GCLopes

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 87: Two Weeks

Jessica Murtagh PoV

"Two weeks! It's been two fucking whole weeks without any news of him!" Jessica's voice resonated throughout the opulent sitting room, her words sharp with worry and seething anger. She stood in the center of the room, fists clenched at her sides, her eyes flashing with the intensity of a storm.

Across from her, lounging gracefully on a velvet chaise, sat Alexandra. Poised and unhurried, she held a delicate martini glass in her manicured hand, ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 86: Where?

Before Jamie's very eyes, the Director, once a figure of composed and calm authority, had transformed into a colossal were-elephant. With tusks as sharp and formidable as ivory spears and a mighty trunk capable of toppling walls, he surged forward. He shoved the fallen giant aside with a mighty thrust, but he didn't stop there. With thunderous strides, he advanced against the remaining giants, attempting to breach the shattered section of the city's wall.

The giants retaliated fiercely....

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 85: Chaos & Fire

The first of the giants stepped through the rubble.

As the colossal creature heaved a massive hand onto the shattered remnants of the city's fortifications, chaos erupted anew within Hafenstadt. The walls, once a symbol of safety and strength, now lay in ruins, their stones scattered all around. The giant's foot crashed onto the city streets, each stride sending tremors through the ground that rattled windows and shook the very bones of those nearby.

Screams mingled with the sound...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 84: The First of The Giants

With those words, the group dispersed, each person rushing to fulfill their tasks. "Thomas, check if your daughter has evacuated, then meet me on the eastern road," Jamie instructed. He knew that Thomas couldn't fight effectively if he was worrying about Julie's safety. In moments like these, clarity of mind was essential.

Thomas nodded, his eyes reflecting a father's concern, and sprinted toward the village. Jamie turned on his heel and headed swiftly toward the eastern road.

Eve...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 83: The Next Five

Jamie swallowed hard, a knot tightening in his stomach as the reality of the situation bore down upon him. "Retreat!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the mounting panic.

As soon as the word left his lips, the remaining candidates scattered, their earlier bravado dissolving into urgency as they sprinted toward the safety of the city walls. Fear propelled them forward; the ground trembled beneath their feet with each distant footfall of the approaching giants. Only his companions ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 82: Gnomes & Giants

The gnome took a deep breath, her cheeks puffing out ever so slightly as she steadied herself. A determined gleam shone in her bright eyes as she raised a small, calloused finger, pointing directly at Jamie. "I wish to challenge you!" she declared, her voice high but firm.

Jamie arched an eyebrow at the unexpected challenge. He hadn't anticipated that, especially not by someone so unique. He didn't want to underestimate her, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise at her bold...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 81: Thyra

Thyra POV

Thyra could barely contain her laughter as she watched the devastating blow that Alonzo received. Not only had he lost, but he had been defeated by someone of a lower class.

‘He must be writhing at the thought of losing to a mere [Farmer],’ she thought gleefully.

As Thomas called out, "Who will be next?" her hand shot up almost instinctively.

‘Watch and learn,’ Thyra told herself, a confident smirk playing at the corners of her lips a...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 80: Light-

Thomas POV

It was unsettling to Thomas how some people were so fixated on coins that they would accept any kind of proposal, even one that would hurt them. It wasn’t a desperation for money to get food or a home. No, it was an obsession with coins to the point where anything was possible, driving them to embrace tasks others might deem too risky or unsavory.

Over his shoulder, Thomas carried Rat. A scrawny man with long, thin fingers and the gaunt appearance of ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 79: Rat

"Three... two... one... start!" Jamie's voice rang out across the clearing, sharp and clear, signaling the start of the trial.

For a heartbeat, the assembled crowd remained motionless, a palpable tension hanging heavy in the air. Uncertainty flickered across faces as each participant sized up the challenge before them. Then, breaking the stillness, a seasoned mercenary took a decisive step forward. Lowering himself to the ground until his face nearly touched the mud, he began to crawl.<...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 78: Mud & Arrows

“Another thing, if possible, let’s keep this change just between us,” Jamie advised Thomas.

“You’re not planning on evolving the rest of the group?” Thomas asked, momentarily puzzled.

“Oh, we will,” Jamie replied, “but I’m low on experience right now, and I’m not about to send anyone on risky quests just to gather more points. Besides, we need a solid plan before we attempt to evolve someone else. We have no idea what quest they might get next. If it turned o...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 77: The Guardian

“They said it’ll cost three gold coins to place the notice in next week’s paper,” Aldwin reported to Jamie. “Do you think it’s worth the price?”

