《Taverns edge - A mercenary's guide to Ley Line traveling》8 An other deal to strike - Lunara, Moira & Elric
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'Well, I haven't exactly planned on commissioning a weapon of any kind, much less a magic one... When I fled Umbarat I didn't have had the time to take anything with me, especially not money... my people were never fond of it... I mean I can't exactly fork out tons of gold... With my soul already bound...' Lunara told Elric in a low voice, feeling dirty and useless. Like a beggar trying to rob the weapon-smith, even if it hasn't been her idea to come here.
She shot Moira a part anxious part sour look, but the mercenary only smiled at her and said 'Never mind a single elf, not even a whole kingdom of such would ever be able to cover either of our fees. I've been offered duchies for a dagger in the past, same goes for Elric. You've got to know I am the smith who created Excalibur...'
'And that's the reason why she is not exactly allowed to forge weapons any more... If not commissioned by the Grey Court or at least approved by Manannan MacLir. She is just too good at doing what she does. Well, these rules had to be enforced by Geas... and that's the reason why she took an apprentice nearly 50 years ago...me...' Elric joined in whilst Lunara looked at the two of them flabbergasted.
Geas were nothing to joke or talk about since they could be used to kill the person they were placed on, especially if there was more than one. There had been for example one hero, who was forbidden to eat dog flesh, alone easy to avoid, but combined with the fact his other Geas to never decline an invitation... his enemy killed him with an invitation... Lunara didn't know why they had even told her about it, especially since she was turning into a demon.
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'Ah I see you know about the importance of Geas... Well let's just say I was able to set it completely off. And since I have other Geas the Lords of Sidhe didn't object to lift it, since I already rendered it useless. I really don't know why he even mentioned it... I guess he is just proud to be my apprentice. All the same... As I already said we are not taking your money... I don't intend to charge you anything, in fact I am only going to assist Elric, since I have to keep a certain distance... on the surface at least.... as for what Elric is going to charge you... It is not for me to decide.' Moira explained, smiled at both of them before changing into her dragonform and went into Elric's living area, leaving her lover and employer behind.
'Is she always like this?' Lunara asked shaking her head.
'Yes, usually worse, actually.' Elric laughed silently. 'But compared to her kin's antics, both dragon and Sidhe she is easy to be around, quite laid back, if you ask me... But let's head back to the topic of our conversation. What are you willing to offer? Your soul is bound and you owe an eternal favour, am I right?' Elric asked his dragon-eyes fixed on Lunara's face who avoided his gaze. Thinking about herself offering money now seemed out of place and ridiculous.
She sighed, she herself was a whole bunch of problems and had very little left of any worth.
'I don't know what I could possibly offer any of you. The whole affair is much more than I could ever hope to cope with. Please tell me what you want... before you ask, I know this question is perilous to ask...'
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'Glad you are aware. Your despair and fatalism make you do rash decisions.' the smiths chided. 'I am not going to take advantage of you, but I guess your next station is the Sidhe? Probably Manannan's Court? - He will definitely take advantage of you... he even cursed his own family for not fulfilling his orders... so take care in the future you have to know your bottom-line...' Elric paused and looked into the young elven girl's assuring she got his point. He still painfully remembered his own share of deals. Being born a dwarf becoming a dragon had never been high on his list. In his trust and naivety, he had been sold by his king. He would have killed himself – if not for Moira, his former master... But that was a story for another day.
'I am not going to rob you, girl. You will have to deal with a minor pest problem. There is a camp of orcs living in our crystal cave, cutting our supply line of rune crystals. It is my job to shoo them away, but if I am to forge for you, I don't have the time to deal with them... Especially if I am to...' Elric trailed of looking seemingly into empty space before he cleared his throat and continued 'well that's my price.'
Again, Lunara felt flabbergasted an orc nest.... and he called it a minor pest problem. She gulped as it dawned on her that she was to deal with it alone.
