by Eric Vall
“Defender Solana is your leader,” Dragir cut in as he turned on Kurna, and I raised my brows at the menace in his eyes. “Do you intend to sully her rank by claiming you are in some way superior to your own leader?”
“M-My what?” Kurna stammered in confusion. “No?”
“We’ll take another Rosh,” I called to Raynor, and I casually stepped between the two men. “What Dragir meant is Aurora and I were promoted yesterday. We’re both replacing Wyresus as heads of the Order.”
Urn and Kurna let out booming laughs as they throttled my arms from both sides, and the burly Terra Mage swiftly ordered a round of Rosh for the whole pub to celebrate. Raynor was so happy, he insisted on bringing out the larger glasses he had stashed in the back, and the mages whooped and piled around us to raise their drinks to a new beginning for the Order.
I chuckled heartily as I heard the news quickly spreading into the streets, and with mages gasping and swearing with relief all over the place, I couldn’t wait until Aurora got to town later so she could revel in the glory a bit. Her jaw would probably unhinge with this much fanfare coming her way.
Dragir looked disgusted by all the comradery, but he was mostly preoccupied with his Rosh, and I slid my own glass over to him to make sure he stayed that way while I basked for a bit.
“Gods, that is just the relief I needed,” Urn chortled as he swiped the Rosh from his moustache. “When word arrived from Temin about the war, I thought we’d all be forced to listen to Wyresus try to lead this one. I don’t think I have the patience for that, truth be told.”
“I thought the same,” Kurna snorted, “but this is fantastic news! Aurora must be bursting with excitement. She certainly deserves it.”
“She does,” I agreed. “You should have seen her when Temin said the words. She couldn’t even talk. It was definitely a first.”
“Good!” Urn laughed. “With the two of you in charge, everything with the Order will be sorted in no time. Just watch, it’ll be a breeze from here on out.”
“I don’t know about that,” I muttered. “We’ve gotta get everyone armed and to their posts in only three days. If anything, things are about to get more complicated.”
“We’ve already started on the preparations,” Urn assured me. “Bagneera’s arranging for a train to haul us out, and the merchants are packing up provisions as we speak. What do you want us focusing on until then?”
“Let’s get the mages training double time for the next couple days,” I decided. “They did good in Serin, but they’ll be working in smaller troops once they’re stationed, so they need to be twice as effective. Focus specifically on their circuit training and target practice. I’ll be supplying everyone with more advanced firearms soon, but in the meantime, let’s make sure they’re prepared to handle anything the Master throws at them. You two have a decent list already made up for the promotions, right?”
“We do,” Kurna said as he dug in his pocket, but I waved him off.
“I don’t need to see the list,” I assured him. “Start promoting them today, and I’ll have Cayla’s list sent over, too.”
“Are you sure?” Urn asked, and I could tell both men were taken aback.
I shrugged. “You’ve spent more time at the training fields than I have. If anything goes wrong, I accept full responsibility, but after what I saw yesterday, I trust your judgement.”
“See that?” Kurna chuckled as he nudged Urn. “Already better than Wyresus. I told that idiot five times not to promote Raavo, but he never even looked up from his book to acknowledge it.”
“Same thing happened when I told him off about Dahko,” Urn snorted.
“Well, we’re definitely changing how things work in the Order,” I assured him. “Come to me or Aurora with anything, but feel free to act based on your best judgement. My only concern is the mages might not feel too confident about taking on the role of a Defender this soon. They’ve had some top-notch training lately, but things are heating up, and they’ve gotten used to working without all of us in charge. Once you’ve handled the promotions, send me word, and Aurora will meet with them. She’ll make sure they’re better prepared to give us everything they’ve got.”
“Yes, sir,” Urn said with a curt nod. “What about the mages who are remaining behind? Should we send them to the Oculus?”
