Session 15

I paced the lower deck of the airship cabin nervously, trying my best to appear calm and collected before the crew and my friends. I was very clearly failing. From the information gathered, the dreadnought was far bigger than originally anticipated, equipped with an artillery that would shoot down our airships. In order for an airstrike to work, we sent our best ships in to disable the cannons. That was Oliadner's charge, alongside some of my friends' clones.

"Coming into sight!" The pilot called out.

I turned toward the ship's windows, taking in the massive vessel that cruised the waters imposingly. Then I froze, my body forgetting to breathe entirely as I gaped at the ship in full view.

"What in the hells...." I muttered under my breath.

It was...a ship of sorts, a dreadnought as they claimed. But it was also something else. Its sides were wreathed with the bodies and bones of its victims. Severed limbs dangling from the railings, rotting pieces adorning nearly every inch above the water. The ship was the color of pale flesh to match. I leaned against the wall and steadied myself, barely holding onto the contents of my stomach.

"I guess you can say...it's a dead-nought. Eh?" I heard Cosmo chortle nearby. The slap of Maziel's hand followed right after.

My eyes scanned the port side of the dreadnought, and I spotted the almost small in comparison Illium vessels sailing beside it. Their hooks had clamped onto the enemy ship, and both parties bordered the other. They were locked in battle, Wroth shooting down at our ships while Illium soldiers swarmed the dreadnought deck. I could see a familiar group surging toward one of the artillery guns at the dreadnought’s rear, battling their way through a group of enemies.

Just one cannon, then we can land.

"INCOMING!" A crewman shouted as something slammed into the windshield. A blur of dark feathers shattered the glass as it slid across the floor. More figures darted inside, screeching as their talons swiped at targets.

“Defend the pilots!” I called out, drawing my scimitar and swiping at one of the winged demons. I wish Feeps was here. I thought miserably as I engaged my foe. Bringing him wasn’t a chance I wanted to take--leaving Illium without a capable leader. I had practically begged him to stay, but in the end he obliged.

Arrows whizzed by my ear, sinking into the demon that lunged at my side. I sliced up my own opponent, spilling black blood before rushing toward a cornered crewman. The cabin was crowded with crew and demons, one group fighting to crash the airship, the other to keep it afloat.

“HELP!” Cosmo screamed, as large demon with the head of a vulture dragged the kender out the window. Despite Cosmo’s attempts to sever its talons, the vulture-demon flung the kender out the window and took off before a volley of arrows pierced its chest.

“Taelim!” Maziel called, but I was already on it.

I jumped out after the kender, taking the form of a giant eagle. I caught Cosmo before he hit the thrashing sea below, and we returned atop the airship deck where a horde of flying demons were trying to stall the engines. There the vulture-demon watched us with glassy eyes, daring us to engage.

Cosmo shot a bolt into its wings, eager to reap his revenge.

With a  primal bellow, Dagon had clambered his way on top of the deck, followed by his Dagon clone. Both raging dwarves were frothing at the mouth and swinging their maul wildly, knocking demons off the ship with brutal efficiency. Maziel followed, sending arrow after arrow into the horde, thinning their numbers.

As we fought for control of the airship, an explosion rocked the air. A plume of fire and shrapnel billowed at the dreadnought’s rear, and I watched as the artillery gun shattered. Its base, and part of the deck, collapsed in on itself and exposed a massive hold into the ship’s interior.

The demons took off at once, scattering to the wind, most returning to the dreadnought as reinforcements. Only a few survived the flight back, shot down one after another by the crew and party.

I changed back into my half-elf form and grinned. Time to land.

We met up with the other group, just as they emerged from the smoldering remains of the dreadnoughts interior, battered and bloody. The bodies of Wroth littered the deck, and even the brine air couldn’t mask the smell of smoldering corpses.

Oliander stomped forward to greet us. “Princess,” his voice was curt, eyes continually scanning our surroundings. Not far off we could hear our soldiers fighting their way across the ship. “We defeated the Rudder Master, and--”

“It was glorious!” Yaup, the cleric of Kord, boomed. “The dead sphinx was no match for our--”

“It’s officially dead now.” Oliander growled, glaring at the half-orc still bristling with battle pride. “They follow some sort of leader far below deck...”

“Thanks, General.” I said, already putting space between us. “We’ll take care of it. Can your squad handle the other artillery gun?”

“We’ll render the ship defenseless, Princess. Have no fear.”

“Good, because I want it at the bottom of the ocean when all of this is done.”

