Through the Portal - A Strategy LitRPG

If battle and bloodshed did little to surprise me, this made me freeze.

What?

I braced for the worst. Maybe I was getting paranoid, but last night with Lariel, my stunning elven lover who'd loved me since before time itself, had been perfect. But now? Now, everything felt like it was crumbling. What if she thought I'd been with Alynna all along? How would I explain this? Would she even believe me?

Or I’d just have to maneuver out of a funny situation, simply telling Alynna that it wouldn’t work.

It was happening again. Now this was something that sank fear into my mind. Into my soul. The promise of love being broken.

Alynna had just confessed her feelings, practically demanding I take her as my wife. The idea of getting married again was the furthest thing from my mind, and if that wasn’t enough to shake me, Lariel’s reaction hit like a lightning bolt.

“Yes!” Lariel shouted, stretching her arms toward the sky. “My goddess, I’m so excited!”

I blinked in disbelief. Was she happy?

Lariel turned, beaming at me, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Connor, this is amazing!”

“Amazing?” I muttered, trying to process. “Wait… what?”

Lariel grabbed Alynna’s hands, pulling her to her feet. “I always thought you were so cool!” she said to her, practically bouncing on her toes.

A wave of confusion washed over me. I stood frozen in place, unsure of what was happening. Alynna had just confessed her love, wanting me to take her as a wife, and now Lariel, who had basically declared that she’d been waiting for mwas... celebrating?

“Wait... what?” I muttered, still trying to process it all.

Lariel grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She clasped Alynna’s hands, pulling her up from her kneeling position. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.

I stared at them both, completely dumbfounded. Amazing? How was this amazing? I had been preparing myself for an awkward explanation, thinking I would have to navigate some emotional minefield, but here was Lariel—happy, ecstatic even.

Seeing my confusion, Lariel quickly filled the silence. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those boring old humans.”

“I guess I might be. What’s going on? Your customs?”

“Exactly! You don’t know the way we do things, do you?”

“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “I... didn’t know you guys were all poly.”

Lariel laughed softly, stepping closer, her hand finding mine again. “Among the Elves, it is not uncommon for a great man—especially a man like you—to have more than one bond, more than one wife.”

She nodded, looking over at Alynna with a warm smile before turning her gaze back to me.

“You’re not from here, so you wouldn’t know, but in elven culture, it’s normal for women to choose the men they want to stand by—whether they’re the contemplative type, shamans, farmers, or even warriors. It’s seen as a way to strengthen the bonds within the tribe, to ensure that love and loyalty are shared among those who fight side by side.”

“But, in our past life…”

“The great conqueror Arthamium had eleven wives. Makira half-elven was his first, and his queen consort. But it is said that he was a proficient lover, and took care of all of his wives until his death.”

That was a key part. Take care of his wives. What did that mean? Give them a house? Riches? Be the breadwinner?

“And Alynna… she’s chosen you,” Lariel added, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. “It’s a great honor, Connor. Her tribe goes a step further. Their husbands are treated as lords.”

Alynna, who had been standing quietly, nodded. “Among my tribe, a woman chooses her husband. Women always chose the greatest warrior, general, the strongest, the wisest. We’re prepared from youth to make a good choice. It’s a great honor!”

Her words hung heavy in the air. I glanced between them. Part of me wanted to take it all! It felt… right! I didn’t want to hurt any of them, after all.

“And I’ve chosen you, Connor,” Alynna said, her voice soft but resolute. “You’ve earned that right.”

“Listen, Alynna, I understand how you’re feeling, but we ought to take this slowly. Rationally.”

She placed both arms on her hips. “Come on, Connor, don’t kill the mood. Don’t you believe in love at first fight?”

I blinked in surprise.

She curled her hands into two tight fists. “A great poet of the steppe once said, it is in the battlefield that love is born. Among my people,” she said quietly, “it’s also common to form bonds through shared battle. We forge relationships in the crucible of war. And when I saw you, Connor, fighting, and commanding, and being an all around amazing man—I knew then that I wanted to be by your side. You will be my lord in the battlefield and in my heart.”

“I…”

“Choose me! Accept!” she demanded with fierce eyes.

I was still in shock. But looking at that beauty, I couldn’t say part of me didn’t want to accept her offer.

What did it even entail?

I had dealt with feisty women. And exes who needed a restraining order.

But the eternal warrior was there, in the back of my mind. Calmly reassuring me. This opened a whole lot of possibilities.

“I like you,” I said. “But…”

Before I could finish, Alynna jumped at me and made me tumble back to the ground, my head tumbling as she started peppering my face with kisses.

I gasped, but Alynna was acting as if she’d won the battle. She pointed, on all fours crouching over me. She was smiling, the steppe battle-hardened warrior woman was smiling like she’d had too much wine.

She pinched my cheek with two fingers. “What a man! When should we schedule our wedding?”

“Wedding? I said I liked you.”

Okay. It looks like she hadn't understood what I meant.

“Can I get married too?” Lariel said. “Father can do it for all of us. And I really can’t wait!”

I sat up, rubbing the back of my neck. “You’re really okay with this?”

Lariel smiled softly. “Connor, love doesn’t mean being tied to one person. We share in everything, including love. And Alynna is someone I trust, someone I’ve fought beside. I couldn’t be happier.”

This was… a lot to take in.

“So, wait…” I said slowly, rubbing the back of my neck. “You’re saying… it’s normal for both of you to—”

“—to be your wives,” Lariel finished for me with a smile.

