The story is massive, maybe the biggest we have done, so I have chopped into two parts. Part Two can be found here. It was just a bit too much at one time.

First Five Begins Here

The Champion makes his way down the road to his home after his bachelor party. Walks in and there is Cullun and Dash standing at the table chit chatting, scrunching their noses at some sort of shot glass in front of them,

“Couldn’t get enough at the pub, you two?” Chance says smirking a bit and walking over to them.

He could see Dash was pretty drunk and Cullun was rosy cheeked as well.

“No, me-loud Cull thinks this shot here will shave me from a hangover tomorrow” Dash blurts out, wobbling a bit, “but it smells like Griffins butt cheeks after sweating too long.”

The room grows silent for a moment and then erupts into laughter as the three of them spend a moment together, listening to Dash’s ridiculous statement.

Cullen stops laughing and looks at him with a revelation, “how the hell do you know what his butt cheeks smell like when sweaty?!?” He says shaking his head, then looking down, putting his hand up, “no, no, somethings are better left a mystery.”

They both hold their noses and down the hatch it goes. Cullen just has a look of disgust on his face while Dash’s face looks like he was pinched in the ass.

“I… don’t… want… tooo,” Dash says looking about the room, “throw up…”

Cullen wide eyes looks at him and shakes his head, “don’t! It will subside in a few minutes I promise!”

Chance grabs a mug and dips it in the water bucket, takes a long drink. Walks out back of his home, relieves himself in the flowers and heads back in.

Dash has a rosey smile on his face, “hell, I want to go out drinking more now…” he says with a laugh.

The two of them leave and go to their prospective bedrooms and the house grows quiet. Not even soft breathing, or a creak of the floor. There is only one lantern on and it illuminates the living room, casting shadows on the wall of the Kitchen.

He leans against the big kitchen table and looks about the room. Chance can’t remember the last time the place was so… quiet, so still… so empty.

Taking a big sigh, his thoughts do drift to a time, when it was so still. The night after getting thrown out of the City, betraying Cassie and saying goodbye to the first love of his life.

A wave of depression hits him, remembering his pain, remembering the tears. Then catches himself. It all worked out good… and worked out damn good too.

He makes the ascent to his loft, takes off his clothes and flops into bed. That was about the last thing he remembers until morning.

---

Thuralay (Thursday) 7:00am

---

“Living life with my wife is like my neighbors playing ping-pong with my nutsack! Get up you lazy shits!” The cryer yells, much to everyone’s groan and head shake.

Chance smirks at that, and stretches. He expects to hear “tinks and clanks” of Novalee downstairs, but does not hear anything. It takes a second to realize, no one is home. Chuckling to himself, he rolls over and falls fast asleep again.

The bed is jostled and he sits straight up with a dagger in hand. It gets stopped by a wide eyed Khymara.

“Easy love, we are back home now,” she says with a smile on her face.

In the bed, at the corners are Trinity, Luella and Novalee staring at you, smirking. “Sleep with a dagger under your pillow, interesting,” Trinity says.

“So did you behave last night?” Luella says with a raised eyebrow.

The quarter elf nods his head, stretches again and they can tell he is naked under the covers.

Khamyra pulls up the sheets to look and she smiles big, then puts it back down and looks at them, “yup, sausage and eggs are flying in the breeze here.”

The three girls erupt with laughter, get up and head down stairs allowing him to get dressed.

Giving his fiance a look, they kiss. He then lifts the sheets back up and the Onyx Elf’s eyes bulge.

“One kiss, that is all it takes huh?” She says giving him a snuggly hug.

“Not even sure it was that, once you looked, I was…” Chance starts then gets interrupted with a shake of the Warlocks head.

The woman undresses, and heads to her dressing showing off her perfect round butt to the now very horny young Champion.

“Have a good time?” she says as she rummages through her dresser.

Smiling a bit as he says, ”yes, could not have asked for a better night really. Good time was had by all,” he finishes out, trying to get the flopper under control.

“You?” Chance retorts wondering how her night went.

She turns around putting on a top and lacing it up. “It was pretty wild, we were lucky Cullun gave us that potion to drink after, otherwise I think we would be in trouble.” the Warlock rambles a bit.

Then pulling out some leather pants, she puts them on, “I mean we started drinking at 3, and the Hydra is a crazy fucking place, it is crazy man. The bottom floor is just chaos, the second floor had more pipe and cigar smoke than anything and the top floor, well… it has more people fucking than not…” she finishes with a chuckle.

“Really?” he barbs back, wider eyes getting himself out of bed.

The Warlock glances over and shakes her head, “get him under control will you? Nothing for him until Sunday night, ok?” she says staring, maybe even drooling a little, and shaking her head.

“Wait what? Sunday night? When did this happen?” he says somewhat surprised.

Khamyra finishes dressing, and she walks over to his “sausage” as she put it earlier, grabs it and looks up to him. “I think you can handle it yourself for a few days,” she says with a growing smile and giggle. Somewhat proud of herself to her pun.

He takes a deep sigh, grabs her arm and gives his fiance a warm loving kiss on the cheek, whispers, “I love you.”

She stops instantly, and turns. Looks up to those haunting eyes and wraps her arms around him. “I love you with everything I have, my Champion. Now quit poking my stomach, get dressed and get downstairs…” she finishes with a giggle.

The bottom floor was back to normal. Khamyra, Novalee, Cullen, Dash, Luella and Trinity all laughing and talking about the nights events. The “clinks and clanks” are heard and that puts a smile across the Champion’s face.

The quarter elf walks down in some burlap pants, and a throw over shirt. Novalee has already whipped up some left over stew and is serving everyone.

“What time is it?” Chance asks everyone as he sits down at the table.

Novalee glances over, “a click past high sun you lazy ass!” she retorts with a playful tone. Then double takes, “M’lord…” she finishes with a fun sarcastic tone.

