by Randi Darren
Vince walked alongside the wagon as it trundled toward the city. It was hard to believe that these fields were flooded with blood six weeks past.
He could see his Gnomish siege engineers watching the horizon from the wall. Their Hob-goblin loaders stood at their side. Ready and chatting amiably. Partnerships forged in the furnace of battle.
An Ogre stood up and could just barely be seen over the wall. It set down a High Elf at the base of a tower and then wandered off as the mage set off in the opposite direction.
Though all his Elves were mages at this point. Even the Dark Elves who were such physical creatures that they had to be retaught how to use the magic.
Of course this would happen when you spent a portion of every day charging those very same Elves with all the excess magic you could.
Apparently his Dryads approved whole heartedly of the practice, as did the trees. Meliae had made an analogue to “pruning” a tree of it’s excess.
The small snippets of conversation and hushed whispers behind him died away.
“I think they finally believe, Lord,” Thera whispered from his side.
“My Liege, don’t hold their doubt against them,” Elysia agreed.
“Yes Master, they didn’t know,” Eva pleaded.
Vince chuckled and shook his head, casting a glance over his shoulder.
He’d been four weeks from home. The military had stopped purchasing slaves as army recruits when they realized that the enemy in the north would simply capture them, pop their collar off, and turn them back on the empire.
So Vince headed west to purchase supplies, new citizens, and selling products and loot.
There’d been quite a bit of armor and arms left over from the attack on Yosemite city. Deskil had rejected all of it when Vince asked if he wanted to smelt it down for material. Told him to sell it. It all had a “taint” to it he said.
Even including purchasing new citizens, they’d made fifty-thousand standards in profit. Apparently Dwarven made equipment was in high demand by the empire’s armed forces. Many of the blacksmiths they normally went to in the local area had been killed in the anti-Waste riots.
Of course Vince had only sold them the cast offs that Deskil felt weren’t up to the quality he wanted to give to Vince’s military.
All told, he was returning with two hundred new citizens of various walks of life. He’d even managed to pick up twenty more Ogres and Trolls. Kitch would be delighted. They were much harder to find, let alone get in such numbers.
Frit would be happy as well. A new batch of Beastmen tribes to add to his mixed units. Only Henry wouldn’t be quite pleased. He’d specifically asked for more Ratfolk but there hadn’t been any available.
Apparently those tiny warriors had impressed their compatriots.
Vince would be heading out again in four weeks to purchase more citizens, sell more stock, and check in with the Ranger guild.
He’d given them all the information on the attack on the city, including that he’d seen Al leading it.
The guild was in a mess right now. They’d lost two outposts in the north, a great deal of trust from the populace, and were being pressured by the empire.
They needed more news from Vince like a hole in the head. So they paid him to go on “vacation” for a month.
“No, I won’t hold it against them. But I will mock them for it later, if the situation arises.”
“Of course, Dearest,” Daphne said amiably. She and Karya rarely left his side now.
Meliae had remained at home with Fes and Petra. They’d all declined coming with him on the journey and said they’d remain and keep watch over the city.
He suspected something was afoot but couldn’t put a finger on it.
As he got closer to the gate he realized there was a likeness carved into the interior of the archway.
“Renzig’s Stand,” Vince said aloud, reading the plaque below the magically carved likeness of Renzig. With a nod of his head, Vince approved of it completely.
Reaching out as he passed he laid his mangled left hand on Renzig’s shoulder. “Thanks,” Vince murmured.
Then Vince realized that small plaques had been affixed next to Renzig’s. Each held a name. A name of someone who had fallen in defense of the city.
“My doing, Sweetling,” Meliae called from the interior exit. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
She gave him a bright smile, holding up her hands to him. “You can punish me if you like it. Or punish me less if you don’t.”
Vince grinned back at her and hugged her tightly when he got close enough.
“Good to see you. We’re adding two hundred, give or take. Made money, too.”
