Welcome Back! Everyone depicted in this alternate universe, thousands of years in the futuristic past, is of age and have agreed to the their story being presented today. If you contribute ideas that come about and your story is added, you will need to pick out your background and class. (Soviet Degenday(Sword and Board) and Boulder Dash (NG Gnome Monk).
With so many people to juggle it might be nice to get them organized in your mind as well: (it expands in later chapters).
Team1: Heran, Evaine, Niviena, Ewlene, Yesime, Anders, Isabella
Team2: Sabina, Annalise, Desa, Abigale, Amber, Treya, Ivana, Joan
Team3: Katelyn, Beau, Erika, Alexandra, Triss, Abby, Jenna, Amelia
Team4: Jacob, Dustin, Jamison, Anton, Petra,Regina
Merchant Ship: Saedin, Agitha, Cassandra
"Ale?" Sabina asks and I nod, hands were full last trip, bringing back all of the available now food. I love bread, especially the kind they have here, melon sized round loaves hard-crusted on the outside and fluffy on the inside to pick out. Hard to eat them though without something to wash it down.
Seeing Soviet sitting at my normal table, I don't know if only seeing him in his black scaled armor even while relaxing makes him seem more solid, he has the same build as Severan, they could be brothers in looks with Severan showing more big brother attitude with Soviet studying every detail of everything.
Sabina brings out another plate, "We have this for now and should be able to get something made, she looks over at us, "for the three of you shortly. Ale?" She asks Soviet.
"Water is fine." His demeanor goes from study to relaxed and smiling in an instant.
"I'll get my own, Severan?" I ask following her back into the kitchen, he agrees and I pick up the pace and grab Sabina by the hips with her stopping in place and leaning back.
"You have time tonight?" She asks looking up and back at me.
"Early morning? I have a meeting with Cinthia tonight."
"That's the woman in your head, what's that like?"
"She's a mage, all of her free time she studies and practices." Sabina turns in my arms giving me a smile.
"So, a lot of room in there for her to do all of that huh." Chuckling with her and pinching her ass. "Hey!"
"Let's focus for a moment so I can get back out there and talk to Soviet." Leaning down we kiss for a bit and her hands roam as much as mine do. Breaking off with lust in both of our eyes.
"Yes, let's get this night over with and I'll wake you up, nicely." Sabina turns and starts getting the preparations going while I grab the water and two ales and head back to the table.
"You plan on staying in Sreport?" Soviet asks Severan as I take a seat.
"Wife has family there."
"I know you've captained a ship, a merchant now?" Soviet asks in the same neutral tone, and there is no way he should know that, this is ridiculous.
"I'm not sure what games you, or the council is playing, but the amount of spying on us is out of control. I'm sure they are listening now, so they can pull you back, we have nothing to discuss or to do going forward." I reply. "Having every move and conversation being viewed and shared with you means they can't be trusted as they have no trust to give."
"You sure you want to do that?" Soviet asks, not moving.
"Do? I haven't done anything, except do their job for them. They couldn't be bothered to spy on the Viscount and prevent the illegal sale of their citizens as slaves, right?" I sit for a moment and there is nothing said.
"Couldn't be bothered to step in and save these women from the same Viscount from ordering his soldiers to come down here, kill anyone that tries to stop them from snatching these women up? No, nothing?"
"But it seems I am being spied at a level you know a private conversation while I was walking alone with Severan? How many other towns just like this one have been wiped out because the council is so busy, I had to be brought here?"
"They wished to be informed, and to inform me, on what to expect when I arrived." Soviet replies.
'Can you tell when they are spying Cinthia?' I think to her, I guess that's what I'm doing at least.
'No, I can ask if that ability is available,' she replies.
"Anything you have to offer that would make dealing with you people worth it?" I ask Soviet after what seemed like watching Cinthia walk away just outside my peripheral vision.
"The ruins are probably a labyrinth of hallways, your; Ranger ability will be of little use, I am what is being offered to make it worth it."
"You mean the job they gave with the hint of maybe leaving me alone if done?" I reply shaking my head. "An offer that can't be refused, is not an offer." This is the kind of stuff I grew to dislike in my home of hired mercenaries. We wouldn't take on bad jobs, but there were times when you found out the job was bad after, and then had to fix it which always took quite a bit longer.
"It's been too long in doing already, the ruins pose a threat to everyone, especially those here, and most everything you've done so far has only been voluntary because you were willing to stay here and do it, this is no different." Soviet looks behind me, I hope it's Sabina.
"How many towns are like this Mr. Degenday's?" Sabina asks bringing his food.
"Call me Soviet, and there are two remaining, the others disbanded." He then destroys the stew and bread in just a few moments, he eats like a soldier.
"This is the way of any war fought in your own territory even if we were victorious." Severan states. "The cities rebuild with the people from the smaller communities, though the choices Aberdeen made were and still are, selfish."
"Why is he still in power?" I ask Soviet.
"Stability for now." Soviet replies.
"Stability?" Severan looks up from his ale, "Can anyone name anything from before, during, or after the war where he has earned that type of respect?" He looks around, "IF you are still listening, as his second in command, he is keeping progress from going forward with his criminal negligence while indulging in personal pleasures. The Armorer, dockmaster, quartermaster would provide a better leader and save that city."
"You left the night he gave the order to attack, came down here, and defended them. I can respect making a decision few would be willing to do." Soviet says to Severan with the hint of a smile.
"Well, I didn't intend to come here." Severan shrugs, looking a little uncomfortable.
"And yet, here you are, we are judged by what we do, not what we think." Soviet says and looks over at me at the end and his smile gets bigger.
'Mistress has blocked all scrying within the town limits.' Cynthia informs me, 'that tongue of yours is payment, up front, and behind." She laughs.
"When would you like to begin this adventure?" Soviet continues.
"I need a few days as none of the women here have ever had to kill before," We all glance over at Sabina. "And we need to get the training back in order, maybe introduce swords?" I nod to Severan, "if you are still here, maybe?"