After eating the takeout we ordered, I went up into our bedroom where the broken bed still looked broken.
"Hm, did not repair itself. Shame."
In the other world "Alura" I could just cast "Mending" and it would be repaired rather easily, but here components are pretty expensive for spellcasting. Even ones as simple as the ones Chris used for cooking. That means I am stuck with doing things manually. I can't remember the last time I actually casted a spell here in real life.
Putting the bed back together was not particularly hard, it just took like an hour. I think without the constant chip-ins from Chris on how I should do it, I could have finished it in 30 minutes, but who cares. She took over getting sheets and everything ready, and after laying in bed for some time Chris snoozed off. I also close my eyes, trying not to think too hard about tomorrow.
Moving through my morning routine, and into work. Good thing nobody wanted anything, so I went straight to "Alura". Arriving there I found my usual scrolls on my table, but today was not an office day.
"It worries me a little that Eris did not contact me."
Pausing at my own thoughts, I go to a neighbouring room. There, located on a big pedestal, a big greenish looking orb floats ever so close above the surface. I walk up to it, place my hand down, close my eyes and cast "Scrying". My vision gets blurry for a short time. As it returns to normal, I can see the Heroes. All starting to wake up, and starting with their morning. Eris is also there.
"Great. It seems there was no problem. So she just could not make time for communication then."
I watch closely as all of them put their gear on. Prepare things for the day.
"I think I should test them. But how?"
The Knight starts talking to his comrades.
Knight: "Friends! I think we should take it easy today and have a small feast to celebrate the return of Eris."
The group nods.
All: "AYE!"
Knight: "Alright then lets get back to 'Verrill' and look for a nice tavern.
"'Verrill' hmm. I think there is someone in the vicinity that can do a little check up."
Mage: "But can we keep it civil this time?
Rogue: "Civil? We celebrate, there is no time to be civil."
They all pack up their things and head eastward. As I feel the effect of the spell end, I find myself back in the chamber with the hovering green orb. I take a few steps away and give a hand motion to cast "Sending".
Ren: "Tyriel, take some soldiers and head to 'Verrill'. Play with the heroes there, but don't kill them. I leave it to your judgement to leave when the need arises."
There is a short pause before I hear something back.
Tyriel: "Of course, Master. Are other casualties except the Heroes ok?"
Ren: "Yes, but don't go out of your way to cause them. Understand?"
Tyriel: "As you wish."
This should be a nice test. Tyriel and his soldiers are "Leonin", a warrior tribe. Most known for selling their skills to the highest bidder. Right now they are hired by myself, and I can't imagine someone else outbidding me.
"I should find a way to watch what's going to happen there. Just to be sure."
The magic film devices that follow the Heroes, called "CAMs", are cloaked with high level magic and can't be detected with normal means. They themselves can detect basic and advanced invisibility. But that feature is controlled by the production team. Having this in mind I think I should go for a disguise instead of invisibility. Walking out of the Scrychamber I cast "Alter Self". My body shrinks to about six feet, growing flesh around my bones. Hair sprouting on my head in a greenish colour. Eyes forming in my sockets. I message Scrags to bring me some living people clothes, while I go back to my office. It always feels weird to change into this form. A few minutes pass before Scrags enters.
Seeing me in this form Scrags starts to take an attacking stance. I just raise my hand.
Ren: "Scrags, it's me. Give me the clothes."
He realises immediately.
Scrags: "I-I am- I am so sorry, Sire. Here."
I take them, throw them over and wave my hand to cast "Teleport".
Ren: "I will be out for a while."
Scrags nods and slowly backs out of the room.
I arrived a few minutes outside of 'Verrill'.
"Let's go and see if Tyriel can deliver on his word."
Taking in my surroundings I start walking. As I approach the village a few kids run past me. Playing some game.
"I guess the disguise works."
Wandering through the village is peaceful, calm even. People walking to their destinations, talking, laughing, and I can't help to think about what they will do when it comes tumbling down in probably just a few minutes. I can see Eris, walking with the Heroes into a big house.
"Lucky!"
I make my way around the tavern, looking for a way onto the roof, but not finding any. Then I hear it.
Screams.
As I walk back to the front of the establishment I can see in the distance a few shapes. More screams and what sounds like crumbling stone and breaking wood.
"The show should start soon. Let's find a nice place to watch."
I maneuver around to another house and kneel down past the entry behind some stone stairs. Even more screams and rumbles can be heard from that direction.
Then I can see them. Big Lion-like creatures. Three in total. The one in the middle is bigger than the other two. Tyriel. Standing probably around eight feet tall, and wielding a sword. Mostly in leather armor.
Tyriel: "Show yourselves Heroes. I am here to play… If you don't show up I will just keep on killing the villagers!"
Silence then the Knight stepping out of the Tavern.
Knight: "Enough you foul beast!"
The rest joining him one by one.
Mage: "Of course on our rest day."
Priest: "Can we just talk to them, maybe?"
Rogue: "Does not seem so."
I catch myself being filled with anticipation on what happens next. Shaking my head I watch on.
Tyriel: "Finally… you could have saved many people if you showed up earlier."
The Knight composes himself, after showing anger on his face.
He starts raising his sword. Pointing it towards Tyriel.
Knight: "How dare you. You didn't need to kill these people. They were unarmed right?
The Knight gives the Priest a glance. She nods and runs over to someone lying on the ground. Unmoving. I can see her starting to cast a spell. Probably to heal that person, but I can tell, he is dead. The Mage is slowly moving into a backline position. The Ranger too, but Eris makes sure to keep distance between her and the Mage. The Rogue takes up a position behind the Knight.
"Weird formation, I guess they learnt nothing from our confrontation?"
Tyriel: "So… pretty boy, I hope you don't disappoint, because I heard about your recent defeat."
Knight: "Well, that monster was stronger than you, so I think we have a good chance here."
Rogue: whispers "Don't let him provoke you! Just go and get his attention, I'll do the rest."
The Knight nods.
Tyriel: "We will see about that."
Tyriel grins and gestures to his two companions. They nod, and start running, one at the Knight and one towards the backline.
Knight: screams "For Alura!"