Battlemage Nonetheless Book 5 AdvocateChapter 7
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Melkin had to admit that Dusty was coming up in the world.
When he brought him here he was someone who had nothing and had to start at the bottom. The council thought that this was the best way to do it and that it would make him more dependant on them for things he needed to survive while here.
But not only had he started with nothing and grown, but he had been knighted, received a title and land, and was now turning a pretty decent profit.
No one had expected him to be able to prosper like he had.
If only the mages council had stood by their word and gave Dusty full access to everything that they said they would. So far they were still parceling out the information on a need to know only basis. The only thing they actually did now was make sure that he wasn't kept in the dark about anything he was working on for them.
While lost in thought he also thought about Dusty's home. The design of Dusty and Suzan's manor was totally different than normal manor homes and even Melkin had to admit he was impressed by it.
Dusty had designed the home to look like most, but he first used wood as the frame for it. Then when he started on the building of the outer walls he had the builders stop every so many feet while adding the stone outer walls, and then he used a mixture of sheep's wool and straw to create something he called "insulation" within the walls.
One of the biggest problems was that while hot and cold systems for water had been created, nothing else had ever been created that worked as well for home efficiency. Some rooms were always hotter than others or colder than others. No one had figured out how to make home heating and cooling work well.
While the Boiler system wasn't anything new, many still couldn't afford to have water piped to their homes when getting water from a well was just as easy and far cheaper. No one could figure out how to make a more efficiently designed home with workable conveniences.
But that was only until Dusty designed his house.
The Manor had three floors and twenty rooms, not including the basement, kitchen area, and full bathrooms for every bedroom, and was basically an impressive structure.
Melkin had seen Dusty's designs, and while he didn't totally understand everything he saw and was told by Dusty, he did understand enough to know that Dusty found a way both heat and cool his home better than anything else he had ever heard of.
Dusty ideas were added to the King and Queen's new castle as well as Seth and Marie's home. Daniel and their friend Rachel said if they ever rebuilt or built a new home they would ask his opinion.
Those were just a few innovations he had. Melkin also heard him talk about water "irritation" and purifying saltwater through "non magical" means for the masses. These ideas were strange and foreign to him, but Dusty seemed excited by them.
The man could be a great asset if the mages council could get over their suspicion of him and his many ideas. They were so set in their way's they were going pass on things that could only benefit them all in the long run.
Even as set in his ways as he was he could see this.
But tonight he was going to see Dusty for both business and pleasure.
Dusty also was a master chef, and his cooking was to die for once Melkin found Dusty could cook like he did. He was constantly working with his and the castle's cooks to share many new things. Melkin so far was introduced to something called "mousse" and "cheesecake" that had been made by Dusty.
While he was hoping that Dusty would have something new created for him for dinner, he wasn't happy about the newest assignment he needed his help on. The reports he had received first hand were about strange things being used that he had never heard of before and was sure that Dusty would be familiar with them again.
The time before this was warriors using strange armor and swords he had never heard of before. Dusty's report said they were based on "Samurai" weapons and armor. Dusty never did say how they stopped those people, but the armor and weapons all disappeared.
The time before that was something called "blasting caps" and a crude type of something he called "dana-mite"? Melkin still didn't know what to make of that even now, but Dusty said that the people using it blew themselves up and all the evidence disappeared with them again.
If he wasn't so good at solving the problems and getting rid of those items, Melkin would start to wonder why everyone related to items of war from his world kept dying around him. So far eleven cases over the last two seasons had come up for Dusty to help out with and everyone related to those cases died.
Melkin was starting wonder why Dusty wasn't allowing any of the people guilty of using these items to be left alive to be questioned by the council. Why didn't he want them to be questioned?
But unless Dusty was psychotic he didn't seem to act like a cold blooded killer. Neither he nor his friends gave any of them that impression, but he was still curious what was going on with them.
Knocking on the door he was greeted by Dusty. Even now Dusty wouldn't allow anyone else to open his own door.
"Melkin, welcome to my home, may I get you something? Dinner isn't quite ready yet," said Dusty.
"Sure, do you have any of that good beer of yours around? That sure is tasty," said Melkin.
"Of course, I've put a green spell on the wooden vat it's stored in to keep it always cold. You'll get a kick out of it as a cold drink. I know most serve it warm, but I think it will sell better as a cold drink," said Dusty with a smile.
Ringing he asked a servant to please get his guest a cold mug of beer as he showed Melkin to his living room.
"I would dismiss them all, but the King insists that I keep them around. I'm not sure if they are here to help me or watch me sometimes," said Dusty with a smile.
The servant returned with the beer for Melkin and soon they were seated comfortably in the room.
