Misc. Erotica Asian Experience becomes an Isekaie

"We do; what are you looking for?" the man asked, eyeing Jake's horse as a trade. He could use a new workhorse.

"Do you have any from the NoVityian line?" Jake inquired, telling the man he knew what he was talking about.

"We do have a few; you know how that breed is only tamable to mages," the man informed him, trying to steer him over to more sellable breeds.

"I know I am a mage."

"If that's the case... for a NoVityian line loceros elk with taking in your horse into account. I can offer seven gold for you," the man said, eager to make the deal.

"Jake, do you know what... let me rephrase," when Jake looked at her, "do you understand what that means to Dark Elves to have that kind of elk?" Shion asked with hope.

"Yeah, it means you're a mage, a very powerful one," Jake said, arching an eyebrow when Shion shook her head as they followed after the man.

"It means to us you are very rich, on the tier of nobility," Shion said, knowing it would draw a lot of attention to them more than she knew Jake wanted. She looked down in confusion, then disbelief at the color of the seal. It wasn't the normal gold as anyone lucky enough to have. What she was seeing was the black stone with gold leaf showing off the seal of blood denoting one of nobility standing in their world. "Jake... is this real?" His amused smirk was her answer as he walked off with Adam in tow.

"Adam, would you like to see why these types of elk are so special?" Jake asked, leading Adam up to the fence railing. He flashed his son a smile at Adam's 'Wow' as he held his hand out, palm facing the elk, releasing a steady stream of mana. He noted how Adam's facial features widened as the large, seven-foot-tall loceros elk approached, lured by the taste of his mana as they watched how the elk's lips moved as it approached Jake. Adam gasped as the elk continued to consume his mana, as particles of purple light began to lift off the purple markings along the elk's body where their mana-infused hair was on their bodies. The moment its snout touched his hand the elk's body illuminated as Jake's mana flowed through it as the beast submitted itself to him. Adam giggled when the elk shook its head, causing those particles of light to cascade down in a shower of sparks. Once the elk was measured, the wainwright hurried to fetch a harness large enough to fit the animal. The beast huffed as Jake slid the magic bridle over its snout. His hand rubbed the elk's cheek as it snickered, as his magic infused the reins.

With the flick of his reins, a bellow of its call, the three of them were off. Before they moved off to visit Shion's sister's home, Jake had three cart loads of hay delivered just to where their carriageway branched off from the main road. However, Jake got a wild hair up his rear as he drove the cart towards the farrier. Where the woman looked at him oddly when he handed her four bars of runic steel to be shaped into horseshoes for the elk. He knew it would just be another dart in the noble's eyes. Plus, he saw no reason not to flaunt off for Shion. After all, she had given him a strip show every night since they began their trek to Eslar. Once the shoes were on, something that wouldn't need to be changed for a long time due to the nature of runic steel, Jake directed their carriage towards Shion's sister's estate.

The soft clicking of the steel on stone played on the air as the lanterns swung; the brass giggled with each step. The elk threw its head back to answer a call in the distance as it continued on up the lush carriageway. It's purple glowing hairs undulated in the breeze as it retorted with another call announcing to those that hadn't already heard it that they had arrived. Shion sat beneath the canopy as was tradition with Adam sitting beside her, who was looking each and every way he could at the strange new lands they had brought him to. She felt his affection in the gentle squeeze he gave her hand that he was holding as he peered up at her with a wide, warm smile.

"Adam, I'll teach you how to drive it when your older, mmmkay?" Jake spoke, peering back at his son, who had nothing but happiness in his face at the thought of it. He turned his attention back to the matter at hand as he guided the elk to the right of the round-about. He gently pulled back on the reins, bringing the animal to a stop. He knew he was going to have to pick a name for it. Once the brake was on he laid the reins down and pushed the canopy back as he ambled off the runner's step. Adam stood beside him as he helped Shion off the carriage, pulling Adam close to them as they stepped forward to meet Shion's family.

"Mother, Father, I'd like to introduce my betrothed Jake, and his son Adam," Shion said, waving over to the two of them. "Jake, Adam, I'd like you to meet my mother, Morvena Shadowthorn, and my father, Aelar Shadowthorn."

"Dear, what have we told you about romancing... humans?" Morvena asked, her snobbish air hung thick all around them.

