Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  The last few days before we set off rushed by as everyone was consumed with handling all of the last-minute issues, particularly Talína, who I’d named my Regent, and had the task of governing in my stead. With both Líann and Venna accompanying me, she was the logical choice. Even though she’d handled almost every aspect of the Empire’s government in my absence, and still most of them even while I was in residence, Talína was overwhelmed when I informed her of my decision. She’d been raised as a commoner, in a land where people of such ‘low’ birth were never granted status of any kind. Just reaching the office of secretary to an Ambassador had been the highest honor she’d ever imagined. She’d barely managed to retain her composure when I told her, and her humility in receiving the honor only provided me further reassurance that I’d made the right decision entrusting my Empire to her care.

  Then finally, almost mercifully, our day of departure arrived.

  Our journey began much as the trip to the horse lands had. Although it was not certain that we would be marching off to war as well, that possibility was more than likely, so once again, my entire personal guard accompanied me as we left the Palace. Although there were carriages for myself and most of the higher-ranked officials, I chose to walk until we reached the road that led to our outpost on the trade route, just to be able to see and be seen by my people one last time as we departed. My companions all chose to do the same, and as we started off down the Palace steps, an unfamiliar figure joined us.

  A green-clad archer sidled up alongside us as we took our first strides, and I did a quick double-take when I recognized the face in the unfamiliar garb. It was Líann, wearing tight-fitting leather armor in her forest-green colors. Except for its color, the armor she wore reminded me very much of the set I’d once worn, save hers was of much higher quality, and most likely enchanted by the look of it. The Never Ending Quiver of Arrows was slung over one shoulder, a short sword over her other, and the Bow of Impact was in her hand. A forest-green cloak finished her ensemble, and I was sure that the daggers I’d given her were hidden somewhere beneath its folds.

  “I told you I had my own armor commissioned,” she reminded me playfully while I gawked at her openly as she marched on ahead.

  “I seem to recognize that bow and quiver,” Tási noted with obvious annoyance as we walked together.

  I was holding Tási’s hand and gave it a firm squeeze as I turned to respond to her. I looked down at the Robes of the Evoker she was wearing pointedly and let the slightest flare of green light flicker in my eyes as I spoke.

  “Because I love you, I gave you the finest protection I could,” I growled at her angrily. “Venna received much the same, and I’ve done my best to see that Ella is protected from harm as well. But if you ever express any resentment over how I protect my other Tári from harm again, I will revoke my gift to you on the spot—no matter where we might be at the time.”

  I was used to Tási’s jealousy—even though she’d accepted things, and even embraced her fellow Tári to an extent, she still saw them as rivals as well. I let the subtler things slide, but her resentment of the fact that I tried to protect one of them from harm was just too much for me to let pass. Líann not only needed what I’d given her, but she’d earned it with her hard work and dedication. The combat training had been difficult for her, but after her initial reservations, Líann had truly embraced it, and done quite well for herself. I was proud of her for that, and Tási’s comments not only irritated me for their callousness, but also their implied dismissal of all that Líann had accomplished.

  “You’re right,” Tási choked out the words. “I’m sorry.”

  We walked the rest of the way to the Garrison in silence, waving to the crowds that had come to see us off. Although we didn’t speak, I never let go of Tási’s hand, and I kept her by my side the entire way.

  “I love you Tási; never doubt that,” I finally said as we walked out into the open fields beyond the walls.

  “I know you do, Dreya,” she replied. “You wouldn’t put up with my shit if you didn’t.”

  Her wink and the little smirk on Tási’s face were perfectly timed, and I couldn’t help but laugh, releasing the tension that had been surrounding us as I did. The entire bulk of the Imperial Army then swarmed around us as we ventured towards the road leading away from the Imperial District, and our journey towards Oróna began on a much better note.

  The timing of our departure was made so that we’d not only arrive in Oróna well ahead of the other delegations, but also allowed us to stay a few days in Rhoboth, to honor the Dwarven King and his people. Considering all that they’d done for me and my Empire, it was the least we could offer in return.

  As we marched, our new cavalry units not only provided front and rear guards for the long procession of our troops and supply train, but also scouted the road ahead, searching for any dangers. Bane flew high above and did the same, just as he had on our journey to and from the horse lands. He’d been upset with himself for letting the beastkin practically sneak up on us, even though it wasn’t his fault. Bane had been off scouting our opposite flank at the time and couldn’t possibly have seen their approach. Still, it irked him, and he took to his duties with an increased sense of commitment.

  The first leg of our journey, from the Imperial District to Rhoboth, would take us about a week, and the second half perhaps a day or two longer than that before we finally reached Oróna. We intended to have the entire Army camp just outside the city so that as the delegations arrived from the seven Realms, they would see just what they’d be facing should they choose to decline my terms. There was nothing subtle about the message I intended to convey to them: join or be conquered. Those were the only two options on the table.

