The Vengeful Tide-Ch. 29 (Patreon)

Good afternoon patrons,

Well, I suppose I'm a day late, but I'm still glad I got it done! Eric returns to Draegnar and begins to plan his next steps regarding his deal with Alteria as well as the voyages thereafter.

On a side note, to any new patrons! If you're seeing interactions that weren't there before, then that's because the Novel I published on Amazon contains extra scenes, cleaned up grammar, and more interactions that weren't there before. Thank you!

Enjoy!

WttW

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Despite my exhaustion, I cast some recovery magic on myself. It pained me to leave the euphoria of my room behind, but I desired to take stock of the situation. I slipped my arms through the sleeves of my coat as I tried to shake the remnants of lust from my mind. “Of all the fucking times,” I thought to myself as I ran up the stairs.

I grabbed the handle of my door and pushed it open. The bright sun came over my eyes as I saw most of my crew leaning off the side, staring at the two ships. I pushed through my men, my boots knocking loudly against the wood beneath my feet. In my haste, I also heard my mother and Ellen walking behind me.

Once I reached the bow of the ship, I stared at the vessels of the two nations, their flags waving proudly in the wind. I bit my lip and clenched my fists. Of all the times for Alteria to be taking a fucking nap. This was a golden opportunity, but one I couldn’t properly take advantage of without her.

“Not the best surprise after an aftermorn fuck, is it?” Ellen asked while my mother appeared next to me.

“Is that the flag of the bastard from Hilvir?” she asked, her hand on my shoulder.

My eyes narrowed. Thanks to my achievements in the field of alchemy, my body was much more sensitive to the flow of the mana surrounding us. With barely even a thought, I could point out at least forty wells of powerful mana surrounding both ships. Still, I wondered what these two vessels were doing all the way out here. I didn’t recall Hæňgaram and Callamum working together.

That said, I distinctly remembered Callamum ships acquiring crystallized ash in my past life. That was how I’d gotten my hands on some of the stuff in my past life. I’d killed a lot of Callamum knights just to get a pouchful of the stuff. In my defense, those kills were warranted. Ya still one priceless Callamum Insignia and suddenly the whole fucking country’s after you. The fuckers had it coming.

“No, it’s not his flag, but we sure as hell don’t know if it’s one of the vessels under his command,” I said with a frown.

Suddenly, one of the men in the crown’s nest shouted. “Cap’n! One of the vessels makes for our direction!” he shouted.

He didn’t need to tell me. I could feel the movement in the water. A large portion of mana was gathered on the Hæňgaram ship. It pulled off from the shore and made its way over to us.

Ellen sucked her teeth.

“Why aren’t we sinking the bastards?” she asked.

I grinned. “Aye, remember we’ve got a deal with Alteria. Besides, this’ll be a good time to find out what they know before we tear their ship apart for scrap metal. I could always use Hæňgaramian steel. Anything else aboard their ship will fetch a fine piece of coin,” I replied.

“And if they aren’t with the bastard from Hilvir?” she asked.

My mouth thinned. I could already feel Lady Knight’s wrath, chastising me for killing her fellow countrymen. “Then their fate shall be left to Alteria when she awakens,” I said as I watched the ship get closer and closer.

I left the bow of the ship and rejoined my crew. “What’s going on?” Hannath asked as the members of Raven’s Shadow and the others came forward.

I chuckled. “We’re about to be boarded,” I said as I rolled my shoulders.

“With the captain at our side, we best pray to the spirits of the sea to ferry their fucking souls to Davy Jones’ Locker! They’ll be decoratin’ the seabed soon enough!” someone on the deck said. Everyone shared their sentiment with a hearty laugh.

With enough time, the Hæňgaram ship sailed next to us. It seemed, unlike last time, I wasn't being entirely underestimated. The Hæňgaram ship had a large magic barrier over it, one easily capable of fending off fifth-tier spells. If nothing else, I was a little amused that they gave me that much respect. Hæňgaram was known as one of the strongest and wealthiest empires for a reason. There weren’t too many pirate crews stupid or brave enough to challenge one of their vessels.

If there was one thing I could say about Hæňgaram, they enjoyed boasting their wealth and power more than any pirate. The vessel easily dwarfed mine. It was coated with fine metals and splendid wood. The sails were sewn together beautifully and powerful cannons littered the sides of the ship. I noticed some of them held elemental arrays, capable of turning the cannonballs into powerful spells.

It didn’t take me long to spot the soldiers. They were easy to point out with the blades drawn, rifles loaded, and magic staves charged. The soldiers from each nation also weren’t hard to differentiate. Just like with Zevmar, the Hæňgaram soldiers were fitted in white steel armor, each of them wearing a style of blue denoting their rank. The mages wore cloaks with deep hoods, covering their eyes.

On the other side, the knights and soldiers of Callamum wore armor of much lower quality. A set of black, coal-like iron adorned their bodies. What few mages there were carried sticks of their own, dressed in the armor cloaks of their beloved nation.

“Pirates!” one of the lead Hæňgaram officers shouted.

“If you wish not your vessel to become a home for the creatures between the Logorian Tide, you shall do as your instructed! Lay down your arms and prepare to be boarded! Any resistance shall be met with the full weight of the Hæňgaram army!” the man bellowed as those of the crew started moving.

Everyone looked to me, curious about my next actions. None were more apparent that Nz’ia. The fur in his tail was riled, his face maddened with rage. His large hands choked the body of the spear in his hands. It was then that I remembered my first talk with him in the Coffin’s Mouth. It was Callamum that had reduced his people to slaves and chained him to a ship. I also remembered they had some type of powerful earth mage that devastated the armies in his lands. He stared at me, almost pleading that he be allowed to sink both vessels into the realm of Davy Jones’ Locker.

I didn’t answer immediately. I was rather intrigued by this little invasion so I ordered everyone to comply. Brant lowered his sword while the other members of his group disarmed themselves. Naala and a few of the others lowered their guns as well. Nz’ia glared hard at me, but I eased his concerns. He would have the blood he desired soon.

“What the hell are you up to?” Ellen whispered to me.

I flashed her a smirk. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to test the fruits of Delverhold,” I replied. She stared at me in shock before she matched my smirk. Ellen then punched my arm.

“You son of a bitch.”

Grappling hooks were thrown onto the wooden railings of my ship. I watched men from Hæňgaram and Callamum climb aboard my ship, each of them with swords in hand. The sound of their clanking armor laid deep in my ears.

As soon as their feet touched the deck, they quickly began showing their might. They pushed my crew into small corners. They held their blades at them all in case they tried anything. At least four or five men stood in front of me, Ellen, and my mother. All of them had their swords drawn, staring at me with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Though they were valiant to try and hide it, I heard the trembling in their armor. I saw the beads of sweat falling down the side of their faces.

They were scared. They were terrified. A few of them kept stealing glances at my quarters, wondering about the terrifyingly powerful presences that laid beyond its doors.

As more and more men piled onto the ship, I quickly realized why the Hæňgaram ship had to be so big. Two pairs of thundering, clacking hooves like those of a horse slammed on the deck of my ship. I stared up at the chiseled armored chest of a man, his gaze fierce and mana even fiercer. His arms were big and strong, a testament to his mystical heritage.

Unlike his upper half, his lower half was not human. The body of a white horse kept him upright. His hooves clattered on my ship as he made his way towards me, his towering frame nearly making me crane my neck back. His tail swayed back and forth as he looked at me.

“Hmmm, ‘tis most unusual. I had not known the Melules tribe of centaurs to still exist upon this plane. Mine understanding hath figured that this tribe had been wiped out under the Siege of Akalava. Though the natural veins which flow through this Melules Centaur hath weakened considerably over the many years, he is still quite capable amongst the uneducated people here,” An’raie said within the depths of my mind.

My lips curved upwards. “I enjoy it when ya talk down to people,” I replied before I thought I heard a huff of some kind. Unfortunately, my attention was pulled back to the centaur.

“Pirate, you stand before Ivios Arteus, Silver Commander of the Hæňgaram Naval Forces. State your business along the Arlorian Line!” the centaur exclaimed, his chest bursting with all the pride I’d expected from a stiff-necked nation like Hæňgaram.

My mother and Ellen continued to stand beside me, their nervousness evident. “I didn’t know Hæňgaram and Callamum controlled this side of the southern seas. You must not be new to the seas, Centaur. If you were, you’d know damn well a pirate goes where he pleases. He also answers to no one.”

The centaur raised his hooves and slammed them onto the deck of my ship, releasing a surge of mana through the entire ship. Were my crew the same as they’d been when we started our voyage, they might have been intimidated. However, I saw the growing confidence on their faces.

“It is the Hæňgaram duty to stamp out men who would ruthlessly pillage and plunder the weak and the unguarded. That your kind are allowed to exist makes me seethe with anger. How many have you killed? How many have you hurt? All for the selfish desire of wanting more than you are given. Truly the gods must laugh in the face of mortals since we allow people like you to live,” he uttered in my face.

His tone hardly fazed me. Throughout my previous career as a pirate, I’d heard the same shit before in almost every way possible. “...right. Well, thank ya for the insight into your nation’s ideals. Now what do you want? We’re hardly engaged in any acts of piracy. Ain’t no worth in anyone losing their heads or sinking ships. How about you just let us on our way and we don’t mention this little…”

I cut my sentence short when the centaur suddenly formed a large dual-bladed axe of pure mana in his hands. He swung it with great strength, hoping to remove my head from my shoulders. Unfortunately for him, I was granted the honor of his stunned face when I blocked his attack. I grabbed the sharp point of the blade and stopped his momentum. Between the both of us, a surge of magical pressure roared through the open seas. The soldiers from Hæňgaram and Callamum stared in shock, none more than the mighty Ivios himself. Truly, the benefits of my alchemic work hadn’t disappointed me.

“You lot ain’t known for Hæňgaram respects, are ya?” I asked as Ivios continued to pit his strength against mine.

No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t budge the mana-comprised weapon to rip my body in two like he wanted.

He scowled at me. “So the suspicions were correct. It seems I’ve found my reason. What illegal magics have you conducted to grant yourself such strength? How many sacrifices have you laid upon a pillar of fire to resist me? The mana aboard this ship, what resides within the very souls of the people here is not what I’d expect of pirates. I shall give you one chance to surrender and face judgment before D’orn’s Council of Ten. Personally, I pray you resist! It’ll give me another reason to put you down permanently.”

Just before I was about to give my answer to the generous offer made to me, someone appeared next to the Centaur. This person was skinny, a stark contrast to the commander next to him. There was a slimy look in his eye that I didn’t appreciate. He appeared to be a man from the Callamum army, evidenced by his black armor.

“Now, now, Commander Ivios. Why would you make an offer to a pirate, especially to the Rage of the Seas, Eric Drakclaw?” the man asked as I heard some of the men and women from the two nations gasp.

My eyes narrowed as I stared at this man before the smile on his face persisted. He must have assumed my silence for anxiety in having my identity uncovered. “Do not be so surprised. I’ll admit, I didn’t think it was you until I laid eyes upon a certain prominent woman in lower circles. The life of a pirate doesn’t suit you, Ellen Sothshore of Draegnar’s Dead Tales,” the man said, turning his gaze to my Quartermaster.

Ellen stared at him for a moment, slowly reaching for her pistol. “Am I supposed to know who the fuck you are? Better yet, when should I start caring?” she asked, a deep scowl on her face.

The man bowed. “Oh, we’ve never met, but you match the descriptions from my men who have contacted you before. I must say you’re even more beautiful in person. You’re also a wanted woman. The nation of C’ula hasn’t forgotten what happened. It was quite the devastating destruction. Thankfully, the mages that work within C’ula walls are well-trained. Not too many died from your water mage over here. It didn’t take people too long to trace you from the auction. You must have been gone a long time. Wherever you’ve been sailing, you haven’t seen the latest bounty sheets.”

The man pulled out a piece of paper with a list of names in the C’ula language. It wasn’t hard to guess who was at the top of the list.

“Eric Drakclaw, the Rage of the Seas. Bounty: 132 Million Gold. No doubt the rest of your crew is worth at least 50 million. An entire ship’s worth of nearly 200 Million Gold right in front of us. Should this go to the Council of Ten we might lose the gold. It would help financing any recently made agreements,” the man said cryptically, eyeing Ivios.

I glanced between the Centaur and the Callamum man. So it seemed there was an alliance between Hæňgaram and Callamum forces. Unfortunately, I didn’t know if this was an alliance between the Hæňgaram empire and Callamum, or if Zevmar had reached out to Callamum on his own. Even without Liara’s memories, I heard tales of Callamum’s rise to prominence. Many had no idea how it happened, but it occurred during the Hæňgaram civil war. I was starting to understand why.

“Captain! Take the bastard’s head off! He talks more than a fucking squwaller for coin!” one of my crew members hollered before a rifle was pointed at them.

“Cease your quibble, pirate! Commander Ivios has never lost to a pirate and yours will be no different!” a soldier fired back.

