Akhenamen starred at the trio in front of him, Moria, Valencia and Aelion. Valencia had been successfully cured of the poison, at least for the time being. Moira would have to reproduce this procedure for the rest of Valencia’s life at least once a year.

  Clearly that poison was extremely harsh. And despite Aelion’s pleading, Suk’kulkan had made it clear that even if she knew about a permanent solution, Aelion was too weak to obtain it.

  “I’m not telling you anything until you’re at least a Throne. An Authority would be safer though.”

  This sentence was enough to make Akhenamen, who wished to secure Valencia’s promise, quickly close his mouth. He was just a Beyonder without Law or Intent. If even a Throne would struggle to obtain that cure, he didn’t want to risk his own life.

  Helping a stranger was fine, putting his life on the line? A bit too far. Even more when he carried a crystal housing millions of Felinids souls. He hadn’t forgotten about his promise to Saphyrra.

  “As agreed, you three may stay until Lady Valencia’s stats are back to normal. Until then you’re free to follow me. Follow me.”

  Akhenamen started to travel back to Sofya. His floating body leading the small troupe, Valencia at the end of the queue to make sure the two weakests were safe between two Transcendent.

  “Sir Akhenamen! That is your name right?”

  “It is. And yours is Aelion if I’m not mistaken?”

  “You’re correct. Thanks a lot for saving us. I will be in your debt.”

  “Your grandmother already is.”

  “I know, but that’s my grandmother’s debt, she’s a stubborn old mule-”

  His sentence was interrupted by a shock as his body slid forward a few feet in front of the group. Moira rushed to his help as both looked confused for a few seconds until Valencia’s smirk made it clear who was the culprit.

  Akhenamen had seen it all, he could follow her movement unlike Aelion and Moira who barely saw a blur. She had just gently pushed her grandson on the back. For the standard of a Transcendent grandma she had used very little strength.

  “The stubborn mule might be old but she got good ears!”

  This made Aelion laugh as Moira gently removed the sand from his shoulders and clothes. Their laughs and smiles made the trip feel surprisingly short.

  “Where were we… uh.. yes! I owe you a debt, Lord Akhenamen! If you ever need a scion of the Arendeers family, do not hesitate to call! I shall do my best to repay that debt.”

  “Very well Aelion. Do tell me, why didn’t your Grandmother or those attackers not use their Intents or Laws? Back in my time, I used them.”

  “Ah yes. That’s actually quite recent in the History of Zenthia. But the Pyrax’s Empire Transcendents replaced their powers of Laws and Intents by Bloodlines.”

  “I suppose it's more of a physical path isn’t it? Must have given birth to lot of bloodline purity incest and supremacy.”

  “Sadly yes. It was at least. Now all marriages must go through a special office that checks two lovers' family trees. It reduced them by a lot. And the supremacists are named the Radical Faction. How did you know?”

  “Experience.”

  “Was it the case for the Cygilites too?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Don’t you have a certain person in your ring that could tell you more?”

  “She rarely talks about that.”

  Akhenamen nodded, it had to come from the death of her daughter that still haunts her deeply.

  “No, we Cygilites do not have any Bloodlines. We’re constructs after all.”

  “They don’t even have dicks.”

  “Yes..lady Valencia. We indeed don’t even have dicks. We could make the shape of one I suppose. But it would serve no purpose to us.”

  ***

  Akhenamen saw a small fire lit in the distance, his eyes easily watching Sofya’s small figure sitting by the fire, she was drinking something, her eyes slightly red, her cheeks a bit flushed.

  “Drinking now are we?”

  Sofya’s face was in total shock as his body appeared in front of her, hands behind his back, his burning green eyes staring into her very soul. The blue light inside of them flickering with great amusement.

  “I..i wasn’t..T..this isn’t…”

  “Relax Sofya. You’re old enough to have fought Cygilites constructs, almost died too and you’re travelling with a Transcendent trying to reach the city of Cygislax. I won’t forbid you from drinking alcohol. What is it in fact?”

  “A..ah..it’s Okr’s Blood. An orcish ale. Do you want some?”

  “Thank you for the offer, sadly I have no taste buds and would be unable to enjoy it. Allow me to present to you Aelion, Moira and Valencia, they shall travel with us until they have fully healed from an attack.”

  “Glad to meet you three!”

