dent in a wall he's already paid for."
Erica sighed now herself.
"Kazuma even invoked a Balancer's Wrath on him."
Burlock's eyes went wide.
"He did not."
Lyrica smiled.
"Judge herself oversaw the trial by Scale. Yeah, Kazuma got a punishment and Tyler a Goddess's boon! Him AND the Warriors of his party! It hasn't even MOVED his scale either! Kazuma lost his Scale titles and was cursed with Scale tipper and Tyler's deeds were laid bare with irrefutable proof."
Burlock laughed.
"As it should be, lad! The things ya did for the realm be nothing by the stuff of legends."
Tyler smiled.
"Kazuma wanted the legend without working for it."
They all sighed as Tyler nudged Whisper.
"We need to get her kitted out properly, Burlock. She gets a ruby vest, gauntlets, boots, bow an d daggers, with…what gem works best for black path?"
Burlock laughed.
"Jets or obsidian."
"Jet greaves and bracers with a short sword in this design."
Tyler took out a copy of the Kukri he'd drawn for Lily. Burlock looked at it and smiled.
"A Gnomeland weapon. A wise choice."
"Of note, Whisper…am I good to talk about it?"
The were tiger nodded.
"I don't really hide it."
Tyler patted her fondly.
"Whisper be a Were tiger, so her gear needs to be shift friendly."
Burlock nodded.
"I see. For this I need a lump of Smokey Quartz on top of the other gems for the grey Were path."
"We got like 200 pounds of it."
Burlock ran some numbers.
"The total gems are 50 rubies, 30 jets, and 50 pounds of the Quartz."
Tyler smiled a she placed twice the amount on the counter, and Burlock nodded approvingly.
"Quality it is. The total this time is 554 gold, 66 silver 54 copper."
Tyler placed 555 gold on the counter and Burlock smiled.
"I'll have it ready for your return from the first raid."
Tyler smiled.
"Outcasts, move out."
They laughed and they left the shop and mounted up. Tyler led the way through the city as they were head for the villages first. Lily was riding on his horse as she wanted to look at his designs again, as it had become a habit since he'd given her them. Whisper was riding beside Wulf as the two coordinated their Ranger and Scout skills to see where they overlapped and where they completed the other's gaps. Lily was looking at his Kukri design at that moment when she had a question.
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to have more weapons like this in that library, would you?"
Tyler rubbed her belly fondly as he thought.
"I think so, Lily. We get back to the guild I'll see if you like them."
She smiled as she settled back against him.
"Thanks. I'm looking to start off on smaller blades with the malachite ore."
"Oh, I have a few more knife designs you can use."
"That works. Thanks."
HE just hugged her as they passed through a wallgate into another the sector leading out of the city. Erica was happily chatting with her glowing daughters as they bragged, Lucy was on watch with Thistle while the party moved through the city, Ashy and Serafina were looking at daggers, Kaori was talking with Malico about Thorn, Lyrica was teasing Vixen in a verbal chess match between the two seductive beauties as Sasha the Husky rode in Sera's basket on her horse just loving life, and Whisper was talking guide with Wulf. The party neared the exit gate and Tyler smiled as Lily put her notes away and readied to ride out. Once Tyler was under the gate he gave Thunder a tap and the massive beast took off along the road with the party rumbling behind in a sudden explosion of hooves. Tyler looked back to Erica and Whisper.
"One camp secret for the trail. So, todays ride is brough to you by poison Look what the cat dragged in."
Ashy laughed as he hit play.
"Love you too!"
The music made Erica and Whisper smile widely.
"I love this sound."
"Indeed, I'm curious what else he's got."
The party rode at a full gallop to the first village. This one having be hit by the Grand wall, and Tyler sighed as he saw the place. The village had maybe 20 buildings inside a mere wooden fence. Half the town had been flattened entirely as the moving wall had passed through. The party rode through the gate as a lady with tired grey eyes came to meet them.
"Are ye the Outcasts?"
Tyler smiled as he dismounted.
"Aye, miss. I be Tyler the Outcast."
She breathed a sigh of relief that made her deflate.
"Oh thank the gods, Outcast. Please, the children."
"Let's get to it everyone."
The party exploded into motion as Tyler went to a large building packed wall to wall with beds, as the party's brown paths went to heal the injured animals, Sasha the husky patrolled the village border sniffing the air for trouble as everyone found a place to be useful. Tyler walked into the makeshift hospital as a lady with angel wings and a halo came walking over with clear relief.
"Outcast, thank the gods. What's your strongest spell?"
"Divine Resurgence on demand."
