Satana didn’t need any warning, she was aware of the bugbear leader’s approach, even though she was in the middle of combat with another bugbear. She dove out of the way just as he reached her with a mighty swing, that instead, hit the bugbear she was battling. The blow knocked the bugbear to the ground making it yelp from the hit, stunning it. The bugbear leader did not waste time caring about hitting his comrade and continued with the swing, arcing it in a circle at Satana, who again rolled away. She popped up to her feet and swung a blow of her own, that was blocked by the bugbears stone club. The sound of the metal blade hitting the stone made a resounding ting that was ear piercing. It vibrated the blade all the way down to the handle, the force of which was so painful, Satana could barely keep hold of her sword, almost dropping it. Thikuf rushed in from the side of the bugbear leader with his shield and sword in hand. The bugbear leader turned on Thikuf leading with a swing of his giant stone club hitting Thikuf fully on his shield, shattering it, breaking Thikuf’s shield arm. Thikuf growled out in pain from the blow, holding his arm to his chest and buckling to his knees. The bugbear leader raised his stone club to end Thikuf, before he could bring down his weapon, dwarves smothered him with attacks, ascending on the creature like a swarm of bees, climbing on him, stabbing him with their short swords, hacking at him with their axes, and shooting him with their crossbows. Satana recovered and choked up on her sword so the vibration of sword meeting stone would not catch her as it did the first time. The bugbear grabbed at the dwarves who crawled all over him, snatching and tossing them one at a time. It shook like a wet dog, flinging dwarves like water from its fur. Not a one could manage enough strength to hang on to the flailing bugbear. It turned its attention, again, to Satana, who was already moving with an attack of her own. She was much faster than the bugbear and struck it twice, once in the arm that held its massive weapon and once in the leg on the same side. It bellowed in more anger than pain, then threw a dwarf at her, that it still held in its off hand. Satana easily dodged the flying dwarf, who landed into the lower back of another bugbear, who yelped from the collision that bent him almost in half. The dwarf hit the ground and bounced to his feet directly into a run circling around to perform another attack. He stumbled slightly as he ran, pulling out another weapon to use.
Grik and a group of four dwarves finally took down the bugbear they battled, who would not let them join the fray with the leader. It was all they could handle. Bugbears who were not engaged with the dwarves moved to their leader’s side, attacking dwarves as the fighting became centered around Satana and the bugbear leader. The bugbear leader swung his stone club in a wide arc, keeping everyone and everything away from him. He squared up to Satana and roared at her. Satana steeled herself and took a stance, then waved the bugbear over to her, daring it to attack. The bugbear roared, enraged, then dropped its stone club and balled up its fists, running right at her. It seemed to want to finish her with its bare hands! Satana smiled that she made the creature so angry and moved to meet the bugbear leader. Before the two met, the bugbear leader stopped its run abruptly, it began to twist and turn. There was someone on his back clinging to the fur of his neck, holding on by handfuls. The bugbear spun around, awkwardly reaching over its shoulders, trying to reach whatever was on its back. It was the broken man, Notter Van Musken. He climbed the bugbear with an agility that shocked Satana, he made his way to the bugbears shoulder then reached around its throat with a curved dagger that glowed. Then, he slit its throat. A green light emanated from the dagger as it cut deep into the bugbear leader’s neck. It gurgled and fell to its knees, then face first to the ground, dead. The dwarves yelled in victory, raising their weapons in celebration. The remaining bugbears turned and fled in terror. Grik yelled to his dwarves to let none escape.
“Don’t kill them all!” Satana yelled to the pursuing dwarves, “We need one alive!” She yelled at Grik. He ran after his men yelling orders. Satana rushed over to Thikuf and knelt next to him examining his arm. Thikuf growled in pain when she grabbed it to get a closer look. She stood up and walked around a few steps, then spotted an axe. She picked it up and knelt once again next to Thikuf. “Bite down on the handle, this is going to hurt.” She said and stuck the axe handle in his face. Thikuf took the axe and bit down. Satana grabbed Thikuf’s broken arm and straightened it out with a loud pop making him growl in pain then take the axe handle out of his mouth.