The Champion puts his hands out, gives her a look and winks. Then walks over to her and gives her a big hug.

She wrinkles her nose and looks up, “smell like beer and cigars… a little bit of farts too.”

The room erupts in laughter and Chance stops a moment and looks around the room with a big smile. My friends and family, I love them so much.

Khamyra and Chance clean up after the quick meal and the day moves on. Trinity and Luella leave and the engaged couple retrieves their twins from their mother and family. They reluctantly gave them up, they are all in love with the little tikes.

Chance and Khamyra exchange baths and they get ready for their dinner with Velencia. The Champion grumbled a bit about it, but Khamyra was having nothing of that.

“Do not go in there with the idea that you are going to butt heads ok? Seriously, that never works out,” she says walking over to the big man, “just relax, grab my hand when you feel anything makes you tense. We will get through this dinner together.”

Chance rubs his hand along her cheek and looks deep into her brown eyes, “you are right, as always, my love,” he says, giving her a little kiss on the forehead.

The two of them head out towards Velencia’s, only to get cut off halfway in the horse ride by Rayven and River. They flag them down riding at them on the path.

“Sorry, sorry,” Rayven yells a bit, trotting her horse up close to the couple, “the blasted Black Ward and Camerondale are all over the place here. So we will have to go into the construction area, and…”

Just then River, “shh! Remember…” she scolds the Velencia mini-me.

She gives a dirty look to Dash’s love interest, but nods her head, “yes, just follow us.” The two girls ride for a short time and turn into the construction area bypassing a few guards at the entrance to the little valley.

The horses are tied up in a secure location and the four of them walk into a tunnel. It is make shift and dusty for a while but as they walk farther, it gets bigger, smoother and cleaner. Eventually after 10 minutes they walk through a door, down a hallway and out into the open air room of Velencia’s.

In attendance and in order; Velencia, Hamza, Shemrata, River, Rayven, Griffin, Renata, Dash, Lady Charota, Peenzoh, a few other of Charota’s guards and a few people you do not recognize.

The open room is decorated to the nines. White lacy streamers, balloons, table centerpieces, lanterns glowing a wonderful clear color and a main table ready for the couple to sit at.

Velencia gets up and walks to the couple. She is dressed in a dark silver dress, jewelry, makeup, nice shoes… She looks amazing.

She nods to both of you and smiles. Then turns to all the people in the room. “I want to welcome our guests of honor, The Champion and his Warlock.”

The room simultaneously kneels.

“Stand, please. I appreciate the respect, but Finster is the only one you should kneel too,” Chance says, giving a sideways glance to the Priestess waiting for some retort.

She looks across the room and nods, much to Chance’s surprise (and relief).

A very distinguished man walks to the couple, in an elegant dark robe, close cut hair, a scar across his eye and a Finster tattoo on his neck.

He stands before the two and bows again.

“Thank you good man,” the Champion says, still after all this time feeling awkward, “but really, I am not that formal.”

The man has a big smile on his face, “thank you, M’Lord, I wanted to introduce myself,” he starts in.

Behind him Velencia has a look of disdain on her face, usually reserved for Chance, but is now aimed at this man.

“My name is Enoch, I am a High Priest of Finster, calling from the northern regions of this land,” the man in dark robes finishes.

Khamyra gives him a soft smile and almost a chuckle, “I have heard of you,” she says eyeing Velencia up behind him, then looks back to him, “a long way to travel for just a wedding?”

Enoch takes a look back over his shoulder to the High Priestess, who is staring him down and then back to you guys, “I am sure my presence here is not sitting well with Velencia, but I had to come and talk with the Champion and Warlock.”

Chance, a bit taken back smiles and nods, hoping this guy is better than the High Priestess.

“I must confess, when I heard of who you were, I was very discouraged,” the man starts off looking a bit guilty, “you were called a do-gooder, someone who cherished life and went out of his way to… save people.”

The Champion smiles and nods his head.

Enoch glances up to the big man, “so you can see why I was a bit apprehensive about you…”

“Understood, I guess. As Finster put it to me, I am his counter balance. His light to his dark, his water to his flame. I am not innocent, in fact there are things I have done in my life that will haunt me until my last breath…” Chance says, taking a deep sigh inbetween, “for a world who villainized my Lord, he needed me to help repair his reputation, repair the ideal of who he is.”

A big smile washes over his face and he again kneels.

“Forgive me, I was…” was all he got out when he was lifted off the ground to a standing position.

The quarter elf looks into his reddish-brown eyes with a bit of annoyance and smiles, “all is good, again no need for anything like that.”

After the two hand shake, along with Khamyra, who is smirking at her High Priestess a bit, the couple moves on.

Khamyra and Velencia hug for a bit, and they walk with Chance tagging along looking at all the people, decorations and finger foods. He couldn’t help himself to grab some beef strips and a tankard of ale.

“So you sent an invitation to Enoch?” the Warlock muses a bit, giving her Priestess a nudge.

Velencia frowns and looks over to her shaking her head, “unfortunately, I have too. I am to bring the religion together as a whole, not fragmented sects and cults. Enoch, is the next biggest player in the game.”

“Very big of you, my Priestess,” Khamyra says putting her hand on her arm, “it really is. I know your history and it could not of been easy.”

Meanwhile, Enoch has once again found his way to the Champion. “So you seem to work well under Velencia,” he starts only to get interrupted by a scoff like spit and wide eyes from Chance.

“Oh, no. no. I do not work under her, above her or anywhere around her if I have the option,” the quarter elf retorts still with wide eyes, “I work under Finster, and Finster alone.”

The Priest nods his head somewhat unconvinced, as the two look over the appetizers, picking at them.

“So you have spoken directly with our Lord then?” he says inquisitively.

“You can say that,” chance responds with a chuckle.

The High Priest looks over to him with a curious look.

