“I am honored again, Emissary Gelmak.” Sammy smiled as she took the little emblem up, wondering how effective it would be. Her Ring of Shield Projection certainly wasn’t impossible to top. She’d had it since she’d first created her Avatar, practically, and her temp shield spells outclassed it, though naturally, those were more vulnerable to dispels and such.

  Gelmak next pulled out what appeared to be a spherical rock and held it out with an aura of great gravitas. “Balmen Vras, Geode of Home’s Bedrock. Preserved for aeons with an ancient enchantment sealed within. I was instructed to tell you to consider this a gift from all Zedwarorra and even all minotaurkind. Crack it for the first time to permanently enchant the land. All touching the homeland will resist the magic of man.”

  Sammy’s brows furrowed in curiosity as she pocketed the emblem and took the big, perhaps forty-centimeter-long geode. It was big enough that Sammy had to receive it in both hands. It was not light, but fortunately, her divine strength was more than up to the task. Mentally, she sent commands to prepare a big pillow in her study to set it on. “Most interesting. I’ll certainly research it more in-depth. If you can, extend my heartfelt thank you to your deities for their gifts.”

  The minotaur nodded as he rose. “Of course. Your reception is gift enough, as an agreeable you is holy to us and pleasing to Father Mountain.”

  “And a disagreeable me is a real problem, huh?” She tried to be light in tone.

  Gelmak’s ears twitched and he shifted a hoof. “Yes. But that is best sacrificed to the Eater, as it is no longer worth considering.”

  “Forgotten, you mean?”

  He held a big thumbs up. “Correct!”

  Sammy nodded slowly, wearing a little grin. She made the geode levitate off to the side as she gestured to the table with a hand. “Kindly sit? It is customary for these meetings to conclude with a bit of bread-breaking, if you will. Food. Do you mind?”

  Gelmak slowly opened his mouth, his mind likely on a certain complication, but a huge phantasmal chair suddenly materialized at the table as Samantha fashioned it almost subconsciously. He blinked at it and asked, “May I ask that you sit first, or is that insensitive and inappropriate? I would feel terrible to sit first before one of your status.”

  Sammy responded by immediately walking over to the table to sit down across from the minotaur’s spot, then gestured with a hand insistently at the chair.

  Gelmak bowed and moved to sit — gingerly, but after blinking a few times, he leaned back and relaxed. “It is a nice chair. It doesn’t creak like everything else. Thank you.”

  “I’ll make it permanent so you always have a nice chair.”

  “If I may state my desires, I’d prefer to stand at your guard in most situations.”

  “I fear it is difficult to be my bodyguard, Gelmak. I move around a lot. Sometimes to places you cannot physically go.”

  “I obey the will of my people absolutely and therefore obey you absolutely. My desires are of course secondary. What is your will for me, then?”

  Just then, multiple servants burst in, carrying many trays of various cold foods — meats, cheeses, bread, vegetables, and fruit. As Gelmak stared on, they very quietly filled the table with tray after tray, they left as quietly as they came.

  Gelmak just slowly blinked at it all. “This is more than has been served typically…”

  “I like to sample,” Sammy said, and began levitating various bits over to her plate, suiting her words. She popped some cheese in her mouth. “Help yourself, please. It’s not as if I can eat it all! I believe that skewer there will serve you well.”

  “Of course.” Gelmak nodded and took up a long skewer to begin retrieving various foods, going heavy on meat, vegetables, and cheese. Despite his size, he ate with keen table manners, patient and precise.

  Sammy ate mostly cheese and fruit but kept at it to encourage him. “I hope you can eat a lot! That’s vastly preferable. It makes me feel better about a guest when they fill up.”

  Gelmak blinked. He took the skewer up to get more morsels. “I certainly can, Goddess.”

  Hehe. I’m so smooth. “So, now that we’re eating, I’ll get back to your question. I take you want to be in on any big fights?”

  “I would prefer it, personally, and based on what I’ve seen so far, I am highly effective in your lands. However, my desires are secondary.”

  “I do want to know what you prefer, Gelmak, and hear your opinions. I understand you’re willing to do what you don’t necessarily want, too. I’ll factor that in. But you can be completely honest with me.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  His expression was hard to read. “Technically, you aren’t human, but I was warned that humans say such things without meaning it. Saying this doesn’t offend you, does it?”

  Sammy chuckled. “No. You’re usually extremely honest, I take it?”

  “It is our way, yes. In most senses. But we also do not like being rude. Respect is central to us. So conflict does occur.”

  “Well then, with me, act at your comfort level. But be as honest as you can, because your perspective is likely completely unique among us.”

  Gelmak seemed to consider this for a few moments as he popped a whole orange in his mouth. A faint bursting noise could be heard before he swallowed. “I believe that I see the merit in what you say. It would honor me to assist you in this way.”

  “Good. How would you feel about being the guard of my precious daughter and high priestess? Estara.”

  His head turned sideways. “Your daughter? I already owe her a great debt for saving me from the error of ignorance. It would be a pleasure and a solemn honor to protect her. I’ll do so with my life.”

  “Perfect! I don’t want it as your sole duty, however. She has another that looks out for her: Bobaris, or Bob. I’m sure you’ve met him. I want one of you with her at all times in this dangerous city. I feel like she’s too much of a risk-taker and needs to play it safer. You can divide duties a little more when your people send their reinforcements.”

  “Mmn. I will pick out the best of the best for these holy templars.”

