by S D Huss
Robert let out a cry as he fell to a knee. More wind blew from him, and it was now a gale.
Suddenly it stopped, and Robert’s hand fell to his side. Demessa watched as he heaved for breath, his body now completely exhausted.
“What was--” Richoro began, about to ask a question when he was interrupted by a body stumbling from the darkened opening. The Dae officer’s eyes widened at the sight he now beheld. A warrior, who was clearly dead, standing on his feet again. He had been impaled by a stone spike from the looks of it, his abdomen opened at the belly and some of his innards still hung out. Still, though, he stood, looking at them with black eyes.
“By the spirits!” Yadri shouted, pulling her blade and pointing it at the creature.
“No…” Robert wheezed. “What did I tell you?”
Demessa looked on in horror as the corpse took steps outside, allowing another to follow behind him.
Turak was frozen, his face a mask of fear and astonishment.
“This…” Richoro said, his eyes fixed on the strange sight. “By the spirits… this is unnatural.”
“Reku…” Turak managed to say. “What have you done?”
Robert began to stand, wobbling as he did. “This is the only way I could think of...” He strained to stand, and Demessa leaned in to help support him.
Turak’s mouth still hung open as more of the things began pouring out of the structure. “How many are there? And what exactly are you planning on doing with them?”
Robert pulled a skin canteen from under his cloak and began to drink, savoring the taste in his mouth before he spoke. “I re-animated about thirty, I think. As far as what I am going to do with them? I’m going to escort the civilians over the border, and back to the nearest Rexunii fort.” With a shaky hand, he pointed at Richoro. “And he’s going back with them.”
Turak raised his eyebrow again, and Richoro looked even more shocked at the statement than the literal walking dead before him.
“I’m sorry, my Prince, but what exactly do you mean by that?” He said, his temper beginning to boil.
“Exactly what I said.” Robert turned to look him in the eye, leaning more than he would have liked on Demessa’s shoulder. “You and your bloodthirsty bullshit are going back to Rexun. I don’t have any need for someone like you here.”
“But I do,” Turak said, stepping before him. “He was following my orders, Reku, and though you are King Alektor’s brother now, I am in charge of this expedition.” He turned to Richoro over his shoulder. “Go, gather the rest of the warriors. We will be marching soon.” Turak focused his attention back on Robert. It wasn’t clear exactly what the ward was thinking, but it was obvious he was not happy about their current situation. “What of these creatures? What do you think our warriors will do when they see clanless corpses escorting civilians across our borders? Invite them in with open arms? They will slay them all as they approach, and I will not allow a single warrior of mine to accompany them.”
Robert stared for a moment at him, digesting the words. He wasn’t used to military tactics or procedure, and maybe he had miscalculated, but he would not let Turak just kill them. He couldn’t.
“Then let's move on,” Robert said. “Leave them here, alive and well. I can use the animated warriors to go off in several directions. Lead them on wild goose chases.” He paused, realizing they had no idea what a goose was. “A fool's errand.” He corrected. “They will be confused, and we can monitor their movements.”
Turak thought in silence, and while he did Yadri spoke up.
“You have no respect for the dead.” She said, hatred burning in her eyes. “This is why the Espi-Dae called you demons, maybe they knew something like this was possible.” She turned then, walking with Richoro to assemble their warriors.
“She isn’t wrong.” Turak finally said, “But this does provide us with a tactical advantage. Demessa,” He turned to her. “Gather as many spare Rexunii cloaks as you can, we will make them look the part. Reku,” He looked back to Robert. “How much control do you have over these creatures?”
Robert Sighed. “Not much… I can give them basic commands, like run in that direction until you reach a certain spot… that's about all I can do for now.”
Turak grunted, obviously mulling over ideas in his head.
“But I can learn more.” Robert continued. “I just need to practice.”
“There will be plenty of time for that.” Turak looked again at the strange undead creatures standing before him. Their eyes were a dark reminder of their wicked existence. “Stay with us, Prince. I’m sure there will be more dead to practice on.”
chapter 35
Katrina took in the sight of Vul De Rah from her vantage point; she stood atop the wall of the large palace of House Ignos. Though the view of the bustling city below was quite beautiful and captivating, she had been waiting to see Hego Agron for nearly two hours now and was extremely agitated. After the battle with Daniel, she had been training nonstop with Avria, pushing her body and mind to the limit. The strident regimen had taken its toll on her, but in the end, it would be worth it. At least that's what she told herself.
When she first found herself in Pelemont, Katrina, along with Daniel and Robert, had struggled to find their place in this new world. That seemed so long ago. Illia had told Katrina that next month would mark the anniversary of their arrival here. -A year.- She thought to herself. -A full year had gone by already.- Her thoughts turned to her family back home; did they mourn her? Would they ever know what happened? She still didn’t even know… the cogs of her mind spun again, and the first and most frustrating question she had, emerging from the deepest depths of her mind, -How the hell did we get here?- She looked at her hands, now calloused and worn from training; she didn’t even recognize them anymore.