“Exactly,” Alynna added excitedly.

My head spun. One wife was complicated enough. Two? I was still untangling the mess of my last marriage, and now this?

Seeing my hesitation, Lariel squeezed my hand. “Don’t let this scare you. You’ve already earned our hearts, and we’ll be loyal to you. We know you’ll be loyal to us.”

But I couldn’t deny it. It felt good to be wanted so badly by these two women.

A man couldn’t resist.

“I… just didn’t expect this,” I admitted, still processing. “And… we’ll think about it. We’ll think it through.”

“Do you dare reject me?” Alynna said, a fist pressed against her chest. “You just said you liked me!”

“I’m not rejecting you, Alynna. But we don’t do it that way in my place. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Then marry me!” she said, desperation in her voice, falling to her knees. “How would you know if it’s not fair for me? I know what I want!”

“And marry me too!” Lariel added.

I sighed. “In my culture men pop the question. Second. We met yesterday, and I also mean you, Lariel. You, Alynna, just saw me do something that you liked today. We will give it more time. You want me to stay with you for life, don’t you? That’s the idea of marriage. Divorces happen. They happen in your culture, right? We can’t just jump into action on a whim, no matter how overwhelming it is, how passionate.”

Alyssa thought for a moment.

“But this is love! Listen, in other cultures, people get married because their fathers bought a cow from someone. We have the right to choose. This method works.”

“It may work for you. It would work for me too, I’m sure, but we should know each other more,” I continued.

“That’s no fun!” Alynna huffed, hands on her hips. “I want to lose my virginity now! Don’t you know how long I’ve waited? And for that, I need to be married.”

I blinked.

“Do you, really? I mean…”

Was she serious? Was it so important for her?

“I can’t wait. I chose you! So take me, please.”

“Alright, alright,” I said, moving toward her, holding her arms and looking her straight in the eyes. “Alynna. It’ll be alright. Trust me.”

She blinked.

Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed across the stone walls of the fortress. I turned to see Zyra and Nidar approaching, followed by a group of elven soldiers.

Nidar had a wide grin on his face. “Looks like I missed something important,” he said, folding his arms over his chest. His eyes gleamed with amusement. “And by the looks of it, you’re going to be a very busy man soon, Connor.”

“Zyra!” Leriel announced, as soon as the commander approached. “Tell Connor to accept! Alynna wants to marry him. And me! Together. What do you think?”

“Wait,” I said, lifting my hand. “I’ll be the happiest man in this world, yes. But…”

“And he wants to take it slow, doesn’t he,” Zyra scoffed, stepping closer, her sharp eyes meeting mine. “You two silly girls, are you what, just out of your cribs? Forget these foolish thoughts and focus on the task at hands. Do none of you remember the mission we’re still on? Alabenia’s borders are just ahead, and we have much to do. There's no time for weddings. Yet.”

“But I want him now,” Alynna sobbed.

“You?” Zyra raised an eyebrow “I understand my cousin Lariel. Believe me, she’s been talking about that prophecy for decades. She knew of her own past life. But you just met this man.”

“And he’s wonderful!” Alynna exclaimed.

Zyra raised an eyebrow and massaged her own forehead. “Give him a break, for your own sake.”

Lariel and Alynna exchanged glances but neither seemed discouraged. Lariel’s smile never faltered as she gently touched Zyra’s arm. “Zyra, I told you last night. He’s the one. You know it! He’s Arthamium.”

Zyra pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed. “Yeah, he is. So what. You can make all the sweet love you want once we’re done with this mission. We’re supposed to be ambassadors, remember? Not honeymooners. And give the man a break. He likes you two. But he’s just come into this world a day ago. One day later, he’s leading armies. Let him enjoy. And he’s wise enough not to play with your emotions. You want to marry him now, for Aria’s sake. Take a break.”

The elves quieted down at that, the gravity of the situation settling back into their expressions. Zyra was right. We were supposed to be heading to Alabenia.

I looked at Alynna.

“Let’s have it both ways,” I said. Her fierce expression became more serene. More calm. As if she were really making an effort to listen to me. “You have your customs, I have mine. Let’s meet them half-way. You’re an amazing woman and what man wouldn’t marry you? I’m lucky. I’d say yes. But, in my culture’s terms, and in my experience, we should get closer, and be level-headed.”

“Level-headed? We’re talking about love and sex. What’s level headed about it? It’s poetry,” she exclaimed. “It’s magic.”

Zyra cleared her throat. “You haven’t had sex, ever, girl.”

“No, but I imagine it all the time.”

“Let’s hang out, spend time together,” I said.

“But you slept with Lariel already! That’s not fair.”

“She doesn’t believe in virginity, does she?” I said, trying to keep my voice serene and calm, looking her in the eyes. “Alynna. We don’t need to rush it. Let’s enjoy our time together.”

Alynna gritted her teeth, but finally sighed and nodded understanding.

These girls were not up for a non-committed relationship. I couldn’t hurt them like that. I had already kind of messed up with Lariel on a night of blind passion and memories. I didn’t regret it at all, and I was already going crazy for her. But I had to be more careful. I definitely didn’t want to hurt either of them.

Zyra exhaled, visibly relieved that the conversation had faded. “Good. Then let’s focus on what’s ahead. Alabenia’s nobles won’t be easy to sway. We pack up, and continue. Now.”