“No, let them stay where they are and continue their training,” I replied. “The merchants here will need their protection. Dragir can stay behind when we move out, too, and he’s a damn good fighter, but I’m gonna assign a few Defenders to a post here in Falmount just to be sure everything’s locked down. Both of you are coming along to help get the troops set up, and then I’ll probably bring you back with me so we can coordinate our next moves. For now, Dragir and I are working on the new firearms for the next few days, but I’ll be around if you need anything.”
“Sounds good to me,” Kurna chuckled. “You should stop by the station sometime, though. The armor you ordered from Orebane finally arrived, and it’s looking real good.”
“All of it?” I asked as I smiled eagerly.
“I’d say so.” Urn nodded. “There’s about five cars fully stocked.”
“Perfect,” I sighed. “As soon as the promotions are made, start distributing the armor amongst the Defenders and send word to the Oculus so they can grab theirs as well.”
“I’ll get over there right now,” Kurna offered, and he elbowed me in the ribs as he eyed Dragir. “By the way, congratulations to you and Miss Deya.”
“Thank you,” I said as I puffed out my chest a bit. “We’re pretty excited.”
Dragir belched behind my back. “Are we?”
“Most of us are pretty excited,” I corrected.
“Well, remember what I said,” Urn muttered. “Any trouble from Nalnora, and you’ve got the Defenders on your side.”
“I’ll probably have to take you up on that offer,” I admitted, “but for now, let’s just focus on killing this fucker who sent those titans at us yesterday.”
“Gladly,” Kurna growled with a greedy grin, and the two generals promptly drained their glasses before they headed for the door.
“Alright, let’s head back and get started on the pistols,” I said as I turned back to Dragir, but I furrowed my brow at the state of him.
The elf had a tower of empty glasses stacked in front of him, and his smile was oddly calm for once while he stared off at nothing in particular.
“How much Rosh have you had?” I checked.
“Sixteen,” Dragir replied, but then Raynor plunked another glass down in front of him, and his smile stretched a bit wider. “Seventeen.”
“Wow, I’ve never seen you actually affected by alcohol before,” I mused. “You seem so relaxed.”
“Yes, this is why I love Rosh,” the elf sighed. “It cuts straight through the bullshit and goes right to the head. You know, I have not seen a drop of Rosh in Nalnora since I was a boy. We used to raid the northern shipments to Orebane, but once those stopped … nothing. It is a travesty. The dwarves should have been nicer to the ogres for us.”
“Or maybe you should be nicer to ogres,” I suggested as I pulled him off his stool. “Now, we’re leaving before you drink up my entire supply.”
“Hey, if your people feared you more, you would not have to talk so long,” Dragir snorted. “Then I would drink less.”
I shook my head while I steered the elf toward the door, and as we made our way into the market, he was much less hostile this time. He still glared at anyone who bumped into him, but he was just tipsy enough not to realize he was the one bumping into other people now.
I didn’t point this out, though, while I merrily followed after him, and the mages congratulated me here and there as we headed down the lanes. After a few minutes, Dragir began excitedly explaining an idea he had for a new weapon that sounded a lot like a cross between my death machete and a glaive, and I grinned as I watched the Rosh gradually loosen him up
Then we go
t inside the door of my mansion, though, and we both stopped short.
A miniature, ruby Mason Flynt had a revolver aimed right at us, and as I ground my jaw at the sight of my ruby self, Dragir burst out laughing for the first time since I met him.
“Is that a statue of yourself?” the elf managed between breaths. “Really? Why would you do this?”
“It was a gift,” I growled and turned to the butler. “Alfred, what … happened? I thought I made it clear the women could not put this thing in my entryway.”
“I’m terribly sorry, sir,” Alfred replied. “I did my best to remain firm on the matter, but there are five of them.”
“Yeah, I get that,” I sighed.
“Five?” Dragir snorted as he wiped the tears from his eyes. “I thought you had four women.”
“Yeah, I got another one,” I muttered, but then I inwardly cringed. “Nope … that sounds shitty. What I mean is, I fell in love with another woman, and she stays with us sometimes. You might have noticed her when you first got here. Two-toned eyes. Kind of looks like she’d murder you, no questions asked.”
