by Han Yang
Trolls: 3,553 - surge from those seeing a new home.
Korb: 1788 - a few births, no deaths.
Orcs: 1369 - surge from those seeing a new home.
Minotaurs: 0 - all minotaurs are either gone or in stasis.
Dwarves: 1262 - a few births, no deaths.
Gnomes: 655 - a few births, no deaths.
Elva: 2 - Asha + Jax
Humans: 32,227 - exodus of refugees fleeing in all directions.
Livestock:
Boars: 2242
Horses: 4833 - surge from captured elva mounts
Elk: 1122 - surge from captured elva mounts
Rams: 166
Sheep: 307
Geese: 321
Ducks: 633
Pigs: 259
Tradeable Supplies:
Camping Supplies
Wagons
Fletching
Arrows
Required Supplies:
Metal
Food
Livestock
Hide
Cloth
Nuts and bolts.
A home - not anymore. This one is golden.
Treasury:
7,364,235 Zorta. - Jeer Coalition paid, note included.
5 wagons of Gold.
4 wagons of Gems.
I let out a long whistle.
“Everything okay?” Tarla asked.
“Yeah, I would say the elva are in for a surprise when they arrive and our city is filled with goblin ogres,” I said. She frowned, not understanding my hidden meaning. I added, “Jeer paid - in full it looks like.”
“Interesting. Who was at the door?” Tarla asked.
I blushed. “I got a bit distracted. Uh, the elva are here to negotiate for their prisoners. At least that is what Yermica said.”
I handed her the minion report and checked out the note from the Jeer Coalition.
The Jeer Coalition wants to thank you. Our war stagnates. For the last few years, clear wins are hard to sell the people of our progress and both sides risk so little if they don’t have to. We have paid in full, but have an offer.
If you use your purchasing power in Joobo, our capital, we will guarantee your safety and apply a trading discount. We know you can buy from the Garo Region but welcome your business in our mega market. If you need anything, feel free to ask Petrion.
Lord Tena - Officer in the Jeer Coalition Banker’s Guild
I handed the inventory report to Tarla then thumbed through the scouting reports, seeing the enemy was quiet for the most part. The whole region was acting strange. Well, maybe not strange, just cautious.
At this time of the year, small forces postured to defend or capture key targets. The region raided the swamps, the woods to the south, and even fought over islands off the coast.
This spring, it was like no one wanted to risk dwindling their forces. There was one report that caught my attention, so I gave it a second read.
“Hey, so, are you tracking the difference between a bearoni and a boori?” I asked.
Talra set the report down and said, “One is twice my size, calm, and calculating. That’s the bearoni. The boori are ferocious little shits about hip high with fur and dragon wings. The latter live in the high trees with the fairies and resemble a small black bear.”
“Right, right. Well, they’re poking defenses, looking for a fight,” I said.
“We’re about a month or two away from the elva fleet arriving, and the Podoni Empire are shifting troops to protect their south. You wanna pick another fight?” Tarla asked.
“I don’t think the Podoni will attack, and so far, the Yookree are hiding. The Jeer will be posturing aggressively to keep the Podoni on edge. Our invasion stopped, and while I would wager this Emperor Fawne is pissed, he can breathe easily,” I said, dancing my fingertips on the table while I thought. “A flying swarm of boori is certainly a decent addition to our army. I just can’t help but start thinking about how we can improve our army.”
“I don’t think we should be taking on another enemy. Have you forgotten about the vamperia?”
I didn’t answer, eating a piece of melon instead. I hadn’t given them much thought recently, and I probably should have.
“If we had been farming demons this whole time, like that Olvio lady was doing, we could have earned a whole lot of valuable gems,” I said with a grunt. “That is something an emperor might not ignore. However, I think there’s too much focus to try to conquer it. If the elva win? Then what? The vamperia starts a brewing war with the elva. I just don’t see the point when she can probably make her own cave in her own territory.”
“Damien, I… I think they will come back. It is about risk mitigation. You lose a fleet and a few regiments of soldiers to capture a city, you lick your wounds, and then try again, or give up. The thing is, if we had an outpost within the cave, I think we would try to farm the demons. Limit the outpost sort of deal,” Tarla said, pausing to finish her sausage. “If something goes poorly here, our only city can fall.”
“Yeah, it's our home. Otherwise, I think you’re right. Like always.” I rose and kissed her on the cheek. “You coming to play politics, or are you going to check out the portal openings?”
“Morning walk with Nee, Jenovene, Yermica, and Bell. We’re addressing defenses, housing, and city sectors,” Tarla said. “The portals are going to wait for tomorrow.”
“Well, good luck,” I told her before leaving the room.
The trip down the hallway seemed brighter each day. Someone had added a vase. We probably stole it, but it looked nice in my hall. I certainly wasn’t going to go to Karack Hold and start asking who I should return it to.
I left our private wing of the keep with a pep in my step and a smile on my face. Guards flanked me, and the big doors to the throne room opened as I approached.
