<23 August 2024, MIRROR DEEP RETREAT, ????> [Theo and Julia] >Local Message: Universal Translation in effect "Greetings and welcome back to the Mirror Deep Retreat," Laurel said.

"Hello, Laurel," Julia said, and Theo nodded to the mannequin-looking woman. "Have you seen Lady Eg'Valla? She asked us to meet her here."

"She should be here momentarily as she and her other guests have been waiting for you for a bit," Laurel said, and then a moment later, Eg'Valla stepped out of one of the other hallways.

"Theo, Julia, I am glad that you came." Lady Eg'Valla said.

"Sorry for making you wait, Lady Eg'Valla; we came as quickly as we could," Julia said with a smile and a slight bow.

"It is not a problem." Eg'Valla waved her hand dismissively. "We were taking our time bathing. Now, do either of you have qualms about mixed bathing?"

Theo and Julai both shrugged non-committally. Theo spoke up, "While I don't know that we are opposed to it, it certainly is not the norm in our culture, but we are both willing to partake, I think. Right, Julia?"

Theo looked at Julia, who smiled, "It really doesn't bother me. So lead on Lady Eg'Valla."

Lady Eg'Valla nodded and led them deeper into the retreat than they had ever been; what awaited them was a massive bathing area roughly the size of a football field, and in the deep water were seven beings. One was a silver and red dragon, two were whatever species Lady Eg'Valla was, one looked to be another human, one was a strange, robed person who appeared completely dry despite the fact that they were floating on their back, one was for all intents and purposes a demon in the most 'I am a succubus and will drain you dry' sense that Theo and Julia had ever imagined. The last was a strange scaled lizard man.

"Now then, introductions," Eg'Valla said.

"You know, Aflara Karzun," Eg'Valla gestured to the dragon, who waved her tail at them as she lounged in the warm water, "then we have..."

She quickly went over who was there. The two who were the same species as Eg'Valla were female servants that Eg'Valla had brought with her named Da'Nurla and Da'Trenna. The human-looking person was a man named Grot, with whom Eg'Valla seemed mildly uncomfortable. The demon woman, named Lamalla, waved at them when she was introduced. The Lizardman was Garadana, and finally, the robed person was introduced last.

"... and this is Lord Ka the Mournful," Eg'Valla concluded.

"Lord Ka," Theo said, and Julia bowed slightly.

"Hello again, humans." Lord Ka said in the same voice that had messaged them after they acquired the Ring of Eternal Mourning. "I do hope that my ring is treating you well."

"It is," Theo said, his gut screaming at him to be cautious. "I guess thank you? We were unaware of the bets that were apparently placed on our behalf."

Lord Ka chuckled. "No, I didn't think that you were."

"So, Lady Eg'Valla," Theo said, feeling somewhat awkward with how they all watched as he and Julia were undressing. Theo slid into the water. "Julia and I were quite surprised when we got your message."

Julia nodded, slipping into the water as well. "It was rather strange. We were rather sure that our dealings were done, at least until after Primordial Flight."

"That is a fair assumption." Lady Eg'Valla said, one of her attendants starting to rub oils into the fur that covered Lady Eg'Valla from head to toe. "But when it got out that Primordial flight was taking place and that I knew where and had already established some relations with those who had a relatively safe place in the area. Well, offers were made, and I was asked to extend these offers to you. That is why everyone is here. They want to ask for something from you during Primordial Flight."

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Except for me." A feminine yet deep and rumbling voice issued forth from Aflara's dragon form. "I was sent here to represent Patriarch Karzun and to let you know that this was all approved of on his side as well. Lord Gurndin said that if you wanted to get his confirmation, just message him."

Theo smiled, and Julia nodded before speaking up. "Very well, then shall we begin?"

"Of course. I am sure that you and Theo are working to get everything ready." Eg'Valla smiled. "Firstly, I have a list of special requests regarding food and housing..."

Theo cut her off. "Apologies for the rudeness, but no. Everyone will be eating the same meals, and everyone will be camping either on the surface in the Ward runes that we have established or in the basement, which is currently underway. We have no way to facilitate such arrangements. People are more than welcome to bring their own camping gear, or they can sleep on the dirt under the stars just as we are."

Eg'Valla nodded. "I assumed that would be the case, but I was asked by at least three parties to still pass on the request. I will relay your answer. You will be feeding everyone; does that include servants."

Theo and Julia looked at each other. Theo shook his head as subtly as he could, sure that everyone would see it. Julia smiled, "No, we were under the impression of thirty people, ten from each family. As you know, our situation is stretched thin."

The demonic-looking woman slid up next to Theo, pressing herself up to him, her voice dripping with every possible indicator of interest and sensuality. "Surely, you can make an exception and accommodate some more people. And maybe even a higher-level group? I am sure that I could find a way to compensate you, Lord Theo."

Theo felt a surge of skill wash over him at the same time as he saw Julia's hand rising and an amorous response from his body. Then the Ring of Eternal Mourning pulsed, and Theo caught the hand that had been moving to slap the woman. Theo slid back from the woman, who tisked. Theo smiled with a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I don't recall your name, but I assure you that we can not. Even if we were to adjust our agreement, it would be a matter for myself, Julia, Lady Eg'Valla, Patriarch Karzun, and Lord Gurndin."

"So diplomatic." The demon-looking woman said in a bland tone devoid of sensuality. Her body deflated from the rather crazy, almost sex-doll-esque proportions that it had to something that looked far more natural on the woman. Her pointed tail waved, and a pouch of coin fell into Aflara's claws. "Don't know that it's fair with that ring, but a bet is a bet. And I think you deserve it for the female trying to slap me."

Aflara chuckled, as did Lord Ka. Then Eg'Valla bowed her head to Theo. "Apologies, Lamalla is an Arthintry. They have a... complex relationship with many species and with men in general."

Theo and Julia glanced at each other, remembering Oreburn's warning to stay away from the Arthintry. Lamalla's eyes shot up, "You have heard of my people?"

"We were warned to avoid a group of Arthintry that are apparently one of the three nearby settlements to where we have put down roots," Theo said, nodding. "We were told that if we should encounter them to show courtesy without showing weakness."

Lamalla laughed. "That would be hard to do for you without that ring. But it is a good warning. Who warned you of that?"

"Oreburn did." Julia said, "But we can discuss that later. Now, what is the next thing?"

Lady Eg'Valla motioned for the others to come forward. One by one, they made their case for why they or a family member should be allowed to participate. Theo and Julia ultimately stuck to the original plan. No one over level fifteen. And they limited the late additions to two people per family, meaning they agreed to host an additional four. Finally, it was only Lord Ka and Lamalla who needed to make their case.

Lord Ka moved forward in the water, leaving perfectly still water behind him. His voice still sent shivers down the backs of both Theo and Julia. "I would offer a change to your Ring of Eternal Mourning. In exchange, you place ten crystals that I will leave with you now outside any protections or claimed land. They will absorb a very specific type of energy, and I will retrieve them the moment they are full with a skill. The upgrade that I offer is one of three that you can choose later. I give you my word the crystals will not impact you or anyone you intend to host in any way. Do you agree?"

Lord Ka seemed like a busy person, so Theo and Julia quickly agreed and were given a small case that was roughly a foot square and four inches thick. Then Lord Ka bowed deeply before vanishing. Lamalla stepped up then, "All right, now my actual offer. I want you to bring the entire village that you were warned of inside your Ward runes for the duration of the Primordial Flight. Totaling two hundred people."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.