Book 4: Chapter 107 (1/2)

“Where is Deedee?” Vur asked. “Is he sleeping?”

“Let me check,” Sheryl said. “He’s—”

“Nope,” Zilphy said, cutting the fire elemental off. “Deedee slipped away into the portal that Tafel opened. He merged with the boats and left.” There was a slight sniffling sound. “Isn’t my husband such a caring person? He was more worried about those people than I thought. He couldn’t let them be bullied in a strange new land.”

Vur blinked before shrugging. “Well, it’s a good thing I took attendance,” he said. “Almost left him behind. I bet he’d hate that.” Vur slipped off of Prika’s head. He placed a hand on Tafel’s shoulder. “We have to get Deedee first before we go. Can you open a portal to where you sent the boats?”

“Of course,” Tafel said, her horns glowing silver. The air split apart as a large portal appeared in front of the group, wide and tall enough for Prika to pass through. Upon opening, shouts and screams filled the air, surging out of the portal. Tafel’s brow furrowed. “What’s going on?”

Mary grasped the hilt of her sword. A moment later, she cleared her throat. “The people that Vur brought are shouting, and your subordinates are the ones screaming. Vur’s people are capturing and rounding everyone up, killing those who resist.”

Tafel’s blinked three times and whirled her head around to look at Vur. “You prepared them for war, didn’t you? You thought using them to help you conquer the place would increase your chances of finding me if you owned more territory.”

Vur scratched his head. “Yes,” he said. “But it wasn’t really my idea. It was the food’s.”

“The food’s?” Tafel asked, her brow furrowing. “You mean that spirit rabbit that hopped out of you?”

Vur nodded. “Originally, I was going to look for you by myself, but it said I’d find you faster if I brought those people with me too.”

“Well, isn’t that just great?” Tafel asked. “Your people are causing a huge mess.” She sighed and shook her head. “Alright, let’s go through and stop it. I might not be particularly attached to those subordinates of mine, but how dare they lose in a fight?”

“They’re saying Vur’s people are monsters,” Mary said, her hand still on the hilt of her sword. “And Vur’s people are praising Vur for giving them strength.”

Tafel stared at Vur. “You’re giving them strength?”

“I didn’t give them anything,” Vur said and shrugged. “Maybe it’s Deedee. Zilphy just said he was helping them. How come you’re looking at me like that?”

Tafel sighed and shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she said and walked through the portal. She turned around. “Are you guys coming or not?”

Alice went forward and nudged Vur’s waist with her elbow. “Don’t take it personally,” she said in a mock whisper. “Tafel’s acting like that because of her competitive spirit. She spent a few months uniting her empire, and I bet she can’t stand to see it losing, especially to your people.”