"Don't start, Mother Jake and I were thrown together by happenstance when he saw a part of me that he shouldn't. So far, he is adhering to our ways and being a kind betrothed to one such as I," Shion spoke in reverence to the splendor she's come to find herself in.

"Did he now, and you say he's adhering to our ways? I assume you've informed him of the dowry gift, yes?" Morvena asked, looking down at her foolish daughter.

"I wouldn't look down upon Jake if I were you mother since he has something even you would sell her for," Shion countered and pointed at her sister, who was enjoying the spectacle in front of her. "You did bring it with you?" She felt her face heat up at the look he shot her as Jake reached into his cloak and pulled out the book.

Morvena instantly shoved her husband aside when she saw the name of the author of the book, just not the title. Her heart was racing since his works were so rare, and collectors rarely parted with theirs. She knew it would fit perfectly with her other books in the library of their summer house in Strivia. Nonetheless, the moment she saw the title of the book, Morvena all but fainted in her husband's arms.

"Seems you speak the truth," Aelar said, wondering what it could have been. He cared nothing of her books, something he was glad to leave her to.

"My sister, I do suppose your betrothed is more than what he seems," Sarahi spoke, hiding her sneer under a thinly veiled sheet of civility. "After all, you have no qualms about our cast off items, although it's a little pompous of you sister in buying that kind of elk. Everyone here knows it has to be you that's feeding it mana, no human..."

"Adam, go stand by Shion," Jake cut in, ending Sarahi's rant, "magic, ah yes, magic, it's always magic with you elven nobles. I don't know how Zaroth deals with it every day. That enough magic for you?" he asked, releasing his hold on his mana while holding out his hand towards Shion and Adam shielding them from his magical oppression. "Next time you speak, you either remove your thorns from your words or keep your lips closed when addressing Shion in my presence," Jake stated, his eyes glowing menacingly in his mana as the two stared each other down. "Also, your husband threw a hissy-fit over a supposed dent that wasn't even there just to get out of paying for it. If you can't afford twenty gold, you might not want to act like it."

"Yes, there was, it was so large it was hideous!" Gaelrin El spoke, taking affront to what Jake was saying.

"Really? Where the wainwright pointed where you said it was, not a blemish. Look for yourself if you disbelieve," Jake said, stepping aside. "Shion, refresh my memory, House rings are worn on the left index finger, correct?" he asked, peering over at her, seeing the confusion in her eyes as she nodded.

"Jake... are you saying you're apart of a House?" Shion whispered low as her sister stomped past them to put Jake in his place. Her head turned when Sarahi cursed loudly at her husband, only to have Jake wink at her when she looked at him for answered.

"Yes and no," Jake admitted reluctantly. He could hear Zaroth's laughter in his mind at the fact that he named his House after the name he was born with, thinking he'd never use it. Zaroth had formed it for him as a gift to him so he could come and go from elven lands with ease.

"Jake, being a part of a House isn't a small matter," Shion whispered as she was at his side in a second. "What do you mean yes and no?"

"I'm not apart of a House. I am the House since there's only one member," Jake said, pointing at himself. "Just never used it unless I absolutely had to like buying our property," he admitted, sliding the black ring onto his finger. "When you see Zaroth, you do not mention this to him, clear?" Jake uttered seriously.

"Who's Zaroth?" Shion asked, confused as she took hold of his hand, studying the ring, not finding a flaw or sign of forgery telling her it was indeed a real noble house ring.

"The Duke, don't you know the Duke's first name?"

"No!" Shion hissed, a little annoyed she couldn't take pleasure in watching her sister losing it, given the bomb Jake had just dropped on her. "Does it look like I'm that high up in the nobility to know the Duke's first name? What's your House's name?"

"House Voss seems we caused quite the stir," Jake whispered to her as he leaned into her as the chaos ensued around them.

"Shion of House Voss," she muttered over and over. "I am the Mistress of House Voss," Shion said, the words growing stronger every time she uttered them.

"What is it, Adam?" Jake asked, looking down at him when Adam tugged on his hand.

"Am I part of House Voss too?" Adam inquired, not wanting to be left out.

"Yes, you are," Jake answered, rubbing Adam's back as he hugged him as Morvena came too.

"What happened?" Morvena muttered, nodding her head when Aelar asked if she was alright. Then, her mind finally caught up with her delayed memory. Her eyes had a maddening look in them as she surged from her husband's arms. "The book, tell me you still have the book?!" she spoke, taking hold of her daughter by her arms, causing Sarahi and Gaelrin (to his thankfulness of the diversion) to turn their attention to Morvena.