“I have pretty much an open line of communication with him,” the big man says, stuffing some cheese in his mouth, chewing and gulping it down, “we were together every step of the way for his ascension.”

Enoch wanted to kneel again, but thought twice about it just giving this mysterious man another smile.

Eventually, after an hour of small talk, Velencia then takes the both of them to the large table and the head of it has two chairs. She sits the couple down and beckons for some servants.

“I think we should eat,” the dark haired priestess says, looking about the room, “just because I am starving, I haven’t eaten anything all day.”

http://medievalcookery.com/recipes/

Everyone giggles, gets served and they dive in. It is Roasted hen, and everyone got their own individual one, with all the sides they could dream of. Pitchers and goblets of wine, servants at everyones beckon call.

Lots of talking, laughter and cheers are had during the meal.

The servants start to take away the food, and Chance sits there, pats his belly. “That was amazing, thank you Velencia,” he says, then almost cringes, waiting for the retort.

“You are welcome,” is what he hears as the tall dark woman looks at him blankly.

Everyone gets up out of their seats and starts to mingle again.

Griffin and Renata head over to the couple and exchange pleasantries.

“Quiet in the house now that you are gone,” Khamyra says with a chuckle, “it does take a bit getting used too.”

Chance nods his head, “last night was weird. I was in the Kitchen and literally, no one was in the house. It was so quiet, so still… I did not like that one bit.”

Khamyra grabs his arm and snuggles up to him with a smile.

Lady Charota approaches them with Peenzoh and she smiles and nods in respect. The couple does the same back to the Lady.

“I do not have much to offer, I did not plan for a wedding party,” she says with a chuckle, “but take this. It has some magical properties, but time has erased my memory of what it might have done.”

She hands this elegant, dark metal necklace, a bit rough for a lady, with a dark green gem embedded in it and an ornate flourish.

Khamyra takes it and nods her head, “no need for gifts, M’Lady, but I appreciate the thought nonetheless.”

More nods and smiles as the white woman makes her way back to her little click.

The Warlock looks up to Chance, “I do not like that Charota at all, she has something up her sleeve, a hidden agenda…” she says, then continues, “I just can’t put my finger on it.”

Looking down at the necklace, “I will have to get Velencia to help me decode this thing, I won’t be putting this on anytime soon. I mean really, I am sure the Lady can figure out what this is…”

During that time Velencia had a servant bring out a cart of what appears to be gifts.

“Your wedding gifts, from everyone here,” the Dark Priestess says with a big smile.

The first present is Velencia’s and it is a thin box. They unwrap it and it is a stone, half circle, almost like a crescent moon. It is actually pretty ugly. Chance tries to react nicely and nods his head, glances over to the tattooed woman.

“Regifting perhaps, Priestess?” he says playfully and she scoffs, shaking her head and pointing at his fiance.

Khamyra is still, her eyes flickering with power. Tears well up a bit, “the strongest warding magic I have ever felt…” she utters.

The Champion nods, looking at it again with all its runes and markings.

Khamyra has a huge smile on her face, her exhaustion from the night before and the sweet gift from her great friend is getting to her. “Hun, it is for the children. To hang over their crib, to protect them.”

He gets a big smile and looks over and nods, “thank you. Seriously, thank you.”

The Priestess nods a bit, then looks away.

Khamyra stands up, heads to her and wraps her arms around the dark haired woman who was looking the other way. Velencia turns and they hug for a while to smiles and awwws.

The rest of the gifts unwrapped from the guests, with some smiles, thank you and laughs.

Shemrata got them a wonderful ornate double bladed scimitar that was “his and her” and they thought it was really nice. Hamza gave you a bag full of gold and a plaque that has two mugs glued to it, handles intertwined in some semblance of marriage.

Enoch grabs his gift and hands it to the couple. It is pretty big, 3 x 5 feet and thin, most likely a painting. “Painted it myself,” he says.

Chance opens it and his eyes bulge out of his head. It is a painting of the hall of whispers and the ascension. He is staring at it; the blocky table and chairs, the blue hue throughout, the door in the exact location, opening and light beaming in, it was almost exactly how he remembers it.

“How… how…” the Champion utters in disbelief.

“In a dream, that is how our Lord likes to communicate with me,” Enoch responds with a smile on his face.

Khamyra nods, “like Velencia, interesting…”

He pulls back a bit, and the Priest glances over to the High Priestess who, at the time, was not paying attention to them. She was speaking with Lady Charota.

“This is amazing,” Chance says, still looking it over, still smiling wide, “this is uncanny how accurate it is.”

By then Velencia has made her way back over, looks at the painting and has an odd look on her face, but seeing you marveling at it she sighs.

“Is this… the hall of whispers?” the Priestess asks, already knowing the answer.

Chance nods his head, “yes, a very accurate depiction too,” he responds.

Velencia does not dare meet eyes with Enoch right now, as her blood boils a bit, knowing he must have got a vision of it, and Velencia did not.

Just then she notices the Black Ward ring. She violently grabs Chances hand.

“What the fuck is this?” she practically yells, giving the Champion a look he is all too familiar with.

Chance slowly takes Velencia’s hand off his and looks to her, calmly. “My job, Priestess, my job.”

She backs up a bit and shakes her head, “Your job is to our Lord and our Lord alone,” she says with a bit of force and frustration, face flushing.

The Champion shakes his head, “what job now? I’m sorry did I miss it? Sitting on my ass smelling my kids diapers?” He says and continues with Khamyra grabbing his other hand slowly to keep him under wraps, “this will keep me busy, hone my skills and do some good through out the realm.”

Velencia just shakes her head and walks away.

The night goes on without incident, and the party eventually ends.

Chance and Khamyra are guided by Velencia through the tunnels and out to the construction area. It is a wonderful night, and they stand there looking up to the stars and the large moon that is about ¾ full.