The space was surprisingly empty. A few guards mulled about, but the elva delegation was noticeably absent. Fernando approached from one of the war rooms with a grin on his face.
“Boss, I have great news. We have started fishing. Nothing major, but Cecil created anchor points on the hull for -” Fernando said, and I paused him.
“Where are the enemy?” I asked.
“Oh, in the map room with a bubble on. Asha is hosting them,” Fernando said.
I frowned, and asked, “Anything life or death or just good news?”
“Good news, and a steady stream of Zorta now that the matogators are hunting. We had to weigh them down, but most of their kills came from the wrecks and reefs anyway,” Fernando said.
“Keep up the good work, and I hear we will be giving out pay again here soon,” I said.
His eyebrows went high at the good news.
I left him to simmer in the thoughts of earning Zorta. Guards opened the map room, and I faltered in my steps from the shocking revelation.
Asha sat across from a high elva, both laughing at something I couldn’t hear as if they were old friends.
Baroi - my minotaur guard who sacrificed herself to save me - sat at the head of the table with a despondent look. She shivered while she gazed blankly at the map as if in a daze.
I strode into the yellow and asked, “Baroi!?”
She glanced up, sadness in her eyes. “Where’s Freninick?”
“Your lover is in friendly territory, or he should be. I can have him found at once,” I said.
“I hated it inside there. It was the absolute worst. I consider our life debt sealed, and Asha mentioned that all the other minotaurs went to the Inno Wartribe to join King Hartinger. I will do that,” she said in a firm tone.
“Of course. Let me prepare a flight from the cyclops to get you there,” I said.
“By him, he means someone else will manage it,” Asha said politely.
I walked out of the bubble and told Fernando to lead Baroi to our message room. From there, they would request a moth flight for Baroi to head back home. I was flabbergasted and rightfully so. I had never expected this.
It hurt a bit that she was fleeing. Her saving my life hardly gave me an option to fight her request. Of all the outcomes, I didn’t expect this, and I wondered how Nick would take the news.
I watched the duo depart shortly thereafter. When I sat in her warm chair, I was at a loss for words.
“I’m Darri,” the high elva said.
A quick head shake brought me out of my funk. “Damien.”
“I released her. It takes a true believer of the creator to free those imprisoned. Her mind will be a bit sluggish, but that is your fault for freezing her so thoroughly,” Darri said.
“You’re not trying to kill Asha,” I said.
“No. You’re welcome?” he asked pointedly.
“I’ve been left speechless, a true feat because I ran about a dozen scenarios for this meeting in my mind. None of them led to this moment. Thank you,” I said, recovering the best I could.
I used the pause in our conversation to give him a quick look over. His blond hair was tied in a low ponytail. Delicate features would put him on the softer side of manly. His face held no flaws and his blue eyes watched me with curiosity.
“I figured you would talk in grunts and smash the table, so you aren’t the only one surprised. I came to talk about my fellow citizens you have penned outside your city,” Darri said.
“Comfortably penned,” I commented.
“Yes, we watch over them, waiting for you to unleash your wrath. Here we are, a few days later, and they grow fat and bored. That intrigues me,” he said.
Asha cleared his throat and said, “I believe he came for another reason. I’ve been scanned by a healer in the camp. I’m verified as a gift from the Six, not a demon creation.”
“And Jax?” I asked.
“Found to be different,” Darri said while watching me closely. I swore I hadn’t shown any reaction, but he continued with, “And you knew that already. King Korbi will pass on Asha, but he will have to destroy the child. There are things at play that you do not comprehend. We have… traditions. Secret traditions.”
“Like summoning actual demons,” I said.
“Incorrect. Consider yourself lucky I am in a friendly mood. The sites of the creator are meant to transcend the Six with the greatness of the true Lord. They are not meant to summon demons. They are meant to simply be places where the rules of the Six do not apply, that is all. If you summon a portal to another... universe, so be it,” Darri said. “Also, do not assume you can turn this on me. You hid a secret from your friend.”
I gulped, and he nodded. This was a fairly big revelation. The Six controlled their six planets but not without the Creator getting a say, or so Darri was leading me to believe.
“I can’t even openly talk about what I know for the most part. I’m sure the gods will stop me if I cross a line. Jax is different. All my minions who have children are… unique, and adjustments have been made since that fact has come to light,” I said.
Asha let out a groan. “You didn’t need population control. You wanted the undead to stop breeding, and you covered it up with a blanket order.”
“Sort of. We really did need the goblins to stop having babies every month or two, and undead men could get a female goblin to have a human baby in a month. It defied logic and reality. I may have been asking them to try to find partners. Willingly. Always willingly. Jark was a good case study,” I said.
“It blew up in your face,” Asha said with a hint of hostility.
“Did I tell you to have a child or manipulate you into having Jax?” I asked and didn’t let him answer. “No. That’s not who I am. And yes, we have a problem. And yes, you’re right, I caused it.”
“That is an understatement,” Darri said in a snooty tone.
“What is the issue?” Asha asked.
