by Eric Vall
“Maybe they’re excavating and hauling the innards of the mountain out so he can expand the place,” I guessed. “Which only makes it more ridiculous that you saw no entrance, but fresh snowfall could have concealed it. Did you see any more of the ogres today?”
“No, the grounds were completely deserted,” Deya replied, and Haragh cocked a brow.
“That doesn’t sound good,” the half-ogre muttered.
“The Master could have everyone working on the construction inside,” I mused. “If he’s using the ogres to haul rock instead of sending them here to catch our mages, then that seems like a logical explanation. The Master must be preparing to expand his territory.”
“Well, he’s expanding it straight into my damned mountains,” Dorinick growled, and I turned to Deya.
“What was the structure made of?” I asked.
“It appeared to be entirely constructed from solid stone,” Deya answered.
“Not blocks of stone like a castle?” I clarified.
“No, solid stone. I couldn’t see any seams on the faces of the pillars.”
I shook my head as Haragh sighed heavily.
“This is sounding like a riddle more than a structure,” the half-ogre grunted. “No entrance, no seams. Only solid rock and a peak.”
“Was there anything else distinct about the place? Windows? Any of these towers could be lookout points, but could you tell if this was how he was utilizing them?”
The questions fell out of my mouth rapid-fire, but I had a feeling I knew the answers already based on the crinkle in Deya’s pink brows.
“I’m sorry I cannot be of more help, Mason,” Deya muttered softly. “I circled the place four times, but I didn’t want to draw too much attention. This is all I saw, and it made little sense to me, too.”
“It’s alright,” I told her. “You were smart not to hang around there for too long. I just wish we had more to go off of. At this point, what we have isn’t looking very promising. Not for any kind of siege at least. It’s kind of hard to plan an attack on an impenetrable fortress with no idea of how many soldiers are inside, what kind of security the Master is using, or even how large their territory is.”
“I’ll get a closer look for ye’,” Dorinick said as he nudged my arm, and then he glanced at Deya. “Where is this fortress compared to the coastline?”
“The coast is about a league away from the backside of the mountain,” Deya replied.
“And the Nalnoran border?”
“Maybe half a league south of the structure,” the beautiful elf guessed.
“The Master probably figured the dwarves would never venture that far to the southeast,” I mused.
“He’d be right,” Dorinick snorted. “I don’t know a single dwarf that’ll go within five miles of the nesting grounds. Except Thrungrig, of course. Once you get near the elven border, though, even he won’t risk it.”
“Are any of those abandoned mines you mentioned near this place?” I asked the dwarf.
“Aye,” he said with a nod. “Not within direct sight, but we could station ourselves in the old copper mine at the coast. It would probably take us under an hour to make it to a lookout point from there.”
“No,” Haragh cut-in, “you’re not takin’ all of Thrungrig’s crew out to this fortress. Those are some decent fucking dwarves, and the ogres will smell ye’ comin’ before you made it through one night.”
“The winds always blow in from the south on the eastern coast,” the dwarf assured him. “We’ll be downwind of the place.”
Haragh didn’t look at all pleased with the idea, and he turned to me for support, but I couldn’t see any better solution at the moment.
“We can’t keep sending Deya there over and over,” I sighed, “but we need to get a better idea of what the Master’s operation is like, and how his recruits get in and out of this structure. Otherwise, us knowing where his headquarters are is useless.”
“But I want to help,” Deya insisted. “I don’t mind returning, there were several dragons around the coast. The Master will not be suspicious if one more dragon comes around. I can switch the scales I use as well, so no one notices me returning.”
“Mason’s right, Deya,” Aurora told the beautiful elf. “I think you should avoid getting too close to the place when you’re transmuting. Not only could you be harmed if they catch on, but the Master has branded dragons and drakes before. If he decides to start using them again and manages to capture you, what could we possibly do to get you back?”
“The branding would only affect the dragon, yes?” Deya asked, but Aurora looked to me for an answer.
“We have no way of knowing,” I told the pair, “but that isn’t a risk I’m gonna take.”