Working our way down the dreadnought felt like being inside a living breathing creature. Granted, it was more along the lines of necromancy, but we still couldn’t shake the feeling of crawling through our enemy’s insides. Occasionally, we felt the vibrations of cannon fire hitting the ship, rocking our footing. More than once a group of Wroth tried and failed to stop our progression. At some point, it all grew eerily still, even enemies stopped harassing us. That’s when we knew we were close.

The hum of the engines made the floors vibrate, by now we were deep in the ship’s bowels. As we went down a winding staircase, huge double doors awaited at the end of a long passage. The smell of rotting flesh was so strong, every footfall deceived us into believing we were walking on sinew.

As we approached the doors I glanced over my shoulder at my friends, fully acknowledging I wouldn’t have the courage to face this alone. Whenever I bounded headlong into danger, it was only because I knew they’d follow.

“You ready, Taelim?” Maziel asked me quietly.

I think she was really asking: Are you ready to face what lies beyond? Good or bad? Survivors weren’t guaranteed. We had our shoulders against the door, ready to push inward. I pressed my lips into a thin line and nodded once,  trying to ignore the pools of blood at our feet.

The circular room was far bigger than the passage led me to believe. The ceiling rose at least sixty feet high, bodies chained to the walls in various states of decay. A wide walkway alongside the room looked over the pit of blood and bone, rusted cages were empty down below. Whatever housed them were hung on the wall or eaten by the creature at the far end of the room.

Gruesome didn’t really describe it. Though it had humanoid features, its huge blubbery limbs were strewn across its dais where it presumably watched us behind its golden mask. Its pale skin was wreathed with golden bangles and rings, contrasting against its ashen body. It held a squirming goblin in its ringed fingers, waving it just above its belly where a gaping hole with sharp teeth hungrily snapped at Snee.

He’s still alive? I thought initially. My eyes scanned the wall just beyond the blubbering mass. I could see Illium sailors shackled to the wall, alive but barely holding on. There, in my disbelief, I spotted Killian, chained with the rest.

“SAVE ME!” Snee screamed. As he was lowered toward the belly-mouth.

Klotonk unleashed a barrage of magic missiles that took the gluttonous Wroth by surprise.

It cocked its golden mask, as if nothing had ever dared to challenge it in its domain. The blubbering Wroth threw Snee back against the wall, laughing darkly. A giddy, unnerving titter. It pointed a fat finger in our direction, and I knew we had just earned first place on its menu.

What we had mistaken for more corpses littered across the room, were actually Wroth. Undead, half-devoured, Wroth. The tortured demons shambled toward us, doing their master’s bidding.

We did what came natural, and fought back. We split into two groups and worked our way around the pit. Two Dagons led the charge in a furious rage, maul slamming into whatever decomposing creature challenged him first. Arrows and crossbow bolts finished whatever wandered close.

Even as we neared, the glutinous Wroth continued to laugh, belly bouncing while it directed more Wroth our way. We brought them down, one by one, fatigued but determined. Just before we reached the dais, Klotonk sent off a fireball that exploded directly onto the blubbering mass.

As it howled in pain, I extended my hands and heated the metal on its ashen body. The howl became a high-pitched shriek as it clawed at its burning jewels.

My friends followed up like one our circus routines. Cosmo’s bolts buried themselves in its jugular, and Dagon was practically red with fury as he hammered away at the limbs. The rest of us cleaned house as we overwhelmed it entirely.

The glutinous Wroth swayed on its seat. It shivered violently as it fell backward, its skin melting away into pools of dark blood. The liquid bubbled at our feet, then splashed out in a boiling surge, producing curses from our lips. Other than the burns, a deep necromantic energy crept inside us, but we were far too busy ensuring the battle was over to care.

The ship rocked violently to one side, causing us to loose our footing. We felt the intermittent booms, and knew we only had minutes before we joined it at the bottom of the ocean.

“Let’s get the survives down!” I called out. “I’ll heal and put them on their feet.”

“Then we run.” Maziel added.

“Then we run.” I confirmed, already looking to the exit.

I leaned against the open doorway of our airship, watching the rest of the Illium fleet barrage the Wroth dreadnought. The vessel was sinking slowly in a fiery defeat, and I couldn't mask my contempt as it disappeared below the waves.

I headed to the back of the cabin where Killian sat on a makeshift bunk, still covered in bruises around his wrist and neck. At least he was mostly in one piece. He glanced at me sheepishly as I squeezed in beside him, not saying a word.

