Jake sighed, scratching his head. “You know, I don’t think this is going to work.”

Quelaag shuffled her spider feet gently. “What do you mean?”

Jake gestured towards the city in the valley below where they were standing. It was an actual city, filled with bustling people making trades and living their lives, large enough to not be considered a town like two others the party had passed during their travels. It was exactly what the party needed to get to, to restock on supplies and to learn more about the world that they had been brought to. And to level, of course. The party had been traveling for weeks, trying to find some place that would suit their needs. Finally, they had come across this city. But there was one problem…

“I don’t see any large, fiery, spider-ladies walking around from up here. All of those people seem to be walking around on two legs.” He looked back at Quellag, more specifically her giant spider body. It growled at him, small streams of magma dripping past its razor sharp teeth. “Yea, no. I don’t think that you can come into the city.”

Quelaag’s eyes flashed dangerously. She crossed her arms underneath her bust and began tapping a slim finger against her bicep, staring hotly at Jake. “And what do you expect me to do out here? There is hardly any food left from our travels, and even if there were, if any of those travelers noticed my presence, they would be likely to kill me or send for the guards.” She sighed, a somewhat musical sound, like a calm breeze. “If you want, I can wait in the fore…”

“Nope.” Jake interrupted her. “I have an idea. I will try disbanding your Binding, and you should be brought back to Lordran. After I’m done with what I need in the town, I will resummon you and we can go do that … other bit with the town.” Jake grinned. “What do you say?”

Quelaag was slightly shocked. “I did not know that I can be sent back to my world. I thought I was a permanent companion? Was that not what your achievement said?”

“It was,” Jake replied, “but as I was talking with Giggles, she let it slip that your ‘permanent companion’ bonus just means that you are sentient and you retain all your knowledge after being released or killed. It’s set up as a safety feature, from what I can gather. Makes it so that the summoner doesn’t have to worry about being attacked by a forgetful summon.”

Quelaag undid her crossed arms, making her breasts bounce gently. Her lower half glanced into the city, and slightly growled. Gently patting its head, Quelaag looked back up at Jake. “I think that would be best. My other is missing the fires, and it would be good to see my sister again.”

Jake nodded and, grabbing a smoke, moved to sit down. “This should take about a minute.” Jake lit up his cigarette, and closed his eyes. Purple flames began forming around the kneeling figure, spiraling around his form. As time went on, more and more flames began twirling around him, forming a miniature cyclone of purplish flames. Inhaling the toxic smoke, Jake gently exhaled it. The flames twisting around him broke away, and formed into a circle of fire, spinning rapidly. The center of the circle began darkening, from smoke and magic. Moments passed, seemingly stretching into infinity. Jakes eyes snapped open, reflecting the roaring circle in the air, seeming to burn with an inner light. He spoke, his voice reverberating through the air. “Created from nothing, ripped from your plane. My Binding of Fire, I return you until I have need of you again.” With a tearing sound, a portal appeared in the center of the raging inferno. Quelaag was dragged bodily into the void, too quickly to speak anything besides a surprised squeak. The portal closed as quickly as it opened, and the fire faded rapidly. Sighing, Jake took another drag. “Did I really have to say that nonsense to send her back?”

Of course not, I just wanted to see if you would do it. I mean, that wasn’t even a real rhyme! Hahahahaha! You sounded so ridiculous! Thanks for that! ~Giggles

Jake sighed, shaking his head. He finished off his cigarette, and climbed to his feet. Looking down at the silver fox resting on the ground, he patted his leg and started walking down the hill. “Fucking Giggles. Making me do stupid shit.”

Quietly muttering to himself more obscenities, he pulled up his status screen to see how much he had progressed since his time with the Orc.

