“Why go there?” Gilda asked.
“Flightmaster Matahu’s Aviary,” Saba said. “Soleb was to be our first stop for supplies. Then we were to head to the Aviary once we met Nebsamu.
“Umesh’s choice makes sense. Even if he wanted to, he can’t cross the mountains with so many slaves. And he can’t go the other way back into the Lothal dominion. His own people hate him for practicing slavery.
“He also can’t take his prizes overland across Khertahka, for fear of being caught. So, he’ll use Matahu’s collection of flying mounts to ferry them into Puria to the grand kora markets.”
Elder Amun spoke, his expression distraught. “And there is a very good chance most of them will have their horns taken before or close to Marna.”
“Then why’re we still standing here?” Frost hefted Noobstick. Objectives for Matahu’s Aviary became available. “Night’s almost here. The Redthorns gotta stop to rest because of the children and chained prisoners. I say we get fresh mounts and ride all night.”
A lament of drakes’ gurgling shrieks cut through his words, cut through the people’s fervent prayers. High in the sky, appearing more like black, blue, green, and red birds with webbed wings, rather than scaled beasts three times the size of a man, at least thirty of the creatures banked before diving toward Soleb. Their riders were barely visible as they leaned close into their mounts’ necks.
“So much for that idea,” Gilda said.
“Let’s go now, while there’s still time before they land,” Saba said.
“No.” Gilda shook her head. “It’s already too late. And since we’re dressed like them, it’d be strange for us to leave now. There’s also no way we could outrun them. We need a believable story for being here.”
“I agree with Gilda,” Frost said. “Gotta play our parts until we find a way to escape.”
“What if someone talks.” Saba eyed the Elder suspiciously.
“You have nothing to fear from me or mine.” Amun lowered his voice and stared at Frost. “Your friend told me who your mother was. The Hand was a dear friend.”
CHAPTER 15
While Saba went to greet and report to the Azureguard company’s Major, Frost and Gilda busied themselves by assisting with burials. Whispering to each other, they discussed how they might resolve their current dilemma. Not long after, Elder Amun arranged for food and drink to be brought to the Azureguards in celebration of their arrival, subsequent aid, and the battle to come. Frost and Gilda offered their help.
Sunset bled into the night’s dark embrace as the Azureguards set up camp on Soleb’s outskirts and deployed scouts at several locations. They roped off an area for the drakes, who often blared like discordant trumpets. Campfires blazed to life.
The Azureguards settled in, singing raucous songs while drinking and enjoying the constant stream of food. A few danced, blue garb limned by flames. The night wore on.
One by one, the Azureguards headed to bed. Campfires began a slow death, leaving behind the glowing orange eyes of embers. Perhaps two hours passed amid the drakes’ earsplitting calls and the fading revelry.
Saba joined Frost and Gilda where Frost had set up their sleeping area beyond earshot of the closest Azureguard. “Did any of the Sky Swords ask about you?” She kept her voice low, barely audible above their campfire, whose flames crackled and capered with the wind.
“A few did,” Frost answered. “I told the story we agreed on. I’m just a lowly Soldier from Benna, a town in the western part of this nome.”
“Adak.” Gilda sat with her back against a pile of bags. “Northwest, a few towns beyond Benna.”
“Good, good.” Saba nodded. “This is one of the few times I can say it’s a blessing that Exarch Bakui Assam has Azureguards posted all across Khertahka.”
“You think they bought it?” Frost asked.
The centaur smiled. “I’m certain they did. Since the voidstorm that created Maelpith Island, it’s not uncommon for the Coalition to send out scouts to track reports of draconids beyond the Front. Typically, it might be someone of lesser rank than myself… but for one thing… I’m a woman.
“And because of that, Major Neferna and I got to talking. We were able to relate as women who struggled through the ranks, who had to take on tasks below our station in order to advance. To gain respect.” She scowled. “The conversation went rather well when I mentioned where I trained, my old colonel, and a brigadier who had more rules than commandments in Yarl’s scriptures. And the trials of having to work three times as hard as men to please a Drillmaster.”