"So how is everything so far? You asked when I would be back and that you needed to see me as soon as I was, so what is going on?" asked Dusty.
"Before I start I have to ask, Dusty what is happening with all the people we've asked you to investigate? Not one of them has survived to be questioned about where they got these strange weapons from. Why is that?" asked Melkin deciding to go for broke.
Even though the council didn't want him to ask, he had to find out from Dusty what was going on.
"I hate to say it but you have me. Other than when I personally killed Chris Jones a few years back, oh uhm seasons back in self defense, I have no idea. Some were dead by the time we got to them, others died while in the custody of others once we stopped them. And a few we subdued, finished our fight, and by the time we got back to them we found them dead. I really have no idea what was going on," said Dusty leaning forward.
"Didn't that bother you? Didn't you wonder what was going on?" asked Melkin.
"Of course I did, but what could I do. There were no clues, no one saw what happened, and at best they could have taken their own lives to keep from being questioned, but the next time I plan to question one of them thoroughly before I move away from them. I want to know what is happening to them as well," said Dusty
Melkin watched him for a moment and then nodded. One spell that was passed on from centuries past was one that allowed the interviewer to read the rhythms of the one being questioned for truthfulness.
Eventually he would teach it to Dusty, but for now he needed it use it to build his confidence in Dusty. Dusty appeared to be answering truthfully.
"So what can I help you with?" asked Dusty.
"Here read this," said Melkin as he tossed Dusty a folder with papers in it.
Dusty started reading. A few times he alternated between scowling and whistling.
"Are these eyewitness accounts accurate?" asked Dusty.
"To the best of my knowledge," said Melkin.
"So you have someone who's figured out how to make a very crude tank, a mortar or some type of canon, and they also use some type of crude grenades. My god when someone wants to hit the trifecta around here they do it in style don't they?" asked Dusty.
"Tanks? Kay-non? Grenades? What are those? Also what is a "try ... fec ... a"?" asked Melkin.
"Tanks are a type of armored vehicle that protects the person or persons inside, while allowing them to do a lot of damage to those on a field of battle. Canon something that shoots explosives a far distance while keeping the men shooting it safe. A grenade is something that does massive amounts of damage using a small device.
"It's like you fielded a lot of mages without having to use a touch of magic to do it. Instead of having only 2 or three mages, maybe 10 per side fighting, you now have as many people as you can outfit with these things. This could be bad, very bad if it gets out," said Dusty as he stared again at the file.
"And the try-fec-a?" asked Melkin.
"Trifecta. It's a term used by those who race horses in my world, but it's also used as slang to mean you have achieved three of something, or three successful outcomes. In this case someone has outfitted their people with close combat as well as range combat weapons. And to make sure that we couldn't stop the tanks they outfitted their ground people with anti-personnel items. We have our hands full on this one," said Dusty.
"We need you to get to the Kingdom of Plessis as quick as you can. It seems that the rebels are trying to overthrow the kingdom, and while normally we wouldn't care, they are using these things to win. If possible we need to find out whose giving this to them this time. Who do you have you can take with you as quick as you can?" asked Melkin.
"I have Seth and Marie. Maybe Daniel, but I'm not sure I want to pull him away from his wife if I don't have too," said Dusty.
"I'd not like to pull him away from Rachel as well, but if we don't stop this it could spread and get out of hand quickly. We really do need him. What about Lori and Mark, not to mention where's Suzan?" asked Melkin.
"They are taking care of a family issue and visiting Marks home. They are weeks away from getting here. So they are out if you want me to move on this as quickly as you say. Suzan is on a special mission for someone else where she has to be out of contact for the duration. I won't be able to talk to her for a few more weeks," said Dusty.
"DAMN! You will need to be out of contact for this as well, we need to make sure someone gets questioned this time so we can learn where they are getting this stuff. I'd rather you not tell "anyone" what you are doing or where you are going. Never the less, we could have really used all the hands we could get on this. I really just wished she was also here," said Melkin.
"I have a mage friend also. His name is Charles. He's not very powerful, but he's very intelligent and quick witted. We've spent many hours talking about my inventions and he seems to quickly grasp what I'm talking about. Maybe I can convince him to come and help. He may be able to see something I've missed," said Dusty.
"Charles? Have I met him? What's his last name?" asked Melkin.
"Duvall I believe, but I might be wrong. And I don't believe you have, but I trust him to work well with us. We've asked for his help a few other times and we've always managed to all came back with our limbs attached," said Dusty with a smile.
"Ok, take him with you and you need to move on this as fast as you can," said Melkin.
"Well now that we have that out of the way, let's go have dinner and talk about other things," said Dusty still smiling.