"Of course, mother, did you think we would loose it in such a short time?" Shion asked with a hint of her smarminess. She shot Jake a smirk when her mother snatched the book once again from Jake's hands, yet this time, she remained on her feet.

"Oh my! I thought he only made five copies of this book!"

"He did; that's a copy of my copy," Jake said, showing where he placed his mark. "But it's the same word for word; if you doubt me, you may visit our home and check for yourself if you like."

"No, no, anyone who's studied his works knows what keywords to look for to determine if one is looking at an authentic work of his," Morvena said, closing the book and holding it against her. "This is a most impressive dowry gift any parent can receive. You were right, daughter, I would've sold Sarahi for this." Ignoring the shock on her youngest daughter's face when she said that. "Sarahi, didn't you say there would be a lunch?"

"Of course, mother, this way," Sarahi said, eager to salvage the day. She was not about to allow Shion to whittle away their parents', namely their mother's, praise.

"Is that ring real?" Aelar asked, looking down at Jake.

"I know you heard our discussion; elves are known for their hearing, so you know this was given to me by the Duke," Jake countered, just because he had subdued Shion's mother with that book that didn't or couldn't stop their snobbishness. That was just engrained into the nobility, no matter if it was two hundred years apart.

"And you know the Duke well enough to call him by his first name? I highly doubt that," Aelar uttered, putting on airs.

"Odd, why would a man I don't know well-enough to be constantly invited to his yearly hunt," Jake mused, taping his chin in deep thought, noticing how Shion was chuckling softly behind her hand. "Why would I lie about something like a hunting trip that few outside the proper channels know about, and he invites very few outsiders to it."

"All the more reason to know you're lying; why would the great Duke entertain a human such as yourself," Aelar argued.

"Believe what you want," making a shooing motion, "it matters not to me if you believe. I'm sure you have a way to reach the Duke; when you do, tell him Jake Diaz sends his greetings, and that House Voss has two new members," Jake said, giving the interior of Sarahi's home a once over when they were ushered in. It all looked the same to him, nobles filling their homes with items they cared not for just as long as it looked like they did or was in favor of whichever court.

Their lunch was like all he's had with the nobility dull and a lot of posturing. It was why he never stayed with the nobles for long. There was only so much of their snide comments, their backhanded compliments, the not so subtle digs at him that he wasn't an elf he could take. Honestly, he didn't see the hoopla about their race. Sure, they were long-lived, but they were easily killed like anyone else. Their magic might have once been on the tier of godly, yet those days were eons ago. They were no stronger than the strongest human mage. Although Adam didn't show how he viewed the lunch as lackluster given how, at least to anyone who's tasted dragon, everything else tasted bland. It was the curse of eating dragon. Still, that didn't stop Adam from cleaning his plate. The years on the street had taught Adam not to waste a meal even if you couldn't stomach it. It also didn't stop Adam from eating the dessert he was given greedily. With their meal over, the three of them took their leave.

"So, did you irk your sister enough?" Jake asked as they walked towards their parked carriage.

"I did," Shion uttered, flashing him a smile of thanks for his part in it all. "Thank you for this," she said, her hand lightly resting on his arm before Jake helped her up the carriage's steps.

Adam joined Jake on the driver's bench. Who's face heated to a soft red hue as Jake teased him a little. Yet that didn't take way how attentive he was when Jake told him every item that went into making the reins. While Jake didn't allow Adam to control the carriage himself, Jake did allow Adam to stand between his legs and rest his hands over his just so Adam would understand the hand movements to keep the elk under control. Jake noted Adam's smile as he rested his chin lightly on his son's shoulder as he did his fatherly duty in teaching his son the things he would need. When Adam reached the age of fifteen, the age one was considered an adult on Yardrat.

Weeks later...

"Jake, are you sure we won't be spotted?" Shion asked as she sat beside Adam in the carriage as Jake made sure everything was ready to attend the ball the King was throwing in their honor for killing the Dark Emperor.

"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem," Jake said; he didn't tell them they would be appearing in a barn-like warehouse he had within the capital for such reasons. Although it had been there for centuries and no one could tell anyone why that building still stood, at least those that didn't know him. It was only because of Heliotrope's (Adam's name for the elk,) light they didn't arrive in complete darkness.