“Sounds all too familiar,” Gilda said acidly.
“Did you find out where this company came from?” Frost studied his surroundings, one finger stroking his aether ring. The other ring was a weight on his chest. “Any chance they know about Niba?”
“The Sky Swords are from Aprunis,” Saba said. “Part of Nomarch Setnana Botros’ cohort. And they know about Niba.”
Frost hissed at the Nomarch’s name and the news.
“Don’t worry.” Saba shook her head. “Neither you nor our patron is their concern at the moment. Major Neferna let it slip that the Exarch sent the Nomarch on some urgent business to the Ignis dominion. A mission to Maelpith Island, launching from Kituan.”
Frost breathed a bit easier but not by much. “What’s the plan now?” He noted the numerous mounds of slumbering Azureguards. “The longer we wait, the worse it gets for Tia and the others.”
“We have no choice but to wait.” Saba shook her head of short hair and let out a sigh. “The guards would see if we snuck off in the night. Besides, the major plans to fly to Marna before dawn breaks. If we’re lucky, we’ll catch Umesh and his Thorns unprepared.”
“Or we could steal a few drakes.” Frost could not see himself sitting idly by all night. Not with Tia in harm’s way. Not with her plight being his fault. And he did not intend to. “Some villagers said if we flew east from here, over Apep’s Belly, we would get to Marna.”
“You speak as if there aren’t any guards,” Saba said.
“We could take care of them,” Frost countered.
“Even if we managed it, where would that leave me?” Saba arched a quizzical brow, face highlighted by moonlight and the campfire’s orange glow. “Have you ever seen a centaur fly a drake?”
Frost fought back a grin at the image. “I once heard dresdori are fleeting like the wind. Even more so with you being a marksman. Use Streak a bunch of times, and you wouldn’t be far behind.”
“Anyone ever told you you’re an asshole?” Saba asked.
“Me?” Frost feigned being hurt. “I wasn’t the one bragging about my prowess.”
Saba rolled her eyes. “Anyway, let’s say we did this, there’s the little problem of an entire company against us.” Saba eyed the Azureguards in the encampment. “I studied both of you.” She nodded at Frost. “I doubt you tested Void Legion before, which makes you almost a complete noob.” She ran an appraising gaze over Gilda. “You have some skill. But both of you are level ten or less and most likely lack the strength or will to control a young drake. Even if you could, then we’d have to deal with the scouts raising the alarm.”
“I had a feeling you were a player.” Frost nodded. “But I wasn’t certain, especially with the way you talk all prim and proper sometimes.”
“I like to role-play, to keep with the spirit of the game.”
“Where’re you from?” Gilda asked.
“Out West. California. BioGen flew me to New New York for this phase.”
“Cool,” Frost said.
“Not as cool as playing beside two of the best,” Saba said. “Even if you overestimate what you can accomplish at your levels. But I guess that’s why you are who you are… the risks you take… I was always a cautious player.”
“Ca
utious, huh?” Frost smirked. “Some people call that fear.”
“Whatever.”
Gilda spoke. “Frost and I already thought the plan through. The Battleguards won’t be an issue. As for the drakes… the reins alone will keep them docile.”
“Reins won’t shut them up or make the scouts not sound the alarm.” Saba tilted her head to one side, eyes reflecting the dwindling flames.
“Not a prob,” Frost said.
“Not a problem?” Saba fixed them with a searching gaze. “What am I missing?
“Most soldiers find it hard to resist a good drink… the horrors of war and all that.” Frost cast a lingering look out into the encampment. There were numerous mounds. Abundant snores drifted on the brisk night air, the wind carrying the stench of unwashed bodies and piss. “Even the ones who insist on keeping a clear mind still need to eat. Or drink water.”
“The right dose of ground dreamweed goes a long way,” Gilda bragged.