Killian was quick to fill the silence. “I know what you’re going to say,” he started, somewhat defensive.

“Do you now?”

His frown deepened. “Aye, that I was foolish to take them on. I was arrogant, you were right, I’m not allowed out again....All that and more, eh?”

Leaning back against the wall, I chuckled softly and closed my eyes. “I’ve got no right to talk about arrogance.” I paused for a moment, before finally admitting. “I guess I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“What’s the count? Twice now I’ve had my hide saved by you.”

I grinned widely. “And don’t you forget it.”

Session 14

My party’s reckoning came shortly after. Medusalon had sent a series of threats and accusations regarding riots, jailbreaks and attempts on their leaders’ lives. All thanks to my friends. I had the comfort of laughing in my study while trying to write a cohort apology letter. Luckily they weren’t Illium’s responsibility. They were mine. But, hey, the technicalities of politics.

An actual representative from Magaat showed up at Illium’s doorstep in a frenzy. They were quick to blame my friends for breaking into their Impenetrable Prison. To which I kindly reminded them that the heroes of Illium couldn’t conceivably be blamed. But clones under the influence of the newly freed god, Primus, that was entirely possible. That logic was accepted. Only now I had inherited the responsibility of dealing with Primus as reparations.

I don’t even get the fun of freeing Primus and having a clone. I thought bitterly. Just clean up.

I gazed out the window overlooking the coast. It had been a few days since Killian and his crew set sail for the Wroth dreadnought. Here I was, taking care of every other boring detail. Even Snee had gotten to go, offering his abilities to study the Wroth’s ship and advance Illium’s naval capabilities. Which was probably true, but mostly another way to avoid Klotonk. Still, it annoyed me that Killian accepted.

A soft knock at the door drew me away from my thoughts.

Elroar walked in. “You busy?” He asked.

“Nope, come in.” I lied, desperate for a distraction.

“Has your drow friend spoken to you?”

“Maziel?” My face fell. “What did they do?”

Elroar smiled grimly. “Nothing. It’s just when she told me about the role you’ve accepted here, I worried.” He paused to consider his next words carefully. “As leader, there are always threats Illium faces. Some direct, some indirect. Most lie in wait. The Ilithids for example.”

I frowned, cocking my head. “Ilithids?”

“You’ve not heard of the hive below the city?”

My stomach twisted. “No. I’m assuming this isn’t widely known.”

“Viceak knew,” Elroar said, his voice not entirely fond. Elroar stepped closer, pleading. “Leave them be. For now. They’ve not harmed anyone, and they are deep in the caverns below the city.”

I nodded my head, knowing full well that was the least of my intentions. Still, he seemed to buy it. We stood for a moment more in awkward silence before he turned to leave. He had tried regularly these last few days to “catch up” with me, at least before he rejoined his druid circle outside Illium’s reach.

“One more thing,” he said. “That pirate you intend to marry--”

“Bye, dad.” I cut him off, not unkindly.

He grumbled his annoyance, but left me alone to my thoughts.

There was a kind of subdued exhilaration to donning my armor and strapping on my sword. A freedom from the noble’s garb expected of me while at court. I crept out of the castle as twilight melted into night. I was free to come and go as I please, but the last thing I wanted was questioning, and certainly not outright opposition.

Once outside the castle walls I all but cheered. I continued through the city, making my way toward the underground tunnels I knew would twist deeper into the caverns below.

“Where you going, Taelim?”

My body froze, hand reaching for the hilt of my sword instinctively. A head of wild red hair climbed down from the building nearby and Cosmo grinned up at me. I relaxed, but only for a moment before a gloved hand squeezed my shoulder from behind.

“Taelim.” Maziel’s gravely voice greeted me. This time I did jump.

“Is everyone following me?” I demanded, pride stung at being caught.

“No. Just us.” Maziel said, face blank.

I eyed the drow, my heartbeat returning to a steady rhythm. I smiled wryly, deepening Maziel’s scowl. “Want to go on an adventure?”

Over the years I spent away from Illium coming into my own, I accumulated my fair share of memorable moments. Not to mention, an equal amount of regrets from hasty or poor decisions. You do not always think before you do, Feeps would say. Actions have consequences, Taelim.

This was one such consequence, and this time I dragged my friends into it.

We stopped at the start of a cavern tunnel, panting.

“Are they gone?” I asked Maziel breathlessly.

“I doubt it.”

