There was a silence that carried on for a beat longer than was necessary before Bastion responded,
“as you wish, my King.” A profound tiredness infused every word. “You should know that your Queen is visiting with an interesting fellow in the city. There has been a fascinating development with the Roc eggs that you had delivered to the city.”
Slate’s eyes widened in surprise; he had forgotten all about the Rocs. It had been a minor stop on his way to Koral. He had sent the eggs back to Bastion on the off chance they would be mildly useful.
“Great,” he said aloud. “I’ll go see where she is now.” Bastion merely nodded before disappearing into thin air.
It didn’t take long for Slate to make his way outside the palace and outside of the inner city. Shale’s location blazed through the Scourgemind like a beacon, and his feet carried him in her direction without conscious thought. His mind was studying the city as he travelled. Now that he had been transformed and most of the bestial traits he had possessed had been smoothed away, he blended in as much as any other Guardian. Slate didn’t wear any accouterments that would distinguish him from any of the many individuals who had volunteered for service and donned the same armor. Part of Slate enjoyed the sense of anonymity even though he knew it wouldn’t last. Right now, the citizenry were still expecting his previous visage, but eventually, the word would get out, and then he would have to go back to traveling with an entourage of protectors.
Some of the Royal Guard had tried to accompany on this particular trip, but he had ordered them to stand down. It had been quite the showdown as Slate’s implacable will met the unmoving force that was the Guardian’s fear of Shale and Serena. Eventually, when Slate threatened to put all of their heads on a pike and walk around the city snacking on their flesh like a barbecue skewer, they had decided that discretion might be the better part of valor.
Slate soon arrived at what he considered the merchant quarter of the city. He was close to Shale, and he could feel her just ahead within a small stone building. The structure had a massive barn constructed behind it, and Slate’s sensitive ears could pick out the sounds of various animals moving, eating, or sleeping. Beyond the barn, there was no signage or external hints at what the purpose of the building was. The King walked right up to the door and let himself in quietly. The air was thick with the musky scent of animals held in close proximity. There were no windows to the exterior, but blue-white fire lit the interior of the room. At first glance, the chamber looked like carefully cultivated chaos. Some shelves took up the majority of the wall space. They held jars with various unknown substances. Some were readily identifiable, like the one that was stuffed to the brim with dead spiders the size of a silver dollar. Others, like the jar that glowed with a sickly greenish-yellow light, were harder to discern. More significantly, there were cages along the ground and stacked against the walls with living occupants. Just like the shelves, some had animals that were identified and others were of a variety only native to Somnium. Among the chittering, whining, squealing, Slate could hear Shale’s voice carrying from a back room.
Slate navigated through the disheveled space and around a shopkeeper’s bar before entering the chamber beyond. Shale was talking to a thin human male, and the man was gesticulating wildly in response. He had dark brown hair that was wild and unkempt and a beard to match. He was dressed in a plain linen shirt and trousers, but he wore a large leather apron with a set of thick elbow-length gloves to match. His clothes were just as disheveled as his shop, and there was frenetic energy to his body language. If the King had to guess, the man had slept in the clothing, likely at a workbench, or in the barn behind the shop. He had the slightly sour smell of stale body sweat. Slate had only a split second to study the man before he and Shale turned to find Slate in the room with them. He leaned against the doorframe and shot a grin at the Queen. They communicated rapidly through the Scourgemind.
Sleep well? She teased.
Well enough, he answered. What are we doing here?
Bastion identified him as the most likely candidate to do something with the Roc eggs that you acquired…she trailed off.
Oh? Anything important?
I’ll let him tell you himself, she said with a smile.
The exchange took no longer than the time it took to blink. The shopkeeper pressed a fist to his heart in a Guardian-style salute, which Slate returned.
“So-” he began, but the shopkeeper interrupted him.