Smiling Melkin got up and was ready for dinner. But once there he found he was more interested in the dinner when Dusty mentioned something about having added "cherries" to that cheesecake he greatly enjoyed.
"If I may introduce the Baroness of Tara from the kingdom of Patenenall, Baroness Suzan Reynolds and attendant," said the Butler who introduced Suzan at the parlor door.
He then stepped back and bowed to let her step past him.
Suzan had no idea why Dusty insisted on calling their lands "Tara" but every time she said it he giggled like a school girl.
But while she thought about that, Suzan slowly gild into the parlor where the Earl and his wife were seated. The Earl at seeing her rose, bowed, and then took his seat, but his wife stayed seated during this time.
Suzan had gotten used to always packing a party dress with her whenever she traveled. She never knew when she might need one to help smooth her way or attend a party.
The dress was a light brown that flattered her, had puffy sleeves and a moderately plunging back. It had a small corset sewn into the inside that was first tied within the dress before it was zipped up. It gave her narrow waistline a much more narrow appearance.
She had her golden hair swept back and she had a hair pin holding it pulled back from the sides of her head. She had on matching diamond earrings that dangled from her ears.
While the dress she had on was floor length, she also had matching light brown shoes to complete the look.
Lena was dressed in a plain blue dress that they managed to pick up first thing this morning. While Lena was also pretty she was dressed as if she was having her looks downplayed in favor of Suzan.
"My Lord Thomas, Lady Katrina, I was visiting the area and I thought that it would be very rude to not at least pay my respects to the rulers of this fair city," said Suzan with a curtsy.
She had been paying a lot of attention when she had to go to the court of Patenenall to visit the King and Queen. Suzan was learning the correct ways to stroke the ego's of the people involved.
While the pair tried to smile at her it was obvious that the look was strained.
"Is something the matter? Is all not well?" asked Suzan with some concern.
"No we are well. Lady Suzan? Your husband wouldn't be sir Dusty, Barron of Tara would he? The Battlemage?" asked Lord Thomas.
"Yes he is, why do you ask?" asked Suzan with a soft smile.
"It's because we..." quickly started Lady Katrina before she sharply looked over at her husband.
He shook his head no and she quickly quieted down.
Catching the eye of Lena, Suzan nodded and Lena quickly disappeared. A few moments later she reappeared, nodded, and then stepped back through them into the hallway and closed the parlor doors behind her and stood in front of them so that no one could enter.
Suzan quickly moved over to where the pair was seated and sat down in a chair close to them. The pair, shocked by her actions tried not to draw back as she did.
"I'm here because someone contacted my guild and asked for help. I know what is going on and that Lord Bryon is missing," said Suzan quietly.
The pair traded shocked looks, but didn't say anything.
"You have someone in the house who is feeding the kidnappers information. Your nurse has had people killed in her family to keep her silent and I believe for now he's still alive, but you have to trust me and work with me before they realize we're on to them," said Suzan in a whisper.
"But why, but who, but..." started Katrina
"What do we need to do? Is your husband here as well? Is he also helping us?" asked the Earl breaking into his wife's questions.
"No just me, but I think I should be enough. The problem is you've upset someone and this is payback, but for now that is neither here nor there. But they do have someone in the house watching your every move. I need you to offer to let me stay for dinner and we should know who it is and what to do by then and that should be all we need to get your son back," said Suzan with a smile.
"Are you sure? Can you save him?" asked Katrina
"I'm almost 100% sure we can, I just need a little help," said Suzan with a smile.
As Katrina broke down and started to softly cry with relief Suzan sat next to her and pulled her close. While she knew that they had no reason to trust her, they were desperate for anyone to help them in their hour of need and she was their last hope.
After a few minutes Katrina quieted and tried to compose herself.
"I'm so sorry. I've been keeping it in for weeks so that no one would know and so they wouldn't kill him. I've worked hard to keep up a brave front, but I just, I just..." started Katrina.
"I understand, I would be just as desperate as you, and just as upset. But we're here now and we'll take care of this. This is what I need you both to do..." started Suzan.
Calling all the household members to a brief meeting, the Earl Thomas made an quick announcement.
"Everyone, we have a special guest tonight. We have the Baroness Suzan Reynolds here and she will be dining with us. Everyone make sure she is made to feel at home and she, as well as her staff, is to have full run of the place to insure that they do.
"Her husband Dusty Reynolds, I'm sure you've heard of him before as the Battlemage, will be joining us in the morning. That is all carry on," said Earl Thomas.
Suzan stood off to the side holding on to Lady Katrina's arm as Earl Thomas made the announcement. Lady Katrina tried to smile but it came out weakly and it was clear she was working hard at having it there.
Lena, as benefiting the staff of nobility, was standing off to the side watching everyone. The Nurse of Byron was pointed out to them earlier, but Lena wasn't watching her.