“I want to go back to the castle!” Cosmo whined, rubbing his head where he was hit with some sort of psychic blast.

It hadn’t taken long to descend past Illium’s sewers and into the caverns far below the city. It was eerily easy to uncover the signs of life below. An entire civilization of hostile, brain sucking creatures. Our neighbor Ilithids, kept secret from the people of Illium.

Not for long. I thought miserably. It only took one encounter. Just one with the strange humanoids with tentacle features, hungering to grapple us. Just one to spot us with hostile intent. Just one to send the hive after us, not for dinner, but as dinner.

Maziel slapped a hand over Cosmo’s mouth, scanning the crags around us. A tentacle lashed out, and the snapping beak of a bizarre brain-looking creature clambered up the cliff.

“Run!” Maziel yelled, and took off down the cavern. With every full-speed footfall it became abundantly clear we were lost. The tunnel maze had melded into a complex network, and at every turn the Ilithids had their grimlock minions scrambling after us.

Again we stopped, exhausted and trying to gather our bearings.

“Can’t you teleport us out?” Maziel panted.

I shook my head. “No trees, though I can leave you both. Elroar’s shown me elemental shapes.”

Cosmo’s eyes widened, and I thought I glimpsed Maziel’s hand hover over her short sword then reconsider.  

“Didn’t think so,” I huffed. “On the bright side, you have more clone lives to lead when we die.”

“This isn’t where you die, druid,” a scratchy voice said from behind us. A hunched figure in furs and hides loomed at the end of the tunnel.

We instinctively drew weapons, but he snorted at the gesture. “Come with me, and live.” He offered gruffly.

“I like living.” Maziel immediately sheathed her weapon, Cosmo following suit.

I hesitated for a heartbeat, eyeing the bearded figure who carried the familiarity of a druid. As if to prove his point, he changed shape into a fearsome wolf and pattered down a passage we had missed entirely. I wasted no time running after.

The Arch Magi of Beasts. That was who saved our lives. A member of the elite group of legendary protectors I longed to join. This was a solid first impression. Turns out, he had been keeping an eye on the Ilithids regularly, a request from Viceak.

I sat at the edge of my desk gazing out the window while Feeps continued to condone my actions. Drowning out my friend’s nervous ramblings, I noted dawn began to fill the horizon with light. I'm sleeping past noon, that’s for sure. When I thought at last I was free to go, someone knocked at the door. Oliander, the Rose Knight of Illium, stepped inside.

I withheld a grimace. There’s no way he knows. Does he…? Shit, he’ll tell my aunt.
“Princess,” the armored gnome bowed his head. “We’ve received some troubling news?”

I held my breath, wondering what waterfall effect I had brought upon Illium.

“Lord Killian. His ship was destroyed. He was either killed or captured.”

Quietly, I slid off the desk, trying to reign in my emotions. I managed to calmly face the general and speak my command. “Ready an airship and crew, we’re going after him.”

Session 13

Weeks had passed since the battle for Illium, and I still had no word from my friends. All I could do was wonder, and hope. And always long to be with them. Adventuring. I hadn’t reached the point where being kept in one place embittered me, there was still too much to be done in and around the city. Too much to make right, to improve upon, to learn. This will be my world, I thought distractedly. But does it have to be only this? I considered the dual life my father led in secret. If Viceak could be king and an Arch Magi, why can’t I handle two jobs?

“Taelim?” Feeps interrupted my daydreaming. “Are you certain?” The warforged asked me again as he dogged my footsteps down the hall.

I pretended the matter didn’t daunt me. “Nope. There’s no set date, so no pressure. Besides, it makes the city feel at ease. I think.”

I watched from the corner of my eye as my guardian visibly trembled with frustration. “Taelim, this is no small matter. Remember Valium?”

I grinned. “The stone man in the cellar? I do, but Killian isn’t Valium. We get along.”

Feeps grabbed my wrist and forced me to a stop. “Please. I just want you to be...happy. Do not make the same mistake as…”

“My mother?” I missed her already, but she was back in the Green Court. Free from all this.

Feeps looked away, abashed.

I peeled his fingers off me and held my best friend’s hand. “I’ve had weeks to decide. Killian can’t do this alone, he’d resent it. As much as I have the right to leave this place behind, I won’t. Not while people look up to me for help--for whatever unholy reason. Anyway, Killian despises politics.”

“As do you!”

I laughed abruptly, nodding my head. “Yeap.” I patted his hand. “But someone has to do it, and there’s only so much I can burden you with. For now, Killian keeps busy cleaning up Wroth activity while I tell everyone it’ll be alright before wallowing in drink.”

