《A Warlock's Luck》


 A warlocks dreams.

    A gentle kiss from lips like silk upon the forehead, the light seductive scent cinnamon, cloves, wine and roses, a sensuous caress along his cheek. A woman with eyes of lavendar and hair black as moonless night, twas not the first time he had this dream nor did it seem it was the last.


    Adrian let out a sigh to once again find his member enraged with lust, thrusting furiously towards the light of the morning sun. He sighed inwardly, it certainly wasn''t the first time he had awoken in this state. A light gasp caused Adrian to swivel his head to see a young woman dressed in a maids livery. She was a plain but had a cute girlish appearance, flaxen hair peked from under her white cap, her pale skin aflush with arousal and embarrassment. She couldn''t be but a few years his elder, Adrian couldn''t help but smirk at her, piercing her body with his emerald gaze. "See something you like my little one" he cooed sweet, dark, and seductive, the maid froze like a spooked doe, her face dyed crimson. Her breathing became heavy with excitement, her supple breasts rising and falling with each auidble breath. "You needn''t be afraid, I''m merely taking that which is already mine, what could they do to the Duke''s woman" his voice deep voice carried a confidence bordering on cockiness. "Come" he cooed holding his hand out in a gentlemanly fashion causing the simple country girl to pant in desire at his every word.


    She could feel the slick wetness gathering on her thighs, gingerly she reached out to the young man before her. He was the son of Duke Arrianus Black and Court Mage Ethenriel the Night Raven, she was the daughter of a blacksmith and a scullery maid. Each step caused her heart to race as she moved to the bed where he lay. His face was more like his Elven mother regal, elegant, and flawless, unlike his father whose face bore a rugged handsomness that could topple even a widows hardend heart. He had the visage of a skilled warrior and conqueror, Adrian however bore the face of a king or emperor rulling with power and grace.


    His seductive tone, piercing emerald eyes, and dark smile deliverd a promise of the pleasures to be had. She looked down at her hand as it reached out to his, it was calloused and rough from working her father''s forge, his fingers were dexterous and elegant but she was supprised to feel the roughness of his hands. It was the evidence of his dedication carved into his very being, rough calluses, from years spent training in the art of swordsmanship. That feeling of familiarity pushed away the last bit of her resistance, she took his hand and was swept into his lap. He cradled her in his toned arms and lifted her chin to gaze into her axure eyes, "tell me your name my little one" he cooed causing her to gasp and fidget.


    "Annabelle " she panted. "Tell me Annabelle, do you like what you see" he whispered in that sweet dark seductive tone before gently sucking upon her defenseless earlobe. "Y-y-yes" she stammered quietly pawing at Adrian''s bare lightly tanned and toned chest.


    "Ahem" a cough came from the doorway, causing both parties to snap to reality, "Young Lord, I do not think your father would apove of you seducing his staff" a stern sultry tone scolded Adrian. "Margitte, I-I-I" Annabelle stammered trying to raise herself from the Young Lord''s lap. "You are not to blame, I should have never sent you to awake the Young Lord, you''re far too inexperienced to handle a man of his caliber" Margitte stated flatly staring at Adrian with an expression of Stoicism that did not belie her inner arousal. "Young Lord, your presence is requested by the Duke and the Lady Ethenriel" she stated with a curtsy.


    Arianus Black, Duke of Schwarzwald, sat at the head of his dining hall where he took his morning meals with his men and political advisors. He had a focused expression as he seemingly glared down at the series of reports before him. "Each and everyone is the same, peaceful in the western provinces, peaceful in the central provinces, and here in the east its the same, my son needs to gain some prestige before his twentieth birthday or else his marriage proposals will be rather slim" Arianus sighed in frustration. "You shouldn''t worry too much my love, when It comes to women they throw themselves at him in droves, just debut him in court and watch the chaos ensue" Ethenriel chuckled lightly. "That''s what I''m afraid of, I can''t have my son being known as no better than a womanizer, however if he has a few mitary campaigns to his name he will be respected and taken seriously regardless of other circumstances" he complained in muffled irritation. "If its a matter of power and respect, there is another path he can walk" Ethenriel smirked darkly and seductively at the duke. "That boy has much too much of his mother in him" he sighed inwardly. "Fine, what do you propose" he questioned relaxing his face in deep contemplation. "We send him to the Onyx Tower, to study underneath the Empress'' right hand" she grinned evily. He pursed his lips thinking of rejecting the idea, but he couldn''t deny its logic.


    "Father, Mother, you requested my presence" Adrian questioned causing the emerald gaze of his mother and his father''s cold blue stare to cut him in half. A smile spread across both of their faces, Adrian swallowed, that was not a good sign. "Yes come, Adrian we have something important to discuss" his father gestured as he called out. " You''re getting to the age where its important for you earn some prestige, lest you be married to some baron''s homely daughter " his mother added on with an unnerving smile. "I wanted to find a few battles for you to prove your mettle, your mother however provided another option, I will allow it on only one condition, you continue to practice the sword" Arrianus spoke with a tone of fake solemnity. Adrian sat silently amused at their charades, "You will go to the Onyx Tower to study under the tutelage of my master" Ethenriel explained in a mischievous tone one would ascociate with an Imp.


    "If I''m to be sent to the Tower, I request to have a servant sent with me, there are likely other young nobles at the tower, it would be wise to demonstrate my position than to appear as a pauper" Adrian responded smirking at his own machinations. "I can''t deny that logic, for the son of a Duke to not be shown to have atendants of his own would make him appear of poor means" Arianus spoke his voice deep and contemplative. "Very well, you may take a servant of your choosing" Ethenriel chuckled lightly causing Ariannus to quirk an eyebrow at the free willed nature of the woman he loved. "I''ll take the newest maid as my personal attendant" Adrian stated flatly. "What''s you''re reasoning, we have more experienced maids on staff" Ariannus questioned furrowing his brow. "Hmmm, she has rough hands implying she has practical skills and works hard, she is also quiet, and as a recent hire her removal will be less impactful of the current staff''s workload" Adrian replied with a deep bow in order to obscure any possible hint of desire. "Sound arugument, however we can''t have her lack of experience embarrass the Young Lord before the other nobility, hmm take Margitte as well to continue her training" his father replied.


    Each step from the Young Lord''s room served as an embarrassing reminder of the overwhelming desire the Adrian had stirred in her, her thighs were sticky causing Annabelle glare at the broad shouldered back of Adrian. "Ah Annabelle and Margitte, perfect timing, please pack Adrian a suitable wardrobe as well as your personal belongings, you''ll be attending to the Young Lord during his apprenticeship at the Onyx Tower" Ethenriel called out to the two women as they walked into the hall. "Yes, Lady Ethenriel" the two stated as they bowed reflexively before turning to leave. Adrian shut his mouth knowing it was far wiser to pick and choose one''s battles, instead he excused himself with a deep bow.


    It was early morning and he needed to clear his mind, he took a deep breath before stepping into the courtyard where his father''s Men-at-Arms were training. A young squire, perhaps one of the men''s son greeted him with a bow and offered him a gambeson and a long sword. The slender blade from point to pommel was as long as he was tall, though still shorter in length and lacking the parrying hooks of a Zweihander, it was a nimble blade that could be weilded in one or two hands as needed. Though the one handed arming sword was more commonly wielded by battlefield soldiers the long sword was prefered by master swordsman and adventurers for its increased reach and surprisingly elegant movement. With its long handle and weighted pomel its balance allowed for quick nimble cuts and thrusts, and when fighting armored opponents it could be gripped by the blade using the pommel and cross guard to deliver the mordhau or murder stroke to an opponent who would otherwise be protected from a slashing weapon. It could also be gripped by the blade and hilt to thrust into gaps in the armor.


    Adrian gratefully accepted the offered garment putting on the heavily paded linen coat and took the sword in his hands. The blade was a little over two pounds in weight, though it felt lighter than that in his hands, as he strode across the courtyard the men would temporarily stop their drills to present arms. Two hundred cuts, he preformed as every other morning, starting from the right side diagonally towards his left hip, then a thrust from the mid section followed by a rising parry and a cut diagonally from left shoulder towards the right hip. Throughout his excercise he would thow in various cuts, thusts, feints, and parries, never did he keep a solid predictable pattern of attacks, the knights who watched on while resting would nod in silent approval. Each man here had faught in various campaigns, many were the survivors of brutal pitched battles, they all had a hand in his training each man passing on their best techniques tested in battle. They watched him grow from a boy of five who could barely lift a blade to a young expert swordsman, the only thing that separated him from them was the experience one could only gain in battle.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Annabelle worked in a stupor, her mind awash in confunsion as to why the young lord had chosen a barely trained maid fresh from the countryside to be his attendant. However it was not her position to speak on matters decided by her Lord and Lady, instead she thought hard and deeply if there was anything she, and she alone could do for the Young Lord. A soft giggling caused Annabelle to look up from her work, two young maids filled with admiration stared out of the window overlooking the courtyard yard. "What are you looking at that has you so giddy Matilda" Annabelle inquired furrowing her brow. Matilda put a finger to her lips and quietly blew a "shhh" before motioning her over to the window. Down below Annabelle could see the figure of Adrian, he was in combat with one of his father''s knights, his fluid graceful movements were like that of moonlight dancing on a pond caused her heart to race. His opponents blade harmlessly swiped past his head as he sidestepped and gently parried using his opponent''s strength to alter the weapons trajectory. His step put his foot inside his opponents stance trapping his opponents leg with his shin and pushed him to the ground before lowering the point of the blade to them man''s neck.


    Annabelle nodded, her head deep in thought, there was one skill she possessed that would allow her to serve the Young Lord. Even though her father had gotten her this job through his connections to the manor, in order for her not to live the dirty hard life of a blacksmith she made up her mind fiercely, she would take up the hammer and tongs for her new liege. Whilst packing her things Annabelle stoped to grab the only personal items she owned when she arived, her tools, heavy leather apron, gloves, and a ring that bore the journeyman signet of the Tiberian Guild of Smiths and Armorers. She hoped that he would allow her to forge him a sword worthy of a master certification, she smiled a bitter sweet smile knowing that day was far off.


    Margitte looked over the Young Lord''s wardrobe selecting each piece from his shoes to his dinner jacket knowing full well he wouldn''t likely wear half of what was slecected. He had a preference for dark colors, preferably blood red, crimson, burgandy, or deep purple always only wearing one color at a time paired with black. For buttons and accoutrements he preferred silver, never brass or gold calling them "garish", due to the subdued tones of his clothing choices she instead had to focus of the cut and quality of his clothes to make him stand out against the ofter bright boisterous colors that most nobles wore. After a few hours of packing she nodded with satisfaction before seeing to her own things.


    Margitte let out a sigh once she was behind closed doors, somehow the day to day stiff discipline her job required seemed more stressful than her misspent youth crawling though ruins or out slaying monsters. She had been an adventurer for most of her life, as such she wasn''t used to this kind of life, but when her mother begged her to take over her position at Blackwood manor she nodded her head obediently. It was meant to be a temporary job until a replacement could be found, though she bore the stone face of a professional deep down she desired to feel the thrill of battle once more.


    Anyone who entered her room would have thought it was the personal room of the Duke or prehaps one of his men, weapons she collected over the years were hung on the walls or stacked where ever there was room, her custom armor made from the scales of a reptillian creature she had slain stat on a stand, each piece meticulously polished. Margitte smiled longingly as she grabbed her trusted companion, a bow carved from the corupted flesh of a treant. The bow "Black Heart" had some slight magical property left over from the creature it was carved from, each shot carried with it a weak magical poison that would slowly weaken a foe with each shot until they collapsed under their own weight and died. She packed her maids livery for both formal and informal occasions, but also secrected away in her travel chest was her beloved wargear.


    Adrian deeply focused his mind as he looked into his opponents eyes, the hard steel gaze of Knight Captain Breckhart peering back into his emerald stare. The more Adrian focused the more he could "feel" his opponent for lack of a better word. He immediately knew where Breckhart''s next strike would land. A quick downward slash caused Adrian to parry, Breckhart immediately feeling the parry angled his hilt upward to thrust down over the guard. Adrian pushed the thrust upwards, the tip barely grazing his cheek, he thrust at the same time lightly slicing Breckhart''s jaw. A man thrust a stick with a white flag between the two men, "the duel is decided, both opponents drew blood, it''s a draw". The rest of the men cheered in suprise, the strikes and parries of the two men had been too fast for them to effectively ascertain which made the outcome all the more exciting. " How did you parry that slash, I couldn''t even see it till it was too late" one of the men inquired slapping Adrian on the shoulder. "I just felt it, I somehow knew where he was going to strike, but I could barely react when he switched to the thrust, that was more luck than skill" Adrian replied between pants. "Heh, bare that scar with pride Adrian, a lesser man would have been killed by that thrust" Breckhart stated his ever stoic expression betrayed by the pride in his voice. The story of the duel between the Knight Captain and the Duke''s son would later spread across the province''s taverns and even to the ears of the Duke Ariannus who though full of pride had to conceal his worry about his son''s life being foolishly placed in peril.


    Adrian had been feeling strange and restless all day, though he was not sure if his anxiety about leaving home was the cause. He was feeling full of energy and his perception of his suroundings and of the intentions of others were far stronge than normal. He could feel the light flush excitement from the young maids as he passed by them shirtless and covered in a sheen of sweat from his long day of training. He could feel the sense of pride that his sword instructors had as they watched him work, even something as simple of the scent of honneyed wine at the dinner table seemed somehow deeper.


    With a sigh Adrian lay down upon his matress stuffed with down, for all his restlessness, sleep soon took him. Sensuous silky fingers caressed their way over his shoulders and down his chest, reflexively his eyes snapped open and his hand grabbed the delicate hand of the woman from his dreams. She pursed her lips breathing a hot breath on the back of his ear, "Finally you''ve awoken, I was growing impatient". "Who, no what are you" Adrian questioned struggling to move his body. Plush full lips slowly trailed their way down Adrian''s neck to his collarbone, " Lilith is my name, what I am is a succubus, a spirit given shape by the the desires of men". Adrian felt a shiver run down spine, "what do you want with me" he spoke with a steely tone that caused Lilith to purr in pleasure. "What I desire is you, my little warlock" she playfully whispered. Adrian was only faintly aware of physical sensations as the world suddenly shifted, he was now face to face with the lavender eyed demoness. "Make a contract, in exchange for my servitude I only require your male essence" her expression reminded Adrian of a predator toying with its food. "What would I acquire from this "contract", from what I understand your kind often offer deals that are too good to be true" Adrian replied camly trying to force the feeling of her buxom backside resting on his engorged member. "For one you''d have your own personal succubus sex slave" she cooed with a wink. "Aside from that with out the help of my kind you''re going to become consumed by the demonic taint running through your veins" she stated flatly.


    Adrian had more questions racing through his mind but now was not the time for them, in his lap was a beautiful woman and his blood was boiling in his veins. He had to have her, nay he needed to posses her, to make her his in all things, a dark impulse from deep within surged to the surface forcing her subtle manipulations from his mind. With his mind clear Adrian realized she had been using her seductive powers to influence his mind, to make him complacent, but this was his mind, and within his own mind he was king.


    Panick flashed across Lilith''s face as she watched the young warlock tear through years worth of subtle enchantments in a single burst of power. She tried to pull back, a firm hand clasped her throat forcing her onto her back, his physical contact keeping her anchored in the world of his dreams. A young warlock who''s powers only began to awaken should have been easy prey for a succubus, but she too was inexperienced, he was the first and only male she had fed from. His sudden burst of lust filled aura had caught her completely off guard, it was something raw, instinctual, and overpowering. Her mind slowly eroded under his domineering gaze, her face grew flush with desire. His lips bore down on her''s, fierce and aggressive, she could feel the need burning hot with in him. Whilst keeping her pinned at the neck he kissed his way down her body to her luscious breasts, taking one nipple in his mouth roughly sucking and nibbling at the tender nipple. She panted with a need of her own, a need he implanted within her, the instinctive need to serve one more powerful then herself. She coiled her arms around his back, lightly raking her sharp nails across his back drawing up light rivulets of blood. He parted her thighs with ease, and with a single thrust he burried his cock to the hilt eliciting a moan of pleasure from her. She kissed him back, bitting his lower lip drawing yet more blood.


    Adrian could feel her inner walls massaging his shaft with each of his powerful thrusts, as her resistance withered he could feel the last remnants of her spell dissipating from his body. This only caused his desires grow stronger, instinctively he drew on those desires and poured them into her very core as he spilled his seed into her womb with a final thrust. Adrian looked down upon her form, plastered with a sheen of post coitus sweat, her eyes glazed over with pleasure. Pain and pleasure seared its way into Adrian''s mind as he felt the pact between master and servant burn its mark upon his flesh, visible proof of Lilith''s subjugation.

 Ch. 2 Inner Demon

    Ch.2


    Upon awakening Adrian could feel his connection to the succubus who had long haunted his dreams, currently it felt like a thread streched over a great distance, he knew that she was still in the planes of the aetherium. He could even feel some of her surface emotions, she was feeling anxious though from what Adrian wasn''t sure. His right hand no longer burned with pain, but visible on the back of his hand was a strange black mark shaped like an open rose in a circle of thorns. When dressing he decided it would be prudent to wear gloves from now on as odd as it might seem.


    Much to Adrian''s displeasure there was a carriage waiting to take him on the six week journey to the capital, he would have preferred to ride, at the same time he understood it would be unreasonable to ask the women to travel such a long way on horseback. He would have to purchase a new horse once he was settled in, for now he would simply leave the matter be.


    One by one three large traveling chests were loaded onto the carriage''s luggage rack, Adrian frowned as he watched a porter suddenly struggle to lift Annabelle''s chest. He had no idea what the maid would have owned that would have been so heavy, he did however reach down to help the man. After two of his father''s men joined the carriage driver the three of them were ushered into the cabin, it was large enough to sit four comfortably, each of the bench seats upholstered with red satin. Much to Adrian''s suprise they also could be unmounted from the carriage walls and folded open into a bed, a carriage like this would cost a small fortune, though most nobles who were used to soft living would happily invest in such comforts.


    There were several small towns situated along the network of paved roadways that crisscrossed the Empire''s territories, they would reach the next town some time tomorrow morning at the earliest. The largest concern for travelers in the eastern provice were its terrible winter storms, one day the sky could be over cast, the next you''d be standing waist deep in snow. Fortunately it was summer and the sky was only lightly dotted with wisps of clouds.


    Adrian let out a sigh as he gazed out the windo at the landscape he would one day inherit, it was a land of tough hardy farmers, loggers, and miners. The last of the frontier provinces with in the Empire''s territories, a land of ruggged forests, swamps, mountains, and rolling hills. Annabelle too stared, though she was filled with a sense of excitement, never before had she seen anything grander than the Duke''s fortress, and now she was going to the Imperial capital. Margitte was bored, so teribly bored, she tried to amuse herself with a game of cards, more than anything else she wished she could have traveled by horse or by foot. Now that she was free of the fortress she wanted to hunt, to run, and to feel the wild places of the world beneath her feet.


    This was the first time Adrian had really looked at the head maid, he knew she was young, but if he had to guess she was thirty at the oldest. Her hair was currently hidden under her white cap but one curly locket or dark red hung down by her right cheek. Her skin was bronze in color, adrian followed the delicate curve of her neck and found it quickly stopped by the high neck line of her livery. Even through her livery he could tell her body was well maintained, unlike the rest of the maids of his father''s household who were rather soft around the edges. He also knew from occasionally pinching the bottoms of curious maids that Margitte had a glare capable of cuting stone.


    When night had fallen Adrian pondered if he would once more find Lilith within his dreams, the succubus was something of an enigma, they were spirits given shape by the desires of men. They belonged to a group of spirits colloquially referred to as demons, he was perplexed, she had become bound to his will, but to what degree did that binding hold.


    The girls were both asleeps on the other unfolded carriage bed, Adrian listened to their quiet breathing, as he focused on each inhale and exhale he felt the lids gro heavier till eventually the dropped down like a pair of cellar doors. A force pulled at his mind drawing him further and further from his body till his eyes snapped open. "Good evening, master" a familiar voice cooed.


    The room in which he found himself was one that was plush and luxurious, a four post bed lay before him curtained with gauzy silks of crimson, royal purple, and black. Only the most expensive of dyes and fabrics adorned the room, even his father could not afford to waste money on such lavish decorations. Adrian unconsciously shifted in his seat causing him to take note of its quality of stuffing and the smooth textures of it''s crushed velvet upholstery, even the wood was of an unusual nature and quality have a marbled appearance. Instinctively Adrian knew that this was not the "world of dreams", his dreams never possesed such vividness.


    Kneeling before him was Lilith, this was the first tim he was able to look upon her figure with out the mental haze of her charm magic. Dainty black horns like those of a ram grew from the corners of her forehead curling backwards till the tips lined up with the corners of her elegant jaw. Adrian''s eyes drifted down her body following every detail of her flawless curves, she possessed bountiful breasts, two handfuls at least, though somewhat smaller than Annabelle''s. Her lavendar colored eyes were almond shaped and perfectly proportioned to match her dainty nose and plush angel bow lips. Long luxurious raven hair cascaded over her shoulders to her mid back, a stark contrast to her porcelain skin. She wore a tight form fitting dress with a plunging V shaped neckline leaving a valley of cleavage exposed, a split running up to her wide child bearing hips left plenty of shapely thigh exposed for viewing. Wings like those of a dragon were folded behind her back and a tail with a heart shaped point lazily flitted this way or that like a feline''s. She was a woman of exotic other worldly beauty, and she was his woman.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Good evening Lilith" Adrian replied running a hand through his hair out of habit. "So, where have you dragged me off to" he inquired sitting back with his left foot seated on his right knee while resting his head on the knuckles of his right hand with his arm supported by the chair. "You''re currently in the Palace of Carnal Desires on the Elemental plane of lust, or more accurately a reflection of your inner self is, it''s a technique called astral projection" her almost professor like deliverance was a stange juxtaposition against her kneeling figure. "I see" Adrian replied furrowing his brow slightly, "you called me a warlock before, I assume my recently heightened senses, I can at times feel the desires and intents of those around me". Lilith smiled a dark seductive smirk, "its a form of magical perception inherited from the demonic taint running through your veins, we so called demonswho feed on extremes of human emotions, this enhanced perception allows a succubus to prey upon individuals with particularly stong desires". "How exactly does this perception work" he inquired. "It''s instinctual for my kind, how ever much like your swordsmanship it needs to be honed to a razor sharp edge through practice" Adrian mused over her explanation tapping his fingers idly upon the arms of the chair.


    "What powers does a warlock posses and how do I wield them" Adrian leaned forward deep in thought. Lilith let out a sigh, "that is not a question easily anwsered, unlike a wizards spells which are deliberately created to have a spefic desired effect, a warlock''s powers are far more fluid being manifested by their force of will and shaped by their emotions and desires". Lilith raised her hand with her palm facing up, he could feel a sudden surge rushing through his familiar''s body acompanied by an icy sensation of a deep seated hatred. He watched enraptured as a half dozen razor sharp shards of black-purple ice. "I trust that demonstration was sufficent explanation" she cooed slightly, the shards of born from her deep seated hatred floated idly at her side. Adrian closed his eyes feeling for the energy that flowed in his veins, it was a sickly sweet intoxicating feeling as he drew on the power, it surged from its dormant state trying to overcome his mind and posses his body. He gritted his teeth feeling the whispering tendrils of power trying to entice him into surrendering his will in exchange for limitless power.


    "What you are feeling is the dark reflection of your inner self, an avatar of your darkest subconscious desires given life by the taint, if at any point you succumb to it''s will, you will lose any semblance of your humanity, and your inner demon will be free to do as it desires" Lilith whispered within the depths of his mind. Adrian could see visions of his future should he give in, an endless harem of beautiful women mentally enslaved by his desires, countless conquests leaving the cities of his enemies swallowed by seas of black flames. A figure seated upon a throne of burnished gold dressed in blackened plate, large black horns grew from his forehead, he laughed deeply whilst one of his subjects begged for his life. "You needn''t face your inner demon alone, at least this time I will stand at your side" Lilith whispered from beside him. Adrian nodded rushing forwards with his sword drawn, the demon regarded his lesser self with disdain intercepting the slash with his open gauntlet clad hand, a deep chuckle escaped his lips. Adrian felt his rage growing and poured that rage into his body imbuing him strength, he pushed through his inner demon''s guard, his blade connecting with the blackened plate armor harmlessly. The demon smiled and swung his own blade into Adrian''s armored abdomen bowling him over, he began a downward slash of his own. Adrian hastily attemped to guard with his sword only for the blow to halt mid air, a hail of shards of razor shap black ice each a foot in length to slam into the demon. Adrian thrust his sword into the exposed gap in the armor at the back of the knee severing the tendons and cartilage between the femur and shin bones. The demon let out a roar of pain smacking Adrian asside with the back of his fist after being dropped to a knee, he then directed his rage at Lilith, who was hovering over head, she was forced to dive and weave like a German pilot dodging anti air fire as bolts of pitch black flames hurtled towards her at high speed.