As she watched the staff she saw one woman's eyes slightly narrow for a moment before they returned to normal. Where as everyone had shock, and possibly a touch of hope to their eyes, she didn't. She looked inconvenienced if nothing else.
When Suzan looked over at her she barely nodded and Suzan's smiled a bright smile.
They might have Bryon home sooner than they planned.
Lena excused herself early under the guise of gathering someone of Lady Suzan's things and alerted Joi and Katie what was going on.
They had already put up their wards, but she told them to be ready to track who came out of the house in the middle of the night. Soon as she was done passing on the message she returned to the house to watch who she believed was the mole
Before dinner was to be served Suzan, the Earl, and his wife retired to the parlor to wait.
They made nervous small talk before Lena came into the room. She was dressed in a tunic and pants. She had a sword strapped to her side and carried another one in her hands as well as a pair of boots.
She came to stop right in front of Suzan, who was wearing a bulky robe that was tied in the front. Suzan had said she was going to her room to change before dinner.
"The scullery maid just left the grounds. I verified with the cook that she wasn't supposed to leave, and so now she's being tracked. We need to move quickly if we want to resolve this," said Lena to Suzan as she tossed her the free sword.
Rising and catching the sword, she then undid her belt and the robe fell away showing that Suzan was dressed in her normal tunic and travel pants.
She had rolled up her pants legs to hide the fact she was no longer in a dress. Taking the boots from Lena she put them on as she rolled down her pants legs. She felt naked without her breastplate on as well, but they had no time to get it as they needed to move quickly.
Before lunch had been served Dusty had already spoken with the King. Even though he tried hard to keep the crystal phones they created a secret from the public, the King while bragging about them, had shown his off to a few of the nobles and visiting dignitaries. That was enough to spark a huge interest in them. Suddenly it was seen as a favor to the crown to have a few people outfitted with them, and a few others tried to curry huge favors with him to get one. Dusty and his friends kept...
While Kat had waited that morning for the three of them to arrive quite a few men had tried to "chat her up" as they passed by her going either into the city or as they left. Even in her generally loose fitting travel garb they saw the gem that she was. Somehow she managed not only to talk to them in a friendly manner, but she also managed to get some useful information while not offending anyone or giving the impression that she was willing to go to bed with any of them. Even though she...
The four women entered the large city and quickly blended in with the rest of the inhabitants. Suzan was just a little unhappy Dusty wasn't with her though it had only been a little over a week since she left Dusty and headed out for the mission. Although she missed her husband, she was also really charged up to be here and was well ready to take on a new mission like this. It took them several days of travel by ship and a few more days of hard riding and just barely stopping for anything...
Amber came into the house and kicked off her boots. She then put her pack down beside the door, took off her twin swords, and then leaned those swords against the door next to her pack. Her parents would be around somewhere, and after she found something to eat she would go find them. She had dropped Logan off in town, as he wanted to visit, but she only wanted to go home and unwind. As she walked down the hallway she had the same thoughts she usually did when she passed through...
Dusty felt like he was submerged in warm water. It was strange because while he couldn't see, he could feel everything. The feeling made him feel like he was surrounded by nothing and yet at the same time by everything. He could feel shapes, colors, sounds, even smells. He could sense everyone around him and as strange as it sounded he could sense himself. It was like he was looking at himself but he wasn't looking at himself. As Dusty was trying to puzzle that out, he felt child like...
Dusty and Suzan reached the double doors that lead to the council chambers. They had passed a few offices that the council members and others made their own. Now they were at their destination. There was a single desk outside the council chambers, and at it sat a very striking and attractive red haired woman. She looked to conceivably be in her mid-thirties, but with mages that didn't mean anything. She was dressed in similar robes as the guard out front with the same sash over her...
Nathan and Ariel were at the city of Lake's End walking around and speaking with the various people who lived there as they waited for their contact to get in touch with them. Someone had sent a work request notice to the guild about a two person job that needed to be done, and they requested the two of them by name. It was a simple escort job, but the request that accompanied it asked that both of them come a few days early before hand and discuss the job, as it was private and sensitive...
Wolfgang wouldn't admit it but he was really looking forward to Kat's visit shortly. She had just called to say that she was close and would soon be at his home, and once they broke the connection he found he was rotating the crystal phone around in his hands and staring at it as he thought about her. Ever since Dusty's phones started to be the rage it had made his life far easier. Of course he wished he had access to these phones a long, long, time ago but Dusty wasn't born during the...