“Now, we wait for all the campfires to go out to be certain they’re fully asleep.” Frost was proud of the plan. It had worked better than expected.
A Way Past The Guards
Objective Complete.
Incapacitate the Azureguards:
1000 experience points
Gained 100 Khertahka dominion credits
“You claimed you thought it through,” Saba said quietly, an edge to her voice. “But did you also consider that when these drake riders wake up, they’ll know exactly what transpired and blame the villagers?”
Frost puffed up his chest. “We did. Which is why we made certain to be seen helping with the food and drink. And we also fed the same dreamweed to the villagers.”
“We’ll be the three who’re missing,” added Gilda. “Trust and believe, any officer with an ounce of sense will blame us first. When Elder Amun mentions that we asked after the people Umesh Madara took, and describes Nebsamu, the major will know who we really are.”
“Even if Major Neferna insists the villagers played a part,” Frost said, “I doubt she’ll order the Azureguards to butcher them. They’re eradae. Not grand kora murderers. But as a precaution, we had Amun send a raven off to the Coalition leadership to let them know what happened and that Setnana’s cohort is here handling the issue. He’ll casually mention it to the major.”
Their campfire flickered and died. The sole light was that of the moon’s glowing silver disc. Frost clicked and waited for the answering forms.
“What are your plans afterward?” Saba asked. “For the Redthorns and rescuing the captives.”
Frost shared a look with Gilda and then sighed. “We didn’t quite have a solution for that prob, but our hope was to sneak them out.”
“An absurd hope, at best.” Saba’s face was mired in shadowy highlights. “I have a bad feeling about this. But you’ve placed your cards on the shevla board. All we can do now is play.” The centaur got to her feet.
Frost also stood. “Just keep an eye out while we get the drakes. Then you can head off.”
“I thought your plan was foolproof.” Saba pawed at the ground with her front hoof.
“Nothing wrong with extra caution,” Gilda said.
“That, I can agree on.” Saba eyed Frost. “But I heard it was fear.” She scowled in his direction and then melted into the darkness, Concealment hiding her completely.
Relying on echolocation, Frost and Gilda picked their way among the sleeping Sky Sword company. They nearly jumped out of their skins on more than one occasion when someone grumbled, snorted loudly, or turned for a more comfortable position. They stopped at a group of Soldiers and took two drake reins: circular metal collars with one end open. They were as wide as Frost could stretch his hands out to both sides of his body. Frost placed his atop his left shoulder and let it fall crossways to his right side.
Acquired item: Young drake reins
Allows for basic flight
Young drake required
A drake rider stood. They froze. The man walked around aimlessly for a few moments before he lay back down in a different spot and promptly fell into a snore. They sighed in relief.
At the roped off area housing the chained drakes, the guards were also asleep. Dozens of bright eyes watched Frost and Gilda. A few drakes snorted their displeasure. One of them trumpeted. Most others made softer gurgling sounds of contentment. A wind gusted, bringing their musky fetor with it.
Frost located the metal tubs filled with cervin meat to feed the drakes. He scooped out chunks and tossed them to the beasts. A scramble followed as several rushed to feed.
Frost picked out two of the more docile drakes, one blue and one green, and approached with meat in his hand. Gilda followed his lead. The drakes in question shied away at first but soon took the offering. After a few more morsels, they allowed Frost and Gilda to rub their long noses, gurgling their acceptance.
Whispering soothing words, Frost lifted the reins from his shoulder. He shifted to the side of the drake’s neck while it busied itself with the meat, reached up and out, and pressed the lever to snap the reins shut around the drake’s neck. The beast gave a little shake and got down on all fours, webbed wings folded back to hug its sides.
Acquired Young drake
Skill available:
Basic Flight
Flying Mount Speed 100
Effect: Allows for short flights before needing a rest. Young drakes can be grown and trained to increase their stamina, flight speed, and ability.
