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Royal Blood : Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Royal RevelationsI didn’t know why my target was looking at me, but it couldn’t be a good thing. Maybe his observation skill had broken through my Conceal. Usually I could feel when that happened, but hell if I knew what other strange skills his classes would have.I decided that discretion was the better part of Valor here. I’d gotten a look at my target, and knew that he busted a smuggler. Best to cut my losses here.As I jogged farther away from the port at random, I flicked the note open since he hadn’t bothered to seal it...
Royal Blood : Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Queens RowWe did, eventually, make it out of the docks.What can I say, Nezza wanted to look over everything with her fancy new eyes. Didn’t do a good job of explaining it, either.“It’s like seein’ a new layer of color that was always there, jus’ I never noticed it, you know?” Nezza shook her head. “Or—or maybe when ya smell somfin’ real good for the first time, yeah? And you’re like—”“I think I get it.” I shook my head. “Or enough, at least. You have magic eye powers, and you can see things differently,...
Devil's Foundry 2 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Shadowed WingsSeneschal Hawkwright, the ruler of Silverwall in all but name, stood in the sealed gardens.The gardens sat sealed deep in the heart of the palace, behind two sets of walls, rows of trusted guards, and the seal of his office, without which the final doors would not open. He had opened them this day, with the head Lepidopterist and their newest charge.The Seneschal said nothing as the other gently took the cage he was holding and undid the front latch in front of a stand of Nightdust lilies.Within, the golden moth shifte...
Royal Blood : Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Sharp DealingsNezza shot a betrayed look at me, as I drew attention back to the chest of wooden talismans. Leiroc only seemed more interested.“Hoh? I, truly, am surprised you would be so interested in ‘roll of the dice’, this is how you say, yes?” Still, he gestured, bringing over that chest. Some of his crew slowed in their unloading to watch the ongoing discussion.Deals were important to demons, I’d heard, but seeing it was something completely different.I shrugged. “I’ve always been lucky.” Really, my Luck stat wa...
Royal Blood : Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Kith and KinWhen I was younger, I actually came to Port Royal. I thought the name was funny, see. I remembered that there was some place called Port Royal on Earth, in the Caribbean maybe, so I wanted to see the fantasy version.It was massive.The city itself was built in a crescent surrounding the Bay of Swans. It was called that because the Lleathe river curved as it flowed out into the bay, like the neck of a swan. The entire bay itself was lined with docks and ports. It was actually divided into four sections: the north side was ...
Damned if I Do : Chapter 10
Chapter 10: The PrinceI was staring at a thin strip of silk when the door to the shop rang again.I didn’t parse it, at first. After all, Jaina and I were in a clothing store; ostensibly it had other customers. I needed to buy traveling robes, and Kel’Thuzad really hadn’t given me enough money to splurge on expensive silks imported from Quel’Thalas.Ah, being broke: I’d really been looking forward to this part of the college experience.I was drawn out of my musings by the sound of Jaina’s voice. She was a row over, looking through som...
Royal Blood : Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Port Royal“What’s a port?”I leaned against the wall of the hired coach, opposite the Boss. It was eerily reminiscent of when he’d kidnapped me from the Imperial City just over a year ago.“Alllyyyyyyy!”Of course, I had company this time. “A port is a city on the coast, where ships go to trade.”“Oh.” Nezza paused. Right now, she was in her dagger form, hidden away inside my cloak. We were only a few hours out of Iduneth, and the road outside sloped slowly downward towards the sea. “What’s Port Royal then?”“...
Royal Blood : Chapter 13
Chapter 13: Blood in the WaterFor memorizing a complex piece of information, you have gained 1 Intelligence+2048 expYou have reached level 1510 Stat points awardedYou have unlocked 1 Skill slot!1 Skill point awardedYou have unlocked 1 title slot!“Fucking finally!” I pushed the massive tome away from me. “I thought it would never come.” With a grin, I opened my character sheet.Sure, the growth wasn’t quite as fast as I hoped. After that crazy first week where I burned down a house, Boss forced me to lay low for a long time. I barely ev...
Royal Blood : Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Another Royal InterludeIt had been a year since the attack.Elysia found herself surprised at that. A year, gone in the blink of an eye. She’d expected, well, perhaps not to have her little brother back by now, but she’d expected a body.Instead, silence.“Do matters of state bore you, my daughter?”Elysia affected a laugh, turning away from the elaborate frieze that adorned the wall of the Privy Council chamber. “Of course not, My Lord Father.” Here, even she didn’t dare address the Emperor more informally. “It’s just...
