Chapter 8 - The Summon

-” ...appear before me and serve! “ Final words of the summoning resounded and I was brought somewhere.

I quickly looked around and felt a bit of relief as a room, in which I found myself in, didn’t contain any obvious orcs. My gaze darted around, noticing plain wooden floor, worn down wooden table and crude walls made of plaster and oak. Two people sat around the table, while a familiar nerd looking mage stood next to me, his hands extended in almost papal gesture.

-” Yhuu! It certainly is ugly… “ A short, slender girl with a thin mane of blonde hair, that reached to her shoulders, exclaimed with disgust. -” ...but it looks kinda weak. “ She had rather wide, plain face, but her lively, shockingly green eyes made her seem really pretty. -” Why is it looking at me? That’s disgusting! “ She complained in a shrill voice, while giving me a curious look.

A bit embarrassed, for staring, I quickly looked elsewhere, and my gaze crossed with a steely grey one, it belonged to a muscular, square jawed dude in his thirties, who had a scar running diagonally across his cheek. -” Are you sure? It really doesn’t look like much. “ He spoke doubtfully in a deep voice, which, coupled with his ruffled short hair, completed an almost perfect image of a warrior.

-” Its a demon, even a weakest one is much stronger than your average monster. “ Nerdmage said haughtily in an unpleasant voice. -” And I can control it perfectly. Look. “ He spoke in satisfaction and pointed his finger at me. -” Roll, demon. “ Urged by an unknown will, I fell down and started rolling on my back, which made me realize that having miniature wings can be really uncomfortable. Mage turned and addressed the warrior at the table. -” So do we have a deal? “

As soon as the compulsion vanished I stopped rolling and rose to my feet. Nerdmage was bending over the table and looked rather lame, as the siting warrior was taller than he was. I glared hatefully at the summoner, nitpicking at his flaws - long nose, freckles, bowl haircut, plain and scrawny face…

-” This certainly doesn’t look like much… “ Suddenly, a calm, modulated voice spoke from behind me. -” ...but I see little harm with inviting you, for a test run. “

We, me and nerdmage, turned swiftly, both surprised by the person who was standing near the door, unnoticed. Owner of the voice turned out to be tall and willowy, with a pale complexion that made a stark contrast to his dark hair and eyes. Considering his sudden appearance, leather armor, and assortment of daggers and short swords made me assume that he was akin to a rogue.

-” Though, considering that you are new, I will propose half the pay until you prove yourself. “ The rogue didn’t beat around a bush and briskly got to the point, I was impressed by his apparent competence. -” Deal? “

-” ...half a pay… “ Nerdmage muttered quietly, but under composed, authoritative gaze of the rogue he quickly relented. -” Um, yes, of course, deal. “ Nerdmage agreed uncertainly.

-” Good. “ The rogue noded lightly. -” Let’s get the introductions out of the way. I am Kayden Windbrook, I am dealing with recon and decisionmaking. “ He spoke in a professional manner, quickly getting to the point. -” That’s William, a combat specialist, he’s in charge of patrols and guard duty. “ Then he inclined his head to a girl. -” And that’s Lylah, a bard, she is taking care of the camp. What about you? “

-” Um… “ Nerdmage started out uncertainly, in a weak voice. -” They call me Reed, and I know magic… er… of a destructive kind. “ Then he added as an afterthought. -” I can summon demons too. “

-” Understood, we depart in twenty minutes. Don’t be late. “ I was impressed by Kayden’s impartial response to mage’s lame words, as I couldn’t find any signs of distaste in them. Without another word the rogue turned away and left the room, but I was already looking back at the warrior, who, with a loud rumble, retrieved a bundle that was lying on a chair next to him. It was a sword and mace tied together with leather cords.

But what really got my attention was a strange gaze that Lylah was giving me, as our gazes met she scowled cutely and rose up to leave the room together with a warrior.

-” What are you doing, you good for nothing imp? “ Nerdmage suddenly started ordering me around. -” Grab my baggage and lets go. “ A malicious thought appeared in my mind as I approached an extremely large backpack, but before my menacing paws reached the prize nerdmage added. -” And make sure you don’t damage it. “

-’ Damn. ‘ I complained unhappily as I tried to pick up the backpack, which turned out to be ungodly heavy due to rectangular shapes inside. -’ Freakin’ nerd! Why does he carry so much damn books around! ‘

Burdened, with a backpack bigger than I was, and exhausted after a journey down the stairs, I passed a big room full of tables and chairs, and finally arrived on a street. Due to straining weight on my back, and painfully bent wings, I barely noticed stares of the people that I passed on my way.

