War for Maicreol

by Dawn Chapman

  “Mom’s waiting,” Noc said.

  I was glad of this because no sooner had we touched down, there were mages ready with potions to soothe and warm us. I was grateful for the blankets and extra casting spells from those who offered them, alongside the drink that kept me from catching pneumonia.

  Alia came to greet me after seeing her son first. I can’t blame her for that. She stood before me, her eyes saying everything they needed to as she was still wary.

  “There have been some drastic changes to the city in Gestal’s absence, and your status will alter the course of things to come.”

  She acknowledged my change by lowering her eyes and only looking up when I finally choked out, “Please, don’t.”

  “Respect where it is due. We have a lot to work out, do we not?” She then looked to Noc, who coughed and flushed red up his neck. He was cute when he blushed.

  “Yes.” I tried not to meet her gaze, but it was already too late. “Yes, we really do, shall we?”

  “I’ve organised a meeting in the Great Hall. I think that should suffice if you wish to call in the generals too.”

  There was a flashing icon on the side of my view. When I clicked it, the message read:

  Kyllan: We’re here and waiting on your orders.

  Me: Meet me with the others by Travoy’s Gates. We’ll have access to the Great Hall. Noc will escort you inside.

  Kyllan: Yes... Mistress.

  I almost laughed at this, but I guess he didn’t know what to call me.

  Noc broke my concentration with a cough, so I said, “Go and meet them by the gates.”

  “You’re asking me to meet them and bring them in?”

  “Please, I have a fair bit I need to work through with your mother before we let them in on the plans. I want to present a solid case and point before they arrive.”

  Alia nodded. “I agree. For us to be united before they come inside is important. They’ll be feeling just as dejected about the changes as some of my people will be in working with them for the greater good.”

  Noc moved away with a nod to his mother, his respect there noted even though they were family.

  Alia led me to the Great Hall where two of her guards let us in, and I once again remembered the awe in her guild, the comradery and the fun that was had in these walls, even if it was for a short time.

  Alia went to the large desk at the centre and pulled up a 3D map of the city and its grounds, leading out to the ocean.

  I hadn’t known how big Trofoth was until I saw it here like this. Trofoth was laid flat out like a map, with all its city, its plans, roads farmlands. It was a beautiful side of this world.

  I ran a finger over the surface of the table to find that the tiny mountain bumps felt real that my fingers moved with it up and down until it rested near the portal.

  “They managed to move the portal on our side before we returned with Maddie. It wasn’t in its original position. In fact, far from it. I don’t know how hard it will be to move the one you have in the bay. But I think it’s worth a try.”

  “It’s not the right time of year to be messing about out there,” Alia said.

  I gave her a sideways glance but knew the cold that was the bay only from being in it mere minutes before.

  “I’d need access to some of the ships in the docks, even if they’re not fully seaworthy, just as long as they float. The more mages we can get in closer, we can line them up to move with the portal as it starts to shift. We don’t want anything in its horizon, so it will need a shield before it to stop any unwanted creatures getting in too close and ending up in the desert. I didn’t know if that would be worse for those on the other side, or us here. The ocean and life around it are so very vital for everyone.”

  “We’ll make sure they’re all prepared,” Alia said. “Here’s the main point. I think there will be some trouble. The back end of the portal has been a guard point for one of the sea creatures that’s also been building its nest for the last few months. I don’t know if they’ve actually spawned yet.”

  “Oh.” I wondered briefly what it was about spawning at this time of year, but then remembered from my biology course, winter was the better time to be pregnant. Then in the spring, the new babies would all be ample and survive because of the natural fact that there were more babies about. I shuddered. “I will have to ask Macie about how we can move the creature.”

  “I will agree to that. We don’t want anything to get hurt, and we’ll do everything to protect our creatures, good and bad.”

  I knew that was, of course, aimed at Gestal and his minions. I had no idea the army he controlled was as large as it was.