"Jake... just were are we?" Shion asked, looking around as best as she could.

"An old workshop of mine I used to run when I lived here ages ago," Jake said, holding out the reins to her so he could open the large door. "I don't come here a lot anymore, just enough to prove this place is still in use and not abandoned," he said loud enough to be heard over the rust breaking as he pushed the doors open. Magic did lend him a hand to deal with opening such large doors.

"Betrothed, just what kind of workshop did you run that requires such doors?" Shion inquired as she drove the carriage out.

"Oh, you know royalty wanting inventions to deal with the Dragon Kings," Jake said offhandedly, revealing the nemesis of the last age. "However, it all failed, and you know what happened to end that war," he said, climbing onto the carriage before Shion pointed the carriage towards the castle.

"Yeah, six brave people ventured off to put an end to the last Dragon King that had yet to fall to the adventurers," Shion said, handing over the reins to Jake and taking her place in the rear with Adam. "And so the Hero of Lingala was born," she uttered, telling Adam all about the man from what history told of him, all the while keeping Jake's identity secret even from Adam until he was old enough to understand.

Adam's head buzzed around, looking at every strange thing, the voices of people haggling their wares and their produce to the passersby. While he did wonder why it seemed like his father tensed up when Shion went on about the man that saved the whole world from the wicked Dragon Kings, who he didn't even know existed ages ago. Still he thought the person was courageous in fighting against such a monster. It wasn't until he saw a person he didn't expect to see.

"Marda!" Adam shouted excitedly as he rapidly waved his arm at her. Who looked around only for her eyes to fall on him. He looked up when Shion stood beside him as Jake brought the carriage to a stop when she asked him to.

"Well, aren't the two of you fancy," Marlin teased; she had wondered how they would be getting to the capital. "If I had known you'd be traveling in style, I would have asked for a ride," she said, smiling at them as her eyes ran over the finery of the carriage. "This must have set you back."

"Nah, a drop in the bucket to me," Jake responded.

"I bet, mind if I hitch a ride?" Marlin asked, thanking Jake as she climbed on board. Smiling at Adam as he slid into Shion's lap when she pulled him into it.

"You all want a ride to?" Jake asked asking his three normal size friends.

"If you're offering," Holly spoke, flashing him a smile and thanking him for the help. Mark hurried around the back of the carriage to stand on the runner like Bard was. "Hello Adam, enjoying your new home?" she asked as she settled in beside Marlin as she made room for her. "Good. I'm glad," Holly uttered when Adam nodded, smiling warmly at the boy. She was a cast off from her family and abandoned at the temple as the unwanted daughter. "This is a lovely carriage, Shion; when did you get it?"

"A few weeks ago, it seems my sister's husband's family became the town Lord, and my parents were there basking in their favorite daughter's glow. Jake was kind enough to indulge my desire to put my snobbish sister in her place. Also, apparently, my mother just adores him now," Shion said, bringing her friends up to date with what's been going on.

"Wow, you're just the life of the party wherever you go, Jake," Marda joked, getting a round of chuckles from her friends.

"Jake, what kind of beast is that?" Mark asked, wondering why he sensed mana from it.

"You might have never seen one..."

"It's a loceros elk," Marlin cut in, not wanting to be left out of the dialogue. "NoVityian line, if I'm not mistaken."

"Good eye," Jake said from over his shoulder.

"What are loceros elks?" Bard asked, confused.

"A mana-loving elk breed that's said only mages can handle them since they're on the lazy side of the elk breed. But they're a steady beast of burden far more than any horse. Although Jake, it does beg to question where you got said elk from," Marlin mused, not realizing Jake had moved to the Dark Elf village of Eslar.

"Same place I got your tea at," Jake shot back, seeing how that piqued her interest.

"Octivine Red, that's the kind you got, right?" Marlin asked, her tea addiction lacing her words.

"That's right, right in there," Jake uttered. His left heel struck the small box beneath the bench seat where he stored the bag of tea leaves.

