The next morning I took a warm shower and revelled in getting dressed in fresh, crisp, clean new clothes. The super baggy shorts fit pretty well, and I was happy with the choice. The t-shirts, however, hung shapelessly over me and didn’t make it down to my waist, which wasn’t ideal. I’d still wear them for a little bit. They were a nice change from nothing other than only the deer skin poncho.

Hegnessn had seemed to know what he was doing, and I’d be assessing the quality and comfort of the Hoodie of Darkness. If it was even half as good as the one from Devotion, I’d try to commission some more clothes from him.

Breakfast was sausage and eggs. What animal the eggs were laid by, and the sausages produced from, I had no idea. But they were damn tasty and that was always enough for me. They also prompted the memory that today was rest day on my permanent stat buff. I doubted I’d have the opportunity, though it galled me to wait a day longer than I absolutely had to, to use it. Those days could add up over time, and I wanted every point I could get.

After the breakfast dishes were cleared by the hotel staff, Gildra appeared at our door.

“I have a message that the king would like to see you before you leave. Your full group ay attend this time. Master Grimstrom will meet you at the palace entrance in two hours.”

“Thank you Gildra, for the message and everything else during our stay. It’s a beautiful hotel, made even better by you and your hard work. I hope the owners know how lucky they are.”

Gildra laughed. “This hotel has been in my family for ten generations! You’re looking at the owner.”

“Oh, shit,” I laughed. “I was going to try and poach you for my restaurant when I finally have one! I’ll not bother now.”

“No, but I would love an invitation when you open up,” she smiled broadly.

“Hell yeah you’ll get an invitation, count on it.”

She bounded off, seeming happy with the invitation to a restaurant that was most likely never going to open. But, I figured it was best to remain optimistic.

The two hours went by quickly and it was with a certain eagerness that we all left the Glaeg, despite it being the nicest pace we’d stayed, or were likely to stay for a very long time. Joel and I chatted all the way to the palace, looking at the buildings, and Joel explaining how he thought they might be built. Honestly, it was all beyond me, but I was so happy to have him still with us, and inspired by his enthusiasm that I listened raptly to him.

At the palace, as Gildra had promised Grimstrom waited for us. He stood like a guard, almost statuesque, yet still comfortable, as he watched us approach.

“Come on, come on. There’s a feast awaiting to say goodbye with,”

“You know we just had breakfast,” Joel replied amused.

“I could still eat,” Sania said, before Grimstrom could reply.”

“Me too,” Grigor added with a rare, wide smile. I shrugged at Joel, then turned back to Grimstrom. “Lead the way to the food.”

The king's hall was already occupied by a number of dwarves. Te thirty or so seats around the large table were almost filled and there was already a selection of food out and more coming fast. I noticed Fakasta and Stilbraker among the number. Still armored but un-helmeted.

“Heya, guys, how goes it?”

“Good, Clive. Been watching over your little camp,” Fakasta said, giving me a curious look. “What’s that you’re you wearing? It’s halfway up your damned back.”

“Ha, yeah. The super large t-shirts didn’t exactly fit how I thought they would. I admit to a slight error in judgement.”

The brothers chuckled at my expense. Before King Oblitifist slapped the table loudly with his meaty palm for attention.

“We’re all here now to officially wish you a farewell and cover a few of the finer details of our arrangement. Take a seat, eat, drink,” he gestured.

“The force Fakasta and Stilbraker lead will be posted permanently at Far Reach for as long as they’re needed. Their new barracks is being built half a mile along the tunnel entrance from where our road enters your settlement. Deep enough to avoid territorial disputes with Malatia and Devotion.”

I nodded appreciatively. “That’s nice to know. We’ll take all the extra protection we can get at the minute.”

“Yes, I can imagine. They have come back this morning to escort you home. We’ve already had shipments of stone transported for building with more on the way. This is an exciting opportunity for us to create somewhere safe for the neutral refugees from Kalabri right on our border, but safe within Malatia.”

“Why is Malatia safe?” I asked, curiously. Because so far, it hadn’t been that safe.

“It’s safer than anywhere else. Destruction’s forces are stretched thin against Knuntang and Kalabri. Though we aren’t technically fighting yet, the surface is still well populated with strong neutrals making them pay for every inch of land they take. Then they have Justice to face. They’ve already had some major skirmishes between them. Right now, engaging Malatia would be nothing short of insanity. As for Justice. They don’t want to push too heavily on Malatia as they are a natural ally in the coming battles. Even now, they seek to bring them in on the war against both Kalabri and Destruction. If we fall, Justice will keep moving into Akomoka. Not Malatia.”

