Tales of the Pearly City (Pearly Tales Vol.1) [Completed]

Epilogue: Just begun

Cal breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It was shortly after the Princess's speech, and he'd already formally welcomed the new races to the kingdom. He'd even gotten a new recruit out of it. Greffin, the harpy male. If he were anything like Seamus, he was probably eager to be out of the midst of the crazy bird girls.

Wendy strolled up to him and handed him a glass full of champagne or something like it.

"All things considered, I think it went well." Wendy sipped her drink, while Cal just held his.

"I'd call it long and tedious, but no matter the formality, these are the fruits of our labor thus far." Cal looked at the new races mingling.

He saw Loreon chatting with Queen Kildora, and Treveon engaging in a hardy laugh with Big'un. Seamus was currently on the run, beating away the swarming harpies. Fina was prodding and examining the Gargoyle.

Flamel and Gisela were causing a drunken stir among the Dravenkin who were laughing at them as if they were putting on a skit. Several of the Lamia were swarming Ten'lo who was admittedly more handsome than the rest of the Dravenkin.

The Waspkin soldiers looked like they were comparing their weapons and armor to the royal guards. A few elven ladies were comparing dresses with the Arachne tailors, the Lamia, and a few eager harpies. Everyone seemed to be getting along better than he could have ever hoped for. Even the council mingled with the new nobles well.

"That's not the face of a man proud of his accomplishments, master."

"Look at them Wendy. Look at how happy they are, besides Seamus. This is the start of a new age in the history of this city."

"You haven't answered my question."

"If only I had more time, Wendy. With more time, I could have filled this room to the breaking point and saved so many more."

"Your starting to sound more like a king, than a Guildmaster." A woman with short black hair pulled out of her face with a silver wolf pin, approached Cal. She was in a beautiful battle dress made for mages. Her red cape and hood hung from her shoulders and moved in the windless room as if on fire.

"Well, Diana, given the choice, I'd much rather be a Guildmaster." Cal sighed.

"That's probably for the best, it's going to be a mess over the next bit trying to organize our new Kingdom of Perils." Diana was one of his elementals. The fire first chair on the council of elements. She was initially based off of red riding hood.

She sipped her own drink and spoke to him telepathically.

'I have news regarding your request and news from Silvia. Everything is in place, and she said she has her anxieties, but it is doable. Calloway, I don't like these plans. They are too risky.'

Cal responded in kind. "I guess, we'll just have to have faith."

"Faith in what, may I ask?"

Cal looked out at the room of smiling citizen. "That our left hands have reached out to the right people."

He sipped his drink and immediately spit it back into the glass gracelessly. "Bleh, I'll never get used to this stuff. I could really use some tea."

** ** **

Lord Bansfivner sat in his office after that farce of a ceremony.

"Kingdom of monsters." He spun around to look out the window at the castle brightly lit against the night. He laughed. "Calphian, huh? Cute."

Someone knocked on his door.

"Come in."

"My Lord, I have brought the report from the forest of Nefelhiem." The door had only cracked open, but it was enough to let in a black shadow that swept across the table and formed into a dark elf kneeling before the desk.

Lord Bansfivner spun back around and picked up the papers.

As he read it, a greasy smile darkened his grandfatherly face.

"So, Guildmaster. Is this what you have been up to?" The smile unsettled the trained agent.

"We can use this." His sinister laugh lowered the temperature of the room. "Tell our God king the days of our faux heresy are quickly coming to an end. Soon the Pearly city, no, the Kingdom of Calphian will be his." He laughed as he set the paperwork back on the desk.

"How much longer must His Excellency wait?"

Lord Bansfivner spun around to face the castle again with his greasy smile. "If this report is right, and our estimations are correct. At the end of one month's time, this city will fall."

"I will assure His Excellency of your confidence on this matter." The dark elf disappeared.

Lord Bansfivner spoke to the castle with ominous confidence. "The children have made their move, now it's time for the adults to make ours." 

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New Quest: The Last Curtain.

Reward: Feelings

Reader,

With only one chapter left in this adventure, as the last day closes on the City of Perils. The last tale of the Pearly City has yet to be told. How will the curtains fall on our cast? For the many residents of the City of Perils, whose dream has yet to come true? Whose wish is left to be granted? 

With one dreaded question left to be asked, and one closely guarded secret waiting to be revealed. One resident musters the courage to ask something whose answer may break them forever. 

One last fear.

One last sunset. 

One fated confession.

Read the last tale?

Yes/No

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