by TJ Reynolds
Shaking his head, Kai said, “No, not at all. Sorry, I’m just scouting out from any potential dangers that might exist in the tunnels and caves around the Sunken Keep. Also, I do have a long list of items to gather. We have… things to prepare for.”
Thankfully, Tessra didn’t push for further explanations. Kai thought it foolish to mention the dragon eggs to anyone.
Tessra snapped her teeth together, making a jarring click. Then she walked out from her hut and approached Kai. “You do not seek our oaths?” she asked simply, seeming confused as she stopped before the young dragon.
“No… Sorry, I… no, I don’t really think we deserve your oaths,” Kai managed at last. “And the dragons that came before me didn’t exactly do a fine job, at least at the end.”
“Words truly spoken,” Tessra said. “You haven’t earned a thing yet.”
Kai watched as the chief walked in a wide circle. The kobolds in the village had begun to gather all around. Their numbers were far fewer than Kai had assumed.
At a glance, perhaps thirty of the creatures stood around the clearing, watching as their chief met with this strange outsider.
Finally, Tessra raised three clawed fingers to the sky. “We few of the Ruby Kobold tribe might be enticed to give our oaths to a worthy dragon. Such a dragon would need to serve us before we serve him. Anything less could not be tolerated.”
A few of the kobolds yipped, a sharp, almost-canine expression that gave Kai the impression of cheers or taunts.
Ban’s champion took a small step closer. Kai, this seems a unique opportunity. I feel this is their way of asking for our aid.
I was thinking the same, Kai admitted. Imagine how useful an ally this tribe could be. They must know the dangers that lurk in the tunnels as well.
Kai broke off his silent conversation. The chief faced the fire still burning in the clearing nearby. And she was waiting for a response.
“Your words are filled with wisdom, Chief Tessra. Surely, all of the truly powerful dragons are gone from this world. But if there is anything my friend and I could do to help, just say the word.”
Again, the kobold clacked her teeth. Holding her hand out toward the villagers in the distance, Tessra delivered her request. “As you can see, dragon, the Ruby Kobold tribe is dwindling. We have a deadly foe. One that has destroyed too many of our warriors. Have you seen the infected on your way in? Lovely little spiders, just like our very own, but overgrown with abyssal fungus. Did you see any?”
Wetting his lips, Kai asked, “Spiders? Do you mean the black spiders? If so, yes, we killed over thirty on the way here.”
“Thirty? Such a feat is not modest. Perhaps you can help us after all.” Tessra tapped the claws of one hand together and a young kobold ran up bearing a decorated staff.
Tessra shifted her weight, betraying her age.
Not having seen a kobold before, Kai hadn’t known the chief was old.
Tessra thanked the kobold then ordered Sora who still stood rigid and ready nearby. “Go, find our wayward war chief. It is time he sharpens his axe and puts it to use. Tell him a hunting party leaves in one hour, and if he doesn’t join, he can find a new hut to sleep in.”
Sora’s eyes bulged as his chief finished her command, but he bowed and departed a moment later.
Walking up to a low stump before the fire, Tessra gestured Kai sit opposite. When he did, the chief told him all about the black fungus that had consumed so many of the spider kin in their forest.
“A great queen guards the source of the infection. She must be slain, and the fungus burned away. Only then will we be safe. Otherwise, I do not think our tribe is capable of surviving much longer.”
“We’ll do what we can,” Kai promised. “Can you tell me anything more about this danger? How many infected spiders are with the queen? How powerful is she?”
Tessra spat in the fire, considering. When the spittle reached the flames, a bright flash of green flared to life.
I’ll need to remember the kobolds’ spittle. Would be handy to start a fire.
“The queen can be taken care of. Our war chief could subdue her alone, though I am not sure he would survive the encounter. She has hundreds of her offspring guarding her nest though. That is the true threat that has held us at bay.”
The two sat, observing the flames between them. None of the axemen had relaxed their posture, but several of the villagers had begun to disperse.