“...Yahahahahahhahaha!”

Suddenly, my entire crew roared in laughter. “Now that’s some fucking action I’ll get me coin pouch in on! I got three hundred bones on the Captain!” someone else shouted.

“I’ll take ya on for a thousand on the captain!”

“Five thousand!”

“Six thousand!”

I chuckled as my mother put her head in her hands. “Fucking idiots, the lot of them,” she groaned before my crew started pushing back against the irate soldiers of Hæňgaram. Soon, everyone settled when a gunshot rang through the air.

The man from Callamum held his pistol up with a wide smile on his face. However, despite the smile, irritation began to take shape on him. He lowered his gun and laughed. “My, I’ve never seen a crew of scum so loyal to bigger scum,” he said, turning to me. However, his gae didn’t land on me for very long. Instead, he took note of Nz’ia.

The warrior beastman was trembling with anger, glaring at the Callamum soldier with a look none could mistake. It was a look of murder. So great was Nz’ia bloodlust that I was sure even the lowest trainee felt it. His once black eyes became a deep red just like the blood that flowed from his clenched fingers. I wasn’t sure what self-restraint he was holding on it, but it must have been immense.

This was tested when the man from Callamum walked over to the Xhaluter. The two stood face to face, Nz’ia vast size making the man tilt his head all the way up. I more than expected the soldier’s head to go flying off his shoulders, but Nz’ia continued to hold his anger and his rage. He continued to abide by my order even if every instinct within him was screaming at him to take honor against Callamum for the destruction of his tribe.

“Hmmm, you even have a Xhaluter. It seems to match the description of the one that was being escorted by three Callamum vessels before their untimely demise. You know, I was there at the subjugation of a certain tribe of Xhaluters. Beastly, lowborn things they were. Utter savages, only good for fighting. Better to put them to good use than them killing themselves like flea-bitten dogs, wouldn’t you say?” he asked me.

My eyes narrowed, but it seemed that the man’s comments weren’t shared by many. Though a few Callamum soldiers agreed, I noticed the disdain on Ivios’ face when he glared at his supposed ally.

The man from Callamum faced me. “Make sure you keep your mutt below deck next time. His stench makes my nose itch.”

My frown deepened before he made his way back to me.

When he placed his pistol back in its holster, he shook his head. “I admit, for such a young man your strength is most impressive. However, it won’t matter. ‘Tis your misfortune to have met us along this sea line,” the man said as he snapped his fingers.

“Raegalamos!”

I heard five or six mages chant simultaneously before Ivios, Ellen, my mother, and I were all trapped in a large, purple dome of magic. Little by little I felt the barrier-like spell suck my mana away. Ivios seemed incredibly pleased with himself, even though his mana was being drained just as mine was.

“And what is this supposed to do?” I asked.

The man of Callamum laughed. “Something a pirate such as you should feel honored to even be on the receiving end of. This’ll make sure whatever water magic you’re proficient in will be of no consequence. The elite mages of the Hæňgaram Empire truly earned their reputation. Enjoy its crushing pressure for a little while longer until we apprehend you,” he said as he walked away.

My lips curved upwards. “Oh? And I do think I should at least be given the honor of knowing the names of my captors who’ve bested me so,” I answered back.

The man gave a pause before he turned around. “A cur such as yourself doesn’t need to know who I am. I wouldn’t sully my name upon the lips of a lowborn, especially a Draegnarian,” he said, his tone becoming increasingly annoying.

I nodded. I then pointed a finger at him. “Well, that’s a shame then. I won’t have a family to deliver your mangled corpse to,” I uttered.

What followed next was utter silence. Everyone stared in shock as the six spikes of water exploded from the Callamum soldier's head. The only sound amongst the silence was that of his crashing body onto the deck of my ship.

“Colonel Viodorn!” someone screamed.

Ivios suddenly grew frantic. “What happened?!” the mighty centaur screamed. Due to the nature of the spell, he couldn’t turn around to see the fate that befell his ally.

I acted quickly. “An’raie, claim that fucker’s soul before its lost! I bet there’ll be much shit I can glean from it! It shall be yours to do with as you please!”

I doubted the Lonely Wail needed any more incentive. Her spirit detached itself from mine and she sailed over to the corpse. Greenish mist flourished through the tips of her fingers. She lifted up the corpse of the man I killed. His eyes glowed with furiously green magic.

“D-D-Demoncraft!” another shouted as the corpse cracked and twisted in many unnatural ways.

“What are you standing around for? Burn its flesh before the curse of the greatest evils falls upon us!” someone else commanded.

At least ten or so magic arrays appeared in the air. All of them ready to unleash a torrent of flames upon my ship. Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry about those nuisances. An’raie took care of them.

“The aptitude of this world hath declined considerably. ‘Tis such a waste to refer to them as elite mages,” she said before she held out her hand.

I frowned. “Wait, stay your hand. Don’t kill them!” I said.

An’raie paused for a moment before she continued chanting. Pedestals of bones manifested on the Hæňgaramian vessel. Foul black mist swept over the ship. A chorus of chaos descended upon the vessel. Though I didn’t see as the mist was too thick, my ears couldn’t mistake the sounds of combat nor the screams.

I then turned to Nz’ia. A brief spell to link our minds was cast, and I spoke. “Unleash your rage! Make these fuckers pay!” I ordered.

Like a beast unleashed from his cage, Nz’ia bellowed with such ferocity that even my bones were chilled. He then jumped high into the air, hard enough to leave his foot imprints in the wood. The mighty warrior crashed into the Callamum ships, uncaring of the mist around it. No one would mistake the horrific screams nor the cries for help. Whatever happened to the men and women of Callamum, I dared not guess. Between An’raie’s magic and Nz’ia brutality, how could any of them survive?

Ivios turned back to me with great anger. My lips widened. “Would ya like to see what’s going on? I’ll grant you the honor,” I said as I stared at the flow of magic that kept this barrier intact. The Commander of the Naval Forces shook as my free hand touched the barrier. I rewrote the formula, the language, the very structure of the spell cast on the four of us without worry.

Like glass the barrier shattered into a thousand pieces, each breaking away in the middle of the air. The Melules centaur’s thoughts were easily known to me. The shock on his face was evident. Almost as if personifying his thoughts, his large hands on the handle of his blade trembled.

“You…” He snarled, his hooves stomping on my deck.

“You’re lucky. Most men who dare come aboard my ship without my say so don’t live to tell about it. For the sake of my own alliance, I’ll make sure not to spill any Hæňgaramian blood,” I said as I turned to my mother and Ellen.

Both nodded. “Capture all the fucking bastards!” Ellen shouted as my crew hollered in agreement.

I wondered what Ivios must have thought when he saw his men overcome by lowly pirates. The rewards of Delverhold showed themselves in many of the men and women aboard my ship. Class of steel, trade of bullets, it didn’t matter. The air came alive with the smell of blood, gunpowder, and death. A few of the still standing mages tried to intervene, but the once lowly mages that came aboard my ship at the start of my voyage were more than enough to handle them.

“Finally! Never thought the day would come where I’d stand before a Callamum mage without fear! The mana within me feels boundless!” One of the mages of my crew said as he summoned a magic shield and blocked a shard of ice magic.

One couldn’t even really call this a battle. It was a slaughter. Men and women from Callamum laid dead and buried by the sea, courtesy of Ellen and my crew. Roughed up though they were, the men and women of Hæňgaram were captured and subdued. The more rowdy ones were knocked out by my beautiful mother.

“May you burn in the fiery pits of the Hæňgaram mines!” one soldier scowled as he spat on her pants. Her glorious legs kicked his head to the side, knocking a few of his teeth and him out at the same time.

“Fucking son of a bitch,” she said as she tore off a piece of cloth from the soldier’s armor and used it to wipe the spit off.

Pretty soon, that left Ivios and myself. The Centaur continued to stand proud as I continued to hold the bladed part of his weapon and him the handle. If looks could kill, then I’d have died over a thousand times to his gaze.

Whether for his pride or for the safety of his men, the centaur dug his heels into the wood of my ship. His weight and strength were so great the planks split beneath his feet. I found myself impressed as he pushed me back an inch or two. My strength had risen leaps and bounds since I left Delverhold. Yet, this centaur of Hæňgaram still boasted incredible might. I wondered what he’d done or been blessed with to be so formidable. It was a shame. Had he not been from that uptight empire, I would have tried to recruit him.

The Centaur and I stared at each other before I felt I’d had enough. “Ain’t this the part where you beg for the lives of your men from the evil pirate?” I asked.

Ivios trembled with rage.

“Your words fall on deaf ears, pirate. To die for Hæňgaram is nothing short of an honor! Commander, it’s just as you said! These pirates, disturbances over the last month, both are connected! They have dealt in illegal activity!” someone else shouted before Ellen pointed her pistol at their head.

“Keep talking and you’ll be the first to join the bastard on shitstains of Callamum,” she ordered as the Hæňgaram soldier scowled at her.

Ivios then took a deep breath and exhaled. He eased his grip and pulled back. “I would expect no less honor from scum such as yourself. However, I shall not discard those under me when their usefulness is diminished. Best you kill me now, Eric Drakclaw. When the opportunity presents itself, I shall not waver in severing your head from your shoulders!” he threatened.

Despite this turn of events, I couldn’t help feeling rather honored. It’d been quite a while since someone was determined to chase me so vehemently. I definitely ran out of diligent pursuers in my old life. In a fucking messed up way, it does the salty heart good to have one again.

“I’d like to see you try,” I said before I released a wave of power mana all at once at him. Ivios trembled, resisting the great depths of my mana. Though I never took my eyes off him, I heard the various slump of Hæňgaram bodies. Those under the centaur’s command fell one by one, unable to resist the pulsing waves of mana I continued to unleash. Even the waves surrounding my ship trembled, being pushed away as the members of my crew grabbed onto the side of the wooden railings.

Not even a centaur of the Melules clan could stand before such might for too long. He crashed to the deck of my ship, his weapon dropping with a heavy thud. I then eased my mana and took another breath. Though powerful such a technique was known by many powerful mages. In fact, it was considered a rite of passage for most mages who graduated from the Mage Association. They have to withstand the magical pressure of those with higher aptitudes than themselves. Failure was to repeat another four years of study.

Truth be told, I should thank Liara for taking it easy on me. Since I’d battled so many fearsome magic users, I’d grown accustomed to handling the pressure they exuded. Before, I was confident in handling Liara’s pressure, but now that she’d finished her ascension, I wasn’t ready to test that theory anymore.

After a moment, I surveyed all the damage. An’raie took a hold of the Viodorn man’s soul, dragging it into the depths of a magic orb of souls. She then reattached her soul to mine as the corpse of the bastard fell to the ground.

“Great. Now what the fuck are we supposed to do with these scalywags?” one of the men of my crew asked, kicking the arm of a Hæňgaram soldier with his foot.

“Ha! Well, they sure as hell won’t be needing their fancy swords and armor, that be for sure! Fuck, Captain keep this up and soon you’ll be facing every damn nation in the world.”

“Gyayahahahahha! Now that be a fine battle to partake in at some point. If anyone’s insane enough to do it, then it’d be our young captain!”

Ellen pocketed her pistol and stepped over the unconscious men and women. “Alright, that’s enough of the shit talking. Bind the fucking bastards and drop them in brig. Don’t need them giving us any trouble before we decide what to do with them,” she said.

“Aye aye!” The rest of my crew resounded before I tossed a small bead to my Quartermaster. True to form, she didn’t need to be told what it was. She just looked at me and nodded. With that bead, no one in the brig would be gathering their mana any time soon. That would at least keep them all well behaved.

I heard the door to my quarters open. Then came a chuckle. “My my, ‘tis quite the adventure I have missed. It is indeed a shame. Had I foreseen the demise of the great Viodorn, I would have offered an appropriate passage into the Balvalin Realm. Tell me An’raie, hath thee already found a suitable use for the soul?” Liara asked as An’raie appeared once again.

“‘Tis none of your concern, Ilzahold. I shall make use of what’s been given to me as I see fit. Thee would do well to not tread against me,” An’raie replied.

The two witches glared at each other, Liara laughing with a hand over her mouth. “My, such ungratefulness. After my guard and I aided you in experiencing such a wonderfully pleasant embrace. Thou art quite miserly,” Liara answered.

An’raie huffed. “I need not explain my actions to thee, Eternal Witch! Do not think that thee shalt remain ahead of me forever. I too shall ascend and gather upon mine own vengeance!” she boasted before she fell silent, merging herself with me once again.

Liara chuckled again, slowly walking down the steps and surveying the carnage. “You have your hands quite full with that one, Dear Captain. I don’t suppose you have a use for these corpses. I would be very grateful if thee would allow me to bring them under my charge. I have many ways by which to repay you,” she said, her voice moving through my ears like milk and honey as always.