“Dammit!” Thikuf yelled pulling his arm back.
“Easy Thikuf, start getting a splint together, I’ll be back to help you fit it.” She slapped his cheek and smiled.
“I’m fine!” He growled, Satana knew he was just lashing out and continued after the dwarves, ignoring his angry demeanor. She walked passed Notter Van Musken, who watched her walk to him, then kept watching her as she passed with a smirk on his face, giving her a polite nod. “You are something else, Notter.” Satana said. He smiled wider and bowed low, then limped over toward Thikuf. Satana broke into a run when she heard yells from the dwarves, hurrying to catch up and pulling her sword out as she ran. When she caught up with them, she discovered they had killed the fleeing bugbears save for one they were working over pretty good. He was bound and the dwarves were each taking turns giving him a kick or a punch. Satana didn’t stop them. She knew they had just watched a comrade get his head crushed by the bugbear leader and no doubt struggled with letting it live.
“We got this one left.” Grik said as she arrived.
“Don’t break his jaw, I have questions.” Satana said loud enough for all the dwarves to hear.
“You speak his language, do you?” Grik asked. Satana looked at him a moment.
“No, no I don’t.” She said.
“I think I can help.” Grik said with a smile. Satana gave him a surprised yet impressed look. Grik turned to his dwarves, who were still taking turns pummeling the bugbear. “Back up!” Grik ordered and the dwarves slowly stopped, making way for him. “What do you want to know?” Grik asked Satana.
“I wanna know where they were going, and why.” She said. Grik nodded, then nodded to two dwarves who were holding the bugbear in place. They grabbed the bugbear by its arms pulling them out long. Grik pulled out his axe and lined it up on the bugbear’s bicep. He growled a guttural sound that was very familiar to Satana, it reminded her of Venalina casting a spell. The bugbear did not resist or put up much of a fight and began telling Grik what he wanted to know. It told Grik that he was going to take a knee before the new dark lord, rising in the south, the one who would unite his kind with others and allow them to feed upon the flesh of men. When it was done talking, Grik started to turn to Satana then spun quickly, and unexpectedly, back at the bugbear, plunging his axe in its skull, right between the eyes.
“They were going to meet a larger force, heading to your lands. Ganlin.” Grik said to Satana, putting his foot on the bugbears chest and yanking his axe from its head.
“I had follow-up questions.” She said watching the dead bugbear fall to the ground. Grik shrugged.
“We know enough. We need to get to your lands before that force does.” Grik said walking away from her. Satana looked at the dead bugbear then at Grik. He began to order his men back to the bugbears camp.
Thikuf and Notter were going through all the belongings of the bugbears, when Thikuf came upon a chest that belonged to the bugbear leader. When he opened it, he was surprised to see it was filled with gold and jewels. Notter watched from a few feet away rummaging through a pile of armor and weapons. “My lord will require that as payment for accompanying you and your mistress.” He said. Thikuf chuckled and stuck his hand in the chest running his fingers over the valuables.
“Your master will be happy with whatever I choose to share.” Thikuf growled looking up at Notter. The broken man smirked then tilted his head in a slight nod to Thikuf. Grik, the dwarves, and Satana, returned to the bugbear camp where Grik ordered Notter and a group of dwarves to return to where they left their gear prior to the attack. Grik walked
over to where Thikuf was kneeling over the chest, admiring its contents. Thikuf was picking through the pieces of jewelry examining each piece, surprised that it wasn’t baubles of glass, but true treasure. Thikuf looked up at Grik. “What?” Thikuf asked, “Your prize is the meeting, remember?” Grik snorted staring down at the chest. He looked like he wanted to say something but was holding himself in check.
