Master Of None

The forest elf queen had received a flurry of notifications at the end of her speech. She had stood in a daze while the elves murmured and cheered. Her enforcers were watching every one of the elves that showed distaste or anger were noted in case of any unjust actions were taken. The queen's word was law. 

After a few moments, the crowd had begun to stare up at the queen yet again. They had heard her speech but the soft pulse of natural mana that the queen had just sent out attracted their attention. "My people, prune the foliage, clean the cobblestone, and wash your fine linens. We shall have visitors within the week. They will marvel at our home and we will welcome them with our best." 

With these closing words, the queen turned from the platform and started her walk back to the hall she had come from. She gestured for the elders and the party to follow her. The enforcers helped Wade along as they did before. The group quickly followed the queen and returned to the hall. 

The queen rested herself back on the hammock of vines and looked at the group. She gave nothing away as she thought before speaking. "You all have put the elven race on a new path. You are all now responsible for it and I expect a full investment." There was no way to argue with her words. However, Walker had a thought.

"If I might be so bold to ask a favor." His word caused the elders to glare at him. This human had supported the new path for the elves and acted as a catalyst of change. They would become extremely busy and being asked for more was a very greedy action.

"That would depend on what you ask. But I may be able to guess what it is. I have received a few quests and notifications from my system." The queen smiled slightly knowing what she would be asked.

"The pardon me for being greedy. Please refrain from hunting the forest goblins. They're currently with the vice guild master of the adventurers guild. They have intelligence and are friends with us heroes. We would like to see them join with more allies and grow to their full potential." He was afraid of the reaction he would receive when asking for the queen to back him in this.

"While the goblins were once considered the enemy of my race, I know that they were bound by an elder demon lord. The title of goblin master has been lost from the demon race and can not be obtained again in this century. I would also like to see the potential of this once evolving race." 

The elders were slightly surprised by this, however, they knew the queen would not say such a thing without reason. "I received a quest some time ago to protect the future of the next sentient race. They are much closer to being on the same footing as the other races than you may think young hero." The soft peals of laughter from the queen brightened the room. She was very amused by the things this heroic party had done. "I will send some of my more accepting attendants to assist them. I know some who are greatly excited by evolutionary changes."

One of the elders stood and left the hall hearing this. Walker knew that this must have been a signal for the elder to leave and begin preparations for such an activity. "Thank you very much. They also have experience battling the purple slimes. They should be able to assist in getting rid of the remnants of the slime menace to the forest." This made the queen much happier along with the other elders.

"Now, on to more things. I am very happy with the crystal ginger you have brought me. It is a wonderful gift that I intend to give to our most prominent alchemy master. The experience of watching a potion made with it should be very valuable. Your alchemical brawler will be joining him." Remey was surprised ti what this but was even more eager to rush off and start the potion making.

"Gil was your name, correct? You are welcome to join the young arcane archers and learn to your heart's content. I expect you to do the elves proud, but you may not dishonor the role the arcane archers play in our culture." the queen held form with her decision. This was an important step in welcoming the other kingdoms to their city.

"Of course, I am, honored to be allowed to do so within your beautiful city." Gil held back the excitement he was feeling in his very bones. If he was going to learn from arcane archers that had grown up with experienced arcane archers training them, he was sure to make a massive break through in his training. 

I expect your dragon friend and your serpent friend to find many friends in the monster stables. We have an impressive group of endangered unicorns that could share some knowledge." Midnight and Onyx were a bit intrigued by this. They could meet rare monsters and because of Onyx's ability to speak with them. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

"Leader of the hero party, your guild master, and king are on the way along with an ambassador from the demi-human kingdom. You will remain within the court when they arrive. I expect your mediation as a true hero. Your defender Su appears to also be calm and will prove a strong partner in this." The queen was not taking no for an answer and Walker nodded to her. He had expected this. 

"Calen, please assist in making sure Wade heals properly. I want to hear of any action he takes that is not resting." Calen was standing beside Wade making sure he was comfortable. The enforces that had assisted him had returned to their ranks leaving no one to watch over Wade. 

"Alma, I am proud to see you standing tall. I worried you would stay the timid you elf forever, I can rest assured that you will continue to grow at an explosive rate. I hope that you can be a guide to the heroes while they are here. It is your duty as the future queen." Alma was out of tears to shed, she was full of pure happiness. 

The realization of their dream was too much for the three elves to handle. They had never thought it so possible until today. The three thought they may be in an illusionary spell or dreaming. But the more they tthoughtthe more they realized it was all real. 

"I must begin to collaborate and prepare with my counsel here. Please make yourselves at home within our city, and try to keep the chaos to a minimum." The queen waved them away. It was not a rude gesture, she had obviously expended a lot of mana and energy in the day. Not only that, but she also had much to do now. Laws to rewrite and new laws to birth.

One of the enforcers came to guide the party away. The three elves were left there in the hall for more talking and explanations. It was sure that the elders would have questions. Walker only had the hope that Wade would be able to properly rest soon. 

"You are the same enforcer that healed Wade, and now you are guiding us. Is this on purpose or just coincidence?" Walker noticed that the enforcer was yet again the same that they had seen healing Wade. 

"I am one of the commanders in the enforcer brigade. I have taken an interest in your party and will be responsible for sir hero and sir hero's party's safety while here in the city. Please feel free to ask myself or my subordinates anything." The elf's voice was firm and could not show any emotion. 

"In that case, no sir hero or madame hero. you can call us by our names. That proper court stuff is too much anyways." Walker wanted to wave away the extra words and keep things simple. This surprised the enforcer who was impressed by the humbleness. 

"Understood, please refer to me as commander Sierra." The enforcer commander showed their face to be that of a female elf and not a man as Walker had previously believed. The helm that they wore and matching gear had proven too tough to discern proper traits. 

"Walker, as much as I would like to chit chat more. Can we get some rest so we can all go off to the places we want later?" Remey couldn't hold her excitement. All she wanted to do was rush off to meet another alchemy master. But her tired body screamed for rest. 

That sounds like a perfect idea. Commander Sierra, can you please show us to a place to rest?' Walker and the party followed the commander away towards a smalled treehouse made for guests. This would be the first time it was properly used in years.

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