Status Race: Human Name: Jake Roshaven Level: 20 5% Titles: Voidwalker Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Health: 200 Stamina: 180 Mana: 585 Attributes Vitality: 20 Strength: 10 Endurance: 18 Agility: 10 Dexterity: 10 Intelligence: 39 Wisdom: 39 Pets Mizutsune Male [Twin-Tailed Frost-Bound Fox] Level: 19 Health: 152 Stamina: 150 Mana: 425 Abilities: Frost-Bound Mind Sync Rebirth

Jake continued to bitch about whatever crossed his mind absently, as he scrolled through the menus. Mizutsune continued to trot at his side, content with listening at all the swear words coming from his master. The fox looked down the hill towards the city, and yipped at Jake in warning.

Closing his screens, Jake looked at the mass of shining steel and stamping feet of a group of cavalry charging towards him.

“Oh, for fucks sake.”

_______________________________________________

The 5th Cavalry Detachment, more commonly called the Silver Thunder, were on their routine circuit around the city of Trentshire, the largest city within a hundred miles. Trentshire was a bastion of defense against the war-bands of the Orcs to the west and the Elven hordes to the south. It had a flowing economy, dealing in lumber from the forests and stone from the mountains. The Silver Thunder was one of the strongest detachments, just under the strength of the 3rd Airborne Cavalry Detachment, the Raining Death. The Silver Thunder and Raining Death had been having a rivalry since the founding of their Detachments, brought forth from their founders. The brothers Laers and Selar Swiftfoot were the strongest of their pack, and each focused on different forms of martial mastery. Laers, who had raised horses since he was a child, focused on the close in combat that knights were famed for, helping defend his pack from raiders. Selar, on the other hand, was a hunter born and raised. He tamed his first [Night-Hawk] when he was barely just a pup, treating it like a younger brother. While Laers had remained on the ground, Selar had taken to the skies and hunted for his pack, bringing back game to feed the mouths of his family.

The brothers eventually got old enough to travel the world, leaving their pack behind. The twin Wolf Beast-Kin wandered the wilds, before they stumbled across Trentshire. During that time, it was a small collection of various Beast-Kin, barely large enough to be considered a farming village. The brothers entrenched themselves within the village and the populace, bringing both protection and food. The village began to prosper, and grew into the city known in the present. Both of the brothers helped build the city that they had called home, and happily accepted the responsibilities of creating Detachments to defend their home better. But the rivalry continued, and to this day the Silver Thunder and Raining Death would compete against each other in yearly tournaments to hold the title and banner of the Swiftfoot clan, a wolfs paw crushing a skull into the ground. The Raining Death had beaten out the Silver Thunder, barely, to have the banner waving gaily in the breeze above their barracks and aviary, where they hosted their trained [Night-Wings], giant black feathered ravens.

Wolen, the current leader of the Silver Thunder Detachment and the strongest Leopard Beast-Kin in the city, ceased his patrol at one of the walls of the city, seeing torrents of deep purple flames appearing at the top of the hill to the west. He wheeled his [Dire-Horse], a large beast with gnashing fangs, to the side and called for his troops to him. His second, a female Jaguar Beast-Kin by the name of Bagheera, rode up to his side.

“Captain,” Bagheera slammed her right fist into her left breastplate, saluting her superior. “I noticed the flames too. Would you like to investigate? It could be a war-band.” Her voice was soft, but Wolen knew that in the heat of battle, her voice would echo over the crashing of blades and the screams of the dying. It was a strong voice, and he was contemplating of asking her to mate with him. She would make a good mother for his kits. Nodding his head, the Beast-Kin kept his eyes on the roaring flames in the distance.

“Yes, Lieutenant. Send one of the Detachment to go report back to Central. If this is a war-band, it would be best to prepare the defenses in the city. Everyone else, prepa…” As he was speaking, the purples flames roared even brighter, and then extinguished just as quickly. Snarling, Wolen grabbed the pommel of his bastard sword, and spurred his horse onwards. Blast it all! I do not want some rampaging mage to enter into this city! They’re rare enough to warrant caution, and I have never seen flames of that color. I feel that this mage is powerful, but we should be able to take them. And if not, well… at least the city will be safer.