Frost grabbed a firm hold of the reins and swung himself up onto the drake where its long neck and back met above its forelegs. Gilda did the same not far from him. Gripping the reins with both hands, he pulled back hard as he remembered from the old version of Ataxia.
The young drake did not budge.
“Shit.” Frost tried again. And again. He glanced toward Gilda whose efforts were similarly futile. He made to give it another go, but the drake screeched.
Frost swallowed. He had thought this would be simple, similar to being able to ride the crevid the first time. But he knew now, as much as he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Saba had been right. Neither he nor Gilda were strong enough to be seen as dominant. Void Legion had changed the flight ability to one requiring specific physical strength and will.
He climbed off the drake, mind racing as he considered their next move. He studied the Azureguards, praying the dreamweed’s effects had not somehow worn off from any of them. None moved. He let out a slow breath, and although a weight lifted from him, there was still a sense of urgency. A need to be away from Soleb. A need to reach Tia.
“What now?” Gilda asked as they left the pen.
“No choice but to ride as hard as we can for Marna. We’re dead if we stay here.”
The sound of padded footsteps resolved into Saba at the camp’s edge. She had two crevids. Strong looking bulls. Frost’s heart leaped. He and Gilda hurried to the centaur.
“I tried to warn you,” the marksman said when Gilda and Frost had mounted. “In Void Legion, there’s more to drake riding than the reins and the ability to climb on its back. The beasts are particular. You’ll both need to work with them, be around them, grow stronger for them to deem you worthy.”
Frost did not argue the point despite feeling the need to wipe the smug expression from the centaur’s face. He had greater concerns. “The company’s gonna wake up by sunrise. Can we make it to my sister and the others before then?”
“I’m not sure,” Saba said. “All we can do is try.” She turned away and headed out onto the moonlit plains and the deeper darkness beyond.
Escape from Soleb
Objective Complete
Escaped Soleb:
1000 experience points
Drake mount acquisition:
Failed
Gained 100 Khertahka dominion credits
The failure was a lump in the back of Frost’s throat. It chased him as they fled into the night.
CHAPTER 16
Exhausted to the point his surroundings became a blur, Frost clung to his crevid’s reins and lost himself in the rhythmic thud of its hooves, the constant yet uncomfortable jounce of its powerful strides. A cool wind was his sole respite in the mad dash to reach the Redthorns and their captives before sunrise.
Sweaty and hot, this was one of those times he wished the game did not emulate reality so well. His ass was sore, his legs stiff, but still he willed himself to stay upright, to deal with the discomfort. Tia’s life depended upon it. As did Mom and Kai. He shook off the thought of the last two, fearing his feelings for them would interfere with his need within the game.
He glanced over his shoulder. The moon was a distorted silver disc behind growing storm clouds on its descent in the west. He whispered to himself, praying they would soon discover Umesh Madara and the Redthorn camp. Daylight meant the death of hope for their rescue. Either because Umesh would make it to Marna or the Sky Swords would fly in and ruin everything.
Dismissing both fears, he tried to concentrate on Saba, whose form was a mere silhouette cutting through the grass in front of him, darkness no hindrance to her vision. Neither was it for him when he relied on echolocation. Gilda was on his right. Beyond her was the black-cloaked slopes of Apep’s Belly.
Saba drew to a sudden halt. She raised a fist. Her tail swished in agitation.
Frost yanked hard on his reins, which brought his crevid to a grinding stop. An action that made him painfully aware of the abrasions on his ass. He winced. The crevid snorted its displeasure, sides heaving with exertion. Gilda stopped beside him.
“Something’s wrong.” Saba’s head was cocked to one side.
Fatigue vanished, replaced by a tightness in Frost’s gut. Discomfort forgotten, he peered into the deeper darkness, one hand reaching down and back to grasp Noobstick’s handle. His ears twitched as he tried to discern any unusual sound. Only to be greeted by a sighing wind, the grassland’s susurrus, the crevid’s labored breaths, and a chorus of chirping insects.
Void Legion Page 17