I’d have to be careful. Complaisant and understanding though Liara and I were, I was still unsure exactly of where we stood. While I’d do anything to keep from getting on her bad side, I’d also never allow her to lead me by the nose either. Even if it was slight, I’d always have to keep myself ahead of her. If I allowed her to get in front of me even once, I’d never retake the reins. She was that fearsome of a woman.

Composing myself, I chuckled. “Take them if you will, for I have no use for them. However, perhaps it’d be better if you start to settle into your new quarters. A ship has just been graciously bestowed upon us. It’d be rude to not partake in it,” I said as Liara turned her head to the Callamum vessel. She observed its beautifully sculpted wood and blackened armored plates. The vessel was a little less than double the size of my current ship and had more than enough space to accommodate my entire crew and more.

How I wished I could take the Hæňgaram vessel for myself. Though smaller than the Callamum vessel, it was way more prestigious. However, that was more trouble than it was worth. Hæňgaram ships were each soul bound to a specific leader. The vessel would not move if the commander didn’t will it so. It wasn’t like I could kill Ivios and have his body do it for me. The vessel would destroy itself if the soul bound person died. I also couldn’t get the bastard to sail it for me forever. I bet that wouldn’t look good in the eyes of Lady Knight. So, I had to settle for the second-place prize for now.

I had no qualms with what I’d gotten. I now had two ships under my hand.

I regained my focus just in time to see Liara smile. “Hmmm, indeed. It should prove to be a fine vessel for you to reside in. Diane, be a dear and aid Goron moving my things to our new quarters. Also make sure to treat the rest of these bodies with care. Now that I have gained a great understanding into the realm of the divine, I have my tests which I must partake in. Are your legs with you?” she asked, a rather playful smile on the corner of her lips.

Diane stumbled with a limp and nodded. “I’ll be fine, Lady Liara. Just didn’t realize I was gonna get my ass fucked by a fucking mountain ape.”

She glared at me for a moment before she walked back into Liara’s quarters. Not even a minute passed before Goron appeared, a large stack of books in his hands.

I turned to Ellen and my mother. “Take the captives onto the Callamum ship. From this day forth, it’s mine,” I said.

My mother looked at the ship and smirked. “Not how I imagined the upgrade, but I won’t complain. Alright you bastards, you heard the captain! Move your shit into the black ship! It’s ours now!” she exclaimed.

The men and women cheered, each of them racing to grab their things. I watched them work for over four hours to move things from this old pirate ship to the new Callamum vessel. I personally saw to the transfer of Aesteal, Maeloson, and Alteria. Ellen spent most of the time reorganizing the rooms. All the previous food was stored with the provisions found in the Callamum food storage.

As expected, the brig was notably larger than my previous ship. It could hold at least a hundred prisoners comfortably. That was where I had Nz’ia put the men and women of Hæňgaram. Well, the Xhaluter carried the centaur. The men and women of Hilvir carried everyone else.

Once they were all secured, Ellen dropped the bead in a piece of the wall. With that, I’d have no need to worry about any pointless escape attempts. Once everyone was settled, I decided to focus on moving my stuff. Fuck, was there a lot of it!

It turned out this Callamum ship was a blessing even I hadn’t foreseen. It had a lot more storage areas. My men could put their things away and I still had more than enough room for my own supplies. I held the glowing green anchor from the Sea of Greed in my hands. Now that I looked at it, I shivered from the vile magics held within it. A part of me wanted to throw it away. I wished no one on my crew to hold it lest they be twisted into something horrible. That said, I knew someone who’d enjoy breaking this fucking thing down into something I could use. I just hoped that old bastard was still in his usual spot. Seas knows the fucking son of a bitch liked to travel.

With my previous ship being emptied, I decided to give it to the men and women of Hilvir. That could be their training area once Maeloson and Aesteal woke up. They’d have enough space to train in whatever art they desired without it being too distracting from the rest of the crew. Plus, that would distance them from the more… overzealous members. I hadn’t forgotten the turmoil they’d endured. Those fears still hadn’t subsided and I didn’t expect them to for a long while.

I appointed one man for the men and one woman for the women. They’d be in charge of the training for now. Naturally, I assigned one of the helmsmen to that ship. I then tied the pirate ship to the Callamum ship. The Hæňgaram vessel was a little more complex. Powerful though it was, the Callamum ship couldn’t pull both. So I had to begrudgingly move the Hæňgaram ship with my powers.

Ironically, my room took the most time to sort. Naturally, Nei and the other fairmaids still stayed with me, minus Aesteal’s. I doubt I’d ever be trusting enough to leave them where others could exploit them. Best not give the fuckers the temptation.

Anyway, I had so much shit, but the late Colonel Viodorn had an ample sized room to fit all my needs. Even his bed was bigger than mine. By the time I was done, I was too exhausted to care about anything else. Naala offered me lunch, claiming that she’d never been more attracted to me than then.

While I ate, the voyage continued. As I heard the hull of the ships sail over the ocean, I pondered the Hæňgaram and Callamum alliance. Based on the interaction I had with this little ragtag group, they didn’t seem to be under Zevmar. They were all too fucking anal about their beloved nation to even think of betraying it. That said, Alteria told me that the man was known for his charisma. It wasn’t impossible to imagine that they’d be converted later, but the war of Hæňgaram wouldn’t be ferocious if everything had Zevmar’s dick in their mouths.

As I leaned back in my new chair, I hummed. It was possible that Zevmar was beginning to make his own moves. He’d recruited Saviara and it had been my intervention that stopped that part of his plan, albeit unintentionally. From what I remember, and what Liara’s memories told me, there’d been no accounts of Zevmar taking over Hæňgaram. However, that was my old life. Things were starting to progress differently here.

Then there was the bastard’s light magic. Not the easiest thing to face even though I had experience handling the few light mages that existed in the world. As a rare magic, it was stronger than any other elemental magic. It's only equal was divine, void, or dark magic. All three were very risky to use, and two almost impossible to obtain under normal circumstances. There was a reason I’d chosen not to delve into the realm of dark magic that laid available to me from Liara’s memories. She’d built up thousands of years of tolerance to its temptation. I didn’t.

Also, now that I became aware of moonstones, that might also explain why my powers never worked on those with light magic. It always weirded me out why I couldn’t affect them like others. I could control the water in their bodies. What I’d done to the Son of the Alchemist, constantly barraging him with internal injuries to keep him distracted from his spells, couldn’t be done to them. All the water around them was free game, but anything inside them was like its own separate entity.

That said, I never truly sought to understand why. Before this revelation of moonstones, I wasn’t the most attentive fucker. If they stood against me, I just tried to take them down. Not too much strategy to be thought of back then. That always seemed to be a problem for me. My own pride and arrogance led to my downfall and I’d been too damned stupid to realize it. I’d vow to never let that happen again.

Once again, I’d been forced to swallow the harsh pill the world tries to feed everyone. No one can remain at the top forever.

Five days passed me by slowly. My time was divided between finally training my rising force from Hilvir and performing my alchemy. Instead of myself, I performed it on my mother and Ellen. Naturally, I had them both help out. As much as I loved them both, I wasn’t about to just freely hand out my talents so readily. Of course, neither wanted the handout anyway. Their fucking pride wouldn’t allow it. Ever since my mother had returned to her beautiful self, her pride as a woman soared with it. I was immensely pleased with the results.

Ellen, when she had the time, also continued her gun magic training with Racaell. The ringing of gunfire and explosions of magic continued throughout the days.

As for the men and women of Hilvir. I graciously asked for Diane and Nz’ia’s help as their opponents. Indeed, a tad unfair, but the world wasn't fair. At least they wouldn’t lose their lives to this level of unfairness. Their physical training was met with loads of blood and sweat, but I never saw any tears. Maeloson and Aesteal trained them very well up to this point. Naturally, some were more gifted than others, but I saw the hidden talents of others. I could make use of every single person in this group. I trained them in all aspects that I could to prepare to act independent of my ship.

During the nights, I had Ellen draft patrols of men and women around all three ships hoping to test my force’s stealth training. They’d sneak through the ships, getting me items I desired without getting caught. If they were caught then that meant no dinner. If they weren’t, then it means no dinner for the patrolling bastards. Rather ingenious if I had to toot my own horn.

Lastly, there was their combat against mages. Surprisingly, Rieth offered her assistance as did Gurok. However, the most unexpected participants had to be Liara and An’raie. The former surmised it’d be something amusing to distract her from her current studies and divinations. In some cases, I pitied the men and women of Hilvir. However, despite them getting their asses kicked, the lessons on teamwork from Maeloson and Aesteal actually made their losses decent.

Liara picked out a few potential students and taught them the basics of magic. I wondered what her purpose was in getting so involved, but all I got was a mischievous smile in return. Something told me that even if I asked, I’d only get a roundabout answer.

Once those five days passed, another four passed as well. I got the Hilvir group into information-gathering. Whatever they could find from my crew without getting caught was a nice thing. Now that let me discover things about my crew I sure as hell wish I didn’t. I definitely didn’t need to know about the late night ass-fucking two men were gonna have once the lights were out. That was just one of the many things that tortured my ears as the group got more and more comfortable with their own methods of gathering intel.

Fortunately, I was broken from the tedium when a knock came to my door. “Enter,” I said as I leaned back in my chair while Liara returned the piece of paper I’d given her. She’d come to my quarters curious about some of the tomes I’d uncovered from Delverhold.

I took that time to finally give her the piece of paper from the Lindengar estate before Aesteal, Maeloson, and I escaped. She’d informed me it was a soul ring, a type of ring that could only be used by the lineage of those who are bound to it. Supposedly, there’s supposed to exist a soul plane where one can hide the treasures, artifacts, and even the bones of their ancestors. If that was the case, I’d have to pay Falvor a visit again. No wonder he never let Anastasia know of it. I bet he didn’t trust her worth a damn.

Anyway, our talk was broken as I turned around. Liara and Nei, who was on top of my head, faced the door. It opened to reveal my mother. “Eric, they’re all awake. Aesteal and the others,” she said.

There was something about the nature of women that can quell the storm of a man’s wretched heart. I grabbed my coat and followed my mother out the door. Every single day I’d visited Aesteal, Maeloson, and Diane, wondering when they’d open their eyes. My bonded elf’s wondrous aura wrapped around mine with great need, like a lost lover that had just been found. It felt wonderful, harmonious even. I never thought I’d miss the feeling so much.

I entered the elves’ room, spotting them both leaning up. Aesteal’s fairmaid showed great joy, her tail slapping on my elf’s thighs happily. Aesteal moved her fingers through the fairmaid’s hair.

Meanwhile, Maeloson had his feet on the floor, rubbing his head like he’d just been through a harsh day. When the two spotted me, they tried to stand up to present themselves to me. Honestly, sometimes I swore elven stubbornness was as much a flaw as it was a strength.

I held up my hand for them to stop. I slowly entered the room and approached Aesteal. She stared at me with a longing smile as I pushed my forehead to hers. I soaked in what I could of her scent and her aura, the calming experience moving me greatly. Somehow, we both opened our eyes at the same time. When I looked into hers, I saw wondrous strength. What was once unrefined and wild, was now tempered and controlled.

“You worried me,” I said, a moment of vulnerability leaking through.

“And I you, Sir,” she replied slowly, her voice hoarse.

I kissed the top of her head and stood up. I turned over to Maeloson. “So ya haven’t kicked the bucket yet?” I asked.

The male elf frowned for a moment, grunting. He looked very somber. “We’ve shown you something unsightly,” He said, his hands clenched in anger.

I stared at him for a moment or two before I turned back to Aesteal. She too looked unhappy with the current situation. I scratched my head and exhaled. “When the crew falls apart, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the captain. All of it was my fault. My pride and arrogance led to your capture. Do not think you failed me. It be I who failed you both,” I said, holding my head down, uncaring of whoever observed me at the door.

Unfortunately, my moment of sincerity was ruined by three rumbling stomachs. I lifted my head to see Aesteal laughing, Maeloson’s head turned away, and the fairmaid smiling at me.

Standing up, I guffawed at them both. Their faces became red with embarrassment before I turned to the door. “Bring these three hungry bells plenty of food and water. Make sure they’ve had their fill,” I ordered.

“And now I’ve been reduced to a fucking maid. A bullet to the fucking head would be more pleasant! You, come with me! You’re gonna be my fucking errand bitch for now,” Ellen snarled as she stomped down the hall with someone screaming in tow.

Food and drink were quickly given to the elves and the fairmaid. As expected of those who hadn’t eaten for a week or two, they ate like their lives depended on it. It was a rather funny sight, especially with how dignified they tried to appear. Unfortunately, that dignity meant sod all in the face of hunger.

I decided to leave them alone to their feast and made my way into Alteria’s room. As I walked, I passed two men. “Careful captain, lass hasn’t moved since she’s woken up. Almost like a fucking zombie,” one of them said.

When I arrived, I knocked on the door. There was no reply. Curious, I slowly opened it. I saw Alteria, sitting on her bed, her eyes facing the floor. Her food and water were right next to her table.

I fully entered and closed the door, grabbing a chair and sitting in front of her. “A cold meal makes for an unnourished body. You should eat,” I said.

