by Han Yang
“None,” Nee said proudly. “This will be my second child while in the Necro Lord’s army. Never been happier. In five more levels, I’ll reach goblin ogre.”
Her excited words left me puzzled. I opened my mouth and -
“Can I have seconds?” The child asked.
“Get them yourself,” Tarla said from over my shoulder, pointing to the cooking fire a few hundred feet away. “Trading is done. They limited what we could buy. Rams, wagons, and weapons only.”
“Hold up a second. I swear, it’s hard to get a word in sometimes. What’s a goblin ogre?” I asked.
Nee flushed with concern, fidgeting as if she suddenly were caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
The old goblin said, “Ancient tales speak of goblins reaching level fifteen in their magic type. When they do… they morph into something greater than before. A goblin ogre. It’s just a story for keeping goblins in line.”
“Do you believe in this?” I asked Nee.
“I do, Boss. I do not know if it is true, but the faith is there, just as it is there for Caitlyn, may the deviant temptress watch over us,” Nee said.
“How much to gain your five more levels?” I asked.
She shrugged and said, “My upgrades have become costly. Probably another thousand Zorta.”
“Well, keep up the faith. Next time we’re flush on Z, I may just invest it into my goblin queen to see what happens. For science,” I said with a smirk.
The green faced goblin batted her lashes and repeated, “For science.”
I groaned, picking myself up. Nee was a quirky goblin, but she loved me in her own special way.
“Welcome to the army,” I said to the new arrivals. Right as I was about to leave, Lumpy arrived with a small feral cat, the kind I’d see on the streets of L.A. I accepted the dead animal, seeing the goblins eyeing the corpse. I muttered, “But the kitty.”
“What’s going on?” Tarla asked.
“I said they’d get paid. I want the cat, though. They are fantastic hunters, and I have space,” I grumbled.
Tarla retreated to the fire. A few seconds later, she dragged a ratty blanket with a pile of dead animals on it.
“The Boss wants his cat,” Tarla said, daring the goblins to say anything. “Become young again and grow the army by having children. Speaking of which, come, Boss.”
“Uno momento,” I said, and she frowned in confusion.
Closing my eyes, I focused on my core. Reaching out, I decided to see if there was any ambient Zorta to cultivate. I noticed the power of the earth was depleted in the area.
I shifted my focus and locked onto at least three dozen dead animals in the camp. Ah, they were vanishing quickly, slipping from my grasp.
I focused only on the cat, tossing it to the gray stone a few feet in front of me.
Claim or Consume
Claiming feral cat as a minion. This will result in you earning Nordan points. Do you wish to proceed? (YES) - (NO)
You selected to claim: cat 1. Consume .21 Zorta to summon this human as a minion of the undead. Do you wish to proceed? (YES) - (NO)
I selected yes, and the damn reaper surged out of my chest.
To my shame, I jolted in surprise, cursing the reaper for spooking me yet again.
“What the hell?” I grumbled.
“It's like bliss in there. You’re such a mellow fellow,” my reaper said in a dry and slow tone.
“My family instilled in me that being cautious is prudent. Granted, they were talking about marriage, career stuff, and investing.” I paused, staring at the odd magical creature. “I happen to think I’m very lively,” I said with huff.
“Fair, I do like your plan,” the reaper said, casting a spell.
Green magic hissed, splashing onto the cat’s body. Acid bubbled, sizzled, and peeled the flesh that ghoulish hands fought over. A moment later, the reaper returned, and my cat stood, gazing up at me in confusion.
“Nee,” I shouted.
“Yes, Boss.”
“Get me an animal revival,” I said, suddenly having a plan.
I waited while Tarla dealt with a dwarf trying to haggle her on a price she had declined earlier.
“This is Tye, my other animal healer husband. Tye, revive the cat,” Nee ordered.
I didn’t comment on her harem lifestyle, but I did quickly backpedal. The green magic gently applied layers that grew the cat back into a living being. Slight problem, it was all white.