'I don't have a weapon.' she stated wide-eyed.
'If you don't screw up you won't need one. There is a crystal in the middle of the cave. Normally, if charged it keeps pests like orcs and such, even some minor demon, at bay, but some dumbass of teenage-dwarf forgot his charging duty... All you have to do is sneak into their camp and recharge it... I won't say it is a safe task, but I think it's a good one for you to improve yourself...' he said smiling at her in a somehow friendly manner before he looked in her eyes and added seriously 'and also if you screw this one up there is no point in helping you, as becoming a demon would actually improve you in that case.'
Lunara gulped. In front of her was a smiling dragon offering his invaluable service. In exchange he wanted to know whether she was worth the effort. Moira and Elric. They were far more than met the eye. Especially Moira. At this point Lunara asked herself if the remedy might even be worse than the problem, but that was futile since she long since had crossed the point of no return.
She straitened her back and nodded. 'Okay. Show me what I've got to do.'
'That's the spirit.' Elric smiled his best dragon-smile and lead the way.
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The Great Devourer
Thousands of years ago, Nox, the Goddess of Eternal Night tried to destroy the world and was sealed into an eternal prison for her crimes. Now the world wants to finish her off along with the girl who was unlucky enough to accidentally find and let her out.
8 159The Saga of the Undone One
Among the vast expanse of the realm known as the Outer Fantasy exists a group of sorcerers by the name of Changelings. They steal the memories and the very essence of normal people in order to perform a strange ritual in which they extend their lives by hundreds or even thousands of years and change their bodies to the extreme. In this devilish process most of the people used die. But a few survive. These unlucky men and women are just a hollow shells of their former selves. They are people with shattered minds and stolen memories. The brands of the ones that brought them to this miserable state are engraved in their skin and both their bodies and minds are damaged by the sorcerers. They’re pitied by some, hated by many and ignored by most. And worst of all – they’re doomed to live their remaining years in this crippled state, isolated by the rest of the world and without a way to heal their injuries, both mental and physical. But deep inside of them lies a spark of the power that the mages used to shatter their minds… The name of these miserable beings is the Undone Ones and this is the story of one of them. His name is Ehrir and in the lowest point of his seemingly unending life as an Undone One he finds the power that can change his life for the better… or worse. Release Schedule: Three chapters per week (posted on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 6 and 11 PM EEST). Average chapter length: ~2000 words
8 191RENAISSANCE. A Constantine Palaiologos Self insert story
RENAISSANCE is an alternate history science fiction novel/Wikipedia.55-year-old American book sales executive and ex silkscreen craftsman Michael Jameston wakes up in the body of Constantine Palaiologos, Despot of Morea, and soon to be the last Byzantine emperor.James initially wonders whether he is dreaming or delusional, but he quickly accepts his fate and sets out to survive. As a silkscreen printmaker, antique weapons collector, and alternate history geek, he has enough understanding of various devices used before his time but after the fifteenth century to be able to reproduce them by the means available.Let's explore together the new world that our protagonist will create!
8 73Second Chance
A 20-year-old Jake Cains is living his youth out when he attempts a stupid challenge. He decides to give up on the challenge but he fails it anyway. He meets God himself who gives him a choice: Either you go back 5 years or you get reincarnated into a fantasy world... But he messes up his choice. Now he has to live out his mid-teens all over again.
8 199Reprise
Three princesses. Three curses. One adventure.Rapunzel's magic hair spontaneously grows back, Ariel regains her mermaid tail, and winter returns to Arendelle. One year after their most meaningful trials and triumphs, something has taken away what they worked so hard to gain. As they leave the safety of their own kingdoms, fate is about to drive these strangers together across oceans, over mountains, into the depths of the sea, and even through the river of time itself. But will their differences stop them before the curse can?
8 225TGS Aesthetics
Barlyle, Jennity AU aesthetics. I will take requests for these ships!
8 124