“How much of that do you want for yourself, Thikuf?” Satana asked as she arrived, “We have a deal with him, but I’d say you should probably take a share and let him spread some of it around to his men. For the sake of peace.” Thikuf looked at her then at Grik, who was still staring into the chest. Thikuf reached back into the chest and pulled out a large diamond necklace and a pair of diamond earrings he fished out of the gold and silver, then stood up. He tapped the chest with his foot as if he were kicking it to Grik. “That’s an interesting choice?” Satana laughed.
“It’s not for me!” Thikuf said defensively, “For the queen, there is a wedding about to take place, I don’t plan on arriving empty handed.” He said making Satana snicker. Grik closed the chest then grabbed it by one of its handles, dragging it over to the side of the bugbear camp. He sat on it, waiting for everyone to return. Satana walked over to Grik and eyed him a moment before Grik finally spoke.
“What?” He asked.
“You’re Derro, underground dwarves, why are you up here, and why aren’t you affected by the light of day?” She asked.
“You have a wide knowledge, girl, that you know of us is quite a surprise.” He said shaking his head and smiling at her, “We are outcasts, exiles, some. We have spent much time above ground, we are used to the never-ending days that once cursed Sumia.” Grik stood and opened the chest, “Take your share, before I hand it out.” He offered.
“I’m fine.” Satana said shrugging off his generosity, surprising Grik. He closed the chest and returned to sitting on it.
“You are a mystery, Satana, what drives a woman like you?” Grik asked.
“That’s a good question. Maybe someday I’ll answer it.” Satana answered, “We’ll rest the night then pick up the pace in the morning, I want to make it to Ganlin as fast as possible. Thikuf will need some attention.”
“I’ll have our medic look at his arm, make sure he’s good for the run ahead of us. I’ve sent men to recover and tend to our horses, have them ready to go as well.” Grik said making Satana nod in her agreement.
Chapter Twenty-Six
In the palace garden of Urixis, Tamina awaited her niece’s arrival. She wandered the garden wondering how much of it her dead sister planted herself and how much she magically generated. Tamina was tempted to detect magic just to find out that answer. She giggled to herself, “I’ll let that secret die with you my dear sister.”
“Tamina, are you here?” Queen Menina called into the garden from the hall entrance. Tamina walked slowly to the path and then started toward the center, near the fountain. She took her time, making Queen Menina believe she wasn’t there. She started to turn away from the garden back to the hall.
“I’m here, Aynisa.” Tamina called before she got out of ear shot. Queen Menina returned to the garden and entered, stopping just inside the door.
“I didn’t see you.” She said holding her hands together in front of her.
“I was admiring Ayana’s garden.” Tamina smiled reaching her niece just as Elmyra appeared in the glass double door entrance, behind Queen Menina. Their eyes met for just a second, but Tamina could see contempt in that brief time. It made Tamina smirk at her.
“Your highness, it is done.” Elmyra said making Queen Menina turn her head slightly, not enough to look at Elmyra, only enough to acknowledge she was heard. Tamina wondered if she held her in contempt because she now advised the queen?
“Come Tamina, I have something to share with you.” Queen Menina said and spun around, then followed Elmyra, who had already walked away shortly after informing the queen of her completed task. Tamina felt something, something like a tap on her shoulder. She turned back quickly, alarmed. There was no one there. Then she spotted something on the pathway. It was a black stone. Tamina walked over, crouching to examine it. It had a symbol etched on it, an elven symbol, it was her name. She knew what it meant, the council of races wanted to see her. “Tamina, are you coming?”
“Coming, Aynisa.” Tamina stood quickly and spun into a walk, then hurried after Queen Menina and Elmyra in the hall, “The smell of the garden is delightful, I hate to leave it sometimes.” She said smiling. The three women continued down the long hall and Elmyra accompanied them all the way down to the lower levels of the dungeon. Once there they stood in front of a cell door.
“They’re inside, as you requested.” Elmyra said.
