CHAPTER 217: A GLADE? THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW

Turns out, as soon as you took care of the boss monster in the dungeon, the doorway out of the main room turned into a direct line to the main doors out of the dungeon. It was one of the reasons you couldn’t go back to explore and find any more chests.

Cass was a little disappointed, but also glad. Another moment in this dungeon was too much for him. He just wanted to get out. He was sure the others were used to not being able to go back, and from the quick glance around the group to see if they were surprised, he could tell they weren’t. So, they knew, and had probably been doing little scans here and there. They got two chests, which felt like a lot to Cass.

He tried to recall how many they usually got while in dungeons, and then blanked on it. He chalked it up to not having enough brain power to focus. He was tired. He was actually bone deep exhausted, and just wanted to go home and have some tea made by Sam.

It was a simple desire, but one that wouldn’t be fulfilled for a while because he had to go to the fucking capital. Why had he agreed to this?

Oh right, Lady Ava was being a little bitch back then. Now she was...calmer? More moderate? They should still go, so that Fiona could calm down and seal the deal, but damn it. He wasn’t looking forward to this.

He could only imagine what the regular, pompous folk were going to be like, and how he was going to have to act. Like he gave a fuck. Ugh. He remembered the story in that regard. How much Lord Blackburn had changed when around others. Like he was...begging for their attention.

Yeah. Cass didn’t really have that bone in him. Sorry Lord Blackburn. They were going to get a full Cass special. A nice sounding hello, maybe a wave, but there would be no sucking up. That was the one thing Cass had always found strange. He was the heir to a Dukedom, not them. They should be sucking up to him, especially since he, as Lord Blackburn, had control of a lot of their personal finances because they were dumb and stupid and didn’t realise he could be a real villain about everything and take their homes. Their titles.

Everything.

He wouldn’t, for most of them. As long as they benefitted him and didn’t work against him.

Cass sighed, shaking his head slightly. He really didn’t need to be thinking about this while they were steps away from getting out of the dungeon. Especially as the damn cloak burnt a hole in his bag.

He had to take it. Vespertine’s pouch, while a spatial pocket, wasn’t as big as Cass’. Considering that Cass was able to shove tents into his, yeah, his was bigger. Cass tried not to smile thinking that maybe there were other parts of him that were bigger. He had to fight his smile, and made sure that no one else had noticed either.

God, he knew that it wasn’t the time nor the place, but that did make him a little happy. Just a little.

"Everyone ready?" Fiona asked as she stood by the doors. Everyone nodded, and Cass could feel how both Vespertine and Lucian were behind him. They were behind everyone to be exact but he fucking knew better.

They were lingering like damn leeches, only Cass didn’t really know what salt worked on them.

Fiona nodded, before she pushed open the door and the first thing that hit Cass was how damn bright it was. It took him and everyone else a few moments to prepare themselves, and Vespertine already had a hat on, like a good little vampire.

They moved out into the sun, and Cass felt like a joke was being played on them. The dark forest? Completely gone. Now they were in a normal, classic forest and he could hear birdsong and animals. Well, until they got a whiff of Lucian and then they all scattered again. Hard to be around something with that level of aggression in one body.

The head priest in charge of everything was at the edge of the gates, wringing his hands, a smile on his face as soon as he saw the group. A few other priests were there as well, but Cass didn’t care about them. He scanned around, and finally, his eyes landed on Sir Forsythe. It felt like seeing him really put an end to the damn awful experience of the dungeon.

How come he thought he should go into the dungeon? He should have just fucking listened to everyone. He’d had to give up too much in there. Hand over too many of his damn secrets.

"Lady Fiona! Lord Ridgewood! Lady Ava!" The high priest who Cass didn’t even remember the name of called out to them. Cass almost rolled his eyes at how he didn’t speak the rest of their names out loud. Cass didn’t care, but he could tell that Sir Forsythe’s expression didn’t change, but he shifted on his feet. Cass almost immediately broke off from the group. He didn’t need to be around them anymore, and honestly? He just wanted to get away from those who had holy powers.

Lucian grabbed his arm, not tight, but just enough to halt him as he began to head for the gate proper.

"Where are you going?" He asked, worry in his tone. Cass gave him a look over his shoulder and Lucian immediately let him go. "Please? I just want to know." He whispered and Cass stared at him for a moment before he sighed.

"I don’t want to be near those guys right now. I just want to recharge, get away from everyone. I’ll hand over the tents in a minute, but you don’t need me for the debrief." Cass said, speaking not just to Lucian, but also to Fiona who had turned and given him a strange look.

Everyone seemed to understand what he was not saying. He didn’t want to be near any priests. Lady Ava nodded, completely understanding, while Lord Ridgewood didn’t even glance at him. Vespertine sighed.

