by Han Yang
Necromancer Level 3 -} Necromancer Level 4 = 1,000 Zorta. (YES) or (NO)
Name: Damien Moonguard
Race: Human
Affiliation: Ostriva
Zorta: 1.922
Nordan Score: 6,000
Ostriva Score: 247,500
Necromancer Minions: 14/15
Fighting Level: Weak
Tarla picked up on my mood when I frowned with a deflated sigh. “Everything okay?”
“Yes! I’m no longer a pathetic fighter. Also, fifteen minions will be my limit for a while. I can upgrade to four now, but it’s a thousand Zorta. Even with an army of minions killing off the wildlife of the valley, it's going to take some time,” I said.
Bell strode over, riding Charlie with a smile.
“Congratulations, Damien. I heard that comment about Caitlyn. You’ve changed from a bumbling idiot into a bumbling magus. I have to admit that I thought Caitlyn chose poorly, but then this happens. What is the plan with your new village of misfits?” she asked.
“We take them with us. If I were to guess, the dwarves are already breeding goblins. The cerberus puppies will be fine guard dogs when they grow, and if one of the goblins is an animal healer, we can start resurrecting our animals,” I said.
“I’ll go find out,” Asha said, leaving us.
“I see you died again,” Bell said, glanced down her nose at Tarla.
“And Damien immediately brought me back to his side,” Tarla sassed.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and said, “Ladies, we need to get this new army of ours moving. Lumpy, lead the cerberus on a hunt. I don’t want you dragging back a cyclops but feel free to go for bigger prey.”
The six hounds and the jenix cat bolted off, heading for the bridge. I left both ladies who glared daggers at each other. I wasn’t sure why they were at odds this time, but I didn’t let it bother me.
Each step was a chore in the heavy armor, and for now, I felt it prudent to wear the protection. I still didn’t even understand the rules to challenges yet, and although the gear didn’t save me from a super empowered throw, it would stop a goblin dagger or three.
The first wagon was loaded with supplies. Above the blankets, cooking supplies, food, and other items, the littlest children attempted to find sleep. Even though I had come to terms with everything, understanding they were a potential obstacle to winning this fight, I was glad they had survived.
I watched a small girl troll wave, much like a little girl would in passing. Their faces were very elva-like but green. Honestly, if they were just a tad less lanky, I could see the resemblance. We slayed a few dogs, killed some leaders, and mostly kept the village populace intact.
Now, I just had to get us to a new home. If only it were easy.
CHAPTER 27
Ikara Valley
We left the village before the first rays of sun crested the horizon. The situation altered slightly as our small force moved north along a trail that barely classified as a road.
Our first issue was that little goblin legs failed to keep up. They also happened to be carrying all their supplies themselves. With some stern orders, I had them load their gear onto the carriages.
After lunch, we shifted a lot of weight onto the father and son troll skeletons, freeing up additional space. Even Jark and the skeleton goblins hauled gear so we could keep a rapid march.
I ordered us to skip lunch, Asha advising that we were too near the cyclops. Hours later, the sun finally hit the horizon, and I observed our group proudly. We moved quickly, didn’t get killed by the cyclops, and entered a forest of trees so tall I had no clue what rested in their canopy.
Jark found a small clearing for us to camp in, and the wagons moved to set up a communal gap for sleeping. Bell went about filling buckets with fresh water, Tarla managed the fire, and I set up the canvas to stretch between the wagons.
A goblin came up to me hesitantly, three others behind her encouraging her on. Again, my perceived notion of a gnarled, puss-filled, hideous creature was wrong. The goblins stood at half the size of human with smooth skin, high cheekbones, and sharp features.
They weren’t pretty, and they were malnourished, probably reducing their appearance, but without a doubt, they weren’t hideous. Everything about Ostriva mythical beings pointed to species wanting to persist and not constantly slaughter.
I wonder what she wants so badly that the others are pushing her forward.
“I’m not going to punish you for speaking. What is it?” I asked.
