Tales of the Pearly City (Pearly Tales Vol.1) [Completed]

93. The Final Act: The Heartthrobs

The Lamia bowed before her.

"My Princess, I am the leader of those residing in the Verusion caves. I am called Elsdith, Queen of the Lamia clan. I am forever humbled by the kind hand of friendship you offered. I was eager and skeptical, but after such a display of your generosity, I am confident that in your service is the right place for us to belong." The beautiful Lamia queen's tail pooled on the ground as it curled around her when she bowed.

"Queen Elsdith, I hear the Verusion caves are overflowing with progress, I am most grateful you have taken our hand in friendship. I hope that our kinds may support each other for many days to come."

The Verusion caves were a mid-level dungeon back in the day. Since the migration the Lamia have become the current dominate clan. The Lamia have expanded and industrialized the caves. If this were still a video game it would have risen in difficulty to a raid area or a new starter city if the Lamia became one of the playable races.

The Queen smiled. "I am not the only one eager for this change. It will be most convenient for my kind to have fathers who we don't have to beat into submission and steal away. Or who run away when we loosen our tail's grip." She winked.

"We find men slipping through our own nets, even my own beloved has a whimsical nature. I hope you will chose your husbands wisely." Shayley giggled.

"For the first time, we will have to show restraint and prudence, this will be new for my kind. But I am eternally grateful for the luxury. My only fear remains that my daughters will struggle to find a place amongst your kind where we were once so easily called monsters."

"You have my guarantee that we will welcome your kind with the same open arms that we share with the Slimes, Dryads, Foxes, and Einhejar. Any who don't, will receive a swift education by the city's guardians."

"If it is you saying this, then I must believe. I swear my own loyalty to you and my sisters' future to your discretion, you will find us adequately capable inside and outside the breeding den. Use us how you will."

Cal was grateful this was going over well. He was also grateful they weren't sending a Lamia temptress to the guild. He didn't know if he could handle any more drama today. He was trying to cut back after turning down Big'un, but got more than he asked for when Alice took his place.

The Lamia offered their tributes and they were accepted and welcomed to the city. Then the queen spoke.

"I have a question, between sisters of course. Your highness." The Queen smiled.

"Ask away."

"A few of my daughters were wondering about vacancies the guild may have, but I was wondering about any vacancy the guildmaster might have. Whether it's in his schedule or in his heart." She looked lustfully at Cal.

Shayley looked at Cal waiting for him to answer.

Cal felt a cold chill down his back as he felt the Sylvan Knights and the Council staring at him.

"I'm a married spud- I mean I'm already taken, we're not married yet, but she's the only one for me." Cal answered nervously.

"A shame, she's a lucky woman. But maybe one of these afternoons, you and I could share an adventure or two?" She eyed him like a piece of grade A meat.

"Nope. Full schedule. Super busy. Got a lot of guild stuff to do. Loyal to a fault that's me." He laughed nervously. "My guilds standards have already been discussed, you may pass the requirements down to your subordinates."

"Very well, I shall pass on the message." She winked.

"If your business is concluded I will move on." Shayley's face was unreadable.

Elsdith bowed, "Your graciousness knows no bounds, thank you for indulging me."

After Shayley moved on to the Harpies, Elsdith's tail flicked provocatively while she lusted after Cal more openly. She occasionally licked her lips with her forked tongue.

Once Shayley stood in front of the harpies they shut up, and began to cower slightly at her presence which somehow got a shade darker for a moment.

The owl harpy took a step forward and bowed. "Your Highness, I am the Hen of this Clan of Harpies, Cordillia Quinn. This is my daughter, Neriss, and my adopted son, Greffin. We are pleased to be taken under the wing of your kindness. Surely the marriage between our races with solidify our future."

"Marriage?" Shayley's eyes shot open, nobody told her about a marriage.

"Certainly, between Neriss and Seamus, I thought he would have told your highness." Her ignorant smile seemed to have already accepted the fact.

"I never agreed to that!" Seamus hid behind Cal.

"That's what you keep saying, but I know you want to. How about just fertilizing a single batch of eggs?" Cordilla proposed.

Shayley's brows did something strange because of her confusion.

"How about we start with a date." Cal said.

"I think that's agreeable." Cordilla smiled at Shayley waiting for a response of some kind.

"I suppose so..." Shayley... agreed?

If their leader was this air-headed, Shayley wondered how beneficial the Harpies would be to the city.

Cordilla saw Shayley's skepticism, "make no mistake Princess Shayley. The ones behind me are merely my other kin who wished to see the inside of your castle. As a tribute, I also offer the allegiance of our sworn guardians, the fruits of our glory and our craftsmen's efforts."

The doors off the grand hall opened once more. Eight mature and armored harpies came in carrying a platform with a winged statue made of stone. There was an uproar amongst the crowd at the lat arrival. The harpies set it down on the floor and bowed. They all had dark colored wings, leather armor, metal blades around their ankles, and helmets that covered most of their face.

"Present yourself Hans," Cordilla called.

The stone statue had a man's body with a tail and wings. His face was rugged beyond beauty into the realm of frightening. After Cordillia spoke the stone changed color, it's cracked solid grey smoothed into a healthy glow of blue-grey skin.

The being that was once a statue, stood with a masculine grace that can only be found in experienced predators, as his muscles rippled under his skin. His eyes opened revealing oceanic blue orbs full of intelligence. He stepped forward on his digitigrade legs, the pads or paws of his feet resembled claws rather than the talons of the harpies. His wings stretched and then wrapped around his front in a dignified manner as if a cloak hung around his shoulders.

His intelligent eyes quickly observed the room and found Shayley and Cordillia. He stepped forward and kneeled to Shayley next to Cordilla.

"Mistress, I am Hans, Shepherd of the Gargoyles. I kneel before your grace."

Cordillia kneeled. "Princess Shayley of the City of Perils, you have been recognized by myself and my shepherd. The conditions for conquest have been met in the form of complete submission. We and our people are yours to forever command. I swear my guardians and my soldiers into your service until the day you seek to be rid of us."

The Gargoyles! The harpies had unlocked the secrets of the Gargoyles! Although on their own Harpies were low level mobs at best, the Gargoyles were serious powerhouses.

Gargoyles were holy relics that protected sacred sites. If the Gargoyles had sworn their service to the Harpies it means this clan of harpies had more potential than meets the eye. Shayley was pleasantly surprise by this development.

"I accept your fealty and your tribute, Welcome to the family." Shayley smiled. Her Calloway was always so full of surprises.