James looked down and screamed “Edward!”

  Ken sprinted to the teleporter. James was right on his heels.

  The device did not trigger.

  They pressed on the floor and walls, then gave up and ran outside to look for Lord Darion’s exit.

  They found it to be a sealed and locked gate that they could not get past either. The next exit was through the kitchens.

  The kitchen staff were startled when they burst in.

  “You’re not supposed to be here,” one of the bar tenders from before said aloud.

  “We need another way out.”

  “If Prax has trapped you then you are trapped. There’s no way out via the kitchens.”

  James ignored the staff who didn’t block their way. A couple of hot and cold store rooms later and they found it was the truth.

  They ran back to the ledge and climbed over.

  This was going to hurt.

  “Stop!” Prax’s voice rang out. “I’m back now. You can use the teleporter which I assure you will work this time.

  “But your friend is gone and his opponent won’t die yet. At least not until you get down there. Take a moment to breathe.

  “Let me tell you what happened, and where you can go from here.”

  He looked down and saw Marrick holding and attending to Brody. He considered jumping anyway, then climbed back over the railing. Ken climbed over as well.

  “Good, there’s a private barrier that would have been rather unpleasant for you had you jumped. Have that drink you didn’t touch and sit. Then ask your questions.”

  James quaffed the drink, completely not appreciating any of it.

  He sat, then asked, “Where’s Edward?”

  “In the Queendom world and out of my immediate reach. If he were still in the Arena somewhere I would know. I only know he’s in the Queendom due to knowing where the spell breached my domain.”

  “So he’s gone. What can we do?”

  “Bob’s claiming it was a part of his Commander competition, which I agreed to. His competitor broke my rules first so I may be able to help you there. We’re working through the specifics as we speak.”

  A little hope crept in.

  “So that wasn’t some sort of illegal carding?”

  “Nope. The system has rules. There’s no known way to force someone to accept carding if they would be willing to court pain, torture, or death instead. It’s hard to say no to, but not impossible.”

  “No, this was a teleport other card, Legendary, and forbidden in my realm. I would have known if it was anyone other than a Commander.

  “The one below is Teleport Self (Rare) which does the same thing for a willing target.

  I suspect the deal will be an exchange. Edward for Brody. They need Brody, like Anne and Erranoc need you.”

  “Can’t we just kill Brody? Won’t that free Edward up?”

  “Yup!”

  Ken rose and said, “Well that solves it then.”

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  James rose too, but far less confidently.

  “That will remove their world from this reset’s challenge as well won’t it?”

  Prax nodded. He did so very slowly.

  “I knew it. There’s a way to end all this and you know it.”

  “It’s time you left” Prax said gruffly.

  A telekinetic force gently, but insistently pushed them to the teleporter.

  “Round Three will be delayed until your team is whole again, or someone perishes for good. I hope to see that round one day.”

  They were teleported to the staging area. They ran over to where Marrick was. All of Brody’s gear had been stripped off and left in a pile.

  James gestured at it.

  “Don’t bother, all bound to him.” Marrick said.

  Ken took out his dagger. “Easily fixed!”

  “No wait!” James said. Marrick looked like he would have let Ken just do it.

  “Why James? They have Edward, Edward will return once he’s dead. That sounds simple to me.”

  James nodded. “Yes, but this is important. I have a theory that I think Prax just confirmed. I think if everyone survives and either forfeits or becomes a vassal, then all of your worlds will be saved.

  “Is there some way to stop him from using any cards, powers, or abilities?”

  “Not in the way you are thinking. Your choices are to either card him or ensure he remains unconscious.” Marrick responded.

  James gestured above, “What about the Queendom courtiers?”

  “All gone or in custody.”

  Squire came over. James put the hand and card into his inventory and deck respectively.

  James summoned Charlie.

  Ken, can I trust you to not kill him until we get some answers?

  “Okay James, but make it quick.”

  James nodded and then cast quick heal on Brody.

  He was healed enough to wake up, but nowhere near enough to restore his missing limbs.

  Brody screamed. There was panic in his eyes now as he looked around.

  James pulled his sword out and pointed to Brody.

  “Swear fealty to me and I’ll remove your pain.”

  Brody didn’t even hesitate.

  “I swear fealty to you James Cooper as my Liege."

  System Notice - Brody Fletcher has sworn fealty to James Cooper.

  Brody Fletcher cannot win the competition. His fate is now tied to James Cooper. Forswearing fealty, or at James’s command, Brody Fletcher will forfeit the competition, with all corresponding penalties.

  A new Fealty tab has been added to your system tabs.

  “There, now heal me please?” There was a definite whine in his voice.

  “Not yet, where did you send Edward?”

  “To the Queendom’s dungeon, level ten. I was to join him there. Once I either complete or leave the run, he would come with me back to the Queen. You were to have gotten him back once you swore fealty to me.”

  “Ken, heal him please. I can effectively kill him on command now. We need to complete level nine to save Edward. Now!”

  “How do we do that?” Ken asked.

  “Round Three,” Marrick and James said at the same time.

  “Can I trust you to fight for us now?” James asked.

  “Of course my Liege.” Brody responded.

  Edward:

  Ken:

  Edward:

  James:

  Edward:

  James:

  “Marrick, how much does it cost to repair his armour?” He said. “We need to fight and he’s our best bet, right now.”

  No, he’s not. You can’t substitute people in,” Marrick answered. “But I think you’ll be better off without him. One hundred gold.”

  James suspected Marrick was not just talking about Round Three.

  He handed over one hundred gold. Marrick pushed his card at the pile of armour.

  “Brody, do you have anything you can give me to help with Round Three?”

  “Yes, but I need a hand to be able to get stuff from my inventory.” Brody said.

  “We need time to prepare the Arena. Get out.” Marrick announced.

  Marrick carried Brody’s arm, hand, and gear out the staging area.

  Ken said, “I don’t want to use my big heals on him, James. We’re going to need them for the fight.”

  Prax rocked up. “Okay, I’ve gotten two concessions.”

  “One, you may progress to level ten based on merit, between your Round One and Two performance, along with Edwards Martial combat Round 1.

  “Two, I can get you transferred to the Queendom level ten by tweaking Brody’s run. The trade off is that Brody has to join your party, and you will come out of the dungeon in Brody’s world. I could not get Edward moved to your level ten as he’s already started.”

  He hated this but would have to agree. It wouldn’t do to go through this much effort for Brody to just die hand and armless against level ten.

  He had an idea. James accessed his Fealty tab. In there was all Brody’s details, but he skipped through it down to inventory. Sure enough, there were another four cure wounds potions.

  James took them all.

  He took out the potion then said. “Hold the arm and hand in place please.”

  Ken did so.

  He popped the cork out and fed the potion to Brody.

  The arm and hand re-connected as he’d guessed. Brody looked relieved now that the pain was gone. He put the armour into his inventory, then a moment later Brody had it on again.

  James:

  James invited Brody Fletcher to the party.

  Brody Fletcher has joined the party.

  Edward:

  James:

  Edward:

  “Prax, please bring his Bonds including Dandelion. Thank you for your help. Agreed.” James said.

  The world shifted.

  Thank you for reading!

  Farewell for now — let the editing commence.