    Adrian''s head spun with the feeling of a concussion, his vission was focused on the blurred figure of his inner demon, he wanted that power for him self but he would not surrender himself to it. Lunging forward he grabbed the demon''s exposed head, he could feel the power of the demon flowing beneath, he drew upon that power pulling it into himself. It jerked and thrashed attempting to free it''s self from his grip but with each moment Adrian grew stronger and the demon''s power withered away till all that was left was a withered husk of his demonic form. His body seared with pain from the fight and burned from the power within, he gripped that power and channeled his burning rage into the area around himself causing a sudden explosive burst of black flames dispelling the excess power in his system.


    Adrian suddenly opened his eyes as he snapped back to reality, he panted heavily and rivulets of sweat poured down his body, lavendar eyes filled with lust and excitement stared into his emerald eyes. "You''ve conquered your inner demon taking your first step towards mastering your power, however should you ever falter it will consume you" she cooed gently panting in his ear

 Ch. 3 Ambush at night

    Ch. 3


    Crash, snap, thwack oww, these were the sounds that pulled Adrian from his pleasant company in the Palace of Carnal Desires and awoke him to the plesant sensations of Annabelle''s bountiful breats smothering his face. "By my ancestors left testicle, damned axle snapped" barked the gruff voice of the carriage driver. "We''re in the piss now, keep your eyes peeled lads, could be an ambush" he comanded to the two men sent by Adrian''s father. The carriage door swung open and Margitte hopped out, "what are you doin miss its dangerous out here" the gruff voice called out to her. "Retrieving my supplies" she stated with an icy glare that caused the dwarf to shake his head. "Adrian get your ass out here, we may need the extra blade" Margitte barked as she went to retrieve her gear.


    "Pardon me beautiful, but as much as I''m enjoying your bold forwardness, it would seem I''m required elsewhere" Adrian spoke with the dark seductive tone that caused Annabelle''s heart to race and her face to fluch crimson. She quickly untangled herself, "i-it was an accident my lord, just an accident" Annabelle stuttered. "She''s way to adorable when she''s flustered" Adrian chuckled in his mind whilst grabbing his sword and hopping out into the darkness of night.


    "Allright what''s the situation" Adrian inquired looking over at the carriage driver who was currently wearing a strapped shield and carrying a war hammer. Adrian was suprised to see an iron colored plate no bigger in size than a playing card hanging from the drivers neck, the dwarf was a member of the Adventurer''s Guild. The dwarf let out a huff of annoyance at being interuped but quickly supressed it, "there was a hidden ditch in the road, a trap designed to catch caravan wagons usually, ripped the front axel right off the carriage". "Bandits" Adrian questioned furrowing his brow. The dwarf stroked his long beard with with his hand from his shield bearing arm, "possibly, or could be something worse". "Do we try and hunt them down before they can ambush us" Adrian inquired. "My lord, you may be able to see in the dark thanks to your elven heritage but the men are practically blind away from the laterns" Margitte called from behind him.


    He turned his head, standing where the head maid should have been was a woman with a wild appearance. Wolf like ears sat upon her head and a matching tail swished behind her, she was dressed in a strange suit of scaled armor with a short sword hanging from her left hip and a quiver on her right, in her hands was a bow carved from a mysterious looking wood. His eyes fixed on the gold colored plate hanging from her neck, she too was a guild member. "Forgive my rudness earlier, Huntress of the Night" the dwarf said wid with a respectful bow of his head. Adrian wasn''t sure what was going on, but it was clear that she out ranked the dwarf. He was somewhat dumbfounded, he had no idea she was anything more than a maid, he also had no idea that she was a demi-human of the Wolf-tribe.


    "For now we''ll hunker down around the carriage keeping our backs to it at all times, Adrian I want you to take the roll of a look out atop the carriage, keep a low profile just incase, Master Tagrid you''ll be vanguard draw the enemy to attack you, men at arms you''ll be flank what ever attack tagrid, I''ll take up rearguard and keep the enemy pinned down and try to thin their numbers" Margitte barked. "What do you think we''re dealing with" Adrian inquired. "Goblins, probably a small war band that gout pushed out by stronger faction" she replied. "How can ye tell" Tagrid questioned observing the tree line in the distance. "I''m wolf-kin, I can smell them" she anwsered flatly.


    Every one steeled themselves, goblins were a deeply hated enemy of the civilized races. They were cruel, intelligent, and ferocious creatures barely a head shorter then humans with wiry limbs, large eyes perfect for underground caverns and night time ambushes, and motled green and yellow skin that allowed them to blend in with folliage. They were often the largest threat to frontier villages where they would engage in night time raids, silently slipping into homes kidnapping young girls and women and butchering any man they encountered. The women would be kept for sport and breeding the larger more intelligent and powerful hob-goblins, the men who were slain would be cooked and eaten. Bows, long curved knives, and spears were their weapons of choice, in battle they relied on ambushes using lightning fast loosely organized strikes into unsuspecting enemies only to flee before the enemy could regroup and counter attack.


    The fact that the goblins hadn''t attacked right after the axel broke implied that they were being overly cautious by goblin standards. Adrian wondered perhaps in they were low on numbers. A hour or so passed in dead silence save for the occasional sounds of nocturnal birds, the waiting was wearing thin on everyone''s nerves. Adrian scanned the tall grass between the road and the edge of the forest when he caught a lumions reflection like the eyes of a cat in the darkness. "To arms, their flanking us" Adrian yelled out hopping down from the carriage before drawing his blade.


    His heart pounded with a mixture of fear and excitement, this was nothing like the vague sensations he got from fighting his inner demon, somehow everything was more intense in the coporeal world. Six of the gangly creatures burst from the right side tall grass beside the road, they were dressed in tattered hides, their weapons looked porly maintained, their bodies had thin malnourished appearances.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The goblins attacked fueld by the desperation of starvation, throwing themselves at the heavily armed party with blood crudling screeches. Tagrid banged his sheild like a drum and let out a deafening warcry of his own before charging into the lead goblin knocking the goblin onto it''s back. The men ar arms rushed to Tagrid''s flanks creating a three man sheild wall, the two men stabbing the downed goglin with their arming swords.


    A loud screech erupted from above Adrian as a goblin leapt from the top of the carriage swinging a wicked looking curved blade the length of Adrian''s arms. Adrian leapt back from the suicidal attack before lunging forward with a thrust feeding a foot of his long sword through the goblin''s chest, black blood ran down his blade as he gave a final twist ending the creatures life instantly. The lound twang of a warbow echoed from over Adrian''s shoulder followed by a pained screech, Adrian spun to see several more goblins coming from the left side of the, " a pincer attack" Adrian growled as he took a deffensive stance.


    Margitte hopped up onto the carriage and scanned the side the goblin had climbed up from, satisfied that it was clear she began picking off the goblins that were charging Adrian''s position. When she aimed her bow she tapped her spiritual energy speeding up and focusing her vision causing the world to seemingly slow for three seconds. This ability, like the dwarfs warcry was a martial talent, unlike magic any one was theoretically capable of learning these techniques, if they spent years honing their martial skills. Warcry was a martial talent that let out a burst of killing intent drawing the enemy''s attention, useful for vanguards who''s purpose was to defend against incoming attackers. Margitte''s martial talent was called Eagle eye, it enhanced perception to make otherwise impossibly percise shots.


    Adrian turned his blade to the side deflecting an incoming spear thrust, with a single step his blade flashed through the neck of his attacker, its body still moving past him whilst decapitated. The arc of his blade sprayed black the blood of his victim onto the goblin''s allies. Two more twangs rang out dropping the number of goblins on his side down to three.


    Tagrid and the two men at arms worked with a brutal efficiency only acquired by experienced battlefield veterans, they would intercept the attackers with their shields, one of the men would cut the goblin''s hamstrings then Tagrid would crush the goblins skull with a sickening wet crunch. While they had already cleaned up their side they moved to support Adrian only to be motioned to stay put by Margitte.


    Tagrid watched with suprise and nodded in approval watching the young lord fight three on one with the goblins. They swung wildly but each cut only met metal or air as Adrian paried and seemingly flowed around his oponents. Adrian paried first left then right and slashed downward cleaving the goblin from clavicle to lungs in a single blow, he hopped backwards to dodge a cut while dislodging his sword. It was too close for comfort as he felt the tip of the blade impact his gambeson, the other one closed in leaving Adrian no time to parry. He took his left hand from the hilt and stepped forward grabbing the goblins face, instinctively drew on the demonic taint and channeled his rage into the palm of his hand. Black flame burst from his hand, the suden explosive force blasting the goblin backwards, it pitifully screamed and clawed at it''s face trying to put of the demonic flames. The other goblin fled in terror, it was one thing to be cut down with a blade in their culture, but they held a deep fear of anything magical. Another twang rang out ount in the night followed by the thud of the fleeing goblin hitting the ground.


    "By my ancestors right testicle, you''re a hell of a swordsman, and a damn mage to boot" Tagrid exclaimed. "I''m not really a mage yet, I just kind of got really angry and his head burst into flames" Adrian joked trying to downplay the situation. Even Margitte was looking at him with approval hidden behind her expressionless mask of profesionalism. "Well, if you don''t mind I''m gonna harvest the goblin ears, the bounty on goblins is one Tiberian gold piece, thirteen gold in total not a bad haul" Tagrid rubbed his hands together greedily. " We''re within walking distance of the town, but we''ll have to wait till morning to head out in the meantime try and rest, I''ll take first watch" Margitte barked from her position atop the carriage.


    Adrian let out a sigh of relief, now that the battle was over his body shook from combat stress and the excess of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He panted, leaning against the carriage for a moment he took stock of himself, aside from a bruise on his right arm and the splattering of blood he was unscathed. Adrian pushed open the carriage door to find the sight of a terrified Annabelle wielding a blacksmith''s hammer. "It''s just me, you''re safe" Adrian whispered taking the hammer from her iron like grip. "Please hold me" Annabelle whispered wrapping her arms around herself, "but I''m covered in blood" Adrian chuckled slightly. "I don''t care, I''m scared, I''m a cute girl now shut up and hold me, but none of that whispering to me in seductive tones" Annabelle huffed. Adrian smiled taking the maid gently in his arms as he laid back onto the bed, he made sure to still keep his sword with in reach.


    Neither of them stirred when Margitte entered the carriage, looking at the two of them she couldn''t help but smile mischievously and crawled onto the bed on the otherside of Adrian wrapping her arms around the young Lord''s broad shoulders. When it cam time for Adrian to take watch Tagrid couldn''t help but chuckle lightly and quietly close the door and take the final watch as well.

 Ch. 4 A bath time decision

    Ch.4


    Adrian was the first to awaken from the depths of slumber, for one reason or another Lilith did not enter his dreams nor was he summoned to the Palace of Carnal Desires. However he was very, very confused upon awakening, Annabelle was still cradled in his arms, her bountiful chest rising and falling with each breath. If Annabelle was in his arm who in all the planes was wrapped around him, he tilted his head upward cautiously to see a cascade of dark red curls flooding out around the pillow. "Maybe she was tired and just happen to lay there by chance" Adrian thought to himself as he let out a sigh. Suddenly there was a strange warm sensation on the back of Adrian''s neck causing him to stiffen like a board. She was licking him, the crazy warrior wolf maid was licking the back of his neck, not that it didn''t feel good, how ever his stiffening member was firmly and uncomfortably jamned into his leather trousers. "Whats that stiff thing poking me in the back" a tired grogy Annabelle yawned. "Probably just a buckle or something, anyway its morning lets get up" Adrian replied trying to ignore the Margitte''s strange behavior.


    Annabelle rolled over to face Adrian only to see the wolfish grin of Margitte staring out from behind Adrian''s head. She unconsciously let out a squeak before trying to get up, it took a few seconds for them to become untangled. Thankfully a sharp knock on the carriage door saved Adrian from trying to explain a situation he couldn''t even comprehend. "Alright it''s sun up time to get a move on" Tagrid called out to them. "After you milady" Adrian cooed with a flourished gesture towards Annabelle. With a yawn she lazily climbed out of the carriage, Adrian turned back to only for Margitte wo give him a wolfish grin. "Oh, this is going to be fun" Margitte thought to herself.


    In the early morning Tagrid managed to find the two horses in a field and build a liter for the horses to pull their luggage, even a dwarven warrior is still a craftsman at heart. He also took the time to clean up the goblin corpses and pile them away from the road, he wished they had the supplies to burn them so they didn''t attract any large scavengers or preadators that would put traverlers at risk, but noving the to the edge of the forest would have to do. Now he was handing out adventurer''s rations, which consisted of a hard smoked sausage, dried fruits, a portion of cheese, and a draught of ale, to each of them. Adrian gratefully accepted his meal and was suprised by the richness of it''s flavors.


    "The good news is we''re close to town, the bad news is that we''re going to be stuck there for a day or two, also I have to report to the local guild office once we get there, afterwards I''ll meet you in the tavern" Tagrid explained as they walked. "If its not too much of a bother, I''d like to visit the guild office as well" Adrian inquired. "Heh, planning on joining the guild, with those skills I''m not suprised, it''d be my pleasure" Tagrid replied idly stroking his beard.


    As the party walked what had once been untamed grass lands slowly gave way to rolling fields of wheat at barley, further in the distance a slow moving river flowed cutting a great serpentine path through the landscape. The town was still situated with in the borders of his father''s province, he had ridden here a few times with and without his father to hear about the "going on''s" as the locals called it. Mostly just rumors and speculations about the provinces in the surrounding area.


    The town bore the uninspired name of River''s Bend, because it sat on a bend in the river, the buildings bore a mix of cultures, stone long houses from northern settlers mixed with the plastered walls of the locals. At the town''s center lay the Drunken Trout Tavern & Inn, a large stone brick building with a roof of jointed timber and clay roofing shingles. A sign of a trout hanging out of a tankard swayed gently in the morning breeze.


    The women and the men at arms headed for the tavern whilst Tagrid and Adrian headed for another stone brick building off to the side of the main boulevard.


    Annabelle looked up at the sign of the Drunken Trout, with a deep breath she push open the door of the tavern. Her village was not far from River''s Bend and her father often came to the town to trade his wares for stocks of coal and iron that were brought in by river traders. She was hoping that he was not in town trading, she would have a hard time explaining how she became the personal attendant of the Duke''s son much less why she was with a heavily armed and armored demi-human acompained by two men at arms.


    There was also the morning''s incident in the back of her mind, "did Margitte always scold Adrian''s more lewd behaivor because they had a secret relationship". The thought was enough to make her want to stomp her feet and pout. Growing up Annabelle was ostracized by the girls in the village because she was too much of a tomboy, and the boys only ever saw her as a friend due to her lack of feminine hobbies. No boy wanted to marry a woman who smelled of sulfur, smoke and iron, and none of the girls wanted seen with a girl covered in stains and calluses. Adrian was the first man to show any interest in her as a woman, when ever he would whisper in that dark seductive tone her heart would race and her head became filled with a fog of lust. Even thinking about the feeling of his arms and the deep silkiness of his voice brought a deep flush of crimson to her pale cheeks. At times she had to fight the desire to throw herself at his whims, still she managed to keep her selfish desires in check, throwing yourself at the man sinply for your selfish desires was a behavior only worth of one called a harlot.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Eeek" Annabelle expelled in shock from the sensation of some one pinching her round full buttocks. "You''re just standing there with a blank expression on your face, come on" Margitte whispered into her ear.


    Margitte sighed mentally, the poor girl had fallen madly deeply for the young Lord, however Adrian was a strong man and only strong woman would be worthy to stand at his side. What Adrian needed was a partner he could count on, some one who could watch his back and not just admire it from afar. She was hoping her mischievous behavior would set a fire in Annabelle''s heart, instead it only seemed to make the simple country girl even more anxious. Margitte nodded to herself, she would guide Annabelle to a path where she could stand at Adrian''s side, however she too would be at his side, long as he desired to have her. "Powerful men attract many women" Margitte thought as she pondered just how many women would be drawn to his side. She certainly wasn''t put off by the idea of her young Lord surounded by a harem of women, she enjoyed the pleasures that both sexes had to offer. She licked her lips as she admired the roundness of her protege''s posterior, though she was more cute than beautiful in the face, her body was packing some serious armaments.


    The Drunken Trout was currently fairly empty, the row of comunal tables were sparsely populated by town watchman grabbing a quick breakfast before they changed shifts and the odd traveler. No one in particular stood out, that didn''t stop the men-at-arms from keeping their hands resting on their sword hilts. Taverns were often enough places that attracted rough and tumble sorts, they weren''t about to take any chances. Annabelle stuck close to Margitte who strode up to the tavern''s counter with the confidence of a battle hardened veteran, the gold plate hanging from her neck a testament to the skills and experience that gave her that confidence.


    "Welcome to the Drunken Trout, the name''s Torvald, be it rooms, food, or booze the Drunken Trout has what you need" a stated large burly man with a warm friendly tone. The man looked like a red haired grizly bear wearing a tunic, he was certainly of nothern stock. Looking at the large barrel chested man Margitte imagined that only very foolish men made trouble in the tavern. "I''m Margitte, my lord will be requiring a room, myself and my lord''s attendant will require a room as well, also I''d like a bath if possible" Margitte informed Torvald. Torvald eyed the two men curiously, he certainly recognized their tabbards, " and for the Duke''s men" he inquired. "Hay loft is good enough for me" one of the men stated, "aye me too" the other added. They chose the hay loft for two purposes, to give their young Lord some privacy, and to watch who came and went from the tavern.


    The bath wasn''t really a nessecity, Margitte had requested it for another purpose, privacy, no one could interfere with the conversation she planned on having with her protege, not with their armed guards present at least.


    Two wooden washtubs filled with hot soapy watter sat in the middle of a plain white tiled room, Annabelle quickly undressed and began to wash the dried blood that had stuck to her skin, living and bathing in groups with the other maids had accustomed her to being nude around women. Margitte took more time deliberately stripping each piece of armor to inspect each piece for damage or wear, the actions of a meticulous veteran who knew how quickly ones arms could degrade if not properly cared for. With her bow unstrung and her armor neatly polished and aranged she made her way to the washtubs, Annabelle was already scrubbing away at her porecelain skin.


    She was a a little shorter than average and a bit stockier as well, her arms and legs now free of her livery showed a good deal of toned muscles. Margitte pondered for a little while, the scent of levendar soap drifted pleasantly in the air. "Tell me, Annabelle, how do you feel about the young lord" Margitte questioned as if simply talking aloud. "W-w-why do you ask" she stammered shocked at the sudden question. Margitte gave her one of her stone cutting glares to stop the girl''s stammering, "I do not know, I mean when he holds me close and whispers in my ear I feel my mind become clouded and my heart begins to race, I can only imagine what he might do to me, but once my head becomes clear again I remember that he is the son of the duke and I am but the daughter of a blacksmith" Annabelle sighed in frustration. "I''m not sure Adrian sees it the same way, as far as he is concerned your a young woman whom he finds attractive" Margitte explained.


    "You say that, but what could I do, the nobility certainly wouldn''t approve of us having a relationship beyond that of maid and master" Annabelle sighed dejectedly. "I have resolved myself to servitude to him, I will forge his arms and craft his armor, even if I may not be by his side I can still serve him proudly" she smiled, it was a somber smile of a defeated woman who found a sliver of hope in a world of darkness. "So you will just choose to live in the shadow of the man you desire, why not fight for the right to stand by his side instead" Margitte questioned in an mocking. Annabelle furrowed her brow in irritation, "then what would you have me do" she practically shouted standing up fists clenched. "Getting angry is a good start, but if you really desire to stand as his equal you''ll have prove that you can be his shield on the field of battle" Margitte eyes blazed with a passion that cause Annabelle to take a step back in confusion. "W-w-what do you mean, me a fighter, but" Annabelle stammered before being cut off. "Thanks to those years growing up swinging a hammer your arms and legs are well developed, combined with your stocky build you''d be a perfect vanguard like Tagrid" Margitte explained rapidly. "Yes" Annabelle responded with a confused questioning tone. "Good you''re serious, not one of those wishy washy princess types who can''tmake up their minds, after the men get back we''re going shopping" Margitte stated triumphantly with an arm pump.

 Ch. 5 Joining the guild

    CH. 5


    A lone robed figure stood in the center of a room filled with pitch black darkness which seemed to devour the light gently cast down by an exact replica of the stars of the night sky. One thousand pools of liquid silver were iluminated by the starlight, the figure moved the pools of silver with a slight gesture. After a short while the figure found the pool he was looking for, spreading his hands apart the pool explanded out flat like a large mirror, on the surface of the liquid silver he could see a fortress in the mountains swarmed with goblins. In another pool near by he could see a young half elven man and a dwarf enter the guild branch of River''s Bend, the figure had been watching the young man sice he had left home. The figure smirked darkly, the lives of the men in the fortress were already forfeit, however it would serve as a test of the youn man''s ability. Lifiting his right hand to his mouth he spoke in a hushed whisper delivering a simple set of orders, soon after his attention was drawn away to another pool of moonlit silver, the Draegnar stirred in the north for now however their movements were of little consequence.


    Adrian scanned the room of the River''s Bend guild branch, the walls were covered with massive heads of beasts and monsters preserved with magic, each one had a plaqe with the name of the group or individual who slay it. The head that stood out the most was the head of a silver wolf with baleful red eyes, the head was as wide as the carriage they had ridden on. Three massive long tables ran the length of the room, twenty or so men with rag tag mismatched gear occupied a majority of the seats, most wore iron or bronze plates. There were also a small handful of women scattered throughout the larger group.


    At the end of the room was a bar with a man the size of a grizly bear standing behind the counter, his arms were folded showing off his bulging muscles. He scanned the room, standing with his arms crossed, face fixed with a permanent scowl as a serving girl ran orders to the tables. Tagrid took the lead striding across the room with a confidence born from familiarity.


    "You''re later than expected Tagrid, get stuck in traffic" the grizly sized man questioned jokingly. "You could say that" Tagrid replied with a chuckle tossing the bag of severed goblin ears onto the bar. The large man peeked into the sack, "goblins, this far from the mountains" he spoke disdainfully. "Aye, quite a few, me and the lad over there killed around a dozen last night, bastards dug a trap in the road" Tagrid sighed in frustration. "Hmmm, we''ll send out a group to recover the carriage, it''ll take a few days to repair, but you and the green horn over there killed a dozen goblin warriors" the man exclaimed in suprise. "Not exactly, they were weakened from hunger, probably pushed out of the warrens by stronger goblins" Tagrid responded.


    "Hmmm, that means something else is pushing the goblins as a whole out of their territory, I''ll have to post a special bounty for goblins" the man stated with a flat contemplative tone. "More importantly, green horn, the name''s Havmal, gulid master of the River''s Bend guild branch, I take it like most young fools who thought they knew how to swing a sword you want to join the guild" he purposely demeaned and talked down to the young man to test his personality. Havmal looked over the young man, he knew he was no slouch with a sword, he also knew the young man was of the nobility from his mannerisms. What truly got his attention was the type of sword the young noble wore, he had seen many noble born fools who wore swords encrusted with jewels that served no real purpose. Such blades were merely marks of status, worn by those who had no understanding the true meaning of nobility and the weight of responsibility. This young lord carried a plain sword of good craft, a weapon to slay ones enemies and a tool to protect their subjects, and when needed to punish those subjects who turn to a life of crime.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.Havmal also eyed the bloodstains on the young man''s mail hauberk, his apearance certainly confirmed their story.


    Adrian took a step towards the counter and the towering man nammed Havmal, "Indeed, I do seek to join the guild, though I do not know if I am worthy of such an honor". "Is he always this stiff" Havmal inquired looking at Tagrid with a quirked eyebrow. Adrian ignored the man''s deliberate attempts to rile him up. "Tch, no fun, I can usually get high borns to bust a blood vessel, alright if you want in you have three choices. A mock battle with at least a silver plate, gaining battlefield recognition, or completing a bronze level quest" Havmal explained. "Is there any method that will allow me to bypass lower ranks" Adrian inquired. "If you managed to get recognized by at least five silver ranked adventurers for your battle prowess I''d consider it" Havmal stated glaring at Adrian. "For now just fill out this request form" Havmal handed him a document containing various important guild rules and sections for him to sign.


    Some minutes after Adrian finished the paperwork the door slammed audibly, the entire room focused on a figure dressed in the red and black garb of an Imperial messenger. No one dared obstruct him, doing so would only invite one''s neck to the chopping block. He looked ragged, but bore a fierce determination as he approached the guild master, "Seven-Peaks Fortress is under attack by a goblin war band, all adventures able to bear arms are called to service" the messenger read aloud. A moment of silence befell the room, Adrian felt the hairs on the back of his neck, a mixture of fear and exhilaration swept through him. Havmal took a deep breath before grabbing a massive two handed sword from the wall behind him, "send word to all members in River''s Bend, we march to battle on the morrow''s morn" he bellowed from deep with in. The hall filled with rousing warcrys as those present took up their arms, before rushing to carry out their tasks.