The castle was lit up to welcome all the nobles that were coming in for this event. Horses snickered as carriages just waited for those in front of them to unload their charges. The sight before him sent his mind back to after the fight with Shiron when the Dragon King's hold on the beast vanished once he was dead, along with the rest of his kin. So that's what he thought, yet it appeared to him the dragonkin were still alive, given how Adam was a sign of that. Not that anyone knew what dragonkin looked like except the elves if they were that old; however, the only sign that Adam showed was his eyes. The slits pupils were the dragonkin's trait, even if the blood was weak within whichever person. When it was their turn to disembark, the nearby elven servant was called over to drive his carriage to where the others were parked for the gathering.

"Presenting Marlin, Guild Master of the Three Suns Guild, along with the Gold-rank adventurers Marda, Bard, Holly, Mark, Shion Mistress of House Voss," all eyes turned towards Shion at the mention of a Dark Elven House even if they had no idea who it was, namely her friends, "and lastly Jake Diaz Master of House Voss with his son Adam Diaz of House Voss," the crier called out. Jake looked away innocently as he felt his friend's eyes on him.

"We'll discuss this later; we can't keep the King waiting," Marlin said; she knew the moment they returned from defeating the Dark Emperor that the winds of Fate were shifting around them. The fact that Jake was apart of a House, a Dark Elven House no less, was extraordinary. She wondered how he had managed to do that.

"Just who are you?!" Mark whispered low; the more he learned about Jake, the more he was at a loss.

"Me? I'm just a normal guy who stumbled into being a noble," Jake uttered vaguely.

"Are you sure?" Holly said, looking at him sideways as they walked down the carpeted lane. "The more we learn about you, Jake, the more mysterious you get."

"I know, I'm an enigma wrapped around a secret," Jake joked. Although he was not expecting what was coming next.

"Jake! You old dog!" There stood with open arms was Duke Regis the seventh in all his regalia. His friends just looked back at him strangely wondering if they even knew him. Shion's hands went to her mouth to cover her shock and shame for not believing Jake's story wholly about knowing the Duke. "Do forgive my rudeness, King Morth," he said quickly, getting waved off by the man.

"Duke Regis, it's good to see you again, my old friend," Jake said, stepping forward and bowed slightly to the Duke. Greeting his friend as if they were brothers clearly taking the other nobles and his friends by surprise. He turned back to them and waved for them to follow and called Adam to his side.

"I heard a rustling from a little noble man who's inquires into you caught my attention. Why didn't you tell me you wanted to live amongst our people?!" Zaroth asked incensed that Jake didn't tell him of his plans.

"What can I say needed a new place the Haunted Forest of Jura wasn't haunted any longer," Jake said, his grin of satisfaction spread across his face.

"I also heard you expanded your House; interesting son you have, very interesting eyes he has..."

"Adam Diaz," he said proudly, introducing himself like Jake had taught him.

"Duke Zaroth Regis the seventh, pleasure to meet the scion of House Voss," Zaroth spoke in a regal tone before he bent down, and his once serious face turned into a warm, welcoming smile. "But you may call me Uncle Zaroth," he said, watching Adam's face light up.

"Hello, your Grace," Shion curtsied once she got to Jake's side, as did the others behind her.

"So you're the woman that's finally made this stubborn fool use his ring, hmm?" Zaroth mused, giving Shion a once over.

"If you hear Jake tell it, it was all to irk some nobles," Shion said playfully; her heart was racing at being this close to royalty, both human and elven.

"You must tell me that story... another time when the King isn't preparing to speak," Zaroth said, his eyes dipped low, noticing how Adam stood close to Jake and how Jake's light touch on his back seemed to calm the boy. That was another story he was very interested in hearing before he turned his attention back to the King.

What no one saw was the shocked, gapping mouth of Celine as she just stood there not understanding what she was seeing as Jake stood beside Duke Regis. There was also the fact that Jake had a House that he led. She did not see that coming. Celine knew now she would have to approach Jake differently unlike what she had originally planned on. She knew that would only cause a stir in the nobility. Something she couldn't afford to do with the Duke involved.

It took another forty minutes of pop and stance before the King called them to stand before him. Jake pretended to be interested in the King's words as he slyly stroked his own ego in his long-winded monolog as he spoke about the bounty he placed on the fiend. Regaling them all about how the Three Suns Guild and his own men confirmed the subjugation of the Dark Emperor. As the King's arms rose, the side doors opened and out walked four teams of two carrying on their shoulders on polls were four chests filled with twenty-five thousand gold coins each. Marda just picked up two chests under each arm and moved off once their audience with the King was over. When the whole event was over, the King directed them all to the ballroom to continue the night's event. Jake told his friends he would meet up with them later after he had a talk with the Duke.

