As Samantha and Raymond left Tanya's shop, Raymond heard The Voice in his head again.
"Congratulations. You have assembled the Legendary Battle set of the SpellSword. All of your stats and skills will be boosted fifty percent."
Raymond raised his eyebrows and nodded approvingly.
Samantha noticed and tilted her head with a question in her eyes. Raymond shook his head.
"I'm just blown away at how great this gear is. It's amazing."
He smirked, "So, 'Sammie' huh?" Samnatha blushed and giggled.
"Yeah, it's what my friends in town call me. You can too, if I can call you 'Ray'."
Raymond chuckled, "I actually prefer it, Sammie"
Sammie smiled warmly. It was such a small thing, but it made her heart flutter wildly.
It wasn't a long walk to the Mage Association's building just outside the market square.
The inside reminded Raymond of one of the big banks back on Earth.
People dressed in long robes and capes were waiting in long lines to speak to the smiling faces behind a row of desks along the far wall.
A well-dressed elf with long white hair and a monocle met them at the door.
"Miss Samantha, Sir? Follow me please. The king and the director are ready for you."
"The king is here? I thought we were meeting him at the castle?" she said with shock on her face.
"He has been eager to meet the 'legendary' hero." the elf said with poorly hidden skepticism as he sized up Raymond.
Raymond raised an eyebrow but decided to hold his tongue.
They made their way through the building, out to an open-air garden.
The garden was filled with many different kinds of brightly colored flowers all centered around a single tree with leaves in a rainbow of colors.
Under the tree a pair of elves sat at a table having tea. Raymond laughed inwardly, to him they were dressed like a witch and wizard from the children's stories he read as a kid. Pointy hats and all.
The elf that escorted Ray and Sammie, cleared his throat and announced their arrival to the pair.
They looked up at the new company with the remnants of smiles still on their faces. They had clearly been flirting with each other.
Sammie bowed respectfully to the pair and Ray followed suit. The witch stood and introduced herself.
"I am Lilith, High Mage and Director of the Mage association. Joining us for our meeting today is His Majesty, The Grand Wizard of Americus, King Richard V."
The king smiled and nodded his head and waved everyone off.
"At ease everyone, you know I hate formality and pageantry." he rolled his eyes. "What's the point in meeting in this beautiful garden if you can't relax. Please sit."
He gestured at a pair of chairs across the table from them.
Raymond and Sammie sat and were promptly poured cups of hot, delicious smelling tea.
Once they were settled, the king got right to business.
"So, Samantha, I've been told you have managed to succeed where my brother failed."
Samantha's voice caught in her throat briefly and she lowered her head.
"Yes Sir. Through his teaching and guidance, I was able to complete the summoning. Unfortunately, he did not survive his last attempt at the spell."
The king nodded solemnly.
"I heard about his passing. I apologize for not coming to see you. I was out of the kingdom attending another fruitless strategy meeting. It must have been scary attempting a spell that killed your father."
Sammie stiffened then composed herself with a ragged breath.
"It was uncle. Very much so, but I knew that with him gone it was up to me. Also, I understand the current crisis is the highest priority, no need for apologies."
Ray could see the pain in her eyes, despite her words. He placed a reassuring hand on her knee under the table.
She lifted her head, taking a deep breath and giving him a small nod.
The king turned attention to Ray. "I assume you, sir are the Legendary Hero summoned from another world."
Ray nodded. "Yes Sir, I was indeed summoned to this word to assist in defeating the great evil that threatens the four kingdoms. The 'legendary hero' part is yet to be seen."
The king cocked his head. "What do you mean?"
"Where I'm from, the title of hero is one that is earned. A person's deeds and character determine if they are a hero or not, not skills, status, or power."
The king leaned back in his chair and smiled at Lilith. "Wise and humble at least, just like the prophecy says."
Lilith smirked and leaned her chin on her hand. "Tall and handsome too, that's four boxes checked.
I hear you saved a lizard girl from some attackers on the way here this morning. Is that true?"
Ray, confused about what was going on, nodded slowly.
"Um, yes, I did. She was being attacked by four grown men that looked like they wanted to do something nasty to her. It seemed like the right thing to do. What prophecy?"
Lilith's smirk widened into a mischievous grin.
"Oh, Samantha didn't tell you? I guess she was too busy fulfilling her 'other duty' for the summoned hero."
Still confused Ray looked at Sammie, whose face was beat red while she stared a hole in the table.
Ray looked at the king. He was staring at a flower intently, with his jaw clenched tightly. He finally brought his gaze back to Lilith and her self-satisfied grin.
"I'm sorry, I don't follow."
Lilith sighed in fake exasperation.
"I guess I'll be the one to tell you. About fifty years ago the Great Sage before Samnatha's father had a terrible vision right before he died.
He said before the turn of the century an evil and powerful wizard would rise up and raise an army of the dead. They would sweep the continent and destroy the four kingdoms, before turning their sights on the rest of the world.
Our only saving grace would be a hero summoned from another world.
He would be tall and handsome, wise and humble, kind and compassionate, brave and powerful, and a paragon of both might and magic.
He would unite the kingdoms and the beastkin, and lead them living in a great battle against the dead. Only he would be able to defeat the evil wizard."
Ray gave a stunned chuckle. "Huh, no pressure. Where does Samantha fit into all of this?"
Lilith smirked. "Once he was summoned, the Hero's powers will only be active once he binds himself to our plane,"
She paused for effect, "by 'deflowering' a maiden of this world. That was dear Sammie's original job."
"Oh." Was all Raymond could say.
"Seeing how you are positively brimming with power, she must have done an excellent job." She sang, eyeing Ray pointedly.
It was the king's turn to speak up.
"That's quite enough Lilith. I wasn't keen on the idea of offering my sweet little niece up to some random stranger, and neither was her father. But if it worked, it worked, and what's done is done. Let's not dwell on it any further."
Ray looked at Sammie. She looked like she wanted the earth to open up and swallow her.
Eager to move on, he turned back to the king and the director.
"Ok so I'm here, what's next?"
"The steps are simple; the execution won't be.
You need to increase your power, unite the kingdoms, and face the Nerco-king." the king said, elbows resting on the table.
"We know where the Necro-king is, and we believe he plans to make his next move on the night of the next full moon. So, he needs to be stopped before then."
Samantha snapped out of her daze at these words.
"The next full moon? So, we have less than thirty days to figure out how to stop the greatest threat this world has ever known?"
"No Samantha, he has thirty days. We need you to stay here and prepare to take your father's place as Great Sage.
I asked Lilith, but she has her hands full with the Association. I need you to step up and get the mages at the Academy ready for war."
Samantha's jaw fell open. She had expected to walk in her father's shoes. Someday.
She always wanted to teach at the academy. Someday.
She wanted to accompany the hero on his quest, today. She looked around the table, her brain completely unable to form words.
"Sir, if you don't mind, I could really use someone like here the knows this world and can help me navigate the political scene." Raymond tried.
The king shook his head.
"I'm sorry son, she's too valuable to this kingdom. War is coming and we need to prepare.
I can make sure you have a map, supplies, and funds, but we need Samantha here. She is the only one that can do the things her father could do."
Raymond furrowed his brows then turned to Sammie. She had a sad look in her eyes.
"Uncle is right. I have responsibilities that I can't ignore. I've already been away too long. As much as I'd love to join you on this grand adventure, my people need me here."
Raymond nodded and stood. He turned his gaze to King Richard.
"I understand. Can I assume that I have your support in whatever comes next?"
The king stood and shook his hand firmly. "Americus will be with you."