Dusty and Suzan quickly made a few plans between them, agreed on them, and then set about separately doing them. First thing Dusty wanted to do was make sure the kids were taken care of. He knew that getting DJ started on his training was important right then and so he made a quick call to Lori. Talking as fast as he could Dusty then explained what was going on and why he needed to send the kids to her home. Telling Lori he had the emergency covered he made the plan to send their kids,...
Dusty, Suzan, Daniel, and Rachel all suddenly appeared on the pad next to Lori's home. The pad was large enough to accommodate five riders on horseback, but it was the four of them standing next to Dusty and Suzan's horses. Waiting while Dusty and Suzan took their horses to the stable, the four of them returned to the front of the door and knocked. "Lori seemed pretty excited when I called her, I wonder why," said Suzan as they waited "Bet she's discovered something new again. She...
"Thank you for the horses," said Marie as she looked over at Seth smiling. "I'm happy to loan them to you all. I'm just sorry how you received them, but not that you have them," said Seth. "I am too. I wished those men didn't have to die while helping others as they did, but I know those people in the town appreciated their sacrifice," said Marie to Seth. Seth just nodded as he rode. They rode in silence while they were sticking to the main roads in the forest so that they could...
As the five of them worked their way through the dungeon, they were surprised that they no longer found any opposition. There just didn't seem to be anything that approached them or tried to attack them. That bothered Dusty. They had just gone from having wave after wave of ghouls attacking for over an hour to an eerie quiet. The only thing that made it worse was the occasional dripping sound of water from somewhere in the distance as they made their way deeper into the dungeon. "This is...
"With us not finding any trace of what's happing during the day it looks like we're going to have to venture further into the woods at night," said Suzan as she looked at Dusty and Seth. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean we've still not found a single trace of what is taking off with the people from around here," said Dusty as he turned to look at her. "I say we give it at least one more day, maybe two tops, before we go looking for any danger that we may not need to buy for...
The next morning Dusty got up very early, before the sun was even close to coming up, and started packing his pack for the next mission. As he pulled out clothing to take with him he noticed the suede leather jacket and jeans that he was wearing when he arrived here hanging in the wardrobe in the corner of his room. Seeing them once again took him back to when he first appeared in this world just under over a year ago. A lot of things had changed. First of all he now believed in magic. It...
Dusty started to run into the room, but he stopped and took a good long look around first looking for traps. As he stepped into the room he saw Galvin as he basically finished hanging his wife next to Daniel and Rachel from a hook by a chain around both of her wrists. When Galvin stepped back he could see that her shirt was ripped badly in the front and one of her breasts was in danger of spilling out of her already heavily overworked bra. He watched Galvin seem to take a good long look at...
Two men stood looking at the prone form of their leader. They just received the report that the man wanting to join them, a Christopher Jones, was just killed by someone a very powerful. It didn't look like magic that killed him, but they also had no idea at this point how he died. The men weren't too broken up about it because they felt the fool was wrong to be experimenting on children and they wouldn't miss him. He contacted them before with a deep desire to join their ranks and said...
"Mmmmmmm ... do you really need to get up and go work out so soon? The sun isn't even up yet. You really should come back to bed. I need you. I mean I really need you. You could just as easily work out with me instead you know," said Suzan softly but in her deep raspy voice. Even with just barely opening her eyes, she knew that she had her husband's complete attention. They had gone to bed the previous night in the buff and she could see his response to her request instantly. He was...
During the first week that Dusty and the others had left Marie and Seth had met with the King and Marie trained in the yard to keep up her skills, tone her body, and generally keep busy. The King gave her one of the outer rooms that faced the parade yards so that she was well away from the other nobles but close enough that she could work out in the yard and visit with Seth. King William gave her a knowing smile as his secretary briefed her where she would be staying. Marie smiled back at...
Once out of the chamber Dusty smiled and raced down the hall to grab Suzan's hand as she was still storming down the hallway, and pulled her trembling frame into an embrace. As he did he noticed that her face was unreadable, but he could see as he did this that she was still very much pissed off. While pulling her close he buried his face in her hair. "I'm sorry honey, but should have told you that you broke nothing. If I hadn't been so caught up in self pity I would have spoken up...
"Well my dear it has been almost two weeks, I don't believe they are coming back before the time limit," said Queen Morigan as she looked over at Rachel while she stood apart from the other women. Rachel was sitting and trying to look at ease, but it was an effort with all the various other Lady's and ladies in waiting around. All the various forms of nobility were hanging around the audience chamber making light conversation about nothing and gossiping. As Rachel tried to look like she...
Dusty arrived with his friends at the kingdom of Stelmore. The first thing they did on entering was to head straight for the castle to talk with King Roland about the attacks. Reaching the city gates it was obvious that the city was on high alert. On trying to enter the capital city they had to get off of their horses at the gate and lead them into the city. The guards then separated them, and two guards checked them one at a time. One held a serviceable pike on them as the other one...
