by TJ Reynolds
Ban waited, knowing the question was rhetorical in nature.
Sure enough, Jakodi answered it himself. “The first is simple. There are few things in this world harder to overwhelm than a determined Earth Core.”
I imagine that’s so, Ban replied. I would do anything to protect those I love.
Jakodi held up a finger as if in warning. “The second is more important to remember… Your humanity, Bancroft, is more valuable than your life. I’d rather see Kai and Rhona and the young dragons fall before any of you lose sight of your own fragile humanity.”
The message struck home like a tolling bell.
He’d seen the tattered edges of his limits that day. Ban had felt true bloodlust, had desired the death of thousands, and not once had he felt remorse.
All of that was excusable, but Ban knew he’d kept hold of himself throughout the battle. Jakodi’s wisdom proved invaluable once more.
As if sensing Ban’s conclusion, the old man finished his lesson with predictable kindness and encouragement. “You will survive this, Bancroft. I know you will. You’ll fight until your dragon returns, and then Kai will burn down the three swords of the council of nobles.
“And most importantly, when that army surrenders, neither of you shall demand their slaughter. Power is what will earn your greatness, but humanity is what will make you redeemable.”
Ban’s excitable mind shattered in a thousand glinting fragments.
He wished once more for a body so he could shake his head in wonder and then bow before the old master. Thank you for the insight, Jakodi. I’ve been acting as a teacher for so long that I’ve forgotten the need to learn myself. I won’t forget your lesson.
A loud boom in the chasm outside shook the keep, and fear cut through Ban’s admiration.
His awareness darted away to the dozen hulking sentries he’d posted just outside his core room. Each nearly as tall and powerful as Greg had been, the dalgard amalgamations ran toward the source of the explosion.
Halberds in hand, thick plate mail jostling, the minions would be enough to slow any ambush force regardless of what came at them.
Ban was about to call the minions he held in a fourth-floor reserve when an angry shout echoed in the darkness. “Control yourself, Ross! We all know how impressive your champion is! You do not need to announce our arrival like this!”
Ban knew the voice to be that of Kotsi, the war chief of the kobolds.
Relief flooded his glowing core.
He commanded the elite dalgard to stop and return to the tower.
A flicker of torchlight came down a passage shortly after, and then a large contingent of kobolds spilled out.
Dozens of the stalwart warriors emerged, and amid their party, the culprit who’d made such an untimely boom came into view.
A beetle as tall as Honor and three times as broad tromped beside Kotsi. Behind it strode two more Earth Core champions, though neither seemed quite as powerful.
The first bore a twisted, fungal body. It reminded Ban of a sentient mushroom. Long, whip-like appendages writhed around its odd form, and its six eyes glowed ether-blue.
The third champion was a salamander of sorts, but it walked along eight spiny legs like a spider.
Friends! Ban shouted in their collective minds. You’ve come to my aid when I needed you most! I can’t thank you enough!
“Of course,” Kotsi said, not missing a stride. “We come to defend Elder Dragon Kai and his Earth Core. Such is our sworn duty.”
Just a hint of irritation touched Ban’s next words. Ross, thank you for sending your champion, but tell me, why did you feel it necessary to scare me so? Have you not heard the Sunken Keep is under siege?
The beetle kept walking forward, its horned head held high. I was only trying to show you the strength of my latest creation. Isn’t he amazing, Ban?
Ban’s anger fizzled when he heard the longing for approval in Ross’ voice.
Pushing his frustration aside, Ban tried again. Well, now that I’m aware of your presence, feel free to show me firsthand. Was that a skill you activated?
The beetle champion opened its mouth and a flash of ether lit up the chasm. A boom followed, and sparks of light flared out in all directions.
Very impressive indeed! Ban praised. What do you call it and what is its function?
I’ve named the spell Bedazzling Belch, Ross replied.
Kotsi groaned. “I have advised he change the name, Ban, I promise you. Being able to bedazzle a group of enemies is without a doubt valuable, but why not call it something more fierce?”
The salamander champion clattering along behind shrieked, and two beams of red light blasted into a nearby wall. I have sent my champion, too! another voice butted in. This one was shrill and most certainly excited.
Ban shifted his focus and took in the salamander spider. That’s lovely. Is that you, Lenda?
Indeed! Lenda shot back, her champion skittering a little faster. My champion’s name is Lenda!
Isn’t that creative? Ban answered, not sure what else to say. And which Earth Core does the handsome mushroom champion represent?
The mushroom glowed a bright green before a vast cloud of spores scattered in all directions. Rool! it said plainly. We are so excited to go to battle, Ban. My champion, Farbinoll, will not disappoint!
Farbinoll! That is an interesting choice as well. I appreciate your service to the Sunken Keep. I assure you, none shall be forgotten.
Ross’ beetle champion let off another explosion for no good reason, startling Ban yet again. Don’t you want to know the name of my champion, Ban? Ross asked.
Dredging up the fragments of patience he had left, Ban answered in the affirmative.