Royal Blood : Chapter 11
Chapter 11: In the Blood“So what’s your quest?” I asked.We’d finished the food, and the sun was high overhead. The bridge was in a quieter part of town, so I’d given Nezza a bit of time to look over her new class options. Of course, there was one question I wanted to know the answer to.Nezza frowned, eyes flicking down to the canal below. “It says…I need ta ‘reclaim my pride’.” She shrugged, ragged cloak fluttering around her shoulders. “Then I’ll get m’demon blood back?”I nodded, crossing my arms. “Do you know wha...
Royal Blood : Chapter 10
Chapter 10: The Demon Lords“Oh hey.” I bent down, picking up a copper slug off the cobbles. “Lucky.”I paused at that. My luck stat was getting pretty high. On one hand, this could just be a normal coin on the road.On the other, it would be nice if the only stat I could put points into started paying dividends. It was more than twice my next highest stat, after all. After a moment, I shrugged, slipping the coin into my pocket. A little bit more money didn’t hurt, and the boss hadn’t shown back up yet.Knowing him, he only left enough ...
Devil's Foundry 2 : Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Lady’s Port“We found them.”“Whoop, whoop!” electric punched a fist into the air. “Not gonna lie, Em, it's nice to be on the side of your schemes for a change period”“I aim to please.” I gave my trademark signature smirk, pretending not to notice how my erstwhile nemesis still shivered at the sight of it. What could I say, I was just the best. “Now all that's left is to root them out like the rats they are.”Did you get all of them?” Ralph glanced towards the hunter who'd accompanied me, still stand...
Project Khepri: Chapter 5
A/N: Last chapter of Project Khepri in the queue, posting it to make way for all the future Damned if I Do content :DChapter 5: I AmI am Khepri.That is the first lie I tell myself every morning.And the last before I go to sleep.But can you really blame me/her? It’s much easier to live with than the truth. The truth hurts, after all.I’m sure you’ve figured out at least a bit of what is… going on behind the curtain. Dear reader. Hmm? What was that? Of course I’m breaking the fourth wall. It’s only there for you, after all. I’m not e...
Royal Blood: Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Silver and SteelIn the end, she only hit me with 9 rocks.Total.I grinned back at the older girl as she followed me back towards the main roads. It wasn’t a bad day for me, either; I’d gotten a point of Dex from the training. It was harder to get stat points when your trainer wouldn’t literally kill you if you slipped up.“What, did you think I was bragging?”She grumbled, crossing her arms. Her skin was more tanned than I’d expect from someone living in the city, but I guess when you lived outside that was kinda normal. Eit...
Royal Blood: Chapter 8
Chapter 8: The Prince and the PaupersThe only way out was through.With a huff, I stalked over to the alcove right next to the door. There was a jade band there, and I slipped it over my arm. It was a divination blocker, and apparently it linked back to the house’s own wards.I could read between the lines. It meant that even if the Royal Augury couldn’t find me, the assassins could. And if I took it off, well.No reason to waste my time thinking about stupid decisions.For making a wise choice in the face of difficult circumstances, you gain 1...
Royal Blood: Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Iron WillThe blade smacked my cheek.“Again.”I grunted, resetting my stance. The Boss came forward, sword moving in tight arcs.I turned the first aside. The dagger almost flew from my hand at the force.Backstep.I deflected another blow.Sidestep.Duck.Each attack was too heavy for me to block. I could only deflect them.Step in close, catch the swing near the hilt.Twist.His sword went up over my head, glinting in the evening light.For defending yourself against a rapid series of attacks—I had just started to grin when the boss’s ...
New Story Premier
I've started posting a new story, everyone! Check it out on Royal Road, or jump right to the chapters on Patreon (all of them) HERE!Also, don't miss the latest update of Devil's Foundry!Devil's Foundry will continue updating on Mondays, while my new story, Royal Blood, will be updated M-F while I burn through my backlog. It would mean a lot to me if you jump over to Royal Road (not confusing at all, I know) and leave a rating for the story if you enjoy it!Thanks so much for all your support, everyone, and I hope you like the new...
Royal Blood: Chapter 6
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Chapter 6: Bloody PrideOne thing they never tell you is that it used to take forever to get from place to place before people developed planes. In my lessons, I learned that some of the island nations south of Norvusk had recently begun experimenting with airships, but everyone thought it was tripe so far.Made me wish I could get in on the ground floor of that.Still, as the ...
Royal Blood: Chapter 5
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Chapter 5: Prince of NothingWe left by the sewers, just like I thought.The smell was terrible, and my arms were tied behind my back, so if I tripped, I’d be drowning shit. To top it off, I had to practically sprint to keep up with the higher-level assassins. It was just the boss and one other now; the last guy had stayed behind to clean up whatever mansion they’d dragged...
Royal Blood: Chapter 4
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Chapter 4: Blood and GritThey tell you getting knocked out was different from falling asleep. Guess now I knew why. The sharp cut between then and now made me jolt as I woke up.A pair of hands caught me around the shoulders before I could so much as open my eyes. I was forced back down. I groaned, a headache pounding between my temples like a bowling ball.“He’s waking up...
