CHAPTER 60: LILLITHS DEN (2)

After hearing Senithas explanation of the actual importance of my and Dawns bond I couldn’t help but feel a wry smile pull at my lips. "Hu, so I’m now considered a friend to all dragons? I thought they were practically exctinct? Or have I just heard wrong?"

A small frown covers Senitha face at that but it is soon replaced by a neutral smile. "Well in both this Kingdom as well as the surrounding kingdoms, Queendoms and lands they are near non existent yes. But Iv heard that they are more commonly found far to the west and Iv heard rumours that they moved to the other continent with the elves but I don’t hold much faith in that particular rumour."

Hearing mention of elves I try to get a touch more info about this mysterious other continent. "Oh Iv heard something similar, well only in regards to the elves, why is it that no one has managed to confirm or deny it? Surely someone has traveled to the other continent by now no?"

She simply shrugs but it is Craig that answers my query. "Well two reasons really. First it is just that far away, even with magic the distance is so large that it would take multiple months to travel across the ocean. And secondly, it is because of the leviathans that will attack anything that ventures too far from any shore." I blink in surprise at that haven’t never heard about these supposed leviathans of the seas. Seeing my confusion he elaborated.

"Yeah iv seen one myself, was on a ship traveling down the coast then pirates attacked, we managed to scare them off and they sailed out further into the ocean. Only to run into one of the beasties. One moment I was staring at a ship traveling into the distance the next thing I know a maw half the size of a city is extending out the ocean and swallowing the ship whole."

I gaped at that unsure if I should believe him or now as the shear size of the creature would have to be utterly ridiculous. Nishi jabbed him in the ribs as she groaned and spoke up. "Here you go telling that same story again, will you ever grow tired of telling it to every single person you meet?"

Craig’s small smile only grew. "No i shall not and when you manage to spot a monster bigger than that then I will allow you to be the one to boast!" I chuckled as this was apparently a regular occurrence between the two.

Seeing that line of questioning was at its end I spoke up once more. "Well I suppose we should get about setting up our tent for the night and get to cooking, if you’ll excuse us." I gave a small wave to the other party and turned back around to face my own as I gestured to the open area nearby. "Well let’s get to it eh daylight is burning and all that." And it was true the twin suns were beginning to reach the horizon and I wanted to have an early night since we needed to be up and ready before first light.

And so we quickly set about pitching our tent, we had offered to let Zara stay in ours for tonight as it would be easier to just set up a single tent, I did have to promise compensation to Kana and Amanda did not playing around tonight which I didn’t mind at all. And so before long we had our tent set up and whilst the girls went about putting things together inside I headed out and joined the other party by their fire where I went about setting up my cooking equipment and beginning to make dinner for us all. I did offer to make some for the other team but that just thanked me and said they had already eaten.

Shrugging my shoulders I just went back to it. I was looking to make a pasta dish tonight and with my handy magical camp cooker that I’d bought at considerable cost I went about to make one of my favourite meals, a lasangna with a side of garlic bread, simple yes but tasty non the less. With my mana cooking skill the entire process was sped up so it took no time to make the dough and cut it up into sheets that would fit my baking container.

Then I went about cooking up some mince and mixing in onions and a few other local vegetables which I liked the taste of. Once all prepped managed to whip together some white sauce and began the process of layering up my creation. I had attracted the curious gaze of the other party and it was Dalia the female catkin twin that spoke up. "What is it you are making there? And am I right in guessing you have the Mana cooking skill?"

I looked up at the girl and smiled. "It’s called lasagna it’s a pretty popular dish from where I’m from. And yes I do have that skill, it is quite useful and just makes everything that much tastier." Her eyes opened a touch wider and I could almost swear both her and the other twin gulped at the same time. "I don’t suppose that I would be able to have just a little bit of it would I?"

Seeing the obvious desire in her eyes and then glancing around at the rest of them I chuckled before getting to work on making a second full dish, thankfully I have over prepared and had enough. Once both were properly layered out I placed them into the portable oven. Thank all things holy for magical cookware that allowed for a spacially expanded oven! Then went on to mix up some garlic (actually called Nustel in this world but gonna keep calling it garlic) with butter before pulling out a couple loaves of bread before cutting and slathering them with the garlic butter. Waiting for the timing to be just right thanks to my mana that was still infusing the lasagna I quickly placed the loaves into the oven and began to set up a playing area just in time for my girls to make their way out and settle around the fire.

Once everything was ready I went about dishing up and giving everyone a healthy portion and a few slices of garlic bread on top I sat back and enjoyed the fruits of my labour and watched as everyone dug in. The sounds of appreciation that echoed round the camp was like music to my ears and was a perfect way to end off the day.

After eating everything and using my new favourite spell to clean all the dishes. Thank the gods for magic once more! We soon said our goodnight and headed off to the tent. There myself and my lovers piled into the bed with Dawn enjoying being able to sleep with us all as she settled inbetween my boobs to enjoy their warmth. That did get a giggle out of both me and Kana whilst Amanda frowned at the little dragon annoyed that she was now blocked from my boobs for the night. Zara had set up her bed roll inside as well and soon enough we all fell asleep.

The morning was a quiet affair of packing away our tent and cooking a simple breakfast of porridge and some fruits. We chatted some more with Senitha’s party who we learn actually has a name, they call themselves the Silver Wings, it is quite on the nose what with Senitha having silver wings but don’t point that one out as I’m sure they have heard it many times before.

Once we are all fed and the first light of dawn is just beginning to turn the sky into a light azure blue, all of the adventuring teams gather up in front of the stone Building where the trail was to take place. Just as the smaller azure sun lifts over the horizon the large doors open up and out walks Atar Stone. Dressed as usual with no top and his loose martial artist pants his chocolate skin rippling with muscle and the mornings light shining off his bald head.

"Welcome everyone, allow me to give you all a true run down of what you can expect going forwards, and in turn what we all expect of you all when you are within the trial." He gives us all a stare and a wave of power washes out of him that slams down onto us making a few of the weaker folk actually drop to a knee. I feel the pressure but manage to stay standing with some effort and I notice that Zara seems quite unfazed, I assume she has had to experience this enough times to grow accustomed to it by now.

After a moment which stretches on he eventually pulls back the pressure and allows us to take a collective breath before he continues. "You are all here representing the adventures guild, as such we expect a level of conduct within. If you spot another team in need of aid we expect you to provide it to the best of your ability. If we hear of any team attacking another within they will be dealt with personally by myself. Is that clear." He once more pauses as he looks around at us all watching as we nod in agreement.

"Good. Now on to the actual trial, you can expect to be in their for a minimum of 1 week and up to 2. The first week will be a treasure hunt. You will be transported to a large space of some kind, it varies each time it has been open. And your team will be dropped at random within it, from there you will have a week to hunt down keys that are hidden around the area, you require 1 key each to progress to the next area and depending on the amount of keys you gather expect greater rewards and challenges in the next stage."

"Now if you have no keys after a week you will be removed from the trial. If you have a key or keys you will be transported to a separate area where a number of individual and group trials will be undertaken. Again dependant on the number of keys you have." He finally stops then having provided us all the explanation he is willing to. Giving us a few minutes to absorb that information he eventually continues. "Now I will be sending you into the building in 5 minute intervals, simply enter the central area and walk into the portal when called upon. Any questions? No? Great! First team up ya then!" And without giving anyone a chance to ask a question we gathered up and began heading into the Trial Grounds.