In truth, Jamie wasn’t sure. Hofenstadt’s citizens were still largely illiterate, and the reach of printed materials was uncertain at best. Yet the possibility of being among the first to claim space in this new medium tempted him, as did forging a strong relationship with the paper’s owner.

“It’s hard to say,” J...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 76: Arcane Tower

Maria POV

Near the heart of Hafenstadt stood an ancient island, a solitary sentinel bridging the bustling disparity between the Lower Quarter and the Noble Quarter. This isle, shrouded in mystery, had anchored itself in the river's embrace long before the city's first stones were laid. Its origins lost to time, the island was a silent witness to the tides of history, its secrets buried beneath layers of legend and lore.

Maria gazed out from the polished window of ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 75: Virtu

Silence rippled over the hall, punctuated only by the gentle scratch of Jamie’s chalk on the board. His question—“Any questions?”—hung in the air.

From the shadowed rear of the chamber, a hand rose, lean and graceful as a willow branch. All eyes turned. The boy’s features bore the unmistakable heritage of elves: slender, fine-boned, with pointed ears half-shadowed by a soft fall of hair, its tint the subtle green.

He spoke quietly. “Prince? But there isn’t a prince...

I'll Be The Red Ranger - News

Hello everyone! I'm almost done planning the next parts. However, I'm at a crossroads.

I can take more time writing before I start posting again, so I can build up a bigger buffer or I can start posting again, but at a slower pace while I rebuild that buffer.

Instead of deciding on my own, I thought I’d throw this one to you. Leave your votes down below to help me out!

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 74: Prince

"One thing Tannenbaum mentioned is certainly true," Jamie remarked. "Things are changing rapidly, and they show no signs of slowing."

Hafenstadt was a cauldron of secrets and ambitions, and it seemed to pulse faster with each passing day.

As Jamie approached the tavern, Thomas began to slow his pace. "Boss, I'm heading back to the village. I need to continue the quest."

"Sure. See you tomorrow, Thomas," Jamie replied, as the guard walked away toward the southern gate of the ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 73: World's changing

Jamie flashed a mischievous smile. "You'll find out tomorrow."

Sensing that Jamie preferred to keep his plans under wraps, Thomas decided not to press further. Instead, he chose to wait patiently for the next day's class to uncover what his friend had in mind.

The journey back to the city was tranquil. As they arrived at the academy's terrace, the practical lessons had concluded. Students were going back into the fortress to their next class.

Passing through the towering gat...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 72: Vision

"You've caught me amidst... deep contemplation," the director declared, a twinkle of wry amusement in his eyes. "But we need to discuss how your classes will be conducted, and I need to show you where you'll be teaching."

Tannenbaum stretched leisurely, attempting to shake off the remnants of sleep lingering in his stout frame. His joints popped softly as he extended his arms overhead, releasing a contented sigh. Then, with a deliberate pace, he began to stride out of the office. Jamie ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 71: Tannenbaum

"The director is expecting you," she stated.

The elven woman pointed gracefully toward one of the castle's towers. "Just ascend the first tower; it will be on the top floor."

"Thank you very much. Pardon me, I didn't catch your name," Jamie said cordially, his charming smile illuminating his face.

"That's because I didn't give it," she replied tersely, turning her back to return to her students. "Stay on the path; it will keep you from getting caught up in the training."

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 70: The Academy

Jamie offered a reassuring smile, his eyes reflecting a steadfast confidence that seemed to bolster the very air around them. "Absolutely," he affirmed, his voice steady and encouraging. "Let's see what your new class is capable of."

Thomas bowed slightly as he accepted the coins. "Yes, sir," he replied earnestly, his gaze filled with determination.

"Excellent," Jamie said, nodding approvingly. "But remember, I'll still need you in two to three days. Use those potions to advance y...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 69: New Cards

As Jamie uttered the final syllable of the blessing, [Crescendo], a profound darkness enveloped the room. It was as if the very essence of light had been siphoned away, leaving behind an abyssal void. The ambient sounds of the tavern faded into nothingness, replaced by an oppressive silence that pressed in from all sides. Jamie felt a familiar sensation wash over him, a disorienting blend of déjà vu and otherworldliness. It was akin to the moment of his Passage.

