Chapter 2. Royal wedding. Part 2.
Lilith went downstairs and ordered cup of ale. She had now her mercenaries, but her wallet saw better days. She touched cute looking red purse. It was an artifact called Female purse – a magic bag, capable of fitting inside a lot of stuff. Touching it also allowed her to know what was inside it. She checked for remaining coins. Enough for a few weeks, but she will need to find a job, which will fill her pockets.
The clinking of glasses and low murmur of conversations filled the air around her, but she paid them no mind.
A figure approached from the shadows, moving with an unnatural grace despite his hunched posture. He was draped in black robes, which seemed to absorb what little light managed to reach this secluded spot.
The stranger pulled back his hood, revealing an ordinary face.
– Please forgive, intrusion. May I talk to you?
– Who are you?
– My name is Arcturus. I was sent to find you and offer you a job. My master awaits you in a temple. She said that you will know how I find you and how I knew where to do it. Also the reward will be worth your time, and more than anything you got before.
Lilith eyed him, but nodded.
– Fine. Let’s go.
Lilith followed the hunched figure through narrow streets, their footsteps echoing in eerie emptiness. The temple loomed ahead – a forbidding edifice shrouded in shadow and mist.
Skeletal trees clawed at starless sky above, as if warning to all who dared approach this hallowed ground. Torches flickered fitfully along crumbling walls; their light casting dancing shadows that seemed almost alive.
As Lilith crossed threshold into temple’s interior, she felt weight of ancient power settle over very soul. Flickering flames illuminated cavernous space – revealing twisted statues and arcane symbols etched deep within stone itself.
Lilith approached the altar with measured steps, her heart pounding in anticipation. The stone slab gleamed beneath flickering torchlight, its surface adorned with intricate carvings, depicting twisted symbols and eldritch runes.
Atop the altar rested an ancient tome bound in black leather – its pages crackling with barely contained power. Beside it lay a dagger fashioned from obsidian; its blade glittering like starlight in night’s endless expanse.
But then smoke enveloped her and she found herself in a different place.
– Welcome, child of shadow, – crooned a voice from beyond veil of space and time: – I am Hekate, goddess of witchcraft, magic and sorcery, among other things.
The air crackled with electricity then as divine presence made itself known – causing very fabric of reality to shudder beneath weight unseen.
Lilith looked around. She found herself standing atop an endless plain of obsidian – its surface rippling like dark water beneath starless sky. Towering columns rose from earth itself, their jagged edges gleaming with arcane symbols that seemed to shift and change before very eyes.
* * *
Master magician Nelliasandra alongside her friend – paladin Trevor came out of Mage guild and went towards king’s castle. Their friend werepanther Luara was marrying a prince, and former party members were invited to royal wedding.
The castle loomed before them, its ancient stones bathed in golden sunlight. Banners fluttered gaily from towering turrets; their vibrant hues a stark contrast to gray skies above.
Within those hallowed halls, an atmosphere of joyous anticipation hung heavy in the air. Maids scurried hither and thither; final preparations for Luara’s wedding day underway with frenzied abandon.
A grand feast had been laid out upon long tables, stretching as far as eye could see – roast boar glistening temptingly amidst array of succulent delicacies that would surely sate even heartiest appetite. Kings and queens from all across Human Continent were invited to witness the wedding between A rank adventurer and beastmen prince.
Nelliasandra and Trevor entered Luara’s chamber, their footsteps muffled by rich tapestries adorning walls. The bride-to-be sat before a gilded mirror; maids fluttering around like hummingbirds, as they adorned her with delicate lace.
– Luara! – Nelliasandra exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her friend amidst flurry of fabric: – You look absolutely radiant!
Trevor cleared his throat softly then; an awkward smile playing upon lips as he bowed stiffly at waist.- Congratulations, – he murmured, voice barely audible above chatter surrounding all: – I wish you both a lifetime filled with love and happiness, my queen, – he grinned at the end. Small joke among best friends.
Luara laughed in delight:
– Not a queen. Not even a princess. Just some commoner, marrying a prince. Thank you, – she whispered then, eyes shimmering with tears unshed as she met Nelliasandra’s gaze once more in reflection: – Truly, I am blessed beyond measure on this most auspicious day.
– Your happiness is well-deserved after all we’ve been through.
Three friends shared moments of laughter and reminiscence, their voices mingling like old melodies in the air. Nelliasandra recounted tales from their journeys together, while Trevor regaled them with his latest tales among paladins.
Nelliasandra grinned mischievously as she turned back to Luara, her eyes dancing with barely contained excitement.
– Remember that time we snuck into Mage guild’s banquet and stole all the desserts? I thought that Mesmer will have our heads!
– Oh gods, – Trevor groaned, rubbing his forehead at the memory: – Don’t remind me. We were lucky, not to end up in the dungeons.
Luara laughed, the sound like music amidst candlelight’s glow.
– Those days feel like ages past now, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
– Speaking of, – Nelliasandra said, her tone turning more serious as she regarded Luara with warm affection: – I’m so proud of you, my friend. You’ve always been stronger than we gave you credit for.
Trevor nodded in agreement, his hand resting gently on the hilt of his sword.
– Indeed. And if this wedding is anything like our adventures, then there will be no shortage of excitement ahead!
The friends shared one final laugh before parting. Luara still needed to dress up, while Nelliasandra and Trevor still needed to find their seats, arranged by wedding master.
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