“We got any dye?” I asked with a grumble, bending down to pet the cat.
Tarla snapped. “You crafty man, you. Lumpy would give it away.”
“I don’t get it,” Nee said.
Tarla grinned, joining me by the cat that purred loudly from the affection. “This little fur ball is going to Bell. Damien won’t be able to possess the cat, but he will know if it gets too far or is killed. At the very least, it sends a message to Bell that she hasn’t been forgotten. Get him dyed, Nee. Black. A black cat should work better than white.”
I gave the cat its final pet and said, “Behave for Nee, when you’re done, travel that way until you find Bell. When you find her, comfort her. If you cannot, follow her while surviving.”
Tarla pulled me by the hand, Nee vacating the spot with the kitten as if it were a babe.
“I see you hired the dwarves. Gronbi said they were hopeless and in need of battle experience. Apparently, they’re fighting in some tight crypts, and even the veteran siege units are at the taverns awaiting orders,” Tarla said.
I yanked her back, twirled her until her hair spun fast enough to playfully whip me, then caught her right at the point where my lips locked to hers. She giggled, loving the moment, and my grin couldn’t be bigger.
“I love you,” I said, covering her cheek in kisses. “I’m sad Bell is gone for now, and I’m coping by being close to you. Sorry, and not that I should apologize, but I can’t help but feel guilty for not rushing in and saving her. I just know that would be suicide.”
“Yup.” She wrapped my waist, pulling me in for a tight hug. “Be strong, Damien. We need you to be strong. Do the right thing, even if you fear it is the wrong direction. I… I thought you’d rescue our friend in some heroic charge. Then I heard it was ten against one, and I saw Sprinkles lose his head from a few spells.”
“The oaf is level two now, but yea. Anyway, I need to be mindful of what I have, as well as what I lost. Toneba and I are after the same thing: my survival. I want to live. His purpose is likely for me to die. I figured this would be his cause when I found out he lived. Time, we need time. The next few weeks and months will be about garnering the strength to free Bell, I promise,” I said with conviction.
“You’re stressing too much. I’ve been trying to relieve your tension,” her brown eyes sparkled, and her cheeks reddened. “Come, I need to show you all our new supplies.”
She left my arms, pulling me forward by the hand. Gronbi waved from up the hill, vacating the area with his traders. They left on foot and devoid of most of what they had brought.
Tarla led me to an animal pen area inside the camp. The hundreds of growing pups sniffed at the new rams. A quack of ducks from a nearby wagon told me there would be eggs in my future breakfasts.
A few of the wagons slouched, laden down with supplies. We added another hundred rams and at least thirty wagons. It was far less than I expected, and it would mean I would have to start converting gators into hut homes on the go.
No rest for the wicked. At least the goblins would have busy work. A convertible city, the concept was foreign but necessary.
Tarla covered all the new items, telling me we only spent a fraction of what we had allocated. She came around to our treasury wagon, opening a chest with gold coins inside.
Next, we passed, linens, frozen fruits and vegetables. We already had an excess of meat and these would help immensely. I finished the inspection and knew we could persist on the road for at least a few months, assuming nothing disastrous happened.
I walked for the dwarves who stood around a stew. The goblins knew the second Sprinkles went to packing up the base that they needed to be ready to leave. Watching them leap into motion gave me pride. They started by freezing the stew and extinguishing the fire.
The dwarves glanced at me for an answer to their confusion.
I said, “I’m going to need a shield, a really big shield or two.”
Famo eyed me with confusion. I thumbed Sprinkles, and he had an ‘ah-ha’ moment.
“I think we can manage that while we march. I’m assummin’ it's time ta leave?”
“Indeed, we head to war.”
