L7 Single Caravan- This portal spell creates a portal along any available ley-line. The caster may bring two large items of mobile luggage. Neither item may exceed two meters in length in any direction. Note: when traveling across state lines, be sure to declare any fruit in your possession.
“I would say Obsidian One and Two are just about the best mobile luggage a man could ask for. Here they are now. Thanks for lending them to me, Zoya. Meet me in Sibiu. Don't tell me the route you're going to take, in case whatever this spell is has to do with passing information. Hopefully, by the time we make it to Sibiu whatever Vespera did will become evident. Catch you later,” Joe said as he began to cast an open portal.
“So, help me… Do not let her change your bind point! Die if you must, but don’t let her get you!” Zoya called out and Joe nodded as he cast.
As he spread his hands apart the portal opened in front of him.
“After you, fellas… that means go through the portal Obsidian Two and Obsidian One,” Joe said and then he followed after, the portal closing behind him.
Bridcha watched him go and then he walked over to Zoya and bent down to ask her a question.
“Why king smell?” the chief asked as he made a disgusting face.
“My olfactory senses did not register any change. It must be a spectrum I can't access. It doesn't matter right now, we're going to meet him in Sibiu. Chief Bridcha, take charge. Get the troops moving that way,” she pointed to the second tunnel from the right.
Chapter 44 - Too Good to Be True?
The Noble’s Alliance, the city of Southgate.
High security-warded conference room.
Day forty-seven, midafternoon.
The three highest nobles, who ran the city of Southgate, looked over the most recent reports. Not one of them was over five feet tall, but nevertheless, each one was powerful, both in position and body. Because this was a meeting of the city’s three rulers, the UI placed their titles above their heads.
Major NPC, Baroness Blink
Kitsu Mage
Major NPC, Baron Grit
Dwarf Mage
Major NPC, Baron Widget
Gnome Mage
“I've read the spy reports, as well as our initial scout’s assessment. Even though the scout confirms that there is a five-sided castle guarded by yeti, it still feels off,” Widget asserted.
“Yes. Something is not right, but we can't afford to let an opportunity like this slip through our claws. We must immediately deploy a few companies to take it,” Blink commanded as she gripped her feline fingers together.
“I understand how important speed is to your kind, Blink. However, in this instance, caution is warranted. We all know how greedy King Treau of Dollmar is. There has to be a reason why he hasn't already sent an army to take this supposed lightly guarded castle. Dollmar is calling their military forces home, but we don't know why. There are many possibilities. The first and most dangerous is that Dollmar may be preparing to attack Southgate,” Grit suggested.
“We are well defended here. It would be suicidal for them to attack us,” Blink countered.
“I agree, but with the military buildup of the Third Elven Kingdom around the city of Northgate, it makes one wonder if the two kingdoms have planned joint surprise attacks,” Grit said.
“Racist elves collaborating with racist humans? I can't see them working together even if it meant carving up our lands between themselves. We have been their buffer for a long time. Why would they change that now? The pieces don't fit together. That kind of machine would not run,” Widget protested.
“It does seem unlikely, but things have been changing ever since the introduction of this UI. I have a confession to make. I have reason to be hesitant about committing any troops to take this castle in the Wild Mountains. A few weeks ago, when Northgate requested that we send more troops for their reserve, the UI offered me a quest if I sent them aid. The rewards that it offered were significant, so I didn't wait on your approval. I immediately sent my reserve companies of dwarves to support Northgate, in case those elves decided to roll the dice,” Grit confessed.
“I, too, was offered this quest, but I refused it. Even quick-acting kitsu know you don't send your army away while there’s instability in your home town. At that time, the UI hadn't even fully spread throughout our people. You are fortunate things have stabilized, or you would have answered to me,” Blink stated.
“I will admit it was a risk, but we are only an Alliance of Nobles. You are my colleague, I don't answer to either of you, just as you do not answer to me,” Grit touted.