A bloody and very upset Suzan and Anita made their way back to the palace just as the Sun was cresting over the horizon. They had already made the stop by Tabitha's mother's house the night before to inform her of what happened. Needless to say it wasn't something they wanted to do, but knew that they had to and it was something they owed the only real victim to pay the ultimate price. Even though Suzan felt she should tell her, Anita insisted that because her death was her fault she...
"Who are you two?" asked Rory quietly as he stared at them. "Rory we're still your friends, but we're also different people than who you know. I promise I'll answer all your questions later. I'll meet you back here in about an hour or so. "Watch over Terrance. I don't believe he'll die, but if I'm wrong come get me. But for now I need to hurry and get Ariel to our room. I'll explain why I need to do this as fast as humanly possible when I return," said Nathan quickly. Moving...
"Everyone, you are here for a reason and it is something that has an effect on your lives both in the past and the future," began Brianna as they were all seated around the living room. As the last to arrive, once Matt and Rayne showed up it was time to get started. As they looked around at their children and their spouses, they both couldn't believe how much the boys took after their father, even down to having the same silver forelock now in their hair as well But knowing this would be...
Galvin sat on the cliff side with his legs dangling as he sat overlooking the city. It was a very prosperous city that originally had been a town that was built against the side of a cliff so that it could only be raided from one direction, and all the defenses had been developed to protect from that direction. But over the years the town had grown, as well as changes in modern warfare. Now if someone wanted to give the city a good pasting they could do it in relative safety from where he...
Aric was sitting the table mentally going over preparations for dinner. It was his week to cook. While Brianna was coming along with her cooking, he was still far better he thought with a smile. But she was getting better, and she was better at cleaning and laundry so he had no complaints. He was glad they took turns switching on and off each week. Even though he tried to stop it, his mind kept drifting back over the last few seasons. After Brianna and Aric were settled in they traveled a...
"And that all happened just a little over ten seasons ago?" asked Nathan slowly. The way this young man was acting he thought it was all recently at least in the last couple of seasons. Not something decades ago. "I left the city and I've not returned. Not even to see my family," said Elliot nodding yes. "But what happened to Kathryn after you left or the man she was with? Did you ever find out? Did you even want to know?" asked Nathan. As he thought about it, he realized that he...
Suzan could tell by the rising and setting of the sun that she had been here at least a week and a half so far. She wasn't sure what was going on with Dusty and her friends, but she really wanted to see them again. The first few days she was there she refused to eat, though after awhile she decided starving herself before she found a way out didn't make sense. But she refused to eat with the Queen and Prince under any circumstances. She just flat out refused to see them. Everyday she...
Once they came to the city they asked for directions and they headed for the address they were given. They found themselves in front of a very large museum with rod iron gates that were swung wide open. They entered and were shown into a very nice, but a very cluttered office. There were books stacked on every table. But at least the center desk was clear. As the secretary showed them in she smiled big at Dusty and offered him her hand as she showed them all into the office. And once he...
After making their way to the address in question they noticed that there was a light coming from what looked to be a cellar door. As they opened the door they saw there was a lantern lit by the door but the others close by it were out. But a few feet after those the rest were lit again. Marie said she was going first, and they followed her down a narrow passageway that seemed to go down for about two stories then leveled out. As they leveled out they realized that they were headed to a...
Dusty and the others made pretty good time over the last day and a half to the huge mountainous expanse in the desert. Dusty would never have expected this if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. It didn't make sense, but he was still learning things. There was one point when Kat called them close and said they were being followed. Dusty leaned over his horse, using just one stirrup to support his weight, reached into an inside pocket, and then hung like that as he buried something close...
Dusty got up early the next morning and found that not only was DJ up, but he already finished some light stretching, completed a run around the house a few times, and was now seated at the kitchen table entertaining himself as he waited for everyone else to get up. Laughing to himself he found it interesting that the boy had similar habits as himself. "I see your up early, any reason for that?" asked Dusty as he got a cup of something out of the icebox and then leaned against the counter...
"Hi welcome to the Winters, Taylor and Owen law firm. How may I help you?" asked the extremely beautiful young lady coming down the hallway. As Dusty stopped to get a good look at her he found his breath taken completely away. She was about 5'9" in some nice shiny black four inch Patten leather pumps. It didn't appear she was wearing stockings, but her legs were tanned and very well formed, but he was trying not to stare and only took a very quick look at them as she approached...
Early the next morning found the group of six riding away from the castle as they hurried to the Kingdom of Patella to speak with the Queen and see what was going on in that land. As the rode down the road, Dusty started talking about something that was on his mind. "Was it really wise to leave Marie alone with Seth?" asked Dusty to everyone as they rode their borrowed horses towards the Kingdom of Patella. He waited until they were well away from the capital city before he asked so no...
