"Yes, my Lord. But trust me, each one of them can handle a man as strong as Marek over there," he said, pointing at the giant cleric.
"Good. Everyone, take a seat or stand. I don't care either way. Get something to drink so we can start. You have five minutes," I ordered and spread my wings. I needed to feel the cold air on my face and skin, I needed to stretch my arms and soar through the night. Tierney joined me in the sky moments later. We flew around without speaking a word, just enjoying each other's company.
"What do you think of my gift," I asked once we reached about three hundred feet above castle Bran. She danced playfully around me, caressing my bare skin.
"I love it almost as much as I do you, my Lord," she replied and leaned in to kiss me. "Gamayun has inscribed my usual outfit with the strongest runes possible. We even tested out Katya's strongest magic when you were-- out and talking to your inner self. It glanced off me as if it was nothing."
"Good. I need you alive and well. You know I love all of you, but you and Freya are special to me, even more so than the rest."
"Figures. You love the kinky stuff we do, don't you?"
"Who wouldn't?"
She went quiet for a long moment and tucked a loose strand behind her ear, something I haven't seen her do a single time up until now. It was quite odd, to say the least. Was she embarrassed?
"Was it really that close as Selene said? Up there in Orsova or what's it called?"
I nodded my head almost subconsciously before replying.
"Yeah, it was," I replied. "If Boris and Selene hadn't shown up when they did, I'd be dead right now. We've gained a new ally as well, a guy called Renato. He's a so-called Dark Stone."
"Wait, what? A Dark Stone? Are you serious?"
"Yeah, why?" I asked curiously. "Are they special?"
"They sure are! The Dark Stones are mythical creatures, unlike us Vampyres who are quite common. Dark Stones can't procreate, and no one knows how new ones come into existence. It's said that their skin is impenetrable by anything, at least anything belonging to the physical realm. Magic is something else."
"Yeah, he said as much. But why is that important to us?"
"Because we could use it to create better armor for ourselves. See, the Dark Stones shed their 'skin' every now and then, and that 'skin' can be infused into items."
"And how do you know all that?"
"I've read it in an ancient tome of enchantment we found in a ruin a couple of dozen years ago. I've given it to Gamayun. She should know how to use the skin."
"Hmm. If we survive this, I'll go have a chat with him. Anyway, how about we get this meeting over with. I'm anxious to get started working on our defenses."
"Sure," she replied and kissed me quickly on the lips before sliding out of my reach. I followed her and dropped to the square again.
"I see that everyone's seated, which is good. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible," I said as I took my seat at the head of the formation of tables and chairs. "You see, we'll be facing an army of over thirty thousand clergies, along with at least a dozen of high ranking officials. And last but not least, that wicked guard Captain."
The crowd gasped and started whispering among themselves. It bothered me to no end, but I let them go on for a couple of seconds before Boris stepped in.
"You lot better shut the fuck up before I rip you all a new one!"
I couldn't help but chuckle as I nodded at Boris, who grinned in turn.
"So, this is how we're going to do it. Petrov will be leading the ex-Serpents soldiers, while, Tierney, help me out here. Who do you assign in your stead to lead your old group?"
"Aiden. He's to lead them."
"Very well, Aiden it is. You two will split your forces into five groups and get instructions on how to put them to work. Keep in mind, deserting isn't possible. Someone will notice the wards go off, and no matter who you are, you're going to die a horrible death. Is that clear?"
Various 'yes sir,' and 'yes Lord' rang out.
"Good! As to anyone who can use a type of magic or is Supernatural, we need them to come report by the morning. They will be the unit that will take the center formation along with us," Freya ordered. I couldn't help but smile smugly.
"Everyone but the named ones are dismissed!" I ordered waving them off. The fewer people there were, the better they would pay attention. And it proved to be so. Once almost everyone had left, the few who remained got more serious.