Alteria didn’t respond. Though she wasn’t looking at me, I saw in her eyes the full brunt of guilt and failure. Despite her rest, she looked listless and empty. Like my men said, one could have mistaken her for a zombie if they looked at her from afar. I supposed when I thought about the Balamar knight and the empire she served, it wasn’t hard to see why she’d been disheartened.

Hæňgaram was also known as the Nation of Bleeding Hearts. While they aren’t a righteous nation, they abhor violence and misfortune brought down upon those of humble living. The army prides itself on being stronger, tougher, braver, and heartier than any other kingdom, nation, or empire. For a knight like Alteria to fall to dark magic, no matter how powerful it was must have been eye-opening for her.

I leaned back. “I once remember a fucker from Draegnar. He was a swift bastard. Best thief on the island. He’d pocketed more coin in his life than anyone on Draegnar ever could or ever would. You’d think the bastard would put his massive fortune to good use. Instead, he gave it to the poor, to the downtrodden, and to the broken. Some saw him as a fucking angel or divine spirit come to help the poor. I had the chance to meet him once. Even stole a pouch from me when I was younger. I asked him why he never did anything with the wealth. He said some called him a good man trying to bring light to a dark island. Instead, he simply told me he loved stealing, it was in his blood. If he bought all the riches, glory, and fame, what would he need to keep stealing for? He’d have no reason to keep living. Don’t know what happened to him, he just vanished one day.”

Alteria continued to not look at me so I grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her eyes to stare into mine. “I know how you’re feeling, knight. It sucks, doesn’t it? Being confronted with the ugliness of your own desires. A pirate ought to know after all. If you’re pissed off, then gather the strength necessary that it won’t befall you again, or confront your own ugliness and turn it into something worthwhile. Where is that woman who relentlessly assaulted me back on Hilvir? Where is that bitch who made a deal with me? Are you gonna wallow her, or are you gonna pick yerself up and rebuild what was broken?! You best decide because I’ll leave you Draegnar once we make land!” I said firmly.

After a moment, I saw Alteria’s eyes stare into mine. She brushed my hand off her head and leaned up. “Yes, it was very ugly. I bore witness to all I’d done while I was under the control of the spell. The flames danced in my eyes and I found myself powerless to resist their influence. My sense of duty, my pride in my empire, the belief in my cause, all of them were shattered to pieces as I was embraced by the green flames. One by one, I was tempted with so many visions. Under me, peace would reign for all eternity. No pirates, no thieves, no evil, and no tyranny. As queen of the world, all would know peace. I gave into the desire, my training offering me no way to resist it. Then, it was not myself who broke it, but you, a pirate, one I was taught to destroy and resent with all my being, that freed me. The power was… beautiful,” she said.

I listened to her and stared out the window. “If it wasn’t enticing, it wouldn’t exactly be a tempting thing now would it? At the risk of making myself gag, let me tell you. You’re a strong lass. Strongest I’ve ever seen. A good one as well. You’re definitely insane enough to make a deal with a group known for its backstabbing. Desires be an ugly shit to think about, but even the worst piece of shit can be used to grow something beautiful to stare at. It all be on you whether you’re willing to see it happen,” I said as I stood up and headed for the door.

“...And how do you know what I am?” she asked.

I opened the door. “Cause I know what a piece of shit looks like. I just gotta look in the mirror.”

I left the Balamar knight with those words to ponder.

As I closed her door, I spotted Naala in the hallway, a smug grin on her face. “Gettin’ have quite the soft heart, aren’t you Captain?” she asked.

I rolled my eyes as I passed her. “Stay in my quarters and I’ll be sure to show you how soft-hearted I am,” I said as I walked past her.

“Mmmm, don’t threaten a bitch with a good fucking time, Sir!” she replied as my lips curved upwards. I then heard Ellen’s door open and close. Naala was no longer standing in the hallway.

I finally stepped aboard the ship, the sun in my face and the wind pushing our ships forward. “Captain,” someone called to me. I turned my head and noticed a man about forty or so walking over to me.

“Smell the air. Storm’s approaching. Should we drop anchor?” he asked.

I almost said no, but yes came out of my mouth instead. The middle-aged man nodded and shouted to the others. “Drop anchor, laddies! There be a storm brewing over the horizon!” he shouted.

The anchor was dropped into the sea and the flags on the masts were raised up. Ellen walked over to me. “So we’ve got a heavy storm, shouldn’t you and your fancy god powers be able to make the way clear for us?” she asked.

I slowly nodded to her point, but turned my gaze back to my crew. “It be no big deal. It’ll give Maeloson,Aesteal, and Alteria a chance to get their sea legs back. It’ll also give me some time to work on some other things. Besides, now it’ll be our time to honor the deal I made to Lady Knight. For that, we’ll gotta start organizing our moves,” I said.

Ellen stared at me a moment or two longer. She then sighed. “Goddammit,” she grumbled before she faced everyone.

“Someone inform those bastards training on the other ship to clear the deck unless they wanna get shit soaked. Everyone’s relieved of duty, but I’d better not see anyone drunk of their ass or you’re gonna be scrubbing the fucking rain off every spot on this ship!” she yelled, making sure everyone heard her.

Soon enough, that man’s premonition came to pass. Clouds darkened, seas grew violent, and winds began to stir. The decks of all three ships laid barren as the sound of vicious rain ripped through the skies and streaks of lightning pierced the heavens. As I sat in my new quarters, a roar of thunder broke the air.

Flickering candles lit up my quarters as I stared back at those residing with me in my room. I leaned on my new desk, pushing over a few papers from the previous captain that I hadn’t gotten rid of yet.

“Alright, Eric, you got us all in here. Why are we here?” my mother asked, leaning against the wall next to a large bookcase. Around the room were Aesteal, Maeloson, Ellen, my mother, and Nz’ia. Naturally, we all heard the splash of the fairmaids, the other four welcoming back their fifth sister who had been beside my bonded elf all this time.

“I can’t just desire the company of my crew?” I asked, chuckling when they all looked at me unamused. Well, I thought it was funny.

I moved from one part of my room to the next, spinning the navigator’s globe in the corner. “We will soon return to Draegnar. Maeloson, Aesteal, while I want you both to rest until we make land, continue to monitor the training of the Hilvir group. Once we’ve hit land, I want both of you to choose the ten most promising people you see. That is the group I will send to the Empire of Crystalized Ash along with Lady Knight and Raven’s Shadow. For that group, I’ll do some more rune sewing,” I said, the very words tasting like shit in my mouth.

“So you’re really deciding to wage a war for Hæňgaram?” Maeloson asked as I finished spinning the globe.

“We best clear the air here. Aye, we ain’t mercenaries, but it’s for our benefit that we partake in this little empire feud. Besides, this little incident with Hæňgaram and Callamum will tell us just what way this shit world’s gonna turn for the next thirty or even fifty years. That’ll also help in figuring out what the fuck befell Nz’ia’s clansmen. If Callamum has struck them, then participating in this war is a good chance to find out who assaulted them. Based on Nz’ia’s memories, I bet I know,” I replied.

Ellen folded her arms. “And are you gonna regale us with this bastard or should we hazard a guess?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Aye, well, let’s just say if this be what I think it be, then what you’ve seen me do with water, this man can do with earth and rock,” I answered.

Now that got a reaction out of everyone. They were all shocked aside from Nz’ia. His face was wrapped in anger. “There are other fuckers like you?” Ellen asked.

I slowly nodded. “Aye. At least three others,” I said.

Maeloson frowned. “How do you even know this?” he asked.

I noticed the hesitant look Aesteal gave me, but I’d known my way around a lie or two. Granted, I’d make sure it wouldn’t stay this way forever. “I ain’t so lucky as to believe I was the only bastard in all the realms to be blessed with this might. It be the most obvious answer.”

No one seemed to mind this answer before my mother spoke. “And the others?” she asked.

I hummed, staring out the window as the rain struck my windows. “Not sure what to do with them just yet. It depends if Anastasia has done her due diligence,” I answered.

“Fucker’s even got the cunt of the Lindengar Estate at his beck and call. I feel like I’m not even looking at the same little bastard anymore,” Ellen uttered. This made me laugh. Oh, if only the lass knew.

I smiled. “I’ll take it for a compliment. Anyway, you, my mother, and I will be attending one of your underground auctions. That’s where we’re gonna put nearly all we’ve earned on display. Naturally, the most prestigious and glamorous shit will be kept for ourselves, but the coin we make from everything else shall be the fuel to keep us moving forward. It’ll also aid us in purchasing great materials needed for all of you to craft your weapons of choice,” I answered.

“This little auction isn’t gonna end with you fucking me again, is it?” my mother asked.

I responded with a lecherous smirk. “Not unless you want it to,” I answered very suggestively.

My mother shook her head before I cleared my throat. “Besides, that coin will have to go into building out the Dead Tales. With it, I’ll have the rest of the men and women of Hilvir establishing minor taverns in every region. As Aesteal said, that’ll make a good point of information. Anything happens in the world, I’ll fucking know about it,” I answered.

“And what are you gonna use all this information for?” Maeloson asked.

My eyes narrowed, Liara’s words continuing to ring through my ears. This good fortune probably wouldn’t last. I’d have to seize every fucking advantage possible. If I wanted to earn my throne, my kingdom back, then I’d have to act like it.

“Know nothing, watch your back. Know something, watch your front,” I returned with a grin as I grabbed a knife and stabbed it into the table.

“Besides, that bastard Alchemist and his son were onto some wild shit. As the adventuring pirates we be, we must naturally uncover what shit they were trying to pull,” I stated, already grinning at the thought that there was more that I hadn’t seen. Perhaps whatever would cause the end of D’orn was related to these other realms. Of course, I’d have to investigate such matters.

“You know we damn well can’t sail a ship this big without a crew of able bodies. Remember Eric, you haven’t got much of a crew. Most of it consists of the people in this room,” my mother said before my lips curved upwards.

“Oh, I wouldn/t worry about that, mother. We’ll have a few willing participants before we make our way toward Hæňgaram,” I said.

The others looked at me curiously, but I offered no more explanations. Instead, the group and I passed through the storm in a myriad of detailed plans. Once Maeloson and Aesteal were fully healed, I’d begin alchemy on them, as well as sewing more runes into their clothes. Unfortunately, I’d have to be picky about which I chose. I couldn’t exactly go sewing runes into every piece of clothing they’d ever wear until the end of time. I’d soon grab a moonstone and hurl myself into the sea.

I didn’t seek to take up too much of everyone’s time so I dismissed them. Nz’ia couldn’t have gotten off the ship fast enough. I doubted he’d ever be comfortable standing aboard a Callamum vessel anymore. Well, I couldn’t very much argue with why.

Everyone vacated my room and I found myself with a new bed partner. Instead of my usual bedmates, I had the company of Nei tonight. It wasn’t like I didn’t desire to sleep with any of them, especially Aesteal, but these few nights I hadn’t really been sleeping. I'd been gleaning what I could from Liara’s memories. Some things were simple and others were complicated. Nevertheless, even in the depths of my dreams, Nei’s quiet slumberings seemed to resonate in my ears.

No matter how far into my dreams I delved, I felt Nei’s lips against my cheek and her beautiful black hair caressing my skin. I couldn’t help pulling away from my visions to sleep with her while her sisters slept in the enchanted barrel.

“LAND HO! The shit-soaked lands of Draegnar!” a female barrelman shouted with her loudest voice to all the voices below.

Men stared off the side of the ship, some smiling like mad at the sight of the nation where all this shit had begun. Even I felt the call of Draegnar’s blood-soaked, crime-infested, shit-stained lands. As I’d predicted, it took an entire week after the storm to sail back to Draegnar. We’d made good time as well. The sun was still high in the sky.

Ellen, my mother, Naala, Aesteal, and Maeloson stared at the island as did I. The island slowly came into distance, various pirate ships and unsavory boats filled with men staring in awe at our ship. I had no need to fear being attacked. A Callamum ship capable of easily dispatching with those types of vessels. Not to mention my pirate ship and the Hæňgaram ship coming with us. I bet fuckers were running away with their cocks between their legs.

“My, my, you make an old woman rather sentimental, Dear Captain. Never would I believe to look upon Draegnar with longing eyes,” Liara said, her hair blowing in the wind.

My lips curved upwards. I believe a total of four or five months had passed since I’d left Draegnar. Good thing the previous owner of the pirate ship I’d rented was already dealt with. That’d be quite the hefty tax on Ellen and I.

Having seen enough, I cleared my throat. “Alright, you bastards and bitches, line up!” I commanded.

Before long, everyone was on the deck of the ship. Men and women from Hilvir listened from the other ship along with Nz’ia. I tried to stare at everyone that I could, taking in the face of pride, eagerness, and excitement on the faces of everyone. Despite everything these bastards put their trust in me and I sailed them for greater fame and glory.