"Galen? Galen? Yes I know of him. He's one of those mages who seated themselves on their useless council. Don't you know that his meeting you was no accident? He was assigned to watch you. He also wanted to make sure that you didn't go power mad and crazy. While you may be stronger he's always hidden his true strength from you. "And you do know the reason that he took so long to help your son and his wife when her powers truly activated was because the council really didn't want to...
While still stunned from Gemma's story, Brianna looked down at the table and said "But, but, I don't know if he even likes me back. What if he doesn't think I'm attractive enough? All the other women here are so beautiful, and I'm not that special. I don't know how to walk around like they do or how to flirt with him. And I don't really know how to cook very well. Everyone else is better than I am at everything." Gemma, looked at her stunned for a moment, paused and then started to...
Andrea sat next to the bed looking down at the face of a sleeping Daven. It was hard to believe watching him that this was the same face of the young man who was the terror of husbands and fathers alike. Likewise it was hard to believe this was the same face of the young man who was well known as well for his uncommon attractiveness. If it wasn't for his barely hidden arrogance, that few who got close enough to him could see, she herself might have found him more attractive. He always...
DJ slowly came to, and as he did, he tried to get his bearings based on the last thing he remembered. The last thing he clearly remembered was hitting the ground hard and then ... nothing. While DJ lay there trying to figure out what was going on, he noticed a couple things. One he could hear an argument going on in the distance. He tried to focus on it, but he was distracted because his head was at an odd angle. It wasn't the fact it was unpleasant or anything, but he was lying on...
When everyone arrived in front of the home of Lori and Mark Miller, DJ was suitably impressed. To him it pretty much screamed mage from the start when you looked at it. He had seen lots of movies, books, and animations, and some of the designs gave him that impression. Their house was what he would have called a one story ranch style wrap around that had the front door and porch in the center of the structure and what looked to be separate rooms, or wings, on either side of it. It wasn't...
Reaching the edge of the city, just past the market square that she often visited, Suzan and Anita noticed that hardly anyone was around the homes there. Looking around as they reached the edge Suzan could see that something had gone horribly wrong. There were doors that were broken in, overturned stands, and destruction everywhere. Trash and broken items littered the road. Still in shock Suzan asked "What happened here, what is all of this?" "This is what happens when Trolls raid our...
DJ, Amber, Logan, Marilyn, and Jason reached the last city just outside of Lori's home without too much of a problem. They would soon be at her home to start DJ off on his training in magic. The trip was eventful with many men who kept asking after Amber and Marilyn to do everything from sitting with them, asking for a dance, to the blatant request to visit their room. Some didn't even want to wait for nightfall for that to take place. Marilyn often got most men to leave her alone by...
"Are we ready?" asked Marie Seeing everyone nod at her they started out of the gathering hall and headed down the road in the general direction of the city that they would eventually start their assignment. Marie knew that this mission was one that was given to Dusty by the council, via their guild, and she knew like always he would fill them in. He always shared all info with the team, but away from prying eyes and ears. As they walked Dusty was surprised at how Marie didn't seem to be...
Almost seeming to leap over the mess she had just made by the door, Lindsey jumped for Dusty and he just barely caught her before she tackled him. Dusty suddenly found himself holding a hysterically crying Lindsey as she seemed to break down in his arms. Not sure why he did it, Dusty couldn't help but notice that she was dressed in the same short brown outfit as the rest of the serving girls. She couldn't have been there all that long as her tanned and well formed legs only made the...
"Did you get what you needed?" asked Lori as they left Chris's home "Yes and no. I reported in and let them know what I found, but I know now even less about him than I did when I started," commented Dusty to Lori. Lori realized that Dusty probably wanted some privacy to ask some questions. One being why Lindsey was here and another about Chris, and she was sure he didn't want an audience. "Well thank god you came back when you did, we were running out of things to say to him while...
The night of the party was amazing. Somehow the ladies knew just who to see to get outfits for the party. Most missions didn't even include a party so they didn't pack dresses, but were still happy to find some to use to get dressed up for the occasion. Even Lindsey was happy with the outfit for her. It wasn't a large party or even a grand one, but it was a chance for them to talk to others and let their hair down for a bit. It was being held at the summer home near the edge of the town...
As soon as Marie closed and barred the door to her room she started to sweat again. Even though she was sure that at the time the cramps would kill her, she was used to getting the mild form so she was able to endure, but now she thought she was going to crawl out of her skin. She had to have sex and she needed it now! That was the only thing she wanted to do right now. That drug in her system was making it slowly her sole desire and the only thing her mind focused on. She couldn't...