“You might not answer to either one of us, but we have always respected each other enough not to jeopardize the defense of our city. What if all of us had chosen to send away our reserve forces.? We are only strong when we are united. The humans to the south or the elves to the north would love it if we fractured, so they could pick off our houses one by one,” Widget warned.
“Even with your reserve force gone, we are still well-defended. I can afford to send a few companies. It might not be enough to take the castle, but at the very least, it could begin the siege. When the elves stop their military exercises, the city of Northgate will send your dwarves back. Then, with the extra support, the castle in the Wild Mountains will fall and our alliance will acquire a new Grand Place of Power,” Blink announced.
“If it's even real and not some illusion made by the King of Dollmar,” Widget doubted.
“I don't think it's a good idea, but you don't answer to me. However, based on what our scouts reported, the yetis now have a new long-range ability. From a distance, they observed the yeti chief throw what appeared to be a ten-pound metallic ball, almost half a click. I know that it's not your people’s style, but I would like to provide you with enough heavy tower shields to protect your siege army. I hate lending out equipment, but I do feel guilty about sending away my reserves,” Grit acknowledged and the kitsu’s smile grew on her feline face.
“It looks like we’re on the right track. I just received an optional quest to command the force myself,” Blink revealed.
Chapter 45 - Idiot Stowaway
Vespera ran as fast as her vampire legs could take her. She passed by the breeding pits for the slaves where halfling vampires kept watch. Though she normally would have stopped for a drink, now was a time for haste. In the center of Sibiu was the City Fortress. She rushed through the open gates and quickly made her way to the governor’s office, a fellow Fist.
The office had ornate rugs of every possible color, it was beyond gaudy. The room’s style was the opposite of minimalism, it strained the eye with its abundance of knick-knacks. Instead of the governor, however, Vespera saw two Arms, 7 of 9 and 8 of 9, standing in the center of the room. They were a pair of oversized elven vampires who had been rumored to have a little giant blood in them.
Having incredible survival instincts, Vespera quickly dropped to the floor and bowed low. She had hoped to report to the governor of the city, not these two particular high-ranking vampires.
7 of 9 reached down and grabbed Vespera by the back of the neck, pulling her off the ground and bringing her face close to his.
“You've been overrun by mages?” 7 of 9 quickly asked.
“Not only mages. It was an army of over 200. Over half of them were armored yetis,” she reported.
“Yetis wearing clothing? I assume you sent out your platoon of halflings. How many of the army did the halflings take out?” 7 of 9 questioned, still holding Vespera by the neck.
“The invading army did not sustain a single casualty, though I was able to mark the commander of the army,” Vespera said, knowing her answer might be the last words she ever spoke.
“Not a single casualty. How?” 7 of 9 demanded.
“Though there were a number of mages who finished off the last of the halflings, the majority were taken out, at range, by Linapot-covered projectiles flying at an incredible velocity. They were thrown by the yetis,” Vespera explained.
7 of 9 increased the pressure around Vespera’s neck.
“I am no fool. Yetis cannot grip a ball with their paws,” 7 of 9 accused.
“They didn't use paws. They used some sort of device. A long stick that flung the balls. I've never seen its like. We must prepare the city defenses if we're going to neutralize their attack. Also, we need shields if our halflings are going to make it through the balls to engage in close combat,” Vespera suggested.
“Halfling vampires forced to use shields?! They are the shields. Besides, we don’t have enough defensive equipment here anyway. I'll go sound the immediate withdrawal,” 8 of 9 spoke for the first time, as he left the room.
“It's good that you marked their commander. We will at least know what tunnel the invaders choose to attack from. With such a force, I'm sure that this city is lost, regardless. Hopefully, the cave-in will destroy most of them. Or, at the very least, slow them down. Where is the marked commander now?” 7 of 9 asked as he dropped Vespera.
As she regained her footing, she pointedly did not rub her bruised neck. Closing her eyes, Vespera focused on the magical mark she had placed on the commander of the invading force.
