Double The Fun

It has been a little more than two weeks since I met Kanae, and my entire world has been upended. Now, two more strangers have appeared before me and become a part of my life. What is this purple light? Has the Goddess cast her eye upon me? For what purpose? Although, I must say, I've never had so much fun in my life!

I pulled out my cart from storage, and cast,

“Fás!” and the cart grew. I carried the boy onto the cart. The rest of us climbed on.

“Accel!”

The cart lurched forward, and I guided the cart to the Queen's road and headed for Gomrah mine and what new fate the Goddess' Dice had cast. That didn't mean I would just let the Spinner weave her own pattern in the Fabrik. I was the mistress of my own fate. I had learned that much, long ago. No person, no noble, no queen, and certainly no goddess would determine my fate. I swear it!

“Kanae, it's time to wake our other guest, and then perhaps you can explain what's happened, and what is happening to our guests. You are uniquely qualified for this, in ways I am not. Use a cone of silence if you feel you must. We are still hours away from the Gomrah mine,” I said.

“Yes, that's a good idea.”

Kane climbed into the back of the cart, and cast,

“Cone of Silence!”

Then Kanae woke up the sleeper, and the three of them began talking. Our new companions talking rather animatedly, at first.

_______________________________________________

“First, I'd like to welcome the two of you to Dargon. I am Kanae, a mage, in case you missed my introduction earlier, and that is Deirdre up there driving the cart. You have both been summoned here by the Goddess, unless I am very much mistaken. I'm sure she told you to keep that a secret. I, too, have been summoned to this world by her. This world is called Eå. We are on this world's largest continent. Demons live on their own continent, and sometimes travel here. Humans control most of the kingdoms on this continent. Elves are not very welcome here, because the Elven War with Humans ended only fifty years ago. I am an elf, but wear a glamoury to hide my elven features. Elves have queendoms on the elven continent of Silmara, but also have two on the eastern part of this continent. Dwarves have a continent they mostly rule also. You will find almost all sentient races here on this continent. Since both of you are humans, you should mix well with others on this continent. I know this is a lot to take in. Do you have any questions before I continue?” Kanae said.

“Umm... well thank you for saving us back there. My name is Diarmuid Ó Neill. Just call me Darby. But it seems I was knocked out, and missed some of the action. Can you tell me what happened back there, and where are we going?”

“Oh! I can answer part of that, Darby! It was really amazing. You saw them using magik to cast the ice wall that protected us and the magik arrows Kanae killed the ogre with. Not much happened after that, except Deidre pulled this cart out of nowhere, and we loaded up on it and took off. Deirdre cast some kind of magik on the cart, and we sped off,” Aoi said.

“It's as Aoi said. On top of that, since you have been summoned here, you may not have been given a proper orientation into this world. First of all, don't let anyone know you've been summoned here. Deirdre and I know you have been, because we saw it. Which is part of the reason why we rushed to protect you. Be especially careful around anyone connected to any of the religious orders. Summoning is forbidden in this world, and those who are summoned are feared. You would certainly be targets for execution, or assassination, as summons. You would be feared by all, but especially so for followers of the several faiths,” Kanae continued.

“It is probably best if you stay with us for a while as we introduce to the knowledge you'll want, or need, to live peacefully in this world. As for where we are headed. Deirdre and I have been tasked with exterminating a Rainbow Wyrm in mountains a few hours east of here. Then we'll be returning to Nirvan, a large walled town west of here,” Kanae finished.

“A Wyrm!? Would that be like a dragon? You and Deirdre are going to fight a dragon!?” Darby asked in alarm.

“Well wyrms are like dragons, but they lack many skills, intelligence, and knowledge that dragons possess. They are more like wild monsters in a dragon form, than they are dragons. So they aren't nearly as dangerous, or powerful, as dragons. While there are some dragons in the human realms, they live in peace with the other sentient species. However, dragons mostly live on the volcanic islands in the south in the Far Sea. Now, it is important to know that Rainbow wyrms are the most dangerous of wyrms since they are basically all-elemental beings,” Kanae answered.

“You expect us to fight a Rainbow Wyrm?” Aoi asked.

“Cone cancel. Deirdre, were you hoping to have our guests assist in the battle with the Rainbow Wyrm?” Kanae asked.