His name is The Hammer of Boom… do you get it?
Ban sighed mentally. Did you name him Hammer of Doom but then change the last bit out to match the sound he makes?
Ross practically shouted in Ban’s mind, I did! How did you know? You’re the most clever Earth Core I know!
The beetle opened its mouth again, but this time Kotsi smacked it atop the head with the handle of his war axe. Ross reluctantly quieted, and the champions marched the rest of the way in to the base of the keep.
As Ban ordered the kobolds to stand guard in his core room, he sent his other minions higher up in the tower where they could stand prepared for the impending siege.
Ban ignored the incessant chatter that had made his humble keep suddenly feel a bit too crowded. He ordered the daldrim to bring down food for the guests in the hopes of silencing them while they ate.
Sure enough, when The Hammer of Boom had mushroom stew in his mouth, Ross finally quieted down.
As the others ate, Ban modified his previous opinion of Earth Cores. Perhaps each could be named a genius in construction and innovation, but not all could be called clever.
Not by a long shot.
Despite his annoyance, Ban was pleased to have the company and support. The newly woken Earth Cores kept him busy throughout the night. They ate until their champions were stuffed, and after, each fell into a deep sleep.
Ban left his guests as they were and moved his awareness elsewhere.
Briefly, he scanned the floors and chambers of his dungeon one at a time.
All was in order.
Then he rose up above the tower.
The pale moon had draped the countryside in a veil of silver light. The darkness of his chasm loomed below, cozy and inviting.
But scattered throughout the grassy fields around the bridge that led to his keep were a thousand campfires.
The Hintari would be coming for his core in the morning.
And all Ban could hope for was to hold out long enough for help to arrive.
21
Persistence of the Crab
Bancroft
Without a champion’s body and the excuse of food and drink, Ban did not sleep that night.
He waited and waited, each second and minute as slow and torturous as any he’d exp
erienced before.
To keep himself busy, Ban reconsidered the flow of battle as he thought it might proceed. From the storming of the bridge all the way down to his subterranean core room, Ban imagined everything.
By the time the army stirred in the gray of early morning, he was both confident in his preparations and completely aware that anything could go wrong.
Such was the way of battle.
Most of the army’s strength remained. Ban had done all he could to diminish their ranks. He’d even used up his champion.
Now that the Hintari were inside his area of influence, he would not have the luxury of summoning the monster again. It was against the shivving rules.
He did have the other champions, however, and those would all add up to equal at least one of his own.
Nothing to be done about poor Darby’s death, Ban told himself yet again. I traded his life for over two hundred Hintari and at least one wizard. No point in regretting the decision.
Realistically, the champion had also stepped in to preserve the ruse he’d manufactured.
He hadn’t wanted to let the Hintari know the exact extent of his influence.
The massive trap was a key component to that part of the plan.
So, indirectly, Darby had helped Ban take at least four hundred soldiers, almost a tenth of the entire army.
Ban focused his weary mind when he witnessed the first contingent of infantry prepare to storm the bridge. The group positioned themselves at the opposite end of the bridge and awaited orders.
Other groups formed up behind them.
Several units looked to be hybrids, with archers tucked away in between the infantry. These would combat his own archers, no doubt.
More conspicuously, a single robed figure stood amid the second group of soldiers.
A wizard could change the course of this first stage of battle in any number of ways, Ban mused. I’d rather hoped they would wait until throwing one at me.
Watching the troops shuffle about and prepare over the course of a half-hour irritated Ban.
He ordered his archers to select the specialized arrows he’d made for this occasion. The nymphs drew and released, but partly because of the gusty wind and the dark gray sky, the arrows went unnoticed.
That is, until they fell like vengeful hail among the soldiers.
The ping and clank of arrow tips striking suits of armor rang out.
Most of the soldiers were minimally injured, but the initial wave was not what kept Ban holding his metaphorical breath.
A second later, the arrows exploded in a syncopated wave.
Over a dozen men collapsed, and soldiers took their place almost immediately.
Ban ordered a second volley, this time choosing the second specialty arrowhead: the armor-piercing variety he’d already used.
The nymphs peppered the soldiers once more before the wizard threw up a shield to cover the front ranks. Then, like a slowly waking giant, the army fell into action.
Ban had prepared for a long and terrific battle at the bridge.
The Hintari were far better prepared than Hastings had been, however.
As the infantry marched forward under the glowing Earth ether shield, their ranks split down the middle. Runners sprinted up the aisle they’d formed bearing long planks of wood.
They threw the planks down along the length of Ban’s bridge, then started laying sheets of wood.
They’re building a bridge atop my bridge? Ban questioned. That’s hardly fair!
Sure enough, by the time he figured out their angle, it was too late.
Ban dropped the hinging portion of his bridge anyhow, denying the soldiers easier access. The effort was nearly futile, though, since the makeshift wooden bridge seemed to be enchanted.
The pieces held together rigidly.
Ban looked closer and saw glowing Earth ether binding the poles and sheets together.