“He's already halfway down the westernmost entrance to this city. I've never even heard of a non-vampire army moving so fast. Maybe he left the bulk of his forces behind?” Vespera theorized.
“Maybe you didn't mark the commander?” 7 of 9 countered.
“No, I'm sure that I marked the commander,” Vespera reassured.
“Then we know where his army is, because commanders leave the scouting to the scouts. This is my order, you will head downstairs and inform the demolition teams that they are to send a team to the westernmost entrance to the city and collapse it immediately. As soon as they go, you will inform the rest of the teams that they are to follow after the evacuation, collapsing every tunnel behind them.
“I know that most will want to bring along their property, but we don’t have time. Any vampires who don't flee quickly enough, can welcome the invaders as they occupy this city. Once you have completed those orders, you will accompany me on the evacuation. I will know everything that you know, so keep your memory fresh. GO!” 7 of 9 shouted.
Vespera sped down the stairs and felt physical pain at the knowledge that she would have to leave behind all of her favorite slaves.
***
The moment Joe had portal jumped away from the bulk of his army, the foreboding feeling had lessened. Unfortunately, the farther he traveled through the tunnel system, the more that sense of dread began to build again.
His instincts were telling him that he needed to move faster, but he hesitated to portal jump too far, lest he land directly in the center of a horde of vampires. Besides, he was enjoying the run. That is, until he turned the corner and, in the far distance, saw a tall wheel, about ten meters high, being turned by a large group of goblin slaves. The wheel connected to some sort of mechanism that attached to the roof of the tunnel Joe was traveling in. The vibration the mechanism was causing helped Joe understand what was about to happen.
If Joe jumped forward, he could stop the goblins, but the groaning of the rocks above him told him that it would be too late. Also, he was afraid he'd have to kill them all in order to get them to disobey their masters. Joe knew what he had to do. He grimaced, thinking of the phrase, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Joe selected one of his portal spells and picked the strongest ley line he could find. Taking a risk, he commanded Obsidian One and Obsidian Two to carry him through the portal he was just about to open. Hoping his luck would hold, he began the cast—his whole body glowing yellow.
This time, he fed all of his mana into the spell and, as it finished, he passed out, having completely depleted his mana pool. The obedient automatons picked him up and carried their unconscious commander through the open portal. It snapped shut behind them. Less than a minute later, a quarter-mile stretch of the tunnel Joe had just left, collapsed.
***
7 of 9 smiled as he felt the distant tunnel collapse. There was something uniquely satisfying about causing a cave-in, especially when he knew it was for such a useful purpose. The evacuation of the city had gone as well as could be hoped for, but it was frustrating to leave over a thousand slaves behind. Unfortunately, what could not be prevented, must be endured.
As he raced down one of the evacuation tunnels, he was forced to take a slower speed so as to not leave Vespera behind. The details she had been giving him on the run were quite extraordinary. If what she saw was to be believed, the invading army consisted mostly of yetis, and then an unknown number of other species, including goblins! Such a force was unprecedented. In theory, such a diverse group would not have been able to function together. Only they were not simply functioning, they were a deadly juggernaut of destruction. It was a travesty. Only vampires should be so dangerous. Despite their disgustingly diverse pedigree, 7 of 9 would not underestimate them.
Slowing his sprint, 7 of 9 stopped and Vespera followed his lead.
“Locate the broken body of the commander. His remains should still have the stink of your mark upon on him,” 7 of 9 commanded.
Vespera focused, closing her eyes, and searching the area where the dead commander should be. They were still not too far from it, so it should have been easy for her to locate.
“Is there a problem?” 7 of 9 asked, his impatience growing.
Splitting her focus for a moment, she answered the Arm.
“I cannot locate the mark in the collapsed tunnel,” Vespera confessed.
“Broaden your search in all directions from here,” 7 of 9 commanded.
