The Crafter's Dominion: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 5) by Jonathan Brooks (e ink epub reader .txt) 📕

it wasn’t restricted to what the old skeletal joints would allow, it could flow around the enemy, as well as most attacks sent its way, using its enhanced speed to avoid damage.  Added to all of that, it also had teeth that were strong enough to snap and pulverize bones, with two “sabre”-like fangs that were a foot long and razor-sharp.

All of that was provided to Palzerk as he went back to his Warband, to start the process of becoming a Warlord.  There was a lot that went into it, most of which Sandra wasn’t too interested in other than abstractedly, because it had to do with duels and Warband politicking – neither of which she could really help with.  All she knew was that it could take weeks or perhaps months to see a result that would directly affect the change she was attempting to implement, but it was a good investment. Like she had planned initially, she wasn’t needing help right now, but the next few months were going to see a need for the Orcs to become stronger and focused on the fight to come.

She already had plans with Furbrea to continue making mercenary deals with Warbands, but now she was going to start including Energy Orbs as part of those deals; eventually, with a Warlord actively helping to contain the dungeons as they expanded, Sandra was hoping things would get under control.  The sudden attack by the Dire Wolves was enough of an indication to Palzerk that something needed to change if they were to survive, and this was the start to the change.

“Before I leave, I want to make sure you know that, as much as I appreciate all that you’ve done…I am no one’s puppet,” Palzerk said with a deadly serious tone, speaking to the Dungeon Core as he prepared to fly back to Orcrim.  “I make my own decisions, and if you are attempting to create someone that you can control, I will fight with all my considerable power to destroy you.”

Even though he was Bonded to her Core, the threat caused the shard in her mind to rear up as if it wanted to eliminate the Warband Leader.  In fact, ever since it had come to the surface of her consciousness during the Dire Wolf attack, it hadn’t faded back into the small corner she had originally shoved it into.  It was right at the forefront of her thoughts, but unless there was a direct threat to her or her people, it stayed relatively quiet; the only consolation was that the conversion of her self-image stopped after the immediate threat to Kelerim and Owchet was eliminated, but now she could feel it creeping in again.

 

* I don’t respond well to threats, Palzerk. *

She had responded tersely, trying to bring the anger from the shard under control.  When she was a bit more composed, she went on.

* I understand how you feel, though, and I want to assure you that I have no designs to control you or what you do.  I have no desire to dictate how you live your lives, nor to ask you to do anything that you wouldn’t be doing already.  My only intentions are to provide you with the tools to survive, to thrive in this increasingly dangerous world we find ourselves in. *

He was silent for nearly a minute as he contemplated her words.  “Why do you do this, then?”

 

* Why?  Why not? *

 

She chuckled, because it was true; she had the ability to save these people, so there was no reason not to.  That, and it was because of her unknowing actions that caused the acceleration of the current dangers, so she felt responsible for cleaning up her mess.  She explained this to Palzerk, wanting to be as honest as possible with the future Warlord.

* Besides, if we can manage to save everyone, then I can get back to my first love. *

He looked confused.  “And what would that be?”

 

* Why, crafting, of course.  Speaking of that, you need to get going, and I need to get back to it. *

Palzerk nodded, before strapping himself into the harness of the High Peak Roc.  Moments later, it was ready to go, and she sent it back to his Warband, though she didn’t use its Traveling Vortex Special Ability; she thought it would be better to save the Roc’s energy for the future.  That, and it allowed the Warband Leader to practice controlling the massive bird, which was going to be important if he was going to have it nearby.  She figured it might as well be of use, so she was going to allow the Roc to stay nearby to help whenever he needed it.  Unless he moved out of her Area of Influence, she could always call it back if she needed its help.

 I think that went well, don’t you think?

Winxa had been watching and listening in on all of the negotiations, and she nodded.  “Yes, I do.”  The Dungeon Fairy hesitated before expanding on that.  “Again, you’ve done something that no other Dungeon Core has ever done before, but I can’t help but wonder and worry where it might end.  I’m fairly confident that you were truthful about your intentions, about wanting safety because you want to be able to craft in peace, but how far will you go to create that peace, that safety?  Are you going to want to Bond with every person in Orcrim?  In Gnomeria?  Every Elf, every Dwarf?  That’s the only way to ensure that you’re relatively safe from potential attack from them, as well as being able to track them to follow up on potential threats from the other Cores, after all.”

Sandra was tempted to say yes, because that certainly would solve many of her problems.  However, she immediately knew that was unrealistic – and unfair.  It