"My Lord," Aiden said as a sort of greeting and bowed slightly. "I won't disappoint. What will you have me-- us do," he asked. I shoved a piece of paper his way, something I'd previously discussed with Tierney. She told me the strengths and weaknesses of her people, so I'd have to use them as a type of specialist army.
"Read that, but not out loud. Delegate responsibilities and choose wisely. If we survive this battle, you will keep your role. Understood?"
"Yes, my Lord!" he replied, taking the piece of paper, then folded it in two before anyone could glance over it.
"As for you, Petrov, I need your weak ass men to get in shape overnight. You'll be fed enough blood and handed enchanted gear. Don't disappoint me."
"My Lord," he replied with a nod. "Anything else?"
"Yes, there is. Your task is to attack from five sides with an equal number of men. Choose your five officers well, and once you see the signal, attack."
"We will, Lord. But won't that be suicidal?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "You'll outnumber them when the attack starts. I'm not as foolish to throw away good men. Just make sure they train all night and day while under Vampyre blood and using their new gear. I want them to become accustomed to fighting like super soldiers. When they get used to it, they can go take a rest after which they'll be helping Aiden's men until the enemy arrives. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Lord! We live to serve!"
I chuckled inwardly. Just a week ago he wanted to kill us, now they existed to serve us. True, they are far more afraid of us than the clerics since they have never fought the zealot bastards, but things could change any moment. We'd have to plan everything carefully.
"Dismissed."
They got up and left without another word. I could hear the trot of their horses only seconds after reaching the stables. Good, they had taken this seriously. And we all better did, or we'd end up dead.
"So, what now?" Boris asked, slumping into a large chair barely enough to fit him.
"We do our part. Especially you and your pack. I need you to do something for me. It involves a lot of digging and camouflage."
"So you're using us work slaves? How dehumanizing," the Werewolf joked.
"You're far from Human, so don't expect any Humane treatment. Are you up for it or not?"
He nodded slowly and looked up at the starry sky.
"I want a bigger pack. Give me fifteen more."
"Hah! You wish!" Tierney exclaimed accompanied by Katya and Selene. I raised my hand and nodded slowly.
"The same rules apply as in Zharevo."
"Thank you, Ivan. I won't disappoint. When do you need us to start digging?"
"As soon as in the hour. Assign someone to keep your pack in line and follow the orders. I can't have anyone screw this up, or we're dead."
"And I can get to changing them?"
"Yes," I replied with another nod. "You can go play God or whatever it is you like. But you better be prepared by dawn to start digging. I want it ready by tomorrow night. Oh, and take this. It will explain everything in detail," I said, handing him a large piece of parchment.
"A symbol?"
"Shut up and get to it."
"Bah! You need to start treating your friends better, boss. Or you might lose them when most important."
"I'll keep it in mind, Boris. Now if you will." With that, he disappeared toward the main gate. Seconds later, a maddening howl left his lungs and was followed by fourteen more.
"Yeah, just imagine when there are thirty of them. No one will be
able to have a good night's sleep," Katya murmured.
"Let him. He saved my life back in Orsova. It's the least I can do for him."
"If you say so. I still think it a bad idea," she added.
"We need their help. Especially with what I tasked him to do. Anyway, I'm planning to fly up there and see how far along the enemy is. Tierney, Freya, care to join me?"
Tierney sat up immediately unfurling her wings.
"Hell, yes!" she exclaimed. "I want to see it for myself!"
"I'll stay here. You're not planning on fighting, right? Then there's no need for me to join you," Freya replied. I was a bit disappointed by her response but thought nothing more of it. Calling the meeting off, I got up and unfurled my wings of darkness, then shot up into the sky followed by Tierney. I could always trust her to go anywhere with me. Hana, Katya, and Selene were jealous and mad, I saw it in their eyes, but this was a scouting mission, not a picnic.
"So, what's the plan for your ladies?" Tierney asked as she caught up with me. I caught her wrist and pulled her in, kissing my queen.
