Runt of the Litter - Tales from Alirast

Trillia stood in front of the mirror in her room.

It had been a few months since the battle with the eldritch. She'd be turning eighteen soon. She forced a smile on her face.

The past few months had been hectic.

The eldritch had retreated, but there were still remnants across the land causing trouble. The Eternal Fortress also said to be weary of new dungeons appearing from some of the eldritch spawn.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. "Who is it?"

"Sonya."

"Come in, close the door quickly."

Sonya stepped in and closed the door behind her.

The scars on her face were healing well. Trillia traced a set of fingers along her abdomen, where a nasty burn covered a large part of it. The eldritch wounds were slow to heal.

"Queenie wants us all to come to Kadessa. Geo, Ash, and Hope are going to be heading there shortly. Would you like to journey with us?"

Trillia closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the mirror. Amelia had gone back to Kadessa with Queen Alliyah. Trillia had stayed behind to help with any cleanup she could.

Also, because the Eternals gave her space, they didn't crowd her or ask to talk about the fallen. "Sure. Thanks, Sonya."

The infernal woman walked over and put her arms around Trillia's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll heal back up in no time. Besides, warriors love scars and tales of battle. Your people are warriors, right? I'm sure it will help you find a strong mate."

Trillia laughed softly at the absurdity of it. She knew Sonya wasn't trying to make her feel better about the scars. "Yeah, if the scars don't work, maybe the four arms will."

Sonya grinned and playfully punched one of her shoulders. "I'm sure lots of people are into arms. All the better to hold them and whisper sweet nothings in their ears."

"Oh yeah? Is that how it goes for you?"

"Mostly. It does make tying me up a lot more time-consuming. Kills the mood sometimes."

Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red. "Get out of here! You incorrigible fiend!"

Sonya spread her arms and gave a deep mock bow. "We'll meet you on the surface in an hour or so. For an infernal, you're such a dainty and delicate thing." The woman laughed as she retreated through the door.

Trillia couldn't help but chuckle herself.

Taking another deep breath, she got dressed and ready to hit the road.

-=====-

"We aren't using portals or flying?"

"No. Most of our rapid transportation methods need to use the Aether. We are trying to avoid going into the Aether as much as possible. It's still not calmed down."

That made sense. With how much chaos had erupted during the battle, she wasn't that surprised.

"How bad do you think clean up and the new dungeons will be?"

"It's difficult to say." Hope glanced over at Trillia as she continued. "Your world doesn't have a good network of information. Truth be told, the Eternals are dwindling. I'm not sure if we have the manpower to be what your realm needs. More so because some of the dragon clans are looking to purge us."

Her stomach sank. More death, more fighting. She thought about all the things she had learned from the dragons, from the Professor. Even from her patron, Arlyss.

Why were people so stingy with information? Could more lives have been spared if more information was readily available?

What if everyone could enter the Aether?

Would Uncle Cordaos still be alive?

As she asked the question, she felt sorrow welling up inside of her and did her best not to break down again.

-=====-

Trillia was dressed in her armor, most of the people in the throne room were. It was some useless ceremony to pat people on the back. The merchant lords wanted their accolades and to pretend they did something to help.

It made her sick.

Amelia stood next to her. The normally happy woman was stone-faced and serious. In fact, all of her friends had lost a lot of their mirth. She couldn't imagine what they would have been like if one of them had died during the battle.

She felt Alliyah's presence coming and took a knee, everyone else followed except the Generals.

Alliyah stepped into the throne room. A beautiful black dress clung to her body. She didn't need to wear mourning clothes, but she wanted the merchants to understand that the realm had paid a great price for this battle.

As she approached the throne, she paused to look at Amelia. Poor thing, both of her parents gone, and a kingdom to save.

She turned once she was standing before her throne. "Thank you all for coming. I first want to express not only my support but the support of the entire Kadessian empire to Queen Amelia Shatterhoof. If you need help reclaiming your ancestral home, you tell us."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Amelia kept her composure and bowed her head slightly.

Wisely, none of the merchants spoke.

"General Brutus, step forward."

Trillia sat and listened as she listed off tales and exploits during the battle for each person in order.

When her own name was called, she mostly zoned out, the Queen asked if she wanted anything for her service.

"I...don't know."

"Think on it. When you have an answer, get back to me."

Trillia bowed and stood back in line.

As the ceremony continued, her mind worked away. She sent a few messages out, a plan beginning to brew.

-=====-

Alliyah sat on the throne, going through the motions. The merchants were all smiles, while the warriors looked as if they wanted to flee from the room. Alliyah didn't blame them.

As she started to call the first merchant forward, she paused. Why was Quetzalcoatl here? Riten and Arlyss as well?

"Your Majesty?" The young merchant lord did his best to keep any edge out of his voice.

Alliyah watched as Trillia stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I have thought about what I want."

The Queen stared at the not-so-little avatar and tilted her head slightly. "Very well, forgive me, but please step back in line, young Sozo."

The man seemed angry but said nothing.

As Trillia stepped forward, the Queen motioned for her to continue.

"I wish to found a guild."

"While I am happy to help you in any way I can, I cannot bypass the laws of our land and simply give you permission."

Trillia bowed her head slightly. "I am not asking you to, Queen Alliyah. I am asking you to fund it. You once said you had earned a thousand fortunes. I am requesting funding as my reward."

Alliyah leaned back on her throne. "Of course, I would be happy to do so, a paltry price to pay for all that you've done. The norm-"

The young woman held up both of her right hands. "Three nation leaders, two deities, and a merchant lord, at the very least, right?"

Alliyah raised her hands to her face, gently pressing them together. It made her look as if she was annoyed, but in reality, it was hiding her smirk. "Yes, that's correct."

Amelia immediately stepped forward.