-Somehow, we all started to find our place here.- She thought. Robert’s face then appeared, and a mixed cocktail of emotions roiled. Sadness, love, hatred, compassion, confusion. She focused on the latter. -Why would he join the enemy? After they tried to kill him?-
“Excuse me, Spirit-Sent.” A young Doulos servant called from behind. Katrina turned to her, wiping a stray tear that was welling in her eye. “The Hego will see you now.” The servant bowed to her, gesturing for her to proceed.
She strode into the Hego’s throne room. The vast area was filled with only a few honor guards, plus Avria and Oros standing before Agron. She stiffened when she saw Daniel there as well, not standing to the side like a normal squire, but with his arms crossed, and conversing like normal. -Why the hell did Oros allow him to do that?- She thought, frustrated.
“Ah, Katrina,” Agron said, waving her over. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” She approached and saluted, an appropriate greeting. Katrina stood next to Avria and glanced at Daniel, a bit irritated that he had been allowed to attend the meeting before she was.
“Now, then.” Agron started. “We have received several messages from emissaries of the High King. According to the Torre’ messages, High King Phobos has offered a substantial reward for crushing this Rexunii rebellion. He has even given me permission to use the resources and support of his southern regent, Hego Vonos.”
Avria nodded. “My Lord, this will be very helpful for us. Lord Vonos is extremely wealthy and has no love for the Rexunii. Also…” She looked to Oros. “He promised you would be elected King of Lokkadonia at the next moot. Does the High King still plan on making this a reality?”
Agron sighed heavily. “It is not a position I want to hold… That is why I turned down my nomination at the last one. However… that was before I had my children.” He looked to Oros with a fondness in his eyes that only a father could have. “Now, I would like to see my line carry on as rulers of Lokkadonia. So yes, he will keep his promise. I will make sure of it.” He pointed to Avria with a slight grin on his face. “Now, hurry up and marry. I’ve been waiting forty years to call Telmos my brother, and to bounce a grandchild on my knee.”
Avria
’s face blushed a deep blue, and Oros just barked a laugh. “Don’t worry father, we will have many children.”
She glared at him.
“Many.” He said, doubling down.
Agron chuckled, but quickly returned to the subject at hand. “I want to send someone to see Cato; one of you.” He looked at Daniel and Katrina. “He has asked that a Spirit-Sent go to meet with him. He didn’t say why, but I’m guessing he wants to see one for himself. Hego Vonos has always been more level headed than the rest of his peers.”
“Father,” Oros said. “Isn’t that a bit reckless? We do not need to send them to Torre’ where they will be exposed to unnecessary danger.”
Agron shook his head, leaning back in his throne. “We must send one of the Spirit-Sent. That was non-negotiable.”
Daniel looked at Katrina, his eyes eager. -Damn him-, She thought.
“I’ll go,” Katrina said, stepping closer to Agron. “It will not be a problem, my Lord. Also, I’m curious to see the rest of Eleutheros”
Oros grinned. “Boros has been looking for an opportunity to prove himself, father. Perhaps he could escort her. It would be a wonderful opportunity to show strength while cooperating with the Torre’.”
Avria sighed. “I suppose it isn’t a horrible idea.”
“I’m going too,” Daniel said, drawing looks from the rest.
“Daniel,” Katrina said, giving him her most convincing smile. She didn’t want to argue about who would go. “It’s fine, I can handle it. Don’t worry.”
“Sorry Kat, but I’m not letting you go alone. The last time one of us left to run an errand he never came back.” Daniel crossed his arms. “I’m going.”
The words cut to her core, the deep wound in her heart pulsing again. Katrina would have done the same thing if she could go back to when Robert left. She nodded and looked at the Hego. “Then it will be the both of us my Lord.”
Avria pursed her lips, clearly irritated at the intrusion, but nodded in agreement. Oros just shrugged and turned to one of the honor guards. “Send a runner to bring Prince Boros here, immediately.”
The masked warrior bowed and strode through the massive doors. Several minutes later, Boros came through and strode up to them with a smile on his face.
“Well, of course, I’ll go, father!” he said after they explained the situation to him. “I can continue their training a bit as well.” He looked to Katrina. “If you’re up for it.”
Katrina nodded. Less about the training part, and more in terms of a prince accompanying them. It was no secret that Boros had an interest in her that was beyond friendship, Illya had been trying to get her to pursue something for several months now. Though tempting, the man was handsome, and his attraction to her was flattering, but the memory of Robert always seemed to emerge. She thought of him again, at that moment. Would he be the same man he was? The stories she was told of his interrogation were gruesome, and now he was fighting for the enemy. Katrina shook the troublesome thoughts from her mind. Who knew what was going on over there? She only hoped that he would survive the coming conflict.