The comment seemed to dampen the warforged’s spirit further. “Taelim…”

“It was a joke!”

“I do not believe you.”

I sighed and motioned for him to follow. “As long as you’re here, I can bear this.” I paused, wondering if he would come to resent this too. “Hopefully the group will come back. Maybe we can clean up the remaining Wroth, you know, make a trip out of it. I’m tired of Killian pulling rank and having all the fun. He’s not as charming as he thinks.”

I turned down a corner and we stopped, preparing to part ways. “I have to meet with him at the docks, his crew had reports of Wroth on neighboring seas. I want to know what they’ve found out.” I explained eagerly, craving a break in the morning routine.

Feeps regarded me for a moment, his eyes trying to perceive what he could only guess at. “Have you two…?”

“Byeee!” I beamed and bolted down the corridor.

I admit it. I was jealous. While Killian was a receptive learner, he was far better at leading soldiers around the countryside, killing off straggling enemies, than actually being king. Which was what Illium needed at the moment, the assurance and protection he could offer with his years of seasoned training. So I let him have that, but it generally left me dealing with matters in the city. I would get my turn at fun, one way or another.

I examined Illium’s new flagship from the docks, taking in the unusual amount of bustle aboard the vessel. Soldiers, equipment, supplies. I didn’t outwardly jump to conclusions as I worked my way up the ramp, locating my target. Killian was happily commanding his crew with practiced ease, and when he made eye contact, he barked one last order before approaching.

“Taelim!” He waved, coming to stand at my side.

I held back a smile with effort, grateful he was one of the few people who actually called me by my name these days. Even if it took repeated requests. To everyone in the kingdom, I was still “Princess.” As if they willingly whisked away my background, foregoing it in lieu of my recent services to the kingdom. I gave up trying to correct it.

“Docks are busy today. Where’s the ship heading?” I said, noting the sailors double-checking lines across the deck.

“Somewhat busy, I suppose.” Killian responded halfheartedly, scratching the back of his head.

Ah, the old “nothing’s happening here.” I turned to face him, eyes narrowed. “We talked about this. Trust. I’m not about to live my parents’ lie.” I paused and let it sink it before asking again. “What’s going on, Killian?”

The Azure Prince shifted under my gaze, focusing on the ship’s railing as he spoke. “Reports of Wroth activity at sea is true. Their forces have amassed on a warship. I thought it best we deal with it before they retaliate.”

I inclined my head, moving to lean against the railing. “Let me guess. We involves you leading them?”

Killian swallowed at my subtle accusation. He bowed his head in acknowledgement.

We lingered there in silence, but I couldn’t let my own hungry desire to take his place admonish one key fact. “No one knows these waters better.” I conceded.

He raised his gaze. “So, I can go?”

“I don’t have the right to stop you,” I said dryly. “Only guilt you.”

He laughed. “I promise, I’ll take care of it and be back before the week is through.”

I hesitated, trying to mirror his mirth. “Just don’t be reckless. I know, I know...I have zero right to say that, but even I know you can match me for foolishness on the field.”

He leaned in close, humor still spread across his features. “You’re right. Zero right to talk about heedless behavior, she who takes on a dragon.”

I rolled my eyes, moving away to create space before more crew stared. Maybe they’ll actually believe we will work out. My relationship with Killian was complex to say the least. One that might grow in time, but was currently thrown together out of necessity. Did I find him attractive? Absolutely. I always had, but there’s wasn’t love between us and we knew it. For now, we teetered just above friendship and awkward flirtation. At least we were allies in a world neither of us wanted.

“When do you leave?” I asked, starting down the ramp.

“Dawn.”

I sighed. Damn, I’m stuck with court. Again. “You tell the council, I’ve got to--”

“Princess! Princesss!” A voice hollered from a soldier sprinting toward the ship.

Gods! I’m going teleport to a peaceful place. “Yes?” I asked, gritting my teeth.

The soldier tried to catch his breath. “Your--um--friends--have arrived!”

I felt my heart leap. They’re here? Did they bring Elroar? I hurried past him, ready to sprint toward the castle.

“A moment, Princess!” The soldier called out.

I threw up my hands. “What is it?”

The soldier hesitated. “Lady Tylda...isn’t pleased. They, um...appeared inside the castle. With a...hut of sorts.”

I cocked my eyebrow for a moment, my brain unable to process whether he was serious or confused. Without another word, I turned and ran all the way home.