“I don’t have time to deal with Camerondale and the fucking Black Ward Chance,” the High Priestess says in an angry barb, “I can’t believe you did this… am I to get raided next week?”

Chance shakes his head, glances at her in the cast of a moonlight glow, “No, I would never do that and they would have never brought me back if they planned on something like that.”

Then he turns to her, “with all due respect, what I do for a living is what I do for a living, I don’t sit here and berate you for being…” he went to continue and saw Khamyra’s eyes bulge a little.

The Champion stops, backs up a bit, “sorry, an argument for a different time perhaps,” he says looking back to the Priestess. “Whether you take this as a compliment or not, I want to thank you for tonight… It was amazing.”

He put his hand on her shoulder, and she didn’t flinch, she didn’t scoff. The Priestess just nods and looks down. Though she looks absolutely fantastic, she looks very worn out and tired.

Khamyra leans into you, whispers “give us a few, ok hun? Get the horses ready.”

Chance nods his head, glad that Khamyra will talk with her, it always seems to help.

After about 10 minutes the Priestess made her way back into her makeshift tunnel, Khamyra met Chance by the opening where there were 4-5 guards and they headed for home.

The house was quiet again, so the couple made their way up to the loft to see their little ones sleeping away.

Khamyra woke up Sisse who was on the floor with a blanket sleeping next to the kids in the loft.

Afterwards, Khamyra put the half moon plaque on the shelf above the children’s heads and smiles real wide. She says quietly, “seriously, no one is going to get to the kids, ever, between Finster, Velencia, my mom, myself and you and the Order…” she pauses a moment and snuggles into the large man next to her, “they are safe and sound.”

The couple goes to bed and not without Chance trying, they go to sleep without having sex.

---

Freya (Friday) 7:00am

---

“Last night my wife met me at the front door. She was wearing a sexy negligee. The only trouble was, she was coming home,” the cryer yells, “get up! 7:00 AM!”

Khamyra giggles, “that’s a new one…”

The morning moves on like it normally does, tea and breakfast with the occupants of the house, Sisse and Khamyra trading feeding and kid duties.

By mid morning, Khamyra was deep into paperwork for the Academy. Chance was on the floor playing with his Kids.

The door opens, “M’Lord, someone here to see you,” the underling says, looking over to the big man on the floor.

Chance nods his head and walks to the door, and there stands a man, in simple clothing, panting a bit. “This is where you live?” he says, eyeing the place up.

The Champion walks out, closes the door behind him, “yes, why is there a problem?”

The sweaty man shakes his head, “I guess not, the ring?” he says somewhat snarky, and looks at your hands.

The Quarter elf’s eyes turned to slits and he held his hand up showing off the ring.

Seeing the ring, the man then blurts out, “one – Harlow – Compound – Yellow,” he finishes and looks up to the Champion.

Chance just nods his head and the runner takes off down the path.

“Jack-off,” the quarter elf mumbles, to the snort and giggle of the underling out front.

Khamyra turns to see the door open and her fiance walk in. He smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

“Black Ward wants to meet today, not sure exactly for what…” he says, sighing a bit.

The Onyx Elf goes back to working, shaking her head a bit, “you better not get roped into anything crazy right now, we have an important few days ahead.”

Chance, heads to the stairway, and in a playful tone says, “we do?”

The Warlock only pauses a moment to growl, then continues working.

After changing and gearing up, giving Khamyra a sloppy kiss on the cheek, the Champion rides to Camerondale.

He stables the horse, pays the copper and heads to the compound. Upon entering, Chance see’s it is very busy and a few people say hello as he makes his way to the Captain’s office.

The Quarter Elf knocks on the door and a muffled “come in” is heard.

Chance walks in to see all the heads of the divisions in the office, leaning, standing and sitting. They all greet the Champion and they head for the top floor: the indoor botanical gardens.

Once everyone settles in, Captain Harlow begins to talk, “Chance, we needed to meet with you now, next week is going to be busy and I don’t think Killian or Cybil will be here. So today was the best day, I thought.”

He nods his head, looking around to everyone present.

“Your position in the Black Ward is going to be unique, and we decided that we should share this with you before you make the final decision to come back aboard,” Harlow says giving you a look, then standing up, starting to pace a bit.

Chance nods his head, listening intently, getting a bad vibe about this now, remembering how Velencia was flipping out on him and Khamyra’s apprehension about rejoining.

“Your base job for the BW, will not change. You will take orders from Myself or Valentine as it was before,” the Captain says, then stops and looks, “but when something comes up about, Finster or Imryllion you will be taken off any duty you are currently on and put on that, immediately.”

Killian wrinkles his nose a bit, and then looks back to the captain.

“What Killian,” Harlow says, giving him an annoyed look.

He shakes his head, “nothing Cap, it is just he was on duty, and I was just wondering what kind of job would have him doing that kind of, shitty job…”

Cybil leans back in her chair, puts her head back and groans, Bastian chuckles a bit and looks down, Valentine smirks a bit and Chance lets out a snort and laugh.

With wide eyes and a frown she continues, “anyways, we think we can best utilize you in these situations. We have had arguments about also putting you on what we call the Priestess-watch but reports came in yesterday that you were visiting with her?” The Captain finishes giving the Champion a look.

He nods his head, “Yes, a dinner party of sorts, since she can’t make it to the wedding this starday,” Chance responds with a deadpan delivery.

Harlow takes a deep sigh, puts her hands on her hips, “right out of the gate, you put us in quite the position,” she finishes giving the quarter elf a look, “I don’t think it will be a problem for now, but you have to know that it doesn’t look good. A member of the Black Ward having tea and crumpets with the top enemy of our Realm.”

Chance shakes his head, “no, no, with all due respect Captain, she is not the top enemy, not even close,” he says, but then gets interrupted.

“Really? Do tell?” Harlow says, sitting back down to her seat watching the Champion, a bit of sarcasm on her tone.