The thundering of hooves followed Wolen as he raced up the hill, towards a figure wrapped within a dark cape walking slowly towards his city, waving their hand threateningly through the air and muttering beneath their breath, possibly creating spells to destroy the approaching troops. What appeared to be a small beast followed the figure, trotting to keep up with their long strides.

I will protect my city with my life! I will not let this outsider pillage to their hearts content and rape the women! Wolen drew his [Well-Crafted Broadsword] and raised it to the sky. The rest of the 5th followed his movements, steel rasping against leather. “For the Third! For Trentshire!” His Detachment roared their agreement, and they charged towards the steadily growing figure. With his sharp ears, Wolen heard a quiet yip, and saw the figure get startled. A deep voice issued from his mouth, proving Wolen’s theory of the mage being Male. But he did not understand the words. Who in the Abyss is Forfuks? It must be their craven god if this vagabond is asking for his sake.

_______________________________________________

Jake stopped moving, raising his hands above his head. He did not want to start anything with the local authorities yet. There were still purchases he had to make, and he had to learn about the world that he had been brought to rule. Hopefully they understand this as a sign of peace… The large horses kept moving forward at a rapid pace, and the dying sunlight glinted off of raised weapons. Please tell me that this is a common sign of peace… The riders thundered towards him. Well shit. The lead rider raised his hand, and the group diverged around Jake like he was a stone in a river. Circling the human repeatedly, the riders formed around him, the large horses snorting and pawing at the grass. The lead rider, who had stopped directly in front of Jake, lowered their blade at the human.

“Who are you, mage, and why are you approaching the city of Trentshire? Speak now, or we will cut you down.” The sound was muffled by the helmet, but Jake was able to hear the cold indifference in the man’s voice. Jake kept his hands raised, and said the first thing that came to mind.

“I am a wandering magician, here to restock and to take advantage of your city’s famed hospitality. I just finished my teleportation up top of that hill, and it has drained me of more mana than I thought it would. I would be honored if you would escort me to the city, and will owe you and yours a favor.”

Well, shit. That actually didn’t sound that bad. A little pompous and mysterious, and I told them how ‘weak’ I am. Hopefully, if this shit turns sideways, they will underestimate me.

The rider did not lower his sword, but the indifference in his voice changed slightly. “And what do you require in my city, mage? There is not much for your kind here.”

“I require a place to rest as I continue my journey to uncover the secrets of the arcane. I have travelled far, and there is still much ground to cover. My strength is limited, so I would be no threat to you.” Jake continued to pull the words strait out of his ass. And now for the kicker.”I am hoping that I will find a way to heal my injured sister. She has been corrupted by a curse, and the powers of the Light cannot heal her. If I am unwanted, then I will continue on my way.” Hehe, no one can resist the sick sister story. C’mon, let me in.

The blade wavered slightly, and the armored man turned to face the one to his right. A small nod came from the smaller figure, and the leader sheathed his sword slowly and dismounted. Jake noticed that the rider had no boots, and instead he saw what appeared to be the feet of a leopard sticking out of the mail. The cat feet touched into the ground, and the man raised his arms and lifted off his helmet. Slanted eyes of a cat, along with pointed ears atop his head broke free from the confines of metal, and the cat-man stared at him for a few moments. He opened his mouth, and Jake saw a single row of pointed teeth, with large incisors stretching past the others.

“I am sorry for your troubles mage, and if there is anything within our city that would help you, we would gladly sell to you. But I must ask, what are your origins? I do not recognize your scent, so you are of no race I am familiar with.”

Jake grinned at the man. “My name is Jake, from State Farm.” He extended his hand, still smiling. “And I’m a mix of pretty much all races.”

The cat-man stared at his hand, and then slowly reached out to take it. Grasping for a second, the cat-man pulled back and remounted. “Then follow me, Sir Jake, Mage of the State of Farme. We will escort you to Trentshire.” He spun his horse around, and began walking back to the city. Jake walked inside of the group of knights, his forced smile straining his face.

Fucking Nekos. I’m going to enjoy killing them.