by Xander Jade
'Reap, Herc, let’s go find something to eat.’
‘That would be awesome, I’m starving," Reap salivated.
‘Let’s go, I’m losing weight by the minute," Herc replied.
We took off through the woods looking for any game for the two beasts. I could feel the excitement coming from them, anticipating the hunt. They ended up getting a stag each and devoured them. I found some berries, wild carrots, and onions to chew on and brought some back with me to share, letting them know where there was more if they wanted any. The scouts didn’t see anything unusual and the others brought back sustenance. As we were resting, I heard a distinct sound in the distance. We all perked up, trying to determine what it was.
"It sounds like drumming," Sean said. Our faces paled, when we realized what it was, an army was approaching.
"Who would be marching towards us?" Gordon questioned nervously. "The king’s army wouldn’t be down this far."
"It will be the overlord and his cronies. Sounds like they're coming to the mine."
"Yep, I would bet he has a battalion coming to get their captives," Will calmly advised.
"What do we do, try to skirt around them?" PA frantically suggested.
"I’m not skirting around them, you can try if you want. ‘Reap, Herc, you up for some exercise?’
‘Hell yeah!’ They both gleefully replied.
I got up, popped my neck and back, and got out my weapons to check for any cracks. Reap and Herc came over behind me and sat waiting for my commands. "We’re staying, you guys take the others and get away from here."
They got up to object and started yelling at me.
"We’re staying!" Sean bellowed.
"I’m staying!" Will and Gordon shouted
"You are delirious if you think I’m leaving you. I’m staying!" Tia fiercely commanded.
"Lady Tiatha, this is ridiculous, I have put up with this long enough. Now, let’s go home," his lordship ordered.
"Oh Morgy, you think because my father arranged our little meeting, you can order me around? I’m not going anywhere with you." Tia responded.
"This is outrageous, you will get up and come with me, now!" PA was red with anger moving towards Tia. I watched him carefully, if he made a wrong move, I would pound him. His cronies were looking uncomfortable with the scene. Hmm…father arranged meeting, probably some kind of forced relationship. Stupid ass politics.
He was up in her personal space now, and she looked at me, maybe for some kind of permission. I don’t know what it was, but I nodded. She was quick as lightning when she got in his face, holding something to his neck. Damn, she has a knife to his neck, and apparently knows how to use it. Definitely need to keep an eye on her, I wonder what other weapons she can use.
"You ever talk like that to me again, I will slit your throat," Tia calmly inquired. "Do we have an understanding your lordship?"
"Y-y-yes, my lady," he whispered. Man, she is dangerous, I might have to keep her. She let him go and pushed him back away from her.
The dumbass wasn’t getting the message though, he sneered, "Your father will hear of this. I will let him know of this insolence and your behavior with this peasant pet you have," pointing to me, I chuckled at his remarks.
"My father will also know of your behavior, a person who has no honor. Someone who tried to force himself on me." That got everyone’s attention, and we gawked at her statement. His cronies were definitely getting nervous now.
"It’s the only thing women are good for, besides carrying children," he smugly replied. Every male was standing now, fury in their faces.
"I think it’s time for you to leave, Lord Morgan," Gordon suggested. Morgy, looked around at the anger in our faces, and stepped back.
"Lord Ackley, I was jesting, you know how women can be. Irrational and whiny, we need to keep a firm grip on them," Morgy smirked.
I didn’t have to move or respond to that. Will, Gordon, Sean, and Phil jumped in for her. None of them spoke, all they did was pull out their weapons they took from the cave, and stood there waiting for Morgy to make a move. He looked around, and found himself outnumbered, so he yelled at his cronies.
"Let’s go gentleman, we are unwelcome here."
"No, you are the only one unwanted, they can stay or go, whichever they prefer," I looked at his guards, and had sympathy for them, "gentleman, I have no quarrel with you, unless you harm any of mine, which includes anyone here. I will give you a choice, stay or go, up to you. Now, I don’t want to pressure you, but I’ve got somewhere to be." They glanced around to each other, and talked amongst themselves. Of course PA, took offense and went red from the anger at them discussing their futures.