  “Templars! We should definitely utilize that term. A knightly order to protect the priesthood? Hmm…”

  Gelmak said nothing as Sammy mused and he slowly but continuously ate. Sammy did so a little more as well. She also made sure to make the chair a permanent feature with a bit more investment. Finally, she rose; Gelmak immediately rose after her.

  “Would you finish or take the rest, please?” Sammy asked.

  He bowed his head. “Of course, Goddess. If you wish it and others lack the need.”

  “Madam is fine, by the way. We always have so much more food than we need, Gelmak! You’d be doing me a favor to eat your fill, honestly. I’ll instruct them to keep bringing you your favorites day-to-day so you can help us out. If you don’t mind.”

  Gelmak slow-blinked but bowed again. “It is agreeable, Madam. I will assist, and I give heartfelt thanks for the sharing of your great bounty.”

  “Awesome! I will take my leave, but it has been a pleasure, Gelmak Por. I’m glad you came and I hope you make a lot of staunch friends here. By the way, you can go undisguised in this house as you please, they’ll keep your confidence. Just don’t forget your disguise if you leave.”

  “Understood. It has been a pleasant experience meeting you, as well, Samantha. Farewell for now. If you need any foes vanquished, I will be ready always at a moment’s notice.”

  Sammy smiled and nodded. “I will definitely keep you in mind, my new champion.” She walked out, pulling the big geode along with her telekinetically.

  A great addition, possibly one of the greatest warriors on the planet if he’s the chosen champion of the minotaurs. I need to mean what I say. If there is something big going on in the natural world, I should try and bring him. I really need a Transition Point near Caneboro. Get on to the itinerary, Yet Another Task!

  She headed immediately to her study area in the farmhouse, which had been hit with an add-on to expand space since the time she’d first met with Estara in the place. The study was pretty bare-bones compared to Geirkos. Servants had done as she’d asked: there was a tall pedestal with a big pillow on it in the relative center of the room. Sammy set down the geode and then made sure it wouldn’t fall by accident with a more secure phantom material frame of arms branching up from the pedestal. Not permanent yet — she wasn’t sure the geode would be staying.

  Once satisfied, she cast Identify on it.

  Sammy frowned with her hands on her hips, glaring at the geode. “Hey, I need to know what you can do, you rocky bitch!”

  She dropped a level 10 Information spell on it — Mystic Discernment. She lacked a material component, but it had an option for five times the MP without it, so she spent 150 MP.

  Sammy’s heart beat a little faster in excitement as she read it. Holy smokes, that’s fucking insane!

  Is this a GeOde to Love?

  Next Chapter...

  This next thing even has a built-in air freshener!

  Backers go here! Huzzah! Thank you! is a link to the claim thread for those who want a spot.

  Elias Blade, holding eternally the tarot of The Fool!

  Helva, holding eternally the tarot of The Hierophant!

  Gostsamo, holding eternally the tarot of Death (+ Binky)!

  DuB, holding eternally the tarot of The Moon!

  Guessed, holding eternally the tarot of The Magician!

  Some BS Deity, holding eternally the tarot of The Hermit!

  Silxornas, holding eternally the tarot of The Wheel of Fortune!

  Max, holding eternally the tarot of The Devil!

  IrateRapScallion, holding eternally the tarot of Justice!

  Quarter, holding eternally the tarot of The Hanged Man!

  Flight, holding eternally the tarot of The Star!

  Tempest42, holding eternally the tarot of The High Priestess!

  Venerable Ro, holding eternally the tarot of The Emperor!

  Koza0, holding eternally the tarot of The World!

  Forgotten Name, holding eternally the tarot of The Sun!

  Cothand, holding eternally the tarot of The Tower!

  T3iain, holding eternally the tarot of Judgement!

  Paul, holding eternally the tarot of The Chariot!

  Thorlab, holding eternally the tarot of The Empress!

  Renn, holding eternally the tarot of The Lovers!

  Xeo, holding eternally the tarot of Temperance!

  ObsidianShiv, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Swords!

  7CatRunes, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Swords!

  Nick, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Pentacles!

  Hikari, holding eternally the tarot of Strength!

  Wiggles1, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Ships Pentacles!

  Nanominatour, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Wands!

  Kusoneko, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Cups!

  Revolgod, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Swords!

  Martin, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Cups!

  Tejing, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Cups!

  Renimus, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Swords!

  Grevias, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Pentacles!

  LobskiTheMagicLobster, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Swords!

  3X!3X, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Pentacles!

  Manlor, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Pentacles!

  Mage_Kikyou, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Pentacles!

  Captain Nuclear, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Wands!

  This_bored_guy, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Cups!

  TeeCee67, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Cups!

  Ronny, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Swords!

  ArcH, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Wands!

  Ambicatus, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Wands!

  TheOneGunslinger, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Swords!

  Captain_Sulsear, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Cups!

  Dtape467, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Cups!

  Rosy Bramble, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Swords!

  TheDxve, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Cups!

  Riley, holding eternally the tarot of the Page of Wands!

  Volpol, holding eternally the tarot of the Ten of Swords!

  Thernn, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Wands!

  Spark, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Wands!

  ZelTheUnbroken, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Swords!

  Arrogantfitz, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Wands!

  Lazifur, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Wands!

  GrimmRozen, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Swords!

  Rainer, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Wands!

  Kaylee, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Pentacles!

  SlipJay, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Swords!

  Talisman, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Cups!

  Ant Mac, holding eternally the tarot of the Page of Pentacles!

  Taublatt, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Pentacles!

  Shattered, holding eternally the tarot of the Ten of Wands!

  IsacIW, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Swords!

  Claire Rylander, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Wands!

  Zimmy, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Cups!

  Sarai, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Pentacles!