"If it were up to me, I'd bury you in the catacombs beneath Bran until everything was over, but I don't have that luxury. It will take everything I have to keep up with the Captain. What's more, there's a large number of high-ranking officials. And for some reason, I don't see Freya interfering either because she can't or won't. Whatever the reason, I'm not counting on her."
Tierney looked away. I could feel the bloodlust and anger radiating from her.
"Do you think he'll be there again?"
"No doubt. If she can at least subdue him, then she'll serve her purpose," I replied. I wasn't entirely honest about the whole situation, but no one needed to know that, especially not one of my women.
"I see. But don't you think you put a little too much faith in her? After all, until the moment you surpass her, she can always go back on her word."
"So the ceremony binding didn't work on her?"
"I have no idea. She's a goddess."
I sighed, annoyed by the possible prospect. Or was there something else going on, a play for power over the girls by Tierney? If they wanted to keep themselves busy, they could go ahead as long as no one started any problems.
"Whatever. I'll think about it when the time comes. For now, all that's on my mind is to see how far they've come."
Tierney didn't reply, but nodded and joined me in flight. We remained quiet for a while, both lost in our thoughts. Oh, what I wouldn't have done to get out of the mess I got us in, but it wasn't to be. And it was with those thoughts that we found the army some four hours flight from Castle Bran.
They were still a good day away by foot, though forced marching wasn't good for the soldiers. If they were to be attacked and caught off guard, it would work against them. No, this was too risky. I had no idea what we were up against, and getting in closer to the thousands of light-crystals the soldiers had imbued to their helmets would be suicide.
"Let's take it up higher," I said, flapping my wings. There was no real difference to seeing something from three hundred feet away or five hundred, it was the same to my eyes. Tierney followed me up higher and stopped next to me.
The column of soldiers went on for miles. The bastards weren't huddled up on one another, no, there was at least five feet between the lines, and after every fifth line another fifteen feet.
"What the hell?" she cursed. "Why are they moving like that?"
"I don't know. Maybe they're afraid of getting swamped by magic. But what's with those clerics at the center of each block of soldiers? The one carrying a banner with a dark crystal at the top?"
"Mobile wards or something? I have no idea. Shit, Ivan, this is the real deal. This isn't the crap we've been facing for the last year!"
"I know," I hissed. "But it is what it is. Still, maybe we should have some fun? Stall them for a while? What do you think?"
Tierney grinned, showing off all her pearl-white teeth and her extended fangs.
"I thought you'd never ask!"
Chapter Thirty-Six
"Follow my lead," I said before I flew off toward the back of the formation, staying high above the tree-tops. Tierney followed right behind me, but she had no idea what I was planning. It was nothing special, only something to try and delay them for a while, if even only for an hour.
I landed some hundred feet to their left and slowly seeped the darkness around me to cover our presence. The shadows extended from down below the trees and slowly cut through the thick trunks. It made noise, but nothing they would be weary off during such a forced and loud march. The prayers they kept repeating were already pushing me to the brink of sanity. What the hell was up with these idiots?
"I'm hurling five trunks at their formations. Once the trunks hit, we're sweeping in. Don't stand and fight, this is a hit and run. Do you understand?"
She nodded her head as her sword-whip uncoiled beside her. I counted nine extended blades as sharp as razors. Her look said it all: she loved it.
"I'm ready," she whispered, licking her lips.
"Give me a minute, I don't want to alarm them," I replied and slowly put up a wall of darkness between us to hide the rising tree-trunks. Unfortunately, the snapping branches alerted the nearest soldiers. I could see them stop and turn their heads in our direction.
"What is it?" an official asked from right behind the three men who stopped to look. They peered toward us, trying to see into the darkness but the shadows were too thick. One of them stepped out from the column and turned his crystal toward us.
"Shit," I cursed as most of the shadows disappeared against the light. This was something I would need to solve before long. Even during the night, those wretched souls had a way to get the upper hand. No wonder they were marching around without worry. "Come in from behind them. Move it!" I ordered as the darkness twisted the trunks around and hurled them at five of the columns. Two only hit a man or two, while three of the trunks crashed right through the line.