"Okay, Jake, you want to tell me why you've adopted a dragonkin. You know that's what the boy is, right?" Zaroth asked while his wife entertained Shion and Adam, getting a look out of him asking if he thought Jake was an idiot.

"Of course, I knew the boy was dragonkin; I fought them enough to know what they look like, Zar."

"Then why?" Zaroth asked, trying to understand Jake's reasoning.

"Adam is an innocent kid, dealt a shitty hand; it's not his fault he has their blood running through him as weak as it is. His ancestor must have been one of their slaves and came out of such a life that's all I can think of as to why any human would lay with a dragonkin. Adam doesn't have a mean bone in his body, unlike all those who mistreated the boy before I took him in," Jake said, the years of the war playing behind his eyes.

"I see," Zaroth mused, his fingers stroking his chin deep in thought. "And you couldn't choose to live closer to Emberglade," he bemoaned; he could feel his wife's eye roll at his words.

"If he did, then you would never get any work done. Always wandering off to do gods knows what," Drisara, Zaroth's wife, uttered, keeping what she heard about Adam to herself even though they were keeping their voices low. She knew Shion heard their words as well.

"What?! It would at least be fun," Zaroth retorted, peering back at his wife.

"For whom, dear?" Drisara shot back narrowing her eyes, recounting the things the two of them got into whenever they were together.

"She never allows me to have fun," Zaroth grumbled. "So, how did that happen?" he asked, nodding back towards Shion.

"Saw a nipple briefly, and here we are," Jake uttered, shrugging his shoulders. He still thought it was a stupid way to marry someone.

"I see; it's good you're taking responsibility; otherwise, I would haunt you," Zaroth joked. "Since you're living in Eslar now, I assume you'll be joining me in the spring, correct?" he asked; he knew he would at least have someone to talk to during it.

"Only if Jake brings his House, you can't expect me to entertain those boring noble ladies who only think of increasing their standing attending. I tell you, it's the most driest conversations on the planet," Drisara said, leaning into Shion while smiling at Adam, who was hanging closely to Shion. Which simply told her that the boy led a hard life to cling onto Shion like he was doing.

"You'll bring them... yes?" Zaroth spoke, casting his friend a look as his eyebrow rose. He watched as Jake peered back at Shion and Adam, who's yellow eyes stared intently at Jake, silently telling him he better say yes.

"Seems so," Jake answered, getting a rolling laugh out of Zaroth as his hand patted his back.

"We'll make sure Adam is cared for while the two of you are hunting your deer," Drisara said, flashing Jake a friendly smile.

"I never understood your need to hunt this beast; you never catch it," Jake uttered, taking a friendly jab at his friend's obsession.

"It's not the hunt, Jake; it's the journey," Zaroth spoke with Jake, repeating the same old line he always used. "We all can't be eating dragon like a certain House does."

"What can I say? Dragon's delicious," Jake said smugly.

"I'm sure it is. Would it trouble you to allow your old friend a bite or two," Zaroth finally asked after years.

"See, I've been waiting for you to ask since you wouldn't take it when I offered it to you," Jake replied, watching his friend's face heat in his stubbornness since royalty can't take food when offered privately only when asked if they could. Don't ask him why; he found it all rather stupid, yet that's how Zaroth's people acted, at least towards their leaders. "Only have some strips of jerky; if I remember, I'll bring a dragon leg with me, and we can have a feast before the night of the hunt."

"Please do; it would be a great start to the hunt," Zaroth spoke with wide, happy eyes, taking Jake by the arm. Drisara's 'Mmmhmm' follow after. He watched as Jake reached into one of his pouches and pulled out five strips.

"I just put simple salt and pepper on them," Jake informed him as Zaroth's eyes darted around, trying to determine which would be the best piece.

"If the Duke would like some advice from one who's tasted dragon, it doesn't matter the piece; one taste and you'll crave it always," Shion said, joining in the conversation. She wondered what his reaction was when he made his choice; however, his back was to her, so she couldn't tell. Jake just walked off towards them with a knowing smile on his face.

"Drisara, would you care to try one?" Jake asked, holding out his hand to her.