“Ahhh, Baroness Batanova.” Dragir nodded. “Now, she is a human who appreciates the power of fear. Even the elves fear her. This is impressive.”
“That’s her,” I chuckled. “Alfred, we’ll be working in my shop for a while. Would you mind bringing some food in, and maybe a little Rosh in about an hour? We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
“Certainly, sir,” the butler replied, but he was only mid-bow when the sound of hysterical laughter burst through the hall.
Then Aurora came stomping into the entryway, and I gaped at her attire.
She had a deep green, woolen robe buckled around her with a gaudy brown belt, but the ensemble fit like a burlap sack that draped all the way to the floor. The ample, fur collar almost swallowed her chin, and I couldn’t see anything of my beautiful half-elf except her clenched fists and enraged scowl.
Despite Aurora’s obvious fury, my other women were laughing their asses off as they held each other up behind her, and Dragir let out a long, drunken snort that only made the half-elf flush bright red.
I bit my cheek as hard as I could to avoid laughing, and I managed a painfully furrowed brow instead.
“Mason,” Aurora growled, “if I seriously have to wear this to be a head of the Order, then I fucking quit.”
Chapter 4
“Why would you have to wear that?” I clarified.
“Because Temin sent it along with everything else!” Aurora seethed through gritted teeth. “His letter said this is the formal attire for us as heads of the Order, and I am not wearing it! It’s hideous! You can’t even tell I have an ass, let alone how perfect it is.”
“I think this is cute, you look so big and green!” Deya giggled, and she had to hide behind Nulena to dodge Aurora’s fist.
“Come on, now, it’s not that bad,” I tried.
Aurora propped her hands where her hips should have been, and a few chuckles slipped from my lips as I realized the gesture made her look like a lumpy green troll guarding a bridge.
“Oh, okay,” Aurora scoffed. “If it’s not that bad, let’s see you wear yours.”
“Wait, there’s one for me, too?”
Cayla guffawed as she braced herself on Aurora’s shoulder, and she could barely get her words out while the half-elf rolled her eyes in irritation.
“It’s identical to this one!” the princess laughed. “You guys get to look like two pears hanging together!”
Aurora shoved Cayla off her while the others cackled, and I couldn’t help my own laughter anymore.
“Yeah, there’s no way I’m wearing that,” I assured the half-elf. “I’m dressing how I always do. Temin can kiss my ass.”
“Then I’m not wearing it, either,” Aurora decided, and she stalked back out of the entryway while my women followed behind like a pack of hyenas.
They taunted and begged the half-elf to wear it a little longer for them, and as much as I felt like I should rein them in before Aurora lit anything on fire, I didn’t because this worked to my advantage.
Now, I could hide the damned statue before they stopped me.
So, as soon as they were out of sight, I swiftly summoned my Terra powers to haul my ruby self away, and Dragir grinned from the sidelines while he watched me frantically bury it behind my shelf of gold. I piled a hoard of iron rods around the edges for good measure, and when I noticed how amused the elf looked, I sent him a warning look.
“Don’t say a word to them about this,” I muttered.
“What did you say to me yesterday?” the silver-haired elf mused. “This is a maybe? Yes, that was it. I will make this a maybe as well.”
I sighed as I headed for my worktable, and Alfred came in with two fresh platters of breakfast for us while I cleared some space for us to get started.
“So, where are these weapons you wish for me to engrave?” Dragir asked as he rubbed his hands together. “I have already gone over a few different options, and I believe I have found a well-rounded rune that will ensure the results we need.”
“That’s excellent,” I replied. “Let me just make the pistols, and then you can get started.”
Dragir’s grin fell. “You have not made them? You said you are in this great hurry and must supply your entire army, yet you have done nothing to begin?”
“I am in a hurry,” I chuckled. “This will only take me a little bit, though. I’ll work in batches of around fifty or so, and then hand them off to you so my magery doesn’t interrupt your engraving process.”