“I can’t really talk about Velencia’s past, that is for her to deal with, but right now her only concern is the temple and protection. Imryllion is our biggest enemy, it is not even close and followed by Varow, now that he has risen, or awoke, or whatever,” Chance finishes out, somewhat annoyed.

Everyone is exchanging looks and then looking back at the Champion.

He shrugs his shoulders, “I believe he used to be the overseer of Corellon, a city or stronghold, or something…” Chance finishes out.

Then everyone looks over to Bastian who looks stunned. The Master Witch shrugs his shoulders, “hey don’t look at me, there were reports of his old stronghold having activity, but we didn’t know he came back to life, or awoke, or if he even can… no offense, Chance.”

Shaking his head, “none taken, but we have had a nice little sit down with his ex-wife Lady Charota, who also rose from… the dead, from sleep, whatever. She has a little entourage with her who also woke up. I can only guess he can do the same thing too, hell, it’s been over 1300 years,” Chance finishes with a tinge of a whip in his voice.

The table looks stunned. Harlow’s face is now getting red. “How, the, fuck, did, we not know this?!?” the Captain curses and spews, “how long have you known about this Chance?”

“A week or two, I think,” Chance says, leans back a bit, fidgets with his ring, “well, that is why you have me here now, to help you out with all these …things.”

Bastian leans forward, “Varow, if memory serves me, was a necromancer, correct?”

The Champion nods his head, “yes, his nick-name was bone-razor. He was the first, unofficial, invoker on Legon, for the short time before Atticus was obliterated… or at least we thought he was.”

Everyone’s head snaps to the big quarter-elf and he looks a little surprised. Bastians eyes huge, “umm… thought, he, was?”

“Story for another meeting I suppose,” Chance says almost under his breath, shaking his head, “a lot has gone on and it’s been a long year.”

Harlow gets up, puts her hand to her temple and rubs it, and starts to chuckle. “Last time I rubbed my temple like this I was talking with Chance over a year ago about… well, never mind that, I have to tell you…”

Killian slaps the table and it scares Cybil a bit. “Told you he would spice things up!”

Cybil is glaring at Killian, “we didn’t need spicing up barbarian!” She practically yells at him.

“Valentine, you are as chatty as ever,” the Captain says glancing over to the small elf who is picking her fingernails with a small dagger.

She gives her Captain a look, “I think this speaks for itself,” she finishes glancing over to Chance and smiling.

The room grows quiet, and Harlow looks over to Chance who now has his ring off his finger and looking at it, fidgeting with it.

“Thoughts Chance?” she says wondering if he is going to recant on joining.

After a second of gathering his thoughts, “my soon to be wife is no fan of me rejoining, she worries about me being away so much and the dangers I will face. Some friends also do not like it, thinking I will betray them or something. Now, this…”

He looks around and Chance smiles at everyone, “I wanted to come back to help, to make a difference, not cause people worry, or suspicion or troubles. I will not come back if I am going to cause too many problems, or cause people distress…”

The room stays quiet, they are in deep thought.

“We need you,” Killian says, softly and smoothly, “I may joke about you bringing in some excitement, but your recent experience, your connections, and your skill set… are like none other on Legon.”

Harlow has a big smile growing across her face, “yeah, what he said…” she starts, then finishes, “exactly, what he said.”

The meeting continues as Chance puts the ring back on his finger. They explain to him that his duties will be as they were before unless something about Imyrillion comes about or now, Varow. He understands and agrees. The meeting is called and they all disperse with some pleasantries.

Captain Harlow holds the Champion back for a moment.

“I would like to talk with you Tuesday about this Varow and this Lady Charota, I think we need to be filled in on them,” she says tilting her head a bit, “and anything more on Imryllion.”

Chance nods his head, “will do, that is not a problem.”

“Oh and your gear is here, they did not want to deliver it outside the City gates,” the Captain says, rolling her eyes a bit, “go try it on and make sure it fits.”

Chance makes his way to his old office, and it brings back some memories. He sits on the bench, gathering his thoughts. How many times did he have an encounter with Ara here, as his mind drifts to the little elf.

“Hope she is doing well in Magus Orion,” he mumbles to himself, “she has Mina, and she was always there for her, I think she will be alright.”

The armor fits almost perfectly, not as good as Ara would do but he feels comfortable with it.

As the Champion is putting the armor back, he chuckles to himself, “how long ago was it? I didn’t even have one set of armor, now I have three!” he thinks to himself.

Leaving the Compound, he heads for the stables, grabs Toby and heads for home.

Arriving at the homestead he heads in after putting Toby away. Khamyra is standing above the Kids who are playing on the floor with Sisse, she has a mug in hand. She looks up to you.

“So what did they want? Some crazy quest that will take you to the Thundrad mountains?” she says with a playful sarcastic twist.

He shakes his head, walking to her, “No, just wanted to go over my duties and make sure my armor fit,” Chance finishes giving his fiance a loving look. He then explains what they are looking from him. Khamyra nods her head, understanding why they would want him back so bad.

The day progresses and into the evening with a great dinner, some laughs, snuggles and a peaceful nights sleep. That is until the crier wakes them up with his nasty announcements.

Turn Based Starts Here

---

Saturlay (Saturday) 7:00AM

---

DMaster: CRY: I tell ya, my wife was never nice. On our first date, I asked her if I could give her a goodnight kiss on the cheek – she bent over! Get up! It’s 7:00 am.