-” Iuuuu… “ I whined a complaint, as I slowly placed the unyielding weight on a street outside the inn. -’ I even can’t drop the damn thing… ‘ I complained in my thoughts as I got free of my burden. Finally free, I quickly looked around in curiosity.

It was a first time that I could witness a medieval village made in an european style. Thatched roofs, wooden buildings sometimes covered with rough plaster, cobblestones of a main road and unpaved ground of side alleys… I was feasting my eyes on the unfamiliar sights and on strangely clad people that passed me. They wore all kinds of historic gear - breeches, tunics, leather armors, chain mails… there was everything and I almost couldn’t get enough of it.

-’ Hmm, that’s a first time that I enjoy outside, since like forever… “ A sudden thought about my previous life suddenly sobered me up, and made me aware of the details that spoiled my idyllic moment. Smell of piss, spoiled beer, animal excrements, rotten things and sweat brought me back to reality.

-” ...wh...what do you l-like...” I finally registered a nearby conversation between Lylah and nerdmage, who was stuttering and doing his best to sound like an idiot. -” ...I mean...like... what you are interested in! “ He finally exclaimed loudly.

I quickly stifled a thought that I wasn’t faring much better in my previous life.

Lylah stopped looking at a ground behind me and turned her attention to the looser. -” ...ah… sorry. What were you saying? “ She spoke absentmindedly.

-” Um, I… sorry… I mean if you need something I will help! “ Somehow, nerdmage managed to respond. -” Also, I know a lot! You need only to ask! “

-” I see. “ Lylah spoke slowly and looked at me with curiosity. -” Why do demons look so grotesque, but somehow cute? “

-” W-what do you mean?! “ Nerdmage stuttered and exclaimed loudly.

-” Like, those… “ Lylah pointed at my paws. -” ...they don’t look dangerous at all. “

Without looking, nerdmage waved a hand in the air with superiority and started speaking in all knowing manner. -” Demons often take misleading forms to lure and deceive the unwary. You shouldn’t bother with such a minor demon, I assure you that I can summon much bigg… “ He suddenly stopped as Lylah approached me, which made both me and nerdmage uncomfortable.

-” You said that you can control it perfectly, right? “ Lylah asked innocently as she bent down.

-” Y-yes! “ Nerdmage exclaimed in a panicked voice. -” Imp, you cannot harm her under no circumstance! “ Taken aback, I tried to retreat from the approaching girl, but I was stopped. -” Stay there. “

My eyes went wide with uncertainty, as Lylah approached, her emerald eyes brimmin with curiosity. -” I knew it! They aren’t sharp at all! “ A small tingle made me giggle and writhe a bit as she touched my dulled claws. -” Actually they are kind of nice to the touch. “ She exclaimed as my claws grazed across her hand.

-” What do you mean? Demons have sharp claws, that’s common knowledge! “ Nerdmage bent down to look too, but he couldn’t see anything.

-” Excuse me. “ A calm voice suddenly interrupted. -” Since everyone’s dillydallying I assume that the preparations are taken care of. “ Kayden was standing nearby and looking at us expectantly, William was behind him.

-” Um, of c-course. “ Nerdmage quickly jumped back, as if caught red handed.

-” Yes, let us go. “ Lylah quickly stood up and went to grab her backpack, nerdmage came up to her trying to offer help with carrying it, but she smiled and shook her head, which made me elated and my summoner sulky.

I was wondering where and how we were departing, but a merchant wagon that stopped next to our group made everything obvious. A stockily built man pulled the reins and exclaimed a lively greeting . -” Greetings, I hope you are all ready for the journey. “ After a slight pause to see that there was no disagreement he continued. -” Then pack your bags inside… “ His gaze traveled to nerdmage’s baggage. -” Though that big one you will need to carry yourself. “

-” You heard the man, take my baggage and let us go. “ To my horror nerdmage issued a soul crushing order. -” And make sure you don’t damage it! “

And so we walked out of the village... with me miserable under the heavy weight.

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Hey~, Author's Here~

Today we've got another nice graphic from our dear Owlbear general, he's done a really good job with it. Enjoy!

*If image does not display, here's a link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5MfJqSXtu7Fd3AtU0Y3Q1BJZTA/view

Well, I hope you liked today's chapter, see ya in a week * :P

Cheers,

Mea

*Or earlier, as I will answer any comments/questions you might have (tho questions about locations of my magical weapon caches, treasures or other secrets are off limits).

http://royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=32301