  We made good time on the roads; our scouts ahead cleared the way for us, guiding any caravans in our path to the shoulder so we could march past them at our much faster pace. Even though there was no real inconvenience in this for them; in fact, our passing likely benefitted them by frightening off any potential raiders, I still made sure that an appropriate ‘compensation’ was offered in return for any delay we might have caused. More for the goodwill that the gesture incurred, rather than out of any real need to do so.

  The lone dark spot we encountered before we reached Dhel-Ar was another attack by beastkin. Fortunately, it was no horde that launched themselves against us, but a group numbering only around a hundred that inexplicably attacked us, despite our overwhelming numbers. Bane spotted them approaching us from the forest, and Tási, Líann, and I were among the archers and Evokers that cut the beastkin down before they even got close to our lines. Even considering how feral the creatures were, it was surprising that they attacked such a large, well-armed Army with their vastly inferior numbers. It was something of a puzzle, but at least it had happened right where my carriage was positioned, so I didn’t miss out on any XP.

  “They were nothing!” Líann crowed after our easy victory. “I thought you said it was dangerous out here?”

  “Look around you, Líann,” I quickly hushed her. “Do you see anyone else celebrating?”

  “No,” she replied with a hint of confusion when she realized that she was alone in her revelry.

  “I understand how excited you must feel, but this was no grand victory or hard-fought battle. We defeated a far lesser foe, and won because of our numbers, Líann,” I pointed out the obvious to her. “Had you been traveling this road with only your usual handful of guards, you’d either be dead or on your way to birthing the next generation of beastkin right now.”

  The stark reality of my words dampened Líann’s overly enthusiastic mood, probably a little more than I either needed or intended to. So, I softened the blow with some words of encouragement.

  “You survived your first battle. I’m proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself as well,” I added. “I just don’t want you to make the mistake of underestimating the dangers around us or the foes that we face.”

  “Does it
always feel like this?” Líann asked. “The fear, the excitement, the rush?”

  “For me it does,” I answered her honestly. “It’s faded a little as I’ve gotten used to it, but it never really goes away.”

  “Depends on what you’re fighting,” Tási chimed in. She’d been there for our entire exchange, but only then chose to speak. “Beastkin just give me the creeps.”

  “Everything gives you the creeps,” I chuckled at her.

  “I can’t stand goblins,” Líann shivered. “They scare me to death.”

  The two of them started a whole discussion on the various creatures that disturbed each of them the most and seemed to completely forget that I was even there. They were so engrossed with comparing what did or did not frighten each of them that I was able to slip away from them unnoticed. I would have liked to have seen the looks on their faces when they finally realized what happened, but Ella caught me as I was sneaking away and ushered me into my carriage while the Army got ready to move once more. We were more than a mile down the road before Tási tracked me down.

  “Sneaky bitch,” she muttered as she dropped down to sit with me on the pillows that lined the floor.

  Her words were harsh, but the thin trace of a smile that Tási couldn’t quite manage to hide told me that she was more amused than anything.

  “The two of you were getting along so well discussing monsters and such that I figured I’d leave you alone,” I replied innocently.

  “Monsters?” Tási huffed. “Actually, you didn’t come up at all.”

  Ouch.

  “It turns out that Líann doesn’t seem to like anything smaller than she is,” Tási recalled. “Goblins, kobolds—”

  “Halflings?” I cut in.

  That comment earned me a pillow to the face, but it was totally worth it.

  Tási braced for my reprisal, but I hugged her instead. She was clearly suspicious of my motives as I pulled her in, and rightfully so. It wasn’t often that I let her get away with anything, and with how frequently she prodded me, I was sure that she enjoyed our playful antics as much as I did. But her casual conversation with Líann made me happy, and I only wanted to show her some appreciation, so her caution wasn’t necessary… at least not on that occasion.

  Once I’d managed to reassure her that she was safe, Tási and I relaxed and lay quietly together as the carriage gently rocked us while we traveled farther down the road. Comforted by the swaying motion, I let my fingers play through Tási’s hair while I pulled up my notifications. There hadn’t been too many kills to go around, but I had participated in the battle, so I should have at least gotten my Commander’s Bonus for most, if not all of them.

  Experience gained – You have gained 385 XP.

  …

  Experience gained – You have gained 385 XP.

  Commander’s bonus – You have earned party credit for every kill made under your command or the direct command of one of your party members.

  Experience gained – You have gained 43 XP.

  …

  Experience gained – You have gained 43 XP.

  Right away I noticed that, although the individual beastkin kills still gave 385 XP each, my party kill credit had gone down since our last battle against them. It was only a few points less, but the discrepancy still bothered me. I tried to tally up just who the hell was being counted in my party and realized what had happened—not only was Ella considered a party member, but both Saibra and Líann were being figured into that calculation as well. My bonds with them, emotional and otherwise, made that fact all too obvious once I thought about it for more than a moment. I only hoped that each of them was receiving some reward in return.

  Peeking at my sheet let me know that I was still just under 14,000 points shy of reaching level 43, so I closed it quickly and focused on something more important.

  I slid my fingers down from where they’d been toying with Tási’s hair and brushed them across her cheek as I sent a thin tendril of desire into her. A soft murmur escaped her as Tási responded to the subtle coaxing of my thread, and I whispered my intentions to her.