Chance: Stretch and chuckle as I look around the bedroom

DMaster: The morning is like most. There is Khamyra with the Kids. Sisse took off last night and this morning, will be back for when you have the dinner and she is staying Sunday too, part of the wedding and all. It seems to be a typical day, breakfast, tea, some chit chatting, kids giggling, etc

Chance: spend time with the kids as I normally would and just a general sense of good times, trying to take my mind off how nervous I actually am

DMaster: Yeah, Khamyra is wired and nervous too. Partly cloudy for the last day of summer, around 80 degrees with light wind

Chance: So just spend as much time with the kids before we have to leave for the rehearsal dinner

DMaster: Some time spent, you both take quick baths and get ready. You wear one of the outfits you bought before

Chance: Come out of the bathroom after getting dressed up and smile looking at everyone who is still in the house

DMaster: It is getting time to get going. The door opens and the underling says.
UND: A… carriage here… for you both?
He says inquisitively. Khamyra has a big smile on her face, then a squeal from Novalee behind you.

Chance: Chan: shall we my love?
With a big smile on my face, walk over and hold out my hand to her

DMaster: She grabs it, looks back to Sisse
SISS: Kids are going to be just fine, go have fun
Dash is going, being the best man, as is Novalee being the Maid of Honor. Cullun decided against it.

Chance: Pat Khamyra’s hand and smile

DMaster: NOV: Oh… a Carriage!?!
She runs out of the door in front of you, all excited.

Chance: Can’t help but giggle a little seeing her run out the door
Chan: I think she is even more excited for the carriage ride than us.

DMaster: KHA: Apparently
She says with a big smile on her face. You two walk out to the Carriage. There is already a chilled champagne bottle with some glasses

Chance: Chan: Come my love, time to put the cares of the world behind us for a little while.
Help her into the carriage. Look to the Champagne to see if it, is, that, kind…

DMaster: Yes. All wrapped in some gold wrapping. The most expensive Champagne in the realm. Novalee is maneuvering the bottle and “POP!” out goes the cork.
NOV: I’ll pour!
She grabs some glasses then glances back,
NOV: Oops, the corks gone. Guess we will have to drink it all!
The excited blonde elf is pouring glasses and handing them out.
DRIVER: Yes, pour now, trying to pour while moving… never a good idea.
He proclaims with a chuckle, waiting for things to be poured.

Chance: Cringe a little, look at the bottle, sigh and shake my head.

DMaster: Khamyra glances over, eyebrow raised.
KHA: What, this is like the most expensive Champagne in the realm? You too good for it?
She says in a playful tone.

Chance: Shake head.
Chan: Never could understand how someone could actually like the taste of this, but, oh what the hell, I will take a glass of it, it’s the thought that counts
smirking a bit grabbing for a glass.

DMaster: You all “tink” glasses and you head out. Everyone in the streets of Grayshale stop and watch you roll bye, eyes wide and pointing. Novalee, waving at them like she is the Queen of Sheeba

Chance: Thinking to myself, “that is our Novie!” looking at her smiling.

DMaster: You guys ride in, and then are greeted by well dressed guards who take you into the castle. Novalee is wide eyed looking around

Chance: Follow the guard into the castle and seeing Novie’s reaction. Can’t help but chuckle as memories flood back into me of my first time in the castle.

DMaster: You are being escorted to the gardens, but you stop a moment and let them walk past when something catches your eye.

Chance: Taking a deep breath as everything is rushing back, my memories

DMaster: It is quiet for a moment in the entrance way, Morties bust against the wall, in the middle. His patented smirk staring right at you.

Chance: walk over to the bust of Morty and put my arm on it
Chan: I wish you were here to see this Morty
As a few tears fall down my face
Chan: I miss you so much, I wouldn’t be here without you.
Wiping the tears away from my face, I straighten myself up, smile at the bust and then make my way towards the garden. I will give one look back to the bust before I go.

DMaster: You turn for the door and there stands an old familiar face. The woman who helped raise you, the woman who was there for you consistent, the woman who was your lover for a time… Britney’s eyes are welling up a bit watching you.

Chance: My eyes get big seeing her and a smile goes to my face
Chan: Britney!!!!!

DMaster: She smiles real big and you too run to each other and embrace.

Chance: Hug her, picking her off the ground and twirl a little.
Chan: Oh my god, I missed you

DMaster: She wipes a tear away, looking up to you.
BRIT: Me too…
She shakes her head, giggles
BRIT: I mean I missed you, not me.

Chance: Chan: yeah that would be kind of funny missing yourself
Smiling at her
Chan: I mean how? why? I wasn’t expecting you to be here

DMaster: As you stop hugging she gives you almost a hurt look.
BRIT: I wouldn’t of missed this wedding for anything, Plus, Khamyra said she wasn’t going to tell you, make it a surprise.
She leans in and hugs you again, softer and nicer this time.

Chance: Hugging her back and letting a few tears fall
Chan: well this is a most welcome surprise, I am so glad you are here. Of all the people I wanted to be here it is you

DMaster: She smiles, takes your hand and you two walk to the Royal Gardens.

Chance: With my free hand I will wipe the few happy tears away from my face as we walk together, smiling more, looking around as we do

DMaster: Tables, decorations, streamers, servants. It is amazing.

Chance: Eyes go big seeing everything

DMaster: In attendance, no pics just names. King Bozutto, Queen Affinity, Baroness Cassandra, Duke Xavier, Sir Jeramiah, Khamyra, Britney, Dash, Griffin, Renata, Novalee, Luella, Trinity, Bastian, Plugr, Victoria, Talia (late), Kerenza, Kigrial and your mom.

Chance: Smile big looking around.

DMaster: Then you get almost bowled over by an older woman giving you a huge hug, it is your mum

Chance: hug her back and smile
Chan: I missed you Mom, you don’t know how much…
Chuckling at her

DMaster: She smiles real big. Britney looks at you too and you feel she is taken back to the time when things were simpler, when you and your mother were back at her Inn. She looks down, chokes a bit and looks for a drink. Bozutto and Jeramiah walk over to you as Khamyra makes her way over as well.
KHA: See Britney found you
Raises an eyebrow, smile on her face.