I went to Tia and bent down to whisper in her ear, "Looks like you have a fan club. I think they may have a crush on you." I chuckled when she hit me.
"The only person that better look at me is the one I’m staring at," she huskily purred.
I stepped back and laughed, "Damn woman. I have a question though. Are you an assassin?"
"I am when I need to be, but no need to give away all my secrets," Tia smiled coyly. I grinned and looked at the other elves. I guess they were ready to make a decision.
"What is the verdict gentleman?"
They all said without hesitation, "I would like to stay."
Morgy fumed, "You idiots, I will see you thrown in the dungeons if you make it back to Laohone and left to rot." He took his leave and I sighed loudly when hearing the drums closer than before.
"Whoever is joining the revolution, get them and let’s go. Tell the mages they are with me."
We got together and discussed our strategy for half an hour. We knew the army was upon us, so we hurried over to the road and got into position as the army came into sight. It was a large number, not a whole battalion, but at least half. At that moment we heard horns to the west of us, that meant another part of their army was in that direction.
"What do you make of it?"
"Seems one of their companies has picked up another foe," Will said.
I agreed and watched the approaching army stop about a three hundred yards away from us. I got a good look at them, mostly orcs, some goblins, and about five wens. In the very back, I saw a couple of black robed figures. Hmm… the overlords decided to join us. Let’s see what they are about then.
‘Reap, Herc, very back, the two robed figures. I assume it’s the overlords.’
‘We see them. Probably warlocks, or necros, nasty bunch. We need to take them out quickly, or it won’t be fun for long.’ Herc suggested.
‘Okay, I’ll let everyone know.’
I looked around to the people that joined us today. Humans, weres, elves, dwarves, amazons, and mages. Should be a sight to behold.
"Everyone, at the back of that army lies two robed figures, more than likely warlocks or necros. We need to take them out quickly. The weres are up with me in the front, mages support, everyone else protect each other. Let’s take care of business."
We broke to get in formation, and I took some calming breaths to get my nerves under control. I was out front with Reap, Herc, and the weres. Tia, Gordon, and Will came up beside me. I groaned, "Why can’t you do as I ask, for once?"
"Because it was stupid for you to ask. Our place is up front with you, protecting the innocent," Gordon smirked as his entourage was behind him getting ready.
"Well said Gordon. Max, your parents would kill me if I let you do this alone. Also, it’s been awhile since I got my hands dirty, it’s time for a little payback," Will said as his entourage was setting up. I nodded and looked over to Tia.
"You know better than to even suggest for me to stay back, I brought myself some backup so you can concentrate on everything else." Tia explained as I saw the elves behind her nod.
Evidently, the army was tired of waiting, they started walking towards us at a slow pace. The goblins first, orcs, then the wens brought up the rear.
"Mages, give them something to think about, and make their
day shitty." The battlefield lit up with spells, it was an awesome sight. The earth mages used the ground, life mages used the plants and trees, while air, fire, and elemental used their spells proficiently. Then the robed figures got involved. They started on the offense, and tried to take some of our mages out. Our mages were smart enough to leave someone for defensive spells, thank goodness. It was a great magic show, but it was time for the melee.
‘Reap, Herc, you ready?’
‘Always.’
‘Absolutely.’
"Alright ladies and gents, it’s time to party. Weres shift, and let’s meet in the middle."
The weres shifted, jaguars, wolves, lions, and avians. Roaring and howling was heard all over the battlefield. The goblins and orcs were running at us now, so I happily fulfilled their desire to die today. We started off at a trot at first to build up some momentum, then took off running. Now, imagine a very tall man with two killing machines running beside him. It’s a tough task to take us on anyway, but add around sixty weres coming behind me too, and that equals a bad day.