    A devilish smirk spread across Adrian''s face, "Havmal, allow me to join in the battle" he called out. Havmal furrowed his brow, "you''re not even a bronze plate, give me one reason why I should allow a young git like you onto the field of battle". "Allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Adrian Black, son of Duke Arianus Black. I currently have four men under my command including a silver plate, I will fight either under my own decree or at the side of your men" Adrian replied staring down Havmal with an iron gaze as he raised his right fist to display his family''s crest. Havmal smiled, "hahaha wonderful, I was wondering what kind of man you were, welcome to the guild, consider this battle your examination" he replied with a firey expression.


    "Tch, can''t believe you just dragged me into this mess, you know I was only hired to escort you safely to the capital" Tagrid grumbled as they returned to the Drunken Trout. "You know Tagrid, in the future I''m going to need good reliable men, you certainly fit the bill, how long have you been an adventurer"Adrian questioned causing Tagrid to quirk an eyebrow in confusion. "Ten years, before that I was part of the mining guild, the work was dangerous almost every day we''d get into skirmishes and ambushes with goblins or worse. Finally I got fed up with breaking swinging a pick, so I figured I have to fight monsters might as well get paid for it. Also the materials one can get from slaying monsters are worth a premium, so much so that my wife opened a shop and raised our family into the merchant guild" Tagrid''s voice reflected his deep care for his family. "If you ever tire of slaying monsters I''d be willing to give you a title and land worthy of a man of your caliber" Adrian smirked in his self assured manner. "Heh, tell you what, you become an adamantine plate and I''ll bring my entire clan under your banner" Tagrid responded jokingly. "If I reach adamantine, you''ll at least have to reach mythril" Adrian chuckled.

 Ch. 6 The Fortress pt.1

    BFive days earlier.


    The Fortess of Seven Peaks, named for the seven tallest peaks in the Iron-Blood mountain range, the continent spanning mountain range separated the Tiberian Empire, Association of United Dwarven Trade Cities, and the Religious Kingdom of Heliodor from the desert kingdoms of Arakhan. The fortress was built at the center of the only easily traversable pass in the mountain range in order to defend the border and control trade to and from the Empire. It''s normal garrison was a mere five hundred men, half from the Empire and half from the Dwarven Trade Cities, due to it''s unique construction, it could easily hold off an army five times it''s size. It was positioned at the narrowest gap, ony five men abreast, with a front and rear drawbridge. Legions of soldiers have crashed upon its walls like a wave breaking upon a cliff.


    The keep it''s self was built into the side of the mountain giving the garrison commander a clear view of the courtyard nestled between the gate houses connected to the draw bridges, the design was impregnable, but there was one fatal flaw, if enemy forces did get in there was no where to run.


    Just as he had for the past fifty years garrison commander Vangar the Unbreakable stood upon his balcony watching his men with a slient pride as he sipped a glass of Stone-Beards'' 1820 Reserve Whiskey. Every night as of late he heard the familiar high pitched scream carried on the wind, it was a sound he had heard many times as a child in the frozen wastes of the northern continent. He had not spoken yet of the terror that was slowly encroaching upon their territory, but now he had little choice.


    Panic broke out amongst the men as an ear piercing draconic scream shattered the still air, a great black figure outlined by the light of the moon cast a shadow upon the troops of the fortress. A winged beast with a serpentine neck and wings like those of a bat, it''s long powerful tail ending in a bony spikes driping with poison.


    A second scream triggered their panic, not the screams of a beast but the hoarse familiar scream of a human gripped in the winged serpent''s powerful hind legs. The scream of a human cut off followed by the sickening sound of the human being ripped in half. A wet spatter like a thousand little raindrops hitting the ground broke the silent fear of the men, as blood rained down upon them.


    The lowest born member of the dragons and yet perhaps the most brutal and animalistic of all dragon kind, a wyvern. Vangar had faced such beasts before, long before he was commander of the Seven Peaks Fortress. Two hundred yeas ago, on the northern continent, he was a warrior of a Draengar clan known for his formidable power, never had he fallen in battle, he earned the title the Unbreakable. The right of passage of any Draegnar warrior was to slay one of the Wyverns in the high mountains, just as he did in his youth Vangar leapt from the balcony swinging his mighty two handed axe. With a might roar he sunk his axe into the wyverns back shattering one of it''s shoulders driving it onto the ground below. The impact of the fall broke the Wyverns other wing and left it dazed, Vangar had tapped into his draconic ancestry and drew upon the rage of the Red Dragon, the most physically powerful of it''s kind.


    Vangar let out a deafening battle cry whipped up by his battle frenzy he swung his axe into the creatures neck have severing it''s neck. A roar of triumph escaped the men as Vangar turned to face the with his bloody axe resting on his shoulders. "This is gonna be a hell of a scrap you bastards, I suggest you prepared to die, for tonight we face death in battle" Vangar stated with grim flatness that shook the men from their celebration and instilled in them a bloody minded determination to face their own death.


    Men no long stood openly at their posts, they hugged the eaves of the guard houses and the crenelations of the fotress walls, dwarven arbalists hid carefully concealed in nooks and crannies waiting to fire an explosive tipped bolt into any possible wyvern attack. They were solely focused on an air attack. Most of the night passed in slience, no man dared cough when a nearly invisible monster might suddenly drop out of the night sky and rip you in half. Every high pitched sream in the night sky caused the men''s hairs to raise on ends, no matter how far in the distance they were.


    A rumbling deep in the earth disturbed the former Captain of the 12th Dwarven Scout brigade, like all dwarven scouts he learned to read miny tremors in the stone to locate the movement of enemy forces underground. Goblin warbands, Orc warbands, dragons, even old evils best left a slumber, you never know what you might run into in the labryintinan underground maze of tunnels, mines, and citys of their ancient ancestors lost empire.


    Even now those lessons served him well, he could even tell the differences of each member of his forces by their footsteps. Now what he felt worried him greatly, the tremors had a ravenous hungry feeling in their frantic movement. Only one creature he knew could move as fast through the cave systems of the mountains, the ancient enemy of all dwarves, goblins.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gangly akward seeming creatures about the size of a human, they were deceptively intelligent and capable of various levels of craftsmanship. They were skilled skirmishers, perfect for hit and run fighting, and ambushing unexpecting foes. They make use of skills to produce effective but crude bows reinforced with strips of steel for added strength, the also favored spears and short curved swords made for cleaveing off limbs. Also like dwarves they could also make use of blasting powder, though goblin blasting powder was far more volatile and dangerous to use.


    The ground shook, even those dwarves wo had not trained as the Captain could feel an underground explosion. He motioned to his men and they snapped back into focusing on their current task as the Captain strolled relaxedly across the courtyard. Vangar eyed the Dwarf who strolled across the courtyard like an old man out on a leisurely stroll through a city park with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. He could instantly guage the dwarf as a warrior of the highest calliber, Vangar was old by human years, but compared to a dwarven warrior whose beard now bore more streaks of silver and grey than black he was but a child. "Garrison commander, we''ve got a goblin warhost about to break into the lower levels" the Dwarven captain stated plain as roast on Sunday. We''re it not stated by a veteran of such experience Vangar would have dismissed those words as nothing more than the ramblings of a mad man.


    "Right lets move all our forces into the keep, it''ll be better for a straight up fight than dealing with Wyverns" Vangar replied. The old dwarf narrowed his eyes at the Draegnar, "no, there''s an entire warren of elite goblin warriors down there with a war cheif leading them, they''ll just over run us with numbers, we need to send runners while we hold back the warband for as long as we can" the Captain growled. "What if we fail to hold them" Vangar asked grimly. "My men will rig the drawbridge mechanisms with explosives, make it a hell of a lot easier four our forces to retake. Vangar took a deep breath this would be his first real battle in five decades, he shook with excitement. The captain ever the staunch professional kept his emotions firmly in check, as he went about giving orders to the dwarves under his command.


    The captain took what little time the had to locate the point at which the would break into the lower floors, it would serve as the perfect bottle neck for his killing ground. Directly ten paces from the entry point he placed a wall of dwarven warriors wielding sheilds and war axes. On the flanks he placed his strongest force, sheild breakers, dwarven warriors who specialize in fighting with two handed axes capable of shattering sheilds and breaking the arm of the wielder in a single blow. He lent his arbalists to Vangar who manned the second line of defense, the great hall, where human warriors could fight comfortably.


    An explosion rocked the keep as one of the lower chamber''s wall was blown apart leaving a gaping maw of stone threatening to devour them. The cloud of dust and debris that filled the room hardly bothered the battle hardened warriors. The first goblins stumbled through were confused to see the well disciplined wall of dwarven warriors surounding them, but soon the guttural screeching of goblin warcrys could be heard, followed by the deep boom of goblin wardrums. They poured into that small space like a putrid green tsunami of screaming heavily armed goblins crashing upon the sheild wall, the sheild breakers already were hacking into the tightly packed goblins like a butcher with an endless supply of meat. Limbs flew through the air spraying trails of black blood, severed goblin heads rolled underfoot, entrails soon made the stone a slick mess of bile and gore. It was a glorious cacophony of violence, as the frenzied mass of goblins fell to their axes. It was a text book ambush, but now the true war had begun, as more screaming green skins poured through the gap, after a second bast tore another hole in the lower floor they entered a fighting retreat falling back to the main floor but there were to many of them. The captain took one last look at the men around him, he''d had a good life, before giving the order "let none be taken alive, fight to the last man he called out as he charged into the newest opening with a pack full of blasting powder and a torch. They were overrun, only one dwarf now stood guard on the staircase, a sheild breaker, he had long since lost track of how many goblins his great axe had cleaved in twain. His arms grew tied when the goblin war chief stepped into his view, he carried a rune carved dwarven sword. Even for a veteran elite of the shield breakers, something like a runeblade was something that only exsisted in his child hood stories.


    Dwarven language was composed of a complicated system of runes where each rune had an individual meaning how ever the runes could be combined to express more complicated. When a dwarven runelord forged a weapon it became the embodiment of the runes carved on its surface. If a blade had been forged with the rune for cleave, it would become the embodiment of every meaning of the word cleave, armor even stone would become cloven in to like a hot knife through butter.


    The rune on the blade that danced before his eyes was not as simple as it first seemed, swift, it was far more an ambiguous word for a weapon. Suddenly the warchief moved in for a slash far faster than even a master swordsman could acomlish, he almost parried the below before the blade sliced his neck cleanly in twain.


    Vangar gave the orders to blow the drawbridge mechanisms, it was just as the old dwarf said, they were overrun with sheer numbers, swallowed by a sea of ravenous goblins. Once the battle started he drank deeply of the battle rage driving himself into frenzied madness, pain, fear, everything was gone replaced by rage, he swun his axe left and right into the hoard cutting down two or three at a time. Spears pierced his body, arrows stuck out of his flesh here and there, swords hacked at his body but the mighty Draegnar swung his axe till he breathed his last breath.

 Ch.7 A guild, A mentor, and Armor?

    Upon returning to the Drunken Trout Tavern & Inn Adrian was seized by Margitte her wolfish grin made him have the sensations prey must have upon seeing a predator, "now now, my lord, you''re in need of a bath"? she cooed whilst dragging him towards the wash room. Adrian quirked an eyebrow as he was pushed into a white tiled washroom, inside was a pair of wooden tubs, He thought about it for a moment, if he wanted to instill a sense of loyalty in the men-at-arms under his command that stretched beyond him being the son of their liege lord he would have to make a concerned effort. "Have two more tubs brought up, and ask the proprietor if he''d be willing to have a word with me" Adrian spoke whilst stripping his mail hauberk and gambeson. His armor was coated in dark black bloodstains, if he did not clean and oil his mail it''d soon begin to rust.


    After Margitte left there was a sturdy knock on the washroom door, "enter"? he spoke in his tone specifically used when he was acting as a member of nobility and not as himself. "My lord, you requested my presence, is everything to your liking"? a portly middle aged man inquired trying to hide his obvious discomfort and anxiousness any commoner would have if they though they had displeased a member of the nobility. "You may relax, I''m only the son of the Duke not the Duke himself, I''m in need of your expertise, are there any woman in this town that are not adverse to spending time with a man in return for compensation" Adrian Inquired with a sly smirk. Ever the merchant the Tavern master''s eyes lit up and a smile split his face, "and how many of such women is my lord looking for"?. "Only two, young, attractive, and skilled in the arts of entertainment and bathing, also two bottles of your finest wine, I''m sure that coin purse has enough weight to motivate you" Adrian replied lazily pointing to a small sack of gold coins. "Shall I have them brought through the back, to avoid certain, less savory compromising rumors for my lord"? the Tavern Master questioned. Adrian lifted himself from the washtub standing a full head over the portly man, "that won''t be nessecary, they are for my mena€?Adrian replied as he stepped forward. "I wouldn''t get any ideas about rumors if I were you, the world of the nobility is a dangerous one indeed"? Adrian felt that familiar surge of power from the demonic taint rising up as he directed a cold stern warning to the man letting the slightest amount of demonic essence slip out.


    Margitte slipped up beside Annabelle putting her arm around the girl''s waist, "shall we"? she inquired with a light playful nudge. Annabelle sighed in frustration both thankful to the head maid and also frustrated by her at the same time, she knew some how that Margitte only wanted to help her "to what end"? she wondered as they left the tavern.


    It was still early in the afternoon and there were two or three places that Margitte had in mind for her new protege, the first being the local guild branch, any member silver or above can choose to mentor an individual negating any examinations upon joining, though it also prevented the individual from taking jobs with out their mentor''s presence. While detrimental to a skilled swordsman like Adrian who''d be able to raise his rank fairly quickly, it was the perfect method to train an inexperienced individual into a powerful warrior.


    Margitte couldn''t help but feel amused as she dragged Annabelle through the double doors of the guild branch''s main hall, surrounded by the heads of a great many stuffed beasts the girls expression reminded her of a rabbit trying to flee from a group of predators. "Oh looks like we got ourselves a couple of beauties, hey girl you looking for a night with a real man"? a rough and tumble looking man wearing a bronze plate around his neck dressed in a mismatched set of lizard scale and hide armors. Annabelle ducked behind Margitte who stood brazenly with her arms folded across her chest, the man''s eyes bulged as he saw the gold colored plate hanging directly above her breasts. "The man turned away only to come face to face with the mountainous form of the guild master, "how many times have I warned you not to harass our female members" Havmal spoke in a cold tone before his fist came crashing down upon the fool''s unprotected skull. "Take this idiot out back and throw him in the pond, after he wakes up have him muck the stalls, inventory the supplies, then have him set up a free polishing booth for any one who wants their gear cleaned, ugh right when were preparing for an operation"? Havmal finished his barking with a quiet grumble before putting on his best smile.


    "What brings the Huntress of the Red Moon to my humble halla€? Havmal warmly questioned Margitte offering her and her a seat at the bar. a€?Master Havmal, I''ve come to take an apprentice, though I''d prefer if you didn''t go announcing that the Huntress of the Red moon is standing in your hall"? Margitte quietly intoned in a threatening manner. "You want to take an apprentice, there''s a young lord who just joined who''d certainly be worth your attention" Havmal proudly boasted of his newest guild acquisition. "Ahh, you''re speaking of my liege, there would be little point taking him as my apprentice, he''d soon overcome me in every way" she replied with a mixture of pride and sullenness. "Eh, your lord, what, the wild wolf has finally been tamed"? Havmal eyes widened in shock partly from her words and partly from the stiletto resting against his neck. "I, I see, so who are you taking as your apprenticea€? he replied in his warm fatherly tone. "This girl, she may not look like much but she''s got a body built for being a warriora€? Margitte replied. "Interesting the name''s Havmal I''m the River''s Bend guild master, and you area€? he offered out his hand warmly. "Annabelle, I''m a maid of the young Lord'' she meekly replied taking the offered handshake, his grip was firm like iron, but a child hood spent swinging hammers made her no slouch. Havmal''s grin widened as he applied a bit more pressure to the Annabelle''s hand, normally he would not treat a woman to such a manly hand shake, but it was the only way for him to discreetly test the girl''s resolve. Annabelle smiled, she was never one to back down to a challenge when it counted, she returned the firm grip baring her strength down on Havmal''s knuckles and began to roll them painfully. The pain was not insignificant, but for an aged warrior it was but an annoyance, still he wouldn''t destroy what little spine the girl had by overpowering her instead he relaxed his grip, a mistake he wouldn''t make twice. Feeling the slightest bit of give she bore down with the full strength she had been holding back causing one of Havmal''s knuckles to fracture, were it not for Margitte grabbing Annabelle''s wrist and ordering her to stop Havmal might have fractured more then just a knuckle. "My god, what monstrous strength you have girl, what were you before you became a maid"? Havmal questioned whilst gently nursing his hand. "My father was a blacksmith, I earned my journeyman certificate under him"? she replied holding up the ring on her other hand. "Well teach me not to underestimate any one again, you''ve got my approval, give your lord my regards"? Havmal replied as he handed Annabelle a blank Bronze colored plate, a€?take this to the receptionist, she''ll stamp it for you".


    Annabelle idly fingered the bronze plate hanging atop her bosom, whilst strolling beside her master in both the art of servitude and the art of war, "it would be best to keep that hidden once we return to the Tavern, wouldn''t want Adrian to worry" Margitte spoke. Their next stop was a guild outfitter, a person specialized in procuring and supplying the arms, armor, and gear a guild member might need regardless of one''s rank.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    The outfitter''s shop was in a storage house of to the side of the main hall, currently the place was awash with porters carrying supplies to and from the warehouse, it was far more frantic then suspected. "Ah pardon me" ?Margitte called out to a man dressed in a simple grown robe with a heavy belt of satchel bags around his waist and a pair of silver rimmed half spectacles sitting low on his nose. He lifted himself from inspecting the goods for delivery into the back of two supply wagons. "A gold plate, now, of all times, the guild master must have it in for me a€? the man dramatically exclaimed as he slowly made his way over to them through a throng of porters never missing a chance to bark orders to the men. "Claderus Vitious, alchemist, beastiarious, and outfitter of the River''s Bend guild, how might I be of service at this most unusual and troubling of timesa€? the man stated with a regal flourished bow. "I didn''t expect to see a scholar of the beastly tomes working outside of the Imperial city"? Margitte replied with a surprised expression. "Ah, I''m a field researcher, now what can I do for you"? he replied holding up a silver plate whilst returning to the topic at hand. "It''s my protege''s first outfitting" Margitte explained. "Ah, come"? Calderus stated as he turned on his heels and led them trough a maze of heavily laden shelves to I private back room.


    "I need to take measurements, you needn''t worry about undressing as armor is typically worn of thick padded cloth such as gambeson or an arming doublet" he spoke whilst taking measurements at a speed only the most experienced of tailors could preform. "Hmmm I see, you''ve got a sturdy build, good muscle mass, have you experience with any weapons"? he questioned whilst flitting about the room like a squirrel hopped up on caffeine. "I''m used to swinging smiting hammers, everything from a light weight fining hammer up to two handed sledge hammers"? Annabelle replied almost dizzied by the man''s high energy. "Ah, a blacksmith I see, journeyman too, the only problem with a fitting is the young lady''s voluminous chest, luckily I do have something in stock its almost a shame to give it to a bronze plate, still its just gathering dust any way" he sighed in defeat as he slinked off into the warehouse only to returned fast as a barn mouse. He was pushing an armor rack and slung across his shoulders was a gambeson and a pair of leather breeches, "first try these on, Margitte can help you if you''re not familiar with how to wear them, afterwards I''ll return to fit the armor"? He explained before disappearing once more.


    "What the hell is he, I''ve never seen anyone move so erratically, its hard to keep up with him"? Annabelle Questioned Margitte as she undressed. "Well aside from being a scholar who studies various the behavior of monsters and beasts, he''s also a master alchemist and likely also a minor level magician, his movements are likely from having to constantly move around the battlefield to support wounded allies and throw his concoctions at the perfect time to avoid injuring said allies"? Margitte explained casually. "For the eccentric nature, you just get used to dealing with mages, they''re all a little knocked in the head one way or another" she sighed.


    Calderus was zipping through the isles of the warehouse like a cat chasing its prey, a shield and war-hammer were his prey, his options were plentiful, beaked, axe hammers, even hook hammers, for shields, round, strapped, heater. Finally he settled with a simple combo of a good steel war-hammer with a fierce beak for piercing armor and a heater shield. Like as not the girl would forge her own arms once she had a god supply of materials so he only chose a basic pair, though the armor was something all together different. Female armor was rare and hard to come by as it required more fine tuning and there were few female warriors in general, even fewer still so heavy in the chest, but one such adventurer had retired and left her gear behind, an adamantine plate. The Conquer, Black Rose.


    "Good, I wasn''t wrong about the gambeson, once you reach a larger guild with a tailor you can get one custom made for your to fit you''re tastes, an adventurer needs to look the part if they wish to become successful"? Calderus stated with a twisted grin. "Take the Huntress of the Red moon, her stylish armor offers fine protection but with its heavily custom design and unique materials it mark''s her out as being better than the rest of the rabble" he spoke as he pulled a breastplate from the rack. It was a black-purple color, elegantly designed with a great many decorative ridges that served to both lighten and strengthen the armor, a full harness from sabatons to helm. She almost wanted to faint, a full plate harness was a piece of battle kit that could only be obtained by high ranked generals'' their elite guards, and the Knights in service to the various provincial lords. The standard kit for an imperial soldier was a chain hauberk and brigandine, a considerable investment already but something like a full plate harness was beyond the means but all of the wealthiest of adventures. This suit was far beyond even a harness of a knight, such a thing could only belong to a king or queen Annabelle thought the man was a mad fool to had her such a valuable thing so far beyond her means. "I, I can''t afford such A thing"? she whimpered stepping back slightly. "It''s a waste on a bronze plate but I''ve failed to find a buyer for the past twenty years, but if it fits you, then that''s all that matters, better then gathering dust in my shop, plus this should help you stay alive long enough to be worthy of carrying the armor of the woman who left it here to gather dust in my warehouse"? Calderus stated with a mixture of excitement and regret.


    After it was all said and done Annabelle stood in front of a mirror of polished silver, from head to toe she was wrapped in glorious black-purple harness, it''s delicate pattern of scalloped edges and ridges accented with silver, little black roses embossed here and there covered the overly ornate armor, her only concern was the tightness against her chest. "The suit is surprisingly light, in total it only comes out to about thirty five and a half stones, the second lightest suit in the armory is forty and a half stones, the joints are articulated, it''s built for infantry use so it lacks the ability to lock a lance for cavalry charges, the materials include mythril, adamantine, and a lining of unicorn tail weave making it resistant to lightning, it used to be enchanted but it wore off a few years ago, I''d suggest not wearing you''re plate with your armor unless you want to draw less savory attention to your self"? he explained going over the finer details. "For armaments I chose a beaked war-hammer and a heater shield, also a pack, and three near indestructible vials. Be it an elixir, poultice, corrosive poison, or a strengthening potion it should hold anything, be ware if you loose one, they fifty gold coins a piece. I''ll have the rest of your gear sent to you at a time later today" he continued droning on like a lecturer.


    Margitte simply stared dumbstruck at the her protege''s luck, she would have seduced the Empress her self for such a suit of armor, minus a few pieces to maximize her battlefield mobility. The armor wouldn''t restrict or slow a person down pper say, but it would make Margitte''s stealthy approaches and ambushes from treetops rather difficult. "Alright, now that that''s covered we''ve only got one more stop to make"? she cooed into Annabelle''s ear. The poor village girl was still dumbstruck staring at her self.


    Tagrid was exactly where she expected to find him, the dwarf was busying himself looking over his own supplies in the storage of the Tavern, "Tagrid"? Margitte cooed in her sweetest voice, her full lips pouted slightly. Tagrid sighed as he saw her, he recalled the times his wife gave him sch an expression, she wanted something, and what ever it was he wasn''t going to like it. "What do you need she wolf"? he replied gruffly. "Pooh, no funa€? she pouted before putting on her serious warrior''s expression, "I need you to train some one".

 Ch. 8 Dreaming once more.

