Rise Of The Ragdoll: Part 2, Book 2 of Isekai Tales

Rosie had called for a Council meeting regarding the building of the two harbors we promised. After we were all in the War Room, which she had asked to use, she said,

“I’m going to have to travel to the Dwarven Queendom to negotiate for the dwarves we need to make the two harbors.”

“Why is that necessary?” Darby asked.

“None of the dwarves here have official roles among the hierarchy, and thus cannot call up the dwarves we need. Then, since I am a stranger among the dwarves, the Queen has commanded I introduce myself before the Dwarven Council. Only then will I be able to negotiate with the Masons Guild. She may even want to meet with you, Dee. I have a bad feeling about this trip though.”

“Well this is a vital task for the harbors. We can take a pair of smaller airships to the border, and decide how to proceed into the Dwarven Realm once we are there. We need this to work, and not get delayed, too much. Nor play into the hands of whatever the Dwarves are cooking up, here. I think they are looking to take advantage here,” I said.

So, we assembled a diplomatic party for Rosie, and I brought along my entourage. Then we were off to the Dwarven Realm. We flew at a reasonable speed, and were at the border by morning.

“We are sorry, but her Imperial Majesty cannot enter on such short notice. If she wishes to visit our Realm she must notify and get a response from Queen Tokcraíga Ní Tekka,” the lead guard said.

“Very well. We will inform her Imperial Majesty. Rosie, you are on your own. Good fortune, and my the Goddess shine her light upon you and protect you,” Hestia said.

“Thank you, Hestia. Give my regrets to Dee. May the Goddess bless and protect you all,” I said.

This would be my first adventure without Dee and everyone. Darby was to be an escort, and Eoghan was coming along because he has been working closely with Aoi, and had the alchemist knowledge we’d need. Kanae wanted to come, but she has too many other responsibilities. Plus she was too renowned, and would have been a huge distraction. Deirdre had handpicked a squad of Dragonkin guards, plus we had a full airship crew, and we could live on the ship itself. Celes also was available, and would be our spy, although we really needed a dwarf spy.

The dwarves inspected every millimeter of the ship, including all the compartments, and the engines, and floatation devices. While we all accepted that they needed to examine the entire ship before allowing us in. They took it to another level, and we understood. They had an opportunity to examine a flying ship in detail. Which nation wouldn’t take advantage of such an opportunity? Our magikal artifacts were safe from reverse engineering. We weren’t worried. Still, what we were doing wasn’t really so hard that top ranked alchemists couldn’t figure out the necessary spellwork.

The Queen lived deep in the middle of the Dwarven subcontinent in the Royal city of Zaxorekh Kurga. A two-day trip by carriage. We arrived in time for the Pubs to be serving dinner. We parked the airship at a dock in Lake Khorzee, outside the city. In the morning we sought an audience with the queen. It was afternoon by the time the queen had time for us.

As we entered Queen Tokcraíga’s throne room we noticed the floor of white and black marble was inlaid with intricate designs in interwoven mithril and gold. There were pedestals lining the path from the door to the throne, and each pedestal was home to some dwarven treasure. A hammer, a sword, a jewel showcased in an intricate brooch, a fine mithril chalice of impossible design, and many other wondrous, and bewitching items. When I passed the chalice, it seemed to glow ever so dimly, but it must have been a trick of the light from the skylights high above.

Still some people in attendance gasped. The Minister at the Queen’s left had surprise in his eyes, for those who were observant enough, as did the queen. When we came to the end of the pedestals we knelt before the Queen.

“Salutations, strangers. Welcome to the ancient Realm of Khazarkan. Rise. What is your name and your tribe, Child of Kvalinn,” The Queen asked.

“Greetings and Salutations, my queen. I am Kaneshiro Róisína. Kaneshiro being my surname. I am not certain of what my tribe is, your Majesty,” I said.

“Kaneshiro, is not a surname among the Kvalinn, child. How do you not know what tribe you are from? Why is your name not among the registry of Khazarkan? Where were you born? Are you truly a Child of Kvalinn?” The queen asked.

“We never discussed the clans in my family. I have never been to Khazarkan before, so I don’t why my name would be in its registry. I was born on one of the Northern islands. I am a Child of Kvalinn.”