“What are our orders, Boss Damien?” she asked, finding her courage.
“Hey Bell, we have a bunch of small animals to skin, right?” I asked.
Bell nodded and said, “Donkey has become the bloody carrier. Literally, a leaking ass.”
She burst into laughter, and I shook my head with a snicker. The woman was thrilled by our latest additions. I think she believed in me more than I did. I was worried about how we would manage all these strivians and still interact with humanity.
“What’s your name?” I asked the goblin, deciding I was going to humanize them.
“Larineebee,” she said.
“May I call you Nee?” I asked, and she nodded. “Nee, are you the leader of the goblins?”
“We are not allowed a leader,” she said.
Asha came by, helping me secure the temporary roof. “You can have a -” he paused trying to find the right words. “A head goblin servant. Pick Nee. She is the strongest of the goblins.”
“Nee, I want the dead animals cleaned and cooked, the fire improved, camp set for the night but ready for a quick breakdown, and a potty pit dug not far away with some form of protection,” I ordered.
The main hoard of goblins quickly spread out to conduct my orders, but Nee remained.
“Yes?” I asked with a raised brow.
This amused Asha for some odd reason.
“Can you make my husband like Asha?” she asked, and I frowned.
“Asha is a mostly free elva and can make his own decisions. If he chooses to court you, then that is on him,” I said.
Nee shook her head, pointing to a skeleton goblin. “He was the animal healer too, if that helps.”
“Asha mentioned as much. Tomorrow, yes.” I muttered this line to myself before turning to my girlfriend. “Tarla, Jark is getting pushed back a day,” I said and the fiery redhead tossed a few sticks onto the fire.
She beamed a smile with a wave. “Yeah, tomorrow morning it is.”
“I want to do formation drills this evening and in the morning,” Asha said.
“Okay, let everyone eat first. Then start with the basics. Where’s Jark?” I asked Tarla, finishing the canvas.
“Hunting with the others. Help me erect our tent,” Tarla said in a sultry tone.
I chuckled, mainly because it was a single person job.
Asha commented, “You need to come out of that armor and have the blood washed out of it.”
I nodded, entering the tent that Tarla quickly set up. Over the next ten minutes, we struggled to remove my armor. Eventually, Bell came in to help. Her aid made the task possible. Once I was out of my armor, Bell and Tarla shared glares at each other with Bell leaving in a huff.
“What is that about?” I asked.
“Lay down. I need to clean the blood off you,” Tarla said, ignoring my question.
Laying down, she heated the bathing water, humming a tune. Exhaustion set in. I hadn’t slept in over a day, and her humming soothed my soul.
I likely missed a few cues as to what was happening. I drifted in and out of sleep when Tarla rolled me over for a back massage. Being the boss certainly had its perks.
I heard Asha droning on outside the tent, forcing our units into a semblance of cohesion. When Tarla rotated me over again, her nude form surprised me.
I went to object, but the woman was a disciple of Caitlyn now. Her fiery kisses lured me into her seductive trap, and a part of me was tired of not indulging in what we both desir
ed.
Those brown eyes sparkled with lust, and I gave in. A blissful entwining ended with us falling asleep in each other's arms.
∞∞∞
I left the tent the next morning in my mage’s robes to a shocking sight. A centaur laid bundled by the fire that the goblins cooked at. Each of the little green beings ate greedily. The bones of a hundred small critters lay in a tall pile.
Numerous goblins passed gas as they slept in random spots, each with a bloated belly.
Ah, we erred in letting them gorge themselves. Guess we have to wait to push on. This really humanizes them. They’re so skinny, I can’t help but not be angry.
Asha exited his tent, yawning himself awake. The pretty female troll, the one Charlie and I had jumped over, left his tent behind him, and I grinned at his smirk.
I walked up to the centaur, seeing his body littered with marks. Lumpy tore chunks out of his torso, creating rents through leather armor. Yeah, without a doubt, the claw marks were from Lumpy. The large cat was a terror up close, and the image told its own story - one of a centaur getting caught unaware by a perched cat.
