Author's Preface
Ryan sat in the carriage, closing and opening his fist over and over. He had walked around the capital for two days admiring the gauntlets. Other dwarves immediately recognized the craftsmanship.
"Is that a Gilmer on that man's hands?"
"No way. That has to be a fake or a replica. Gilmer only lets those designated as a Hero have a piece of his equipment."
The dwarves bum-rushed Ryan. "Hey, Mr. Demon Dick, stick your hands out."
A dwarf grabbed Ryan's right arm and turned it so Ryan's palm faced him. "See? Right there. A capital G with the number nineteen."
The dwarves stared at each other, shook their heads, and walked away.
As Ryan sat in the carriage, Samuel, Auntie, and Thirty-Seven finally joined him. Thirty-Seven stared at his hands. Ryan pulled them back like he was afraid she might steal them.
He looked at her. "Where the hell have you been for three days?"
"Around."
"Around where?"
"Around here." Thirty-Seven gestured toward the city.
Ryan closed one eye and gave her a look. "Yeah, okay."
Haldrek poked his head through the door. "You sure you don't want to take the portal?"
Samuel nodded. "They make me sick. Plus, I don't get to leave the capital often. The scenery is nice to take in."
Haldrek nodded. "Okay, if you say so. I'll see you in a week, then." Haldrek shut the door.
Ryan stared at Samuel and took his mask off the moment the door closed. "Did he just fucking say a portal?"
Samuel nodded.
"And you want us to ride in these carriages for how much longer?"
"A week."
Ryan rubbed his head with his hand. As he brought his hand back down, blood trickled down his cheek. Thirty-Seven reached over, wiped it off, and applied a thick substance to the cut on his forehead.
Samuel took Ryan's hand. "Looks like the fingertips are sharp. Maybe don't wear them all the time?"
Auntie chimed in. "Or press against your skull harder next time. Either way."
Samuel smacked her on the arm. Ryan ignored them both and stared at the gauntlets. "Hell yeah. I have claws now!"
Thirty-Seven sighed and shook her head.
The next six days were quite mundane. They rode until the horses needed a break, camped out, then started traveling again. On the night of the sixth day, they crossed the border into Aldemere, the largest of the three kingdoms on the western continent and a kingdom of men. They weren't particularly known for their hospitality. Rather, they enjoyed conquest.
Samuel looked out the window and then back at Ryan. "We are almost there. This summit is important. We have to make sure things don't go south at all, or an all-out war could take place."
Auntie cut in. "These men are looking for an excuse to exit the treaty and invade the continent. Hell, they would set sail tomorrow for the eastern continent if they could."
Samuel nodded. "I need you to be on your best behavior, Kade."
"I understand, Prince."
"Please, when it is just us, call me Sam."
"You got it, Sam."
Ryan stared out the window. Seems like the greed of men reaches every world. I know the best way to handle that. Ryan looked at the prince. But I just promised him I would be good. So I will... for now.
The convoy pulled into the capital city of Alexindra. They rode through the streets as men and women scoffed at the carriages as they passed.
"They really don't like us, huh?" Ryan said.
"They don't like elves. They see us as inferior. In the past, men experimented on elves and even invaded our lands trying to find the secret to our long lives. Like we have some special power."
"Greed and jealousy," Ryan muttered. "Drive any person mad."
The convoy pulled up to the royal inn where every diplomat would be staying. Ryan stepped out of the carriage first. Samuel and the rest followed.
The gate to the inn swung open, and a mountain of a man approached them, dressed in full plate armor with a sword on his hip. "Third Prince Samuel. Never expected the elves would send the tiny half-man, half-trash as their envoy. You are still as weak and pathetic-looking as ever. Your brother is waiting inside."
Ryan's hand clenched. Auntie reached over, grabbed his arm, and shook her head.
"Prince Al. Good to see you too." Samuel lowered his head. "Which of my brothers is here?"
"The First Prince. The only one who can be considered a man among elves." Prince Al spit on the ground in front of Samuel's foot. Ryan took a step forward. Samuel put his arm out in front of him.
"Yes, keep your tiny dog on a leash. The summit begins in two days. Enjoy your stay in Aldemere, half-elf boy."
Al turned and walked away with his royal guard in tow. Samuel sighed heavily and began walking into the inn.
Ryan walked beside him and leaned in close. "You just going to let him talk to you like that?"
"What am I to do? This is his country. He is also blessed by his god with a tremendous talent. He would kill me without a second thought if I tried to act tough, and he would make it look like I started it."
"I'd like to see him try. You still have Bubba with you, and you have me and Thirty-Seven." Ryan looked back at Auntie. "You even have your aunt."
Ryan put an arm around Samuel's shoulders. "You are a prince of a fucking kingdom, man. You don't have to take shit from anyone. Stand up for yourself and let me handle the aftermath."
Samuel looked at Ryan and smiled softly. "Thanks, Kade, but right now I have more pressing matters. My asshole of a brother is here when he shouldn't be."
Samuel opened the door to a massive suite on the top floor of the inn. As Samuel walked in, he stopped dead in his tracks. Vaelor, the First Prince, sat on a couch facing away from the door. On either side of him were two human women, his arms wrapped around them while they fed him food and drink. Auntie walked in last and slammed the door shut hard. Vaelor tilted his head backward. His eyes went wide as he jumped over the couch and ran up to Samuel. He put him in a headlock and dug his knuckles into Samuel's skull while laughing.
Ryan looked at Samuel's expression and quickly grabbed Vaelor's arm. "Let go... now."
Vaelor let go. He turned, stood up straight, and stared Ryan in the eyes. His own eyes started to glow as his expression became serious. Then, just as quickly, he started laughing. He turned and patted Samuel on the back, sending him stumbling. "Relax, Mr. Kade. It's just some brotherly love." Vaelor jumped over the couch and grabbed a cup of wine from one of the women. "I've heard a lot about you, Kade. Heard you clear dungeons solo. No one has ever seen your face." He took a gulp of wine. "Ahhh. How about you come serve me? My brother here is useless, and I will be king soon. I'll make sure you have the best wine, women, and anything your heart desires."
Ryan looked over at Samuel, whose head was now hung low. "Sorry, but I'm partial to your brother. Plus, I don't particularly enjoy serving pretentious asshole nobles."
Vaelor walked around the couch and up to Ryan. He threw his wine cup across the room and leaned into Ryan's ear. "Watch your words, boy. They could be your last."
Ryan clenched his fists. He stared at Vaelor for a moment, then relaxed them.
Vaelor perked back up. "It was nice to see you, little brother, but I'm going to go enjoy the things this city has to offer while I can." Vaelor snapped his fingers. The two women giggled and slipped under his arms as they walked out of the room.
Samuel looked at Ryan. "I'm going to my room. Come get me when dinner is here."
Ryan watched him leave. Then he looked back at Auntie as she shook her head.
Ryan sighed, leaned to the side, and looked behind her. "Where the fuck is Thirty-Seven?"
Auntie shrugged and walked away, leaving Ryan standing there with his hands on his hips, looking like a concerned parent.