  Wait. It wasn’t his army anymore. It’s my army.

  There was a knock at the door, and two men I recognised came in. Zeb was the one who approached me first. “It’s good to see you up and about and in much better control of yourself.”

  I tried to smile up at him, but no matter what these two had seen of me, I felt intimidated by their energies. “Both mages?”

  Vee stood tall with his narrowed eyes on Alia, his long limbs and pale skin almost gave me other ideas of his origins, but his aura was all good. That much was obvious. Zeb was stocky, muscled, and tanned.

  “This task seems impossible, but I see the future for us quite clearly if we do not work together,” Vee said looking directly at me. “Bring the others inside. I will work them through the plan. They will listen carefully, and then we man the boats. There’s no time to lose.”

  I felt the urgency in his voice, and it pushed Alia into a double take. “You see something?”

  On his nod, she turned to Zeb. “Call them in. We’re to be out of here and by the shipyards within the hour.”

  I didn’t know how she expected to convince her own people to do this, let alone the demons, but when Noc escorted the demon generals and council inside the Great Hall, I saw something in them I never had. Compliance. No. Determination. Maybe both really.

  In front stood one younger demon. I focused for a moment to see who they all were and noted his tag slightly above his head. Kyllan Dre.

  When his eyes turned to me, I watched as they changed colours and energy radiated my way. The energy I wasn’t sure he knew he was giving off. He hated me. Wow. Really hated me.

  I stood back and watched as Alia’s second in command, Vee, moved through their ranks and explained loud enough for them to all understand, and then Kyllan looked to me again. He seemed to float closer, though I was sure he had walked. “What are we facing when we arrive in Maicreol?”

  I tried to hide the sudden fear I had when I looked into the eyes of Kyllan. Because I’d seen the hoard that was coming with Gestal’s help. It was fierce.

  “That bad. Okay then.” He moved in even closer to me. “Well, I need to speak with Alia’s generals. We can work together here, but I need to know their capabilities.”

  Alia seemed to stall, but I knew why. It wasn’t going to be easy for her side to start to give away secrets they’d been storing for a while, the secrets that had kept her guild alive.

  I moved in a little closer to her and smiled. “The sharing has to be both ways. Without total cooperation, neither of our sides will survive this for long.”

  “Can you show us the numbers in Maicreol?”

  I looked to Kyllan, moved to the table, and fumbled my way to send him the details so he could bring it up on a map of Maicreol. The view of Trofoth vanished and was replaced.

  I swallowed as the force of the opposition looked at us. “They really are in trouble. Where did Trox City amass that number of fighters?” Alia asked.

  “My best guess is they’ve been bringing them in on ships over the last few months. Either that or they’ve got a portal that I can’t see.”

  Kyllan’s voice dipped, and I noted that he indicated the map. “It’s there. There’s a slight dip in the surrounding energies. There’s a portal all right.”

  I focused on it. Maddie had to know this. It not only t
urned the war drastically in their favour, but we really needed her help now more than ever.

  I knew I could do it, just wasn’t sure on the distance. When I found her, I clicked to chat.

  Jessica: Lila? How?

  Me: Long story.

  Jessica: You okay?

  I choked back the real things I wanted to scream at her—my sister was sick! But I forced myself to talk quick. Get it out, or I would lose my cool with her. She probably needed the concentration in the game just like I did.

  Me: The enemy have a portal. We have a plan, but we don’t have the numbers. We’re facing a million plus.

  Jessica: What the fuck!

  Me: Yes! Get your asses back here, and bring whatever the hell you can with you, even if it’s the rest of the demons.

  Jessica: What have you done?

  Me: Speak with Kamaal, I’m in command of Gestal’s whole Hamu.

  Jessica: We’re in the middle of our own battle. Stay safe.

  Me: Jess!

  Jessica: What? I don’t have time!

  Me: Tell Akillia, Roel is going to kill her.