“Mm, my breadwinner,” Meliae purred at him, planting a heavy kiss on his lips.
Daphne and Karya snickered as they fell in behind Meliae. They still deferred to her in all things.
The Elves in turn fanned out behind Vince to the side of the road.
Frit, Henry, and Kitch walked up to him, giving him a crisp salute.
Vince set Meliae down and returned the salute.
“Two hundred recruits,” Vince said loudly. “We’ll be popping collars later today. Then assigning dormitories and units. Please come with your Lieutenants so we can process them into your units quickly.
“In your case Kitch, I got you twenty-three Ogres and Trolls. You’re welcome to attend the collar popping, but I imagine you’ll want to square your people away immediately.”
“Yes, Lord,” rumbled the big Troll woman. Then she gave him a toothy grin. “Will speak with master Deskil for equipment. You approve?”
“I do, Kitch. You and your troop have earned all that I can give and more. And speaking of that. I purchased a gryphon from the beast masters. I want you to see what you can do about turning it into a mount for your people. They’re big enough to carry an Ogre off for a meal, so I figure you can ride them as mounts. If this one works, we’ll buy more.”
Kitch clapped her big mitts together and rubbed them eagerly. “Lord is good to us. Too good.”
“Dwarven steel armed and armored, mounted, flying Ogres and Trolls,” Thera said quietly.
“Should be fun. We’ll have our heavy cavalry unit after all.”
His captains saluted again and then left, talking between themselves.
“Husband,” Fes said from behind him.
Vince managed to turn around before Fes wrapped him up in a bone crushing hug.
“Oh, hello to you too, Fes. Miss me?” Vince said, hugging her back.
“Yes. We did,” Fes said, pressing her forehead into his cheek. She lipped his ear once. “Challenge tomorrow?”
“Yes, challenge tomorrow. As we agreed,” Vince confirmed, rubbing Fes’ back.
“Good. Petra claims she can win this time. We shall see,” Fes said. Vince was astounded when Fes turned her head and grinned at the big Soldier Ant above her.
They’d grown considerably closer since the night of the challenge, then more after the battle.
Then Fes turned Vince lose and shoved him towards Petra.
“This one is eager for the challenge,” claimed Petra, enfolding herself around Vince with both arms and four of her legs. She was practically hanging on him. “This one missed her master desperately.”
“You were welcome to come with me. I did offer,” Vince said.
Petra ducked her head in next to his and stole a kiss from his lips.
“Pregnant women shouldn’t travel. They also shouldn’t be sparring,” Meliae huffed. “Which is why challenges tomorrow will not be by martial combat.”
“Mel-”
“This o-”
“No! I’ll not have it. End of discussion,” Meliae said firmly, crossing her arms across her chest.
Fes and Petra both fell silent, but nodded agreement.
Vince had to replay that exchange in his head once. Meliae was the third of three yet Fes and Petra deferred to her. She also said they were pregnant.
“Ah, I see. Does
that mean…?” Vince asked curiously.
“Yes, Fes has a viable pregnancy. So I’ve allowed Petra’s to begin to grow. Mine as well. Daphne and Karya are holding onto theirs for now. Congratulations, you’ll be a father of three relatively soon,” Meliae said in a clinical tone.
Fes blinked at that and then turned to Karya and Daphne with a feral grin. “Tomorrow is challenge day. As claimed wives you will fight for your position. Come, we will discuss this and how you represent our husband and your Fes.”
Petra fell in beside Fes and the two led Daphne and Karya off.
“Hm. I’ll make sure nothing funny happens,” Meliae said with a sigh. “See you later, my love. You’re mine tonight. I already paid Fes off to get bumped up in the order,” Meliae admitted. She darted in to kiss him deeply, then patted his chest as she started to pull away.
“Oh, and did you ever read this?” Meliae asked, fishing an envelope out of her tunic and holding it out to him. “It’s still sealed so I assumed you hadn’t yet.” Then Meliae was off after the others.