“Oh, Hell no! I brought them along, because they wouldn't be safe on their own. If they are anything like you, they aren't prepared for living on their own. We'll set them up in a protected spot while we tackle our quest. No way I want to introduce any unknowns into a battle like that! Of course, if they really want to, we can drop them off at any time, but I think it's a bad idea to leave them to their own devices until they are properly prepared to live in the reality in this domain. Honestly, I don't know what the Goddess is thinking just dumping you people here,” Deirdre said.

“Oh, that makes sense. What do you think Darby, should we take them up on their kind offer? The goddess really didn't teach us much about this, uh... place,” Aoi said.

“Yes, I like that idea also,” Darby said.

We rode on through the morning rather uneventfully. Our guests chatting us up, and asking all sorts of questions. Slowly we were educating them with the knowledge I'd drilled into Kanae over the past two weeks. We arrived at Gomrah mountain in no time it seemed. Our two guests were fun and personable. Similar to Kanae they were ridiculously skilled. Darby had the four natural elements and light. He had several physical skills as well. He would make a strong tank warrior. Darby was already a level 65. Strong enough to be an A Ranked adventurer, or an elite knight. Aoi was equally impressive, having all the natural elements, and being a level 70 spellsmith. Spellsmiths were a rare class of alchemists.

Kanae was now at level 102 from the little training we had yet been able to perform. Levels alone of course weren't the entire story. Training, and experience were more important than level. Levels were just a guideline and didn't necessarily transfer from one calling to another. That said, if our new guests became friends and a part of our party, we'd be incredibly formidable. I hadn't told Kanae, but she was already more powerful than an S Ranked monster. The Rainbow Wyrm probably didn't stand a chance against her. With Eå's shield she might just as well be considered SS Ranked. Legends told of a time in history where the ranks were graded very differently, and there were many lost arts. These three summons might one day reach heights of magik not seen in thousands of years.

We arrived at Gomrah mountain, and we stopped at a shelf plateau extending out of the mountain.

“Here is a good place for the two of you to wait for us. If we don't come back today, it might mean we failed in our quest, and you should head east or west on the Queen's road. There are settlements all along that road, and it is regularly maintained by the Queen and her nobles. You will be fairly safe on the road, but beware of the occasional bandits. Heres some food and water for a few days. You can put it in your storage if you like. I have plenty more. Now, shall we proceed Kanae?” I said.

“I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I guess,” Kanae said.

“Thank you for all your help and this food and water. We'll wait here as long as we can. Good luck, and be safe,” Darby said.

“Kanae, open up your levels,” I said.

“Limit break!” Kanae cast, and her entire body flashed in a bright pale blue light momentarily.

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Kanae and I began our climb to the mine. When we reached it, there was a squad of the Queen's Elite Guard standing watch and a well-dressed civilian dwarf. She must be one of the Queen's mine representatives. I had heard she used a lot of dwarves in managing her and the nation's mines.

“Greetings, we are the Raggedy Raiders and have come to exterminate the Rainbow Wyrm that has taken up residence here. So we are told,” I said.

“Greeting and Salutations. I am Khazannah Kharkovn the Queen's representative. I will be accompanying you on your quest. I am not a combatant. I come only to observe. You have left party members on the lower stretches. Do you think that is wise? Should you not bring the full force of your might against a Rainbow Wyrm?” Khazannah said.

“They are our wards. Just some traveling guests we have taken under our protection and escort,” Kanae said before I could respond.

“I see. Do you not over-estimate yourselves? Taking on a protection job before tackling such a difficult one as this?” Khazannah asked.

“Difficult? Nay, this Wyrm is a mere inconvenience,” I said. Khazannah lifted an eyebrow and then scowled.

“Very well then, shall we proceed? The Wyrm has taken up residence in a large cavern on the ninth level of the mine.”

“Yes,” I said.

“Kanae, remember this dwarf probably knows you are all elemental. I'm sure the Queen has informed her, but don't use fire magik here. You'll want to use mostly dark magik against the beast. I will aid you by distracting it as much as possible. Don't let your guard down. We have no idea what else we may have to deal with,” I whispered to Kanae.

“Got it,” Kanae whispered back.