  I didn’t get a response to my message for Akillia. Again, I focused so when I looked back to Kyllan, I wouldn’t appear weak.

  “The others will come as soon as possible. We’ve got to hold that line. When they reach us, we must be ready for them.”

  Kyllan nodded. “Alia?”

  Alia looked to Vee and Zeb. “You’ve my permission to share everything.”

  Vee’s frown was evident, but he looked to Kyllan too. “I will do the same, with Lila’s permission.”

  “You have it. We need this to run smoothly.”

  “Then with me…” Kyllan indicated the leaders of Travoy’s Guild toward the door. “On me, we’ll send messages out and meet with everyone at the shipyards.”

  “There’s two across our port.” Vee said. “We’ll get them into as many ships as needed to pull this off. And coordinate with the mages from Maicreol.” I could hear them converse as they left the room.

  Yet, Kyllan turned to me. “Pull the armies to the shorelines. We’ll need them waiting for when the portal’s moved.”

  I glanced to Alia, and then to Noc. “Let’s get moving.”

  Chapter 25

  Approaching the docks with Noc, we found there was a kerfuffle by the waters. There were a few demons and people who weren’t quite getting along. I didn’t need to do anything; Noc did. He raised his hand high into the air and let off a blast of energy that caught all their attention.

  “We will not be fighting amongst ourselves. We will be fighting the enemy once we get to Maicreol. We do not have the energy for this. Save it.”

  His words were strong and true, and I knew they understood it.

  The crowd panicked, and arguments stopped, and I heard one voice shout out, “We’re just worried. We’ve never fought for anything this big.”

  “Maicreol is massive. We’re a smaller island. We’re off their radar. What does helping them get us?”

  I needed to answer this. I needed to let them know the real story. “The Tromoal eggs and their hatching young will not survive if the caves are invaded. They’ll take everything they can, then loot everything else, and destroy the eggs.”

  “Wait, there’s loot?”

  I heard some excited voices, so I had to answer. “Yes, there’s a good amount of wealth that was down there, that now belongs with the guild that’s protecting them. We’re not doing this for payment because it wouldn’t spread that far, but for those who do manage to really make a difference, for those who sacrifice and lose, your loved ones won’t do without, I promise you.”

  There were several lowered voices then, so I had to carry on. “I don’t need to lie to you. This will not be an easy fight. Once we get that portal moved, all of you are needed. There will be losses. What will happen without you is that we all will lose. There will be no Hismaw and no protection for any of the outer cities.”

  “Will you bring Hismaw into our side of the world?” someone else called.

  I hadn’t realised they didn’t have it here. “Of course, we can negotiate directly with Maddie since she’s in charge of the Tromoal, and if we win, more than likely, the whole of Maicreol.”

  Some small cheers rang clear. I hoped I’d won them over. Noc pulled me away and to the side of one of the ships. “You don’t need to come with me,” he said. But I did, I needed to be out there to see it. “You don’t have any magical powers to help, so you don’t need to be there.”

  “I...” I stalled looking into his eyes. “I know, but...”

  “There’s no but. As a leader, you have to start to realise now you can’t do anything sometimes but watch from the sidelines as your orders are complied with.”

  I shrugged and watched as a lot of people moved onto the ships. There were a variety of species, but I could clearly see they were magic users from the gems and other trinkets they wore.

  I saw one reason why Noc was nervous. They were going out to the deep oceans in a boat trying to do what I’d asked.

  “I wanted to be with you,” I managed to finally get out.

  He tugged me to him in an embrace, then he kissed the top of my head, and I held on tight for a moment. “I’m coming back. Don’t worry.”

  “I’ll try.” And maybe I could. Maybe I wouldn’t be able to stop myself, though.

  He turned from me and boarded the ship with Macie at his side. Dahlia moved to mine. “We’ll make sure he is okay. You’re going too?”

  “I will be there to help them and to keep you up to date.”