Vespera did as he commanded, stretching her senses out in all directions. It was difficult to maintain the locator spell, as it was eating her mana at a prodigious rate. Unconsciously, she reached her arms out wide and opened her mouth, tilting her head back. Finally, she located a whiff of her mark. Despite the impossibility, it was far ahead of them, past the next city, and possibly into the capital. The distance was too great for certainty.
With haste, she canceled the spell before her mana ran completely dry and she passed out. Steeling her nerves, she informed 7 of 9 of what she had discovered. Surprisingly, he didn't destroy her. He only nodded with grim determination.
Abruptly, 7 of 9 sat on the ground and curled into a ball, his body beginning to glow red as the power built up. Vespera sprinted away from him as quickly as she could and found cover behind a jagged boulder. Protecting as much of her body as she could, she felt the wave of heat as it traveled over her cover and down both ends of the tunnel and, to some extent, even through the walls. After the wave had passed, she returned to 7 of 9, who was now standing and clearly waiting. Having enough wisdom to keep silent, Vespera stood unaware of what was about to happen next.
A fiery red portal popped open in front of them and the eight-foot tall elf, 8 of 9, stepped out.
“Speak quickly, 7 of 9, I have urgent news I must deliver to the capital,” 8 of 9 said, his agitation evident.
“It was the commander of the invading force who somehow used our private portal network. 74 of 101, here, has him marked. You're going to need her,” 7 of 9 said as he pushed Vespera forward.
“Your added weight is going to slow down my jumps. However, 7 of 9 is correct, it can't be helped. You better be pinpoint accurate, otherwise the mistress will just raise another Fist in your place,” 8 of 9 said as he began the hand signals required to open another portal.
***
As Joe began to regain consciousness, his hands immediately moved to his aching head. It felt like someone had decided to use his gray matter for a unique protein shake, had digested said shake, and then disposed of it in the usual manner.
As Joe shook his head in an attempt to shake off the proverbial toilet water, the motion only made the headache worse. Instinctively, he started casting a healing spell, but the moment he mentally reached for the mana, his body rebelled. He nearly hit himself in the forehead, h
e felt so stupid. Of course, his mana pool was empty. He had had to deplete it in order to jump as far as he did.
Gently, he raised his head and looked around. He was still being held by Obsidian One and Two, and they were in an alley between two buildings that reached from the ground to at least a 100 meters up, where they connected to the roof of the cavern. Joe took a deep breath and steadied himself.
“Okay, slowly put me down, guys,” Joe whispered, hoping it was loud enough for the two automatons to register his voice. Looking around, Joe was glad they had somehow ended up in a concealing alley. However, he needed time to recover from his exertions, so he began making his way through the alley, checking the first door he came to. It didn't even have a lock or a handle, so quietly he pushed it open.
Unfortunately, the door was just over four feet tall, so to get in, he crawled on his hands and knees and shimmied his way through the door. Fortunately, Obsidian One and Two were flexible enough to do a sideways crabwalk in order to enter.
Joe was surprised that they were able to be so quiet, but once Joe’s eyes adjusted to the dark inside of the low-ceilinged room, he noticed at least 50 sleeping halflings. Suddenly, Joe remembered Neg more clearly and he shuddered before realizing none of these halflings were vampires. Their slave marks were clearly visible, even in the low light. Joe leaned his back against the wall and pulled his knees up to his chest, taking a minute to read a few of the messages he had missed.
Warning!
You have completely depleted your mana. During your unconscious journey, you continually drew on your empty mana pool as it regenerated.
Consequences: no mana regeneration for the next 30 minutes.
Congratulations!
Through a combination of mana exhaustion, a well-timed portal jump, and sheer dumb luck, you have broken into the portal network specifically reserved for those chosen by the Great Mistress. Breaking such barriers is the mark of a true portal aficionado. Such a feat forced your common portal spell to spontaneously adjust and become something new.
The Sleeper Must Awaken Page 39