It was a hut. And it stood on gangly chicken legs, having barreled through the walls of the west wing with uncanny force. I could feel the silent fury from the attendants, but all I concerned myself with were the friends that loitered nearby, dirty, tired and grinning.

“Taelim!” They called as I approached, filling me with a sort of comfort I hadn’t realized was missing.

“What in the actual hells?” I exclaimed, in no way angry. “Whose house is that?”

“Baba Yaga’s! Remember?” Klotonk piped up waving the familiar gnarled staff of the witch.

“Okay, but why is it here?”

“To break into the Impenetrable Prison, duh.” Cosmo added matter-of-factly.

“Hah! You should have seen the faces of the Magaat guards!” A dwarf with silver hands guffawed. “It barreled right inside their walls. We broke the druid out, and it brought us here!”

I could only assume this was the Dagon they hired, and the huge cleric of Kord, Yaup was chuckling beside him.

“You broke into Magaat’s prison!?” An attendant squeaked, on the verge of fainting.

I covered my mouth with my hands, desperately trying to hold back my amusement. “That’s going to bite me in the ass,” I told my friends casually. Then I shrugged as the attendants groaned collectively. “I’ll deal with it.”

A hush fell over us as the reason for the jailbreak cleared his throat. I lifted my gaze and recognized the face of Elroar Warson. My real father. The attendants cleared the room, mumbling about apologies letters, and even my friends congregated near a corner of the room.

I wavered as Elroar approached me quietly. A tall, thickly built druid as rugged as the wilds he served. He wasn’t a man who embraced civilization, but the simplicity of nature. As I should have been--might have been if my birth was any different. Instead, I straddled two worlds uncomfortably.

“Elroar,” I started. “I, um…I’m happy to see--”

The druid said nothing and he stepped up and embraced me, squeezing me tightly as if refusing to let go. “Now you know.” He whispered. “My daughter...”

Words fell away as I lingered in his embrace. Familiar. Welcome.

Eventually, I pulled away, wondering what happens next. Nothing. I didn’t think anything could change this path I had chosen, it would just keep moving forward. I regarded his warm expression. But maybe I can try.

I turned to my friends who were watching the exchange. I furrowed my brows and recounted their numbers, finally noting what I missed earlier. What I had taken for granted.

“Where’s Maziel?”

The party shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet my gaze.

Silence.

“GUYS!” I yelled unconsciously, fearing what came next.

“Well,” Klotonk began quietly. “This version of Maziel...died.”

My gut twisted, but my mind clung to the peculiarity of Klotonk’s words. This version? I opened my mouth to question, but the half-orc spoke up, ringing his hands almost yearning.

“We released the god, Primus, unto this plane! Now, we must engage it in glorious battle!”

“Cosmo did it!” Dagon pointed at the kender.

“Hey!” Cosmo cried, kicking at the ground. “Okay. I did. Sorry?”

I just stood there, mouth open looking between my friends and trying to grasp the extent of the situation. “WHAT?”

Klotonk held up his palms. “Let me explain. Actually--you’ll want a summary. We passed through Viceak’s tower--since it had the teleportation circle--but we stopped to explore the ziggurat back in one of the rooms. You know, research.” He fumbled at my glare, and immediately quickened his retelling. “Cosmo kinda unlocked it. Turns out, it was holding Primus--some ancient god of the Cabiri. It made…clones of us, and controlled us for a little while…We miiiight have done things. Point is--we should probably deal with him. Oh, and the clones. Which we are...right now…No idea where our real bodies are by the way.”

I heard the soft metal clang of Feeps slapping his hand to his forehead, even Elroar groaned beside the hut. I pulled up a chair and dropped down, unable to support my own weight as I took it all in.

At that moment, another attendant came running into the room. “Princess! Your friends have arrived, and--” She stopped short as she gaped at the group. “But they’re...trailing me…”

From behind her, I watched as Maziel, Klotonk, Cosmo and Dagon entered the room, a small goblin trailing their heels. Snee? I hadn’t seen him since our circus days. The goblin was almost always with Klotonk, the two tinkering away on projects like friends. But they weren’t, the goblin was out for himself. Still, from what I learned, Snee had been the one responsible for finishing Illium’s airships. After he copied Klotonk’s blueprints that is. I wonder if Klo knows...

The two groups looked at each other and cheered loudly, and I just slouched in my chair, wondering what in the nine hells my friends had dragged me into.