It was a long slow trek down to the ninth level. The gray-green walls glittered with adamantine and various chrystals and other precious metals in the dimly lit mine, as shown by the occasionally spaced magik powered lamps. There seemed to be no pattern to it, with long dark stretches scattered throughout. The mine branched off here and there, resulting in a maze of a cavernous hole in the mountain. Without a map or a guide one could easily get lost in such a place.

I had been sensing the Wyrm for some time when Khazannah said,

“Here we are. The next chamber is where the Wyrm has taken up residence, but it sometimes wanders in the lower levels for more treasures. He has piled up a small mound of a hoard. You may not take any of the hoard. As you have been instructed, you may take a limited amount of any freed deposits that occur during the fight. I will be watching,” Khazannah said.

“Got it. Kanae, let's go. Eå's Shield!” I said.

Khazannah gasped as Eå's shield wrapped around us all in a grass green light. We entered the cavern and the Wyrm's eyes fixed on us.

“Raaaaaaawr!”

A giant ball of fire flew at us and slammed into our shield and reflected back smashing into the Wyrm and driving it back into the far wall of the cavern. The ground and walls trembled, and loose rock fell from every corner of the hall of the cavern.

“Wind boost! Ice swords!” I cast and flew at the Wyrm, as I transformed to my full battle form. The cavern hall was huge, and I had lots of room to take on my true form. I'm sure I could have seen the eyes pop out of Khazannah's head had she still been in my visual field. I had never revealed my true form to anyone other than Kanae. The time for concealment was over. I would hide no more. Besides, I'd need every advantage to assist Kanae in taking down this Wyrm.

My diversion worked and Wyrm was focused on me. He sent out a blast of air at me, but it merely reflected back onto it, and it swayed.

“Raaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwr!” the Wyrm screamed, and it echoed through the chamber. No! Not just an echo. Something was off. It wasn't just an echo. There was an answer! There's more than one!

“Kanae! Kill it Quickly! There's more than one!”

“WHAT!” Kanae screamed.

“Bow! Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow!”

The Wyrm was caught off guard and the Dark Arrows started slamming into it. After the first arrow hit the Wyrm dodged. The first arrow cut deeply in what could be called its chest. The second arrow sliced through its side as it dodged, and the other two missed. They slammed into the far wall shattering the rock there. The Wyrm launched off at Kanae, and at the same moment a huge female Wyrm flew into the cavern headed right at me at a terrifying speed. I didn't have time to completely dodge, and its side slammed into me, knocking me flying into the wall of the cavern.

“Ungh!”

“Dark Arrow! Dark Spear! Dark Spear! Ungh!” Kanae said.

Kanae had cast more arrows and a couple of spears. The last spear sunk deep in the Wyrm's chest and killed it, but the momentum couldn't be stopped, and Kanae couldn't dodge it in time. The Wyrm slammed in to Kanae and tossed her into the wall. Her shielding kept her from any serious injury. The same for me.

“Kanae, a little help here!” I said as I slashed at the Wyrm with my ice swords. The wounds closed up almost as fast as I could make them. This would be a terribly exhausting battle if we didn't have Dark magik.

“Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow!”

“Dammit! Dark Arrow! Dark Arrow! Die already!”

“Dark Arrow!”

“Hey watch it! I'm here too!”

“Sorry! Dark Arrow!”

“Iceball! Explosion!” I cast an iceball into a Dark arrow wound, and it worked. A large section of the Wyrm's chest exploded exposing a big wound.

“Dark Arrow!”

Kanae's arrow flew into the cavity I made and that finally killed the Wyrm.

Kanae and I explored the area in the hall and found several large chunks of adamantine, and picked them up.

“We can take these right, Miss Kharkovn?” I asked Khazannah.

“You may keep any four of them, and may take three more for the second one. I will clear it with the Queen since we didn't know of the second one,” Khazannah said.

“We now need to find the nursery, nearby. This was a mating pair. There are certain to be eggs and a nest,” I said.

“Yes, that makes sense. Why do you think the nest is nearby?” Khazannah said.

“Because of how fast the female arrived. The nest can't be far,” I said as I stored the wyrms in my storage.

“I see. That's logical,” Khazannah said.

A few minutes later we found the nest. There were seven eggs, and no broken shells around.

“Kanae destroy these eggs with a dark sword, axe, or spear,” I said.

