Author's Preface
Ryan stood from his chair and looked at the Beastkin emissary. “So, I’m not entirely sure what makes you feel so important, but as the representative of the Adventurers Guild, we were in a meeting. So I’d appreciate it if you’d march your asses right back out of that door and wait your turn.”
The emissary looked at Ryan, spat on the ground at Ryan’s feet, and walked past him.
Oh no he fucking didn’t, Ryan thought to himself.
Olax stepped to his left, out from behind the desk. He looked at his generals. “You two, tell Zareth to come in here. If he is to be king one day, he must learn how to handle simple-minded beasts.”
The generals ran out into the hallway and grabbed Zareth, leading him into the room. The generals shut the doors behind them as they re-entered.
“So, why have you come, Ruigerd?”
“The Beastkin nation does not recognize the council’s decision to grant you your freedom. I came to let you know that.” The emissary walked over and glanced out of a large window that overlooked the city from the palace.
“And what gives you any authority to stand against the council?”
The emissary turned. “Well, you see, it seems as if a few demons have already crossed the boundary into our territory and kidnapped a few of our women and had their way with them. We found them yesterday in your territory, barely alive.”
“Bullshit!”
“It is not. We have a letter from King Aldemere expressing his agreement with us. We are going to make sure the council withdraws your freedom and reinstates restrictions upon your people. If you do not comply, we will simply wipe you out. Our army trumps yours. Your men will die. We will turn your women and children into slaves. Or you could simply give up this nation and become one kingdom under the Beastkin banner.”
Ohhh... it’s happening, Ryan thought to himself as he stepped between the emissary and the king. “See, from my knowledge, the elves, the dwarves, and even the fish people have already given their vote to give the demons their freedom. Now you’re trying to fabricate some bullshit to undo it?” Ryan stepped closer to the emissary. “Do you see that demon right there?” Ryan put his arm around the emissary. “Does he seem like a man who would submit to some dumb beasts?”
“Mind your tongue, boy.” The emissary smacked Ryan’s arm off his shoulder. “Your next words could be your last.”
Holy fuck, it really is happening. Ryan smiled under his mask and drew his sword, pointing it at the emissary’s throat. The boars drew their swords as Olax, Zareth, and the two generals also drew their weapons.
“You men, prideful and stupid. Nobody threatens an emissary. I am unarmed and just a simple messenger!”
“You interrupt my meeting, you come in here threatening slavery upon the demons, threatening extinction or submission, and you call me crazy?”
“This is madness. Does this small boy speak for you, Olax?”
Ryan slowly turned his head and looked at the king. The king nodded slowly. Ryan’s eyes went wide as he turned back to the messenger.
“Madness?" Ryan smiled ear to ear under his mask. "THIS... IS... SPARTA!”
Ryan kicked the emissary in the chest and sent him flying out of the window, ten stories down onto the street below. Ryan turned back and snapped his fingers. Bubba, Meatloaf, and Fido appeared. They joined the two demon generals in dispatching the ten guards the emissary had brought with him with relative ease.
Ryan turned and looked at Olax and Zareth, who stood beside his father. Ryan brushed his palms together, dusting off his hands like he'd just finished a dirty job. They both stood stunned, eyes wide and jaws open.
“What the fuck did you just do?”
“What do you mean? You nodded.”
“Yes, so you could SPEAK FOR ME, NOT KICK HIM OUT OF THE WINDOW AND START A FUCKING WAR!”
Ryan waved his hand in the air. “Wait, wait, wait. Let me check.” Ryan leaned out of the window and looked down at the emissary’s body on the street below. He leaned back inside and turned. “Okay, yeah, he’s definitely dead. But like, you totally nodded.”
The king’s palm hit his face. He sighed and looked at his two generals. “Gather the other three generals and meet me in the war room.” Olax stepped forward and placed a hand on Ryan’s head. “Thank you for defending us, but you have just started a war. The Beastkin will not sit still after they learn of this.” Olax turned to Zareth. “Are you still... well you know with Nessa?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. Take this idiot here and head to Narethis. Do not return until you convince them to send their army and help us in the hell that is undoubtedly coming.”
“Yes, Father.”
Olax looked at Ryan one last time, shook his head, and walked out of the room with haste.
Zareth shook his head at Ryan. Be ready to leave tomorrow morning. He walked out of the chambers.
"Well, shit." Ryan sighed and walked out of the chambers.
The next morning, Ryan made his way to Thirty-Seven’s room and knocked on the door. Thirty-Seven appeared behind him.
“What do you want?”
“Well, I need a huge favor. Care to let me in?”
Thirty-Seven pushed Ryan aside and opened her door. Ryan followed her in, sat at a table near a window, threw his mask on the ground, and sighed heavily.
“So, what did you do now?” Thirty-Seven said as she sat across from him.
“What do you mean?”
“I heard someone killed the Beastkin emissary. I also heard the demons are preparing for war. So, how were you involved in all of it?”
“I may or may not have kicked him out of the window.”
Thirty-Seven shook her head. “Why?”
“That’s not an easy question to answer.”
“Do it anyway.”
“Ugh, fine. This asshole came in threatening the entirety of the demon population with death and slavery. Or the king could give up the demons’ independence and fall under the Beastkin banner. I honestly didn’t appreciate the way he came at him.”
“What caused this sudden turn of events?”
“That’s what I’m coming to you for.”
Thirty-Seven stared at Ryan.
“The emissary said some demons crossed the border into the Beastkin Kingdom, kidnapped some women, had their way with them, and then discarded them. I want you to investigate it. See if what he claims is true or not while I’m gone.”
“Gone? Where are you going?”
“To Narethis with Zareth to beg for reinforcements before the Beastkin hear about this incident and march on this kingdom.”
“Nyx would be so proud of you.”
“Oh, shut up. Will you help me or not?”
“One condition.” Thirty-Seven stood and looked Ryan in the eyes without moving.
Ryan stared back at her for thirty seconds without flinching. Finally, he blinked.
“You drive a hard bargain, woman.” Ryan snapped his fingers, and Fido appeared from his shadow.
“Very well. I will have an answer before you get back. When are you leaving?”
A knock came at Thirty-Seven’s door.
“Apparently right now.” Ryan stood and opened the door to find Zareth standing in the doorway. Zareth leaned around Ryan and waved at Thirty-Seven. “You ready?”
Ryan looked back at Thirty-Seven, who gave him a thumbs-up as she bent down to rub Fido’s belly.
“As ready as I can be.”
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