  Sofya waved softly, Aelion and Moira coming to sit with them Valencia sitting down, just staring at her, Akhenamen could see the military woman she had once been, having torn a part of her imperial dress to walk more easily in the desert and clearly showing no sign of imperial etiquette, much to Moira’s embarrassment.

  “Hello Sofya. Just call me Aelion, this is Moira and don’t worry about that old goat.”

  “Your father didn’t even exist in your grandfather’s balls when I was born.”

  Aelion starred at Valencia with pure and raw disgust. The same face a child would do hearing about their parents sexual activities. This face made Akhenamen laugh slightly. Soon the entire group was sharing ales and food between each other tasting each other's drinks and food.

  Even Valencia started to tell “them young’uns” tales about her previous deeds and adventures through Zenthia. They all listened, including Akhenamen. He felt a tinge of regret at the thought he could never experience those adventures himself.

  The thought of finding a group of unlikely misfits in a tavern which ended with them becoming loyal friends and living a life of great adventures! What he wouldn’t give to experience that! Sharing tales, singing and partying in taverns, slaying beasts, monsters and discovering lost temples and secrets!

  He had millions of souls to save, an entire race to awaken and bring to Cygislax safely. Then he would have to lead them. He sadly couldn’t run around and explore Zenthia. At least not until the end of his world quest.

  Throughout the night, Aelion, Sofya and Moria had moved a bit further, talking to each other! Speaking of their dreams and wishes of exploring Zenthia. Their laughter spread through the night, while Akhenamen and Valencia stayed close to the fire.

  “You know… I miss it.”

  “What do you mean, La-”

  “Stop with that Lady-stuff. Call me Valencia.”

  “Very well, Valencia, what did you mean?”

  “I miss my adventures. I was free, never happier than with Jacque, Silyandra, Ecop and Samly. How much I wish we had never disbanded. How much I wish I was back on the road. Laughing with them, drinking with them. There’s so many places I have never gone to.”

  “It didn’t seem like it from your tales.”

  “That’s to make the kids dream. Look at them. I can already tell they would be ready to explore all of Zenthia by tomorrow.”

  “That’s true. But… why don’t you go again?”

  “Where? Exploring? We both know I’m too busy making sure this Empire doesn’t collapse to do that now.”

  “Oh! So the great Pyrax Empire, the one who fought against my people during the Forgotten War could collapse in a mere month without you guiding them?”

  “Not that easy, I’m an old woman now. Do you think the kids of today would take me along with them? A Beyonder to slay goblins?”

  “I doubt you’re the only Transcendent who misses their time adventuring.”

  Valencia’s bright grey hair soft swayed in the wind, held in a messy bun behind her head. Her face, quite beautiful despite her age, was being lit by the flickering flames of the firepit before them.

  A smile started to appear on her face, her eyes, bright like amber, started to flicker with youthfulness once again. She licked her dry lips, finishing the last drops of ale inside her wooden mug.

  Picking up an iron flask which she used to fill up her mug again, she gave it to Akhenamen who took it by reflex as she poured herself another one.

  “I can’t ta-”

  “Now you quiet down about that! Can’t you make yourself a mouth? So just do it and follow my lead! You convinced me to go explore again! And I’m not letting you off the hook! You’re gonna be coming with me!”

  “Wait what? I cannot, I have a duty, before one year, I must-”

  “I’m not gonna start my new adventures until I’ve settled everything in Pyrax, it’ll take me one year at least. You’ll have some time but I’m not taking no for an answer! The Great Cygilites who fought the very gods cannot wait for a few more months?”

  “Throwing back my words?”

  She just smiled, standing up, gripping Akhenamen’s hand and lifting him up, swinging her mug in the air, before slamming into Akhenamen’s! Her voice announcing so loud all heard it through the desert, an announcement of a promise!

  A tale whose start would be forged between two tankards of ale!

  “Then today! We swear it! That we old asses won’t be standing on a chair till the end of our life! We’re gonna get out, back into the world and we’re gonna make sure those brats remember our legend forever, and more!”

  This seemingly simple announcement made Sofya and the two others stare at Akhenamen and Valencia with wide eyes and open mouths. A flying figure in the air was smiling letting out a loud laugh that made whirlwinds whip the air around him.

  The sand under their feet trembling, those two might not realise what they were about to unleash upon Zenthia, but soon all of Zenthia, from the greatest gods to the lowest goblins would know of the legend of the Rowdy Tankards!