“Come put your hand on the tablet, and let us see the truth of it.”

I looked at Celes from the corner of my eye. I need to do something here. We needed her aid, but I couldn’t reveal my stats before the entire audience in the room. I paused. Searching the room and my mind for a solution.

I motion to the Queen’s advisor to come down to me. He just stared at me, as did the Queen. I made a motion of frustration, and motioned him to come down again. Just then, one of the guards, came up to him and whispered something in his ear.

“Are you truly a Child of Kvalinn? If you are you are a heretic! Is it true you have a hammer that mocks the War Goddess, sitting outside the doors of this very room!”

“That’s not true!” I said.

“Guard, have it brought in here.”

The guard whispered.

“Does your heresy have no limits!? You’ve even cast a spell on the hammer so no one can lift it?”

“Kjolnar!” I called, the hammer to me. Probably not the smartest thing. The doors burst open, and the hammer came flying to my hands as the force of the hammer caused the doors to bust off their hinges and they crashed on the floor.

“See, no spell keeping it on the floor.”

The advisor came down the steps and tried to pick up the hammer and couldn’t.

“Clearly, there is spell on this hammer preventing other’s from picking it up. Heretic!”

“How stupid are you? This is not some mockery of the War Goddess’ hammer. This is her hammer! She gave it to me personally!”

“Whose hammer? Who gave this to you?”

“Is there an actual brain in your head? Or is it an empty cavern like a tapped out mine? This! Is! The War Goddess’ Hammer! The Goddess of War gave it to me herself! Why is this so hard to understand?”

“And of course you still don’t believe it. Fine! You really want to blast this all out in an open audience! I don’t even care anymore. I’m tired of hiding it, anyway!”

I walked up to the tablet and slammed my hand down, and said, “Look. Go on! Look!”

The mage who had placed the tablet down looked, and he eyes popped out of his head. He looked up at me in total shock. He looked at the tablet. He repeated that process again, and said,

“Sir! You’d better come look at this!”

“What? Just read it out.”

“Sir. I think that would be a very bad idea. You really, really, should calm down, and come and see this for yourself.”

“Just do it!”

“Your majesty. I implore you. Do not do this in open Court. I am certain once you see her secret, you will want to protect it. Please your majesty, come and see for yourself, if you doubt my advice. This is not a secret we should be revealing,” the mage pleaded with the queen.

“Her secrets are no concern of mine,” Queen Tokcraíga said.

The mage turned to me, and said, “I’m sorry your majesty, but I must do what my Queen orders. I really don’t want to reveal your secrets your royal highness, but I have no choice,” The mage said.

“Wait! Why are you calling her by royal titles?”

“Because that is what her rank requires, my Queen. If you would just look at what this tablet displays, you would understand. A great many things, your majesty.”

The queen finally gave in, got up and walked to the tablet and froze. She stood there staring at the tablet for what seemed minutes, but was only moments. Then, said,

“We will reconvene in my personal chambers. Bring your friends, Princess. Come with us, Archmage. And bring the tablet.”

“Yes, my Queen,” the advisor said.

The Archmage closed the door when he came in.

“Show Archmage Kharnzak, who you are princess.”

Kharnzak put the tablet down, and I pressed my hand against it again, and Kharnzak went white, and he stared at me in a frozen gaze.

“Where do you come from, Princess of the Mithril Kvalinn? Or can I guess?”

“I come from Kunzala. Kunzala is dead. I am the last of my House. The last of my race, Queen of a dead people. As you can see I am blessed the Goddess of War, and as her disciple, I can wield her hammer,” I said.

We had found the Mythical realm of Kunzala nine months ago, beneath the ruins of the White Dragon Realm. They were all dead. I was truly the only living Mithril Dwarf. I carried the crown of the queen in my bottomless bag. I pulled out the crown, and put it on my head.

As soon as it settled the mithril began to grow like living vines and wove a delicate and complex knotwork and filigree work. It grew into a combination of crown and helmet. The Queen and Archmage stared in wonder at the insanely beautiful crown. The handiwork of some long dead and forgotten grandmaster artificer.

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“I owe you a tremendous apology, your majesty,” Kharnzak said.