    Adrian smiled with satifaction upon leaving the bathing room, "a little favor goes a long way with soldiers if you go out of your way to take care of them" he thought to himself as he strolled out to the stables. He wasn''t sure if he knew the names of the two men sent with him, they were men-at-arms raised from one of the villages of the the dukedom. They were past the days of being squires and were now almost fully feldged knight of their own, all that was left was to attain recognition from the knight captain, be it through tourney or battle. The two men were seated busying them selves with cleaning their gear, the two didn''t notice him silently slip up and sit beside them, not that any one would notice a person with elven blood even a half breed like Adrian if he did not want to be noticed. He quietly picked up an oil cloth and begain cleaning his hauberk when one of the men leapt up wide eyed when he reached for the cloth that shoold have been there. "My Lord" the man nearly shouted in suprise, "if you need your armor cleaned we''ll hapily take care of it" he replied stiffly. "Relax, I might be a noble but i am also a warrior, and a warrior who fails to maintain his own gear is of little use, nor are you men squires to be bussied with minor tasks" he replied working on a particularly touch patch of dried blood. "We havent been introduced properly, I''m Adrian black" he spoke in an open friendly tone. "Ah I''m Karl from the village of Karsk" one of the men replied. Adrian noted that the man had dark hair like his own and a scar that ran down one cheek. "Long as you''re here mind handing me that bottle of solvent" the other man stated. Adrian handed the man the bottle of acidic solvent meant to clean rust and grime from armor. "I''m Karl''s older brother Hanz, its good that you''re not like other nobles, always looking down at other''s, your father''s a good man two. we used to be caravan guards, your father picked us out for our skill after my fool of a brother challenged a knight to duel over a woman" He replied with a hearty smile. " Who won" Adrian questioned, " I did, damn bastard couldn''t let go of his pride and attacked me after the duel was decided, gave me this scar, Hanz here jumped him from behind and bashed his skull in with a hammer, your father took us in, if not for him we''d have been in for a short rope and a long drop" Karl laughed. "I see, you guys go get cleaned up, I''ll finish whats left of your gear" Adrian chuckled. "You serious" Hanz questioned his face awash with confusion. "Don''t worry about it, tonights on me" Adrian replied with his devilish grin as he returned to his work.


    It was nightfall before everyone returned to the Tavern''s common room for dinner, Adrian had sat in silent contemplation waiting for every one to return, Karl and Hanz were last among those to return, they seemed refreshed with a renewed energy. The first to return was Tagrid who bore a tired expression, though Adrian wasn''t sure of the reason he looked as if he had been hard at work. Margitte returned with a bedraggled Annabelle in tow, judging from her appearance Margitte had spent the day using the poor girl as a human pack mule, especially considering the rucksack hanging off the maid''s shoulders. Margitte by compasion semmed quite happy with herself, a wolfish grin spread drom year to ear, even her sharp canines with showing. "I hope she dosn''t work the poor girl to death" Adrian thought as he looked the par over, though he knew that Margitte was an expirienced task master and knew the limits of those under her tutelage well.


    "We''ll be stuck here for longer then we had origionally planned, there was a call to arms meant to moblilze all active guild members of the River''s Bend guild branch. It''s not like we''ll be able to find a carriage that would suit the purpose of traveling to the capital and have to wait for it to be repaired" Tagried explained with a sigh. "That suits my purposes just fine, I elected to join in the call to arms, as the son of the Provincial Lord I have a duty to the people and must ensure that the Fortress of Seven Peaks remains standing. Any who would volunteer yourselves for said mission raise your mug" Adrian spoke whilst standing in a powerful and lordly tone. Adrian raised one of his eyebrows, he had expected four mugs raised, to see a fith was most suprising. "I see, so all are in agreement to the importance of this task, but Annabelle I can not permit you to enter battle with out any arms, armaments, or training, it is the duty of a Lord to keep his subjects safe" he spoke softly. Annabelle stood up and slammed a piece of metal on the table, Adrian looked at it with a mixture of frustration and pride, a bronze plate bearing her name upon it''s surface. " I see, it''s beyond my control now though I doubt even Havmal would place you in direct combat, once we move out I want you to report to Havmal" Adrain sighed. "That''s not going to happen Adrian, I took the girl on as my apprentice in the guild, I didn''t know you were going to go off on a damn crusade, but luckily I did take some measures, she''s armed, trained and armored beyond your wildest dreams, puls she''ll be by my side" Margitte cooed sexily into Adrian''s ear before giving it a gentle nip.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Adrian sighed, his attempt at retaining his noble persona melted before the sweetly poisoned caress of Margitte, "very well, we will be moving out tomorrow morning, rest up and relax" Adrian commanded before returning to his room mentally grumbling.


    Upon resting his head upon the featherd pillow of his room he felt that strange familiar sensation of sleep taking him, he knew immedaitely where it would take him. Lounging before him was the form of his succubus, she was draped along a pile of velevt cusions languishing like a cat having a nap after a meal. She lazily opened her lavender eyes and observed her surroundings, "bold master, entering a woman''s bed chambers unannounced, too bold" she sexily cooed running a hand along her curvaceous form dressed in the finest of silk black stockings and matching lingerie. Adrian didn''t know how it was possible but it seemed to make her appear even more alluring. "Come now master, tell your little demon slut what your deepest desires are" she whispered into his ear whilst running a hand up the inseam of his thigh. "I''m not in the mood for games to night, I desire something else from you" Adrian responded using his willpower to mentally push her off of him.


    "Very well" she sighed causing the room to spin, a desk had replace the mountain of pillows and upon it Lilith sat reclining wearing a white blouse and black pencil skirt with a smart looking pair of glasses stitting upon the bridge of her nose. "What knoweldge do you seek, my little fledging warlock" she questioned in a fir but still erotic voice. "I need to know how to use my powers, not just how to cause a burst of flame from my hands" Adrian stated codly. "Flames, is that what you thought you used upon they goblin, dear dear, what you produced was far more powerful and dangerous than falmes, wizards fire perhaps is it''s only equal in terms of destruction" she replied mockingly. "what is it you desire my pet" she ccoed. "Why do you keep asking me what I desire" Adrian asked sensing something important in those words. "Simple your desires and your powers are directly tied to one another, the stronger the desire the more powerful but the more raw it''s form, you wished to kill that goblin and so you drew upon your rage, but rage is such a simple desire and so the abyssal flame you conjured had no form" she stated hholding out a hand upon which sat a dancing black flame that coiled and changed as she willed it. "Envision that which you desire in your mind, then feed it with your wants and desires and empore it into being with your force of will" she explained.


    "Perhaps this one lacks the power, or is it his guidance that is lacking" a voice cooed as a figure seamlessly entered from the room from a disembodied shadow. "Begone" Lilith barked at the new presence. "We''re sisters Lilith, why wont you share your new toy" the figure cooed. "Because you have a habit of breaking your "toy", now begone from this place Vanis" she replied firmly. A third presence leaked out from the room, a pitch blackness that slowly spread out taking command of all that it touched warping the plane to suit it''s masters taste. gone was the garish cloths of gold and crimson, black, silver and emerald began to replace the suroundings, no longer were they satanding in Lilith''s quarters but a throne room bearing the symbol of a wolf bitting a sword in half emblazoned above the throne. "What, what is he" Vanis questioned suddenly taken with fright. "A demon lord, though he is still to young to awaken" Lilith cooed slipping her way to Adrians side she pressed her lips to his sucking the excess power frowing from his meditative state. "You''re playing with fire, sister, don''t be devoured by those flames" Vanis whispered before disapearing into the shadows once more.


    "Time to wake up little fledging" she whispered into his mind, Adrian stared at her grogily, he was completly unaware of what had taken place during his meditation, but somewhere he felt power, like a raging sea that swallowed countless ships. "Take time each day to meditate and work on your mental image, though you''ll find it far easier to controll when you''re not surounded by the taint of the Elemental Plane of Lust" she whispered into his ear. "How do I become more powerful" he questioned. "That is a lesson for another time, now sleep, you almost exhausted your life force, you''ll heal much fater if you just sleep" she cooed once more as the world tuned to darkness.


    What was that image he saw in his dreams, the great black wolf with baleful eyes, who was the man upon the throne, what power did he posses, what fate awaited him.

 Ch. 9 The Fortress Pt. 2

    Roughly two hundred adventures marched up the mountain road, there was no formation, they flowed and moved in a sense all their own, a misfit band of warriors, hunters, mages, archers, and alchemists. They were not soldiers in the professional sense, in a battle upon an open field they would be slaughtered by the tactics that relied upon tightly cohesive movements and a strict hierarchy of officers. These were explorers and monster slayers, in single combat or moving in small units they were far superior, masters of asymmetrical warfare, they would use poison, traps, and the environment itself to wear down and kill their prey. Warriors who specialize in singular blows meant to kill a heavily armored beast, alchemists who mixed dangerous and volatile concoctions which could, burn, paralyze or even freeze their opponents. Still any one who saw them would think they were marching to their doom if they knew what lay in wait for them at the Fortress of Seven-Peaks.


    The various forces were split up into groups led by more veteran members, Havmal himself took over all command as the most experienced among them, The mountain of a man was dressed in a full suit of armor crafted from the hide of the massive frost wolf whose head was mounted in the guild hall. A two handed axe rested on his shoulder, carved from the wolf''s fang, Hoarfrost was it''s name.


    For Adrian this was a massive chance at boosting his standing as both a noble and an adventurer, and he intended to make full use of it. The banner of the Blackwood hall was raised high, carried by Tagrid, those who recognized the wolf''s head questioned if the Duke had marched to battle with a small group of knights, though none dared approached. Karl and Hanz took up a protective formation around the impromptu banner man proudly bearing their round shields embossed with the same symbol, while Annabelle and Margitte took up a position at his side. There were many eyes upon their party, admiration, jealousy, fear. He could feel all those swirling emotions around him and mentally marked out any who seemed less than savory.


    The had been on the march for three days before reaching the base of the mountain pass which contained the fortress, camp was called, and scouts were volunteered to deploy. Adrian''s unit had been a€?volunteereda€? for just such a duty, though he though his troops were ill suited for scouting, though reconnaissance in force was a different matter entirely.


    For this purpose Margitte was put in the front of the formation with Adrian and Annabelle in the center with Tagrid and the brother taking up the rear and flanks, using their round shields they could easily defend a wider area then normal. Margitte moved crouched low moving here and there ducking from shadow to shadow, Adrian could feel his emotions a mixture of hunger, arousal, and excitement. More like then not from her animalistic heritage.


    Annabelle was a different story together, there were no expressions for him to read beneath the closed visor of her sallet, but what he could feel from her was a mixture of trepidation and stubborn resolve. He place a firm hand on her pauldron, he remembered the first day he had ridden with his father to stamp out a group of bandits that made camp on the fringes of the province, he too felt much the same way she felt now. From what he had been able to gather she had spent the majority of the day training with Tagrid, still even encased in the finest armor he had ever seen, he was worried for her.


    "Another one my lord" Margitte pointed to a group of rocks up the side of the slope, "alright take him out if you can"? Adrian whispered into her ear. "Your wish is my command, my Lord" she cooed before disappearing into the thicket they were hiding in. Adrian watched fixated upon that outcropping till he saw the figure of Margitte thrust her sword into the back of an unexpected goblin and toss him down the slope. "That makes three now, that doesn''t bode well for us"? Karl spoke softly. "Neither does thisa€? Hanz added pulling a body behind him, a runner pin cushioned with arrows sightly bloated. "He''s been dead for a few days"? Karl explained. "Alright, lets go report to Havmal" Adrian sighed as he used a hand signal to motion a retreat to Margitte.


    Havmal stood in front of a tent being used as a command post, he was busy staring over a map of the location, "Havmal I''ve got bad news"? Adrian spoke causing the giant of a man to look up and take a look at what they brought with them. "That''s a runner from the fortress, and goblin ears, how many did you encounter"? he inquired raising a had to stroke his chin. "Four archers, no warriors yet" Margitte replied. "Hmm either they are still in their caverns, or something worse is a foot. We''ve no choice but to march on the keep if we want to get a hold of the situation" Havmal sighed a heavy sigh. "Don''t tell the rest of the men yet, no need to spook thema€? he stated with nod. "Havmal sir, we''ve found a survivor" a voice called out from another scouting party.


    The survivor was bruised, beaten, and bleeding with armor in tatters yet still clinging to life, "Calderus get your ass over here"? Havmal bellowed out as he strode towards the wounded figure. Calderus dashed from the tent his brown robe flashing in the wind with a bandoleer loaded with vials full of mysterious fluids, he examined the wounded dwarf. "Can you do anything for him"? Havmal inquired. Calderus pushed his half spectacles up the bridge of his nose, "it''ll either kill him or save his life"? Calderus replied as he poured a vial into the unconscious Dwarf''s throat and sat him up and forced him to swallow.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    There was a long break of silence followed by a coughing sputter as the Dwarf awoke "bloody hell ya fuck bucket, what in the ancestors did you make me dink"? he yelled as he slowly tried to stand. "Hmm, mix of viper venom, gryphon''s blood, and just a hint of hemlock"? she replied pain as day. "Are ya a bloody poisoner or a healer"? the dwarf questioned incredulously. "Alchemist actually and a damn good one" he replied with a sense of pride.


    "So the runners got through"? The Dwarf questioned. "No we received a call to arms from an imperial messenger, can you tell us what happened" Havmal inquired. "Aye I''ll bloody fucking tell ya, wyverns bloody fucking wyverns drove a goblin war band out of their warrens and straight into the under levels of the keep, last I remember I charged into a tunnel full of goblins and tried to blow my self up and collapse the tunnel. One of the buggers knock me into an underground stream, and when I came to I was in a cave somewhere but I collapsed, probably should be bloody fucking dead right now, but your mad poisoner over there saved my ass"? he shouted causing everyone to stare incredulously.


    "Scouts can you find that cave again"? Havmal questioned only to be answered with a firm nod. "Adrian while we assault the front I want you to take a team through the cave system and if possible mount an assault on their rear" he spoke clasping Adrian''s shoulder. "Not with out me you''re bloody not"? The Dwarf replied surging forward with new energy. "What''s your name"? Adrian questioned with an out stretched hand. "Zarick, I was the commander of the Dwarven forces stationed at the fortress"? he replied giving the human a firm hand shake. "Adrian Black, Son of Duke Arrianus Black" he replied.


    "You have your orders, now carry them out"? Havmal firmly commanded before moving to organize the rest of the camp.


    It was slow moving in the cavern as all but the dwarves found themselves constantly ducking the stalactites hanging from the ceiling, their path was each one carried a vial containing luminescent worms that when gently shook would give of a bright soft blue light. Each member of the party moved carefully following Tagrid and Zarick as they carefully navigated the caves, they moved so naturally through the caverns, years spent working underground had give them both a mastery of the terrain that no human miner could attain. Zarick moved with a single mindedness driven by a strong desire for revenge, revenge for his men, revenge for all who had fallen and those that would fall. Like all of his kind Zarick hated their ancient enemy.


    Margitte sighed in annoyance, the constant echoing of dripping water and the damp musty smell wreaked havoc upon her heightened senses, it was almost impossible for her to make heads or tails of the cavern. She hated caves and dungeons, they limited one''s mobility and dulled their senses leaving one to be easily ambushed. Her tail was bristling with irritation, her head twitching this way and that, she reminded Adrian of a loyal hound guarding it''s master.


    Annabelle was oddly comfortable in the dark wetness of the mountain cavern, if it were not for her height one might think she was a dwarf and in many ways she shared many of their traits, her knowledge of the various minerals they passed managed to impress even the former miner Tagrid. Secretly she was hoping they would come a cross a rare vein of ore that she could come back and mine at a later date.


    Adrian focused his mind in the darkness of the cave often making his breathing whilst stretching his senses out around them, he was not listening but feeling searching for any emotions he could discover that did not belong to the party.


    Tagrid was first to motion a halt with a signal Zarick knew well, an intersection lay ahead of them, everyone slowly came to a stop as Zarick pressed his head to the stone floor and tapped a spoon to the cold stone surface. Tagrid watch the old dwarf as he used a code identical to dwarven mining code "four goblins to the right of the intersection, also dwarves, large room" Tagrid whispered the message to Adrian.


    Adrian motioned for Margitte to come up beside him, "fire an arrow into one of them and lure them into this room"? he whispered and she nodded in reply before slipping into the intersection.


    They waited in silence on either side of the cramped opening, waited for the familiar twang of Margitte''s powerful bow, but it never came. Adrian had to hold himself in check, the rage was building just below the surface. Then they heard an ear piercing shriek followed by a series of orders being barked and screeched in the guttural goblin language. a€?Hmm, looks like the attack is underway, they were just called to defend the gatehousea€? Zarick spoke in amusement. "You speak goblin"? Adrian questioned. "Speak it no, but I can understand, when ever facing an enemy it is best to understand what motivates them to best predict their movements on the battle field"? Zarick explained as he motioned them to move into the intersection.


    Carefully they approached the room only to find Margitte bashing the locks of primitive but sturdy cages that contained a dozen Dwarven prisoners with shaved beards. Seeing his men in such a state enraged Zarick, with out a word he grabbed an axe laying nearby and worked to free his captured men. They stared in disbelief, last they had seen of the former scout captain was his suicidal charge into the gaping maw of death. They were still highly trained disciplined soldiers who spoke not a word as they were freed, one by one, malnourished as they were they took up their arms.

 Ch. 10 The Fortress pt. 3, Blasting the Ramparts

    A deep reverberating call echeoed throughout the mountain pass, followed by yet another, the bellowing of a war horn sounded the start of battle. Thum thum thum, the war drums of the goblins replied with their booming bass drowning out the clatter of goblins scrambling into the fortified positions of the fortress walls. Though the dwarves sabotaged the drawbridges, spanning the man made chasms on either side, the goblins managed to drop the portculis of the gate house blocking the adventurers way. Goblin archers took positions along the ramparts and crenelations of the two story walls. It would be a hard faught battle for the orthodox tactics of professional soldiers, but these warriors were anything but orthodox.


    With only space for four men abreast they narrowed their formation down to three men abreast, with each man of the vanguard carrying a rectangular sheild that when held aloft would cover them from knee to neck. The rest of the vanguard carried large round sheild held inter locked over head protecting them from the hail of black fletched arrows.


    Those skilled in the use of heavy cross bows set achors in the side of the mountain slopes for archers to climb, from their high perches they fired down onto the goblins manning the walls. They selectively pinpointed the most skilled members of the enemy and with the sun to their backs, they were practically invisible in the blinding glare.


    Calderus made use of slingers to hurl bottles of alchemical nightmares over the walls of the keep, occasionally pitiful wailing screams of an agonizing slow death could be heard piercing the air. He could be seen frantically scribbling notes when one of his concoctions struck one of the goblins on the wall, his face a terible visage of curiosity and sadistic pleasure.


    What few mages Havmal had managed to muster were to valuable to be put into direct combat, but without their support he did not see a way to take the fortress with out major casualties. It was a classic conundrum of warfare, to starve out the enemy in a prolonged seige or to attept to storm the defenses. Only one could not starve out goblins, if they ran out of food they would just cull their weak and throw them into the cooking pots. For creatures so close to the intelligence of other civilized races, their cruel barbarity was far beyond the possibility of civility. Havmal had but one choice to make, they would have to assualt the gate house and destroy the portculis, a decision he did not take lightly.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Havmal waded through the rearguard who were waiting with bated anticipation, they moved awkwardly in place not wanting to become conplacent in the long wait for their turn to assualt. It wasnt long before Calderus spotted the familiar brown mrobed maniac he was searching for, the man was hunched slightly scribbling notes in his large leather bound tome of notes and research. "Calderus, do you have anything in those satchels that can destroy that damn gate" Havmal barked lifting up the man by the scruff of his robe. He was greeted by the familiar terrifying smile of a mad man lost in his work.


    An already face splitting grin seemed to grow even more sinister, "I believe I have just the thing" he stated in an amused tone. The alchemist reached into one of his many stachels and produced a firery red orb the size of a small mellon, it emitted a soft red glow and was warm to the touch. "What the hell is that thing" Havmal inquired looking at the suspicious orb teemeing with arcane power. "Hehehe, a little something I picked up from an old friend, just gotta get it to the portculis" Calderous chuckled. Havmal weiged his options for a moment as he palmed the crimson orb, "alright, lets see what you''ve got up your sleeve" he sighed in frustration as he bolted up the center of the formation.


    He ran forward ducking under the cover of their shields cradling the orb in his massive arms, a few arrows sliped through the small gaps between the sheilds harmlessly embedding in the thick wolf hide armor, it''s fur like steel. He bellowed for the men to cear as he hurled the orb into the portculis, the air thumped once, the men could feel the shockwaves in their bones. Followed by a flash of fire and flame, like a small sun, the orb of liquid flames burned through the laticed bars of the portculis. Metal fell and dropped as molten slag leaving beind a smoking puddle.


    A cheer erupted as the vanguard spilled into the courtyard proper with Havmal at the lead his axe carving through goblins, each swing severed a limb or head from a group of stunned goblins. Several figters of the vanguard let free their battle crys drawing the focus of the gobins onto them selves. Those weilding Zweihander or great axes fell upon distracted mobs of goblins with a brutal efficiency. Mages scoured the battlements with flames and blasted them with lightning, screams of terror erupted from the goblins only to be cut short. Slingers lobbed more terrible creations into the rear of the enemy lines cauing chaos, one goblin struck by a glass bottle shrieked in horror as he slowly watched his flesh being eaten down to the bone.


    The battle was a symphony of wholesale slaughter punctuated by the ringing of steel and the wet splaterings of blood.

 Ch.11 The Final battle

    Urz''ag Ruz''ad was old, even by the standards of longer lived races, old enough to remember the white and gold ships of the Aelfr as they first landed upon their shores. He had witnessed the burning of the once great goblin cities, the shattering of the mighty Orc strongholds, and the sinking of magnificent temples of the Lizard folk. He watched his people slowly succumb to groups of fractured tribal warlords, each generation becoming more brutal and twisted. He had long since given up hope of saving his kind from their own fatalistic nature, but he still could not stand to see his people ravaged as the Wyverns invaded their warrens in the Seven Peaks.


    It was only under the threat of such powerful and fearsome creatures that the tribe put their petty squabbling aside, he mannaged to rally his tribe to escape into the lower tunnels and abandoned mines of the Old Dwarven Empire. Though in their frantic movement they accidentally tunneled into the human keep, it would provide saftey, but also he knew they would suffer retribution. The time of the Alliance of beastmen had long past, as had the Elven Dominion, now was the age of Humans, still Urz''ag refused to go quietly into the dark of night.


    The war horns of the men served as a rallying cry for the ariving human forces, he anwsered in kind with their loud booming war drums that echoed throughout the mountain pass. Trapped between the approaching humans below and the Wyverns above he decided to face the threat he could face with force of arms alone. He called out orders as he tried to organize his skirmishers into something resembling a formation, archers took to the walls and gate houses firing into any exposed flanks from arrow slits.


    He knew these humans would be far better prepared then the troops they managed to overrun by pure shock and awe. Urz''ag''s only hope was that the portcullis could hold the forces at bay till they could find an escape route, before getting into position him self he donned his anciet wargear. An orichalcum breastplate battered by centuries of fighting, its enchantments near failing, his sword Wind Splitter, once a gift from a Dwarven diplomat before the great collapse and inter warring of the two species. A ring of arcane sheilding with only one a single spell left, this would likely be the final battle of the last king of the goblins.


    Taking one last look at his old friend, the shaman Ur''gosh Zar''zag, he charged into the forces that began trying to flood the gap created by the arcane blast that destroyed the gate. Gripping the runic blade he could feel the enchatmet that increased his spped wash over him as he hacked through his enemies, the blade rending armor and flesh like a hot knife through butter.


    Ur''gosh had taken his last few minutes to write the final page in an age old tome he used to record the history of his people, prehaps the only first hand account left in existence of their history, "what once was has come to an end, never more shall or people have hope, or the last king has fallen". He cut his hand and channeled the power of the spirits of nature commanding them to preserve the book externally, before channeling the rage of natures flames down atop the heads of their enemies.


    The sounds of battle echoed down into the lower levels signalling the party to make their presence known, the dwarven captain organized his forces to slam into the rear of the goblin forces tasking the others with eliminating key targets. Seeing a goblin carrying a staff surounded by an aura of flames Adrian dashed forward signaling Margitte to support him as he engaged the goblin mage. Tagrid and Annabelle stayed close to his sides protecting his flank while Margitte fired arrows from the shadows of the fort.


    Ur''gosh felt an impact against his flame sheild and was forced to abandon his spell in the face of a dark haired young man with fierce emerald eyes barring down on him. He poured all his power into his sheild as a sword impacted a split second later, he swung his blazing staff in retort. A dwarf intercepted his blow but the explosive force from the enchanted staff shattered the ordinary sheild and toppled the dwarf.


    Annabelle rushed to check on the dwarf before coming under attack by an unusually large goblin wielding a mace forcing her to try and defend her downed ally. She shook in terror beneath her adamtine carapace but gritted her teeth with determination and swung her hammer. She winced at the sickening wet crunch as the goblin''s skull gave out under the weight of her blow and splattered her with blood, bone, and brain matter.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Adrian was shocked at the skill of the mage with a staff, each swing of the staff had to be carefully parried lest he connect with the head of the staff and be blown away like Tagrid. The way the goblin mage regarded him seemed strange, the look upon the toothy green creature was one he could only interpret as sadness.


    Ur''gosh held up a palm and forced his sheid rapidly burst outwards knocking the human off his feet, "this one''s name is Ur''gosh Zar''zag shaman of fire and flames, if it is my destiny to fall today I ask to know my slayer" the goblin spoke to him in an archaic Tiberian dialect with a raspy dry voice.