"Why thank you, Jake, its good to see you happy again," Drisara whispered the last part. Shion and Adam thanked Jake wondering if he just walked around with a pouch of jerky. Nonetheless, the moment the meat hit her tongue she was in heaven as she lost herself in the goodness of it. "Dear, seems we must return to the event, or the human nobles will come undone," she said, getting to her feet.

"Seems we must, Jake don't leave without speaking to me first," Zaroth said, getting a nod out of Jake. "You'll keep your father safe for me, won't you?" he asked, the corners of his lips lifted as lifted at the toothy grin Adam gave him.

"Of course, Uncle," Adam spoke with determination. He waved to the two very nice elves as they returned to the ball that was already in progress. He kept close to his father as they moved through the ballroom.

"Watch your step, Adam; don't become absent-minded," Jake uttered, pulling him close when his wandering eyes almost led him to run into the backside of some rotund man.

"Sorry, father."

"There's nothing wrong with looking, Adam; just be mindful of where you're walking, is all," Jake said; he didn't think Shion would move behind them and come to stand by Adam's left side.

"Hold my hand, Adam, then you can look all you want. You know I won't lead you astray," Shion said sweetly as she leaned forward slightly, causing the free strands of her hair to dangled before her. Her nimble fingers brushed them behind her left ear, knowing Jake's eyes were on her. She made sure the tops of her breasts were on display for his inspection. It was her part of being his wife to keep her husband interested in her. Then she saw a side to him that was quickly hidden when a voice spoke behind him.

"Jake Diaz of House Voss," Celine's voice filled his ears, seeing the tension in his shoulders at the sound of her voice, "I believe you can spare a moment for the first daughter of House Eldrion," she said with authority.

"Jake, who is that woman?" Shion whispered as she leaned close to him and pulled Adam close to her.

"Go find the others, I can handle this," Jake said, keeping his anger from his voice as he turned to face Celine. "I thought I made it clear the last time I saw you; I didn't ever want to see your face ever again."

"Jacob, honestly, Jacob, did you really think that would be the last we see of each other?" Celine spoke with a hoity-toity attitude. "So, is she the woman you think you left me for? I didn't take you for someone to play family..." She instinctively took a step back as Jake's eyes began to glow in his mana. "Temper, temper Jacob, what will all these people think that the head of the House Voss can't control his anger?"

"Then get to the point of why you're upsetting my betrothed," Shion said, stepping up to Jake's side, keeping Adam behind her. She wasn't about to allow Adam to come to harm from the woman before them.

"You aren't the true Mistress of House Voss; that would be I," Celine said, placing her hand over her heart. "You should have told me you had a House; it would have made everything so much easier..."

"No, Jake gave you the onyx stone, I know he did. It's obvious to anyone with eyes he hates you with a passion. So your claim," throwing up air quotes, "is moot, so I suggest you leave before you embarrass yourself since Jake is with me," Shion stated, showing off the House ring Jake had made for her. "You have no claim on the House of Voss."

"That might be so, yet Jake and I have a longer, more pressing relationship than yours," Celine uttered, showing off her own House ring.

"There you are daughter," a cold male voice spoke from the crowd around them. "Celine, what are you doing speaking to... ah, yes, House Voss, pleasure in meeting you here, Elendril Eldrion the fourth," he greeted, inclining his head to Jake.

"Greetings," Jake uttered politely, given where he was. Just because he was an all-powerful battlemage didn't mean he could irk the nobility without repercussions.

"Come, Celine, the head of House Vulcan," Jake fought himself from smiling at the name he had given the elven house he helped save when he couldn't pronounce it two hundred years ago. He didn't think they would still use it, although Duran Duran's 'Coming Undone' was still a hit after two hundred years, so anything was possible; he wondered how they would take that if the singer knew, "wishes to speak with you," Elendril said, turning to his daughter. "Don't make more of a scene than you already have," he hissed low. "If what you said is true then there are avenues we can go through. Do not bring shame to our house in public," Elendril uttered coldly, thinking his daughter would know better than to make a scene in front of other nobles. He wasn't about to have his house become the laughingstock of any kingdom.

"Sorry, father," Celine quickly dropped her gaze, her anger flared at being belittled by her own father. Another feather in her cap of anger that was finding its focus on Jake. "If you only knew how much mana Jake has..."

"Doesn't matter, not when he has the Duke in his corner. We'll find another way," Elendril spoke, leading his daughter away. "Although, do tell me what you know of the man. If we are going to do this, we must know everything."