“Well, Queen of none, you have come seeking to recruit some of our best craftspeople. You can have them. As many as you wish. On one condition.”

“What are your terms, your majesty?” I asked, expecting a huge price tag. I thought I was prepared for what her demand was. I was not.

“You will marry one of my sons, and produce an heir. The Mithril Race may be at an end, but you can at least revive your house, if not in a pure form, and it will slowly be overrun, but at least something will survive. You will stay until you have chosen and performed that task. It is up to you if it takes you a day, or a thousand. That is my price to you. It’s quite a sweet and cheap deal.”

Um. WHAT!? What the Fuck was that!? No, no, no, no, no, no! I heard that wrong!

“Your majesty. I hope I didn’t cause any confusion. I am not deeply connected to Queen Deirdre. Sure we are friends, and traveling companions, and adventuring ma… companions. But marrying to me won’t get your realm, or family, any strong connection to the Empress,” I said.

“We are not interested in forming ties, or close connections with the Dragon Queen. We are interested in forming a relationship with you Queen Róisína. Very much interested. If you want to hire our craftspeople, that is our price. I understand this project is very important to your friend the Empress. Will you really just walk away from such a sweetheart of a deal? Do you already have your sights on a future husband? Some day you will want to have children, no? You could do much worse than marrying a prince,” Tokcraíga said.

Holy shit! She’s after MY seed! Oh, fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! OMG! That’s what I have to do! “I have to fuck a prince!”

“Well, yes. That is generally how one produces an heir,” Queen Tokcraíga said.

“Did I say that out loud?”

“Oh, yes, dear. Quite clearly, daughter. So would you like to meet my sons now?” Tokcraíga said with a very satisfied grin, with eyes clearly showing a look of victory.

Well, it doesn’t actually sound so bad when I think about it. Oh, Goddess. I’m being used as breeding stock in a political game. So, this is how it feels. How does Deirdre do this over and over again so calmly?

Breathe. You can do this. I have to do this. But I don’t have time to spend trying to get pregnant so we can build these harbors.

“Your Majesty. I, I, I accept. But I really can’t afford to spend months trying to get pregnant. Could you be a little more lenient in the requirement for an heir?”

“Oh don’t worry about that my dear. We can make sure you get pregnant as soon as you are ready. We have plenty of potions and artifacts to make sure it happens. We’ll be only too happy to assist you to make it happen as quickly as you desire. If you are in a rush to get going on your projects, I suggest you begin the process of choosing right now, and don’t dawdle on choosing. We can have the wedding and bedding ceremony in days. We do not require any fancy preparations. We are a simple folk. Sure we may spend a month celebrating, but you will be free to go continue on your path once you are with child.”

“Oh, well that’s good. Wait! You mean like potions that Dee has been using that make her cycle instantly?”

“Why yes dear, did you think only humans and dragons had such methods of ensuring fertility? Have you never heard of Dwarvefoil?”

“Dwarvefoil? Dwarvefoil… dwarvefoil… DWARVEFOIL! But doesn’t that make a woman drop an egg from every ovary!?”

“Why, yes. Yes it does. It is quite effective. Yes, all three ovaries will drop an egg. But, we aren’t sure if Mithril Kvalinn have three or four ovaries. After all, most Kvalinn women only have three nipples, but Mithril Kvalinn are said to have four.”

“F-f-f-four!? Four ovaries!?” I reached down, and scanned myself. “Four. I have four ovaries! But I only have two breasts. How can I have four children?”

“Oh don’t worry daughter, your other two breasts remain flat, until you need them. Have you never examined your own body? Have you never noticed your other two nipples? They look quite hard right now. Are you getting excited at the thoughts of having a husband? A lover?”

Is that what this feeling is? Am I horny? Aroused? Excited? I guess, I am a little excited, and curious.

“How am I going to handle four children?”

“Oh, dear, do not worry. We will assign our best nursemaids to assist you. We will make sure you are comfortable. We will send one of our personal physicians to be with you, and ensure your comfort and successful bearing. You have nothing to worry about. We will take excellent care of you.”

“Isn’t there another way? Maybe we could start with just one? Isn’t there a potion for just one?” I asked.