“My name is Kegan,” the man said breathlessly. “The Roc eggs you brought me are amazing!” His bright blue eyes twinkled in delight. “First, I wasn’t sure I would be able to do anything with them. I heard from some of my folks near Koral that they were a public menace, but the local militia couldn’t do anything with them.” He paused and seemed to think for a half-second, chewing his lip in an unconscious habit. His words were issued in a quick clip, and Slate felt like his mind needed to shift gears to accommodate the rapid speed. As he was about to say something, Kegan continued, ignoring all social cues to the contrary.
“Did you know that lightning and light aren’t so far on the elemental spectrum?” The question was rhetorical. “So, I started trying to change their natures by manipulating the natural mana they were acquiring. It was difficult at first, but I think the mage tower that went up in the city made the transformation possible. Once I discovered the knack, everything else became easier, but I think something went wrong. When I was done with the first one, nature magic interrupted the process!”
Slate put up a hand, “hold on.” Kegan stopped talking, but he was almost bouncing on his toes to keep talking.
“Transformation?” Slate tried to clarify, and Kegan nodded almost maniacally.
“Yes! Let me show you!” The skinny man turned and started fiddling with a canvas shroud covering a large cube. Slate surmised there was a living creature, and as soon as the corner of the covering was lifted, he smelled something…familiar.
Kegan unlocked a metal clasp on the wooden crate, and Slate could hear a hissing like the sound an alligator made when they were attempting to intimidate one another. Slate watched Kegan curiously. He didn’t seem to be scared by the sound at all, as he used a hand to swat whatever creature was within. Kegan turned and displayed the beast that he had just reprimanded.
The Scourge King drew close in fascination. The creature was the size of an owl, Kegan used two arms to support the animal, but Slate estimated that he would be able to hold it comfortably. It looked like a diminutive dragon with silvery scales that complemented Shale’s strikingly. However, it only had two limbs instead of four. The upper limbs were combined with a set of leather wings topped with razor-sharp claws. Its head was snakelike instead of the crocodilian one that the Scourge sported and it lacked the distinctive tail blade that they used as a primary weapon. It was covered with spines that resembled those of a porcupine. There was a strange blank spot in between the shoulder blades of the reptile where the spine curved to form a sort of saddle. As odd as it was in appearance, that wasn’t the most striking thing about it. Slate hadn’t noticed before, but the creature had a connection to the Scourgemind. It was clumsy and ill-directed, but it existed. When Slate reached out to its mind, he could sense pure emotions like ‘hungry’ and ‘warm.’ The creature didn’t seem to know much else. After studying it, Slate looked up at Kegan.
“So, it’s a dragon?” He asked as he looked over at his Queen for confirmation. She shook her head slightly. She was studying the beast on Kegan’s arm just as carefully.
“No!” Kegan said happily. “Even better, it’s a wyvern!”
Slate frowned, unfamiliar with the terminology. “And that is a…?”
Kegan was all too happy to explain, “It’s a creature that primarily uses poison to hunt its foes. Those spines carry a terrifying venom that would incapacitate or kill most living things. It can fly and carry a single passenger when it’s in its adult form!” The man’s enthusiastic expression suddenly dimmed.
“Although,” he said, chewing on his lip again. “It doesn’t breathe fire, which I guess is kind of a let-down.” He smiled widely, displaying too many teeth. “It does breath a noxious gas that does cause the target to pass out!”
Slate wished the wyvern would cause Kegan to pass out. The information overload was starting to give him a headache. The wyvern cocked its head and then turned toward its handler. It took a deep breath, and then a virulent green gas was exhaled from its mouth. The cloud of visible gas hit Kegan’s face, and his eyes immediately rolled up. He dropped to the ground like a stone, which caused the wyvern to shriek and flap its wings to get airborne. It didn’t have the strength to fly completely, and Slate swooped an arm to catch it before it hit the ground. The wyvern made happy chittering sounds, and the Scourge King watched it warily before sending thoughts signifying ‘calm’ and ‘peace’ to the tiny creature. It was surprisingly dense in Slate’s hands, and he lifted it and placed it on his shoulder. The wyvern used its claws to grasp on, and Slate noticed they punctured his breastplate easily. His eyes widened.
