CH52

Ben wasn’t sure what he expected from the home-nation of the succubi, but it wasn’t this. Giant trees with crimson leaves that would put the redwoods of Earth to shame filled the city, and buildings like skyscrapers scattered around them. Metal poles jutted up around the earth, and it took Ben a minute to figure out what they were for, but the city was far enough away from Vanasil that it was later in the day and night was falling. He could see a light gathering on the top of each pole and it clicked. Street lamps. This nation actually had street lighting set up. That fact alone left him more excited than the metropolis before him, and he couldn’t wait to see what the city had to offer. While he was at the church he had learned a bit about Anailia, the land was rich in magical metals and as a result self-powering enchanted items were common. So common that apparently the metal could be used to keep lights running when it got dark instead of people just lighting a torch if the need arose.

Until this point Ben had been under the assumption that the world was an odd mix of medieval and what he would consider more modern technology, but he would need to re-evaluate that thought. Sure Stonewall wasn’t super advanced, but enchanted items were common enough and replicated many of the creature comforts he was used to in his homeworld, and now he would get to see just what a magical society could accomplish if it had the resources for it.

“Wow, this is incredible,” He said honestly, though Thera seemed uncomfortable.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been home,” She shifted about awkwardly for a moment before walking off. “Anyway, it’s getting late. Let’s meet my parents and if you want, we can explore a bit tomorrow.”

“Sounds good, I’m going to be jet-lagged for a few days from the looks of it.”

“You’re going to be what?” Thera asked, confused.

“It means tired. Don’t worry about it.”

They walked on in silence, Ben looking back and forth at all of the new sights around while Thera shuffled on, lost in thought for a while but knowing she needed to get what she needed to say out before they got to their location. Unfortunately she put it off for far too long and they were now standing in front of a large, gated building, constructed around one of the giant trees.

“Um Ben, before we head inside there’s something I should probably mention,” She said while fidgeting about, not meeting his eyes.

Curiously and anticipation filled his face. “Hm, sure what’s up?” He asked, trying to sound casual, but the excitement of the day was making it hard.

“It’s about my parents-” She started, before a voice cut her off.

“Lady Thera!” A succubus guard who was standing by the building called out to them. “We’ve been expecting you, please right this way.”

Having been spotted before she could get a word out, she couldn’t help but deflate. “Oh I really should have mentioned this earlier. Just try to relax.”

“Don’t worry, everything will be great,” Ben told her with a level of confidence she envied.

“I really doubt that but come on.”

The two of them followed the guard through the building, passing numerous rooms and hallways as they went, before entering two large, ornate doors and finding an expansive, well-decorated room within, and a single woman sitting on a throne at the other end.

“Approach,” She said in a firm voice, and as they got closer Ben couldn’t help but see her resemblance to Sonya, while Thera muttered under her breath. “Gods she’s really doing this.”

“Greetings Thera, you seem well,” The woman said with an air of dignity and command, which Thera greeted with a neutral, though slightly exasperated tone.

“Hello mother, as do you.”

The woman turned to Ben and spoke up “Greetings Ben. May the spirit of Anailia ever guide you.”

Thera quickly turned to Ben to try and whisper at him. “I’m sorry I didn’t think she would do this, just repeat after me-” But instead of listening to her he took two steps forward, got on one knee, and placed one fist on the ground and the other over his heart before speaking up. “Greeting to Pelenia, queen of the succubi. May Anailia’s warmth fill you and her love protect you, I am humbled to be in your presence.”

If Thera’s face was visible everyone would have seen her mouth hanging open in shock. Queen Pelenia for her part maintained her dignified air for another moment before slouching down and pouting.

“That’s no fun,” she said. “Sonya said you didn’t know. Don’t tell me Thera worked up the will to tell you before you got here?”

“Not really happy that you tried to pull this, or that you were betting against me for that matter mother, but I didn’t. Ben, how did you know to do that, hell how long have you known about all this?” She said, gesturing around her.

He could only shrug and smile. “If by all this you mean that your mom’s the queen, I’ve known since before everything went down with Roan. I did tell you before that I received some lessons at the church about general world info and what they thought it would be good for a craftsman to know, right? You don’t think they would fail to mention the fact that the price of magical metals has been plummeting for the last couple decades since the current queen was married to a great earth spirit. After you told me about your parents it wasn’t hard to put two and two together. I was waiting for you to bring it up yourself, but since you never did I asked Falk on how to make a good impression.”

He was feeling pretty pleased with himself, but he was rewarded with a firm punch to the arm. “You ass. Do you know how worried I was about telling you?”

“Relax, I’m not going to treat you any different because you’re a princess.”

“I’m not a princess! We’re an elected matriarchy, just because my mom has the role doesn’t mean I’m taking over,” She hit his arm again for good measure while he laughed.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry.”

He was happy to keep their little back and forth going on longer, but some laughter began to leak out from the throne so he turned to give the royal some proper attention.

“Ah, I have to say it’s nice to see you aren’t as stiff as your teacher can be. Enough of the formalities, it’s nice to finally meet you Ben, I hear you’ve been treating my daughter well.”

“Oh he treats me very well,” He felt bare arms wrap themselves around to his front and scratch at his chest while Thera’s head placed itself on his shoulders in a display he’d never expected from her. He felt blood rush to his face and didn’t know how to react to the unexpected development.

“Thera what are you doing-” As he tried to ask he was cut off by a staff smashing into her head and knocked her to the ground.

“That’s not me!” A still very cloaked Thera yelled angrily. “Dad, what have I said about taking my form?”

The imposter gave a small ‘tee hee’ before their shape changed to that of an impressive man, seven feet in height with marble skin like Thera’s, thick golden hair and a beard to go with it, wearing a matching outfit with the queen, a dark green toga.

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Ben was able to be impressed with the transformation once his pulse slowed a bit from the shock, but Thera seemed emotionally drained by this point. “Ben, let’s just go back to Stonewall already, uncle Falk definitely has other contacts you can work with.”

“Oh come on sweetheart, don’t be like that, your mom and I were just having some fun with your new friend,” Thera’s father said with a powerful laugh, though still rubbing his head.

“And there’s still so much to talk about,” Pelenia said, pulling out a couple of letters. “Falk and Sonya have mentioned most of it I believe, but I’d like to hear the details from your own mouths for now. Thera, enough with the cloak let me see my dear daughter’s face, we paid a fortune to ensure everyone working here could have an amulet, it would be ridiculous not to put them to use. Sweetheart, would you be so kind?”

With a smile and a nod her father raised his hand slightly in the air, and from the ground emerged four stone chairs and a small table to go with it. Penelia and her husband both moved to take seats so Ben and Thera did the same, though Thera still seemed reluctant, and together they gave her parents a rundown on the past couple months.

Their story wasn’t long, but by the end of it her father looked like he was going to fly off in a rage while his wife put a calming hand on his arm.

“Honey, why is this my first time hearing about this? No that doesn’t matter right now, if you don’t mind it looks like I have some business to attend to, it shouldn’t be too hard to find where this man is located and deal with him,” His voice was low but firm and there was a small violent glint in his eyes as he spoke, but his wife was having none of it