“As you lot know, we were only temporary. Once we make for land, you ain’t my crew and I ain’t your captain. I’m not gonna give ya some fucking tearful goodbye or bawl out my eyes like a bitch. Just remember what I told you when you land on the island. You’ve all lived on Draegnar, you know what it’s like. Whatever you do with your fortune, you best make it worth the risk of your lives. I couldn’t ask for greater pieces of shit to sail with,” I finished.

The ship grew boisterous with cheers as my mother, and even Ellen, looked at the group fondly. Naturally, some tried to say that they would follow me, but I wasn’t so quick to accept them. I took a crew very seriously. If they wished to follow me, then they’d best be in their right minds to make that decision.

Nevertheless, I shook my head, chuckling when I saw them all banter with each other. In the meantime, I released Nei and her sisters into the Draegnar waters. While this might seem foolish, I was confident no one would catch them. As I said before, fishing in Draegnar was fucking risky business. Many had lost their lives to it and it wasn’t the most reliable source of coin. The five would get used to their new environment and I doubted any shark or beast below would pose trouble to them. After all, they’d lived amongst an entire island of monstrosities for hundreds or thousands of years.

Aesteal seemed worried for her fairmaid, but I eased her concerns. There was very little here that could threaten the fairmaids outside of any of my official crew on this ship.

With time our ship pulled into the dock, drawing the attention of hundreds of men and women. It wasn’t so surprising. Callamum vessels rarely venture out this far. The anchor was dropped and the flags were raised up. Insufferably pleased with myself, I slowly embraced Ellen from behind and smiled. “Have I not kept my word now? From this day forth, I shall keep all my vows to you,” I said, enjoying her face turning red from embarrassment or anger.

“Well, you didn’t do as shit as I thought you might. Congratulations, you’re only mildly fucking annoying now,” she said.

…Well, I would like to believe in the world of Ellen Sothshore that was very high praise.

With my brief bit of gloating out of the way, Ellen began organizing everything. One by one, crates were taken off the ship. I was pleased that none of my former crew spoke a word to anyone on the ground. They simply carried off what they’d been given, taking care of it like it was their last fucking lifeline.

“What should we do with the ships?” my mother asked.

I stared back at the other two ships in my possession and hummed. “I’ll add an array to them all to repel intruders. Until we sail again, we can leave them here. No one will bother them,” I said.

“And your prisoners?” Maeloson asked.

I groaned as I thought back to those Hæňgaramians that I still had below the deck of their ship. Naturally, I kept them all fed since I still wanted to stay in Alteria’s good graces, but their spite had started to wane on my nerves. She still hadn’t met with them to decide their fates, something I was a little troubled by.

“Keep them there. I’ll have Naala deliver them food and water every day,” I replied.

“Now I’m the fucking maid? This isn’t what I signed up for!” the woman said, putting her brown skin against mine as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Is that a no?” I asked.

Naala glared at me for a moment or two before she sighed. “You’re lucky you’re a good fuck, Captain!” she said as she pushed herself off me. She then grabbed her things and started walking off the ship, swaying her hips as she left.

It took about four hours for the ship to be properly cleared out save for the Hilvir men and women. I had Aesteal and Maeloson stay on the pirate ship to instruct that group along with Nz’ia. That would be their home for now. Thankfully, neither seemed to mind. As it was, my home was too small to fit everyone comfortably. I still remembered how cramped it was just housing them before the voyage.

As the ship got quieter, I noticed the last person, or group of people to leave. Of course, it had to be LIara, Diane, and Goron. “Well, Dear Captain, it was quite the voyage. You have held my interest throughout it entirely. I pray thee take great pride in that. Truly, it is a journey I shall not forget in my lifetime,” the Witch of Draegnar said, her face still beautiful as always.

In a moment of clarity, I sighed and unsealed one of the items from my scrolls. I brought out the precious golden box wrapped in red cloth, holding the ten rings that my mother, Ellen, and I discovered on Delverhold. “I have a feeling it won’t be the last, Liara,” I said as I handed her the box and slipped the trinket I’d purchased from the C’ula merchant stall into her hand.

When Liara opened her palm, her eyes widened. She looked at me curiously. She then opened the box. Her eyes widened a little bit.

“Just make sure you tell me what the hell those last five are when you’re finished with your studies one day. Aye, I would like them for myself, but consider it a pirate’s last deal. I’ve never forgotten what I owe you,” I said.

“Oh? And what do you owe me, Dear Captain, that you would grant me such a pleasant trade?” she asked, a little amused by my words.

With a burst of confidence, I stepped until I was mere inches from her face. “Because I have a beautiful and tenacious lass like you for saving this old bastard,” I said as I rubbed her chin between my thumb and forefinger.

At that moment, I saw a clarity appear in the eyes of the Witch of Draegnar. Her lips suddenly curved upwards. “Mmmm, interesting. Truly an unexpected intertwining of destiny. I shall truly miss thine antics, Dear Captain,” Liara said before she pulled herself back, maintaining her regal appearance.

“Come Diane, Goron, the things we’ve collected from Delverhold must be studied and accounted for. Do cancel all appointments. I shall not be having guests for the foreseeable future. Come, come. We have much to prepare for and very important matters to discuss,” Liara said.

“Yes, Lady Liara,” Diane and Goron said together. The former offered me a brief grin before she punched me in the arm.

“You’re an alright bastard. Still a fucking bastard though,” she said as I watched the trio of the Root disappear from my ship. They quickly vanished into the crowd of people. This was even more impressive since I thought I’d find Goron almost easily.

“I still didn’t get to punch that cunt’s teeth in for throwing that damned fight,” Ellen said, sucking her teeth.

I kissed her cheek, making her grumble. “You’ll get the chance, Ellen. For now, the sun still shines o’er the seabed. Let’s make use of it,” I said.

Ellen sighed and stepped off the boat. “Those bastards better not have messed up my tavern. I’ll hang them by their fuckings necks on the sea’s gallows!” she exclaimed before she left as well.

Finally, that left just my mother and I. “Not bad for a first voyage?” I asked.

She snorted. “Shut the hell up. Godlike monsters, bountiful treasures, unheard of magic, and a fucking island of horrific beasts no man would dare dream of. What part of your fucking voyage wasn’t bad?” she asked.

I shrugged. “And yet, you’ve not lowered that smile on your face,” I said.

“Don’t think I won’t kick your ass from here back to our decrepit pit of a home,” she answered. I laughed as I walked down the steps of my ship and onto the docks. Men and women, rich, poor, and in-between, looked at me in awe. There wasn’t a chuckle or jeer to be heard anywhere. Every eye was on us as we loaded a horse cart and moved toward our less than humble home.

The trip didn’t take nearly as long as I remembered. In no time, my mother and I stood in front of our house. To be honest, the thing looked like it’d seen better days. “You’ve clearly disillusioned me, Eric. Having seen so much incredible shit, I’d forgotten how much of shithole this house actually is,” she replied while I stood behind her and embraced her.

“But it be where we made our start mother, the change in our fortune. It’s also where I discovered just how fucking sexy you are, even under all those pitiful clothing. From now on, you’ll be so beautiful that even Aphrodite shall weep with jealousy,” I said, unable to resist biting her earlobe.

My mother shivered under my embrace. “Y-You idiot, not now! We’ve got some fucking bastards to entertain. How is it that I noticed them and you didn’t?” she hissed quietly. I grinned, sensing the several bodies of water standing behind the door. It seemed we had company.

“Good to see your training has paid off. It seems the place has been overrun in our time away. I guess news of our arrival made them organized. Must have had lookouts on every fucking spot on the island. Why don’t you take care of them? Show me how much you’ve practiced all those weeks on the ship,” I suggested.

My mother huffed and rolled her shoulders, grabbing her whip containing the runes of Vorkarieth. Despite her protests, I saw the deadly grin on my mother’s face, the mark of a pirate queen. I manipulated the salty seawater in the air to give me some leverage. With it, I leaned back and decided to enjoy the show.

“Don’t worry about the house. Before our next voyage, we’ll be moving. I’ll give you the fucking house you deserve!” I told my mother.

“I hate that I’m starting to love every silver and gold word that comes out of your mouth,” she said as she cracked the air with her whip.

Being the hotheaded woman she was, my mother brazenly kicked the door down. She then stepped inside. Light from the sun illuminated the normally dim areas of my house. It was then that my mother and I spotted at least five or six men around the living room. Each of them held a flintlock in their hands.

My mother wasn’t intimidated. “Ya’ve got five seconds to get your carcasses out of my house before I turn your corpse into a bone shark’s slab of meat,” my mother said, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

“Gyaahahahahahahaha!” The men laughed, unable to recognize that my mother was more than capable of backing up that threat.

“‘Fraid we can’t do that, lass. Congrats on yer fuckin’ voyage though. Truth be told, the boys and I didn’t think we’d get a crack at ya after your son took such wonderful care of our captain! Imagine you’re down by a local shitfuck tavern, enjoying a warm, loose cunt and an even warmer pint of grog only to find out that your captain was filled with more holes that a wooden ship beneath the fucking seabed!” one of them shouted while my mother and I listened.

Ah, so that was the reason for this little home invasion. I suppose Ellen did warn me this was likely to happen since I had basically just stolen my ship from the previous captain.

The obvious leader of the group, his build rather skinny like that of a rogue. A hood covered the top of his head as he swung his flintlock through his finger. “Boys and I thought to grab a ship for ourselves and sail after you, but we had a better idea. We knew you’d return one day. We had plenty of time to plan for how we’d slowly peel the skin off your fucking son’s body while we each take turns fu…”

That was as far as the man got before we all heard the harsh crack of a whip. My lips curved upwards as I heard the blood-curdling screams of the man who’d been taunting my mother. The rest of that worthless captain’s crew watched in horror as their leader was reduced to a pile of purple-hued sand. My mother stopped on the sand and crushed it beneath her boots.

The Runes of Vorkarieth glimmered across my mother’s whip as the men finally got their shit together and pointed their guns at her. “Anyone else wanna run their fucking trap?” she asked.

Silently, I watched my mother perform. Unlike last time when she faced that lion on Delverhold, she exuded great confidence here. Before one of the infiltrators could fire his gun, she whipped him in the face. He screamed in agony, falling to the floor as the Runes of Vorkarieth took their hold over his body. Before his crewmates his body burned away in a dustful of dark purple sand. In that tight corridor, my mother’s movement reigned supreme. Guns in such a close place wouldn’t work too well. Instead of their pathetic boasts, the bastards would have had a better shot at killing her as she kicked the door down.

My mother kicked one man in the chin, his head blasting upward as a fountain of blood and broken teeth poured out his mouth. I wondered how long this crew sailed together, or even came to have a magic barrier for their ship with such poor coordination. I suppose it was possible they just stole it. After all, I’d done the same thing.

Another three men were turned to void dust and one shouted. “Fuck the guns! I’ll shank the cunt meself!” he hollered, grabbing out two short blades from their sheaths. He was fast, I’ll admit. If not for the rewards I’d put in my mother since we left Delverhold, I wouldn’t have been confident in having her face this group of bastards. Nevertheless, that didn’t seem to deter her. In fact, judging by the smile on her face, it was right up her alley.

“She toys with them fairly easily. ‘Tis quite natural since these are but mere cretins. Thee should work upon her unique skill set should thee face greater enemies. Given thine penchant for trouble and mischief, I find that thine road shall lead through many great dangers,” An’raie said while I continued to smile.

“Aye, but I shall turn the whole fucking world upside down if I shall forever be graced by that smile,” I replied as I continued to observe my mother. She’d clearly gotten better with her control of her whip. She danced around the men, one slashing and the others firing. She clashed her whip with the man’s blades, all while she kicked one fucker right between his balls and jabbed the other in his throat with her fist. Now that was worth a laugh as I watched both crash to the floor in pain and gasping breaths.

The blade wielder scowled, trying everything he could to either get past my mother to me or to take her head off. Nothing worked. My mother blocked all of his strikes like, toying and messing with him like a cat does with a mouse. She grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and slammed her knee into his chest. He coughed, but he didn’t fall down. Instead he swung at her even faster. I found traces of magic being wound into movements. Nevertheless, my mother seemed to be… testing herself against him. She used him for practice. Each strike and each blow, she came to understand how she liked to fight and what she could and couldn’t do. Her beautiful hair swayed through the air as dodged a knife strike that stabbed into the wall.

“You fucking bitch! Stand sti…” The man screamed as my mother grabbed his arms and crushed it between her knee and elbow. She then rammed his head into the wall before she struck his leg with her whip. Immediately, the runes covered his body and like all the others, he turned into a pile of sand only fit to be blown through the wind.

My mother took notice of the other two on the ground. They scowled at her, one spitting on her boots. “You fucking cunt! Don’t think this is the end! There’s another fifty men on Draegnar just waiting to slit your son’s throat and skull…”

The man’s headless body dropped to the ground and turned into sand as well before my mother killed the last as well. She stomped out the sand with her boot and grumbled. “Dammit, now how am I gonna get this shit outta my house?” she asked while I leaned off the railing and embraced her.