    Adrian picked himself up and catiously regarded the goblin as he spoke, it was unwise to give a spellcaster a moment of rest, but he felt a kindred warrior spirit from the shaman. "Adrian Black son of Duke Arrianus Black" he replied rushing forward with his sword in a deffensive position.


    Ur''gosh sighed inwardly as he swung expecting his staff to be parried once more, only the defensive stance was a feignt as the blade slipped under the staff and sliced off one of his hands causing him to reel in pain. His foolish pride as an experienced combatant betraying him to a younger faster opponent, his last expression was a smile of relif as his head rolled from it''s shoulders.


    Annabelle faught side by side with a battered bruised Tagrid who used a shield pilfered from the fallen with support from Margitte who expended her quiver of arrows. Though his body groaned in dull pain Tagrid used his experience to crush the knees of his opponents, leaving them to either having their throats cut or heads crushed by the two women.


    Their pincer attack had caused a panic allowing an enraged Havmal to break the goblin lines swinging his great axe with reckless abandon allowing more warriors to pour through the gap. They used their sheilds to trap and pin the goblin forces against the walls creating a frantic melee of desperation.


    Urz''ag seeing the hoplessness of the situation was glad he had long ordered the women and children to flee deeper into the mountains, most would die but some at least would survive. With reckless abandon he threw himself at the giant of a man he thought was the enemy leader channeling the small amount of magic he possed into reinforcing his body.


    Havmal only caught a glimpse of shadow as a blade cleaved through the haft of his axe forcing him to stumble back and draw his sword. The hair on the old warrior''s neck stood on end as he couldn''t break away from his current opponents to engage the new threat, the pain of an impact erupted from his ribs.


    Urz''ag glared in annoyance being unable to cut the strange hide armor, what ever beast had provided such hide had been mighty indeed. He accelerated again gritting his teeth against the wear and tear that the increased speed did to his body.


    Adrian seeing the guildmaster in trouble rushed forward to intercept the elusive ennemy, only his elven blood allowed his eyes to barely track the assailant. His blade cut through the air directly infront of Urz''ag coliding with his breastplate as he could not stop in time.


    Ur''zag turned to face this new foe, his eyes awash with hatred seeing the young man''s pointed ears, he accelerated with his blade at the ready.


    The goblin blurred as he suddenly dashed under Adrian''s swing, pain bloomed along his side and he could feel a hot sticky wetness running down his side in little rivulets. With the reach and skill of his blade he forced his attacker to deviate leaving a superficial wound. Urz''ag''s eyes widened as he realized his neck had almost been severed during that exchange, he attacked again cleaving his oppenents sword off just above the hilt. A third attack would be the final attack, Urz''ag prepared to take the young man''s head.


    Seeing his life flash before his eyes Adrian grabbed ahold of the sickly sweet demonic taint running through his veins and unleashed a burst of pure black abyssal flames, Urz''ag''s eyes widened in horror as he could not change direction. Black flames devoured his body as he screamed in silent pain, dropping the runic blade his charred lifeless corpse skidding to stop at Adrian''s feet.


    Seeing their seemingly invincible leader fall prey to such terrifying magics the goblin''s frightul nature took over causing them to panic and break rank.


    Adrian casually strode across the battle field enraptured by his new power firing concentrated blasts of abyssal flames into goblins attempting to flee. Havmal starred in dumbfounded shock as the young man strode through the carnage like an avatar of death slaying foes with a casual gesture of his hand, he had seen wizards fire, but something about those black flames sent a primal shiver down his spine.


    The clean up didn''t take much time as the rearguard poured into the courtyard and began chassing the remaining forces down into the lower tunnels, for Adrian the battle was over but the war within his mind had begun as he struggled to let go of the addictive power that coursed through him. Seeing him struggling, still awash with a black-purple energy Annabelle removed her sallet and grabbed his head forcibly kissing him. The gentle sensation of her lips upon his coupled with the tear stained face of Annabelle pulled Adrian back to reality allowing him to get his powers back in check.

 Ch.12 Arc 1 Finale

    Having personally slain the two most powerful enemies in the warband it was decided that Adrian would have his choice of loot, he took the dwarven rune blade and the Shaman''s staff for himself. The next few day were spent cleaning the fort of corpses and healing any injured, the sheer number of corpses left them with little choice other than to cremate them. Goblins, humans, and dwarves were piled atop one another before being consumed by magical flame as everyone stood in a somber silence.


    All in told they only lost two dozen men, half of those were from the shaman Ur''gosh, such few losses was a cause for celebration. Those who witnessed Adrian''s battles against the two enemy leaders spread stories of his skill with both blade and magic around cooking fires and kegs of ale. The mages of the guild however kept a wary eye on the young man, noting the volatile and untrained nature of the young mage


    Havmal was quite glad to have Adrian by his side, they young man''s powers, terrifying as they may be, had saved his life. There was one thing however that worried him, the wyverns, they would have to clear out their nests or taking the fort would be little more than a token gesture. It would be a tough job, but with the handful of silver plates, himself, and the mages it wouldn''t be too difficult.


    Adrian let out a a sigh as he took a seat beside his companions who were currently busy relaxing with a keg of ale pulled out of the keep''s store room. According to Zarick it was the "good dwarven stuff, not milksops piss watter". Annabelle leaned against her lord quite happy with her little stunt, though she still blushed deeply if she looked into his eyes.


    "The good news is we won, bad news is we have to go clear out those wyvern nests" Margitte spoke flatly to the group. "I take it Havmal tried to recruit you" Tagrid inquired with a furrowed brow. "Hah, I volunteered" she replied with her hands on her hips, a mischievous smile on her lips, and her tail lightly wagging. "Why do I get the feeling you mean, we volunteered" Tagrid grumbled. "Well, we might as well get ready" Adrian smirked looking over his new blade. Though he preferred a longsword the quality of the new sword were enough to convince him fo grab a sheild.


    Finding the wyvern nests had not been an easy task, even with Zarick and Tagrid''s help navigating. They spent hours navigating through a series of twisting tunnels before ariving at the goblin warren. The entire place reeked of a strong oily musk, it was the scent emitted by a fmale Wyvern in heat. They were in luck with the nests, made from crushed goblin shacks and debris, were largely unoccupied, from the number they gatgered there were at least six in total.


    Only one nest was currently occupied, Calderus examined the room closely before nodding to himself. "If the females are out hunting, its porbably likely that wyvern in the courtyard was the male of this harem" he whispered to havmal. Slowly they crept across the room like mice through a pantry towards the only occupied nest, everything was going fine.


    Something crunched beneath Adrian''s boot, instantly the wyvern sprang awake, crouched on all fours ready to pounce on the invader. She leapt off her powerful hind feet clearing a ten foot distance pinning Adrian to the ground with a wing. Red eyes streaked with gold glared down at him she snapped at his face with powerful jaws lined with teeth like razors, he thrust his blade into the roof of the wyvern''s mouth. The force of the lunge drove the blade into the creatures brain causing it to spasm before collapsing atop him.


    This was the second time these past few days he found himself staring death in the face, only to escape by sheer dumb luck. Havmal furrowed his brow for a moment before pulling the unlucky lad out from under the beast. "Harvest everything you can from the beast but be quick about it, we''ll torch the nests, that ought to get them to move on" Havmal barked. "You alright" he questioned, "I think that bitch cracked my ribs" Adrian groaned in pain. "That all, you''re lucky to be alive" Havmal chuckled.


    Whilst Calderus saw to Adrian''s wounds Annabelle helped search the nests for any possible eggs. A wyvern egg was worth it''s weight in gold, but more valuable was the chance to raise a wyvern battle mount. It was something even a simple village girl understood, that such a thing was a symbol of prestige in it''s own right, and she wanted to prove herself of value to her lord beyond just a maid.


    Laying in the nest the wyvern had been sitting on she found a single egg, black as a moonless night, before anyone noticed she slipped the mellon sized egg into her pack.


    It took several days for forces to arive from the Empire, afterwards everyone marched back down the mountain and returned to the guild to receive payment. Courtesy of the Empire, everyone received 50 gold pieces, a small fortune for any common soldier. After the evaluation of the harvested wyvern materials, for special contributions, Adrian''s party recieved 250 gold pieces from the guild, in private of course. It was also decided that Adrian would recieve a silver plate along with tagrid, Annabelle was raised to Iron.


    Upon reaching the rank of a silver plate the individual would be given a title based on their abilities, Adrian''s was Lord of the Black Flame, a grossly audacious title in his opinion but one that caught on. Word had spread in the guild of the young man with black hair and emeral eyes who command black flames, and sood would spread to the rest of the guild branches.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Ale and wine flowed freely at the inn that night, songs were sung, and tales of heroic deeds were told. Only one thing was on Adrian''s mind, the buxom maid currently dressed in a blouse and breeches sitting in his lap bludhing heavily whilst sipping wine. Perhaps two things were on his mind as Margitte slipped in beside him and deeply kissed Annabelle causing the girls face to flush in arousal and embarassment. Taking Annabelle by the hand Margitte whispered in Adrians''s ear, "join us in five", before scampering off with a stuttering blushing Annabelle in tow.


    Adrian grabbed a bottle of honneyed wine before making his way to their private room, his thoughts were largely occupied on what led him into such a situation. It was true that he found both women to be beautiful in their own ways, the fiery playful temptress and the demure maiden. Still he couldn''t help but wonder how much of this was his own doing, and how much the demonic taint contributed.


    Margitte sat her buxom companion down on the bed, looking her over with her wolfen eyes, the poor gir was so red that she looked like a beet and couldn''t stop fidgeting. She couldn''t help but remember how nervous she had been with her own first time, " just remember, you only have to go as far as you want, I''m here for you" she whispered softly in her motherly tone. "Now take a deep breath and relax" she cooed whilst helping Annabelle out of her clothes admiring her soft pale flesh in contrast to own her toned lithe form. "Margitte, do you love him" she questioned meekly. Margitte sighed, "love is not the best way to describe my feelings, my kind are naturally atracted to powerful males, but I find you just as attractive, if that bothers you I''ll give the two of you space". Annabelle looked up at the wolf woman whom she admired deeply, and pursed her lips in thought before nodding. Hiding her feelings Margitte started to leave only to be pulled into a deep passionate kiss that both suprised and enthralled her. "Are we lovers now" Annabelle questioned with an embarassed tone eliciting a light chuckle and kiss from Margitte.


    He gave two gentle raps on the door, waiting for a reply before unlocking the door. A scene he was not expected played out before him, a flaxen haied maiden dressed in a cream colored negligee pinned beneath a crimson haired temptress, gentle nips and kissed being trailed down the younger womans neck towards her bountiful breasts barely obscured by sheer fabric.


    "Good evening my lord, please allow your humble servants to entertain you" Margitte cooed seductively looking over her shoulders hoping to catch Adrian with a dumbstruck appearance. Intstead all that greeted her was the dark seductive smile and piercing gaze she had seen the day before they left on their adventure.


    Annabelle became entranced by the beautiful wolf and allowed her practiced motions to ravish her body eliticing whimpers and moans that only served to heighten the arousal of Adrian who sat relaxed watching them with his lustful gaze. Each time her eyes met his she felt the slick wetness between her thighs grow, something that Margitte enjoyed greatly as she ran her tongue through the girls velvety folds.


    With a crooked finger and a pleasure glazed expression Adrian was invited over, never one to refuse a lady''s request he strode across the room discaring his clothes as he went with an alluring fluidity borne from his martial prowess. Plush lips met his and Margitte''s tongue slipped between his, the two intertwining and wrestling for dominance before pulling back. Margitte lay beside Annabelle allowing Adrian to slip betwixt the plush thighs of the flaxen haired maid.


    Annabelle was suprised by his gently yet feverish caress as he slid his hands along her side up to her bountiful breasts, she could some how feel the difference between his touch now and when he had been under the influence of his powers. He was still firm, strong, but his presence was no longer overwhelming, dark, and seductive. Her work roughed hands wrapped around his neck pulling him closer as she wrapped her legs around his waist making her desires clear. Responding to the forwardness of his lover he kissed her with a hot passion distracting her from his thrust entering her virgin soil, her lust fogged mind barely registed the pain of her first time as Adrian and Margitte took turns kissing her lips and suckling her firm pink nipples. Soon his gentle thrusts opened her to greater pleasures as he subconsciously poured his power into her as he had with the succubus, she moaned and whimpered from feeling his pleasure and arousal atop her own. She became lost in a sea of crashing waves as orgasm after orgasm wracked her body, being so close Margitte too shared in Annabelle''s mind shattering pleasure as Adrian flooded Annabelle with his hot thick seed.


    Annabelle lay on the verge of conciousness smiling as she slowly came down from the aftershocks.


    Adrian was far from satisfied, the power once again flowed through him empowering him with stamina, seeing Annabelle''s clearly spent form he took the demi human in his arms, cascades of crimson curls spilling across her shoulders. Margitte''s primal instincts took over in the presence of his powerful aura letting out a deep growl as she leapt up and wrapped her legs around him, Adrian let out a groan of pleasure and pain as she sunk her sharp wolf like canines into his shoulder as she impaled her self on his shaft. Her firm toned body impated against his own with each thrust, she was wild and fierce in her mating, allowing more and more of her wolven traits to show.


    Sharp claws raked his back drawing rivulets of blood down his back, where once there was tanned skin ther was a thick coat of soft red fur. He had heard stories of demi-humans being descendants of humans and sentient demonic beasts, and the ability of demi-humans to take on a more beastial form. It didnt detract from her beauty in his eyes, if anything it only served to heighten his arousal causing him to bite her neck in return.


    Just as she tried to overpower him he poured his power into her overwhelming her greater strength with his desire to dominate the she wolf, he lifted her from his body and put her on all fours. Adrian grabbed a fistfull of her crimson locks as he pounded her from behind, the force of each thrust echoing in the room until he bred her like the bitch in heat that she was.


    Together the trio lay in blissful post coitus and cuddled together as the exhaution of their passionate lovemaking took them into a sweet night''s embrace.

 Ch. 13 Dalmar the Dark

    A dark robed figure once more stood in the room of a thousand starlit silverv pools, watching the figure of a young man wreathed in black flames, with out being physically exposed to such powers himself he could not dicern its nature. The power left no Arcane residue, nor the wold bending fluctuations of divine powers, though it was possible for a powerful skilled caster to obscure their spells, the boy however was far to raw and untrained. There was too much wasted energy in his spells, not too mention the lack of control, with out propper guidance he would pose a danger to himself and those around him. It was this that pushed the figure from his passive observations and into action, with but a gesture the robed figure sank into a swirling pool of inky blackness.


    Travling through the space between worlds was an action that few mages would ever become powerful enough to achieve, even those that could did not dare travel the void as he did. Unrestrained by the strange mishapen nightmarish monstrosities that lived in the endless black, their pulsing luminescence used for attracting prey the only form of light. Even these near mindless horrors recoiled in fear from the slightest contact with his aura, though slower then teleportation this method of travel was undetectable.


    It was in the deep of night as he returned from the world between worlds, it had been a long time sice he set foot in River''s Bend. Everything was much as he remembered in the sleepy trade town, even though fifty uears had passed, the only real difference was a few more buildings had sprang up. As he strode towards the town he had to chuckle as he watched a farmer''s livestock flee from his presence, he had as usual forgotten to turn off the aura of power he subconsciously projected.


    He could feel the presence of the young man not far from the edge of town, the fool was projecting an aura of magically fueled pleasure strong enough to shatter the mental sheilding of an intermediate level wizard. He would have been more impressed if the young man was not brodcasting the effects of his sexual escapades into the minds of every mage in the town incapable of sheilding them selves from the mental onslaught.


    Still, he was not so rude as to interrupt their debauchery and took the liberty of sheilding the rest of the town as he decided to wait in the common room of the Drunken Trout. The thought of training such a powerful mage as he had not seen in the last hundred years, it was true that he had a number of talented individuals, though none who he considered worth directly instructing himself.


    The brothers Hanz and Karl were as always the first ones up and the last ones to sleep, after their morning exercises ther slipped into the common room for a breakfast. The robed figure payed the pair no heed as he sat idly in meditation, though Hanz and Karl found them selves keeping their hands close to their blades as they ate. Years of hard living had sharpened their senses, who ever the robed figure was, they were dangerous. Tagrid too found himself clutching his belt knife upon entering the common room, he could feel the tension radiating from the men-at-arms. "If those two are on edge, I best steer clear" Tagrid thought as he took a seat opposite the brothers.


    Adrian awoke tangled in a mess of limbs of limbs as the two women had wrapped them selves around him in his sleep, he smiled wistfully knowing that such pleasurable mornings would soon come to an end once they were back on the road. Margitte''s ears twitched hearing him stir slightly, she looked up at Adrian blushing furiously about showing him her bestial half. Adrian chuckled slightly and scratched her between her pair of wolf ears, Annabelle yawned as she awoke to find her self tangled. The younger woman blushed furiously and burried her head in embarrassment as images of their night played in her mind. Adrian kissed each of them before letting out a yawn of his own. "Good morning my beautiful ladies, a pleasant a situation we are in I fear we must be off" he stated with a jovial tone.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    He wiped himself down with a towel from a waterbasin before dressing and taking his leave allowing the women to sort them selves in privacy.


    Margitte had to help support Annabelle who''s body was left with the stability of jello after their intense night, she herself only faired slightly better having a naturally stronger constituion then normal humans. Neither understood how Adrian recovered so easily, both of them glaring at his back as he left.


    He had long since strayed of the path his father had desired for him to follow, still aside from little rebellions in his youth for the first time in his life he felt he was in control of his own destiny. Though, he knew he would one day take his father''s position that was far into the future, for now hed do as he pleased. Deep down he knew one thing, he needed to reach the Onyx Tower if he had any hope an controlling his dangerous powers.


    Feeling the young man entering the common room the figure awakened from his meditative state, standing up to greet the young man he was met with a pair of swords upon approach. "Brave, brave but foolish, men of Schwarzwald" the figure spoke releasing his aura as he stepped past the two swordsmen whose hearts became gripped with fear. Adrian spun facing the figure dressed in a black silk robe, his own aura creating a small clearing in the vast storm of power that poured off the man before him. If such a figure intended to kill him he could have done so easily, Adrian made no move to reach for his blade.


    The man pulled back the cowl of his robe exposing long silvery white hair and skin the color of a moonless night, his long pointed ears marked him as descended from the Fae, eyes red as blood observed even the slightest movement. "Greetings Adrian Black, I am Dalmar Dae'' Aldmari, you might know me by another name Dalmar the Dark, Arch Magus of the Onyx Tower" the robed man introduced himself with a flourished bow. "My Lord Aldmari, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting" Adrian intoned with a deep bow trying to hide the terror of the unfathomable power that stood looming over him. Dalmar chuckled once more realizing his aura was still active, "I apologize for the nature of our meeting, but you mother mentioned you were headed to the Onyx Tower so I thought I''d save you the trouble of the long trip" he explained his voice was deep but pleasant to listen to.


    "I''m very grateful for your assistance Lord Aldmari, as it just so happen we encountered an ambush that dammaged our cart" Adrian explained. "I see, that''s troubling news, come seek me out once you''ve wrapped up any unfinished business" Dalmar spoke to him as if he were an equal. That more then anything unnerved Adrian, how powerful must one be to completely disregard any form of societal norms. House Aldmari was one of the twelve houses of the high lords of the Empire, compared to his lordship he may as well be a common beggar.


    "I will come to you as soon as my companions are ready to travel, Lord Aldmari" Adrian stated with a bow. "Please, just call me Dalmar, I find the behaviors and customs of the nobility to be stifiling, also take your time, I too have an errand to run whilst I am here" Dalmar replied placing a hand on the younger mans shoulder, he wondered if he didn''t accidentally terrify the young man as he strolled out. "By my ancestors left testicle" Tagrid muttered, even as a being with an unusually high resistance to magic he could feel his bones grinding under that pressure. "Get everything ready, we leave soon as he returns" Adrian spoke flatly trying to still the shaking in his hands.

 Ch. 14 The Onyx Tower

    Tiber, known as the Grand City of the Tiberian Empire was built upon the ruins of the Old Elven Empire, it served at the capital of the Empire. It was a massive sprawling urban center divided into four quarters, the city had long since escaped the origional elven city which now served as Imperial palace and the housing for the twelve High Lords and their families. The city now streched to the ancient elven walls of white crystaline stone which served as a bastion to protect their sacred groves, against the primitive races, groves which were burnt to the ground by the founder Tiberius and his lover the gold dragon Tylathnyr. The city was just inland from the northern sea and served as a trade route to and from the provinces of the jungle laden islands to the west, and to the port towns on nothern continent. The lower quarter housed mainly the lower and working class citizens along with various less savory types, the merchant quarter served mostly to house the various guilds that oversaw various types of trades and commodities and provided an open market for large scale purveyors to purchase bulk goods. The upper quarter served as the hub of the Empire''s nobility and housing for many middle and upper class merchants and guild masters, his own house had a small estate for when his father was called by Imperial summons. Finally there was the Mages quarter, it was heavily guarded against ordinary citizens, and surounded by a massive protective barrier to prevent any possible experiments from dammaging the rest of the city. Many different mage Towers reached high into the sky, otherwise invisible from the outside world, no two towers or buildings were alike as mages of different races and cultures gathered enmasse.


    Adrian had only been to the capital on one occasion, now as it had been then, the city was a jumbled maze of narrow streets and wider boulevards criss crossed with back alleys. A problem solved by a large number of guard houses where one could easily get maps and ask directions, there were also professional guides that doubled as a body guard service via the Adventurer''s Guild head quarters.He couldn''t help but smile recalling the wide eyed stare of Annabelle upon reaching the massive white walls of the city, that look of wonder an joy alone made the trip worth while.


    Dalmar had taken them through the main gates in order to register their guild plates with the city to allow free entry, and propper passes for the


    men-a-arms. A process that took minutes instead of hours thanks to the presence of the Arch Magus, and his own status as the son of a provincial lord. From there they were teleported once more, a dizzying kaleidoscopic sensation best experienced with one''s eyes firmly shut. Though this short jaunt was far less disorienting then the one from River''s Bend.


    At the end of the swirling sensation what awaited them was a room maybe thirty feet across, red velvet drapes and violet carpets stood out against the opalescent black walls that appeared to be sculpted crystal. With out a moment of wasted tim Dalmar took a seat at a table across from them, his silver trimmed silk robe reflecting subtly the arcane glow from arcane lamps. "First before we begin, as you are aware I am the Arch Magus of the Onyx Tower, and ruler of the Council of Magi. As such I have many responsibilities and will not always be available to over see your training. Upon joining the Onyx tower youll be expected to reach the rank of magician before you''ll be able to come and go as you please. You''ll start out as a novice, during such time you''ll be living in the novice quarters. Much of this time will be spent either studying general magic, or performing tasks. Once you become an adept you''ll be given private quarters and you''ll be allowed to have your personal attendants and servants, till then I''ll provide housing for them as my guests, do you understand the terms." Dalmar explained the situation in a way that very much reminded him of his mother during lessons. "How long will it take to reach the rank of magician" Adrian inquired his expression void of emotion. Dalmar tilted his head in thought for a moment, " that depends entirely on you, the shortest length of time I have seen was five years the longest twenty". Adrian mulled it over the information in his head, before nodding in understanding.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Dalmar pushed a flawless clear crystal across the table to Adrian, "this is a crystal that reacts to the presence of various forms of magic, you simply need to hold it and focus your mind, this will help determine what type mage you are". Adrian sighed inwardly taking the egg sized crystal in his hand and focused his mind. Dalmar sat in silent contemplation as the crystal glowed an etheral blue causing him to furrow his brow, a furrow that only grew as the crystal turned black-purple. The color began to flash back and forth whilst Adrian was oblivious to the amount of power he was unintentionally channeling, pouring both Aether and Eldritch energies into the crystal at rate that overwhelmed the enchantment causing it to shatter with a loud sound that snapped him out of the trance.


    "I see, you carry both the connection to the Aether making you a wizard and the demonic taint of a warlock, you''re lucky to be alive given the nature of your powers. An individual born with two types of magic is almost unheard of, but I''ve never heard of this as a possible combination" Dalmar spoke aloud as he turned his natural curiosity as a wizard towards the conundrum before him. "I welcome you to the Onyx Tower, novice, is there anything else I can do for you" Dalmar inquired.


    Annabelle had thought long and hard about what she would do once she reached this point, with a nod the usually quiet demure blacksmith stepped forward. "L-lord Aldmari, p-please allow this humble maid to make a selfish request" she stuttered. Suprised by the girl who spent her entire time with eyes down cast in his presence he felt inclined to listen, if only to respect the girl''s courage. "Speak child" Dalmar stated in an almost fatherly tone. "If possible I''d like to study the art of enchantment while I work on my master smiting certification" Annabelle blurted out in shock at her audacity. "Hold out you hand, close your eyes and focus your mind" Dalmar stated placing a replacement crystal into the girl''s palm. Even if the girl possessed no magic she could still learn how to due basic enchantments but she would never progress past the basics.