The lady just deflated from her sigh of relief.
"We have two that need the resurgence, the rest need mere Holy relief."
"I'll get the resurgence first."
Tyler proved his mastery of the reattach spell as he healed both men in a mere hour and a half. Once they were set Tyler drank a mana potion before clapping his hands.
"Divine care!"
The area of effect spell covered the entire building as everyone got hit with his most powerful Holy relief en mass. The building was filled with laughter and giggles as his spell felt like a tickle before the room to the last was healed. Though, he did cast it twice more just to be sure. Tyler the went through the masses one at a time as Tyler didn't believe in good enough. Once he was satisfied he left the grateful hospital to get an update from the others. Wulf and Whisper were looking at the grind marks left behind by the monster, so he started there.
"What're we dealing with?"
Wulf gestured in the direction to the south.
"It's maybe a few hours ahead of us. If we ride out at our usual pace we'll catch it in a mere hour."
Whisper was impressed.
"That quick?"
Tyler shrugged as the lady he'd met at the gate approached.
"We move fast."
The lady bowed deeply and held out a pouch of coin.
"Here, Lord, fifty silver per the request."
Tyler took out a pouch of 100 gold and placed it in her hands.
"You need this more an we do. I understand there was a spell on offer however."
The lady had tears in her eyes as she held out the License.
"It's called Loving cure, Lord. A Pink spell like you Holy relief, only instead of warmth or a tickle like your own spell it makes the healed feel loved."
Tyler smiled as he looked to where Lillia was working with Ashy to heal a horse.
"Hey, Lillia, got a spell for ye."
The lady gasped as she saw her spell be given to the princess. Lillia hugged the lady,
"We'll have your home set in a little bit, miss. Thanks for the spell."
She left to get back to it as Tyler looked in the direction of the Grand Wall.
"Okay, we'll drop it, get some good ore from it and move to the next one. The lady just clutched the money to her chest as Tyler patted her shoulder.
"We'll finish up and knock the wall down."
He left to lend his strength to all and sundry and an hour later the village was well on the way to complete recovery as Tyler and his party rode out after the grand wall as the villagers cheered. Tyler had Whisper and Wulf beside him as Erica laughed.
"That village will be able to rebuild their homes AND replace their lost food stores with that much coin!"
Lyrica laughed as well.
"And Kazuma called him a heartless bastard."
Tyler spotted the 300 foot long wall as it caved a path through the landscape.
"Heads up. I'll hit it with Holy Sanctity. Everyone else watch your asses."
They laughed as Tyler rode up behind the moving mountain and cast his spell.
"Holy Sanctity."
The wall died with a rumble as Tyler rode away from the wall as it collapsed entirely. Once the rocks stopped falling Tyler laughed.
"Pickaxes out ladies and elf."
Wulf snorted.
"Jackass."
"I meant Lily, Wulf."
Lily sighed.
"Uncle Wolf likes to feel important."
"I guess so, Lily. Ashy, ya need to step it up!"
That got the ranger a warm kiss as the ladies laughed. The party fell upon the 300 foot long, 150 foot tall wall with a will and pickaxes. Tyler was smiling as they cleared the last rock away when a shadow passed by overhead. He looked to see a blue dragon circling overhead clearly looking for a place to land. Erica and Whisper gasped and backed away as Tyler pulled a mass of Sapphires from his pouch and placed them between the landing dragon and the party as he did not recognize this dragon. He stepped back as it landed and he got a good look at it. This blue dragon was 225 feet long and was maybe 75 feet high with a more serpentine appearance with a narrower chest and frame then Tempesta's bulkier build. The dragon's color was a lighter blue as well, whereas Tempesta was deep sky blue, this dragon was a light glacier blue. Tyler waited patiently as the dragon folded it's feathery looking wings and got comfy before getting fixed with a 5 and a half foot eye the color of the ocean.
"So, you are Tyler the Outcast Tempesta brags about."
Her, as it was a female dragon, voice was more akin to ocean waves then Tempesta's rock slide. Tyler spoke in a kindly firm voice now.
"I be Tyler the Outcast. A pleasure to meet you Lady?"
The dragon laughed.
"I be Leviathan. Lady of the Oceans."
"Yikes, okay note to self, do NOT piss of the Sea Dragon Queen."
That got a laugh.
"I see your humor is as potent as he says. Now, the stones?"
"A way of greeting a new dragon. Usually a safe bet."
She laughed again, and it reminded Tyler of ocean waves slamming into each other.
"A most wise stance indeed. Thank you Human."
She took the pouch, and Tyler was surprised to see she had a pouch under her wing shoulder. She looked at him again now.