“Have I ever mentioned how much I love watching you fuck bastards up?” I asked.

She leaned back and caressed my cheek, kissing me there. “Ya could stand to mention it more,” she replied before she fully faced me and graced me with a brief kiss. One we parted, I stepped over the sandy remains of my mother’s opponents, using a wind spell to push it all out the broken door.

When that was done, I saw my mother looking out our house. She touched the wall, our broken stove, dented pots and pants,  messed up couch, and broken floorboards. She closed her eyes and tightened her fists. Somehow I could sense the numerous emotions flying through her and my eyes softened for her. How I wished I could have been the man she deserved in my first life. A thousand memories laid within these walls.

I patted her shoulder. “Never again shall we live in such poverty. You’ll be a queen of the seas, mother. I swear it,” I said while she chuckled.

“And you’ve got me believe your shit like some naive lass. Still, I guess weirder shit has happened to me than me taking you at your word now. I’d sit on the fucking couch one more time just to remember how much it pissed me off. I’d walk around her wondering I’d given you all the tools needed to live your life just so I could get through my own wretched one. There be a hint of irony in it actually. It seems I didn’t need to give you the tools to survive, instead you gave them to me,” she said as I quietly listened.

My mother faced me again. “You’re a son of a bitch, Eric. The biggest I’ve ever known or ever will know. However, I’ve never been prouder of you. I’ll follow your ass anywhere it leads, even if I know you’re gonna be getting us into a whole shitfuck of trouble. I love you, you son of a bitch. Never forget that,” my mother said.

The smile on my mother’s face was the most beautiful I thought I’d ever seen. Everything about it was perfect, almost too good for the house we were in. I wasn’t even embarrassed to say that she made me lose my nerve. My face grew warm and, for once, I didn’t know what to say. I had no clever comeback this time, merely taken away by the treasure granted before me. At that moment, my mother was the most beautiful woman in all of D’orn. None could compare to her, not even Leah.

When I came back to my senses, my mother had rounded the corner. “I’m sure you’re gonna run around Draegnar doing this shit and that shit. I’ll pack up this stuff and take it back to the ship. How the hell did I even sleep on this damn thing all this time?” my mother asked.

It was obvious why. Due to her illness, she used to be much smaller than she was now. The medicine and the steady supply of food, alchemy, and training had done wonders for her physique.

I stepped outside and leaned my head against the wall. I stared at the sky, smelled the salty air, and heard the sounds of Draegnar. It seemed Delverhold changed me more than I’d expected it to. Then again, nearly dying had a way of putting shit into perspective for me. I’d changed. I already knew I did. Previous fun shit on the way there didn’t seem quite so fun on the way back. Instead, I found solace in the arms of the ladies around me. Indeed, my heart still burned with a wrath ready to destroy almost anything in my wake to break each and every crewmate who crossed me, but… when I thought about what I’d do when it was all over, I found a pleasant answer.

Keep sailing. Keep sailing and sailing toward the next adventure, granting them all the greatest journey and the greatest treasures. Then maybe I’d finally grow old and die like I should have. That didn’t seem so fucking bad. “That is if ya don’t torture my soul,” I said.

“Thine lecherous soul would torment should I even take an interest. I’d prefer that thee keep thine soul far away from me once mine own vengeance hath been concluded,” The Lonely Wail replied, her tone not even the least bit concerned with me.

I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled before I made my way out of our house. As much as I’d rather not make my mother a liar, I didn’t have much time to go strolling through Draegnar. I had a mission in mind as soon as I made landfall. I wouldn’t be able to stay on Delverhold long anyway. I already knew Lady Knight would be anxious to get back to her empire and the trip there wasn’t a short one.

Once the auction was over and I’d met with Anastasia, there’d be almost no need for my ship to ever return here. That said, I wasn’t stupid. The matriarch of the Lindengar estate, without supervision, was very dangerous. In fact, I was already expecting the bitch to have some kind of countermeasure against me. Well, it wouldn’t matter. Besides, she wouldn’t be her if she didn’t.

Though I was confident in my abilities to disarm the Lindegar Estate of its guards without too much trouble, there was something I enjoyed about catching Anastasia unaware.

I entered a small alleyway and held my hands in the air. Storm clouds began to gather. It wasn’t long before vicious rain fell from the sky and booming thunder roared through the air. My lips curved upwards as women screamed and men cursed. Shops began to close their stalls as I made the waves of the sea churn violently with more emphasis. When I located Nei and the other fairmaids, making sure they were out of harm’s way, I continued my performance. Puddles soaked the stone streets of Draegnar.

It didn’t even take ten minutes for the streets to be cleared before I decided to make my move. Just like before, I condensed the rain in the air and stepped on it, walking through the sky above Draegnar and above the Lindengar Estate.

Thanks to my exploits in magic and mana from Delverhold, I could sense a lot of magic seals around the estate. More specifically, I saw a lot of barriers against water magic. However, the most concentrated of the spells were around Anastasia’s quarters. I released a chuckle.

“Thine presence is clearly not desired. However, these crude attempts at magic are quite the embarrassment. However, mine soul resonates with thee. Thee are quite pleased by this development,” An’raie stated while I shrugged my shoulders.

“Aye, it ain’t worth the shit on my boots, but it be honored that she’d at least try,” I said before I continued to make my way around the estate. In no time, I found myself in front of Anastasia’s window again. It was clear to me she wasn’t there, but a brief scan of the estate revealed her in the dungeons. I didn’t know what she was doing down there, but I didn’t care.

I just stood in front of the window. If I was a water mage and passed through the barrier without breaking it, the entire estate would be alerted to my presence.. Despite An’raie harsh critique, I had to give the mages who set up these barriers a little bit of credit. If it were anyone insignificant, these would have seemed like the most powerful protection spells one would ever encounter. Unfortunately, I sure as hell wasn’t someone insignificant.

I touched the barrier, the Mark of Hoɖ already coursing through my eyes. With it, I saw the language of the various spells. Just like on Delverhold, one by one, I picked apart the pieces and strands that held the spell together. Naturally, I didn’t have to do this, but I figured I’d savor the practice. The Mark of Hoɖ wasn’t something I knew too much about. Of course, Liara’s memories didn’t help in that regard either. Anything regarding the Mark of Hoɖ was trapped behind a veil of nothingness whenever I tried to comb her memories for it.

Nevertheless, in no time at all, I broke the magic barriers and pushed open the windows into Anastasia’s chambers. Once I landed on the floor, I hummed. Her room had changed a little bit. It seemed she’d come into quite a bit more wealth since my voyage.

I weaved the rainwater off my body and threw it outside. Once I was dry, I sat in the same chair as last time I was here. I didn’t have to wait too long before the door opened. I noticed Yile, Anastasia’s maid, open the door. Then came the look of unsettling fear when the Matriarch of the Lindengar Estate spotted me. It didn’t take long for her maid to notice me as well. She was equally shocked.

I smiled at them both. “Terrible weather we be having, is it not ladies?” I asked.

“Y-You’re back. You should have alerted the guards, I would have come to greet you personally since my husband is busy,” the noble woman said as she cautiously stepped into her room. She might have thought herself sneaky, but she kept staring at her window.

“Ya seem displeased. I haven’t interrupted your activities, have I?” I asked, very much amused at the way Anastasia tried to keep the pleasant smile on her face. She didn’t need to try so hard to hide her resentment. An’raie could sense it and I could sense it through her.

Anastasia took another confident step forward, her fingers gliding over her pristine wooden dresser. “No, of course not. I was just not expecting such an unorthodox approach. Will you be staying long enough for refreshments, Yile can make a spectacular beverage. It’s been a few months since we’ve seen you,” she said as she sat in her chair across from me.

I turned to the maid with a curious gaze, who merely kept herself by the door, never uttering a word except with a bow. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the mood to have them stunned when I drank their poison without consequence. I’d be quite the fucking idiot if I didn’t see that coming even without the trip to Delverhold.

“Not this night. I have things I wish to discuss with you and I think you’ll find me fucking amiable right now, especially considering the circumstances. You’re a smart noble lass, learn to not make things too difficult for a man. Otherwise it shall only be a mountain of regrets later,” I warned her. I sensed a bead of sweat fall down the side of her face, signifying her nervousness. For her sake, I didn’t bring it up.

“Duly noted. Now then, you should be quite pleased. Tales of the youngest captain on Draegnar float through the lips and ears of all her residents. However, I think you should also watch your back even more now. News of your considerable bounty has reached numerous ears,” she replied while Yile entered the room. The maid walked over to the table and poured a drink for her master. Heavy thunder boomed through the sky and Yile closed the windows with the curtains.

I chuckled. Well, I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised. It’d be hard for a bounty like that to go unnoticed. That said, I wished I was a little higher, but I was sure it would rise with time. After all, what kind of pirate doesn’t have a bounty?

“I welcome the challenge. Anyway, you should know what I be here for. What is the news of the phoenix feather?” I asked with increasing interest.

Anastasia picked up her cup and took a sip. “The news was hard to get. I managed to write a few favors to some noteworthy contacts. I wasn’t able to get the name of the one who wields it nor where it is expected to be sold, but I have heard that it should be one of the neighboring nations of Kharn. However, I’m unsure of how long it will stay there as news of Kharn’s… expanse have reached even Draegnar.”

…that was not the news I was hoping to hear. Still,  An’raie sensed no deceit in her words and neither did I. If that was the case, then that would be both a good thing and a not so good thing. I’d never visited Kharn, but I’d heard of the place. A glimpse into Liara’s memories told me of Kharn.

For one, the nation wasn’t exactly well off. Very few natural resources grew there. It was an expansionist nation, a driven army of warrior men and female mages willing to pillage the assets, funds, and wealth of other nations and countries to fuel their own economy. Saviara would have loved the fucking place since it’s supposedly a great player in the underground slave trade. Despite its expansion attempts, it’s not a very big nation. In fact, I believe I’ve heard that Kharn’s been overtaken at least three or four times in its history only to be taken back by the shaman queen, who was pretty much the ruling authority on the nation’s religious matters. She supposedly wields great and awesome power of the gods, though based on Liara’s memories, these abilities were not without their consequence.

If I recalled, one of the reasons why Kharn, despite being a small nation, could never be destroyed was its unorthodox catering to nobility. Kharn, based on what I knew from Liara, was welcoming of the prostitution of its female adepts. Now, I wonder if its allowed to live so fucking long because Zeus might fancy the fucking place so much. Supposedly these acts of sex were considered a sacred duty. Its nation boasted some rather beautiful ladies as I got to see a few of them from Liara’s memories in my head. She even taught one or two of them. With that being allowed, it was no wonder why the nobles of neighboring nations turned a… blind eye to Kharn’s aggressive tendencies.

This was also awkward because Kharn was on the other side of the world. Such a trip I couldn’t make lightly, especially not with the Hilvir people. I wasn’t confident to send them so far away so readily. However, I also couldn’t afford to take it easy on them all the time. Shit, I needed that feather. I’d lost it once and lived to regret it later.

“Given more time, could you narrow it down further?” I asked.

Anastasia took a sip of her tea, hiking one of her beautiful legs over the other. “It’s possible, but I wouldn’t bet on it. It took a lot just to get that information over the months you’ve been gone. You still have yet to tell me what this feather is for,” she said.

I noticed Yile placed a cup of tea near me. When we locked eyes, I saw the disdain upon her face. She didn’t try to hide it. Nevertheless, I moved my hand over the cup, making the tea sprout from it with only a finger. Amusing myself, I watched the gazes of the ladies. The confident looks on their faces vanished in a wave of uncertainty as I made an upside down whirlpool with the tea.

“Let’s just say it’ll be something that’ll bring prosperity to not just me, but also you, should you keep yourself in line,” I said before I moved the cup to the side.

“Do you always rule over others with a fierce thumb?”

I turned and noticed Anastasia leaning over her table at me. Her dress revealed an ample amount of her cleavage while she looked at me with an almost teasing disposition. “Only those that interest me,” I returned as I stood up.

“And do I interest you?” the Matriarch of the Lindengar Estate asked.

I headed for the window and reached into my pouch. “Were you not married, you might interest me more. I’ll come back here in three days. Make sure you’re available,” I said as I opened the windows. I tossed Anastasia a bag filled with jewels and gems. The Matriarch of the Lindengar House widened her eyes before she looked back at me. I bid her a goodbye while I stunned Yile, walking outside on the rain and water before I disappeared.

“Thine intentions are unknown to me. Why would thee give her even the smallest portion of thine treasures? This woman lacks not for money or precious things. She doth not trust in thee, and thee not in her. What drives this?” An’raie asked as I continued to walk through the air back to my house.

“She is of use to me. Ya saw how she tried to entice me just then. When an animal is cornered, it’ll go back to what it knows best. Her little spells didn’t work so she tried to seduce me. Unfortunately for her, she’s not as valuable a lay as she thinks she is. However, I don’t mind letting her think she’s got some type of advantage over me. Best it could be seen, that I ran away from her wiles. She’ll continue them upon her own leisure and I’ll make use of her for my own goals. Besides, until I get that fucking ring in Falvor’s office again, I’ll need her resources. The more I have working for me, the better!” I replied as I landed in front of my home.