The beast is strong! He exclaimed.
Shale laughed out loud. I thought you would be interested in it. Do you want to know what’s even better?
Slate still watched the wyvern as it moved around on his shoulder. The creature was rubbing its face against his jaw affectionately. Hm? He asked, clearly distracted.
I think I can get Lynia and Fidem to accelerate its growth.
Slate whipped his head toward Shale. Can you make them full size?
Yes. She said smugly.
Where did you get that idea?
Before you arrived, Kegan was describing how he manipulated the Roc chicks into becoming wyverns…in great detail. I think we can replicate the effects using a combination of magic and divine influence.
Slate’s mind turned over the implication of having an airborne cavalry. They would be perfect companions to the Lurkers. If they could be upgraded by Bastion to be even more effective, then the entire tactical landscape could change.
He picked up the wyvern from his shoulder and handed it to Shale while meeting her eyes. She took the creature gently.
Do it, he ordered. Get with Bastion and see if there’s some sort of building we can create within the inner city. He shot a look to Kegan still passed out on the floor.
He also needs to be converted into one of the Faithful at the very least. A Guardian would be best. If he can do this with one creature, I wonder what he could do with others. He glanced back at Shale. This could be our way of turning the tides against the Collective army.
Shale nodded. I know. It was my idea, after all. She laughed out loud, and Slate responded with a wry expression.
A rough voice intruded upon their conversation. A hacking cough carried through the communication beads in their ears, and they both winced.
“My King and Queen, Mella requests your presence in the command center.”
Slate sighed before replying, “Bastion, weren’t you the one that suggested I join my Queen?”
“Indeed, my King.” The avatar sounded like he was reprimanding him. “—and now that you have, you need to get to the command center. The Collective has entered operational range, and Mella wants to know her orders.”
Slate felt himself start. It seemed too soon. However, the operational range for the Scourge didn’t mean the operational range for the Collective. He had the opportunity to thin their ranks and fall back to the city before they drew closer.”
Fuck, things are moving too quickly. He thought. He needed to be at his best; the future of the Scourge was riding on this battle.
“Okay, Bastion, I’m coming, inform the other Firsts that they need to join us.”
A long-suffering sigh answered his order, “I already did, my King, they’re already on their way.”
Slate snarled before addressing Shale. Do you want to go to this meeting or take care of this?
He gestured toward Kegan and the wyvern. Shale chuckled lightly. I’ll take care of this. I want to start identifying the riders anyway. I’ll skim the meeting from your memories later.”
Slate nodded before turning and walking away. It was time to make the Collective terrified for even thinking of attacking his city.
CHAPTER 29: THE SCOURGE PREPARES
SLATE STRODE INTO the command center. Sumnu and Lynia were chatting enthusiastically while Matek and Mella glanced over the map table in the center. Fidem scowled in a corner, watching the other four. Slate was surprised to see the First Enticer in such a foul mood. The man often prided himself on remaining aloof and serene in the presence of his fellows. It was only when the Scourge was doing something inconsistent with what Fidem believed the Lord of Light would want that he became incensed. When he entered the room, they all stopped what they were doing and faced him. Mella pressed a fist against her heart in salute, and Slate returned the gesture. Slate took the opportunity to study her for the first time. She had vibrant brown hair that had a luster consistent with the rest of the Guardians. Her hair framed a thin-bones face with eyes that looked slightly large for her face, and her long elf-ears and tilted eyes gave her a fae-like appearance. She was slight in stature and small for a Guardian. Slate had seen her a few times, but this was the first time that she would be a part of his planning process, and he wanted to get to know her better. It wasn’t the proper time, but he resolved to make time for her later. A ruler’s spymaster was one of the most influential people in their command structure.