Eva peered at the envelope. “What’s that, Master?”
“A letter. From a Ranger in the north. It slipped my mind.”
Vince flipped over the envelope and broke the seal, then pulled the sheet of paper free.
Dear Vince,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m a woman of short words and shorter time so I’ll make this brief.
I knew your parents. They were good people. A little odd, but good. I even met you once when you were nothing bit a tyke.
I hate to call them liars when they cannot defend themselves, but I must. They didn’t head east.
As you know, the Ranger guild had an outpost up in the north there once. That was actually where your parents met.
After they left, it fell to the Wastes and no one bothered to try and reclaim it.
They met with Seville, then headed north in to the Wastes up there. I had been there on a business trip when they came through.
I’m not sure if this helps or not, but it might not hurt to head north and check out the old Ranger outpost up there.
Because knowing your parents, they probably went there first.
Sincerely,
Macy
“Lord?”
“Master?”
“My Liege, are you well?”
“Ah, yeah. I’m fine. Just… interesting news.” Vince folded the letter carefully and slid it back into the envelope, then handed it over to Elysia.
“Please put this with my important correspondence. You can read it later if you like and share with the rest.”
“Yes, My Liege.” Said the High Elf, stashing the letter away immediately on her person.
Wagon’s kept moving past them as they stood to the side. His new citizens couldn’t keep their eyes in any spot. They looked around in every direction. From person to person. Waster to Waster.
All moving about with jobs and tasks. Wearing collars but having no humans around. They were all very confused looking.
Behind Eva and her sisters were his newest Elves. They were a common commodity in the markets. Hunted, bred, and valued for their magical abilities and intelligence.
It was fairly horrific.
Amusingly enough, with this new group the number of Elves in his employ was in the nineties. Doubly amusing was the fact that by sheer luck they were relatively balanced in numbers as far as subspecies.
The clatter of talons on stone got his attention as a Wolfman slid to a stop in front of him.
“Lord, from the east. People approach.”
“East?” Vince asked. Shaking his head he gestured at the messenger. “Right behind you. Lead on.”
Vince turned back to his Elves.
“Take your new family members aside and teach them the ropes,” Vince said looking at the three sisters. Not much left to do today until later.”
Elysia and Eva looked to Thera. She shook her head and then pointed at the Elves.
“Ask for directions to the Manor. You’ll be sorted out,” Thera explained.
All three Elves turned back to him.
A sigh slipped out as he turned to head east at a fast walk.
When he got there, the gate was open and he could see a small group of people heading his way.
They couldn’t have been more than a hundred feet out at this point.
At such a short distance he was fairly certain they were Elves. Their hair coloring would indicate High Elves or Wood Elves.
Vince passed through the gate and continued right on through to the other side.
Behind him trailed a mixed unit of Frit’s. Beyond that he could hear the heavy clatter of metal distantly.
Stopping thirty feet outside of his wall, Vince waited.
They were indeed High Elves with a few Wood Elves mixed in for good measure.
“Summon your slave master, I would speak with this abomination’s leader,” grumped a High Elf male who epitomized the cliches. Arrogant, handsome, and graceful.
“You’re looking at him. What can I do for you?” Vince asked, his eyes sorting through the twenty some odd guests.
“Die.”
A ball of fire skipped across the distance between them and vanished. Then a lightning bolt vanished above Vince’s head.
Two more fireballs hurtled towards him and a rather large boulder that was ripped from the ground. Only for the fireballs to vanish and the boulder sent spinning south east, rolling away on the grass.
“Your pet did well. I don’t think she can handle another round. Surrender and she need not suffer.”
Vince held up a hand towards the High Elves as Elysia stepped forward.
She was a bookworm until provoked. Then she made Fes look timid.
“I think you have a false impression of what’s going on here-”
“Do you not own everyone here? That’s the tale we heard.”