“For a man, thou art quite shrewd. ‘Tis almost a shame that thee are like this. I might have enjoyed thine company were you not in this type of skin,” she answered to me.

“And yet, you don’t unbind yourself from me. Perhaps the Lonely Wail be not so honest,” I said as I opened the door to my room. Of all the things I was expecting, Diane wasn’t one of them. She leaned against the wall, looking at me curiously.

I closed the door and acknowledged her. “Missed me already? I be in a good mood to leave a lasting impression,” I said to her. She snorted in response.

“Don’t fucking kid yourself. Lady Liara told me to… watch you for a little bit. Said she’d desire your presence at the fall of night. Figured you’d wind up in a ditch somewhere, but I guess even I’m not that lucky,” she replied with a laugh.

I was curious about this development. I wasn’t sure what Liara would need to watch me for, but it was always a pleasant thing to see Diane so I bothered not to question it. “Aye, fine. Well, since you be here then hand me your clothes. I’ll sew some runes into them,” I said.

Diane leaned off the wall while I walked through the back rooms to find the sewing machine. “I ain’t about to turn down a free rune sew, but you do realize I’m not a part of your ship anymore. What use is there in doing this for me?” she asked, as she slowly started to take off her black coat.

“Ain’t much to think about. As Liara’s guard, I know you didn’t benefit too much from Delverhold aside from the third island. Your spirit has grown very powerful. A far cry from when we first docked upon its shores, but there should’ve been more benefits for you and everyone else. Unfortunately, a lot of shit happened there, some of my own making. Bastard though I be, a liar I try to not. I honor my words when I make them. If nothing else, treat it as a bastard word to a bitch. Not much else,” I said as I returned with the machine.

I grabbed Diane’s coat and sat in a chair. With a heavy grumble, I began to work.

Between Diane, An’raie, and the storms outside, I wasn’t nearly as mind-numbingly bored as last time. Burnwood looked over my shoulder a few times, impressed by my skill. I’d actually gotten a little better at it since I didn’t have to look through Liara’s memories to do it this time.

With these new runes, there’d be a lot more protection to Diane’s body. Like Nz’ia, she was a strong brawler. I’d felt her blows enough to know that. Given that, I’d grant her runes that helped with her striking power and natural defense. Diane had already dealt with warriors, demons, gods, and powerful spellcasters far beyond what I’d experienced. However, I’d seen a few of her losses, as well as Liara advised against her contending with. Those were beings I’d undoubtedly face down the line, given just how many opportunities I’d missed or overlooked in my last life. Even if Diane wasn’t with me, which I doubted she would be… they would help her in realizing her goal for greater combat.

“Thine work is rather crude, if effective. Quite the accomplishment for a man such as thee.”

…and then there was my ever present critic, nagging me until the storm turned into a light drizzle. The sky was also notably darker.

By the time I was done, I was ready to blow my fucking brains out again. I quickly infused the runes with magic and handed Diane her coat back. As soon as she touched it, she hummed. “Fuck, I already feel the powerful magic in it. Makes me want to never take it off. Least if you ever get tired of being a pirate, you’ll have a good job in the clothing business. Why don’t ya do it more?” she asked.

I leaned back and cracked my back. “If ya had experienced rune sewing, ya wouldn’t ask that question. Dare ya have any idea how many runes I sewed into your garments? Took nearly all of my mana just attempting the damn thing. Had I tried to power those runes before the voyage to Delverhold, I would’ve died,” I said.

Diane patted my shoulder. “Just come back again, ya did it last time!” she said.

Right, I’d nearly forgotten that Diane was now privy to my secret. Granted, there wasn’t much I could do about that since, in order to help her, I had to meld my mind with hers. In the time that I was viewing her memories, I had no doubts that she must’ve viewed my own. No way I’d get out of convincing her otherwise.

“I doubt fortune will favor me as well as last time,” I joked, which got a hum out of Diane.

“Right, well thanks for the runes. Now, if you’re done, I think we can go now. You’ve spent long enough in front of a goddamn sewing machine. You of all people should know not to keep Lady Liara waiting,” Diane said as I rubbed my forehead.

“And just what be this thing she requires of me that we must make such haste?” I asked, keeping my eyes closed. I hoped to just enjoy a brief moment of respite for myself.

“It wasn’t made known to me. If you’d like, I could sweep you off your feet like a noble cunt and take you there,” she answered back. Even though I had my eyes closed, I could picture the smug grin on her face. The heavy rain and thunder outside seemed like a nice lullaby.

After a moment, I leaned up and rolled my shoulders. “Would ya bet on that?” I asked, smirking when I saw her grin falter for a moment. She leaned off the wall and opened the door into the harsh weather outside.

“Shut up and let’s go. Also, do your little… water shit and keep the rain off us. I don’t wanna look like a fucking sea sponge!” she said while I grabbed my coat and walked out with her. I willed the water to fall around us as we made our way to the Root.

The journey wasn’t as long as I remembered. The sounds of our steps in puddles of water on Draegnar streets, the howling winds in the air, all of it almost seemed like a grand ceremony dedicated to me in some way or another. However, I knew not what the ceremony was for even if I had caused it myself. Somehow what I’d used it for at the beginning was not the same now.

Diane and I arrived at The Root. I noticed Pete wasn’t anywhere to be seen. She opened the door and left us both inside. Once I stepped in, I noticed Goron. He stood off to the side, not saying a word. There were no lights on except for those of flickering candles.

I admit, I was a little unnerved.

Like one of those butlers of those fancy noble fucks, Goron held the door open that led into the backrooms. “Ya’ll are freaking me out,” I said, but I received no response.

Diane stepped to the other side of the shop. Goron on the right, DIane on the left, both spoke not, ushering me through the door. “Lady Liara asks for your presence, Captain,” Goron said, his voice rough yet professional.

I looked to Diane for answers, but she offered me none. She had her arms folded and her eyes closed. Neither of the two offered me nothing to go off of. To be honest, this reminded me of times I’d rather forget. More specifically, this reminded me that no matter how great I might become, or how much glory I attain, there might just be things I’ll never know.

“I see. Thou art quite the fortunate man, Eric Drakclaw. May thine time be spent well. ‘Tis not a place a being such as I might tread. My form shall remain here until thou art finish with thine discussions,” An’raie said and I suddenly felt her soul pull apart from mine. I saw her float around the room, between Diane and Goron.

I said nothing. I wasn’t sure what I could say without making an utter fool of myself. I just walked through the door, the lit candles marking my path down a brief flight of steps to the back door of the shop. I opened it and was led outside. I weaved the rain around me again and walked across the soaked bridge right to the store that laid behind the shop. I remembered when I came here the first time, covered in filth and rags, not a coin to my name.

I knocked on the door and silently waited. A moment passed and the door opened, seemingly by itself. I stepped inside and the door closed behind me. As soon as I entered, I felt myself surrounded by Liara’s great magic. Her ascension made her powerful almost unbearable. If she desired, I wouldn’t have been able to stand on my own feet against the sheer magnitude before. It was like a crashing tide that I could only drown in, the pressure threatening to crush me if I tried to swim to the surface.

However, there was a lot of warmth in it too. The magic stimulated the nerves of my mind, telling me where to go. I walked into the darkness and passed by Liara’s discussion room. There were great memories between her, my mother, and I.

The longer I walked, the warmer I became. I passed by numerous artifacts encased in magical runes or highly protected glass. A lot of them were beyond me, something I’d rather not touch even on my best day.

The more I walked, the more I wondered if I was still in a small shop on Draegnar. The hallway seemed to go on endlessly, various corridors leading off into different rooms. The hallways seemed way larger than the shop they were supposed to be contained in.

As if guiding me, Liara’s magic made me turn a corner. I passed by a line of numerous doors, all of them no doubt leading to different realms that I was nowhere near ready to venture into. Even without Liara’s aura guiding me, I wouldn’t have gone down these ways. Despite my adventurous side, I wasn’t that stupid.

After a while of traversing, I finally came up to a rather simple, unassuming door. The magic was strongest here. Something deep, something primal, something strong drew me to this door. Like I was having an out-of-body experience, I saw myself reaching for the doorknob. I turned it and pulled it open.

As I opened the door, I was greeted with a sight I was sure very few mortals or even gods could ever be honored with. My boots touched a beautiful, royal purple carpet laced with designs and symbols from empires long gone. There were bookcases of beautifully sculpted wood with perfectly preserved books and maps. On a table were even more books, some open and others closed. Measuring equipment, balance devices, and flower pots and plates of enchanted fruit.

Off to the side were two chairs between a table, both of them beautiful and enchanting lined with royal red linen. At the side of those was a cauldron lighting the room on gorgeous violet light from the flames burning within it.

Then, at the center of all of this was a bed befitting a noble queen. Warm sheets, mystical in appearance, and no doubt soft to the touch, all a great space to prove to D’orn’s most powerful witch.

However, none of the beauty here could match the vision that nearly stole my very soul away. Liara sat in front of me, her hair sprawled out behind her shoulder, one beautifully bare leg over the other. Her hands on the bed, I was helplessly greeted with a set of black lingerie and a seductive smile that turned my spirit to cinders.

“Welcome, Dear Captain. I take it that you’re quite pleased with this current state of affairs?” she asked sultrily, her voice as rich as honey and as creamy as milk.

Somehow, I managed to keep my nerve enough to enter the room and close the door. Something told me to tread upon this ground very carefully. “Aye, it’s quite the feast for the eyes. You continue to leave even me stunned at your beauty, Liara,” I said as I took off my coat and politely threw it over a wayward chair. I’d rather not disrespect the witch in her own chambers.

“My, my, do you never cease with the compliments and the flattery? I had not expected it to rain and thunder, but it does seem to provide a rather… atmospheric value to the circumstances, would you not agree?” she asked, her voice almost hypnotic. It took my entire will to not strip off all my clothes and pounce on top of her.

However, I couldn’t do this. Despite her forward nature, I knew this was a test of sorts from Liara. We’d had sex before, but she’d never been this forward, yet oddly subtle about it. Despite every nerve telling, ordering me to rip her clothes off and lodge my cock deep in her cunt, I held off.

“Who can understand the volatile nature of the weather? She is a cruel mistress. One even calls her the mother of the tides for she can direct the daughter’s wrath,” I said as I got closer, the lustful essence of Vilinlith driving me nigh mad with ecstasy. In fact, my vision was starting to get hazy, but I still stood resolute.

“‘Tis quite the truth in your words, Dear Captain. I am impressed by your fortitude, clearly your alchemic talents were not so easily boasted. Now then, I suppose I should answer your question of why I called you here,” she said.

I grinned. “Whatever the reason be, I’m enjoying the fruits of its labor,”  I replied, feeling at least confident enough to lean forward, my hands on Liara’s bed inches from her own. She leaned back while I leaned forward. I couldn’t tell if she was as entranced with me as I her, but I tried hard to resist her spell so that she might find confidence in me.

“Perhaps thee are. I certainly am. Your aura is quite rich since you’ve taken us to Delverhold. You see, I’ve been staving off a consolation of sorts. It’s been building and building and I require a… conduit if you will. Something to help me solidify this great magic rushing through me. In order for that, I must be embraced by a rather powerful individual,” she whispered, tracing my chest with her finger.

“I’m hardly the most powerful mage, Liara. Would not any of the others that you know of suffice?” I asked.

“Perhaps I am not so easily entertained  or interested as thee thought. Now then, this shall be a great time for thee and for me. I require not the noise of a brothel, but the gentle flames of passion. Can you do that?” she asked.

I reached forward and brushed a piece of her hair. “Why me?” I asked, oddly unsure of myself all of sudden.

Liara leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “Because if I l placed trust in thee before, then I am free to do it again.”

Liara then kissed me, throwing her hands around my neck and pulling us to her bed. “Make love to me, Dear Captain. Just this once and help me consolidate my great mana for this shall be an eventful night for us,” she said and I could no longer hold on. My mind gave way to the pleasure as the aura of Vlilinlith exploded throughout Liara’s chambers.

“Mmmmnnnn… oh yes that feels so good! Your touch is like great fire!” Liara sighed, kissing me greatly. She grabbed my collar and crawled back into her bed, pulling me with her. I was helpless to defy her, my lust beginning to quickly build. Before I knew it, my shirt was being thrown off. Liara pulled my face closer to hers, my hands rubbing up and down her feminine curves.

Liara bit her lip, sighing as I grabbed her melon-sized tits in my palms and kneaded them. I wasted no time using my fingers to grant her great pleasure. I pinched and pulled at her nipples. Her face became flushed. Her fingers ran through my hair like a wind in the grass.