“Dark Axe!” Kane cast and proceeded to mince up the eggs with some ferocity.

“That's good. They're quite dead now, Kanae, you can stop,” I said.

“Just making sure. I hate these things. Yuck!” Kanae said.

“Yeah, that first one had a big impact on you. He he he,” I said.

“Ungh, you are so mean Deirdre. He he he,” Kanae said.

“Thank you Raggedy Raiders. Miss Kanae. Miss Deirdre. It has been wonderful working with such diligent adventurers. It has been educational as well,” Khazannah said.

We then exited the mine, and Khazannah signed and stamped the guild request. The whole quest took less than four hours, and our haul was sure to be enormous. We could probably live modestly for a few years with the haul we'd get from this one quest. We took down two A Ranked wyrms. No one would be able to criticize our rank now. I think we also made a friend of Khazannah by shielding her as well during the battle. The only downside, is she and the queen would know we had the power of Eå's Shield.

I'm sure the Queen would research it and figure out one of us was in possession of a legendary artifact. Khazannah was a dwarf, and thus probably already knew. Dwarves were greedy, possessive, tightlipped, hoarders in general. Even when drunk off their ass. However, enough was known about their history to know they, and the Elves, were responsible for having created a great many of the known legendary artifacts. Getting info out of dwarves was a painful and expensive proposition. Like squeezing water out of stone. Eå's Shield had an elven feel to it though.

Khazannah began having a conversation with the guard captain. Kanae and I went back down the mountain and rejoined our guests.

“Welcome back! That didn't take too terribly long. I guess you've succeeded then?” Aoi said.

“Yes, although there was a wrinkle. There were two wyrms, not one,” I said.

“There was a lot of shaking and rumbling here for a while. The whole mountain was shaking. Was that all from your battle, or does this area have earthquakes?” Darby asked.

“That would have been from our battle. I don't know if this region experiences earthquakes. I saw no evidence of such inside the mine,” I said.

“Well we're going to head back to Nirvan. It's a little over a day's ride from here. Do you want to come along and learn more about this kingdom on the way?” Kanae said.

“Absolutely!” Aoi said.

“Me too!” Darby said.

“You have to tell us all about the battle you just had!” Aoi said.

So we headed back to Nirvan. Kanae entertained them with the story of our battle, and more common sense information any summoned person from another world ought to know. A day and a half later we reached Nirvan and went straight to the guildhall.

“Oh, look! If it isn't the ragdolls! Oh, wow, they've actually picked up a couple more raggedy followers. Hey, just go back to the slums y'all. You'll never have what it takes to be real adventurers,” Damien taunted.

The rest of the guild all looked, and started whispering. We ignored them all, but our guests had a troubled expression on their faces. Even though we had warned them in advance about how we've been treated in the past in this guild. We walked up to Christine's station.

“We'd like to report a successful completion of our quest to take down that Rainbow Wyrm. There was a little bit of a snag in the quest, and we have some materials we want to sell, and some to retain,” I said.

On the words Rainbow Wyrm the guild went deadly silent.

“Sure, go ahead and dump the materials here,” Christine said.

“They won't fit inside here,” I said.

“Alright then let's take out to the courtyard,” Christine said and a crowd of adventurers followed us.

“I wonder what wimpy materials the ragdolls are going to sell,” Damien said.

A few people laughed, but others were truly curious. Everyone shut up and gasped when I pulled out two Rainbow Wyrms.

“There was actually a breeding pair of wyrms in the mine. So we had to kill them both and seven eggs,” I said.

“You killed two Rainbow Wyrms!? I will have to upgrade the quest to an S level quest. Excellent work. Were there any injuries?” Christine said in shock.

“Just a few bruises,” Kanae said.

“So it was the four of you then? Are they registered?” Christine asked.

“No just Kanae and me exterminated the wyrms. We were just escorting these two. Did you two want to register with the guild?” I asked.

“You took on an escort job without guild authority?”

“No we ran into them on our way to the mine. They were being attacked by a Giant Red Ogre, and we rescued them, killed the ogre, and escorted them for free, not as a job,” Kanae said.

“Yes, we'd like to register with the guild. Would you be willing to take us into your party?” Darby said.

“Sure thing!” I said.