“Oh, well certainly it is possible. It’s rather rare for Children of Kvalinn to have just one child. It is sad, though, and such women often live with a great deal of shame when it happens, but it does happen. Don’t worry, we won’t let that happen to you, though!”

That went right in one ear and out the other, didn’t it.

Sigh.

“Well, I guess, I should meet your sons. How many sons do you have?”

“I have fifty-three sons! But twenty-four of them are married and have moved out to other places. So, you only have the pick of twenty-nine, unless you want me to recall all of them?”

“F-fifty-three!? I’m sure twenty-nine will be more than enough to chose from. How old are these twenty-nine sons?”

“Well, they range from eighty-four to thirteen,” Tokcraíga said.

“No one over thirty-five and I’m not going to do it with any children.”

“My dear, you are only twenty-two. You are a child among the Kvalinn. The age of adulthood is thirty. The age of consent and of full growth is fifteen. You are still a minor and would need a Regent were you to rule over Kunzala. Alas, Kunzala is lost.”

“I said Kunzala is dead. Not lost.”

I shouldn’t have said that.

“You know the way to Kunzala?”

I paused for a moment. It was too late to dodge this one, and there was no point.

Sigh.

“I do. There is no point, Kunzala is dead.”

“Then the Mines of Kunzala are exhausted!?” Tokcraíga asked.

I hadn’t considered that aspect. As far as I could tell when we were there, the mines were still in usable condition. I would be better to not answer that question. Maybe she’ll let it slide.

Tokcraíga was watching me closely. Finally, she said,

“The mines are still there. They are not exhausted. Tell me what happened in Kunzala. I must know.”

“Kunzala is dead. It died a long, long time ago. All the Kvalinn in Kunzala were murdered. Long ago. They are turned to dust, and only the dead keep it.”

“Then how are you here. There must be others. Your parents, your siblings?”

“My family. My parents and siblings, and the rest of them are beyond the veil of this world. I am the only one in this world. I will say no more on the matter.”

I missed my family. Suddenly my face was warm and wet. Oh, I’m crying. I can’t. Not right now. I can cry later. I wiped my face.

“So! Show my your sons from eighteen to thirty-seven.” I said. Not doing it with anyone more than fifteen years older than me. I keep forgetting I am dwarf and will live for hundreds of years. If something stupid doesn’t happen to me.

“Um. I do have a question, your majesty. How long are we Kvalinn women fertile for? I’m sure, I knew at some point.”

“Well I don’t know if there is an upper limit, but you should be fine for several hundred years. I am still as healthy and strong now as I was two hundred years ago. Worry not. Those of royal blood have the gift of being long fertile. You should have no problem raising hundreds and hundreds of children!”

Wow! This woman really does not get it! Hundreds of children? No way! I can’t even!

Sigh.

So, in the end I had nine sons to choose from.

Sindri was thirty-five and made my skin crawl. He couldn’t stop looking at me like I was lunch, and I could feel hunger for me, or any female he saw. A hard no! He’d be trying to seduce every one of my friends, and probably take all the women who wound up working for me. Not happening!

Alviss was thirty and more interested in his books and reading than he was in me. He was rather handsome with long black hair and a braided black beard. His purple eyes glowed in the darkness of the mountain fortress we were in. It was kind of sexy. Tokcraíga had her castle deep in the heart of the mountain. As expected.

So Alviss was interesting, because he was pretty bright, and educated. But he had a cardboard personality. It would probably never work. He gave off the dusty old bachelor feel. Not that he seemed like a bad person. I’m not judging. I might choose him, if I had no other choice.

Rekhin was twenty-six. He had those same sexy light-purple eyes. He was very muscular, and a stone artificer. He was a very talented and strong person. He was quite outgoing, and women were constantly chasing him. He seemed to be enjoying it immensely. But, just seemed to not be taking any of them up, or maybe just didn’t want to choose. He was entertaining, and witty. He gave me a very strong impression of being a womanizer. I needed to do more research on him.

Brokk was twenty-one, and he was built like a rock. He also seemed to have rock for a brain. He was kind, and considerate. Considerate to the extreme, and it was annoying as Hell. I know, nobody in this world had any concept of a place called Hell. Infernal Abyss seemed to be this world’s equivalent cuss word. I just couldn’t adjust to that. Give me a good four-letter word. I don’t want to be spouting off any damn poetry just to throw out a cuss word. Anyway, hard pass on Brokk also!