"We're under attack! Put up the shields and form on the Bishops!" the same man ordered. He was a tall, thin man with long arms and legs. Atop his head sat a hat so tiny it could fit on a monkey's head. He produced two crystals from his pouch and pointed them at me. Using the couple of seconds I had, I felled two more trees and threw them into the group he led. One of the two struck him right in the chest but shattered on impact, while the second killed a handful of soldiers. It was more than I needed.
"Don't take your eyes off me!" Tierney screamed as she slashed the whip-like blade at the enemy from behind. The razor-sharp pieces of metal struck legs and arms, cutting right through them as if they were butter. Using whatever power I had, I brought their dead back to life and hurled dozens of javelins at the enemy flank. More projectiles were disintegrated by the light than not, but enough passed to sow death among the enemy.
"You wretched Humans!" I roared. "Die in your own blood!"
More dead rose as Tierney swirled through their ranks. Finally, the enemy started reacting and putting up resistance. Hundreds of beams of light started shooting right at me. My defenses held for a couple of seconds before the first attack went through and struck my left arm. I cursed at the potency of the attack and evaded the rest.
"Don't get hit!" I shouted to Tierney just as she cried out. I cursed and dashed right into the enemy line, summoning my spear and cutting through limbs and bodies. Whichever corpse could still stand and fight rose from the ground and joined the others in a brawl for their life.
Tierney's whip-blade sang, cutting everything around her and still left standing. Soldiers died by the scores. She shot up into the sky and circled around while whipping at the enemy beneath.
The high ranking cleric rushed into me from the side, hammering me with a mace. I could feel my ribs snap, but a moment later, they had healed up again.
"Fucking Humans!" I cursed brandishing my spear. The blade connected with the cudgel of his mace and deflected, but not before cracking his weapon. It shattered i
n a hundred pieces giving me the needed opening. I lunged in and struck him with the back of my spear, sending him flying into the group of soldiers standing behind him.
Beams of light hammered me from all sides, but I wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste, so I sank my teeth into his neck.
"We need to go!" Tierney shouted. There are too many of them focused on the two of us! We'll die at this pace!"
"I know," I yelled, lifting up the tall man as I kept drinking his blood. He was dead before I hit the air and threw him to the ground. Tierney's whip hissed one last time before she flew up after me. Seeing the mass of death and destruction below us, I did one last thing that was available to me; devouring the dead.
A sea of darkness rose from beneath the dead and dying, swallowing them like a tide of death. Limbs were torn from bodies as the shadows tugged at them viciously and ate the living along with them.
"You shall not do as you please!" a familiar voice yelled from up the column. I knew it was him before I even laid eyes on him, the Captain. He jumped off his horse and high into the sky right toward me, cracked open several crystals and shot a beam down at the sinkhole. It vanished almost instantaneously.
"Captain! You sure know how to be a pain in the ass!" I shot at him along with a massive shadow javelin. It crashed right into his armor and cracked it open to his surprise.
"You've become stronger, Vampyre. I look forward to ending you once and for all!" he shouted as his body dropped into the mass of soldiers below. I sighed in relief. At least he wasn't able to fly around and chase us all the way to Rasnov, or it would have been a real problem.
"So do I! Make sure you hurry up, Captain! I can't wait to rip your arms off and beat you to death with them!"
"Soon, young Vampyre! Very soon!" he laughed from below me. Tierney was already ahead of me and running as if her life depended on it, which it did, but still streaked occasionally in between the columns of soldiers to slice them up. I couldn't help but chuckle at the whole situation. The damage we'd done hadn't been anything short of miraculous when you considered that thousands of beams had been shot at us over a couple of seconds. Still, from what Dracul told me, we only killed a couple of thousand.
Lord of Shadows book 2: Bloodlines Page 28