CHAPTER 59
Kato Hills
For three days, we ripped up trees, created a road, and leveled it as we went. I ensured Sprinkled clogged our road thoroughly after our caravan used it. Without a doubt, Prince Tao and Toneba would be forced to create a new road or become stalled trying to move rocks or trees.
After our progress through the pine tree forest, we hit a large expansive series of rolling hills. The green scene was delightful, and I wished I could drink in the sight with glee.
Farms canvassed the area between the hills, their short crops being harvested by trolls and goblins. Dotted between the fields, the dilapidated buildings had seen minor repairs, resisting the test of time.
Trolls hustled curious goblins toward the nearest hilltop outpost. Palisades encircled an orc settlement. Based on the fields being harvested, they had conquered what was likely a troll city before.
A winter’s breeze betrayed summer, giving an unusually chilly sensation from my armor. My saddle creaked. The mare I rode nibbled at wild grass while we decided what to do.
“Well, shit,” Asha grumbled.
“Crap,” I added.
Off to the right of the city, an orc army arrayed for battle, killing the serene vibe. The neatly arrayed orc formations told me their army was smaller than ours but not by much. The orcs stood a head taller than a human with burly frames.
This was and wasn’t an organized army. Sections of the enemy infantry wore matching light armor with shields and one-handed weapons. Next to those sections, each soldier was unique.
Wolf riders flanked a main shield wall, numbering in the hundreds. Both formations contained what I had to assume was an alpha wolf that carried an orc bruiser.
In the back, troll archers stood behind orc infantry. I saw javelin containers and decently crafted bows.
High level mages carried banners that flapped in the wind. In their other hands, they carried staves of various types. Each of the mages wore at least leather armor, ditching the robe appearance I expected from magic wielders.
The enemy units wore light armor, almost going into a berserker style. If I had to guess, metal and smithing was tough for the orcs.
At the very back, I even saw two catapults with goblins and trolls hastily stacking small rocks that orcs bundled into sacks. At least a hundred sacks sat beside each siege engine.
These orcs knew we were coming. I had been so happy to finally see rolling hills and easy to travel grass which killed the mood because we had a fight ahead of us.
“This is bullshit,” I grumbled.
One hundred percent, I wanted to cruise through the orc lands unabated.
I shook my head and decided to sooth my soul by petting the mare.
This wasn’t a reckless centaur chieftain giving us a free win. These orcs were seasoned warriors, and they were prepared, almost as if they had a week or two notice.
Yeah, no way they saw us yesterday and mustered to fight.
“They even built berms,” Tarla said with a grunt, pointing out the flanks. “I bet they built traps and pits in front of those lines.”
“Toneba had to have sent word.” I snapped my fingers, adding things up. “We suddenly had a downtick in goblins arriving, and Asha has been finding a lot of their corpses. Add in the fact that I lost a jenix cat yesterday, and we’re seeing a proxy fight. We’re figuring our enemy is unable to bring a fight, and clearly they are,” I complained.
“Orders?” Nee asked.
I shouted, “Create battle lines, orient to the hilltop.”
“Uh… what?” Tarla asked.
“Damien has it right. If we take the high-ground, we can pummel the enemy until they retreat. And we get to add the trolls and goblins to our ranks,” Asha said before pointing to the middle ground of the fields. “I agree with Lady Tarla. The middle ground is ripe for traps.”
“Are you wanting to add those forces in the village?” Nee asked, glancing up at me with folded arms.
“Absolutely, and the high ground too.”
“The trolls won’t all join us. The goblins will,” Nee said with a nod of approval. “The orcs don’t value the settlement or the weak forces.”
“They’re the victory bonus. Whomever wins this fight earns the slaves. We take the bonus and fast travel around the orc army, or get them to charge us,” I rambled off a loose plan.
During our side conversation the goblins and matogators formed ranks.
If the sight was odd for me, it was likely downright confusing for the orcs. The matogators had been partially converted.
A lot of the small branches from the trees we had cleared for the road went to building decking platforms. Atop the decking platforms, goblins readied for battle.