"I am Queen Amelia Shatterhoof, representing the fallen nation of God's Watch. If it counts, I support Lady Trillia."

The throne room doors split open. A few familiar faces stepped in.

"I am Lord Claven Emberthrift, here to represent the nation of Anvil Shelter."

"I am Tormash Demonsbane, here to represent the Orc Coalition of the Shattered Plains."

"I am Kismet Demonsbane, here to represent the desert trade city of D'Jamu."

Alliyah's grin only widened. Trillia had seen how it was done and had called in favors.

Simon stepped forward and kneeled. "Sir Simon of the Golden Gryphons representing the Lady of Mercy, Miah Darktone."

Layla next. "Layla the Saviour, representing Lady Ora'sys."

Then, the throne room went silent.

A debuff that had been plaguing them all for nearly two decades vanished. Tears filled Alliyah's eyes as a familiar, warm presence filled the room.

Stas walked up next to Trillia and kneeled beside her, facing Alliyah. "Stas the Butcher, representing Lord Kain Ocrey Darktone, the second axle of the Dawncore Universe."

On queue, Kain appeared standing next to the abomination, slowly kneeling before Alliyah as well. Pale skin and smooth elven features framed a handsome face. It was all Alliyah could do to not leap from her throne into his arms.

The murmurs remained quiet as a new flood of notifications hit most people.

"Grand Dragon Quetzalcoatl, representing the Storm clan. According to the Federation of Scales, a dragon clan leader can either be a nation's leader or a merchant lord. Am I correct in that assumption, Queen Alliyah?"

Alliyah managed a nod as the dragon in his drakken form took up on the other side of Trillia. "Then I represent Trillia Demonsbane Fairtrade as a merchant lord."

Alliyah stood and slowly walked down to stand in front of Trillia, her eyes stealing glances at her husband near them. "Well, Lady Fairtrade. You certainly know how to make a stand. I will happily provide funding for anything you need. What is the name and purpose of your guild?"

Trillia was stunned at Lord Darktone's appearance herself. The others she had asked to be here and had even called in Lord Storm for the favor she was owed. Why had the punishment been lifted?

As Alliyah spoke, she snapped her eyes back to the Queen. "The Blossoming Adventurer's Guild. I wish to create a guild that not only spreads information about dungeons, monsters, and world events but also a guild that teaches people about the Aether and can help instruct people to peer into it. I never want to lose another good man to the horrors of the void if I can help it."

"Are there any objections?" The tone in the Queen's voice told people there weren't any. They wisely listened.

"All in favor of Trillia Demonsbane Fairtrade becoming the sole Guild Master of the Blossoming Adventurer's Guild, say Aye."

The room was a resounding Aye.

Alliyah stood there in front of Trillia. All she had to do was say the words. "I have a demand."

Murmurs began to spread throughout the throne room.

Trillia bowed her head. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I will approve the guild. I will fund all that you need. I will help educate you on leadership and running things."

The pause grew longer as Alliyah weighed her options. Taking a deep breath, she continued.

"In return, after a period of thirty years, I wish for you to apprentice under me as the heir apparent to the throne of Kadessa."

As voices started to rise in protest, a simple pulse of mana from Kain silenced them all.

-=====-

You sneaky bitch. Trillia thought to herself as she stood there in the deafening silence.

A grin twitched on her lips. "Queen Alliyah. It would be my honor to train under you and accept such tutelage. However, I will only ascend the throne at the end of your glorious reign if the people of the Kadessian empire believe me to be the best suited for such a task."

Alliyah's own grin was evident. "Oh...they will. I assure you. As the Queen of Kadessa, Empress of Humanity, and the Ambassador of Mortality. I hereby recognize Trillia Demonsbane Fairtrade as the sole Guild Master of the Blossoming Adventurer's Guild. May your guild exceed your expectations and save us from our own folly."

Cheers erupted from the generals and her friends, as well as many of the other nobles in attendance who knew of Trillia and her exploits.

More cheers arose as Kain stepped up to Alliyah and pulled her into a deep kiss.

Trillia stood there, unsure of what she had just signed up for. Turning to Lord Storm, she smiled. "I guess we're even."

"No. No, we are not. This is a good idea, and the realm needs more unity. Consider this a gift from a very invested Clan. I still owe you the favor we agreed on for your work with the Professor. I look forward to working with you, Guild Master Fairtrade." The dragon extended a clawed hand, which Trillia happily shook.

-=====-

There was a great deal of celebration. The merchant lords got their accolades, but they had been so overshadowed that most people weren't paying attention anymore.

Night had come, and Trillia found herself at a large banquet table, filled with food and drinks. Her friends, the generals, the queen, and the nation leaders were all there.

It was a good night.

As everyone began to leave for the evening, Amelia grabbed her shoulder. "Can we talk?"

Trillia followed her out to the courtyard, where the rest of her friends had gathered.

Amelia took a deep breath and started. "I won't be traveling with any of you anymore. Malor and I have decided to return to the labyrinth at Rift City. We will prepare to take back the wrecked land of God's Watch and rebuild."

The group said nothing.

They had seen this coming.

Fred chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "My parents are getting up there in age. I had planned to return to work full-time in the forge. This works out for me."

Trillia laughed and went to each of her friends to hug them, going to Amelia last. "When you are ready to launch that attack, you let me know. I'll be at your side, and who knows, maybe by then, I'll have a guild full of strong adventurers to help us."

Amelia returned the hug and nearly crushed all of Trillia's arms with the strength of it. "Thank you for being my friend."

Layla smiled and spoke up next. "Master Stas has the hots for one of the mechanics at the Eternal Fortress. Mind if I sign up as your first adventurer?"

Trillia reached over and pulled the woman into the hug with her. "Welcome aboard!"