    The room watched in dead silence, the only thing Margitte could hear was the quiet breathing and the hum of the glow laps beyond the realm of human hearing. Dalmar sighed and began to reach for the crystal when it faintly began to glow, slowly but surely a color began to swirl, an electric green color. The girl possessed some form of magic but for the first time in centuries he had no idea what he was looking at, arcane magic drawn from the Aetherium was a pale etheral bule, divine magic produced radiant gold light, black-purple noted the Eldritch energies. He had no idea as to the nature of her magic, "welcome novice" he spoke softly into her ear.


    Having completed their duty of safely delivering their young lord to the Onyx Tower Hanz and Karl decided that their new duty was to ready the Black family estate for when their lord would be allowed to come and go freely from the tower. Margitte and Tagrid left to visit the guild, he still needed to be paid for completion of the job, as for the her, bordeom was as good as reason as any. As for their supplies and luggage Dalmar had it delivered to the estate later in the day.


    For the companions it was but one more step on their journey to come, each of them looking towards a future of bright possibilities.

 Character sheet 1

    A Warlock''s Luck Character sheet 1


    As there is no easy way to measure power in my setting, these are arbitrary how ever they can help give a rough under standing of how strong certain character''s are.


    Adrian Black


    Titles: Lord of the Black Flame


    Age: 18


    Race: Half-Elf


    Height: 6''1"


    Weight: 210lbs


    Hair color: Black


    Eye color: Green


    Class: Blade Master Lv 5/ Warlock Lv 2/ Wizard Lv 0A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Powers:


    Abyssyal flame channeling, Aura projection, Demonic influence,


    Abilities: Battle sense, Low light vision, magic detection (low, passive)


    Spells: None


    Familiars: Lilith


    Annabelle Hurstad


    Age: 17


    Race: Human


    Height: 5''4"


    Weight: 160


    Hair color: Golden blonde


    Eye color: Blue


    Class: Blacksmith Lv 5/ Fighter Lv 1/ ??? Lv 0


    Powers: none


    Abilities: Appraisal, Blade smithing


    Spells:none


    Margitte Blood-Claw


    Titles: Huntress of the Red Moon


    Age: 35


    Race: Demi-human (wolf)


    Height:5''8"


    Weight:170


    Hair color: Red


    Eye color: Gold


    Class: Hunter Lv 5/ Archer Lv 5, Demi-Human Lv 5


    Powers: Shape shift, telepathy (wolves)


    Abilities:Tracking, Dark Vision, Battle Focus, Life Detection(high, non passive)


    Spells:

 Ch.15 Life as a novice year 1, Annabelle

    Annabelle idly fingered the tear drop amulet that hung just above her ample bosom, a gift from Adrian, a simple silver amulet with a dark blue stone. It was a simple elegant design, something a true craftsman would appreciate, unlike the guady and often necklaces and pendants worn by the young high born ladies that surounded her. She often caught them sneering at her, or disparaging her character in hushed conversations, a product of jealousy inspired by her doting young lord. Their behavior didn''t bother her in the slightest, it was amusing seeing the young noble women elbow deep in scalding hot water scrubbing pots and pans under the watchful glare of the Tower''s cook. It amused her greatly to see hands usually soft as silk covered in scprapes and bruises from hard labor.


    Three months had past since their apprenticeship in the Onyx Tower had begun, in many ways it was not all too different from her life as a maid. Each morning she would wake up and dress in a plain grey woolen robe and visit the Mistress of Novices to be asigned her chores for the day. After chores came breakfast, often consisting of bread, stew, and fruit, from there they would visit the lecture hall. Each day they would receive lessons on the basics of magic, its nature, and its application, though she had no luck applying what ever magic she possesed.


    Her apparent lack of progress was dishartening, though she took it in stride and kept pushing forward with all the stubbornness of a wild boar.


    Weekends were the days she cherished most, after chores were completed they were allowed to use their time as they saw fit. It was the two days at the end of every week where she could be alone with the man whom she had given herself too. It was also a day where they could apply for permits to spend time in the city, it often helped if one had a proper reason, frivolous requests were often denied with long bouts of lecturing from the sharp tongued Mistress of Novices.


    Her first request had garnered a confused stare from the usually stone faced woman, she had not expected Annabelle to be a blacksmith, especially due to the livery she wore on her days off.


    Today her purpose was to visit one of the smithys that had posted a hiring notice for a part time journeyman, it was common for lare workshops to rent space to up and coming smiths in exchange for help filling large work orders.


    She found the shop she was looking for tucked between two ware houses, though plain and unassuming the shops sign caught her eye, the master smiths mark of both the Tiberian and Dwarven smithing guilds were hammered into its surface. It was a claim that could not be taken lightly, if a smith falsely boasted such accomplishments the guild would run them out of business and would spread the information making them persona non grata in the business. The sign simply bore the name Hammer-Hand''s.


    Upon entering she was greeted by the familiar ringing of hammer upon steel and a blast of hot air, on one side of the room was a mountainous pile of a rare commodity saught by every smith from Tiber to the Black Coasts, dwarven smokeless coal. That pile would easily be five hundred gold pieces at whole sale, nearly seven hundred at market value, she could only have dreamed of such a thing. Standing on the opposite side of the room was an irritated dwarf watching over a young man attempting to work a piece of steel, with each blow of the hammer she could see his frustration grown. The young man had lilely boasted of skills he had not quite possessed as every few blows his hammer woul skate off and slam into the anvil with a grating clank instead of the ping of a clean bow.


    "Ya call that smithing ya bastard, my anvils cryin out in pain, I oughta find yer previous master and give him a firm kick in the stones, now get the fuck out of my forge" the Dwarf yelled at the young man as he yanked the hammer out of his hand. The man didn''t even have time to apologize as the Dwarf gave him a swift boot to the back side before scratching his bald head.


    "Excuse me master Dwarf" Annabelle called out as the man ran past her choking back tears. "Eh, lass sorry yeh had teh see that, so what can I" the dwarf stopped mid sentence as he looked over her appearance. She had worn a linnen tunic, breeches, and her heavy leather smithing apron, a belt laden with hammers clung to her waist. "Alright there''s the forge, make me anthing ya want, I assume yer here for teh job" the dwarf motioned towards the forge.


    Annabelle looked at the pile of barstock the dwarf had in his metal bin, picking up each and carefully searching for stress fractures, inclusions, and getting a rough feeling for their hardness. She found three that satisfied her desires and began raking the coals and working the bellows to reinvigorate the flames that had been poorly stoked by the previous amateur earning her a slight nod of approval. One by one she took the bar stock and began drawing out their length into relatively thin lathes, once the steel reached the dimensions she desired she took a chisel and began hot cutting the lathes into short rectangles and stacked them in alternating layers.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    With the invention of crucible steel pattern welding had gone out of fashion, largely due to its difficuty, a single imperfection in the steel could cause the objet to delaminate and fracture, it was the perfect way to demonstrate her skills. She became entranced in her work becoming dead to the world around, her senses picking up every shift in steels themperature or flucuation of the forge raking or billowing to adjust. In her mind there was only the steel, the forge and herself. With a practised ease she pulled the steel at its peak and began to strike with precision and power never allowing the steel the chance to become cold where it could become stress fractured. As time passed she could feel the nature of the steel, it held a good balance between hardness and flexibility, it seemed that the steel wanted to be shaped into a blade and she listened to its desires.


    After streching out and folding the steel several times she once more formed a lathe of steel, placing the lave in a vice she began to twist in into a spiral like wrought iron. One last heating and then she bagan hammering out the sword blank, timing her blows for minimal wasted energy. With the fuller completed the blade would need to aneal over night, she wiped her brown and took a step back from her work. She panted with exhaustion and her arms felt heavy and sore, she turned towards the dwarf to seek his opinion with a gesture.


    Falgar Hammer-Hand had almost two hundred years to master his trade, few things had managed to impress when it came to the art of forging, save for the mad engineer Therradin Black-Rock. Therradin the Mad, that bastard was an incomprehensible monster who constantly invented new and terrifying weapons, but this seemingly plain looking girl had left him speechless.


    He would have confidently placed that blade alongside his own work at one of the tourneys wher he often slode his highest quality blades. There was still room for improvement in her form, however her skill spoke for it''s self, after taking her under his tutelage he would nominate her for a master''s certificate. What was most impressive was her focus, it had been late morning when she started and now the sun was beginning to set.


    "Lass, you''re hired, when can ya start" he inquired. Annabelle looked nervous as she spoke, "I''m only available on the weekend, I''m a novice of the Onyx Tower, I''m sorry but once I reach the rank of adept I''ll have more freedom". A mage and a smith, did this girl have no end to her talent her thought as he rushed over to where he kept his parchment and quill. "Here, give this to the Mistress of Novices, I do a lot of work for teh enchanters at teh tower, come back tomorrow and we''ll finish yer blade" Falgar beamed a smile at his new apprentice.


    Annabelle left to for the tower ignorant of the full scope of what the dwarf had bore witness to as she became lost in her work. Unbeknownst to her she had channeled the faintest amount of magic into its creation, turning what should have been a regular sword into something of a mystery.


    Falgar sat and sighed, everything ke knew about enchanting told him that what had happened was impossible. There were only two types of enchanting that exsisted, the runic enchantment of the dwarves, and the addition of aether dust to the steel during the forging process followed by a mage weaving an enchantment into the blade. Some how the girl had entirely bypassed the use of aether residue, he even confirmed the presence of magic by placing a sensing crystal on the blade causing it to glow a faint green.


    Annabelle awoke and visited the Mistress of Novices as usual, standing beside her was an elderly man with white hair dressed in a blue robe maked with silver bolts of lightning. "Good morning Mistress" she said with the same cutrsy she learned serving Adrian''s father. "Good morning Annabelle, this is Enchanter Irvine, he seems to have some business with you regarding yesterday, you''re excused from today''s chores" the Mistress explained introducing the old man. "Good morning young one, I''ve come to speak to you about you recent activities, though it would be best if we speak elsewhere, come" the old man explained as he began leading her to Hammer-Hand''s.


    "So this is the blade you wrote to me about" Irvine spoke not bothering to acknowledge any one around him as he focused his attention on the blade before him. It was just as described, the blade held none of the blue tint of enchanted steel, there was no aether material he could sense in its construction. How she had done such a thing was beyond him, " how, how is this possible, show me what you did" he barked excitedly suddenly spinning to face her. "Oi ease off the lass or I''ll crack yer skull old man" Falgar warned as he put himself between them, he knew Irvine meant no harm but the man could be overbearing when excited. "W-what are you talking about" Annabelle stuttered as she recoiled from the old man. "It''s enchanted, you''ve forged an enchanted weapon with out any Aether, it''s unprecedented, it''s impossible, it''s revolutionary" Irvine sputtered with excitement. "I''ve never been able to channel my powers during any of the lessons, how is that possible" Annabelle inquired furrowing her brow. Irvine stroked his long beard in thought before opening his eyes in suprise, "what if the nature of your strange magic lays solely in the creation of objects, come you must forge another blade, a knife this time".


    Annabelle rolled up her sleeves with a smile on her face and took an offered apron before engrossing herself in her work while the two watched in silence.

 Ch. 16 A Study in Magic

    Adrian rubbed his eyes before looking over at the strange magical device that kept track of the position of the sun and moon to tell time, he had been burried firmly in a tome since mid day and now the moon was hanging high in the sky.


    The tome was a collection of research and commentaries of an unknown mage written in a mixture of Draconic runes and old high Tiberian, both of which were languages of mind numbing complexity. The mage had been studying the nature of the various forms of magic, their natures, and origins. His research boiled magic down into three basic origins that all forms of magic stem from, Arcane, Divine, and Spirit. Wizard''s, sorcerers, and witches all dervived their magic from the Aetherium through various means. For a wizard their magic was drawn from the Aetherium and wielded through spells, algorithms that manipulate raw arcane energy into a desired effect based on the language of the dragons. Their approach to magic was similar to that of a scientist combining various formulas till a desired effect is achieved through repeated research and experimentation.


    Divine magic covered any form of magic drawn from the worship of gods or spirits such as shamans, clerics, druids or paladins. Their powers were granted as a direct result of deep seated belief in their gods and channeled through prayer. It was something intuitive in nature limited by its point of origin, a god of death can only grant powers of death and destruction to his followers.


    Spirit magic was not truly magic but the power of ones spiritual energy, also known as Qi or chakra. It was a mysterious power that came naturally to warriors, many using it instinctively, those who learned to use it deliberately were a force to be reckoned with. It could make one stronger, increase natural healing rates, heighten senses, or could be projected to affect the minds of ennemies or even allies. The abilities of spirit users vary massively in scope and function. Adrian himself used it unwittingly at times, heightening his sense of battle, preciving an opponents attacks subconsciously before they happen.


    What truly drew his intrest was the research on Aether in its raw forms, it''s most common form was a pale blue dust that was left over from the casting of spells. This dust could be refined as used to create ink for inscribing spells on parchment, or could be infused into objects for enchanting, though waek it was highly versatile. In it''s purest form it was an ethereal blue liquid, it was also it''s rarest form only ocasionaly found in small pools in places where the barrier between the primaterial plane and the Aetherium was thin. Such places were rare fonts of power for any mage lucky enough to stumble across such a place, those who did took great measures to hide them from the rest of the world. The most valuable and practical forms of Aether were Aetheric iron and Aetherite crystals, these materials which could only be mined by species naturally resistant to magic, their value as crafting materials and rarity has been known to spark wars when large deposits are found. The crystals were prized for their ability to empower a wizard''s spells and were required for the crafting of staves and wands. Aetheric iron was  once used to craft  legendary weapons many now lost to time, only a few had been forged since the days of Tiberious.


    Regardless of the form Aether took it had one common trait, it was highly toxic to species that are not touched by the Aetherium. To a non mage human contact with raw Aether would usually cause euphoria followed by fever, rashes, hallucinations, then finally a painful death if one was lucky. In rare cases it could cause mutations ranging from a simple change in skin tone to the creation of an entirely new species, though most cases of Aether mutations caused horrid mishaped grotesque monstrosities. Even mages were not immune to the substance, they only possesed a hightened tolerance that had to be slowly increased over time. If a mage surpased their tollerance they would fall into a feverish sickness that could cause them to be consumed from within by their own power. Usually minor Aether poisonings were survivable for mages, cases of death from over indulging in the use of magic was rare as a mage would feel fatigued and exhausted the closer they came to the limit of their tolerance. At times repeatedly pushing one''s self to the point of minor Aether sickness could be used to rapidly increase ones tolerance and there by capacity to cast more spells.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    It was this last bit of information that caused a dark smile to spread across his face, being able to rapidly grow was a great temptation for any individual. Even warriors were known use expensive and rare stimulants produced by alchemists to increase the growth of their physical strength regardless of the risks.


    There was a greater problem he needed to overcome before he could even begin to forcibly expand his magical powers. He simply could not draw upon his connection to the Aetheriun, every time he found himself blocked, it was like looking for the sun burried behind a mass of dark coulds. He could sense it''s presence but it eluded his every attempt grasp ahold of his arcane energy.


    A sigh of frustration escaped his lips as he shut the tome and returned it to the strange foot tall purple skined winged creature that served as the librarian in the novice''s area of the tower. It looked at him with its red eyes peering over its to long hooked nose, it was unnerving the way the creature seemed to stare at him unlike the rest of the novices whom it disregarded. If he had to guess it was some form of lesser demonic entity and it could sense the taint flowing through his veins.


    He found the life of a novice eerily similar to that of a page''s, each day they were made to do menial tasks and live far below their statuses. Unlike many of the others he did not qusetion why they were to do tasks that were below their status. It was simple and ingenious, a method used by knights to weed out the selfish nature of spoiled brats, becoming a knight required a strict adherence to loyalty, honnor, and servitude to one''s lord. Their time as novices was designed with the same purpose, it was designed to break the obnoxious arrogance, self importance, and haughty behavior of pampered young mobles who had been given everything in life.


    Adrian''s father had raised him to be free of the common flaws of the nobility, he was made to understand the privilege of his life and the fragility of that privilege. A common point that the wizened warrior used to make is that the peasantry allowed us to rule over them, in exchange for our protection they paid the taxes used to arm our forces, build fortifications, and roads. He used to say that we must appear before or subjects as humble and wise but also powerful and just, for they are many and we are few.


    Many times he told Adrian the story of the fall of the Duke of Morava, a western province of the empire. Morava had experienced a crop shortage in the wake of a war and the peasants had barely enough to survive through the winter. In his arrogance the Duke ignored the coucil of his aids and raised taxes to replenish his forces, with naught to pay he seized their grain. In anguish the peasants turned to an old goddess of the land, the goddess saddened by the tales of their suffering sent her chosen shrine maiden to beseech the Duke to return the food to the starving peasants. He striped the young shrine maiden and raped her before parading her soiled body though the streets of the city before hanging her from the city gates for her audacity to question the rightful ruler of Morava. The goddess was enraged by his actions, she rotted his granaries and sent her servants the great dire wolves of the forrest to cull his herds of cattle.


    In retaliation he blamed the peasants for his suffering, they had betrayed him and thus had to be punished, he sent his knights to ransack the countryside burning villages to the ground, slaughtering peasants with impunity. The goddess sent a second of her chosen to see the Duke, he had become an emaciated shell of his former self from months of surving off meager scraps. In her grace she offered him a second chance at mercy if he would but make a pilgrimage to her shrine to beg forgiveness for his actions. The Duke angered but weak had her lashed and thrown from the highest tower in the city. Seeing the fate of the two shrine maidens who had sacrificed on their behalf the peasants who had been gifted with a miracle harvest of wheat by the goddes became enraged. They flocked by the thousands armed with makeshift weapons to the city, the five hundred knights seeing a sea of peasants acompanied by massive wolves attempted to abandon their lord to his fate. Just as the knight''s had slaughtered the peasants like they now found themselves upon the butcher''s block. The Duke was dragged in chains, naked upon the frozen ground for miles to the goddes'' shrine, even still he refused to bow his head to the great wolf. He was decapitated and his head put on display as a warning for future lords, it still sits on display as a skull.


    It was a lesson he had taken to heart and understood well, he did not flaunt his wealth or status, save for when he truly needed the power it brought.


    Adrian lay down and let sleep take him, darkness gave way to light and he found himself once more facing the seductive dark demonic beauty that was Lilith.

 Ch.17 In Pursuit of Knowledge

    Lilith lounged lazily upon the crushed burgandy velvet of her plush victorian style sofa, her tail lazily swishing back an forth. She was bored, utterly mind numbingly bored, being away from her master was an annoyance, not only because he was her only source of food and amusement but also because of the master servant pact that bound them together. When ever they were separate it would fill her chest with a sense of longing and lust.


    More and more of late she would find herself gazing into a nether portal, her only window into the primaterial planes, watching Adrian''s antics. Seeing her fledgling warlock tear through goblins like butter sent a shiver of arousal down her spine whilst his encounter with the wyvern sent her into a fit of laughter. Through the bond she had shared in his passionate lust fueled night with the his companions, pleasure had torn through her body and mind like wave after wave crashing upon the rocks.


    She observed him, now standing before her, his visage set with an iron willed determination, her cheeks fulshed with the desire to serve.


    "My master, what brings you to my humble abode" she cooed with false ignorance, his thirst for knowledge was easily tranmitted through the bond as was his impatience. "I have no times for games, I need knowledge beyond that of the mortal realm" he spoke in a firm tone that sent shivers down her spine making her purr in pleasure. "Then my master has come to the right place, there are many forms of desire, lust for knowledge is perhaps the most innocent seeming yet perhaps the most insidious and corrupting" Lilith cooed a subtle warning.


    Adrian was led through a series of twisting passages, it was the first time he had left her room during his visits to this plane. Every decoration from the carpet to the stone work was grossly opulent yet alluring, but he was more enraptured by her voluptuous form as she sauntered ahead of him, hips and tail swaying with every step. Her chosen atire was a simple black dress that sumptuously hugged her form and emphasized her assests in all the right places.


    Lilith had guided him to an imposing structure of glistening white and black marble, each step he took towards the massive double doors the air seemed to thicken with pure unadulterated power. Beads of sweat began to form upon his brow as the power crawled along the surface of his mind whispering of the secrets within.


    "Welcome to the Library of Infernal Knowledge, many a soul, mortal and demon alike have fallen prey to its endless meandering maze of shelves. You would be wise to avoid falling prey to your own lust for knowledge and power within it''s halls, those who do become imprisoned by their own desires becoming the Library''s own keepers. They are naught but withered husks of their former selves, unable to leave the halls, do not allow them into your mind, they are not gentle in their endless pursuit of more knowledge" she motioned with a flourished bow.


    "If you choose to enter the Library I will not join you, I have little care for the tomes with in" Lilith yawned in feigned boredom. Adrian took a deep breath before pulling open the massive wooden double doors, stretching into infinity were mile high shelves heavily laden with tomes. It was an incomprehensible sight for any mortal.


    "What do you seek" a dry raspy voice hissed into his ear, the air filled with an unfamiliar bone chilling cold. Adrian spun facing the source of the voice, a skull with glowing blue embers stared lifelessly at him from beneath the deep cowl of a wispy tattered black robe causing him to recoil. The skeletal being was semi corporeal in nature with a solid skeleton but wrapped in the wispy wrappings of a wraith. "What do you seek" the raspy hollow voice like nails on a chalk board questioned once more.


    "I seek the knowledge to wield both forms of my power" Adrian answered firmly. "Very well, what knoweldge do you offer in exchange" the floating sheletal being questioned. Adrian recalled the goblin tome he had overed from the fortress of seven peaks, it was of little value to him with out an understanding of the goblin language. "The price has been paid, I shall lead you to what you seek, but be warned, do not linger overly long in these halls lest you suffer a sililar fate" it spoke as it held up a bleached bone hand.


    The world streched and blurred around them as the library moved around their forms before snapping to a sudden halt. "You will find what you desire in these shelves" the keeper''s raspy voce gave him the shivers.


    Adrian carefully looked over the titles, many were written in languages he had never seen before, he doubted they even came from his world. He selected three tomes from the shelves, he gently oppened the first book expecting to spend a few hours musing the writings within. A pain exploded in his mind as images flooded into his mind, page after page of information was directly inserted into his mind in a rush before he snapped back to reality left panting and confused. Through some unknown magic he understood the entirety of the book''s contest, a dark smirk crossed his face as he reached within himself and began reshaping the demonic taint that had flooded his body blocking his connection to the Aetherium. Slowly but surely he was able to draw upon the Aetheriun, it rampaged through him like searing bolts of lightning threatening to tear him appart, it was like power incarnate. In its raw state arcane magic was fierce and wild, it lacked the seductive subtlety of his demonic taint, it intoxicated it''s weilder with pure power.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    He quickly yanked the other books filling his minds with their secrets till he became drunk with their knowledge, he felt himself reaching out for more tomes but struggled to stop himself from grabbing more. His breath was ragged as he gritted his teeth with his fingers mere inches from the shelves, the need for the knowledge within the tomes trying to tear down his resistance. He knew that if he grabbed another he would become another victim of the Library''s insidious power, he flowed the demonic taint into every fiber of his being amplifying his physical and mental prowess with the strength of a demon. He desired to return, to be free of the curse that dew him ever deeper into its darkness.


    A hand yanked him backwards and he glared angrily igniting the demonic tain in his blood and slowly drew the aether into himself before rounding on his heels to face his attacker.


    Lavendar eyes gazed at him, they were somehow familiar and comforting causing his mind to be filled with ease.


    "That was very impressive young warlock, I''ve never seen a mortal able to resist the library for so long" she cooed seductively. The figure was the spitting image of Lilith, only more refined and voluptuous leaving Lilith to appear much more like a girl than a fully matured woman by comparison. "What do you mean it''s only been a few minutes" Adrian replied furrowing his brow in confusion. "You''ve been fighting off the compulsion spell for four days straight, my daughter had grown worried for your saftey" she replied her long snaking tail sexily.


    Adrian blinked repeatedly allowing his eyes to focus on his suroundings, gone were the miles of shelves replaced by a grand throne room. Every which way he turned massive crest baring banners that dwarfed his father''s covered the walls. Burgandy, purple, and gold lined every square inch of available space on a back drop of black marble, scantily clad demonic servants stood to either side awaiting command. He stood at the steps of a throne of adamantine, its regal splendor forcing him to bow his head in acknowledgement of a power far greater than his own.


    "It is a good thing my daughter came to me when she did, any longer and you would have joined the ranks of the keepers" she spoke with velvet honeyed tones as her fingers danced upon his shoulders with expertise.


    Adrian mulled over her words, shame at his own incompetence filled his heart, if only he had been stronger.


    "Strength is hardly your issue young one, control is your problem, you''re far to reckless and impulsive. Not that it isn''t an attractive feature in a man " she whispered into his mind. "Please do not do something so foolish again, my daughter useless as she is has grown rather attached to you, in exchange for saving you from your own stupidity it''s the least you could do" she scolded with a motherly tone. "I understand" Adrian muttered in defeat. She smiled warmly," good, my name is Lilim the Queen of Lust, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I hope you gleaned something for your troubles" she cooed giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek flooding him with a smidgen of her power thrusting him from the elemental plane of lust.