I can do something about that, perhaps, Ban argued mentally. See how sturdy they really are.
A dense volley of explosive arrows struck the far edge of the wooden bridge even as the first infantrymen jogged across. The arrows detonated, and the wooden bridge tipped sharply to one side.
Over ten soldiers slipped to their doom.
Happy though he was for another rush of Progression, Ban cursed to see two more wizards walking forward. More shields were thrown up, and a new wooden bridge replaced the last.
The Hintari marched past unmolested.
For a short time, Ban threw arrows at the soldiers who were preparing to head across. He gained a few more deaths, but when it was clear he’d exhausted the defense’s capabilities, Ban moved most of his archers down into the tower where they could be of greater use.
He kept a dozen in hopes of killing more after the Hintari gained confidence and perhaps lowered their Earth ether shields.
When a large number of soldiers stood under the stone shelf near the front gate of the keep, Ban ordered his minions to trigger two more traps.
The first proved disappointingly ineffective.
Hundreds of pounds of stone blocks tumbled out of the trap door. A wizard had apparently anticipated this attack. The stones crashed into a magical shield and slid away harmlessly into the chasm.
The second trap worked much better, but it was a one-off affair.
Ten compact bombs ignited at the same time. All were placed around chest height on the walls to either side of the gate. Each explosion sent tiny pebbles and acid spraying through the gathered troops.
Twenty died immediately and others shrieked in pain as their faces and eyes melted.
Many more were knocked back into the chasm.
All guests are welcome, Ban thought bitterly. Make sure to dust off your boots before entering.
But the rush from the small victory didn’t last long.
More troops ran forward, the wizard healed the injured one at a time, and a battering ram was brought forward.
Again, Ban’s expectations were thwarted.
The front gate stood strong, pillars of steel holding it in place. He had to allow access from the outside, so sealing his keep off entirely wasn’t possible.
The gate could be reinforced, however, so Ban had spent lots of resources and time on its construction.
When the battering ram arrived, the Hintari pressed it to the center of the gate and braced the opposite end. Ban watched in confusion as they bolted the rear of the battering ram down into the stone of his keep.
After a few minutes of diligent work, they activated some spell laid upon the sturdy log.
The infantry nearest the ram held up their shields and hunkered down. Then a mighty blast shook the air, sending a ripple of vibration all the way down to Ban’s core room.
His mighty gate was blown off its hinges in a heartbeat.
Well, I have never… Ban’s thoughts twisted and writhed.
Frustration and admiration warred for dominance, and even as the soldiers jogged inside, he could not decide which emotion had won out.
Ultimately, he swore to hate the Hintari nobles who’d sent this force, but also to learn all he could from them should he prevail.
Ban left the archers still above in the tower with orders to take what opportunities they could. Then he dove into the first floor of the keep and prepared for another leg of the battle.
After witnessing how effectively Hastings and his soldiers had dealt with lesser minions, Ban determined to use nothing but the best throughout.
That didn’t mean all of his minions needed to be big, however.
Ban had experimented long and hard to produce a minion who could meet his current need. And as Hintari came within range, he was delighted to see his labors come to fruition.
As the soldiers entered a narrow corridor, Ban sent a volley of midge horror darts into their unarmored faces.
He’d named the midge horrors after the midglings he and Kai had faced in the Mirin Swamps. Though of separate ancestry, Ban’s tiny amalgamations ha
d one thing in common.
They shot venomous darts.
The midge horrors had no miniature blow guns, though. They’d been designed to release venom-coated spines from a proboscis.
The Hintari gasped or cried out as the tiny darts sunk into their faces, and moments later, the venom had them spilling to the ground with frothing mouths.
More and more soldiers ran through all the while, most not even noticing the thin slits in the wall where the midge horrors hid away.
Each minion could spit out hundreds of the tiny spines, so Ban had only used six of the creatures here, three on either side.
After over twenty soldiers perished, one man caught on. Before he rushed into the corridor, he activated a Wind ether skill that shattered the thin veil of stone protecting the midge horrors.
He ordered his fellow soldiers to do the same on the opposite side, before they were confident they’d eliminated the threat.
Calling a fresh squad of men forward, the triumphant leader’s grin vanished when Ban released the vat of acid he’d waited to activate afterward.
The daldrim that skittered away through the tunnel in the ceiling was one of many who served Ban directly. They weren’t technically minions, but since Ban could communicate with them mentally, the creatures proved just as effective.
Thus, Ban could conserve MCP for his fighting minions, and the daldrim could lend a hand in defending their home.
Ban shared a laugh with the little daldrim as it made its way toward the next trap to be sprung and waited for Ban’s command.
The rest of the first floor was much the same. Ban had created a winding course the Hintari would have to burrow through. Dozens of traps were sprung and over three hundred soldiers slain in the course of an hour.
This wasn’t meant to slow the army much. This floor was designed specifically to take lives.
When the final trap had been sprung, Ban knew in all respects that the floor had been a success. Yet he recalled then the story Jakodi had told him the previous night.