“If you think it’s best,” Deya muttered as she looked down. “I was happy to be able to help for once, though.”
“And you’ll continue being a huge help, don’t worry,” I replied and sent my elf a reassuring smile. “Just for now, let’s leave the regular scouting of the fortress to the dwarves. They know the ways of the mountains, and this way you’re not at so much of a risk. I’ll still have you take a look every once in a while, though, just in case I need immediate information, alright?”
“Okay,” Deya said as she perked up a bit. “I can do whatever you need.”
“Thank you, this would ease my nerves a lot.”
“Better be careful out there,” Haragh warned as he glanced at Dorinick. “An ogre would tear a dwarf in two and finish you off in a few bites on a regular day. But possessed … who knows what they’d be capable of. Keep a wary eye, and if the winds change, get the hell out of those mountains. I mean that. Their sense of smell could pick out your exact location a mile away.”
Dorinick’s green eyes betrayed the tiniest hint of concern, but he just shrugged.
“Perhaps my brother could assist you in this,” Deya offered. “He is a very capable warrior, and the elves are well-trained in stealth maneuvers. I’m certain if I asked him, Dragir would--”
“Better hold off,” I cut-in as Dorinick’s expression suddenly darkened, and the way he looked at me showed he hadn’t dismissed our conversation about the silver-haired elf earlier. “Dragir would have to pass near House Orrel to get to Dorinick’s crew, and after the way we left things with Orion, it wouldn’t be wise to risk a run-in between the two elves. He’s already closing in on Dragir with his owls. Let’s not push it.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Deya admitted. “Orion might capture Dragir to try and bait my father into delivering me back to him, and then he would discover I am gone … ”
“Then it’s settled,” I said with a nod as I folded the sketch of the Master’s fortress and tucked it in my vest pocket. “Dorinick will alert the Elders of Aurum and stake out in the eastern mountains for us. We’ll check in periodically with Deya’s dragons, and in the meantime, we’ll head to Jagruel to figure out how much damage the Master has done out there. How soon can you be in position, Dorinick?”
“Bagneera’s heading north in half an hour,” Haragh told the dwarf.
“I’ll travel straight north on her train,” Dorinick decided. “Probably be in Aurum by nightfall, and once I get to Thrugrig, we can set out first thing tomorrow for the east. It’ll take us about a day to get to the old copper mine, so figure we’ll be set up two days from now.”
“Perfect,” I replied. “The Master worked pretty quickly abducting troops in Nalnora, and if he’s got the ogres expanding his fortress right now, then we can expect him to make a big grab for more recruits soon. Keep an eye on the grounds, and if anything comes up, get a raven to a kid named Jenik in Serin. He’s a squire of mine who’s scouting the Oculus for me right now. He’ll get the message to me as soon as I get back, but hopefully we won’t be gone for more than a week in Jagruel. I might send Deya out east once or twice just in case, though, so if she stops by, try and update her for me, alright?”
Dorinick smirked. “Aye, and all of Thrung
rig’s crew will think I’ve gone batty chattin’ up a dragon.”
“I will be a very polite dragon, I promise,” Deya giggled. “Look for a Cyneis. That will be me.”
“That’s the firebreathers with the purple scales?” Dorinick clarified.
“I’m impressed, General Dorinick,” Deya said with a sweet smile. “You know your dragons.”
“I’ve slain quite a few in my day,” the dwarf said proudly, and Deya did an admirable job of keeping her smile in place while Aurora raised her brows.
“I still don’t like one bit of this plan,” Haragh mumbled, “but it’s got to be done. Here’s hopin’ we’re not all dead within the week.”
“Don’t be so negative,” Cayla chuckled. “We haven’t died yet. What’s one more week of travelling perilous lands?”
“I love the way you think,” Aurora sighed, “but I really, really don’t want to leave our bed. We were just getting so used to having one.”
“It’s going to be so empty without you all here,” Shoshanne muttered sadly.
“Wait, what?” Aurora asked at once.