"I know you found my wing cloak."
"We did, Lady Ocean. We do not have it on our party at the moment, as it is not wise to carry such treasure for long."
She blinked.
"I sense the wealth you carry, Human, is the mere coin more worthy the carry then my wing?"
"Not even a little, Lady Waves. The wing is in a sealed drawer in my mansion only a very select few have access to. The seal can only be opened by myself, the blonde, or the cat. In the event of a forced open, it will detonate and destroy whatever is stored inside rather then them to fall into the unworthy hands. The coin and gems we can replace. A Dragon wing cloak, we cannot."
The dragon rumbled with approval.
"Acceptable. And most wise indeed, Heart. That cloak was gifted to my first true Friend, and as such I wish it back in my trove."
"We sadly do not have time to retrieve it for you before the wave, lady Hurricane. Our plan was to finish a few tasks before retrieving the cloak and placing it inside the pool in the Sea Caller temple in Yalik."
The Ocean dragon nodded.
"A most wise plan indeed. That said, when you retrieve it, call to the sky my name and I shall retrieve it personally. Open your HUD, Heart, as I shall grant MY dragon friendship as well."
Tyler smiled as he pulled it up.
"I thank you, Lady Leviathan."
She flicked a bit of fire onto his HUD that resembled burning water, and he got a new set of flames.
"Oh HELL yeah!"
The Sea dragon watched with approval as he took in a breath.
"Ocean dragon roar!"
These flames were more like flaming water then out right fire with a deep green in the blue. Tyler was smiling as he let the fire die.
"I fucking LOVE dragon flame."
That got a laugh from the ocean dragon.
"As it should be Warrior. Now, the true purpose of this visit."
Tyler looked at her.
"This about that jackass that thought he could pick a fight with the ocean and WIN?"
She laughed as she looked at him.
"I sense a most healthy respect for the oceans in you, Heart. A healthy respect, and a little fear as well."
"There is no force in this world more dangerous, powerful or cruel as the waters of the seas. Piss it off, and you will NOT live to tell the tale."
The dragon had approval in her large eye.
"Well said, Heart. Very well said indeed. Plus true to a most extreme extent. As to your question, the summoner, indeed. I owe you a debt for seeking to defend my life even though you had no reason to."
Tyler smiled.
"Much as the ocean scares the hell outta me, and as much as I hate those damned seagulls, I like it as well."
The dragon laughed as he mentioned the gulls.
"I see, Heart. Your reward is your OWN wing Cloak."
Tyler blinked, and looked at the hilts over his back.
"I am honored, lady Ocean, not sure how it would work though with my gear the way it is. But thank you."
She snorted.
"It has the ability to make it so your weapons are shortened. Like that quiver you have. Even from the side, the true length of your gear will be hidden. Plus your bow and quiver will be as well. Just reach for them as you have and they will be there."
"Now I just want to fuck with people. Again, I thank you."
The dragon wrapped her soft, fuzzy wing around Tyler's shoulders, and when she removed the appendage he was now wearing a hooded cloak of the deepest ocean blue that flowed gently in the early morning breeze. Tyler reached for his bow and quiver to feel them still there, and he smiled widely.
"I love how it feels, Lady Sea."
She nodded approvingly.
"I also gifted those two spirits you have with you as it as well. As is only right for the place in your heart. The cloak's clasp has an enchantment like that were you tap it for it to appear and disappear."
"Thanks for the explanation, and the….discreteness."
The lady dragon had caught kaori's smile and had understood.
"Not at all, Heart. The cloak boosts Blue path power, even when hidden."
Tyler tapped the dragon shaped clasp and he felt the cloak vanish. He tapped it again and felt it return.
"Neat trick."
"The cloak is as strong as my own scale and is waterproof as well."
"Be an odd kinda mismatch if a gifted garment from a Sea Dragon WASN'T waterproof."
That made her laugh hard.
"Indeed it would Heart. I must return to the hunt, farewell."
"Same to you, Leviathan. Have fun with the Worms. Hey, next time you need to get a coward out of a hole call it Wormscale. Watch the blind rage."
She just cracked out as she spread her wings.
"If we find a cave we are to ask YOU for the aid in drawing it out."
She flew off as Tyler laughed.
"I see Tempesta's sister dragon is even MORE intense then he is. Kinda fitting for some odd reason."
There was a pile of 50 scales Tyler added to the collection.
"How we doing on the Wall?"
Lily spoke up as Erica and Whisper recovered their color.
"We're good. We got 30 tons of granite, another 25 of white marble, 4 tons of Blood Platinum, Gold, silver and copper. Plus a few gems as well."