“Why doesn’t Malatia join them?” I asked. I knew Justice’s followers were a bag of arseholes, but it just did make sense to me, given everything that was going on.

The king shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. They have the closest ties to Natom Hilgresh and Knuntang, which puts them slightly at odds with Justice. As far as I know, they have no aspirations to conquer lands or fight with other gods. Remember the wish for most of the Gods is to keep the status quo. If they allow Justice any kind of power over them, they’ll quickly fall into being little more than a vassal region to Delosha and be dragged along on a conquest that holds no appeal to them.

“Delosha?” I asked. Annoyed that as soon as one answer was given, another question rose up.

“Delosha, is a large island to the west. It is the home to the followers of Justice.

“Ah, right! I remember that from Grigor’s map. I think I understand why our little budding settlement is well placed then. Hopefully Malatia will stay out of the fighting.”

Oblitifist sighed. “They’ll be drawn into it sooner or later. Whether for Justice or merely defending themselves for attacks on their own borders.”

“Who would attack them apart from Destruction?”

“Everyone!” He laughed. “Now, back to the business of Far Reach. We’ve assigned a team of builders to assist, and they have been made aware that Builder Joel will be taking over.” As he spoke, he shifted his intense gaze to my now uncomfortable friend.

“Bekat, is chief among the builders at your disposal. He is here in Nuinaer readying more supplies to be taken back. They’ll travel with you. He is skilled and he is stubborn. Listen to him, learn from him, but remember, Far Reach is your settlement. If you have a vison, that is the vision you must follow. Don’t let him or the others bully and cajole you, as I know they will.”

Joel squirmed a little under the pressure that was being heaped on him, but nodded. “I’m used to working with folk like that, your highness. I’ll be interested in what they know and can teach me, and I’ll treat them with the respect they deserve, but don’t you worry. I didn’t come back here to be a laborer. I came back to create something amazing.”

The king smiled. “That’s what I want to hear! Life’s too short to stand in your own shadow.” He turned back to me, Sania and Grigor. “There’s presently some confusion as to who will lead in Far Reach. It may not seem to matter now, but it is likely too in the coming months and years as the settlement grows. While you seem to have developed an unusual kind of council, and it’s good to have multiple heads working together, hear me now. The Dwarves of Nuinaer see Clive as the leader of the settlement. In any conflict of interest,” he said, looking specifically at Grigor, “we will support Clive.”

I was genuinely surprised with the acceptance I felt through Grigor’s bond as he nodded. Even though I knew he’d adapted to the situation after the accident in the Glaeg, I found it difficult to trust, except the evidence of his feelings were providing me with the proof.

Sania had tried to explain that he’d been conflicted. In his eyes, he had beaten me in our initial fight. So, to then have to be subservient was against everything he knew. For a Wultr to accept what had happened was close to impossible.

In the second altercation, where I’d accidentally killed him and brought him back to life. Even though he technically couldn’t even hurt me seriously because of the bond. The act had seemed to switch something in his mind, which allowed him to mentally acknowledge me as an alpha. The whole thing made my skin crawl, but this was how their pack society worked, and how it had to be for now. I figured it explained why Grastad could accept me so easily after our fight and relaxed around me.

“I understand and agree,” Grigor finally replied. And with a wry smile added. “If we are to bring many more people under our protection, then it makes sense to be clear on the path we follow. Not all coming will be Wultr either. There are many Neutral races across Kalabri some who will hold no love for my people. At least humans and demons are hated equally by everyone.”

Oblitifist slapped the table, laughing loudly. “I think I might like you after all Grigor.”

A smile reached my face, too. I think it was the first attempt at a joke that I’d heard from Grigor since meeting him.

The conversation ebbed and flowed, as we talked about plans, the future and how we would want to work together. As the feast slowly came to a close, with Oblitifist appearing to be half comatose with the incredible amount of food eaten and drink he’d imbibed, he suddenly shot upright and banging the table again.

“Before you leave, there’s something else we must discuss!” I sensed a sudden change in the vibe of the room, particularly from the king and Grimstrom.

“In the spirit of honesty and transparency between us, you should know that a number of neutrally aligned hunters were hired by us to hunt an assassin who was responsible for the death of my dear brother, Derk. He was the previous Head Guardian of Nuinaer. The assassin was after my death, but Derk saved and lost his own life in the process. The assassin in question fled into Malatia.”