Tessra issued another claw-clicking command, and soon, a meal of leaves, steam roots, and minced mushrooms was served.
Kai ate the strange fare, not wanting to offend.
Though he’d never had a meal that completely lacked meat or grain, he found the preparations tasty.
Ban snacked beside him, his brooding champion’s face drawing a few nervous glances from the warriors.
When they’d sated their hunger and thirst, Tessra folded her arms over her lap. Kai noted how odd it was that the female sat nude and somehow didn’t appear so.
Scales, a necklace made of some smaller beast’s claws, and a fur cloak was all she wore.
Chief Tessra nodded to Kai when he’d finished. “I am pleased you like our food. The dragons designed the kobolds to serve them. Since the dragons eat large quantities of meat, they thought it suitable to have servants who don’t. Balance was always their way.”
“That’s interesting you say so,” Kai began. “Ever since I met with Ban, I felt a pull to—”
A shouting followed by a crashing noise broke through Kai’s words.
Everyone turned to see Sora running before an angry figure.
Like Tessra, this new kobold was taller and more powerfully built than the others.
Plastered in white mud, and strutting behind a taut belly, the war chief trundled after Sora. The creature bore a massive axe, and looked prepared to use it on the soldier.
“Come to deliver threats like a soft-scaled eel! I’ll teach you, Sora! Never wake a war chief!” the big kobold shouted.
Thankfully, Tessra’s withering gaze dispelled the kobold’s fury. Looking sheepish and a little drunk, if the kobold’s constant sway was any indication.
Tessra growled softly, but the war chief ignored her. He strutted up to Kai instead, held out his meaty hand, and introduced himself. “My name is Kotsi. Some fool told me a dragon had come to visit.”
“That’s me,” Kai answered.
“Good. If a real dragon has come to our aid, then I’m sure it won’t be long till you rid us of the infected spiders.”
Releasing Kai’s hand and bowing to Tessra, Kotsi said, “And when you’re done and the feast is ready, you can find me near the brewer’s hut.”
Then, as if he’d just solved everyone’s problems, Kotsi chuckled to himself and sauntered away.
What a strange day, Kai mused as he watched the portly chieftain retreat. And I doubt the show is far from over. If only Ban weren’t busy, I am sure he’d love to watch these little creatures go about their business.
Better that he keep doing what he’s doing though. Kai ran a hand through his hair, thinking about his Earth Core friend so far away. No doubt Ban is doing whatever is needed most to keep us safe.
28
Like Playing Knights and Castles
Ban
Infantry, present arms! Ban mentally screamed into the minds of his minions. The line of dalgard spearmen hoisted their weapons high, blank expressions on their terrible faces.
Prepare to receive charge! Ban ordered, imitating the few Brintoshi soldiers he’d come in contact with.
Finally, with a flourish, he finished by releasing the opposing troops with a dramatic Release Volley!
The storm spears flew first, their armored bodies glinting in the afternoon sunlight, looking alien and deadly.
One by one the aerial attackers fell into the ranks of defenders. A few landed firmly into the wooden shield Ban had supplied them with. Others, however, found purchase in exposed throats and eye sockets, or burrowing between
gaps in the plate armor.
Having staged the mock battle on the relatively narrow bridge, Ban watched as several of the dalgard fighters tumbled end over end into the chasm below. He absorbed them all before they landed.
Though several of his frontline fighters had fallen in the first round of the fighting, he had been training them well.
Refresh ranks! Ban shouted.
Replacements moved up in an orderly fashion, the minions’ rhythm and timing precise. As quick as that, the shield wall had been restored.
His troops stood shoulder to shoulder, six wide. Four ranks deep, Ban knew his dalgard infantry had neither specialty nor skill enough to hold back the invading force no matter how impressive they looked.
Winning wasn't the goal in every situation though.