"Sounds good. Could we meet up at where we had set up our camp the first night? We shouldn’t be too long, but that should give you enough time to get some fresh air." Vespertine said, glancing at Fiona and she nodded. Cass was a little upset that the two monsters of the party, er, excluding Cass, had lost most of the obvious damage that Fiona had given them, but then again, they were monsters. They probably healed quickly. Honestly. Cass wondered if Lucian had even been hurt.

"Alright. I’ll meet everyone there in like, half an hour? 30 minutes?" Cass said and got agreements from everyone. Cass officially split off from the group, the first one to open the gate and as soon as he stepped onto regular soil, it felt like he got a jolt up his body. He almost collapsed, but turned it into a trip and Sir Forsythe caught him.

"My Lord!" It was so nice to hear his voice. Cass let out a sigh, letting the other man catch him and help him to his feet. Concern was clearly etched into his face, his expression sharp. "You look as if you have lost more weight. Are you alright, my Lord?" He asked and Cass chuckled.

"Better now that I’m out of there." Cass told him honestly and he frowned, but nodded and helped Cass to his feet.

"Do you need to remain here? Ser Hune found a little glade that I think would...probably benefit you as well." Cass beamed.

"A glade? That sounds wonderful right now. Anything that isn’t damn bricks." Cass muttered and swore that Sir Forsythe’s lips twitched before he nodded. He began to lead Cass away, and Cass didn’t even look over his shoulder to see the others. A break would do him wonders.

~

When he arrived, he found Ser Hune lying down on her back, Sir Sanders nearby sitting on a large boulder. It was very kind that every little spot like this had a nice, large boulder. Cass wondered what kind of fairy or elf had made that the case, because he liked them. Maybe he should pray to them instead. Fuck gods, fuck demons, let’s go with elves and fairies.

"Hey, do fairies worship the gods?" Cass asked as soon as he came within hearing distance and Ser Hune sat up quickly, scrambling to her feet. She was shocked to see Cass, while Sir Sanders was a bit more relaxed, smiling even as he spotted Cass and got to his feet.

"I am so sorry to show you such a-" Cass raised his hand, cutting her off.

"Hush. I can only imagine what you had to deal with with Lucian in the dungeon with me. Lie back down. I’m probably going to join you." Cass said, taking off his little bag and passing it to Sir Forsythe, who took it without complaints. Then, Cass lowered himself to the ground with a groan and then, flopped onto his back.

It felt like going home.

He let out a deep, satisfied sigh and Ser Hune, who seemed rather confused, slowly lowered herself back to the ground, lying down next to him. She seemed to be fighting her personal desires, and regular standards for a knight.

"It’s alright, Ser Hune. Just lie down." Cass told her one more time and that seemed to relax her. "The others are up, and they can keep watch, though I doubt anyone is going to attempt anything now that Fiona and the others are out of the dungeon, and I’m also feeling a little fighty. If someone gets too close, I am more than happy to show them why no one messes with me." Cass said it with a cheerful tone, but he could feel how Sir Forsythe was looking at him, as well as Sir Sanders.

"Are you...never mind. How was the dungeon?" Sir Forsythe asked and Cass chuckled. It wasn’t a light sound. Even he thought it was heavy.

"Full of undead. And a new undead monster as the boss monster. We managed, but it was a lot. Found an extra chest." Cass said casually and watched as the three knights lit up. "How was it out here?" He asked, glancing at Sir Forsythe and Sir Sanders. Both men shrugged.

"Not too crazy. A few undead, but with the help from the Priests it was no big deal. Cleared them up quickly. They were actually quite grateful to have us around." Sir Sanders said, a bit of pride in his voice.

"I take it you were...indisposed?" Cass asked, turning to Ser Hune. She looked a little sheepish.

"Uh, yes, my Lord." She mumbled and Cass laughed.

"It’s okay. I practically had to have Lucian holding my hand the whole time in the dungeon. I get it. I do feel bad for bringing you here. I had no idea it would affect either of us like this." Cass muttered apologetically, and Ser Hune shook her head.

"Don’t apologise. I’ll just pull more of my weight in the second half of our time together. I’m great at escort missions, especially in the capital. No one expects the fairy, you see." She said with a grin, turning her face to Cass. The grass framing her dark face, combined with her bright eyes made Cass relax.

"Hmm. Maybe they should." He said thoughtfully and she laughed. Cass sighed, leaning back into the grass and closing his eyes

"I’m just going to rest my eyes for a minute while we wait for them to finish speaking to the priests and then we have to head back to meet them." Cass said and Sir Forsythe made a grunt in confirmation. Cass relaxed as they spoke to each other quietly, taking the cue that Cass didn’t want to be involved in the conversation further.

This was nice. He hadn’t realised how much he’d missed outside.