Dusty and Lori managed to get to the farm in question and find what they needed. After convincing the farmer and his wife they weren't nuts and they did have a valid reason for why they wanted the stuff, they managed to get them to help them distill plant into a pure liquid form. Dusty promised that the Mayor would take care of the cost and that they just needed to let him know what to pay Asking for the use of a horse and wagon to carry back the large barrel, it was well into the...
The event in question was the night Dusty and Lindsey went to a summer party two months ago at one of their mutual friend's house. To be honest Grace was more Lindsey's friend than his, but he got along well with her husband Peter. Their friends had setup a barbeque pit, games, horseshoes, volley ball, among a few other games, and they had a very large turn out. Dusty was talking and hanging out with some of the guys he felt more comfortable with even though he really didn't know anyone...
The next morning as Dusty slowly awoke he noticed that a slender arm was now draped over him from behind as he faced the window. It wasn't like he didn't know who it was without turning over. He would have to start locking his door at nights it would seem. As he got up he could see that Lindsey had fallen asleep next to him and had obvious worn only her towel into his bed from the night before, and now it had now fallen open. Without meaning too, he looked and was disgusted to realize...
Eventually Dusty was able to find and move into his new apartment. Regardless of how he looked like on the outside to anyone, he was finding it hard to stay civil when every fiber of his being wanted to throttle Lindsey whenever she was near, and it was slowly starting to get to him. Going to the gym and getting into a good scrap at first seemed to help with his frustrations, but lately as the months drug on that was starting to not be enough. There were times during that last month that...
"I'm going to kill that old man," thought Dusty as he groaned painfully and rolled over. When he came to, he found himself face down in a field of grass. He looked around, and he could see what looked to be a dirt road to his right and trees off in the distance. As he stood up he realized that it looked like he was no longer in the city of Indianapolis anymore. He couldn't see anything like skyscrapers or building in general. All he could see was a big open field with a tree line off...
Three things happened after that first night they all spent in an Inn. First as they traveled during the day Lori came out of her shell and would talk with Dusty. Even though she still had her quiet moments, she no longer scowled at him and now that they traveled together Dusty found that she often would walk beside him, look up at him, and inquire about his life before he met them. She would sometimes even smile at him from time to time. Second was that while Suzan would still play pranks...
"OH MY GOD! WHAT WAS THAT!" thought Dusty as he waved his hand around at the dust in his room. "Did a bomb just now go off in here?! If so it was a bad one, it only took out the wall." There was a very large hole in the wall where his bed used to be and the bed was now a pile of heavily burnt and damaged kindling. But Dusty was without his towel and he was standing there on display as naked as the day he was born. Lori might have appreciated the view if she wasn't staring stunned at...
"Yes right there, right there Dusty. Oh my god yes! That feels wonderful. You really are as good as you said," moaned out Lori as she smiled down at Dusty. Lori was lying on the bed completely naked and looking unbelievable as she played with her large breasts with both hands as Dusty toiled on. Dusty smiled up at her as he was working hard at pleasuring her. He was hitting all the right spots and he knew that she was enjoying herself immensely it seemed. As he felt her twitching and...
The museum was having a party a week before the showing and Dr. White decided to allow the guild members to come as guests. Marie thought he really must be desperate to have them work for him since normally the help wasn't invited to these things. The main surprise was that the museum paid for them to all get new outfits for the night as well. Dr. White said that it was so they wouldn't feel pressure to find something. He just told them to mingle and meet new people and see what the museum...
"Tell me again what you say you saw?!" asked Dr. White shocked. This was the first time anyone had any information on the deaths. Dusty had gotten the girls up as he headed to Dr. White's room. It was on the second floor of where they were staying. Dr. White came down to view the room then he sent word to Dr. Carmichael that there was another attack and he took everyone to his office, and while he waited Dusty covered what he saw again. "Like I said, it was a wolf made of fire. But...
"So it went well?" Suzan asked as she sat and brushed her hair at the vanity. She could tell by Dusty's large smile that he had a good testing. The vanity was the only furniture she had brought with her when she moved into Dusty's room and it was small enough that it took up no real space in the corner. Dusty always enjoyed sitting and watching her work on her hair. While she only wore makeup for some of their special times together he still enjoyed watching her movements. To be honest...
As they approached the castle they were struck by how "clean" it was. Most castles Dusty had come to notice were really dusty, dirty, old buildings. Since everyone who lived or worked at some of the various castle didn't have private bathrooms or running water to their rooms, an idea Dusty was still wrapping his head around, they often threw things they didn't want into the moat surrounding the castle. They did this for "convenience" instead of heading to the bathroom in the middle of...