  I tried not to let the feelings welling up show, so I shrugged and let her go. There was something about the way she jumped on the ship which made me smile. Noc grabbed her hand, and a slight pang of jealousy ran through me. I shouldn’t have been, but I was. She was my twin, after all.

  The thought that Noc might like her instead of me was a strange one, and I tried to hide it as I turned back to the generals that had stayed on the shore.

  Kyllan came to my side. “I’m no mage, Lila, but I do see pain when I look at it. If you need my assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask.” His face so hard to read, and I felt a little strange with the offering. He was, after all, one of Gestal’s demon commanders.

  I wanted to say something else, for him to be able to understand my feelings in this. But instead, visions of Noc and Dahlia kissing crossed my mind. My inner demon pulled at my insecurities. “Get me on that boat,” I commanded. I mean, I knew I shouldn’t be there, but that just wasn’t happening.

  The frown that crossed his face was deep, but he nodded. “Of course.”

  The ships were leaving, though. I had no idea how he was going to do it, but he literally picked me up, unfolded wings I had no idea he was hiding and lunged into the air.

  A few seconds later, we landed on the deck of the Artoni Supreme, much to the annoyance of my sister, who stood on the deck arms folded.

  I shrugged at her again and looked to Kyllan. “Sorry, looks like we’re both in trouble.”

  One of the mages looked to Noc. “I’ll take her back.” Kyllan stepped forward ready to defend me. So I laid a hand on his arm, noting the huge muscles raging under that tight skin.

  Then I saw a tonne of information start to flash before me. Not only his stats, his levels, everything he was. He actually had Karma banked. How? Then I noted his skin turn warmer. I looked up into his eyes, feeling suddenly like I was the vulnerable one.

  I pulled back, and he growled out. “Good idea to not touch what you do not understand.”

  “Sorry,” I mumbled, and my sister just scowled.

  “Look at you two getting all friendly.”

  Noc came up behind her, looked at me and frowned. “We need to prepare. If you’re here, just watch, don’t do anything.” He looked up into Kyllan’s eyes, and I saw his jealousy at something that had transpired there. “You especially.”

  “We can go to one of the watcht
owers to watch this unfold,” Kyllan said ignoring Noc completely as he began to move away.

  The other ships were also launching out into the ocean, moving away, slowly at first, then powered by magical energies, to take them out quickly to get the job done. I couldn’t help but feel sick with the rocking motion of the boat. It swayed and moved with many a bump. As we reached the stairs, I found myself almost falling at the first hurdle.

  I didn’t want to, but Kyllan caught me from behind. I landed on him nice and sharp. If he hadn’t caught hold of my waist and spun me to face him, I think I’d have impaled myself on his sharp horns.

  “You’re the clumsiest creature I’ve ever met,” he scorned.

  “Met many female human demon lords?” I asked.

  As he realised who he actually had a hold of, his whole demeanour changed, and he almost dropped me. I managed to cling to his arms while still fighting nausea as it rose up my throat in stinging.

  “I feel weird,” I said to him. “Like something’s pulling me apart on the inside.” I don’t know where the words came from or why, but they did.

  His shock at holding onto me, a human, faded, and he whispered. “You’re struggling on the inside with which side you want to be on. It’s a struggle that only one of Ofen has had to go through. It is one that you as a species, sorry, Visitor will not understand or be able to rectify unless you make a decision.”

  “What’s an Ofen?”

  “A master magic user,” he said.

  Magic? Me? I hadn’t known, but I wanted to learn more. As lights above our heads started to pulse in and out, I moved away from him and back up the stairs. I wanted to see this as it transpired. Not be stuck on a stairwell with a demon while they saved the world out there.

  Kyllan moved with me and made sure I didn’t fall as the next huge set of waves rocked the ship and me almost formed my perch once more.

  I needed this to be over as soon as possible.

  The stairs up to the watchtower were large, and my small legs struggled with them. I also looked up the centre column to find they also went up forever.