He didn’t even need to finish. I knew where he was headed with this. I looked over to Joel. His face had gone pale as he listened intently to the king.

“I believe one of our hunters was responsible for the death of one of your friends. I say this not to take ownership of what happened to your friend. That was outside of my power to prevent, though I mourn the loss of any innocents in this war just as I mourn my own brother. But I wanted you to know from my own mouth, rather than hear it from another and put the pieces of your tragedy together in a way that casts a negative light on us.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond. It was a hell of a thing to find out. I took a few deep breaths to let the revelation sink in. Looking back over to Joel, he didn’t seem to have any such issues, as his face was now bright red with anger as he looked at the king.

“I don’t blame the Saleel you sent, nor do I blame you, your highness. For me, the responsibility lies with the Dokalfar assassin. The one who led us out of the city knowing fine well that she was hunted by you. She put all my friends at risk for her own survival. She used us as a decoy to escape you and when I find her again, I guarantee you, no matter what it takes, I’ll make her pay for Daz and your brother’s deaths.”

King Oblitifist saluted Joel with his fist. “I hear your words. They do you great honor, Builder Joel. But you may put your vengeance aside. We have reports that the murderer in question has already been captured and will be paying a heavy price very soon.”

“What will you do with her once she’s brought here?” Joel asked, leaning forward eagerly for the answer.

“First, we will extract the information of who sent her to kill me, by any means necessary and for however long it takes. Once we have that answer, and we will have the answer, she will be pitted.”

“Good,” Joel spat. “I hope she suffers.”

Oblitifist turned to me, awaiting some kind of response beyond silence.

“Like Joel. I hold the Dokalfar responsible. There’s no ill will between us, your majesty. I’m happy to hear she’s gonna pay for what she’s done. Though I’m interested to know who sent her to kill your brother. Do you think it was Destruction?”

“It could be, but we don’t think so. Destruction and her followers pride themselves on being direct. Justice are similarly direct, and they generally do not work with anyone who is not of a light alignment. At least, to my knowledge. Malatia seems highly unlikely, as does Knuntang. This is why it is such a mystery. We will have our answers though,” he said darkly.

“Anyway. Now that is over. Let us move on to brighter things, Clive. A gift,” he said gesturing to a servant who hurried over. They handed me a parcel wrapped in grey paper and tied with string, which I opened excitedly. Inside was a beautiful black hoodie, so dark it was hard to look at without feeling like I was looking into a void.

I held it up and read the Item description notification that appeared on inspection:

Hoodie of Darkness.

Rarity: Unique Item.

Defence: + 10

Stealth: +15

Agility: +15

Attributes: Shrouded in Darkness: Scrying and other detection spells will not work whilst Hoodie is equipped.

Warning: Effect does not apply to detection spells cast by a follower of Darkness.

Bonus Attributes: Raising hood and standing shadow will make you invisible to all with a perception under thirty points.

You will be 90% less likely to be observed by those with Perception below 60.

You will be 70% less likely to be observed by those with Perception below 120.

No effect on those with Perception above 120.

Will adapt to changing physical appearance.

“This is amazing! It’s essentially a hoodie of invisibility, too,” I jabbered in amazement at the stats.

“Up to a point,” Oblitifist replied. “I hope it serves you well in the future.”

“It’ll certainly keep your lower back warmer,” Fakasta said with a wide grin.

I ignored the good natured jibes, still mooning over the material. “What’s it made of? It’s like material from my world, but… much better. It’s as if I can feel the strength and quality.”

“If I don’t miss my guess, the silk of the Argan rock spider. Strongest natural fiber there is, and it can be woven very finely. As the garment is thick, I imagine he’s used a more insulating base material. What I can be sure of is that clothes made by Hegnessn are the best clothes on Falritas.”

There were a number of heads nodding in agreement around the table and I felt honored to have received such a gift. I pulled it on immediately and reveled in the feel of it. Thicker than the Hoodie of Devotion and it fit like a dream, even seeing to disguise the spikes and ridges on my demon arm.

“This is a beauty!” I said standing up and spinning around to give everyone a good look whether they were interested or not. I also thought it worked well with my knee length black basketball shorts. I looked ready to hit the courts and had a brief daydream about how good I’d be at basketball these days, then pulled myself back to reality. Basketball was not in my future. I’d just have to settle for the most casual half demon lord to ever run a settlement in the Craster mountains.

“Shall we get going then?” Stilbraker asked interrupting my wandering mind. “I think the people of Far Reach will be very relieved to have you lot back amongst them.”