I glanced at the legs, seeing them covered in cerberus bites. The blood covered legs exposed more than a few sections of bare bone.
“He has been trailing us for some time. The herd is mustering on the warpath but lost our scent near the minotaur city,” Asha said with a sigh. “If we let him go, they’ll know to come north. If we don’t, they may not know. There’s also this.”
Asha walked me over to the outside of the camp. In the bushes rested a dead tiger, causing me to grin with glee.
If Lumpy could bring home ten to twenty Z a day, what would a wondrous tiger do in skeletal form? I may have bounced my brows joyfully out of sheer excitement.
“This morning is amazing,” I proclaimed with open arms.
“Yes, well, you control an army now, not a few minions. You need to heal four cerberus, two goblins, and Lumpy. Then you need to choose to kill or spare your prisoner. This tiger, though, she is worth two Lumpy’s,” Asha said.
I grunted out a scoff. “I guess being the boss means making the decisions. Can we get any intel from the centaur?”
“Maybe. He won’t admit it, but the scouts are scared to keep extending away from their home. We pushed ourselves hard those first few days, and they were late to assemble,” Asha said.
I pulled the fancy sword out of the sheath that dangled from my waist. I walked over to the centaur whose eyes flared wide in panic. He shook his head no, pleading for his life in the only way he could.
“You were sent to spy on me and then to kill me if I was found, correct?” I asked, and he shook his head.
I reached down and ungagged him.
“Great, then tell me what you need to say,” I said. “If you answer the way I like, I’ll heal you. If you don’t, you become a minion. Either way, you’ll serve me.”
He spat at my charming smile and missed horribly.
Gotta love the fighters. I don’t blame him, I’d do the same if I was doomed.
“Perqueta is on a pilgrimage, heading to plead to the great chieftain. You’ve proven to have two magics,” the centaur said with a sneer.
“I do not,” I lied, testing him.
“We saw you raise the dead and then later, one of our scouts saw your resurrection spell,” he said defiantly.
“Could have been anyone,” I countered.
He chuckled and said, “Will it matter? Even the mere chance that you’re a champion of the gods will allow Alpha Chieftain Torbard to rally the plains. The great herds will stop at nothing until your head rests on a pike, your body cooking over a fire, and your Zorta ensuring we can buy a million mares for our herds.”
“I don’t assume I could bribe you to convince the Chieftain Tordard to look in the wrong direction?” I asked, not expecting much.
“Torbard. The Alpha Chieftain Torbard and he commands the great tribes that number in the millions. I could be willing to avert the invasion to find you, for a cost. Give me a million mares of breeding age, and I’ll -”
I groaned, rolling my eyes.
“I have two mares. Will that work?” I asked.
“What? No, I’d be laughed at and tortured. Give me a million mares, or I’ll kill you the second you unbind me,” the centaur threatened.
I drove the sword tip into his throat, cutting off his words. No one batted an eyelash at the execution, and I quickly left the centaur to die in peace.
Well this sucks. I now have a big villainous bad guy determined to cook my body and consume my power. Shit.
“Minions of mine, come forth if you’re injured,” I said, shifting to the next issue.
I waited patiently for my minions to assemble. Most were nearby and six stood before me in a matter of moments. One of the goblins from Xastriban arrived missing an arm.
Perfect. I had been meaning to test this.
I walked over to the goblin and placed a hand on his forehead. I connected to his aura, summoning his data page.
Minion: Goblin Trigger.
Health 2/5. Level 1.
Sapient Goblin.
Fighting Abilities: Pathetic.
Memories intact.
Upgrade Available. Consume 4 mana and .7 Zorta (YES) or (NO)
Repair missing arm: 2 mana of 30 available.
Remove Minion: Consume .2931 Zorta
You have selected to remove Minion. Confirm (YES) - (NO)
When I selected yes, I expected a darkening spell to blot out the rays of sunshine crashing through the trees. Instead, the bones crumbled to dust, and I was refunded the Z from the minion’s creation directly into my reserves.