“I cannot believe you,” Dragir snorted. “I battled my way across Nalnora, and here you are doing nothing to prepare.”
“I’ve been a little busy battling my own way around,” I informed the elf as I summoned a hoard of steel to me. “Why don’t you just enjoy your breakfast, alright? I’ll be prepared by the time you’re done.”
Dragir sat on his stool and sent me a look that made it clear he was ready to rub this in my face some more, but I ignored him as I pulled out my pistol and placed it on the table in front of me. The silver-haired elf kept his serpentine eyes on me while he gnawed his way through a lump of bread, and I took a steadying breath as I closed my eyes.
I spent a few minutes letting my metal magic seep into the pistol and studied the placement of every pin, slide, and sear, and once I had a vivid picture in my mind, I slowly slipped into my metal guru state.
Without moving a muscle, I began breaking off lumps of steel to form three pistols at a time, and once they were fully assembled, I ran the copper wiring through the trigger systems so everything would be set for the next step.
Then, as I kept at it without slowing my pace, my pile of new pistols grew, and while fresh lumps of steel drifted over to replenish my supplies, I tried not to let a cocky grin come to my face because Dragir had stopped chewing ages ago.
The more familiar I got with the process, the quicker the work went, and my consciousness eventually disconnected from the task as it all became muscle memory. Barrel bushings snapped into place on their frames while I secured the trigger valves, and I turned my attention to the town to scan the perimeter as well.
Bom Two was east of the tracks while Big Guy trained with Jenik for me, and the lookout posts at the infirmary, Magehill, and the training fields were all locked down. Bagneera was scolding a few mages for not hitching up her train cars properly, and Haragh was helping train the Terra Mages with Defender Urn. I could sense Ruela prowling through the western woods while the healers began securing chains on their patients, and when I shifted my focus to the marketplace, I could already tell the spice shop was curiously packed today.
I made a mental note to check in on the new spice lady since she appeared to be the biggest draw in the market, and from the sound of it Kurna was doing his best to charm the pants right off her.
I smirked as I heard the brawny mage try to casually bring his efforts in Orebane to the conversation, but
before I found out if she took the bait, Deya pranced into my shop to announce Aurora’s arrival.
I jolted at the sudden interruption as three pistols clattered to the tabletop, and I was briefly surprised to find nearly a hundred 1911s scattered in front of me already. Dragir was frozen beside me with the same lump of soggy bread clamped in his teeth, but when I saw Aurora in the doorway, the whole world seemed to fade around her.
My half-elf had on a fiery red velvet number that barely concealed her nipples, and it left her honed abs fully exposed above her matching velvet panties. The sheer white wrap around her waist fringed her hips and nothing else, and she’d painted her lips to match her ensemble so her grin was even more devilish than usual.
“My lord,” Aurora purred seductively. “Will this work for you as my new formal attire?”
“Yeah th-that’s uhh,” I managed. “You look … damn. You look like fire.”
“I do, don’t I?” Aurora agreed as she slowly turned around, and her perfectly sculpted backend was fully exposed. “As you can clearly see, I have an ass that could make the gods weep, too. Let’s not forget that.”
I grinned. “Hell yeah, you do. Bring that ass over here.”
Aurora promptly obeyed as she sauntered over, and Shoshanne and Deya whistled in approval when she made sure to wiggle a bit before she propped that perfect ass against my worktable.
“Now, I’ve sent Cayla and Nulena to try and figure out those bones on the dragon we were having trouble with,” the half-elf said, and she flipped through a stack of parchment in her arms like I wasn’t currently drooling all over her thighs. “You and I have a lot to go over in terms of the Order, and the king sent us--Dragir, are you okay?”
I managed to look beyond my velvet-clad woman to find Dragir still staring, but his focus was strictly on the mess of pistols on the table like he hadn’t even noticed Aurora’s arrival.
Then the lump of half chewed bread dropped into his lap as he tried to respond.
“I … he just … ”
“You’ve seen me work before,” I reminded him. “Metal mage, remember? We made bazookas together.”