Royal Blood: Chapter 3
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Note: This chapter has some minor edits, adding a bit of explanation for what quests are in the middle. It's the same as the Royal Road release.Chapter 3: King’s RansomThe castle was in an uproar.No, Elysia decided. An uproar was too tame a descriptor.The castle was in a furor.As she paced the richly carpeted floor in one of the larger drawing rooms, she could hear the...
Royal Blood: Chapter 2
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Chapter 2: A Royal Appointment“Do you really think no one else would have figured it out?” Elysia asked. “You think you’re the only one who would think that experience gain from increasing your stats doubles each level instead of simply going up by one?”We were in one of the libraries, sprawled out in two richly-appointed chairs next to the fireplace. Elysia had on...
Royal Blood: Chapter 1
I’m starting a new story called Royal Blood! Here are the first Patreon chapters! If you enjoy it, swing by the story page on Royal Road and drop a rating? It helps a lot!Royal BloodSummary:A LitRPG progression FantasyI am a worthless prince with a useless Blessing in a world where deep running waters threaten to pull even the most experienced warriors under.Lucky me, I’ve always been a good swimmer.*~*~*~*Chapter 1: Blood and WaterThe training blade crashed through my guard. It hit me full in the stomach, taking me off my feet and sending ...
Devil's Foundry 2: Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Good OffenseThe wall of the barn exploded outward in a hail of rubble.I’d installed a circuit with a deliberate fault, insulating it from the ground, and then Electra did the rest. I covered my eyes with one hand as the last burst of lightning arced out, lighting up the night for a brief instant. It showed me the fear and terror in my enemies’ eyes.I knew I could leave it up to her.Then the darkness came. Before, the half moon above would have been more than enough to see by. Now they were half blind, but my demons shared no such...
Project Khepri: Chapter 4
Chapter 4: TherapyMolly Simon pushed her badge against the door pad. With a quiet beep, the door clicked open, admitting her to the gymnasium and the training facility.Really, calling it that was a bit much in her opinion. It had an itty bitty wading pool and a bunch of resistance bands. The whole place was for PT. If you wanted to exercise, you went to the rec room.Of course, Simon wasn’t here to relax or get her beach bod (She already had the beach bod, thank you very much). Instead, she gave a wave to the attending nurse and meandered over...
Double Commission Update 11/19/21
This announcement post is to let everyone know that you should all have access to two new commission chapters that were not available yesterday! Told you I'd be keeping up with my commissions better this time around!Hope everyone enjoys the new chapters!
Damned If I Do: Chapter 9
Chapter 9: From Dalaran, With LoveKel’Thuzad stroked his beard for a moment after Arthas, Jaina, and I presented him with our offer. It really hadn’t taken much time to get all the pieces in place once we’d all agreed. The Admiralty in Kul Tiras had agreed not only to sponsor research, but also to reaffirm their commitment to the Alliance. How fitting that Jaina was the perfect symbol of that commitment, and already in Dalaran.I’m sure Admiral Proudmoore was pleased, but back to the matter at hand.“This,” said Kel’Thuzad, “is ra...
Project Khepri : Chapter 3
Chapter 3: After Action“Alright, people, from the top.” Commander Scott turned away from the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the rest of the facility. “We have a lot of ground to cover, and not much time to do it, so let’s not waste any more time.”With that said, he took his seat at the head of the oval conference table. It was made of polished wood, so dark it looked almost black, with a cutout in the center. One wall had white boards, the other screens, and all the chairs were filled with personnel who’d interacted with ‘Sl...
Devil's Foundry 2: Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Shell GameWith Supervillainy came a certain amount of subterfuge.Oh, sure, everyone talked about the lying, the grand schemes, the ‘you’ve fallen for my diabolical trap!’s, but cloak and dagger games were usually far less… romantic.And when you were my size, more often than not they involved being smuggled somewhere in a container that looked too small for me and felt even smaller.Case in point, I jolted as I felt the people carrying the bale of hay I’d been rolled up in set me down. I couldn’t really open my eyes; not on...
Four's a Party: Chapter 12
Chapter 12: We Return to Your Regularly Scheduled Nonsense“Home sweet home.” I smiled as our hidden cove came into view.Amy leaned over the front of the ship next to me. “Yeah, I always wanted to live in a hole in the ground.”“Hmm, that explains so much about you.” I nodded. “After all, why else would you ditch the people who saved your life to go chill in the Birdcage.”She shot me a glare; eyes narrow. “You idiots also ruined my life to begin with, in case you forgot.”“That sounds like victim blaming to me.”“Wha—I w...