“Shit,” I sighed. “I didn’t even think of that. Shoshanne has to stay here and work on the branded mages as the snatcher brings them in.”
“We’re going to Jagruel with no healer?” Haragh asked uneasily, and he looked at Shoshanne like he’d just been handed a death sentence. “Yep, I hate everything about this plan.”
“Don’t worry,” Shoshanne said with a soft smile for the half-ogre. “There are no elves in the west, so you won’t even need me.”
“We always need you,” Cayla countered, and she brushed the healer’s arm with her hand. “I don’t like the thought of going separate ways.”
“Neither do I,” I admitted as I considered the concern in the princess’ eyes. “Maybe you or Aurora should stay behind with Shoshanne to be sure she’s safe here.”
“Don’t be silly,” Shoshanne interjected. “Cayla and Aurora are your most lethal weapons. You’ll need Cayla’s aim and Aurora’s fire in case something goes wrong in the west. Besides, I’ll have Big Guy here to look after me.”
“And Ruela,” Deya added. “We will leave her here to be your guard. She will happily tear anyone to pieces for you if you ask. Even if you don’t have time to ask, she will see it is done.”
“Maybe Stan could stay to keep your spirits up for us,” Cayla offered with half a smile.
“There you have it,” Shoshanne said, and she came over to loop her fingers in mine. “I’ll be well looked after, and I’ll probably be so busy peeling the flesh off our mages that the time will just fly by. It will probably feel like a vacation compared to Nalnora or Jagruel.”
“That sounds like the worst vacation ever,” I chuckled. “I can’t leave you here alone to remove brandings all day. It’s too miserable and … bloody. Like really, really bloody.”
“Well, you can, and you will,” the healer replied, and her tone had the same distinct challenge in it I could never argue against. “This is your ill-advised idea, remember? So, you’re going to Jagruel to save the ogre race, and I will stay here to save the mages while you’re gone.”
“Yes ma’am,” I said with a smirk, but then Aurora groaned and stomped over to lock her arms around Shoshanne’s waist.
“I’m on Haragh’s side now,” the half-elf announced. “I hate this plan and I’m not leaving Shoshanne. She’s my favorite cuddle buddy.”
“I thought I was your favorite cuddle buddy,” Deya said with a mock pout.
“No, you’re my favorite snuggle elf, there’s a huge difference.”
“What about Cayla?” Shoshanne chuckled.
“I already know I’m her all-around favorite,” Cayla said with a shrug, “so I won’t bother taking offense. She’s right, though, you are an exceptional cuddler. It’s those hips.”
“And her breasts,” Deya sighed. “Like two perfect, caramel pillows. I will miss them while we’re gone.”
Aurora giggled her approval, and I just shook my head at the women while Dorinick rolled his eyes and stood to head out. Haragh and I joined him on the way to the train station, and while we made our way down the lanes of Falmount, the half-ogre continued his list of warnings for the dwarf where the ogres were concerned.
“They’re not so stealthy as the elves, but they’ll come creeping around at night when they know their prey is sleepin’,” Haragh warned. “Better keep yourselves armed and douse your fires as early as you can.”
Dorinick furrowed his brow another measure, but he nodded his understanding.
“Listen for snappin’ branches and the like,” Haragh continued. “We don’t bother duckin’ when we make our way about if we can just barge our way through, and don’t waste any time trying to fight any of them if they do find ye’. Just fuckin’ run.”
“You watched the dwarves take on a pack of Naga without any fatalities,” I reminded Haragh. “I’m sure Thrungrig’s crew could handle an ogre or two if it was absolutely necessary.”
“Oh, you’re sure, are ye’?” Haragh asked indignantly, and then he swiftly grabbed Dorinick by the scruff of his boiled leather and lifted him clean off the ground with one arm.
Dorinick growled and tried to swipe his fists at Haragh’s big green head, but he just kept walking toward the station with the dwarf dangling from his fist like a bearded sack of potatoes.