  “Later, not now,” I let my lips graze her ear. “I just want to let you know what you have to look forward to.”

  “Mmmm,” she hummed her anticipation. “In that case, tell me more.”

  I provided Tási with a few more hints, some a little less subtle than others, until the Army came to a halt for the evening. While our camp was being set up—and over Tási’s protests—I wandered around, offering words of encouragement and even a little help here and there. None of this was necessary; the entire operation was quite efficient without my help, but if people were going to put their lives on the line for me, I felt that the least I could do was show my face and pitch in a little.

  Dinner that night was shared with my Cabinet and advisors, as it was most nights we traveled. Each evening, we’d review anything of note and make adjustments or changes that circumstances might require. Obviously, the big news of the day was the beastkin attack, so that dominated our discussion. Although we reviewed the short battle thoroughly, nothing had happened that seemed to indicate the need for us to alter our behavior, and no one suggested any changes be made.

  When we finally departed for the night to head back to our tent, I took one last glass of wine with me as we left. It had been a particularly appealing variety, and I wanted to savor just a little more of it before going sleep. I’d just placed the glass on the small side table and was so absorbed in enjoying the flavor of the wine that Tási’s ambush took me by surprise.

  “Stop ignoring me,” she growled as she pulled me down. “You made me some promises earlier, and now it’s time for you to keep them.”

  I hadn’t forgotten, at least not completely, but the conversation and the wine had made those promises slip my mind. Tási immediately reminded me of them, in the very special way she had of doing so, most persuasively emphasized by the fact that she’d already stripped herself naked before she’d dragged me into bed.

  Tási got everything I’d promised her that night, and even more. Once she’d ambushed me, there really was no question of that. I’d never had any real defenses against her desires once our bodies met, nor did I want any. She was my first love, and despite all the complexities of our relationship, I never wanted to do anything but make her happy. And for that night at least, I can say that was exactly what I did.

  We were inside the protective confines of Dhel-Ar’s mountain passages before any other mishaps could occur, and reached Rhoboth right on schedule. Normally, an army of nearly 5,000 would overwhelm a city’s ability to accommodate, but with our arrival expected, the King had been able to make arrangements for us.

  Two days of feasting and celebration ensued, and the entire city was awash in festivities. The food was plentiful, and the ale practically flowed in rivers through the streets as we honored and celebrated the strong bonds that had grown between the people of Dhel-Ar and my Empire. During those celebrations, I was moved when the loved ones of some of the soldiers who’d lost their lives in our battles came to me and told me how proud they were of those who’d fallen in my service. The goals we sought were no secret, and the memory of those heroes were honored by their families for having sacrificed themselves in an effort to achieve them.

  It was both a stark and poignant reminder of my obligations. My goals were no longer only mine—they’d become the shared aspirations of tens of thousands of souls. Abandoning them or even settling for coming up short was simply out of the question. To do so now, after so much blood had already been spilled, would not only be a betrayal of myself, but of them as well—neither of which was a burden that I was willing to bear.

  Before leaving Rhoboth on the third day, scheduled so that my army could recover from their overindulgence, we met with the dwarven King to say our goodbyes. He and Broda shared a long embrace as we made ready to leave, but before we did, I had a parting gift for the King.

  Without his early assistance
, my efforts would have been severely hampered, if not impossible to achieve. I’d already presented him with a pair of Khelduin gauntlets in recognition of that fact, and before we departed Rhoboth for Oróna, I gave him the remaining pieces of the full suit of armor to accompany them.

  “You have been a true friend to me and my Empire, your Majesty,” I grinned broadly as the gift was presented to him. “I just couldn’t rely on a mere pair of gauntlets to protect such a valuable ally.”

  The raw metal itself was incredibly valuable, but the suit of armor that Hilgreth, Renn, and Georl had crafted with the Forge Hammers turned that metal into a nearly priceless artifact. The gleaming armor shone brightly in the torchlight, and the King gaped at it in open wonder when it was revealed to him.

  I’d hoarded my Khelduin, guarding it jealously and keeping it for the use of only my own troops. The King knew this well and even respected the value I’d placed on the typically rare metal, so his astonishment was easily understood.

  “You’ve done me an honor, Empress,” the King spoke reverently as he handled one of the sections.

  “No, Torgyd,” I whispered back to him. “I’ve only returned one.”

  The King nodded at me slowly, not bothering to contradict my words. We’d forged our alliance, and there was no need for us to bicker over who might owe the other anything.

  The Army was on its way again a short while after our farewell meeting with Broda’s uncle broke up. After a few days’ more travel underground, we’d be under the open skies once more, and only a short distance from Oróna. With the path ahead of us clear, we forged onward towards our destination, eager to discover what fate had in store for us there.

  Once we were clear of Dhagboro and on the open road again, the Army was able to pick up its pace just a little. The roads inside the mountain that was the Kingdom of Dhel-Ar were safe and clear, but not quite as wide open as the more heavily-traveled caravan trail.