We took them head on at a full sprint, my axe cut through at least four when I passed through their front lines. Reap, Herc, and I went for the wens first. We were the only ones able to handle them at close range. Some of the weres joined as well. Since it was a free for all, the wens were being hit from all sides when we got there. It took us about five minutes to take them out, and then we started our way through the orcs. The orcs didn’t have a chance, Reap and Herc ripped them apart. Our army if you wanted to call it that, numbered around 250, plus 50 mages. We cut through them like butter. Swords and axes were picked up by the individuals that had broken or dysfunctional ones. They exchanged them and kept on killing until the other army numbered in the teens. The warlocks were being held down by some sort of magic. I scanned the battlefield and found dead bodies everywhere; sad to say some of them were on our side. I shook my head and got back on track, we will mourn them later. Walking up to the circle of people around the warlocks, I glanced to the warriors and weres around us. They were covered in blood and gore, but alive. I chuckled when seeing the warlocks stuck in the ground with only their head above ground. The mages were ready for retaliation, but I doubt there would be any, they would be dead in seconds.
I noticed one of them was a female, "Evening folks, nice day out." I got a few chuckles from that joke. "What brings you into our fair town?" They didn’t flinch, or speak. I nodded and gave them one more chance. "I would like you to think very carefully on what I’m about to say. Over my shoulder are my two compadres, a siba and a kodiak." ... ‘Guys come on up.’ ... "Now, as you’re noticing they are on their way over," their eyes widened and panicked, "there are an equal number to this game. This will be an easy game for you, so please play fairly. I will ask you a few questions, and if I don’t like them there will be consequences. Over to my left will be individuals that will judge your answers. You get two strikes, the third one will be your last breath on this world. Understand?" They nodded and I chose my judges.
"Will, Gordon, Tia, you good on this plan? I’m not playing around about killing them, if you can’t handle it, then by all means leave until it’s over."
"I’m with you all the way," Tia smiled at me, man, she really reminds me of an assassin.
"After what I saw in the cave, they deserve a trial. I am for it as long as Will is," Gordon stated.
"I don’t like meaningless death, but they were coming to take us away for something. I’m for it on this occasion," Will responded.
I took a breath and exhaled loudly, "Alright, why are you rounding up people?"
"We don’t have a choice, we are bound to our lord and have to do his bidding," the warlock sadly stated.
"Who is your lord?"
"We can’t say, otherwise our death spell will activate. It will kill us instantly."
I thought about that for a moment. Who is so powerful to do that? "Will, know anything about that? Who could put a spell on them like that?"
He shook his head, he didn’t know. One of the mages overheard and spoke up, "My lord, he speaks of blood magic. Demons, to be exact. He must be an apprentice or a slave." Damn, if he’s right then the game just got worse for us.
"What’s your name?" I asked the mage that explained the warlock’s statement.
"Frank, my lord."
I waved him off, "I’m not a lord. Frank, what kind of mage are you?"
"Earth mage, sir"
"Okay, if he is linked to a demon of some sort, can it be broken?"
"Not that I know of, sir"
"Thank you, Frank."
"No problem, sir"
I turned my attention back on the warlock and sorceress, "Can your link be broken?"
"Possibly, but why would you want to do that?" The sorceress asked.
"I don’t want to kill you if I don’t have to. Now, tell me the truth."
"We can, but we have to be bound to someone else." The warlock answered.
I rubbed my hand over my face, "We’ll talk about that in a minute. Where is your next destination?"
"Aston."
"I thought so, I’m assuming you split your army. Why?"
"Our scouts picked a wolf pack nearby, we sent them to investigate and capture."
I needed to get over there and finish this shit. "Okay, you are bound to a demon, is that correct?" He nodded and I heard several groans. "Minor demon or lord?"
"First one."
"Okay, if you are bound to a minor, then there must be a lord too. We need to figure out which one. Will, I believe you and the lords have a full plate ahead of you." He nodded and I thought about this link, I wonder if it’s like Reap, Herc, and I.