Should Hastings win out and meet them in glorious battle, Ban knew his strategy would be to use his minions as a means of whittling down the enemy.
With enough losses, Hastings would have to at least consider retreat.
Unless of course the man is mad, Ban said idly before summoning the next line of attackers.
When running mock battles, Ban had grown uncomfortably familiar with his own limitations. Each amalgamation or minion cost him Minion Control Points. With only 240 MCP to his name, he had to be sparing.
Each dalgard infantryman cost 8 MCP. He used 24 of the fighters to form his test unit, leaving only 48 spare points.
What made the exercises possible was that the instant a minion died, the MCP it took up became free at once.
After the first volley, Ban’s 48 points had risen to 88 after five of his soldiers died. He used all 88 MCP to summon eleven shield boar. The cluster of snorting, wiggling minions lacked the imposing stature his spearmen boasted so easily.
Don’t judge the beasts so quickly! Ban warned nobody in particular. These little piggies are no pushovers!
Snorting at his own terrible joke, Ban called for a full charge.
The shield boar rushed at the shield wall with the blind fury of a dungeon minion. Ban was curious to see the impact they would make without calling upon their skill.
Four of the little monsters struck first.
The sound of snapping wood erupted across the canyon, echoing back at odd intervals. The face of a distant cliff sent back the first sharp echo, and the sprawling chasm around the keep sent back a dozen more after, all coming at different times.
As the boar pounded again and again, buckling the shields of the front-line fighters, Ban marveled at what he was creating.
A few more dalgard fell, two toppling over the edge of the bridge, and a third being crushed to death by the onslaught of the shield boar. Giving the dalgard the order to defend themselves, the pigs were skewered in short order, and the attack upended.
Resetting his players, Ban summoned another squad of shield boar, and bade them repeat the charge.
This time, as the lead boar came into range of the shield wall, Ban ordered them to use Wind Bash. A keening wail of Wind ether lent the scene an otherworldly effect.
Then the boar’s charged tusks struck home.
A shock wave of ether rippled into the front rank of dalgard fighters. The devastation to their wooden shields and plate mail were enough to impress a war council. Ban could see within the armored suits, however.
What he saw was terrifying.
Not only was the Wind ether lacerating the flesh of the dalgard, but it also cracked a few bones. Shins and kneecaps cracked under the inhuman power of the shield boar skill.
One by one, the shield boar slammed into the formation, each cutting out a deeper hole. Still caught up in their mindless charge, the boar pushed through the heart of the formation.
A dozen infantrymen spun over the edge of the bridge, a dozen more died from the insane impacts of Wind Bash. The few who remained fought with zeal, but without the protection of their formation, these too were dead soon enough.
As the last dalgard tipped into the chasm, the raging boar spilling out into the abyss after it, Ban felt his first experiment had been a true success.
If his actions had been observed, Ban would fear his audience might find him uncaring or mad. These were his minions though, to use as he needed. Though their sacrifices looked trivial, each helped Ban as he forged a plan of defense.
He missed Yorick still, yet his new master had opened him up to a whole new world. This was the work of a proper dungeon.
While Ban had enjoyed the scholarly and diverse life his master insisted upon, he knew now he’d neglected defense. What else is an Earth Core good for if not protecting his dragon?
In a flash, Ban absorbed every one of his minions, dead and alive.
Then, finding the whistling expanse of the bridge, decided to hone his next project then and there.
Ban summoned a single dalgard. He’d spent plenty of time forging sufficient weapons for them. For some reason, Ban couldn’t find a way to make his runes work on their spears, hammers, or swords. He suspected it had something to do with the mindlessness of the minions.
But the spears were long and the sword sharp.
The armor, however, he knew he could continue to develop for some time.
It frustrated Ban to no end, but he lacked a legitimate design for a soldier’s shield. He’d made do by modifying the surface of a table design, and affixing handles to the back.
The bulky wooden shields were good enough for training. Under the pressure and skill attacks of the Brintoshi soldier, though, Ban wanted something more durable.
