Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  “Mother, I’m going to go read Dad’s new book he made for me.” Rena held it up while smiling. The abrupt shift in the conversation had people more at ease.

  “One hour only.” Brooke allowed. “Then you must show our guests around and lead them to the village.”

  “I wouldn’t mind doing that waterslide again.” Queen Katelyn voiced and got nods.

  “I though must leave for Twilight.” Zikon announced. “I must show the rest of the First Council these seeds and heart. The sooner we start mass producing them the safer we can be. My Love, do you wish to come with Theresa and myself?”

  “No, Barbav needs me first. She needs to discuss something privately, but face to face. Frill?”

  “I’m staying.” Frill flicked his tail. “I’ll keep a close watch here for any further interesting developments. I’m sure there is bound to be more. There always is around here.”

  “Never is dull, that is for certain.” Megdline gave a hearty laugh before she stepped into a golden light and disappeared. Zikon though went outside as Theresa’s head snaked offer the cliff and he glided right between her horns before they teleported in a flash of violet light.

  “Do you want to play with the other children, Ananna?” Meeka asked as she lifted the toddler up in front of her.

  “Mamamamamamama.” Ananna said adorably over and over again. Then she caught sight of a gray coat and reached for Metali now as large as a lioness while her beak preened her left wing. At a certain sound from the toddler the female griffin looked up and smiled happily. Metali’s stone gray beak parted as she asked “Fly again? Meeka, you can ride me too.”

  “Thank you, I would like that. Let me go put on my bracers before we go.” Before long Metali was airborne and headed to the main village.

  More than half the day passed before the study’s door slid open and out came two grimly confident kings holding their wrists and flexing their numb fingers. Most everyone was gone or out back enjoying the exercise area. The only ones inside were Cillian and Tiffa speaking with Tohka while over on a sofa sat the two generals sipping on an ale and relaxing like old times. Their exit had the generals standing and approach. General Corbin looked at the bloodied wrists and asked “My King, are you in need of a healer?”

  “No, the blood has stopped and I’ve healed myself.” King Skylar admitted. “Where is my family?”

  “At the slides with Lady Brooke and Rena. Only your daughter and the new prince are out back trying to complete the large gauntlet Sir Cage created. My King, you are pale. How much blood did you give? And what of his plan?”

  King Tate spoke first. “Much was required, but speak not of it again. After listening to Sir Cage I agree that few must know of his plan. It is a complex one and unless all acts according to his plan, it will not be achieved. His idea is as remarkably frightening as he is. For it to succeed you and the rest of our people must remain ignorant.”

  “It was not an easy decision, Old Friend.” King Skylar told General Corbin. “But Sir Cage is the prophecy’s fulcrum and after his proposal was laid out, this will get him close enough to rip out the harlot’s heart and kill the corrupted Rex in a single blow. Just be ready for the worst if we fail.”

  “I shall ask no more.” The general said. “But I will go get beverages. The liquid will help give you color again. Both of you are about to fall.”

  General Kurk reached out to steady both men and guided them to sit in front of the fire moments before his friend returned with the drinks. Tiffa though checked each man as a healer and said “You need to eat something sweet as well. You’ve both lost more blood than you let on. Remain awake as long as you can till done eating and then off to bed. Both of you. Tohka?”

  “Already getting apple pies I made two days ago from the freezer. They taste best hot, but the cold will feel good I’ve read from blood loss patients.” The lid dropped shut with a plopping hiss.

  “Correct.” Tiffa said and handed each king two entire apple pies Tohka brought over while Cillian grabbed a set of wooden forks.

  Both matriarchs started eating with gusto as soon as the food hit their tongue and hunger took over. In just a few minutes all four pans were empty and their mugs refilled with drink. Right after they didn’t fight with the healer.

  Cage though remained in his study on solving a problem by using magic and knowledge gained from Earth’s advanced technology. The blood of kings were being put to use so as to destroy the one person alive who had the warlock excited to kill by any means necessary.