I leaned up and kissed her. She responded in kind. Her left leg bent up and brushed my cock through my pants. It was the greatest feeling I’d ever experienced. I could feel unparalleled warmth and lust from the feeling throughout my entire body, all while she showered me with years of her expertise. Her teeth pulled on my tongue playfully only to let go to suck on it with her lips.

My ministrations produced their desired effect. Liara moaned into my mouth as we swapped spit. We only parted for a moment to allow her to speak. “H-Hashahal,” she chanted and suddenly my clothes disappeared. They laid on the floor next to us and I felt her naked body press against my crock. Her pelvis met, wrapping her legs around my waist.

Yet, neither of us sought the end just yet. We just continued kissing, teasing and tasting each other. My hands got rougher, I grasped her tits roughly, her nipples pointing out to me like aroused spear tips. “Mmmmm, you attack me so aggressively. It feels… very good. Unnnnngh!” she groaned.

“You have no idea how many nights I’ve dreamt to partake of you like this,” I said.

Liara chuckled. “I can most fathom a guess if this mighty thing should be an indication,” she said, grabbing a hold of my cock. Given that we’d been intimate before, I somehow managed to keep from blowing my load too early. It was a definite far cry from the first time.

Liara stroked my a few times while I toyed with her tits some more, delighting in them like a fucking did with some candy. I nibbled on her earlobe, delighting in her smooth, sexy voice that propelled me to serve her even greater pleasures. I then carefully slide my tongue down, circle around her nipples. I moved between one and the other, sometimes sucking and biting both at the same time.

“Ooooooh yes! Mmmmmmm ghansal yesssss! Eric Drakclaw, your passions are wonderful. I knew I had not chosen wrong,” Liara said as she bit her finger while I continued to assault her. My hands trailed down her stomach and slipped onto her snatch. Just touching it ignited the flames of lust within me. The bountiful fluids rushing through it were enough to drench my finger completely.

I quickly pushed a finger inside. “Mmmmmmmn! Oh gods! Oh Handralkal! Nnnnnnnnngh!” Liara writhed as Vilinlith’s aura seeped from my body into hers. I seemed to sense it all, knowing what excited the Witch of Draegnar and how best to pleasure her. My fingers climbed through her pussy, my tongue slathered her nipples, and my cock rubbed the outer reaches of her thigh. Everything I gave Liara was returned to me, allowing me to feel what she felt.

I could sense the way her toes curled. Her nails dug into my head as I gave her oral pleasure. Her thighs vigorously rubbed my cock while her pussy clenched my finger in a sloppy, wet vice. “Haaaah… oooooooooh… yes! Oh yes, Eric Drakclaw! Thine passions are rough and wonderful. NNNNNNGH!” she groaned as she arched back, releasing a torrent of female juice onto my fingers. The lust being absorbed into my body, along with the powerful sensations of her arousal. My cock was stone hard, precum leaking out of its slit and onto her legs.

While she panted, I licked my fingers clean. I noticed that every time I soaked in her cum, my mana grew stronger in a sense. Every time, my mana coils, like my cock, pulsed with invigorated energy.

I thought to wait for Liara to catch her breath, but true to form she didn’t even look out of breath. “Mmmm very good, Dear Captain. How I’ve found myself rather spoiled by your touch. Now, enough of these little tantalizing tastes. The time for the great solstice draws near. Come to me and let us find pleasure in one another. Sever the bonds of morality with me and grant me thine pleasures. Worry not, for we have the whole night to enjoy each other. Come to me,” she said, sliding back.

With her fingers, Liara spread her pussy lips and waited for me.

She didn’t have to wait for long. With whatever control I had left, I smirked. Hopefully, I could fucking keep conscious this time. Her cunt looked way too inviting to miss out on like the first time. It was just waiting for my cock to stuff itself inside it. My breath was ragged and hoarse. Trails of succubus magic leaked out of my mouth and into the air around us. The two of us fed off each other, I took in her lust and she took in my mana.

Before I even realized it, I was right in front of her. Neither of us said a word before I lodged myself deep inside her. Powerful, ancient, primordial lust exploded from within my mortal coils and I instantly lost control of myself. “NGH!” I groaned as I fired a stream of cum into Liara’s cunt just like I had the first time we fucked.

…sometimes the pride of a man was worth the shit on the ground. However, I couldn’t help it. Liara’s pussy was simply the greatest I’d ever felt or would ever feel. Everything about her cunt was almost perfect. Her walls massaged my cock tenderly, milking every vestige of my cum from within me. Her fingers caressed my balls, causing me to shudder.

“Yesss, fine pleasure in my body! Now, waste no more time. Begin,” she said.

Without a word, I did just that. Despite my orgasm, the lustful energies of Vilinlith kept my cock strong. I pulled out my hips and slammed them back in. The bed creaked beneath us. Liara hissed as she stared at me, her eyes clouded by the same lust.

Pretty soon, Liara’s chamber came alive with the sound of sex. I groaned as I shoved my hips and hers met mine. “Mmmmmmm… yes! Fuck me! Drive your virile tool filled with strong vitality inside me. It feels very good. Oooooooh yes! OH GODS!” Liara exclaimed as I grabbed her legs and pulled them apart. Her hands on my neck, I watched her breasts bounce from the force of my thrusts. I quickly leaned forward and kissed her. She didn’t hold back on me either. My cock diving in and out like the greatest line ever cast in the middle of a soaking, hot, sticky sea. The storm outside sounded like a loud applause in my ears.

Liara and I partook of each other and satisfied our bodies with the other. My thrusts were strong and my intent was even stronger. “Nnnnngh! Yessssss! Oh gods! S-So strong! ‘Tis exceptional! Oooooooh my god!” Liara wailed before I silenced her with another kiss. I swung her legs over so her cunt could squeeze my cock even more. Yet, I ever stopped. Like a man lost to his mind, I ravaged her and I fucked her like I would any woman I loved. In fact, it wasn’t long before I felt my cock harden. My legs felt weak and my ass clenched as I released another torrent of cum inside her.

Liara locked her legs around my waist, refusing to let me go. She trembled and I must have been delirious from the pleasure because I swore I saw her body glowing. Blue runes etched themselves into her skin before they started disappearing one after the other. Unfortunately, I was too far gone into the greatest pleasure to tell.

When I came to again, Liara was on top of me. Her hips rocked violently on my pelvis, rocking her bed as she rubbed her hands through her breasts. My hands on her hips, I felt the slimy walls of her cunt stroke me up and down. A thousand shots of electricity raced through my head, her goddess-like form raining down divine ecstasy over my body. Beyond the violet light, her body was glistening. Her hips slammed against mine. “Mmmmmmmmngh! Harder! Make your lust stronger! Grant me everything, Dear Captain!  Y-You must go… haaaaaaah… stronger!” she said, leaning forward and grabbing my face. Her lips moved over mine.

Not one to be outdone, I grabbed her ass and thrust my cock upwards. She seemed to like that. Her cunt choked my dick, my pole, my pistol with such strength I feared she might try to suck the breath out of it. She allowed me no reprieve and I didn’t ask for one. I just looked at her, my eyes filled with lust and a familiar sense of attraction. “Fuck, you’re so hot you drive any bastard mad, Liara,” I complimented when I felt her move her hands through her hair while she bobbed her hips.

“Hmmmmm, the only thing maddening is this cock of yours, Dear Captain. I wonder how many have fallen to this pleasant thing. Nnnnnnnnnngh!” she groaned before she came again, her scorching hot breath tickling the hairs above my lip.

Another moment passed, Liara dug her snatch into my mouth while her tongue licked and slurped at my cock. Her mouth was so warm and erotic, I couldn’t fucking tell if I was in it or her cunt. Nevertheless, I felt energized again and again. Every feeling she had, thanks to the aura of Vilinlith, let me feel it as well. I helpless groaned like a fucking beast, curling my toes as I released another shot of cum into her mouth. That sensation came back again, her mana increased exponentially. However, the lust between us just wouldn’t end. Despite me releasing a torrent of spunk into her mouth, my cock remained hard immediately after.

Liara and I then decided to take our affair off the bed. I pushed her against the wall, holding her delicate, if tall, body in my arms. I pounded into her relentlessly, her cunt clenched with each well-timed thrust. “Mmmmm yes! Fuck yes! Oh shove it in deeper! Make the spirits around us bear witness to thine… nnnnnngh… girth! Find greater pleasure in my body! Make the realm of Aphrodite weep with jealousy!” she said.

Who was I to complain?

I bent my head down and nibbled on Liara’s tits, a rather impressive taste suddenly coming from them. Her cries and throes of passion motivated me all the more. My legs and thighs burned, but my lust burned harder. I couldn’t stop. No, I refused to stop. I wanted to bury my cock in this cunt until the very sands of time withered away and died. “I-I’d fuck you forever if I could!” I growled and Liara bent my head down, whispering into my ear.

“Thee just might one day,” she said before she bit my earlobe. That was all it took before I shot another load of potent cum into her.

“Mmmmngh. Tell me, Dear Captain. You release so much inside me. Are you hoping I’ll become pregnant?” she asked.

“Would ya be disappointed if I said yes?” I asked, my lips close to hers.

In response, she laughed. “I suppose not. The Mark of Hoɖ unfortunately prevents such endeavors until the bearer willingly gives it up. Perhaps that’s why thine crew had not expanded during the voyage to Delverhold,” she answered.

If I was in my right frame of mine, I would have thought on that more, but I was always a slave to the passions in the air. “Won’t stop a bastard like me from fucking trying though,” I said as I withdrew my hips and slammed them back in, her legs quivering and her ass shaking.

“Ooooooh, I wouldn’t dream of anything less,” Liara replied, a mysterious smile on her face.

Time after time, Liara and I indulged in each other. I lost count of my orgasms and I think she didn’t bother remembering hers. “Ooooooooh Sanhalhhal! Gringoalodr! Yuilflorkrin! Nnnnnnnnnngh… haaaaaaaa! Mmmmmmm, your cock is wonderful! It feels like it was shaped just for my body’s pleasure! More! I demand more of thee!” Liara said as I speared her from behind. The room was loud with slaps and grunts. My head was in the clouds and the lustful aura around us might as well have been a bath of fluids that would stain our skin for years.

LIara, one of her legs on my shoulder, welcomed my thrusts before I came again. Her cunt milked me like a damn sponge. Lost in the euphoria, I twisted and pulled at her nipples. Her pussy gripped me and a flood of her juice slathered my cock again.

Over and over we made love, fucked, screwed, or whatever you wanted to call it. I couldn’t even hear the storm outside anymore, her voice drowning it away. When I looked at her, I saw the pleasure and even some amount of happiness in her eyes. It was the same look as the one the Liara of my time gave me before we parted ways. Her face was so beautiful with her messed up hair and sweaty forehead.

When I looked in her eyes, I saw the history of a thousand civilizations and the slow, cruel passage of time. I reached out and caressed her cheek, slowly my hips to feel every inch of her. Her hand grabbed mine and she slowly brought it down to her crotch. She used my finger to trace something, but I was focused on her wonderful gaze.

Once she was done, she pulled me down. “This has been a most joyous night, Dear Captain. Should I weave a spell, I’d wish this night to continue forever. Take solace that you have earned great favor with me. Now, release yourself one more time. As the others would say, cum inside me. Release your potent cum and I’ll drain all of it from you. One last time, give it all to me,” she said.

“L-Liara, dammit!” I said, her voice driving me over the edge. All the lust that I’d accumulated in my body exploded in one final explosion. My eyes were shut so tight I saw the night stars. There was a ringing in my ears, and I thought that to be Liara’s voice as she came with me.

Like I was sailing through a cloud, I fell to the bed utterly exhausted. As I laid there in the afterglow, I suddenly found myself overcome with exhaustion. I tried to stay awake, but it was a losing battle. I managed to turn over and saw Liara looking at me. “Your vigor knows no bounds and neither does your lust. I’d say my mana has more than been consolidated,” she said.

“Glad I could help,” I said before she touched my cheek. My eyes fluttered.

“Dear Captain, ask me. Ask me one more time. I shall not count this to our deal. Rather, I feel rather melancholy. Speak thine desire to me one more time,” Liara whispered, her eyes gazing into mine.

My mind a mess, my mouth moved. “Sail with me, Liara Ilzahold. Sail beneath the flag of Eric Drakclaw. Sail with me and the Ten Yalorian Crypts and anything else ya might desire shall be yours,” I said, just enough strength to speak before the exhaustion proved too much for me. I noticed the faint scent of Liara’s magic in the air. I saw her smile.

“Truly I have lived for too long that I would still dream such dreams. I have no doubts thee would make it possible, Dear Captain. I’m sure thee will one day. Unfortunately, that is not this day. Take care of them for me.”

I was sure I hadn’t heard that wrong, but I couldn’t tell. I felt something wet on my lips before I fell into a blissful sleep. It might have been the greatest in all my life, past or present.

…and it wouldn’t be until the rise of the morn that I’d find myself walking up alone in Liara’s bed, the Witch of Draegnar nowhere in sight. Little did I know, that would be the last time I'd ever see her for many, many years.