"Of course, father, I'll happily tell you everything," Celine said before peering over her shoulder back at Jake. Her eyes telling him he hadn't seen the last of her. When she was secured in her seat as Mistress of his House, she would send the boy off to one of the many schools in the kingdoms just so their own children would receive all the attention and glory.

"Come, Jake, let us rid ourselves of the stain that's soured our night," Shion said, looping her arm around his and turned him around. Her heart fluttered, seeing how the anger she saw in his eyes vanished when he looked at her.

"You two okay?" Holly asked, concerned, given the look on her friend's face.

"Yes, just House politics are so insanitary at times," Shion bemoaned; it was one of the reasons she rarely took part in them back home.

"You tell me if somethings troubling you, right?" Holly whispered, to which Shion nodded.

"So you have your own House and friends with Duke Regis, and you chose to work in our little Guild?" Marlin uttered, mouthing a 'Wow' when Jake nodded. Now that she knew he was nobility, not that she wouldn't use that against him. It just showed her Jake was just an honest man.

"You all hungry?" Jake asked; he knew what food there would be floating around wouldn't be enough to fill their stomachs.

"A tad," Holly admitted. She wasn't expecting Jake to reach into one of his pulled-out flat pieces of jerky.

"Dragon jerky, anyone?" Jake asked with a coy smirk on his lips. "Those aren't too heavy for you, are they?" he inquired, knowing that amount of gold would be extremely heavy even for a half-giant.

"A tad, but I'll get them home intact," Marda said, taking a piece of jerky with her thanks.

"Tea and dragon, I'm beginning to think you want to butter me up," Marlin teased as she took a piece as well.

"I always like stacking the deck in my favor," Jake retorted with a cheeky smile.

"It's working," Marlin spoke, casting Jake a smile as she nibbled on a strip of her jerky. "Just so you all know, the Guild will be taking twenty percent of the reward as our commission," she stated so they all knew. "The rest of the eighty thousand will be divided amongst the six of you." With that, the seven of them just chatted away getting caught up with the two months separation. Which the four of them took off to train with their new weapons so they wouldn't just wildly sling the weapon's enchantments willy-nilly around the battlefield.

"Jake?" Mark uttered, gathering his attention while quieting the group as well.

"Hmm?" Jake hummed, confused as to why Mark had a serious look on his face.

"How do you feel about dragon armor?" Bard asked in all seriousness.

"Depends, if you're asking if it's nice to look at... depends on what dragon it's made from. If you're asking if the armor will carry the dragon's elements like your weapons," Marlin's eyes widened in surprise when he said that, "yes, why do you ask," Jake answered, looking down when Mark held out a quest from their Guild. A Gold-rank quest.

"There's a red dragon from reports that it's terrorizing the land around here," Holly said, taking out a map showing Jake where the sightings were.

"Jake, that's near the elven border," Shion uttered, pointing it out with Marlin nodding along. She leaned in, telling him it would be a shorter travel time for them if they departed from their home in Eslar than from the town where the Guild was.

"I'm only allowing it since I know you can kill a dragon," Marlin said, referring to his fight with Shiron and the battle with the Mountain dragon.

"A red dragon, you say," Jake muttered, stroking his chin, noting their nods of agreement.

"Is there a certain way you fight them than, say, the Mountain dragon?" Marda asked, making sure she knew all the details that went into dragon hunting.

"Well... one, reds can breathe fire, earth dragons can't," Jake said deathly. "Also, they can fly; getting it on the ground will be the first thing we have to do. Once it's on the ground, it will be a little easier to kill it than in the air. We'll have to find its hunting grounds when we get there, or if we're lucky, it will find us and think we're just its two o'clock snack," he joked. Jake looked down at Adam, wondering if he really wanted to leave his son alone for however long it would take for them to get to the area. The horror of what they had done to his eldest son flashed into his mind. It was why he destroyed everything he had created from what he could remember from his Homeworld he had created when he was reincarnated into that world. Since the advancements he had given them were used on his son. After that he determined they all deserved to remain in what he felt had a medieval feel to the world he found himself in. "Adam, from what you hear about quests shall not be repeated outside of our group if you are to be my squire." Adam's face had a blank look on it as Jake spoke to him before the joy quickly spread across it. He wasn't about to allow history to repeat itself.​