Chance: Chan: yes, thank you for the surprise. You continue to amaze me, my soon to be wife.
Smile big at her

DMaster: Boz and Jer give you a big hearty handshake

Chance: Shake both there hands and look at Jerry
Chan: Jerry, can we speak for a moment

DMaster: His eyes light up and he nods. You two walk to a more remote part of the gardens. Mind you it is an absolutely perfect day in terms of weather.

Chance: Chan: I wanted to thank you personally for everything you have done for me
Trying not to cry.

DMaster: He pats your shoulders, smile across his face
JER: For you? Son, it might of been over a year ago, but what you did for us is immeasurable. Even past that, all the other heroic things you have done.
He puts both hands on your shoulder and squares you up.
JER: I think I knew that, the moment I laid eyes on you. We needed new hero’s and you my dear boy, stepped up ten fold.

Chance: Let a few tears fall, look at him.
Chan: if I could ever have a person I would want as a father, it would be you

DMaster: He shakes his head and jokingly says
JER: Animax save you from that kind of fate…
He stops, laughs.
JER: Well, you know what I mean

Chance: Chan: I do Jerry, I just wish someone was here to see all this…
Looking down for a minute

DMaster: It is quiet for a moment.
JER: I know.
He puts his hands back on your shoulder
JER: If I know of Animax, then Mort has already witnessed this moment, and I am sure he slugged back a few whiskey’s in honor of it.

Chance: Chan: I certainly hope he did.
Wiping the tears away and then looking over

DMaster: He puts his arm around you and guides you back.
JER: I’ll drink to that, lad
You guys walk to the bar that was set up and you guys order. A shot of Dwarven spirits for you! After a toast with the old king, you see Cassie and Affinity giggling, then look over to you.

Chance: Grab one more shot before making my way over to them, smiling as I give them a curious look.

DMaster: They both give you hugs

Chance: Hug them back and smile
Chan: and just what was with the giggling I saw?
Raising an eyebrow

DMaster: CASS: Affinity was just telling me how small your ding-a-ling is…
Affinities eyes bulge and spit-scoffs in disbelief.
AFF: MOM!

Chance: Chan: My dear Baroness, nothing small about me
Bust out laughing

DMaster: AFF: his brain maybe… but definitely not his, what did you call it, ding-a-ling

Chance: Chan: Hey can’t be blessed with everything now, my Queen.

DMaster: CASS: Uh oh, he called you Queen and I got called Baroness…
The Queen shaking her head a bit, blushing. Then gives her mother a quick look.
AFF: By Animax, you get a few drinks in you and you turn into a little imp.
Cassie slowly turns to her daughter, wide eyes and a smile growing.
CASS: Oh? I do? Should I mention something about you and…
AFF: No! It’s OK. I take that back, no imp, no imp!
She replies laughing. Cassie bust out laughing and they give you playful looks

Chance: Shake my head and enjoying the repore with these two amazing women.

DMaster: CAS: So you ready for the big day tomorrow?

Chance: Chan: I do believe I am. Maybe once my nerves subside. I thought I was nervous asking her to marry me, but when its becoming a reality… whoa nelly.
looking at them smiling, face flushing

DMaster: They nod their head.
CASS: You were a bundle of nerves when you asked me to help.
Affinity glances over, eyebrow raised
AFF: Help?
CASS: Yeah, to pick out a ring and other things for when he wanted to ask Khamyra to get hitched. Honestly, I think he is more comfortable slicing up a cyclops.

Chance: Nod head and smirk.
Chan: I was and am.
Look at them both.
Chan: I wasn’t going to do this but I have to gush a little. The three of us have been through a lot together, I wouldn’t change a thing, I cherish the both of you
smirking know how I just turned everything around on Cassie

DMaster: Cassie gives you a once over with a playful serious look.
AFF: I would change it, a little anyways
Cassie snaps her head to her daughter, eye brow raised.
AFF: Getting gutted in my room? Yeah, I could of done with out that.
Everyone giggles a little. Then you hear voices behind you
REN: Ok, everyone, let’s do this rehearsal thing shall we?
They have a makeshift aisle, and podium all set up

Chance: Before making my way to do the rehearsal, give them a goofy smile.

DMaster: They smiled and both put there hand on your arm, knowing you are full of shit. DM: Condensing. Renata gets everyone in their positions and goes over what is going to happen at the wedding, from the order the women walk the aisle, to the rituals of fasting and blood connection. It goes very well.

Chance: Taking all this in and commit it to memory, so everything goes right.

DMaster: You better, you are a dumbass, so double learn it.
BOZ: Everyone, take a seat we will be eating momentarily
Just then you get a big hug from behind

Chance: Look to see who is hugging me

DMaster: It’s Talia.
TAL: Sorry I am late, research took forever… or I lost track of time, whatever.
She glances over to her father.
PLUG: You were still researching after I left? Wow.

Chance: A big smile goes to my face and I turn around and hug her

DMaster: TAL: Yeah, lots to do dad, Iasall is not going to uncover itself.

Chance: Raise eyebrow,
Chan: Iasall?

DMaster: She smiles real wide,
TAL: Yeah, more things we uncovered, a city, we think, called Iasall… It is super interesting, it has…
PLUG: Talia, not now
He says with a chuckle. She nods, gives you a nudge.

Chance: Lean in and whisper to her
Chan: just like you to be late for your brother’s wedding
smirking, giving her a look.

DMaster: She furries her brow and shakes her head.
TAL: Its your rehearsal dinner, short tips, not your wedding.

Chance: Smile, shake head.
Chan: Whatever, I kid, I am glad you made it. It wouldn’t be the same without you here.

DMaster: Khamyra scoffs and giggles approaching you three.
KHA: (mumbles) Short Tips.