"Anything decent?"
Lillia perked up.
"I claimed a Pink Sapphire I liked. Plus a rather pretty bit of amethyst."
Tyler smiled.
"I'll have Seline polish em up for you room at the mansion, Lillia."
"Love you."
"Love you too Sis. We got the plains striders and that village they hit next. Load up."
The party moved with practiced ease up in their saddles as Whisper and Erica got whiplash from the pace the party moved and switched gears. Erica asked Lyrica on the frantic pace the party had as they rode out.
"Is it always this intense with them?"
Lyrica shrugged.
"I guess Tyler got serious for the wave. I'm not too sure myself."
Malico was in earshot and she dropped back to speak with the pair.
"Tyler's pace in his camp is usually pretty laid back. Then again we were mostly bouncing from town to town on our way to Cragspire."
Whisper was curious.
" That was some journey you all went on, Malico. What was the day to day like for the trip?"
The busty catgirl shrugged.
"We'd wake up, he'd look at the road ahead and consult with Wulf and kaori, then we'd spend the day either in the saddle, baiting bandits for fun, or seeing what else popped up along the way."
The three ladies perked up at the prospect of bandit baiting.
"What's his strategy?"
"KAORI'S strategy is to just ignore our surroundings as tyler flaunts our gold in their face. Works every time. Fact our party is mostly beauties with only two men makes it just that much more tempting. Plus sera and Lily's presence adds children into the mix."
Erica and Lyrica looked at each other a little shocked.
"That's kinda scary simple."
"We'd have either you, me, or Eri in a long cloak looking like an old lady."
Malico burst out laughing hard at that one. The two experienced adventurers looked at her confused.
"What's so funny? It works!"
Malico wiped a tear from her eye with her tail.
"Let me guess, that was gruven's idea?"
They blinked.
"It was. How'd you guess?"
Malico flicked her long tail at Tyler in the lead.
"Tyler threw it out as an option when we first started planning for it. Kaori thought we were overthinking it and that's when he started calling her Shadow instead of barbie."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"See?"
"It's scary."
The party reached the second village and Tyler sighed as he saw a good five buildings of the 15 building village had extensive damage. The party rode into the village as the clear chief came up with a few tired looking men.
"Please tell us ye be here to help?"
Tyler swung down to look the man in the eye.
"Aye. I be Tyler the Outcast. I brought me party. Where's your wounded?"
The men smiled with relief.
"Right this way, jack here will give the others the spots they need the most aid."
"Outcasts, you-ah fuck ya know the rest."
They laughed as Tyler went to the long hall that once again packed with wounded. Tyler smiled as he used his spell
"Divine Care."
The area of effect cloaked the building and the people just started crying from the relief from the pain. Tyler cast the spell two more times and did his once over with Holy relief before he was satisfied. Once he was he went to check on the others. The party had used their strengths to clean the mess as much as they could in the short time, and Tyler gave the chief 150 gold this time around.
"Clean the mess right."
The man just bear hugged the Outcast out of pure joy.
"Oi! Put, the Outcast, down."
The town lost it as Tyler had been lifted off his feet by the overjoyed man, and his exasperated tone just made it the funnier. He was placed on his feet and Lucy was heard laughing.
"A most amusing laddee, an no mistake. Even IF he be a wee one!"
Tyler shrugged.
"Eh. I'll just have you reach the top shelf for me Lucy. Least doors don't fight back."
The 7 foot tall barbarian lady burst out laughing as the others did too. Tyler looked to Wulf and Whisper after the joke had passed.
"Okay, how far off are they?"
The two guides looked at each other.
"Two hours?"
"Aye, was thinking closer to three, but that fits the better."
"Let's ride out!"
The party were on their horses and back on the hunt mere moments later.
"Wulf, that bill say how many we're dealing with?"
the ranger looked at the bill as he had it on him.
"Says a Stampede. So, we're looking at maybe 15 animals."
"And they're all the size of the long house. Okay, Sera, Lillia and Lily bows with piercers only, stay mounted and back from the action. We need to get them corralled for a clean hunt."
Vixen spoke up.
"I and Lyrica can use our illusions to aid this."
"Why the hell don't we do that more? That'll be you two enchantresses task for this hunt."
Lyrica smiled.
"I love you too, but to clarify?"
"Yeah?"
"An enchantress in our world is a magical prostitute. Like they use sex spells for their trade."
"Well, Lyrica, YOUR sex enchanted me. So, I guess I'm spellbound!"
the entire party just applauded the word play as Lyrica shivered like she was freezing.