‘Reap, Herc, Sigmus, what do you know about this warlock’s link?’
‘Hard to say, I think it’s like ours, but I believe he is correct in they have to be bound to someone else.’ Reap advised.
Sigmus voiced his opinion, 'No, the warlock will die when it is broken if it is from a minor demon or above.'
‘I agree, no use to worry about it now though, let’s finish up and get over to help those wolves.’ Herc suggested.
‘I agree’
"Okay, Will, Gordon, your call, take them with you to High Mage Edward or kill them now?"
"Take them to High Mage Edward, he will get more information out of them," Will replied and Gordon agreed
I looked at the mages, and chose four to be security. "Gag them and shackle their hands behind their back. Treat them with respect, but if they get out of hand or try to escape, kill them."
"Yes, sir." They said in unison.
"Will, Gordon, you staying or going?"
"I have to get to High Mage Edward and inform the king of the dire events coming. I will take my rangers and head that way," Will informed, I shook his hand and he left.
"I will go with you, we have many items to discuss after we deal with the intruders," Gordon replied calmly.
"Sean, Rachel, Gordon, Frank, Tia, get everyone ready to go in five." They nodded and left. I went and found a tree to sit down for a breather, and tried to get my thoughts together before we left. Minutes later, I saw everyone ready to go, so got up and we marched out, hoping to make it before the others got slaughtered.
Chapter Twenty-six
Sophia was trying desperately to get her shit together, she was basically walking straight to her packs death. Everyone was doing their job, but being outnumbered three to one kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth. Her betas kept up with her and ready to kill, then some howls could be heard in the distance and roars.
‘Did anyone hear that?’ Sam asked.
‘Yeah, sounds like another wolf pack, and some other weres over to the east of us.’ Justin replied
‘They must’ve met the other army company.’ Nancy responded to his theory.
‘Well, wish they were here to help, but they have their own problems. Tight formations, work together.’
‘Yes, alpha.’ They all replied in
unison.
They met the invading army in full sprint, tearing and clawing body parts off of the intruders. Sophia and her group were holding their flank, Justin and his group were holding his. They were making progress until the wens entered. Even one or two would give them fits and hard to kill. Facing eight was a death sentence. They started killing her pack one by one, and before she knew it 30 of hers were dead. She had to think fast, and ended up doing the one thing she loathes.
‘Retreat, everyone get the fuck back from these things. We need to regroup.’
They started backing up and the wens let them retreat back into the clearing. The fuckers even laughed, taunting them.
‘What the fuck are those things.’ Clay bellowed.
‘They are called wendigoes or wens.’ Sam replied.
‘How do we kill them?’ Justin asked.
‘Cut the heads off and rip their hearts out.’ Nancy responded.
‘Oh? Is that all?' Jeff sarcastically responded with panic in his voice. 'Didn’t you’re group kill three of these things?’
‘No, Max killed all of them in about five minutes.’
‘Wait, are you saying that guy took three of them out by himself within five minutes?’ Justin questioned curiously.
‘Yes, he did. One of the most awe-inspiring sights I’ve ever seen,’ Sam wistfully said.
‘Shit, sounds like you got wet watching him fight.’ Pete chuckled.
‘You damn right I was wet. I wasn’t the only one, every female there was. Even when the second group joined us, they were wet for him. We were that way the whole damn day, watching that sexy man.’ Sam purred, thinking of young Max.
Sophia laughed softly, remembering that encounter.
‘Damn, looks like we have some competition fellas,’ Pete replied playfully.
‘He sounds like a fuckin bad ass! Where the hell is this guy? We could use his help right about now.’ Justin wondered.
Everyone who knew was silent. They didn’t want to upset the alpha. Finally, she responded.
‘He’s gone. He’s was in the mine when it collapsed.’ Sophia choked up when she spoke.
‘Damn, I’m sorry Sophia, I didn’t know.’ Justin sadly stated.