  Time you were killed, Great Granny. He thought as he began to create the instruments of her demise.

  “When?!” Cage suddenly yelled as he leapt to his feet. All in the filled room jerked their heads in his direction and then to a space where there seemed to be nothing except fire cheerfully dancing in the fireplace in the late hour.

  “Lord Death, I…”

  “Grab onto my mana.” He said in an otherworldly voice and simultaneously pushed part of his power beside the spirit who automatically took hold. When he spoke like this, spirits obeyed him. “Now repeat just what you said.”

  Megdline, Frill, Daku, Metalu, Metali, Brooke, Meeka, Jormon, Gaz, Prince Sek and others in the sorcerer’s class immediately also got onto their feet when a spirit suddenly arrived in the room. It was a large man with a beard which reached his lower belly with an horned owl perched on his shoulder. Those unable to see spirits didn’t have to know by sight as a new voice said “I bring news. The amassed Laqura Empire’s forces has begun to move from Bepop.”

  “Again, when and how long ago?” Cage prompted.

  “Less than five minutes ago.”

  “But it is foolish to move an army at nighttime.” King Skylar said as his wife worriedly took his hand.

  “Jormon?” King Tate asked with a more level head.

  The sorcerer immediately created his own sight mirror alongside Cage’s near and around Bepop. He was then forced to say “It is true, My King. The wards of hiding their army have expanded both on land and out to sea. The length has most certainly moved since last I looked by several miles at minimum. It is too dark to be more accurate, but the magics have shifted. I can no longer see the marker your operative left.”

  The spirit said gruffly “They completed the final building’s repair in Bepop you and the white king wrought during your original pass, Lord Death. As soon as word spread of completion, the generals of the army ordered all their soldiers and slaves to begin marching. I personally overheard the first attack will be simultaneous against Dragon’s Port and Wayward Way at exactly sunrise of the sixth day, right when any scouts will be blind. I counted sixty three warships sailing from Bepop as we speak, before rushing here to warn. Also, the dragon area is carrying more than three hundred huge, sealed metal crates griffins could not penetrate without being discovered, even from below as the crates are constantly levitated. By the count relayed to me, more than fifty eight percent of the empire’s non-magical population is part of the army. They look more a plague of locusts than people. In one month that army will pass into Emroc and sweep your peoples asunder if not met by an equal force. They also are making the slaves act more as mules while women and young girls are raped each time the army waits at night. The slave men who promise to fight are the only ones who can protect the girls from the empire’s foul men. As a result, nearly every man slave will fight for those they love and be used as fodder, not even realizing as soon as they die, promises will bring the girls back to the tents… and that when this is over… the generals will put the slaves who survive… to the sword.”

  “They don’t want men who know what they are doing to turn their weapons back on them when they find out once their purpose is served they are back to being useless again.” King Skylar grimly nodded. “The same thing happened to my father during one skirmish and it caused a reaction. We took heavy losses that day, but still won. Thank you, Good Spirit, for the timely warning. I’ve alerted Rex Nattan who is spreading the word to
each colony as well as Twilight. Go back and keep an eye on the warships and ready a report on their formation, speed and any weaknesses that can be exploited.”

  The spirit lifted his hand and to everyone it appeared he dissolved like mist.

  King Tate said “Jormon, contact my warship and cutters to set sail to pick us up at the soonest time possible. We are under serious time constraints. It seems my honeymoon is cut short a day early than the week we’ve looked forward to. Afterwards, contact my fleet and send every non-vital warship to the designated location, behind King Skylar’s own fleet to make sure they are destroyed. At this point in the season the winds are in our favor since they blow from the south. Allocate half the second and third class wizards in Vin’re, set aside from bonding, and ready them for war on my ships. Have a tenth of the first class wizards and witches Jump to Vin’re and await further orders. You will be my proxy in Vin’re till I return with my wife, daughter and new son-in-law. You know my stratagems as well as I do. Use them in my stead. We must not Jump from here or on the ocean unless forced. Rex Semek is gathering a guard squad to see us returned safely to Vin’re, in the event of an overwhelming force thrown our way.”