“Good, that’ll be all, Elmyra.” Queen Menina said glancing at her then at Tamina. She noticed Elmyra didn’t leave immediately. “Is there something else?” Elmyra glanced down then looked at Queen Menina again.
“It’s just,” Elmyra started, then paused, “I thought you were going to place humans and not elves?”
“Yes,” Queen Menina said, then breathed in deep through her nose, “We must be diligent in our placing, all races must be placed. We can’t simply use humans.”
“But you’ve placed more elves than humans my queen, and never have you placed dwarves, or any of the fairy folk?” She asked, clearly dismayed. Queen Menina walked over to Elmyra slowly.
“Do you trust me, Elmyra?” She asked making Elmyra look down and clench her jaw.
“I do my queen.” Elmyra answered. Queen Menina put a hand to her cheek.
“This will be the very last elf placement ever, my dear, loyal, general. It pains me to do it, but you must know, it is necessary?” Queen Menina asked.
“Yes, my queen.” Elmyra said still looking down. Queen Menina forced her to look at her, lifting her chin.
“Now, tell me, have their tracks been covered, explain to me how you ensured they will not lead back to me?” She asked.
“There was a disturbance between the two, they were warned repeatedly about their disruptive dispute. We warned them that they would be suspended from doing business in Urixis, knowing it would do little to resolve the issue between them. They had threatened to take their business to Dwerma, should you, the queen, not rule on their dispute.” Elmyra explained. “There was another incident between them that ended in violence. We publicly suspended their licenses to do business here, and they did as they threatened to do. They packed up and left for Dwerma. We took them in the night, quietly, and brought them here, for you.”
“Very clever, Elmyra.” Tamina said smiling at the elf then looked at Queen Menina like she was impressed with Elmyra, which made Queen Menina smile and look at Elmyra fondly. It pleased her Tamina seemed impressed with how her servants performed. Her approval felt like the approval of her own mother to Queen Menina, who missed her mother terribly.
“You can go now, Elmyra.” Queen Menina said.
“You no longer need to seek out the council, Elmyra. It should go without saying, given the recent turn of events, but I do not wish to leave anything unsaid. Are we clear?” Tamina interjected. Queen Menina cocked her head and looked at her aunt surprised. After Elmyra left, Tamina could see the look on Queen Menina’s face and asked, “What?”
“You over step your place, Tamina.” Queen Menina said narrowing her eyes, “I give the commands, you can advise me in private, but never again will you give a command as if you are the queen.” Her voice was on the edge of a growl. Tamina’s face became serious, almost angry at the audacity of her niece’s words. To disrespect her as if she were some common person. She forced herself to smile warmly at her.
“I’m sorry, Aynisa, it won’t happen again.” She said and tilted her head in a slight bow. Queen Menina watched her a moment through still narrowed eyes.
“I want the upper hand over the council.” She finally said, “Because they assist us does not mean they will always a
ssist us. I want the ability to act when an example needs to be set with them. They will learn that their place is to serve me, not the other way around.”
“I understand.” Tamina said still bowing her head and showing her niece the respect of her station.
“I don’t think you do? Mother said you lacked the ability to take in the full view of a situation. She might be right?” Queen Menina pondered aloud, those words stung Tamina. It took everything she had not to show the anger that raged inside her at those words.
“I-” Tamina started to say.
“Come,” Queen Menina interrupted her, “I have prepared this feast of elves for us. Let’s not sour the occasion. The worm turns in our favor.” She said then smiled.
“Aynisa,” Tamina said, “The affects will cause you to turn again, we need more time to prepare before we feed. Let’s delay it until the morning. Rest. You will need your strength to curb the power that will flow into you.” Queen Menina considered her words and was keenly reminded of what she looked like in her true form after she fed on Ohmbryn. She nodded slowly as she considered whether she wanted to risk not being able to control the change. After all, this feeding was really a thank you to her aunt Tamina, than to truly satiate any hunger she had?
The Vordalyn 2 Page 27