Some of the gators had no decking and a single rider while others had a base. The best version had a wall facing the enemy with slits to cast or fire from.
We had no uniformity at this point, trying our best to prepare on the go. I hadn’t expected a fight this soon. I watched the units form up, our wagons forming the flanks to prevent a side charge from the wolves.
Snap!
Six catapult launched rocks. I spun, seeing Famo having Mini and the lidka heft large boulders into reloading buckets.
I hadn’t given the order because I figured we were too far.
The enemy chieftain turned, screaming at his own siege weapons.
Crack!
The smaller catapults lobbed two boulders back at us.
We watched the exchange, and I felt the rich farm soil vibrate when the enemy rounds landed short.
Famo didn’t miss. Each of our boulders slammed down hard, continuing forward as they tore gaps into the enemy ranks.
Instinctively, I winced, knowing those troops were under orders to not to flee. A few seconds later, I saw at least thirty orbs hovering over the opening formations.
Golden rays blasted down from the heavens as healers restored the dead. Those revivals would hit a tipping point, but for the moment, I counted at least thirty beams striking down.
It was hard to complain about the magic. We could do the same thing. Though I only had twenty-five healers, and if this turned into a real fight, we’d be taking far more casualties than that.
“I guess we stay put. Time for me to control Sprinkles. We have the range and the crossbows. Let them come to us. If they fall back, push forward. So much for moving the formations to the hill. I love how a battle can change a plan so quickly,” I said, seeing Lumpy trailing me for our command carriage.
Tarla went to the rooftop with Asha, and I handed my mare off to one of my dwarves.
Snap!
The second volley zoomed overhead; six large rocks arcing for the enemy.
The orcs hesitated. Their leader was indecisive to the point he was willing to take loses to find an opening. I opened the door, Lumpy bolting between my legs.
Inside the wagon, I had a bed under the war table. I scurried under the measly protection and laid down. Once I had my pillow situated, and Lumpy grew comfortable, I closed my eyes.
“Shut the door,” I ordered.
The clasp of the carriage door sealing brought a finality to the moment.
The orcs had erred,
and if Famo could pummel their ranks with catapults, then I’d force the orcs to fall back until we could detour around their army.
After a quick chant, I cast my occupation spell, shooting out of my body. I found Sprinkles carrying fists full of rocks fit for catapults. I waited for him to load the ammunition onto a wagon bed before occupying him.
When I zoomed into his body, the frame shuddered slightly. We’d been through the transition enough for it to smooth out.
The transition left me staring over a tensing battlefield. I glanced down seeing two straps across my chest and my goblin shielding minions relaxing in their perch point. These goblins had a little home platform built between the ribs.
My skeletal fingers gave an awkward snap. This was their warning to connect to harnesses and ready to apply shields as needed.
While they confirmed their harnesses were attached, I reached over my back, grabbing my shield and club.
The grip of the club brought back memories, and the weapon felt lighter in the upgraded body. The shield was new and rudimentary in its design. The dwarves had carved the panels out of full trees, until a fairly flat series of boards rested on my forearm like a decent shield. The tightly bound wood wasn’t perfect, and it’d catch on fire, but it was sure better than nothing.
The second volley landed in the distance, only one rock landing on troops. The enemy commander had ordered dispersals, but three rocks came down in one area. Two groups pushed right into one zone.
The rock smashed six into instant deaths.
Shocking both formations, I surged into a sprint.
My first few long strides let me leap over the front lines of my formation. Each time I shoved a foot down and pushed, my large feet peeled the surface dirt off the farm fields.
Out in the open, I zoomed toward the hilltop. The orc leader didn’t change his stance, maybe thinking I’d divert and sacrifice my biggest asset by recklessly attacking his army.
The enemy chieftain sitting idle was a mistake. Six more boulders slammed into his formation. This time, orbs stayed over the dead, and the revivals never came.