◆◆◆
They left the next morning at first light. Boros assembled a hefty force of three hundred warriors to escort the Spirit-Sent and all accompanying dignitaries to the southern region of Torre’. Commanders from some of the most infamous war-groups in all of Vul De Rah were brought along as well. This was a show of strength to the Torre’, a display to solidify the confidence that the feeble rebellion to the south could be swiftly dealt with.
As they traveled, Daniel found himself mostly ignored by the Prince. He had insisted that he would be a better teacher to another Dae-Voh like Katrina, their mutual earth Dunamis being the perfect excuse. She didn’t seem to do much to protest the arrangement, so Daniel trained with some of the other commanders and officers in the company, one of them being Lord Glause of house Regias, Daniels former commander of his training in the Proistem. The man was extremely powerful and well deserving of his position as head of military training. Daniel was also surprised to find that he was a cousin of Delmos and Avria. Seeing how he was treated during the training, he never would have guessed.
The trek would only take several days; according to Boros, a high march through Lokkadonia into Torre’ was an easy one. Daniel observed much of the landscape of the territory he now called home and was quite jubilant to find the striking similarities it had to Earth. Lokkon was a grassy and green countryside, abundant with trees and a constant but pleasant breeze. The only thing that really stood out was the presence of large stone structures that littered the road. Commensurate to the Dae infrastructure, all the buildings were grown out of the ground itself. This was not surprising to Daniel anymore. Human beings’ technology was driven by the need to solve the problems they faced. They built tools to build more tools, and over thousands of years achieved stunning feats in their technology. The Dae had the Dunamis, and they used it as a tool to develop their society in a way that was completely different, but also, strangely, not any less efficient.
As they crossed the northern border of Lokkadonia into the southern Torre’ region, Daniel noticed that the presence of military fortifications and structures had all but disappeared. Instead, he saw dozens of caravans and merchants on the border, all the Dae seemed well dressed and content. There was no doubt that the Torre’ took pride in their industry and trade, not their military prowess.
Hego Vonos’ estate was more of a plantation than the seat of power Agron held; a fortified palace in the center of a bustling city. Lord Vonos was a reasonable distance from his regional capital of Hur’dalan, leaving the majority of his duties to subordinates who made policy decisions on his behalf, and only bothered him when it was entirely necessary.
Daniel entered the grounds and was shocked to find the gardens and vegetation that lead to the main estate were nearly identical to the spirit forest. He saw the same strange trees, blooming with explosive colors that seemed to captivate the senses, along with the bizarre bark that looked like skin. Katrina nudged his arm, looking at the display with the same astonished expression.
As they entered the strange building, instead of being led to a throne room of some kind, they were directed to a large dining area where they sat in large and luxurious chairs, surrounded by finery. Servants wearing trousers and jackets, made out of what Daniel could only describe as velvet, entered to serve refreshments.
After several tense and silent minutes, two large stone doors slid open soundlessly, and a handsome Dae entered with warm features and light blue skin. He was wearing a deep purple toga across his chest, had a fine tunic, with brilliantly polished buttons, riding trousers, and leather boots. Daniel couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the sight of such regalia, though the toga reminded him of an ancient Roman emperor or politician.
“My dear Prince Boros.” the Dae man said in a deep, royal sounding voice, giving his guests a slight bow. “It is so very good to see you again.” His eyes went to Daniel and Katrina, who sat next to one another. “These must be the… Humans.”
Boros stood to bow, considerably deeper than his, and turned to introduce them all. “Katrina and Daniel? I would like you all to meet Hego Cato, of house Vonos. Southern ward of clan Torre’, and friend to all of Lokkadonia.”
Katrina bowed, and Daniel followed. “It is very nice to meet you, my Lord.” She said, in her most pleasant and convincing voice.
Cato smiled brightly and gestured for everyone to sit down. “So, my young prince. Last time I saw you, you were only ye high.” He lifted his hand to around the height of his lap. “And you ran around, terrorizing my poor daughter with a wooden stick.” He chuckled. “She is not here, unfortunately, traveling to the capital you see, but is due back any day. I am confident she will join us shortly, along with my wife.”
“Ah,” Boros said, clearly embarrassed. “Well, yes, that would be very nice to see Phenia again. It has been a long time. How is your wife Zinnia? And your son, Prince… uh...�
� He struggled to remember. “Pyxxis! Yes, how does he fare these days? He and Oros got along quite well, last I heard.”
Cato’s smile broadened. “They are all well. Pyxxis is all the way in Delmaya now, studying at the Shayak Libreos, no less. Spirits know it is a strange place, what with the heretic savages and all.” He looked at Daniel and Katrina again. “I hear he has met a human over there as well… he has written the most peculiar things. This is partly why I have asked to meet one of you, I am blessed that Agron decided to let me meet them both.” He looked closer at Daniel, studying him. “You seem to have adopted the culture of Vul De Rah quite well.”
Daniel’s mind raced at the mention of other humans, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by Kat.
“We have,” Katrina said, her eyes narrowing, and her mind going back to the human that was burned alive by the Torre’ Espi-Dae, and of course what they did to Robert. “No thanks to your clan.”