Ignatius sat in his bath, the warm water soothing his tense muscles. The day's events replayed in his mind, from the laughter he shared with Luna after completing their quest to the bittersweet memories that followed.
He laughed on the outside, but inside, he cried and felt torn. The scene from years ago haunted him.
He remembered when Luna told him about Bradley. Zarkon had warned him about their intimacy in the gardens. He did not believe it, rushing out to investigate it for himself. Breathing became difficult. His feet did not want to move, so he tried running away. His eyes were glued to the erotic scene as he came upon them together. His heart was gripped and squeezed by an unseen hand.
Zarkon had rescued him from the horror he had seen. For the hour he stood there, his mind had shut down.
If insane asylums existed, he might have benefited from their treatment. Withdrawing from the world worked in his old life. The loss of his beloved sister and now Luna spiralled him into his old habits.
"Zarkon, I… I will never leave this mansion again. Order a terminal for my room and a library. I will write novels from this day forward."
He would have killed Bradley if he had the power to do so. Bradley a level four elf magus would kill him in seconds. Yet he still had hope that Bradley would leave. When she told him about the engagement and that she was moving to the capital with him, his love died like a beast slain.
His mother consoled him, saying, "My son, that is how women are. Women take who they want. You will never change her mind, no matter what you do."
"In the future, she might return but be a changed woman."
"Be careful, my beloved son. Women can be outright malevolent in their hearts."
His attempts to end his life had failed twice. He cried as Silvi held him. His heart was broken, and she knew she had lost a daughter-in-law.
"Zarkon took out his anger on the furniture, destroying the tea garden. He made it into a parking area."
Zarkon bowed low. "The tea garden is no more, Lady Silvi."
********
Zarkon entered the bathroom and handed him a goblet of wine. "Master, your anger and sadness will pass. We will see if she has changed. Only time will tell."
Ignatius drank from his goblet. "I know. We will all see what happens when the first rich man comes with her parents backing." As Ignatius stood, Zarkon dried him off.
Christie entered the bath, her eyes filled with concern. "You look to be in a foul mood. Must I stay in my room tonight, Master?"
Ignatius sighed. "Yes, but come here first for a goodnight kiss, my beloved Christie. On second thought, sit on the bed, Zarkon, and I want to see your beauty."
Zarkon and Ignatius sat drinking wine, admiring the fairy and her sensual performance.
Ignatius's eyes glowed as black clouds roiled inside them. Exciting Christie. Who, with her succubus nature, yearned for his dark powers to surface.
********
The following day, Ignatius and Luna visited the library. They talked about the lovely weather and the townspeople who walked by. She had noticed it was superficial. He had not looked at her once today, and his demeanour was grave.
They scanned several books to find the names on the small map. Luna remained silent during their investigation, giving Ignatius strange glances. He had excused himself the previous night.
He ate in his room. She could see his raw and unpredictable emotions. She felt guilt. How would she have reacted if it had been him back then?
Was it a bad omen for things to come? She shivered, rubbing her arms as if freezing. She had a bad feeling. Now that she knew the truth. He should never find out about her life in the city. She shivered at the thought.
Luna noticed that Ignatius's mood had changed as they ate lunch in the kitchen yesterday. He ate in silence but listened to their chatter. His mind was preoccupied, and she could feel a panic rise inside her.
How much did he know about her? Did he act and know everything about her? Did he find out about her adventures in the capital? He had plenty of untainted women. The truth about her and Bradley in his tea garden. She would never have guessed in a million years. She was confident back then that not one person saw them.
She was well-used goods. She knew her cause would die. Fear rose in her heart. Nothing she did could change what she had become. She gathered her resolve. She would persevere even if it killed her. She had no rivals to steal him away. That made things easier for her. She could feel hope inside her no rivals, she thought.
They finally found a clue in the library. As they asked around, they heard about Clara, a vendor in the market square, who mentioned a strange symbol. Ignatius confirmed it in a library book on ancient symbols. The market is riddled with them.
Luna looked at Ignatius, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?"
Ignatius nodded his eyes on the exit. "We have a clue. Let's head to the market square."
Ignatius and Luna rush to their private hideout, which Zarkon has arranged. Their disguises are displayed on the big bed. Christie comes out of the living room and starts taking off his clothes. Luna has always undressed in front of her colleagues.
A memory surfaced as she unbuttoned her blouse. Her captain stood before her as she turned; her nine male colleagues were undressing. Her captain pushed her onto the bed in the storage room at headquarters. They would take turns on her as usual.
Luna stripped down and removed her disguise from the bed. Ignatius did not notice her; his face was a mask, and his emotions were unreadable. She stared at Ignatius as Christie dressed him. Her sadness filled her as he treated the fairy with tender care.
Ignatius had bought them medallions from the Bards guild, which hang from a red rope bound onto their belts. They could come and go as they pleased. Entertainers came to Misty Cove to delight patrons in the new inn and market as you entered the town.
********
Elysia sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the report a traveller had brought in. Dead goblins were found on Jacob's farm, at the old farmhouse. It had been years since the incident with the goblins and dwarfs. The dwarven city lay beyond that farm to the south. The Mithril mountain range looms beyond the border of Jacob's farm.
She took the report and entered Chief Magnus's office. "Sir, we have a problem," she said, throwing the report on his table.