    Upon awakening Adrian was greeted by the sight of several faces crumpled with worry, Annabelle''s head lay upon his lap deep in slumber. Dalmar and the Mistress of Novices stood in observation one tensed the other with a calm produced from near limitless power. "I take a nap and you all act like the world has come to an end" Adrian chuckled. "This is no laughing matter, you''ve been unconscious for four days, even out best healer couldn''t awaken you" the Mistress scolded whilst Dalmar stood in silence. "I beg to differ" Adrian replied with a smirk, he drew on the aetherium and channeled it''s torrential power into hims self as he recalled the draconic runes used to compress the oxygen in the air and mix it with aether before igniting its surface. A brillian blue fireball burst alight atop one outstreched hand while he channeled his demonic taint to his other pouring his rage into the power shaping his abyssal flame into a dancing black flame.


    Dalmar quirked and eyebrow as the Mistress gasped in suprise, "I was unconscious in order to balance my arcane magic and demonic powers" he lied. "I see, it would seem it is time to administer the test to advance you to the rank of adept" Dalmar spoke flatly. Adrian felt that the Arch Magus did not fully believe his excuse, he wad only too glad that he did not rip the truth from his mind.


    They left the room allowing Adrian stroke Annabelle''s head in appreciation, tomorrow would bring with it nee challenges to over come.

 Ch. 18 A Sign of Things to Come

    The Black family estate was a rather mid sized affair compared to many of it''s neighbors, though still large enough to contain the nessecary equestrian track and tourney field to acquiesce the Nobles two favored pastimes. The building was a U shape comprised of three rectangular buildings jointed together, the main building was for entertaining guests, while the other wings made up the quarters for the servants and the family''s private quarters. Each estate was custom built by Imperial Guild of Architects according to the family''s ancestry once they gain nobility, this gave the Noble''s Quarter a unique charm as there were a great many buildings showcasing the Empire''s history.


    The building was rustic in style feflecting their family''s northern barbarian heritage, much of the wooden building was carved with depictions of dragons, wolves, and other beasts of the north facing off against long forgotten heroes. It''s interior however was the height of modernity with in the empire, magic lamps provided every room with it''s own light source, the furniture was upholstered in crimson and black silks and embroidered with silver thread.


    Margitte awoke with a strech feeling her taught lithe musculature, there had been little for her to do in preparation for her young Lord''s return, the Guild of Maids was responsible for much of the cleaning between absences in the estates. Now all she had to do was interim cleaning and keeping the pantry restocked, as well as speaking to the grounds keeper about the hutches of chickens and rabbits.


    She had a lot on her mind and had little to occupy it, thankfully the grounds had a private archery range where she could clear her mind. Each morning the twang of a bowsting could be heard for hours on end. Allowing Adrian to see her bestial side had caused no small amout of shame and worry in her heart. It was something that could only be shone freely among her own people for fear of prejudice, a reminder that though the had once been human, they had long turned their back on humanity.


    Like all demi-humans Margitte was a stable mixture of a human and a non humanoid species, normally produced via inter breeding with magical creatures such as dragons. Wolf kin were produced differently, collectives of outcasts trying to survive the freezing harsh climates of the north turned to worshiping powerful deity spirits. Wolf spirits took pity on the starving and frozen humans and bound themselves to the pitieous mortals, the spirits gifted the humans with new bodies that could survive the harsh climate. They had fur to keep them warm and claws and fangs with which to hunt game in a season where humans were hudled together inside for warmth. These new powers came at a cost, they became feard and reviled in much of the north as monsters in human flesh further ostracized then before.


    The ancient past of her people was of little intrests to Margitte as she and her mother had been forced to flee from their tribal homelands after her father, the former chieftain of the Blood-Claws, had been murdered. Someday she would have to return and face her father''s killer, her only hope was that Adrian would not push her away and would stand by her side when the time came. For now however she needed to focus on the task at hand, already there was a stack of missivives awaiting her young Lord''s attention as soon as he could leave the tower.


    Thery largely frivolous things, invitations to tea by young ladies with a desire to climb the social ladder, lunches with older ladies seeking to secure their daughter''s futures, a few more valuable looking missives were selected and set aside as these could not be ignored regardless of how boring their contents may have been. She also trashed several invitations which were clearly lascivious in nature smelling of perfume with vague promises of late night galavanting.


    Another few were set aside, these were written with stiff militaristic tones indictative of males, most filled with platitudes of loyalty and service, those from reputable families were saved while those less reputable were trashed. Some were invitations to private tourneys whilst a few were challenges to friendly duels.


    She had almost gone through the mountain of mail when a familiar scrawl caught her attention, it was a missive from the Duke. It was sealed and spellbound, only Adrian would be able to open it with out the contents bursting into flames and injuring the foolish individual.


    In a rush she changed out of her armor and into her maid''s livery, hiding her ears and tail underneath the layers of frills and petticoats that she despised and dashed out to where their coachman was busy at work caring for the carriage and horses.


    He was an elderly man with short white hair and a face carved from stone with a stern expression, he like many of the Duke''s men was a grizzled old veteran. In his younger days he was an Equestrius, a soldier rezponsible for securing, trainging, and caring for war horses for the Calvary and the private horses of officers. Though he walked with a limp and was no longer a soldier he still had arms like corded firewood and a mace hung at his waist, he had cracked quite a few skulls of deserters, would be horse theives, and the occasional cutthroat.


    "Master Barrington, I''ve need of your services, I''ve a letter from the Duke I must deliver post haste to his young Lordship" Margitte called out causing the old man to stop and raise a brow. He recognized the once little girl that the Duke had taken in during a campaign in the north, he had already been in his thirtys then. "I''ll have her up an ready in fifteen minutes, my lady" he replied before walking into the storeroom for the tack and harness.


    The ride was a pleasant one as they navigated through the nobles quater towards the heavily guarded entrance into the Mage''s quarter. Barrington as taciturn and gruff as he was was good company as the cart rolled gently across the cobles. The large sigil of the Duke carved onto the side kept them free of being accosted as they pulled up to the Mage''s quarter, though two men insisted on escorting them to their destination for their own saftey.


    Any one who entered the Mage''s quarter would quickly realize thst they were no longer in the normal world, massive towers invisible to the outside world soared above the heights of the rest of the city. From outside the Mage''s quarter these massive structures were, hidden from prying eyes. It was said that a wizard''s tower was a feflection of their psyche, with the myriad of colors, materials, shapes and sizes displayed with a dizzying chaotic array she would have to agree.


    Almost every civilized culture on the continent was reflected in the non standardized architecture of the mage''s quarter, at it center was the Onyx tower, a colossal sky scraping building of glistening pitch black crystal. It was both a thing of beauty and terror, its entire length spiraled upwards narrowing at the middle before widening at its top into a crown of thorns reminiscent of a gaping maw trying to devour the sky.


    Just looking at it caused Margitte''s fur to stand on end, luckily one did not have to see it''s entirety when standing at it''s entrance. Two panther shaped statues with glowing blue eyes sat motionless as she approached the steps, it was not until she reached the first step that the statues moved to block her path. "What is your purpose,speak" they inquired in unison with strange monotone lifeless voices with their heads tilted slightly to either side. "I come baring a letter from Duke Arrianus Black adressed to his son Adrian Black" Margitte replied with her muscles tensed ready to spring into action. "The master has spoken, you will follow" they replied with the same disturbing lifeless voices.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Adrian sat in deep meditation, ever since he escaped the clutches of that acursed library he had been doing so more often. The sheer volume of information that had been copied directly into his mind was what occupied the majority of his meditative sessions, while he managed to begin channeling arcane magic he was only able to cast three fireballs before the nausea and dizziness of minor Aether poisoning set in.


    He found different natures of his powe amusing, he had an infinite amount of eldritch energy though it was like trying to force an ocean through a straw. He would not run out, but he could only channel a small amount each time. With Aether he was crippled by his low tolerance, he could put more power into his spells, but the consequences of doing so meant several days bedridden with a fever while puking out his guts. After each bout of Aether sickness though he could draw just a fraction more arcane energy than the previous day.


    Soon he would be tested and most likey raised to the rank of apprentice, in the meantime he was exempt from the daily chores and instead was instructed to focus on his studies. He was using the new free time to try and quickly raise his Aether tolerance by reviewing what he learned from the library by focusing on spells listed for apprentices.


    What he had discovered in those tomes was that Wizardry was seperated into different fields of study called schools. Destruction was dedicated to different types of spells used for directly damaging enemies, fireball was prehaps it''s most iconic spell though the school was hardly limited to elemental spells. Alteration was a school that focused on manipulating the world around you, from what spells he found it seemed to focus on defensive spells. Conjuration was the art of summoning various creatures and beasts from across the plains of existence. Transmogrification was a peculiar school focused on transforming one''s one body, a scribbled note in one of the tomes metioned an Arch Magus who could become a fully grown Red Dragon. Transmutation seemed of little use unless you wanted to turn lead into gold, or water into wine, at least he''d be popular at galas. He had seen illusionists preform spectacular shows before, but the seemingly innocent school had powerful mind affecting spells that could shatter the minds of even the staunchest men. Necromancy much to Adrian''s suprise was a school that had the capacity not only to spread death and creat undead but also to heal those who were dying. Alchemy was not limited to only wizards but with out mastering it''s basics they would have to purchase the expensive potions that could empower their spells and increase their tolerance. Enchanting was a craft centric shcool focused on imbuing various objects or even one''s own body with magical properties. Divination was a rather esoteric school that focused on revealing the unknown, his martial background had already of several ways to put an otherwise neglected field of study to terrifying use on the field of battle.


    For now he focused solely on Destruction as it provided the most effective immediate use of his power in battle, over and over in his mind he focused of the different patterns of Draconic runes, embedding their entire meaning, purpose, and interaction into his mind. The rune for fire encompassed many meanings, heat, flame, rage, passion, burning with its purpose determined by its accompanying runes, he focused on the runes fire and cone. Currently he could only channel enough Aether to link three runes and cast more than a single spell in one day, as each additional rune added to its cost. Spells with only two runes he could cast around six times a day, while three runes would be three, he could cast a spell with four runes once but afterwards the world would spin and he would become sickened.


    Margitte had been led to the Mistress of Novices by the two panthers before they returned to their posts, she was currently occupied by a stack of requisition forms. "Can I help you novice" she questioned not bothering to look up from her work. "I''m here to deliver a missive from Duke Arrianus Black to his son Adrian Black " Margitte replied masking her annoyance beneath her proffesional mannerisms. "Ah I appologize, I thought you were another novice, Adrian should by in the training hall at the moment I''ll lead you to him" she bowed her head slighly before raising herself from the desk.


    "How is the young Lord and Annabelle preforming in their studies" Margitte inquired during their walk. "The boy started off quite disadvantaged but suddenly surpassed his peers and is about to begin testing, I didn''t expect much of the girl, but I''m very pleased by her hard working nature, I''m not sure why but she has the Head Enchanter in a whorl she will likely become a candidate for testing with in the year" the Mistress of Novices explained with a voice full of nominal praise, judging by her character she was proud of having such accomplished students.


    The training room was reinforced with Alteration spells to protect it from damage, it was designed as a place for advanced novices to practice their spells with out accidentally destroying anything but prehaps them selves. It was about thirty paces wide and a hundred paces in length, upon opening the door to the training hall the Mistress threw up a shield as a swirling mass of flames erupted cauing Margitte to sheild her eyes from the brightness. "He''s been at this every day practicing every spell he can figure out, its impressive to see one so young so dedicated to their studies" the Mistress spoke with just a hint of pride. "He''s always been like this, throwing himself head first into everything he decides to pursue" Margitte smiled.


    "Margitte" Adrian called out excitedly once the flames cleared rushing over and picking up the shocked wolf girl whom he hadn''t seen for the past few months causing her to blush with excitement and embarrassment. If her tail wasn''t hidden it would have been wagging furiously. He kissed her plush lips several times in rapid succession before being intrupted by an "ahem" by an annoyed looking Mistress. Adrian set down Margitte and straightened hims self out while Margitte did the same. "Please excuse my shameful appearance, it has been some time since last we''ve seen one another" Adrian spoke in his tone reserved for when he acted as a Noble. "You''re excused, now please deliver your missive so that I may escort you from the premises and return to my duties" the Mistress scolded. "You''re father sent a missive for you to the estate, I delivered it to you as soon as it arived" Margitte spoke with a curtsy before handing the message tube over to Adrian with another curtsy before excusing her self.


    Adrian was left staring at the message tube in stark silence, his father would not have taken such precautions unless the content''s were of the utmost concern, what ever it contained filled him with worry. Gingerly he pressed his signet ring into a recess in the metallic tube causing the runes on it''s surface to glow brightly for a brief second before hearing a distinctive clink as the tube unlocked. Nervously he unrolled the parchment with in.


    "Dear Adrian, it has been but a few months since you have left but already tales of your battle in the Fortress of Seven Peaks have reached my ears. Your participation in the battle and your defeat of the enemy commander have already become know among quite a few courtly ladies, it also brought some prestige to the family name. However I''m writing to inform you of less than plesant news, I''m sure you are familiar with the long running feud our family has had with our northern neighboring province''s ruling family. Much to my displeasure the Empress has taken it upon her self to put our families grievances to rest. I''m being forced, against my will I might add, to marry the youngest daughter of Count Dryse Reavar. Enclosed with in this parcel is your writ of heritage, if you ever find yourself in need, seek out Mage Lord General Irovid Angmar, he''s an old friend, sincerly Duke Arrianus Black provincial Lord of Schwarzwald".


    Adrian stared at the letter with a million thoughts racing through his mind, their families had more or less been in a state of relative peace since they were explicitly threatened with Imperial military intervention after Adrian''s great grand father had murdered nearly half of the Reavar family and ravaged the Coravian countryside with an army of undead in retaliation after Dryse''s grand uncle had kidnapped, raped, and tortured two of his daughter''s and one of his sons.


    Nothing good would come from this politically aranged marriage, there was too much blood spilled on both sides, something terrible was going to happen, it was only a question of who would throw the first stone.

 Ch. 19 The Test of an Adept

    Grand Enchanter Irvine had grown ever more perplexed and more obsessive with each of Annabelle''s creations, no two being alike in their purpose. Even when forged from the same billet of stock the outcome varried wildly, she forged a spoon from the same billet as the knife which currently hun at his waist. The spoon nullified poison when used for eating whilst the knife caused wounds dripping with corrosive acid. As alluring a conundrum Annabelle provided it shamed Irvine that he was unable to nuture and train the young woman''s talents.


    With a sigh Irivine dipped his quill into a bottle of black ink laced with Aether residue and penned a letter to an old friend, after it''s completion he waved a hand over the parchment causing the words to glow faintly. Slowly the paper folded its self over and over until it took the shape of a small bird, a sparrow. He oppened the window allowing the small parchment bird to leap into the sky, it was an enchantment of his own creation that was perfect for sending a message to an individual who''d rather be left undisturbed.


    Peck peck peck, peck peck peck, the little paper sparrow went jamming its beak against the head of a sleeping individual who groaned in irritation feebly attempting to swat away the bird in his sleep. Peck peck peck, the bird returned to its task, "Oi, bugger off" a gruff voice grumbled sleepily as it slowly lifted it''s self from an alcohol induced stupor, he raised an eyebrow as he saw the annoyance that had awoken him. Hopping back and forth regarding hin with a cocked head was a sparrow made of parchment, with a grumble he held his palm out for the bird. With a hop it landed in his open palm and slowly unfolded into it''s origional form with out a single crease or smudge.


    After reading over the message he pursed his lips to the side and stroked his beard that consisted of several long braids ending in heavy silver rings. Irvine''s message contained information that he had only come upon once in the Ancestral archive of the Dwarves, the entire written history of his people, what Irvine described was a power that gave birth to the art of rune craft. How a power of the legendary age appeared in a human was beyond his understanding, he couldn''t help but feel a grin split his face. After scrawling a message on the other side of the parchment it folded back into a sparrow and flew out an open window.


    "Brunhilde, by my ancestor''s tits, get off yer arse, yer headin teh Tiber to pick up a wee lass what''s got some amazin power" he barked at his niece who was lazily sipping a mug of ale with her breakfast of smoked Ronach haunch. "Aye yeh old bastard, I''ll go get yer lass for yeh" she grumbled walking off after downing her mug and grabbing a haunch in one hand and her massive two handed hammer in her other swinging the ridiculous hunk of metal onto her shoulder with ease.


    Brunhilde had been on the road for years alongside her crotchety uncle since her exile from the Dwarven Kingdom, she had been along for the ride whilst her uncle had dragged her to one ruined Kragg after another. Not that she minded body guarding the esteemed "Therradin Black-Rock of the Black-Rock clan", the honorable duty of escorting her uncle had shaved ar least a decade off of her exile. Even the endless string of women in her uncle''s life had done little more than treat her as of their own daughters, if anything the range of races he managed to swoon impressed her.


    Brunhilde said her farewell to her uncle before leaping into the saddle of a large heavily armored ruddy brown colored subterranean lizard known as an Earthbreaker Tyrant, its powerful clawed feet were perfect for digging and tearing apart foes and its heavily reinforced skull could crack stone. Prehaps its most unusual feature was it''s speed, it could easily keep up with all but the fastest of horses, with a whip of the reins it leapt forward into run scrabbling down the side of the rocky outcropping they had camped on for the past few nights.


    Adrian mulled over the letter he had recieved from his father racking his brain, political marriages were the norm for the nobility, it was one of the reasons his mother had insisted on not marrying his father. There was nothing that could be done other than to prepare for the worst, the writ of inheritance was a document leagally recognizing him as the heir apparent of Duke Arrianus, however with out the backing of high ranking nobility his legitimacy could be challenged in the courts. Situations where a lords first born had been disinherited after their father remarried were not unheard of though rare, the issue was the difference between the political clout of their families.


    While the Black family had pull amongst the military and the Empress, the Reavar''s were known to curry favory and make shady political deals with the high lords and had a habit of purchasing the loyalty of the barons through gifts and bribes. Whilst superior on the field of battle his father was severly lacking in high born friends due to his staunch morality and refusal to bow before others. For now there was little else he could do save for focusing on the present task, once he could move more freely he would be able focus on building his reputation amongst the nobility of Tiber.


    It was with that thouth that he turned whole heartedly towards the first step of his goal, magic could be a powerful tool one that commanded respect amongst one''s peers and fear amongst one''s enemies. With a deep breath he began pouring over the three texts within his mind, images flashed by coupled with a intimate understanding of knowledge that should have been far beyond the grasp of a novice in their first year of study. During these internal study sessions he would partition his mind dividing it between several tasks at once, a technique he learned from the books in the Library, while one portion of his mind studied another manipulated the aether and demonic energies with in his body. Two orbs one electric blue, the other black-purple floated around his body, dividing into smaller orbs before returning to their original shape, it was a training method to increase a students control over their magic.


    Adrian winced in pain as something sharp sank into his flesh causing the two orbs to disapate and dragged him from his studies. With a grunt he tried to remove what ever was digging into his leg only to see a small winged reptile the size of a very large house cat bitting his leg. Some where in the distance he could hear the frantic yelling of Annabelle calling his name, looking down at the wyvern using him as a chew toy he couldn''t help but to imagine that the two were related. With a firm grasp he seized the wyvern''s slender neck cutting off its air supply, no longer able to breathe it gave up on it''s rather oversized prey.


    The young beast was a deep purple in color almost black, it shined with gloss in the light of the aether lamp. It regarded him with wild predatory red eyes streaked with silver lightning bolts. Realizing their difference in size it soon gave up trying to bite and claw at him, with a grumble he looked at the small bleeeding wound from it''s razor sharp fangs. What ever had happned he figured it would be best to speak with Annabelle before deciding what to do with the newborn wyvern.


    Annabelle stood in shock looking at her novice quarters, it looked as if it had been ransacked, her personal belongings had been strewn about. At first she thought some had discovered the growing stash of enchanted baubles burried in her trunk, but that didn''t explain all of the scratches and bite marks. "The wyvern, damnit, Adrian" she called out not knowing what else to do, looking at all of the damages that she would be unable to pay for her heart sunk, a servant''s actions were the responsibility of their master.


    The Mistress of Novices had been enjoying a cup of tea when a group of frantic novices darted past her office, at first she thought little of it till Adrian walked past carrying a baby wyvern, there was a crash of cup upon floor as she stood staring slack jawed the young man. "Ah, Mistress it''s a pleasure to run into a lady as fine as yourself thise eve" he spoke charming as ever with a deep bow, detracted only by the annoyed hiss of the wyvern. "Adrian, care to explain yourself" she spoke pinching the bridge of her nose. "On the way here I became wrapped up in the incident at seven peaks, we had to clear out a nest of wyverns, I believe Annabelle had found an egg and took it with out telling me, I can only hope it was not solely greed that motivated her or I may have to punish her" Adrian explaied with a sigh. The young man did not show it, but she could tell he was deeply troubled and concerned for the wellbeing of his maid, "very well, lets get to the bottom of this" she spoke with a slight smirk.


    The Mistress of Novices wove aether and spoke several words he did not know, but the incantation followed the structure of an Illusion spell, judging from the way the beast relaxed it was a high level tranquility spell. It looked cute now that it looked up at him with a dopey almost drugged appearance, at least it wasn''t trying to snap and hiss at the other novices any longer.


    Annabelle turned at the familiar sound of boot heels upon stone, the timing and assertive nature of the clacks telling her it was Adrian. Striding up to her doorway was Adrian cradling a baby wyvern, and a rather bemused looking Mistress. "I-I-I''m sorry" she stammered bowing her head motioning towards the carnage of the room. "Tis no matter" the Mistress waved dismissively. Annabelle looked up at the pair like a frightened doe, "frankly I''m more curious as to why you even had a wyven egg in the first place, it''s not like a carnivorous lesser dragon is exactly a house cat" she scolded playfully. "I took the egg for my lord, I thought if I gave him a wyvern battle mount he would be pleased with me" she whispered meekly. "I already am pleased with you, please at least inform me if you plan on doing something this reckless in the future" Adrian sighed before kissing her forehead.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "Now what to do with you" he sighed sctratching the head of the docile wyven. "For now it would be best if you kept her well fed, also do not let her out of your sight, and make sure to handle her often so she becomes accustomed to humans. The reason the poor thing tore appart the room was because it was searching for food, nesting wyverns will surround their clutch with carcasses once they are near to hatching. Also, you''ll want to speak with the Arch Magus he is more of an expert of the topic than I, now both of you off to the kitchens while I get this place cleaned'' she explained softly before finishing with a bark.


    Adrian softly chucked carrying the wyvern in one arm, his other interlocked with a blushing Annabelle, "you know we''re going to have to come up with a name" Adrian teased. "Lila, it certainly fits the color of her scales and has a feminine ring to it" Annabelle replied. Adrian agreed with a warm smile, what was one more woman to make his life interesting.


    The next morning Adrian awoke to a tugging sensation, seated atop his chest was Lila looking at him expectantly while yanking on his clothes. "Alright lets get you some food" he grumbled lifting up the winged serpentine creature. Unlike yesterday''s debacle Lila was much better behaved, she still hissed at others but a few soft raps on noggin stopped her from snapping at them. Most of the other novices looked on with curiosity as he hand fed a normally feared creature sitting in his lap like a common pet.


    After breakfast the Mistress of Novices had picked up Adrian and led him into a section of the lower floors restricted from the novices, his hood was pulled back before entry. He was left standing in an audience chamber with thirteen robed individuals seated looking down upon him, their faces obscured by the lighting that focused on him. He took note of several empty seats while he was waiting to be adressed, each among the thirteen looked upon him with varrying levels of intrest, ranging from the heavily focused to the outwardly dissmissive.


    "This is the one you have called before us, he has been here for less than a year, most unprecedented, Katja" the one seated highest above him spoke in a subtly accusatory tone. "He is ready for his fist trial, Kallador Arch Magus of the Crimson Palace" the Mistress of Novices. "That remains to be seen, where is the Lady of Bones" Kallador questioned in annoyance. "Asleep, Nyraleth does not leave her mausoleum before sundown" another voice spoke.


    Adrian gritted his teeth inwardly as they continued pratling on as if he was not present, the arrogance was stifling, though it was an arrogance born from centuries of bloodshed. This was not the place where anger could be allowed to dictate his actions, still he needed a certain level of assertiveness in his actions.


    With out waiting for their approval Adrain withdrew a pouch from his waist containing a mere handful of aether residue, over and over he had practiced this spell. With careful and deliberate action he began to draw a series of concentric circles over lapped with a six pointed star, at each of the six points he placed a symbolic item. A vial of blood, a small bottle ofwine, gold coin, a handful rose petals, and a vial of his own seed, at the center of the spell he carefully carved a copy of the sigil burned into his hand.