His eyelids grew heavy...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 68: Crescendo

Jamie extended his hand, accepting the sealed envelope from the guard. "Thank you," he said politely.

The guard nodded in acknowledgment before turning on his heel and departing.

Closing the heavy oak door behind him, Jamie turned the envelope over in his hands. The wax seal bore the intricate crest of the Imperial Academy of Hafenstadt, a quill crossed over an open book, encircled by laurel leaves. He sighed inwardly. "Letters and more letters," he mused, recalling that the last ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 67: Next Move

Lysara PoV

High Priestess Lysara stood in her chamber atop the highest spire of the Cathedral of Aetheron. The room was very well furnished, with a large bed, several candelabras, and numerous shelves filled with books and scrolls. But what stood out the most was the central table, which was covered with documents, papers, and books scattered across it.

Here, she organized the day's sermons and meticulously accounted for the earnings brought in by her "girls," a ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 66: Presence Requested

"For now, we return," Jamie announced, his gaze sweeping over his companions. "The Dusters may be finished, but their absence will create a vacuum, one that others may seek to fill."

With these words, the group climbed back into the carriage, eager to depart before the city's morning bustle began. They hoped to avoid drawing unnecessary attention as workers and merchants emerged to start their day.

Knall settled himself atop the driver's seat, his hands gripping the reins with pra...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 65: The Vacuum

Thomas PoV

"I'm going in," Jamie declared, his voice firm as he stepped into the entrance of the decrepit house. The wooden doorway yawned, the dim interior swallowing him in an instant.

Thomas and Camille exchanged a quick glance before nodding. "Understood," they responded in unison. Despite the tension that coiled between them, they trusted Jamie's judgment.

Thomas couldn't help but feel a knot of concern tighten in his chest. The gas they'd deployed earlier, he wasn't en...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 64: Mercy

"Maintain your positions!" Jamie called out, his voice unyieldingly authoritative. Don't let anyone pass."

"I'm going in," he declared, taking a step into the house's entrance. He pressed the mask firmly against his face, feeling the rough fabric mold to his features. With his other hand, he drew a slender dagger from its sheath at his waist.

"Understood," Thomas and Camille responded in unison. They remained near the doorway, weapons at the ready, eyes scanning for any sign of mo...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 63: Pump The Gas

As the first light of dawn touched the rooftops of Hafenstadt, golden rays began to illuminate the facade of the Golden Fiddle tavern. Inside, the atmosphere was taut with anticipation. The mercenaries had gathered in the common room, awaiting the final component of Jamie’s plan.

Aldwin and Bertram stood near the hearth, the warm glow highlighting the fading bruises and healing cuts that marked their faces. Though still bearing the remnants of their recent ordeal, both wore resolute e...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 62: The Stone Throne

Thorgrimm POV

Several dozen meters beneath the surface of Hafenstadt, where the sounds of the bustling city above faded into a distant memory, lay the hidden stronghold of the Dusters. In this subterranean realm, Thorgrimm had established his clandestine empire.

The discovery of this underground haven had been a stroke of fortune for Thorgrimm. Upon arriving in Hafenstadt with the intent to produce Dragon Dust, he knew he needed a place that would escape the notic...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 61: [Silence Vow]

Jamie met Knall's gaze, his voice firm and unwavering. "I've come to end them once and for all. With this, you don’t need to feel any guilt about what will happen next."

Knall's eyes widened in surprise, his thick brows knitting together. The dwarf's hands, calloused from years of crafting, clenched subtly at his sides. "What do you have in mind?" he asked cautiously.

Jamie glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze sweeping the narrow street outside the workshop. Seeing no one, ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 60: Next Plans

The rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed fiercely against the cobblestone streets, the sound magnified in the silence of the late night. Jamie gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles white beneath his gloves as he urged the horses to gallop faster. The carriage swayed and jolted, wheels rattling over uneven stones, but on the wide main avenues, he didn't have to worry about navigating tight spaces. His focus was singular: getting back to the Golden Fiddle as fast as possible.

Outside the ...

The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 59: Night's End

Maria von Hafenstadt PoV

Maria still grappled with the unexpected revelation of Jamie's connection to Vivi. It troubled her that such information had slipped past her web of informants. However, this was not the moment to delve into that oversight; there were more pressing matters that demanded her attention.

As the evening's formalities drew to a close, Maria gracefully guided the elven diplomat away from the grand ballroom's shimmering chandeliers and the murmur...