“We’d be happy to escort her.” Said Armand with a bow.

“Great to hear it, now there is one more matter we need to address. We have lost one of our elders since the fighting began. She also took some of the people with her. Of course, I’m talking about the Elder of Ruby. She convinced about one hundred citizens that New Mulvaria was sacrilege against Amon. They left almost immediately once we all received the Kingdom Notice from our slates. This leads me to believe she had been planning this for a while. I do not know what she is up to, but I doubt its good. She was always a schemer. If you hear of anything, please send word. We take care of our own.” Said the King.

“As you wish. When will the priestess be ready to travel? We are only about ten hours from Iron Mountain Plateau once we reach the King’s Road.” Said Armand.

“I’m ready now.” Genevieve said.

“That building you stayed in last night will be held for you should you return to New Mulvaria. As you are now citizens granted land rights by me until your line has ended.” Commanded the Grand Elder.

Elle and Typhus gasped as Armand bowed even further. Deacon just looked around like he didn’t understand and the Grand Elder smirked. He was about to ask what he was missing when he saw a message from his slate.

You have been granted the noble title Duke of New Mulvaria and land rights in the city state of New Mulvaria. The conditions are only until your blood line has ended. This means you and your family would all have to die before your land can be taken from you in this region. You may rent land and speak at council on behalf of your interests.

Deacon didn’t know what to say. He just went down to a knee and tried to imitate Armand. Armand grabbed him by the arm, got Deacon back to both feet and bent him at the waist instead. Typhus looked at Elle with shock on his face. Its unheard of to be made nobility, no matter how minor, outside one’s own society.

“Do not worry young ones, the titles are mostly honorary. We don’t expect you to tend to matters of state on a regular basis. This is a gesture of good will from our people to the broader kingdom we’ve now become a part of. Better you than some ambassadors who will no doubt show up in time.” Said the Grand Elder.

“We accept wholeheartedly.” Armand said with grin plastered across his face.

“General if you’d stay behind. I must discuss the Lieutenants statue with you.” Spoke the Grand Elder dismissing everyone else with a gesture.

Deacon was beside himself. He was a Duke, an honorary Duke but a Duke. He wished he had someone to brag to but everyone he knew just became Dukes as well. He guessed Duchess for Elle, but he was being too gender focused. Deacon would just have to ask her later. Well time travel again.

“Excuse me your grace? May I have a word with you?” Genevieve asked.

Deacon looked around, then realized she was talking to him.

“Me?! Oh, yea the title. You don’t have to call me that, Deacon is just fine.” He spoke.

“Deacon then, I have a message for you from Astrael the God of Light and Life.” She said irreverently.

“Oh, can we do this some place less public. I’m uncomfortable with how many gods speak to me already.” Deacon said.

“Very well. You don’t seem fazed by my words. How often do the gods speak with you?” she asked.

“Too often. Sometimes you just want to do your own thing, you know?” Deacon replied.

“No, I don’t. I was brought to tears when Astrael spoke to me before the Great Column fell. She told me to head to the triage unit. That my light was needed. That’s when I found you.” Genevieve said as they all kept walking. Typhus and Elle were fascinated by her words. Even Armand was listening intently even though he pretended not too.

“Wait you weren’t always part of the healing team?” Deacon asked.

“No, I was back in the now buried temple. Praying for everyone’s safe return. There are some shapers with healing magics that make up the bulk of that unit. My lady asked me specifically to go. Tears ran down my face as I looked upon her light. She has a halo patterned after the stars in the sky. She came to me again after the war and gave me a holy pilgrimage to the temple a Iron Mountain Plateau. I’ve never been out of Mulvaria before so I’m a bit nervous.” Genevieve said.

“Well, there are some dangers traveling right now but traveling with a Priestess of Astrael should make things a little easier.” Armand chimed in.

“May she bless our journey with the brightest light.” Genevieve said while clasping her hands.

Deacon noticed that she was much taller than the first time they met. At least five foot two inches. The changes to their bodies that happened after the rise seemed to go unnoticed by them. He guessed forced evolution would be a painful process if you could remember it. She was wearing bright robes and had a large backpack filled with what Deacon could only assume was her worldly belongings.

The five of them walked in silence while looking at all the new buildings and water ways winding their way down the mountain. As they passed the large entrance to mine, they saw several Mulvarians coming and going pushing and pulling large carts filled with ores and gems.

“I hope they will be securing all those riches somewhere. The overworld is filled with nefarious people.” Armand said.

“Can’t we stay a little longer? Turning in the quest for Everhart can’t be that crucial, can it?!” complained Typhus with what looked like drool coming out of his mouth.

“Oh, stop it. You aren’t fooling anyone Typhus Bloodbeard Duke of New Mulvaria.” Elle snapped.

“Come on! I know I saw some diamonds. Diamonds!” Typhus said longingly looking at the mine.

“Here, calm yourself down. That is behavior unbecoming of a Duke” Deacon handed Typhus a solid gold brick from his bag.

He just starred at it in his hands for a solid minute. Everyone else stopped walking to look at Deacon and Typhus. Typhus looked at the gold bar then up at Deacon. Back down to the bar and then up at Armand. His eyes were pleading with Armand.

“He gave it to you freely. Don’t look at me.” Armand said.

“WOOOO!!” Typhus shoved it in his bag and began to do a jig. Then when he finally stopped the bottom of his backpack ripped open and all his gear fell out onto the road.

“This is your fault you big dumb beautiful man you!” Typhus yelled while pointing at a laughing Deacon.

“Maybe now you can afford a better bag.” Deacon said but as soon as he did the top of his boot popped its stitching exposing his left big toe.

“Very fashion conscious, Duke of New Mulvaria.” Elle said covering her face with her hands as they all erupted into laughter.