He began by replicating the design but using a high-carbon steel instead.
When he placed the shield in the dalgard’s hands, the poor creature nearly fell over from the weight of it.
No, alter the design before testing it, Bancroft! Focus!
Dismissing the shield, Ban pulled up his Item Interface.
In his mind, the shield slowly rotated, exposing every angle to him. Weight was the biggest problem, so Ban reduced the thickness of the shield, leaving ridges of thicker steel in the center and edges.
His next task was simple but challenging. He’d spent some time adding a slight curve to the shield’s surface, but Ban had gone too far in some respects.
He kept the horizontal curve that allowed direct attacks to glance off, but flattened out the vertical curve. When he’d tested the shields against spear thrusts, Ban discovered that the downward curve allowed some attacks to bounce off toward the dalgards’ thighs.
Having done so, he played with the various shapes that seemed fitting. Somewhere in his fragmented mind, Ban had seen a triangular shield.
He tried this first, but soon learned that such shields were all but useless in forming an unbroken shield wall. Likewise, a circular shield was handsome, but in the end, he’d gone with a simple rectangle.
Then, instead of simple wooden pegs acting as awkward handles, Ban formed leather straps that he attached to the backside of the shield. He summoned the piece of equipment and ordered his minion to weave his arm through the straps.
His dalgard fighter did as ordered, but the strain on the minion’s arms to pull the shield in place told Ban it was still too heavy.
Back to the drawing board, Ban sampled several materials.
Coming back to wood, Ban chuckled at himself. I’ll need a composite if I’m to get the best results, it seems.
Ban’s final product came when he mastered laying thin slats of wood together. He spread a thin layer of steel over the top, and when he was done, had a shield so light the dalgard could run about with it and remain coordinated and agile.
Next, Ban tackled the plate armor, adding additional straps to make the armor more secure. By the time he’d finished this task, he sorely wished he had the chance to revise Kai’s armor again.
As soon as he comes back, Ban swore to himself.
Feeling quite confident with himself, Ban ran the mock battle once more.
Not surprisingly, even with Wind Bash, the shield boar were defeat
ed.
A hole had been blasted, leaving the formation vulnerable, but even that was soon filled in.
He stared at the remaining dalgard soldiers. On average, the minions stood a clean six feet tall. They weighed two hundred and twenty-three pounds apiece, their stomachs flat and covered in lean muscle.
They had highly serviceable armor, and their shields could take a direct Wind Bash without utterly breaking.
Pride reverberated through his core.
These fine minions were the best replica he could come up with, and now that they were largely complete, the real testing could begin.
He wasn’t forging them to stand as his strongest defenders. Sure, he might use a few in strategic locations. His true purpose with the dalgard had been simple. Ban needed to be able to withstand the might of a trained and highly disciplined force. Ban needed to have the power to resist the best of Brintosh.
So, he’d made his own.
Ban summoned a dalgard phalanx again. This time, it faced the keep’s gate.
Imagining the formation as none other than Hastings’ men, the battle of Sunken Keep unfolded.
As the troops marched forward, Ban initiated all three elements of his ranged defense. A dozen storm spears rose up from the chasm, aiming at the vulnerable legs of the attacking force.
Only three dalgard fell, but two more were critically wounded.
Ban’s mind spun as he commanded more minions into existence the moment his MCP was refreshed.
The twelve storm spears, each costing 3 MCP apiece, were gone, leaving him with a total of 204 remaining. If Ban could regain his MCP during an actual invasion, it would be simple to replace his fallen forces. Yet the rules were plain as day. As soon as an enemy stepped foot inside his domain, a distance spanning further than just the bridge itself, he could only rely on his current strength.
Ban smarted at the limitation, but considering the damage a single Earth Core could cause with unlimited minions at hand, he knew it was a wise one as well.
Drawing nearer, the dalgard stomped ahead until the second ranged defense could become viable.