Chance: Chan: I know and quit calling me short tips!
Look down to Talia. Can’t help but giggle a little. Hug her a little tighter and then let go and just smile, looking back to Khamyra

DMaster: You sit down and you get a royal delicatessen. It tasted like ogre ass, but the Royals are fawning over it. Blawnche Perrye – Eels, Creamed Leeks with Rice, Its a seafood delicatessen. Everyone reluctantly finishes around 7:00 PM.

Chance: I will eat and make it look like I enjoyed it. Unfortunately Cassie and Affinity will be able to know it wasn’t my thing.

DMaster: Its a gorgeous night, you stand up, chit chat with your soon to be wife with some people, then Khamyra takes your hand and walks the gardens with you, just listening to katydids, some birds and crickets. You lose a bit of your anxiety.

Chance: Holding her hand and just smiling as we walk the gardens
Chan: being here with you right now walking this garden reminds me of just how much I love you. I couldn’t ask for a better night in all my life
looking over at her as we are walking through the garden

DMaster: She doesn’t say a word she is just glued to your arm, and practically purring. You make it back to the gazebo area where the festivities are. Some people leaving. You say goodbye to them. You and your Mom have a wonderful mom and son moment, not much was said but hugs some loving looks and understanding. Khamyra was tearing up seeing that.
KHA: Well hun, we part ways. I won’t see you until tomorrow afternoon.
She is rubbing your arm looking up to you.
KHA: I am heading home, you are in the hotel next door, lucky dog.

Chance: Nod my head at her and smile
Chan: I knew I wouldn’t see you till the wedding. I made sure to prepare to be away from you even if it for a short time.
grab her hand and give it a small kiss
Chan: sleep well, my fiance.

DMaster: She grabs your face and plants one hell of a kiss on you, she even gives it a little boost. The people left all clap, whistle and hoot – holler.

Chance: Eyes go big as I pull her close and then pull back
Chan: damn it you and those dangerous lips of yours
Shaking my head knowing my flopper is in full effect

DMaster: she giggles, meets up with her group, turns one last time and smiles at you

Chance: Give her a loving smile and nod. Then meet up with my group.

DMaster: They are waiting for you
PLUG: We got your wedding outfit, some booze and the top suite next door.

Chance: Chan: oh nice the top suite, lets go shall we?

DMaster: you guys head there and it is luxurious. You will be sleeping alone, but until you call it a night, the guys (and Talia) will be there

Chance: Chan: well gents, shall we have a few drinks to celebrate? Or at least to calm my nerves a bit?

DMaster: They all smile and guide you on through the castle. You guys are chit chatting. All that go with you: Bozutto, Xavier, Jeramiah, Plugr, Dash, Bastian, and Talia. They get up to the room. It is huge. 40 x 50 feet, huge ornate bed on the north wall. Each side of the bed has giant bay windows. To the east is a “drinking” area so to speak with tables, some comfy chairs and the balcony doors. To the west is a bathroom of sorts, giant tub, big water basin. The center has a big round table with flowers and fruit on them. The entire suite is very luxurious. You remember it from the night you asked Khamyra to marry you. The group settles in, opens the balcony doors to let in the wonderful air. Drinks are poured, cheers and even a few stogies are lit. Then comes the stories.

JER: So my first real experience with Chance was…Walking into the Princesses, or the Queens room, seeing him holding her, with a huge sword sticking out from an dead Odius on the ground

BAS: Kind of started it all didn’t it?

Chance: I will stand at the Balcony entrance, looking out over the City and Castle gardens, listening, taking sips of the Whiskey.

DMaster: PLUG: (giggles) Mine was listening to Chance and Ferellus go at it while they trained

The room erupts in laughter after his story.
PLUG: Miss that guy.
Gritting his teeth.

Chance: looking out across the night sky my thoughts drift to Ferellus
Chan: I miss him too.
Smile a bit inside knowing he is in a wonderful place with his sister.

DMaster: BOZ: Mine was watching him sword fight with Helkyr. I thought he was an annoying man that made far too much noise.
He says in a fake uppity voice. Everyone laughs a little.

Chance: still a bit lost in my thoughts, leaning on the entryway smirking at all the stories.

DMaster: DASH: Maybe not my first, but what I remember is fighting some Darklings…

Everyone’s eyes are big, and smiling
BAST: Mine was a frantic Cassie and Xavier rushing him into my lab and the back room, with a symbol of some pesky demi-god on his belly

XAV: Aye, Chance always reminds me that I said “fuck” in the house of Animax
The room laughs.

TAL: I just remember, meeting him and just knowing… he was going to be one of my best friends…
she is looking out to you, smile on her face. Even a bit of tears starting.

Chance: Glance up. That kinda hits me, let my eyes well up a bit. Smiling wider.

Chance: Chan: I will always be short tips to you, huh?

DMaster: You both walk to each other and embrace. It is quiet and Plugr has the biggest smile on his face, then everyone toasts to their stories of Chance. You and Talia hug for a while. There is more laughs, handshakes and hugs. After a bit more time, they start to leave.
PLUG: Ok, we will be back tomorrow, around high sun to help get you ready.

Chance: Chan: thank you Plugr for everything. Now get will you, keep an eye on that daughter of yours, I think she tipped one too many glasses.
Smirking and then smile.
Chan: I will see you then

DMaster: He closes the door and the room falls silent. The soft glow of the lanterns outside reflecting off the ceiling, the candles illuminating the rest of the room.

Chance: go close the doors to the balcony, grab something to nibble on and prepare a hot bath for myself

DMaster: The water is hot, some bubbles… but they are manly bubbles

Chance: Take a drink, just sit in the tub and get lost in my thoughts. Lay back and relax. Taking sips of my drink and thinking of Ferellus, how he would be razzing me about everything. Morty, he would be supporting me every step of the way, and picking out the booze… and then my thoughts drift to Finster. I give him a small prayer and a thank you before finishing my drink. Then get out of the tub, dry off and plop down on the bed

DMaster: You have no problem falling asleep, it was about high moon

PART TWO NEXT