The rest of them didn’t bother with a salute; they knew he dispensed with such pleasantries with them. For him, it was enough that they did their jobs and did them well. Bastion popped into existence behind them, but only Matek and Mella took notice of the avatar’s presence. Matek gave the avatar a companionable nod, while Mella studied the avatar like she was deciding how best to dissect him.
First things first, Slate addressed them confidently, I need you to send me your memories over the last week. I need more information to decide how to proceed. I give you my word that I won’t take anything that you have freely offered.
Slate looked around the command center to see if any of the Firsts would have an issue with him peering through their memories. He couldn’t simply take them like he could with other members of the Scourge. If Slate had been in their positions, he wouldn’t want to offer up his memories no matter what he had done, but they were better people than he was. Besides a deepening scowl from Fidem, none of them refused the intrusion. Fuck him anyway, Slate groused.
Alright, Slate said softly before he closed his eyes and reached out through the Scourgemind. He had grown more adept at manipulating the connection that bound his people to him. In the past, he would have to have approached each person’s mind separately and then take the time to assimilate their memories. Now, he was under no such restriction. Reaching out to their minds was as easy as perusing his own. When he reached them, there was a small barrier he imagined between their mind and his. His thoughts flowed around the barrier like a slowly rising flood. He pressed against the barrier from all sides.
This is a new aspect of the transformation. Slate thought in wonder. He felt as if he could pierce their defenses if he wanted to. He wondered if this had something to do with his dragon evolution or if his upgraded vision had a quality that hadn’t been described in the initial description. He had noticed that his Mana-Forged Nervous System had gained an asterisk in his character sheet, but when he checked the narrative, he couldn’t find anything different from its previous form. Further, he had lost all of the biomass that he had been saving up. He knew Lucidus wouldn’t have wasted the resources, so he put it out of his mind for now.
Either way, this ability made him more secure in the ability to know what his followers were thinking. It wasn’t necessary to test the new power because each person allowed him to enter their minds. It felt like a small entryway had been made in the barrier and not as if the entire thing had been lowered. His mind entered through the s
mall hole and then spread to the furthest corners of their minds like a puddle of water spreading across the floor. He found the memories he was searching for, and then plucked it from their minds. If this had been a computer, he felt like he was copying the contents on their minds. However, he felt like if he wanted to, he could’ve removed the memory without making a copy. He instinctively knew that if he performed such an action, they would forget the entire last week and a half. The ramifications of his new competency were something that Slate would need to consider more in the future.
The information from Koral and the wilds outside of Ithicus flowed into his mind. He assimilated them all and then released the Firsts from his perusal. He took a couple of minutes to digest the new information before looking up at them in a new light. His people had gone through real trials and tribulations to be where they were. He moved forward to the map table and placed his hands on its edge. The other Firsts gathered around him, ready to hear what the plan going forward would be.
We have an opportunity. It’s small, and the risks are high, but we have two enemies on the board. As Slate was speaking, he used the map to demonstrate what he was talking about. He noticed that the breadth and depth of the Collective army was well defined. He could see approximately how many numbers the enemy had. He looked up to his two resident spies and realized that he should speak out loud for Mella’s benefit.
“I’m assuming this was one of you?”
Matek glanced over at Mella, and she nodded slightly as she tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.
“It was me.” She said simply before taking control of the map away from Slate and focusing on the edges of the enemy formation. “I assigned Lurkers through Matek to monitor the edges of the enemy.” She frowned as she studied the map. “Unfortunately, they’re using soul-forged monsters on the edges of the lines, so they haven’t had the opportunity to get close and collect any information. It’s likely the monsters would be able to sense them despite their camouflage.” She glanced up at Slate, “at least that’s what I predict from the most recent information I have about the Scourge’s stealth capabilities. I haven’t heard anything recently. The soul-forged creatures spotted you and Shale, right?”
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