“Whoa,” I said in dismay at the process and the return of the Zorta. “I was returned his cost. I’ve been grumbling because I’m heavily invested in minions.”
Bell came to stand over the pile of dust. “Interesting. Good to know in a pinch. Sorry, Asha,” Bell said, and he shrugged. Yeah, I wasn’t going to turn him to dust anyway. “Your minions were hard at work last night. I got another sixty Z in our emergency bag. The cat is worth thirty Zorta. Yeah, shocked they killed it, but the big troll skeletons helped.”
“Wow, we’re growing powerful,” I said, partially in disbelief.
I checked my personal reserves, seeing I was down to 40.771. I cycled through my upgrades.
Upgrade Healer 4 -} Healer 5 cost 10 Zorta (YES) - (NO)
Selecting yes immediately shrunk my Zorta reserves. However, I had 35 mana now.
Score.
Bell said, “You may feel on top of the world, but a cyclops will still murder us, the herd would decimate our forces if we were caught with catatonic goblins from overeating, and heaven forbid we run into a human war party. Hell, even a trio of ogres would rip through this force. To make matters worse, we probably need to stick to the valley now that you’ve chosen the Ostriva side.”
I folded my arms and replied, “Yeah, well, I can’t go around raising humans. They’re just not here. Building an army of white haired human loyalists would have required luring folks to their doom. I see your point, though. We need to adjust our plan. What’s wrong with occupying an old dwarven hold or an abandoned human settlement?”
“We’ll be raided by both sides,” Bell said with a scoff.
“Solution?” I asked. Her face soured and her arms folded under her breasts. “Bell, you’re an advisor. I value your input.”
This placated her slightly, and she sighed in frustration at the situation, not me. At least I read her emotions that way. “We build a neutral city and dedicate it to a neutral goddess, Caitlyn. Then we hold onto our butts because we have a whole lot of easy to kill Zorta laying around. Speaking of which, Nee said two more goblins joined us.”
I glanced around, not a damn clue who was an original versus a new goblin. “Nee, monitor the situation. Keep going on how we survive.”
She nodded and added, “I’d like to think you could maybe fit into a neutral city if one i
s already established, but I simply don’t know. I do know that I went from concerned to proud. Even if we have a long way to go, I think we’re making great progress,” Bell said.
She reached out with her aura, locking onto the centaur and said, “Six Z for him. You got enough to do both?”
“Umm… ten Z should be safe, and I need to heal all these minions,” I said.
I decided to try something new. Closing my eyes, I reached out to my minions as if I wanted to command them. I felt their receptive replies, welcoming my authority.
Lumpy: Repair missing claw: 2 mana of 35 available.
Goblin 4: Repair broken hand: 1 mana of 35 available.
Cerberus 1: Repair missing teeth: 1 mana of 35 available.
Cerberus 3: Repair missing foot: 3 mana of 35 available.
Cerberus 4: Repair fractured ribs: 1 mana of 35 available.
Cerberus 6: Repair missing leg: 4 mana of 35 available.
This felt… clunky, I went through the menu until I found what I wanted.
Heal all minions for 12 mana of 35 available. (YES) - (NO)
Excellent. Going through a step-by-step process was tedious. I’m glad I found a streamlined way.
Wind whipped my face, and I poured more mana into the spell. The magic warped the early morning light, returning parts and pieces to the injured minions. The black fixated on the broken spots, healing them individually. When the spell completed, I smiled at the simplicity.
“That’s new,” Asha said.
“I think it was an option since necromancer three, but each day I learn something different simply by taking the time to study. Which of the goblins is Nee’s husband?” I asked.
A goblin stepped forward, raising a hand. I attached to his aura and went through the steps of reviving him.
Did I have not? No, but I wanted to.
The magic beam from above slammed down. This time, the golden power enveloped but didn’t explode. My squinted eyes and tensed reflexes relaxed.