Magnus read the report, his brow furrowing. "Elysia, take four constables and patrol the market."
"We know they will retaliate. Make sure to protect the women and be careful."
Elysia turned to walk away. "Wait, woman, take this." Magnus threw a fresh packet of blood towards her. She caught it with ease.
"Donated it this morning. I had a feeling you would need the power-up. Do not come back pregnant," Magnus said, shooing her away as he penned a letter.
Elysia gathered her four constables, each equipped with a wand and sword. The market was bustling with people and fae, a haven of tranquillity. A performer dressed as a wizard enthralled a small group of people.
His sleight-of-hand tricks with tarot cards are impressive. A woman danced around him, her movements delicate and smooth, her dress flaring as she turned.
Elysia focused, hoping to glimpse the dancer's legs. To her disappointment, they remained elusive. She patrolled the market, ready for anything. Magnus's blood had a smoky flavour; she had gotten used to it over time.
As the constables spread out, Elysia kept her senses sharp. Scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. The peaceful facade of the market could shatter at any moment.
Elysia's vigilance paid off. She noticed a suspicious group, wearing brown cloaks with hoods, moving through the crowd. She signalled to her constables, who closed in on the group. The tension was palpable as they approached.
Suddenly, chaos erupted. Goblins emerged from the shadows, brandishing weapons and causing panic among the marketgoers. Elysia drew her sword and rushed the goblins, and her constables followed suit.
*********
Ignatius did the sleight-of-hand tricks he had gained in his twenties. His father bought him a wizard's set to compensate for banning him from seeing his sister. He felt slated; he was almost a man at seventeen. His eldest sister was getting married. The other siblings had not seen her again after the wedding.
Luna danced around him. She looked like a performer at a noble's party.
She must have seen this at many parties in the capital. Guarding important nobles from criminals. Ignatius's chest puffed out with pride for Luna's achievements.
She must have been an exceptional detective, he thought. He was glad to have her detective skills by his side. Luna spotted Elysia, alerting Ignatius to her presence.
In the bustling market square, they found Vendor Clara. Who pointed them towards a stall adorned with strange symbols. The stall was old and made from stone. It stood to the side unused.
He entered the stall and searched the interior. He found the symbol on the stone hearth at the back, carved into the stone. As he touched it, a faint glow appeared. The orb appeared, writing letters before himself and Luna.
He read it aloud. "You have gained Barrier of Thorns."
He read Luna's "You have gained Guardian's Grace."
Suddenly, goblins raided the square, stealing goods and causing chaos. They attacked vendors with their clubs. Women were dragged to the ground, and their clothing was ripped to shreds. Luna sprang into action, her sword cutting into the nearest goblin as he pulled down his pants.
Ignatius's instincts kicked in. He could see that Elysia was flanked by the group she had not spotted. Ignatius focused his willpower, and the Mystic Orb of Fate materialised. He placed it under his wizard's robe.
The orb began to glow with a deep, emerald-green light as he concentrated. This light pulsed, matching the beat of his heart. He was now defenceless as he focused his will.
The ground around Elysia, thick, thorny vines began to emerge. These vines were dark green and covered in sharp, glistening thorns. They twisted with their own life, forming a dense barrier.
The vines weave together, creating an intricate, impenetrable wall of thorns. The barrier forms a circular dome around Elysia and her allies. With the thorns facing outward to deter any attackers. The constables had herded the market people into a group to protect them.
Luna dragged the naked woman to relative safety, her sword covered in green blood. "Swift Parry!" she cried, her agility increasing as she dodged and deflected blows. Her sword cut through the armoured foes like butter, each strike precise and lethal. She rushed to Elysia to aid her.
The barrier's surface covered in glowing runes and symbols, shimmering with protective energy. These runes amplify the barrier's strength, making it unbreakable.
Writing appeared before Ignatius in the air. The Barrier of Thorns designed to protect against physical and magical attacks. When an enemy strikes the barrier. The vines absorb the impact, causing the entire structure to ripple like water.
The thorns then lash out, retaliating against the attacker. The thorns imbued with a paralysing poison. Any enemy who encounters the barrier immobilised.
The thorns vibrated with energy and emitted a faint, almost musical hum. Ignatius's concentration heightened as he held his hand towards Elysia and Luna. His surroundings disappeared as his heart rate increased, and his focus was absolute.
Elysia shouted commands as the goblins flanked her and her men. She fought with killing intent. The barrier shifted yet the goblins shifted position to go around the barrier. Luna danced between the goblins, cutting them clean in half, limbs and bodies cut in two.
She could see the wizard, his mask hiding his face. He had an outstretched glove-covered hand towards her. The barrier of thorns dispatching goblins as they hacked at it.
Her first thought I should have had more blood. We do not have enough constables to stop this raid. She could not believe her luck. Somehow her resolve bolstered she shouted with sword raised high.
"Men, we have aid from the wizard and dancer."
"Give no quarter to the goblins." She cried out as she struck down a goblin with her sword.
Luna cut them down like wheat, her magic power surging. The barrier vanished, and she heard a loud grunt behind her. Ignatius lay on the ground.
A dagger protruded from his shoulder as a goblin raised his club to bash his head in. She screamed as she rushed forward, her sword cutting the air before her.