Khaván was seventeen, but would soon be eighteen. Khaván was spoiled. He was rude, obnoxious, self-centered, egotistical, snobbish, a pretentious prick, arrogant, elitist. A hard pass on this kid too.

So, I decided to test Rekhin out. I definitely didn’t want someone who would be hitting on every girl who showed the slightest attraction to him, or was just being nice to him. So first I’d date him again, and try to draw out his character with other women. Then, I’d put him in some situations with my people.

“Celes, I want you dig into Rekhin’s character. Is he a womanizer, or is he stringing them on to keep them at arm’s length, or is it something else?”

“You got it Rosie. I’ll peel his layers back for you.”

“Thank you so much! Now, you, my ladies. I have a different task for you. I need a volunteer to try and seduce him, when I give you the chance. Another to be overly friendly, and giving off availability and willingness vibes. The third one needs to just be nice while looking hot.”

“Oh, let me be the seductress. He’s pretty sexy. How far should I take it? Should I let him take me for real, if he wants to?” Shannon asked.

“Sandy! You are so naughty. Also, eww! So gross. If you are a threat to his chastity, I should know about it now. Yes, go ahead and do as you please. Ride him into the sunstarset if you want.”

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” Sandy said.

“I’ll let him seduce me, but no way will I let him take me. I’ll play along and draw out his beast, if he dares. Then I’ll stomp on it like a hammer of a goddess, if he does,” Sadhbh said.

“Let me test whether he’ll go over the line with perceived flirting. I’ve had lots of experience with that. Guys are so two-dimensional. Always over-thinking a girl just being kind. It sure would be nice to just talk to a guy and not have them think you’re putting yourself out there,” Misa said.

“Wonderful! Thank you so much!”

Then I had another date with Rekhin.

“Salutations, your royal highness,” Rekhin said, as he came to pick me up for our date.

“Greeting and Salutations, Prince Rekhin. Just call me Rosie,” I said.

“Only if you call me Rekh,” he said.

“Ok, Rekh. Where are we off to?” I asked.

“I thought we’d walk through the Sub way to get to my favorite Pub for dinner. The Sub way is a popular couples lane full of sculptures. We’ll just stroll through it. Many couples stop within, and do more than admire the sculptures. I’d like to show you our sculptures though. It’s a beautiful walk.”

“Aimrid! Off you two lovers go. Don’t stay out too late,” Celes said and shoved me at Rekh. I nearly fell into his arm, but he caught me and kept me from falling, but at a less than arm’s distance. My heart skipped a beat.

We were off, and walking through an amazing sculptural garden.

“This is amazing. I’ve never seen such artistry. I can feel the passion of the artists,” I said, and then I notice a couple making out in an alcove just beyond the one I was looking at, “Oh my. I can feel their passion too!”

“Yes, this is a popular spot for lovers, of all ages.”

We walked past a sculpture of a pair of lovers, in an intense position, and a couple in another alcove, in the same pose, only active. “Oh my Goddess, are they…”

“Yes, it is a favorite spot for some couples to couple. It’s rather rude, if you ask me. I have never agreed with the openness of such displays. But our people are passionate, and what will be, will be,” Rekh said, as he gently guided me away from the scene, shielding me from the view.

How interesting. We continued on, and Rekh continued to shield me as best as he could from the live shows, in favor of the sculpted works. He worked hard to keep my attention on the sculptures. Then we emerged from the Sub way and his favorite pub was in front of us, The Stone Crucible Pub.

“I’m sorry for that. I didn’t think there would be so many such scenes at this time of day.”

“No need to apologize, Rekh. I don’t mind it, at all. It was very educational, and the sculptures were fabulous. I’m ecstatic, I got to see such passionate art,” I said. I could also say how excited the other shows made me, and his gallant behavior had really turned me on. He kept looking at me with those damn sexy as Hell eyes. I think I’ve ruined my panties and we have barely begun our date. A good thing we dwarves don’t have the nose of dragons, or my scent would have already alerted him to my arousal.

Hold it together girl! Don’t be like Dee. Be strong!