“Keep in mind, I’m only half an ogre,” Haragh called over his shoulder. “This is me not even breakin’ a sweat.”
“Alright, alright, I get your point,” I chuckled as Dorinick started cursing every member of Haragh’s family starting with his mother.
Haragh finally dropped the dwarf beside the train station platform, and Dorinick’s black hair was disheveled and out of its tie as he furiously adjusted his leather.
“You ever pull that stunt again, and I’ll drive this fuckin’ sword through your eye socket,” he growled at the half-ogre, and Haragh sent him an apologetic smirk.
“Just makin’ sure you understand what you’re up against,” Haragh said as he sobered a bit. “I mean it. You hear one sound out of place in those woods, and you get out of there. We can figure out what the hell the Master is doin’ in the foothills some other way, but we can’t piece you back together from a pile of ogre shit.”
I glanced at Dorinick, and the gruff general stood a bit taller as he nodded.
“Understood,” he replied, and he held out his hand to shake Haragh’s. “I’ll keep ye’ posted on what we find out. Good luck in the west, and try not to let this one get eaten, yeah? I honestly don’t know how I’d keep all those women in line if he dies.”
I rolled my eyes as Dorinick winked, and I was about to respond when someone nearby let out a blood curdling shriek.
All three of us whipped around in a circle as Dorinick’s sword unsheathed, and I already had my revolver cocked before Haragh even reached for his own sword. My heightened senses were at the ready and immediately scanning the entire perimeter of Falmount for an attack, but I quickly realized what was going on.
The heavy whirring of treads over dirt came to me from just beyond the station, and I turned toward a pale-faced young mage to see an eerie green glow coming from the woods directly in front of her.
“Don’t worry,” I called out as I quickly jogged over. “That’s one of my automatons, he’s just …”
I trailed off when I got to the girl’s side, and the group of mages that had gathered around her stared in silence as the snatcher crossed the train tracks and came to a stop in front of me. His metal was blackened with soot and dented all over from what must have been the attack of Terra Mages hurling boulders, but his channeling gem continued to beat slow and steady as if this didn’t even phase him.
He didn’t look too bad, honestly, considering he’d been out snatching possessed mages since daybreak, but the sight of the loaded netting suspended at his back hollowed out my stomach. I could really only stare like all the rest of the mages as I stoo
d there, and I had the feeling we were all realizing how close to fucked we were.
There must have been over two dozen branded mages piled in the nets of the snatcher, and half of them had on Defender gear, while the other half looked no older than Jenik or Pindor.
“Shit,” I breathed, and the snatcher slowly whirred past as he headed down the lane of silent onlookers.
Chapter 6
I left Haragh and Dorinick at the station as I followed my automaton to the house, and the crowd only continued to grow while we made our way along the lanes. Mages of every age stared in alarm at the captives dangling from the back of the snatcher, and I could hear a few gasps as some of the possessed mages were recognized by the onlookers. Then one young man fell in step behind me when I was halfway through the village, and judging by his pallor and the twitching muscles in his jaw, I realized someone he loved must have been in the netting.
My women were waiting for us in the clearing when we arrived, and Aurora narrowed her emerald eyes when it became clear the young man wasn’t going to hang back with the rest of the crowd.
He didn’t say a word to me even after the snatcher finally came to a stop in the clearing, but he did plant himself directly beside the net on the automaton’s right shoulder like it was his duty to stay within five inches of the damn thing.
To be honest, I was partially impressed with the guy because there were more than a few looks of shame in the eyes of the mages who recognized their friends or family as the snatcher passed through the town. Apparently, though, this young man didn’t give a shit about anything except being there for his friend, and I could definitely respect that.
So, when I noticed his mage’s robes were trimmed with an earthy brown, I gestured for him to follow me around to the back of the house to give him something to do until we could restore his friend.
“Start unloading the bodies,” I told the women as I went, and then I glanced at the tense young man reluctantly trailing beside me. “We need to get an infirmary built as quickly as possible. Then Shoshanne can get straight to work on removing the brandings.”