"Ohhh, PLEASE let's have our own room tonight!"
Kaori smiled.
"I'll get stuffed by Malico then. Lily, Vixen, pile?"
The ladies smiled as Tyler smiled.
"I got me Lyrica. Sounds comfy."
Erica and Whisper looked at the now eagerly leering Lily.
"I guess she is at the age for mountain elves."
"I guess so. I just hope she's careful."
Serafina dropped back to speak with the kindly ladies.
"Lily is very careful. Plus, Tyler just refuses to let her do anything spear related."
They breathed a sigh of relief as Erica noted something.
"Do they play?"
The shy wraith nodded.
"Lily loves him fiercely. Like a brother and like a lover. He loves her just as fiercely, as a sister with benefits as her size makes it a little uncomfortable for him. When she says things and he says he's running for his life or retreating or whatever, he's letting the other ladies step in for their part as we're all teaching Lily how to be careful with both her love and body."
The two smiled widely now.
"He is a most wonderful brother then."
"And when the time comes an even better lover."
Serafina gazed at the man leading them with warm purple eyes.
"Lily means a lot to him. When we were in Yalik and had our close call, Lily saved us. But, the poor girl had been saying her arm was hurting from her training before the battles, and after she was so tired she couldn't even move. He was scared shitless by just how weak she was. Once the wheels were turning to his satisfaction, he put her in Lymir's bed, shut the door, and did not leave her side until she was able to wack him the way he loves. Even then he did not leave her side for nearly three days as her arm was still worrying him. HE even bought her a cream and made her soak in the sea caller temple's healing waters as he was just that concerned."
Erica looked to where Lily was riding with Sera and the two girls were clearly loving Sasha's fur behind them and smiled.
"My girls have picked a fine brother."
Whisper nodded.
"Indeed. He loves those girls like a brother."
Tyler was at that moment loving the feel of his new blue cloak flowing out behind him. Wulf just chuckled.
"Never had you pegged for a cloak guy, Tyler."
He chuckled.
"Me neither. It's kinda cool though. I don't think I'll wear it into battle though. Seems a good way for stupid deaths."
The ranger laughed.
"Right? The herd's up ahead though."
Tyler tapped his clasp and pulled his bow as the party followed suit. The creatures were seen and once again they were mere large elephants with four tusks instead of two. Vixen and Lyrica used their spells to herd the animals into a tight huddle as Tyler and the party nocked multiple shafts to strings.
"Multi Shot!"
The 15 members fired and the beasts fell with a rumble of pained surprise. Once the last fell, Tyler and the party descended upon them to butcher and collect them. Whisper was right beside them as Erica needed a little instruction on just how to carve up such a beast. Whisper was looking at a 9 foot tusk as Lily tapped a knuckle on it.
"Like it?"
The Were tiger smiled at the fiery elf.
"I like carving ivory."
"Well, say so. Tyler loves it when we have a trade to practice or a hobby we like."
The blue haired adventurer looked over to where Tyler was holding a leg up for Kaori to cut.
"Hey, Tyler mind if I get a tusk or two? I can make some good carvings with it."
Tyler smiled at her.
"Sure, Whisper. If ya like, I'll set up a hutch in the mansion for yer best work if ya like."
She smiled now.
"Sure, I usually sell them as I get good coin from it."
"That works too. Just split the tusk between you and Lily as she uses it too for her weapons."
"Got it!"
The lady looked at a smiling Lily.
"I'm kinda amazed at just how easy that was. I've been a part of camps where everything of value was sold and the coin funneled to the leader."
Lily placed the large tusk into the crafting pouch as she replied.
"Tyler isn't like that, Whisper. We have two lisks to kill today, watch how much he claims for himself. Long as it's not something vital or needed for something specific he doesn't really care about the loot."
Whisper helped the elven smith collect the tusks as the meat was taken in it's entirety.
"It's rather refreshing to see a camp leader that actually shares the loot with the party."
Lily chuckled fondly as she pulled her skinning knife out.
"Hey, can you hold this leg up, please? Thanks. Tyler will only take something for himself if he needs it or can use it. We found a dragon trove and he merely claimed a sword, a fist sized onyx, a spear, and a pair of greaves for himself. Coin he just takes what he needs for a purchase and is done with it. We trust him with our money as anything he really buys has a purpose beyond mere looks. If he DOES buy something for himself, we just smile and nod as he does it so very rarely."
The beasts were butchered and collected before Tyler looked at the bills.
"Okay, the villages, Striders and Wall are done. Next up is, wow, that Tomb raid. Wulf."
"Got it."