Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

After going through the teleporter, the four stood before the vault in Lucan's castle.  When he swung the door open, Marie darted inside and acted like a little girl in a candy shop.

"Since you decided to be a sorcerer Emma, we need to get you some spell books.  Wow, I found an heirloom staff, here take this too."

Lucan didn't bother with what his aunt took since he knew she wouldn't go overboard.

Silent had already made her mother one of her acolytes and Lucan transferred over a good amount of banked experience points so that she could buy her some spells and abilities.

The three ladies went into the vault to get Mrs. Beneil set up.  Lucan would have joined them but Oar had contacted him.

'Boss, everything is going really well in the citadel.  Last night, the dwarves finished excavating the palace.  Mr. Hammerstone said that you are free to move in any time you want.'

'Great, I may swing by later to take a look if Silent wants to.'

'Awesome, I haven't seen Miss Night in a while.  Let me know if you guys come.'

'Sure.  Is there anything else?'

'Mr. Hammerstone said that he has made good progress taming the wyrm.  He wants you to start sending down the materials for the forge room.'

'That is good to hear.  I will send some shadow elves to start delivering the goods.'

'Okay, I will let Mr. Hammerstone know.  Oh, and it seems that Mr. Sleuth has started working on his floating city.  Yesterday, Mr. Hammerstone passed him some schematics regarding the defences that he wants built for the bay.  Mr. Sleuth will probably be contacting you soon since you said you would foot the bill for the defenses.'

'Alright, I have been expecting that.'

'I have to go boss.  Mr. Hammerstone is yelling at me to move my butt.  I don't want to keep him waiting.'

'Okay, I will talk to you later.'

'See ya, and don't forget to tell me if you come down to the citadel.'

Lucan terminated the conversation and saw that Mrs. Beneil had armed herself with a few pieces of heirloom equipment.  Silent had gotten both Maire and her mother stocked up with any miscellaneous items they may need and also passed the two several return scrolls so they could get back from wherever their adventure took them.

It looked like Marie was starting to set up her own party.  She had convinced Mrs. Beneil to play a spell caster since she herself was already a melee fighter.  On the way she had been trying to convince Mrs. Beneil to get her husband to create a healing type character so that they could more easily go on adventures.

"It looks like the both of you are now set for your outing."  Lucan said.

"Ha, ha, you bet."  Marie said.

"Thank you again Brax.  I appreciate the help."

"What are you thanking that punk for?"  Marie chided.  "Since we are family, he should be expected to give you nice stuff like this.  Ah, speaking of that, when are you two going to hold your wedding in game?"  She asked.

Silent blushed at the question and Mrs. Beneil turned her attention to the two.  It looked like she was interested as well.

"Well… Umm… we still need to find a place."  Silent said.

"Get your butt moving Brax."  Marie said while giving him a slap on the back.  "It is not like this is a wedding in the real world.  It shouldn't take that long to put together."

"I think we are going to go look for a location today."  Silent said while staring at her feet.

"Emma, Emma, should we go with them?"  Marie said excitedly.  "It will still be an adventure since we are leaving Destol.  It will be fun."

"I am fine with anything.  Everything is all new to me here.  Would you like us to go with you sweetie?"  Mrs. Beneil asked her daughter.

Silent nodded but kept looking at her feet.

"It is settled then."  Marie said.  "Jenna, what are your requirements?  Where do you want your wedding to be held?"

"Ah… Umm…"  Lucan could see that Silent was starting to clam up.  She was clearly nervous and didn't know what she wanted.

"I think that anywhere will do as long as it is beautiful."  Lucan said while putting his arm around his wife's waist.

Silent quickly nodded to show that she agreed.

"Hmm, that shouldn't be too hard.  But I think it needs more."  Marie said.  "It needs to be somewhere grand.  Somewhere that is memorable.  Somewhere that others wouldn't be able to hold a wedding.  Someplace truly special.  Don't you agree Emma?"

"I think anywhere as fine as long as they are happy."

"See Brax.  Mrs. Beneil agrees with me.  So, take us somewhere that is incomparable to anywhere else."

Both Silent and her mother laughed at Marie's overbearing nature.

"Okay, okay, Aunty.  I was just informed that my new palace has been completed.  Let's take a look and see if it is up to your standard."

"What!  You have a palace.  Impressive.  I am already satisfied with your castle and skyscrapers.  Come, take me to your palace."

"It was easy to get to the citadel since they were already in Shadowsweep visiting the castle."

"Where are you taking us Brax?  Why are we heading underground?"  Marie questioned as they went through one of the entrances that led under the city.

"It is because my palace is underground."

"What?!  How can it be amazing if it is underground?  You can't have your wedding in some cold and damp place.  At least it is good to get the dud out of the way first.  After this you have to take us to some better places."  Said Marie.

"What does this underground palace look like?"  Mrs. Beneil asked her daughter.

"I am not sure."  Silent answered.  "I have been busy in Destol lately and haven't gotten the chance to check it out yet.  But knowing Lucan, I doubt it will be disappointing."

Mrs. Beneil nodded at her daughter as the continued walking through the underground city.  They then came to a check point and passed the guards and started to descend the steps towards the entrance of the dwarven citadel.

"WOOOWWWWWW!  This is so cool!"  Marie excitedly said as the emerge on the landing before the citadel.

The place was far more crowded than the last time Lucan had been here.  They walked towards the entrance of the citadel, where they found Oar waiting.

"Hey boss, hey Miss Night.  Long time no see."

"Hello Oar."

"This is my aunt and Silent's mother.  Make sure you treat them well."  Lucan informed Oar.

"Wow, I can see where Miss Night get's her good looks.  And of course, I have already heard about the Hero of New Avalon.  Your tale has already spread down here.  The people all admire your bravery.  Mrs. Hekin, is it true that you fought of fifty wild beast with your bare hands while defending New Avalon.  I am sure that was an amazing sight."

Marie pull back her shoulders and puffed out her chest.  "Ho, ho, a hero must always be prepared to stand against the odds and defend those in need."

"Amazing, truly amazing."  Oar said while shaking Marie's hand over and over while he had stars in his eyes.

Lucan could only shake his head as he led the group in through the cracked doors.

The pillars in the citadel were mostly finished.  They now contained detailed carvings going from the floor to the ceiling.

"Beautiful."  Mrs. Beneil whispered.

"Wow, this is really something.  Not bad, not bad.  This would be a perfect place.  When you told me you had an underground Palace I didn't think much but this…"  Her words trailed off as she gave Lucan a thumbs up.

Oar shook his head.  "This isn't the bosses palace.  This is only the entrance to the citadel.  Come on.  You can see the palace from over here."

The group crossed the entrance hall and Oar pushed open the doors to the dwarven city.  Lucan had been prepared since he had seen it while the place was still being excavated.  But the other three stood with their eyes wide and mouths open when they saw the sight on the other side of the entrance hall.