  “It will be done, Your Majesty.” Jormon moved to Gaz and they teleported straight to Miot to startle the sailors and navy men from both his beloved Vlara and the sailors from Emroc to tell them the news. The soldiers all hurried to the boats and readied to set sail in record time.

  “Beloved, Jump home and ready our forces. As a sorceress, it won’t be suspicious if you show up. I must still look to be a third class wizard, unable to Jump, but I will make it look like we are riding with all haste. Sek, stay with your love and King Tate. Our people can wait to see her, since you will have a higher chance to become the Vlaran king should anything happen. Our peoples are one, but the Vlarans have never seen your face.” King Skylar ordered. Sek nodded and put a protective arm around his worried bride.

  “Be safe, Husband.” Queen Jeanne hugged her darling tightly. “I’ll have our people ready to stand against the enemy… and have a sizable force of mages and soldiers ready and waiting at Emrocan Port.” As she stepped back she entered a pale blue, almost white portal and disappeared.

  “I will go as well, Father.” The first prince said and was given permission with a nod before he disappeared.

  “The rest of you better get some sleep.” Tohka said for the room’s benefit. “A few hours at least. Even if your boats left right now, they won’t arrive till midday at best. And we won’t leave here till morning, after a good breakfast.”

  “Agreed.” Princess Amy said, standing. “We won’t be under martial law for three more weeks when the real fight is to break out. Let us try to have one more good night here.”

  “Uh, I hate to bring this up, but did anyone remind Jeanne she’s still naked?” Cage added during a lull.

  After a moment of consideration King Skylar threw his head back and clutched his gut as a laugh so deep rose and shook the entire house. His children caught on and each added to it. General Corbin had dropped to his knees and playfully beat his fist on the floor, tears of mirth streaming down his cheeks. The Emrocan king felt his cheeks would break as he said “Poor advisors are going to faint when she rouses the castle.”

  “Mother is going to be the talk of the city for years to come if she does that.” One of the princesses trilled.

  “The knights will certainly have something to fight for if they see her naked.” The general of Vlara quipped.

  “Don’t expect me to do it.” Queen Katelyn added.

  “What a shame.” Her king jabbed with words while staring at her breasts. She jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and moved to the stairs where her stepdaughter was already ascending with her husband.

  When the laughter subsided King Skylar approached Cage and said “You are certainly a master manipulator, Warlock. Those few words were enough of a distraction to ease the room’s tension and forget about the war of all wars coming for us. It will make sure we have at least one final decent night of our fifth day here in your care.”

  “Not to burst your bubble, but I couldn’t care less if you slept well or not. I just want to see your castle reacting to Jeanne’s streaking.”

  “Well let’s find out, if we’re not too late.” The king lifted his left hand while his fingers of his right touched the crown. A sight mirror snapped clear and focused on an image of the queen walking down the dark hall of the castle wearing nothing except an expression of grim confidence. All in the living room who remained couldn’t look away.

  Queen Jeanne and her son came around a corner from the royal chambers, where only they could teleport inside. As soon as they came around a corner, where burning braziers fed by piped oil lined the topmost hall, she yelled “Knights! Alert the palace and send for all generals and my husband’s advisors. The Laqura Empire is moving!” Just as the armored knights were about to run to do her bidding they tripped and fell as their heads snapped around while their bodies went another way. The crash of metal on granite resounded through the hall, immediately bringing dozens of footfalls from every sentry station. More knights spilled in and stopped cold at what they saw and not even their faceplates could hide their surprise. “What is the matter, Knights?”

  “My Queen… uh, you are… indecent at the moment.” One guard managed to say, unable to turn away from her no matter how hard he tried.