Behind him he could hear Kitch getting closer. She wouldn’t tolerate this if she was here. He’d have to finish this up quick.
“I am indeed the master here. I purchased everyone here and th-”
“Then die.”
Another slew of magic disintegrated as if nothing happened.
Elysia’s eyes had started to crackle with lightning. She had a preference for electricity.
“I-I don’t understand.”
Vince glanced backwards as Kitch exited the gate. “Well, I recommend you act like a dignitary from here on out. My Troll captain doesn’t take kindly to people who are rude.”
“Rude?” said the man.
“Yes. Rude. Now. As I was saying. Elysia, would you be so kind?”
“My Liege, I will gladly smite them in your name,” said the High Elf. She stepped forward and brought her hand up.
Everyone in the opposing party had a bolt of lightning reach out for them. Then a second as the first was stopped. Then a third.
“Stop! Elysia, stop. I was going to ask you to show them your collar. They think you’re bound,” Vince said, laying a hand on her forearm.
In the time it took him to get her to stop, half of the High Elves had collapsed or fallen to their knees.
Elysia looked to Vince, then the High Elf who had spoken so haughtily to them.
“My Liege is merciful. You should die,” Elysia said as if she were looking at a worm.
Deftly, she removed her collar and waggled it at the other group. As if to confirm the point, Eva and Thera did the same.
“As you see. Everyone here wears a false collar. Yes, I purchased everyone here. Then freed them and gave them jobs and a home.”
Kitch stomped up to him, sword unsheathed and glaring murder at the visitors.
“It’s alright Kitch. Elysia gave them a lesson in manners. We’re merely talking now.”
Kitch growled deeply, menacingly. Then she turned her head to Elysia and ducked her head.
“Now, what can Yosemite city do for you today?” Vince asked the High Elf male he’d been conversing wit
h. “And if you say die again I’m going to tell Kitch to eat you.
“Wait, would you eat him Kitch?”
“For you Lord. Sometimes upset stomach. Magic.”
“Ah, makes sense. So? Are you lunch, or a polite dignitary of an Elven tribe come to seek something of Yosemite city?”
The High Elf looked from Elysia who was re-buckling her collar on to Kitch. “Even the Troll?”
Vince looked up at Kitch and smiled for her. “Who, Kitch? Yes. Even her collar is for show. She doesn’t like taking it off though.”
“No. Lord’s collar.”
“I would like to request the gift of guest rights,” said the humbled High Elf.
“Granted. Thera, could you see they’re taken care of?”
“A Dark Elf?!” The High elf said, as if only now noticing her.
“Hm? Yes. She, Elysia, and Eva, she’s the Wood elf there, are my bodyguards, companions, and chamberlains. They manage everything here really.
“Be lucky it wasn’t one of them I asked to help out. I don’t think I can reattach limbs and things.”
Thera and Eva were simply next to the High Elves in the next instant.
“We will take care of your needs for our lord,” Thera said gravely.
Eva nodded her head, circling around behind the group.
Vince shook his head and turned to Elysia. “Anything you need to do?”
Elysia looked at him and then slowly smiled at him. Then she reached out to tap his chest with the ledger she carried with her at all times. “I shall remain. You can’t function without me.”
“True enough. Alright, note taker, let’s see how good you really are. I need to find the dresses we bought for Petra, Fes’ new armor, and Meliae’s plants. Which wagon is that all on,” Vince said, gesturing vaguely back at the city.
“I know exactly which one it’s one, My Liege. It’s with the other presents you purchased.”
“I purchased other presents?”
“Of course. I bought them for you on your behalf,” Elysia said, flipping open her ledger. Thera and Eva trooped by with their new charges. Kitch eyed them balefully as her troop did the same.
“That’s great. Did I buy anything for you?” Vince asked, grateful for the High elf.
“You did. A beautiful chess set and a silver tea service. You were very kind.”