    The room had gone stark silent as the Arch mages took notice of the young man''s intense focus, oblivious to the world around him Adrian continued to work, only one among the mages could see the full extent of the boy''s concentration. The Arch Magus of the Imperial War Mages College could see the faint traces of a warrior''s battle trance, prehaps the rarest of martial abilities, Thessia the Aegis looked on in silent approval. Kallador had long grated under the defacto rule of the Arch Magus of the Onyx Tower, however he was forced to concede that Dalmar the Dark was a master of more than just magic, the man was an excellent judge of potential.


    Adrian took a knife from his belt causing many of the onlookers to quirk an eyebrow, after making a small cut he added a final circle, one of his own blood. The use of blood magic was often viewed with prejudice, for one to so blatantly use it so openly caused concern among the thirteen, many secretly tapping into the Aetherium as insurance.


    With one hand out streched he poured his demonic taint into the circle of blood until it glowed a dark black purple eliticing gasps from the thirteen who did not know the full extent of his powers. The ring of blood powered by taint was a powerful barrier for demonic entities, it would keep anything he summoned within the circle till his power or life were extinguished. With his other hand he wove energy into the spell, his consciousness streched out through the planes in search of Lilith, sensing an open portal various less savory entities clawed at his mind. Streeching and mindless chattering filled his ears, he blocked it out just as he did with the feeling of their claws raking his body.


    Feeling the raw power emiting from the spell circle Thessia threw her most powerful barrier, the Aegis, sealing off the room from the rest of the world. Kallador stood and began weaving a spell that would incinerate even a lesser dragon, he held onto the raging malestrom of flames waiting for the first sign of trouble. The air cackled with static electricity as the sheer volume of Aether in the air increased with each of the Arch Mages who prepared spells of their own.


    Lilith could feel a sharp tugging at her from across the planes, each second she delayed anwsering it''s call wracked her body with painful jolts of energy. For the first time in her life the Succubus felt fear, an entity that could yank her across several planes of exsistence was beyond her capabilities to defy, her only relief was the fact that her bond with her master was not broken. It was possible that he had been captured and forced to serve a master more powerful than himself, it was a very realistic possibility, her only hope was that she could preserve his life by serving this powerful being. She clossed her eyes and gave into the spell allowing her mind and body to strech into the unknown, something familiar caught hold of her and wrapped her in its energy drawing her into its embrace.


    The stone floor was cold upon her feet, a sensation too foreign for a being where one''s world was subject to their own desires. She was naked, bare before the hardened reality of a primaterial plane, a frightening experience when she had only touched this world through the dreams of mortals. Lilith opened her lavendar eyes to see the normally emeral green obs of her master swirling with the black-purple of the demonic taint and the vibrant blue of the arcane. Normally Adrian would not have been powerful to supply a spell of this magnitude, only by first casting the arcane spell then powering it with the taint was he able to physically puncture the barriers between the primaterial and the Aetherial planes. She could feel the beigns trying to claw their way out of the portal as it slowly widened beyond Adrian''s grasp, Lilith grasped the mind of her master adding her own powers to his, slowly she was able to help him seal the portal and cut the connection powering the spell.


    Adrian slumped forward into a soft embrace that smelled of wine, honney, spices, and subtle pheromones, his breathing was ragged and his body burned with pain. Lacerations and burns covered his body a reflection of the battles with the entities in the other planes, raw aether coursed through his body and seared his insides from pushing past his limits. If nothing was done he would likely die from aether poisoning or at the very least burn out his concious mind becoming little more than a husk of a human being. Lilith kissed him deeply sucking the raw aether from his body along with the rapidly expanding taint, it was a scorching kiss as bolts of arcane lightning arced through her body and into the air, fortunately for her she was immune to the affects that aether produced in humans. She was in pain but there was no danger of mutation or death.


    Once Adrian was stable Lilith rounded on the thirteen mages who were waiting to unleash their terrible magics, she could match each one on one but together they would over power her. The council stood in silence with furrrowed brows as the demon stood protectivly between the council and her master filling the air with an aura of fear that caused beads of cold sweat to form of Kallador''s brow. They could banish the demon, but she would dragg at least one of them with her, he waa concerned for the young man''s life but he would not dare risk his own to save the young fool.


    "Hahahaha marvelous, absolutely marvelous" a flat deep voice stated flatly breaking the silence drawing all atention to the far side of the room. A figure in black spider silk robes with silver trim stepped into the light, a breif moment of hair raising tension gripped everyone''s hearts, Dalmar the Dark casually strode through the room his with a casual gesture the spells that had been readied had disapated into nothingness causing looks of shock and confusion. "You''ll find no enemies here daughter of Lilim, now see to your master''s wounds" he spoke off handedly as he simply strolled past the demon crouched ready to attack as if he was on an afternoon walk through the gardens. "Your judgement" he stated flatly in his deep commanding tone.


    "The council agrees that the novice has presented a working knowledge of magic and is ready to begin full apprenticeship as an adept of the Onyx Tower" Kallador stated while looking around for confirmation from the other Arch mages. "A word of caution Arch Magus of the Council of Magi, train this boy well, he has the potential to one day sit alongside us, but I fear his recklessness will bring ruin to this world" Kallador narrowed his eyes at Dalmar as he spoke.

 Ch. 20 The Somber Bride

    Isabella Dryse looked over her shoulder at the orphanage where she had spent most of her young life supporting and caring for those poor children who were either abandoned or who''s parents had passed away. Her father had never approved, but had allowed her indulgence because it kept a smile on the otherwise dour girl''s face. She gave the orphans a wistful smile and a final farewell, from what vitriol her father had mouthed about the northern barbarians she doubted her husband to be would allow her such fancies.


    Her heart was heavy with sorrow but had accepted her fate long ago, she had grown up watching her sisters married off one by one for political gain. A small part of her rejoiced that at least she would be free of her father''s tyranical rule, he was a man driven and consumed by hate, every trouble that had befallen the Reavar''s was laid at the feet of the Provincial Lord of Schwarzwald. Behind the bribes and political games was a failing province, the damage they had suffered at the hands of Arturias Black had drained their coffers and a large portion of arable land had been transformed into a wastland in his revenge. Several years of drought combined with peasant revolts had destroyed their once booming cotton textile industry, only their rich fur trade and fishing industries coupled with near crippling taxation was keeping their family at the fore front of the courts.


    There was nothing she could do for the suffering of the people whom they were meant to protect, her only comfort was that at the very least her marriage would prevent another outburst of hostilities between their families.


    Count Dryse gritted his teeth in anger as he watched his daughter step onto the carriage that would carry her off to Blackwood hall to meet her future husband. Just the thought of losing her to that dog of a barbarous bastard made his blood boil, but prehaps there was a silver lining, a thought crossed his mind splitting his face with a disgusting depraved smile. Already a number of ideas crossed his mind, it would not be difficult to pay bandits to waylay her carriage within Arrianus''s territory. His reputation would take a serious hit if he was unable to defend his bride to be inside of his own territory, it was a brash and bold idea, too brash. A more damaging more subtle touch would be required, Schwarzwald was a provice rich in untapped resources with miles upon miles of untamed land waiting to be ravaged by a more enterprising mind. He would be far better suited to rule over such a land, better than those barbarians from the north, even if the blood of Tiber flowed in their veins they were naught but monsters in his eyes.


    He had been but a boy when Arturias'' undead horde swept through the land, but every night his sleep was plauged by the nightmarish hell that had been unleashed upon them. Villages and towns would be swept clear of life only to have those who died rise up again as twisted mangled husks of their former selves. Images of his mother and aunt being torn apart by peasants driven insane by the madness of it all still haunted him, when it was quiet he could still hear the pained screams and horrible wails of the dead and dying. Arrianus would pay for his grandfather''s crimes even if he destroyed himself in the process.


    Arrianus paced back and forth in his tent with a mixture of apprehension and annoyance, if he knew that he was going to be forced into marrying the daughter of a Reavar he would have accepted any number of the women his friends and father had tried to foist upon him. The reason for turning down so many beautiful and wealthy maidens seemed foolish now, his love for Ethenriel was just that, they could never be wed. Just as he had his own political circumstances she too had her''s, he always had the feeling that what ever had caused a lady of the elven nobility to flee their homeland had to be terribly unpleasant. It was not in his nature to keep a woman waiting, however he could not simply ride acoss the border with a contingent of his men with out rekindling hostilities.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "Sit down love, if you keep that up we''ll re-soling your boots before we reach home" Ethenriel teased. Arrianus sighed knowing full well that she was right, he was uselessly winding himself up. "My Lord, carriage on the horizon" a voice called. "Alright, have the men break camp and prepare to recieve our charge, I want every man sadled before they arive" he called out. Long delicate arms wrapped around him from behind and soft lips brushed his ear, "I haven''t seen you this on edge since you faced down that basilisk" she cooed calming him down. "I know love, can''t help it, I''m still not convinced that Dryse won''t find some excuse to try and kill me" he sighed.


    The wolf''s head banner and thirty fully armed and armored knights with Arrianus at the head greeted a mere handful of knights flying the raven banner of Reavar and lady Isabella''s carriage. Seeing the difference in their forces had put Reavar''s men on edge, Arrianus was taken aback by Dryse''s apparent lack of care for his daughter''s life. Arrianus rode ahead carrying the white banner of peace, it wasn''t long before a rider from Dryse''s men came forth.


    "I am Arrianus Black, Duke of Schwarzwald come to escort the lady Isabella, I was expecting Count Dryse, name yourself" he stated whilst furrowing his brow at the rider. "I am Tarvell Erendar third son of Baron Erendar, captain of these men, forgime me my lord, I was not expecting a proper escort, Count Dryse sends his regards and apologizes for his absence. The count is busy dealing with a peasant revolt" the man replied with a respectful bow of his head. Arrianus could tell that the man did not believe the words that he was being forced to espouse, Dryse was deliberately insulting him by not escorting his daughter himself. "I see, that is a shame, you and your men are welcome to join us in escorting the lady to Blackwood hall that you may see her safe with your own hands" Arrianus replied. "It would be an honor to ride with you my lord, I''ve often heard stories of your adventures" Tarvell replied with another bow. It was a shame to see an honorable young man serving under a lord who cared so little of honor that he would not even escort his own daughter to her future husband''s home.


    It took several weeks to reach Blackwood hall and though the would soon have to leave and tour each town in Schwarzwald as was customary when a provincial ruler was to be married Isabella was glad to be out of the confines of the carriage. She first met her betrothed when he offered her his hand to step from the carriage, he was a dashingly handsome man with barely a twinge of gray at his temples and a strong jawline. For a man just into his middle ages he was nothing like her father who was sickly and rotund, Arrianus was still a warrior in his prime who lived by the strength of his arms. Only the sight of the woman by his side gave any clue to how such a fine man remained a bachelor, had any of her sisters met her bethrothed they would have seethed with jealously. It was clear to her that the one he loved was the elven woman who''s beauty and grace made her feel like a shrew by comparison. It pained her to know that Arrianus was just as much of a pawn in this as herself, still he was a kind and carring gentlman who saw to all of her needs.


    Arrianus regarded the girl who only recently had come of age, long auburn hair framed a face that belonged to a prety if sad girl, she reminded him in many ways of a doll. What ever her life had been like had clearly taken a toll on her as she often seemed to be staring lifelessly into the distance. Every day he went out of his way to bring her something of beauty he saw during his morning walks, just to see her smile briefly, it was strange but every time she smiled he felt a twinge of pain in his heart. It was a smile filled with complex emotions, but it was a smile reserved for him, one that let him know that it was not he who caused her such sadness but the world it''s self seemed to sadden her. One day he hoped to see her smile a genuinely happy smile.

 Ch.21

    Dalmar ran a hand through his shoulder length silver hair with a sigh of annoyance, Kallador was a stubborn man who had long been at odds with his control of the council, the man''s holier than though attitude was what had constantly put them at odds. Still the young boy had crossed the first real hurdle on the long road to becoming a master of the arcane, even if he had almost killed himself in the process. He examined the charred remains of the spell circle, it was a some what ingenious design that needed Aether to be activated but once active it could be powered by any source of energy, there was a small mistake in Adrian''s handiwork. The spell lacked a cut off for the arcane energy once he poured in the demonic taint, it created a looping effect that kept the boy''s pathway to the Aetherium wide open flooding his body with more Aether then he could reasonably handle. For Dalmar it would be an easy fix, plus he could simply anchor the spell to the energy source instead of relying on his own internal pathways, he would have to teach Adrian a few different methods to summon beings from the outer planes, methods far less dangerous.


    For now his concern was how the boy had managed to contract a named being, it wouldn''t be unreasonable to contract with a lesser succubus who had yet to become a fully aware being and not simply a mindless husk driven by lust. He needed to cultivate the boy into a powerful wizard before his demonic taint and desire for power outstripped his mental strength. It was clear to him that something had changed in the young boy of late, what ever it was, it had ignited in him a powerful desire to grow stronger, it was good to be driven but he couldn''t allow the boy to become blinded by his desires. Many young mages often fall prey to the desire for power and take dangerous shortcuts that lead to terrible consequences. What Kallador had said was true, in time the boy would grow into a powerful ally, not only for himself but also for the Empire.


    ¡°You have called for me father¡± a voice called from the shadows as it stepped from through the boundary between worlds. ¡°Yes, I''ve need of you to investigate what is going on in the north, the Draegnar have been quiet of late, something is happening beyond the reach of my eyes¡± he replied focusing his gaze as he stared off into the nothingness. ¡°As you command father, there is none better suited to this task than I¡± the voice replied. ¡°I know my little wolf, unlike your sisters you''ve always felt the call of the wild, if only the rest of your sisters were so free spirited, instead they insist upon taking after their mother dedicating them selves to the task of defending my personage and that of the Empress¡± Dalmar huffed in mock frustration. ¡°That''s only because if left to your own devices you''d never remember to eat¡± she chuckled before slipping back through the veil leaving Dalmar shaking his head.


    As soon as news spread of Adrian returning from his test Annabelle had frantically began searching for him with Lila in tow, her heart sunk as her young lord had once again come face to face with death. He looked pale and lifeless as he was carried through the hall on a liter by two instructors, accompanying them was a fiercely protective woman with voluptuous curves that would draw the attention of any man and many women as well. She was stark naked causing many novices to stare in shock and awe at the woman who was the absolute embodiment of sex appeal, were it not for the delicate curled horns sprouting from her forehead, bat like wings, and long tail that idly swished as she walked Annabelle would have easily mistaken her for a human who''s beauty would easily rival that of the Elves. She couldn''t help but feel a sharp twinge of jealously looking at the raven haired lavender eyed beauty who''s breasts seemed to violate the natural laws of this world, she was envious of the woman''s wide hips and creamy perfectly shaped thighs that looked soft and toned at the same time. The effect of the woman was so powerful that she even forgot Adrian laying there half dead as she admired the woman''s firm heart shaped backside that swayed exaggeratedly with every step.


    She rushed after the group following them to an infirmary where Adrian was laid down upon of a bed that looked far more plush the the stiff mattress she was used to, ¡°what''s his condition¡± she cried desperately grabbing a hold of one of the instructors. ¡°He''ll be fine, just an acute case of Aether poisoning, with a little rest he''ll be up and about¡± the instructor explained patting the sobbing girl''s head. After they had wiped down his body with cold rags and changed his clothes they had to take care of other duties leaving Annabelle sitting across from a demon who seemed to regard her as a cat regards its food. The demoness sniffed lightly at the air smiling as if she found something she liked, that only served to make Annabelle more nervous. ¡°You have the scent of my master upon your flesh¡± she spoke in a dark sultry tone that reminded her of the way Adrian had spoken when they had met in his room that morning that when they had first met, her face flushed with embarrassment as her breath quickened. ¡°Are you his mate¡± the demoness inquired licking her ruby colored full angel bow lips with a suggestive hunger. ¡°Mate¡± she yelped mentally under the demon''s hungry gaze, ¡°well tis no matter I can''t exactly defile my master''s woman with out his permission, so fear not my sweet little lamb¡± she cooed sweetly sending a shiver down Annabelle''s spine. She recognized what was happening as her mind became increasingly clouded with lust, it was the same power that Adrian possessed only more sharper and focused.


    The demoness leaned back folding her arm''s under her voluminous breasts and daintily rested one leg over the other like a proper lady, ¡°it is a pleasure to meet you little lamb, my name is Lilith¡±she spoke releasing the young woman from the grip of her power. ¡°A-A-Annabelle¡± she stuttered still coming down from the sexual high inflicted by Lilith''s aura. ¡°is it always this cold in your realm¡± Lilith inquired rubbing her stiff nipples. Annabelle blushed in embarrassment now that the surreal encounter was grounding it''s self in reality. ¡°I can get you come clothes, though it might not fit you perfectly¡± Annabelle replied trying to visually measure Lilith''s impressive bust and trying to figure out how to work around the tail and wings. ¡°I would be grateful, they don''t have to fit perfectly I can alter clothes to fit my body¡± She explained as her tail swished lazily.


    Annabelle grabbed one of the few things she owned, a maid uniform, looking at the demoness now she was surprised at how Lilith managed to make attire that normally gave one a professional uptight appearance into something breathtakingly erotic. The blouse had been changed to have a deep V shaped neckline that showed off plenty of cleavage and the skirt that should have come down to her ankles now was now split up to the hip on one side exposing plenty of creamy thigh. Annabelle could never imagine wearing something so bold, It''s appearance was now only superficial representative of a maid''s livery, Even the jacket had morphed to reveal the majority of her back giving Lilith''s wings plenty of room with a little spot where her tail poked through. ¡°I wonder if master will like it¡± Lilith questioned giving a pouting look that caused Annabelle to fight down another mixture of jealously and arousal.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°How long will he be like this¡± Annabelle inquired hoping that Lilith, being a magical creature, had some understanding of Adrian''s condition. Lilith reached out running one of her delicate hands through the short flaxen hair of the young woman comfortingly, ''don''t worry little lamb, Adrian will be fine, if this was all it took to kill him I''d have already enslaved him to my will¡± Lilith pouted.¡±What do you mean enslaved him¡± Annabelle practically gasped in shock and anger. ¡°Hush hush, I tried to make him into my slave but he reversed my spell back onto me and made me into his slave¡± she cooed so sweetly that she sounded happy about the outcome. Annabelle was taken aback by what she had learned, but as it had already happened she could only glare at the demoness. ¡°The real question you should be asking your self is what is going to happen to Adrian by the time he wake''s up¡± Lilith said with a seemingly bored tone as she stretched out like a cat causing her bountiful bosom to bounce slightly. ¡°What do you mean¡± Annabelle inquired with a worried tone looking over at the unconscious form of Adrian. ¡°He was exposed to a rather sizable amount of raw Aether, mortals don''t get away unscathed from the amount of power he accidentally channeled, more likely then not he''ll suffer some slight mutation¡± Lilith explained tapping her chin with a delicate finger. ¡°Fortunately I can manipulate the mutation to ensure the mutation is more beneficial in nature, should I give him a second cock¡± Lilith continued causing Annabelle''s eyebrows to shoot up in shock and shake her head no.


    The two women continued to sit beside Adrian through the night as he he slept, with Lila curled up alongside him, it wasn''t long before Annabelle was sound asleep. With the young woman asleep Lilith could finally begin the work of healing the internal damage with in his body, his demonic taint was already in the process of healing his internal injuries but with her guiding hand it was proceeding at a much faster rate. At the very least the Physical damage would be healed by morning, along with physical damage she focused of manipulating the residual Aether redistributing it into his blood stream, with any luck she would double his Aether tolerance allowing him to draw a far greater amount of power from the Aetherium. There was little else she could do until the mutations began to set in, sleepily she laid her head by his side comforted by the feeling that flowed through their bond.


    Adrian drifted in though a black void, an indeterminate nothingness lightly spotted with blurred images, it was familiar and alien at the same time, he was surrounded by mental projections of his fears and worries. Being alone in the black of night being haunted by your subconscious fears was not a pleasant experience, facing racism and prejudice was the least of his concerns, what truly nagged at his subconscious mind was himself. On the surface he played the part of good natured young lord, obedient, well mannered, and kind, while still true to a degree he had darker desires buried deep with in. A small part of him desired to reach out and take that which was rightfully his, wealth, power, and women, all would be subject to his desires. It was this impulse that he forcefully suppressed, more and more he could feel his darker impulses scratching at the back of his mind. Every time he sat alone with Annabelle there was a part of him that desired to reach out and simply take her, a desire he kept fighting. There was also a ravenous hunger, something that did not satiate it''s self with something simple as food, even if he had gorged him self to the brim it would not pass. It was not a hunger that he knew how to satiate, nor was he brave enough to broach this subject with any of his mentors.


    His only solace from these thoughts was to be found in training and study, when he gripped his sword in hand and flowed through the repetitive motions of training or racked his mind over a difficult would he find a calm in the storm where he was free of his darker impulses. He had heard stories from the soldiers of blade master''s entering a battle trance, a condition that cleared a warriors mind of emotions and gave him clarity and strength that allowed them to slaughter entire bands of frenzied men with an expression that one might have whilst taking a leisurely afternoon stroll through a meadow.


    Adrian willed a blade into being and began to flow into a combat routine, he stepped forward parrying an imaginary opponent''s blade to the right and stepping forward again pressing the blade into his opponent''s neck and finishing with a draw cut severing the opponents jugular. Seamlessly he continued into a never ending waltz of imaginary destruction, with each cut, thrust, parry, and riposte his mind became clearer pushing his fears and worries aside until the black void of his mind was clear of the blurred phantoms. He mentally sighed knowing it was a temporary solution to a far more permanent problem, still the hunger subtly gnawed at his mental fortitude.


    Lilith awoke to the sound of pained groans, Adrian began to tense as his body began to undergo mutation, his body became flush as his temperature soared. Human hands began to pop and lengthen, fingernails growing into razor sharp claws, his hair grew thicker and longer. His once slender form broadened as his body creaked and groaned, canines became near to fangs, once emerald green eyes shifted to blood red, budding horns began to rupture the skin of his forehead.


    Part of Lilith knew that this would be an eventuality, but it was not meant to happen to yet, it was far too soon for her master to surpass the realm of mortality and enter into full fledged demon hood. She place a hand over Adrian''s heart and delivered a massive jolt of electricity into his body temporarily stopping the transformation. With him paralyzed it was a simple matter for a demon to shift the demonic taint, latching onto the Aether mutating his body like a parasite, hijacking the process to turn it''s host into a demonic entity. Lilith pried the demonic taint free from the mutations sending the taint back into his blood by sheer force of will, free of interference the mutation continued, much to her pleasure the mutations were entirely internal save for his left eye which now had a vertically slit pupil with an emerald green iris that looked to be streaked by ethereal blue thunder. Even unconscious as he was that eye unnerved the demoness, it did not appear to be looking at her so much as looking through her, as if it was looking into her very being.


    Staring at the once more peacefully sleeping Adrian she was grateful that she had place a command on the girl that had kept her asleep, had Lilith not, the poor girl would most likely be terribly shaken by watching her lover mutate into some form of half demon abomination. That form worried her deeply, it looked like something not yet fully developed, there would come a time when her master was ready to transcend his mortal shell, but neither of them were ready to face that uncertain future.

 Update

    Alright, lost my job, still have a place to live.  Now for the important news, I am in the process of a complete re-write from scratch. I''m aiming for a more serious feel, hopefully it fucking works cause I didn''t like the way the story was progressing.


    So far I have just started chapter four, I will probably start posting the new chapters once I have a bit of a backlog. I am also ditching the character Annabelle, she just didn''t fit well into my mental narative. I will keep the Margitte but will change her name, it was just a place holder name anyways.


    As for his abilities as a warlock I wouldn''t mind some advice, my writing dosen''t have a usually clear cut Good vs Evil themes, I tend towards moral grey areas. Wizardry on the other is pretty straight forward, its an almost scientific approach to magic. Its all based on testable formulas, fire + wind + sphere = a fire ball. How ever actualy being able to formulate a spell and channel aether accordingly is an entirely different matter.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Then there''s martial skills, I''m debating if its a cultivated spirtual energy (like chi) only its absorbed by slaying monsters or other people (like exp). Using special martial abilities would increase strain on the body and increased fatigue. However it takes much longer to develop these techniques and the energy to empower them, your average foot soldier or mercenary for example would never be capabale of anything more than a slight unconscious boost to strength, speed, and agility.


    Where as if a mage cast too many spells and goes beyond his tolerance of Aether he''s got a 50/50 chance of dying or suffering a mutation( these can be positive or negative, Ie increased tolerance for positive or a third arm growing out of your stomach). If a non mage gets exposed to raw Aether they have a 90% chance of death. It also mutates wild animals, things like school bus sized wolves with steel like fur for example.


    Anyways, just letting you all know I am infact still working on A Warlocks Luck and now that I have a better Idea where the story is going I can get a roll on.


    Also changing his Succubus'' name, as much as I like the ancient Assyrian goddes Lilith I''ll be changing it to Anax''shi or something.