  She looked down at herself and blushed as she suddenly realized she was no longer on the island. She recovered a second later and scowled. “It is not like any of you men have seen a pair of naked breasts before. I had to leave my husband and wouldn’t be here so soon if not for an emergency. Now stop gawking and raise the alarm for those I’ve summoned. We have only a few days to act before we lose this warning’s advantage. Go, and find me a handmaiden to ready me for the meeting. Also alert the ports that in six days we’ll be under attack by sea at sunrise.”

  This declaration allowed the knights to stop admiring her beauty and do her bidding. A minute later a group of women were running to her in their night dresses and began to ready her for an audience.

  The sight mirror vanished and smirks were glued to every person’s face. Cage said “Poor bastards didn’t stand a chance.”

  “You should have seen how demanding she was before having children.” King Skylar ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “But I’m glad you brought it up. We’ve been naked for days and were liberated from social norms. I didn’t think about it till you brought tit up.”

  “Nice slip.” Cage chuckled. “You meant to say it, not tit right?”

  “I know what I said.” The king looked away, clearly lying. “I’m going to get some rest. My wife is more than capable of rousing the men… Damn it, not in that way you cheeky bastard!” The king punched Cage’s shoulder when he started laughing at the words again. Everyone began filing up to bed after him.

  “Loves, we need to rest as well.” Brooke said while taking both of her women’s hands. “Cage Love? Are you?”

  “I’m alright, but there are dozens of spirits in here. Looks like they each have important matters to reveal. You ladies go get some sleep. Looks like I’m going to be here awhile by what I’m hearing.” From how his eyes shifted from one place to another they knew he was serious. Brooke sent a pulse of power and for a moment saw close to two dozen incorporeal beings in the room.

  “Come. If we do not rest now we won’t be as functional tomorrow.” Meeka said and led her lovers upstairs for a full night’s sleep.

  At dawn the dining table was seated and everyone fed to their individual limits. Few words were spared aside from Cage relaying the many reports the spirits delivered during the whole night about enemy numbers, weapons and supplies to outfit and feed the ravenous force on the way.

  Horses were led down the cliff stairs and ridden for close to two and a half hours after finding the ships coming to pick up the royal families were calculated to arrive around noon, m
uch to the eager patriarchs’ impatience. With their people in grave danger by an overwhelming enemy bent on genocide and slavery, they hated using the simple style of transportation when they could be teleported anywhere instantly. Keeping up pretenses wasn’t easy for them with such circumstances coming. The hard silence barely allowed the group to enjoy the wonderful morning full of songbirds and scurrying animals all around them.

  At the beach, farewells were exchanged by new friendships. Most of the tribe walked with the departing royal families along the bridge as soon as the tiny dots on the northeastern horizon was discovered to be the fleet. It was a kind, but rather subdued farewell.

  As the large group stepped out onto the landing area King Skylar stopped as a small hand pulled on his thick wrist while his hammers were gripped in event of an attack. His gaze dropped to his only grandchild, not including the one growing in his eldest daughter’s womb. Her eyes were downcast and she gnawed on her lower lip. He knelt and asked “What is the matter, Child?”

  “Grandfather, I’ve decided to stay… with Rena.” She whispered as tears spilled down her round cheeks.

  “So you’ve made your first wise decision.” He said and embraced her. “These days you showed you can make an informed decision. Know I will miss you, My Granddaughter. This next year will be hard for all of us. Mind the Utala and learn. I truly do not wish to know your fate if you do not. Does your mother know?”

  The girl nodded and looked to the sad appearing woman watching them from a few yards away. “Last night. Father was gone and I told her before we were going to sleep. I’m going to miss you, Grandfather. I love you.”

  “And I you, Young One. And your father, does he…” She shook her head. “Then I will do so in your stead. I must go. Every moment counts.”

  “Be safe.” The princess said and ran to give her mother one final hug before running into Rena’s arms and crying into her neck. Rena patter her back and held her close while whispering that all will be better with time.