I tossed my hands up in the air in frustration. I was sworn to secrecy, sort of. Sure, we were in a silence bubble, but…
“Jax will go mad when Damien dies. He will seek a hidden spot to convert and become a demon. That demon spawn will be able to take any race and infect them with poison, converting its victims into new demons,” Darri said, and I hung my head.
“I didn’t know about the other part. Just the going mad stuff,” I said.
“And the cure?” Asha asked. “Will kissing him convert me?”
“No, Damien has to die first, which he will. King Korbi doesn’t lose. Your son is doomed. He will live as a perfectly normal elva up to that moment, and then,” Darri snapped. “He will be the plague this planet may not win against. And he is not alone. All these offspring are targets of ours, and should be of yours too.”
“I can’t do it. I just… Argh…” I grunted.
“You may have to,” Asha said. “Look, I love Jax. None of these babies can scurry off to a hidden cave and mutate. If you die, and he goes insane, I will do it myself.”
I gasped then solemnly nodded. “I swear I didn’t know beforehand.”
“I’m an adult. This is an easy fix for now. If you die and lose your orb, I watch the baby or toddler. If he starts to mutate, I kill him. That’s until Jax grows old. If that happens, I’m not sure what to do,” Asha said with a sigh.
“And that is why I come bringing this dire news and offer help,” Darri said. “I hope that you will see reason. You still have to die, necromancer. We elva hunt all of your kind to prevent this from happening. It is an oversight that the Six know about. I think they enjoy watching their constructions burn.”
“Alright, I certainly appreciate the free flowing knowledge almost as much as you freeing Baroi. What is your offer for your prisoners?” I asked.
“For Baroi, there was an exchange. I freed Baroi for testing Asha and Jax. For our troops, I have no offer. I came on the pretense of having one to find information. Those are Yookree troops, not ours. King Korbi will free them here soon if you spare them,” Darri said.
“You don’t care what happens to them?” I asked.
“Me? By the creator, I don’t care one bit. However, they are sending a delegation. I have a feeling that you will reject their offer,” Darri said.
A thud on the shield caught my attention. Jorma stood on the other side of the yellow, dancing like she had to pee. Well, pee or deliver urgent news. Based on how she glared at Darri, it was bad news and elva related.
“The army from Yookree is taking the field. They come with allies from the region to stop you. The northern human empire is coming too. Soon, the sea will be filled with the elva ships to your east. If you run, we will follow. This is a one-time offer. Surrender yourself and all the children we test who come up with the demon traces. If you do this, we spare your entire city and even acknowledge it. The blight for prosperity, one time offer that expires by this time tomorrow,” Darri said then left his seat.
I wanted to kill him. I really did. I closed my eyes, inhaled a few deep breaths, and said, “I will think about it. Have a pleasant trip home.”
Jorma hurried out of his way as he departed, and I waved her over to us.
She eyed me nervously and said, “The elva are assembling outside their city. A kobold army and an ogre regiment join them. I expect them to start marching in a day or two.”
“And how would you react?” I asked.
Asha held up a hand. “Are you seriously considering it?”
I shook my head, grunting in disdain. “This is our world, Asha. Ours. We mind our own business and stay the hell out of others. Remember my apprentice Delsy. She probably doesn’t know. We tell her and let her handle her problems, not kill for a chance something bad might happen. If she fails and demons spread, we slay them. They can be defeated.”
“What did I miss?” Jorma asked.
I sighed and decided to fill her in. She listened intently, hanging on every word. When I finished, she frowned.
“And Mags?” Jorma asked.
The best answer I had was a shrug. I could get her tested, but it wouldn’t matter. I wasn’t giving her up under any circumstances.
�
�Okay. We have an army five days south at a slow march amassing, a fleet two months out, and an army to the north that will take weeks to get here assuming they don’t divert. I ask again, how do we react?” I turned to Jorma.
“Spend the treasury, hire help if possible, and prepare for the coming fight. If either the north or the south step out alone, punish them. I don’t think we can win within the walls. Not without your magic, at least. I know you’re at max minions right now, so that needs to change.” Jorma paused, getting stares. “What?” Jorma said to Asha. “I read the morning reports.”
Asha glanced at me with curiosity. “Seriously?”
“Yes, Asha. What if I leave with my minions and those kids but leave the residents here? Jorma needs to be ready to lead,” I said.
“Over her mother?” Asha asked.
“With her mother, we are never alone, my friend,” I said. “I tire of this room. Let’s go to the balcony and watch the waves while we plot.”
I scooted my chair back with the weight of the world on my shoulders.
“I’m going to talk with Yermica. We’re not going to do anything drastic. I will see what plan you two concoct up when I’m done,” Asha said.
I wanted to corner him and ask about a dozen questions regarding his thoughts and feelings, but I let him go. Sometimes, fate dealt you losing hands.
I walked out of the war room, by the throne, and onto the balcony. The day was beautiful and still early in its glory. The ocean held white caps, and I saw a boat flying the Moonguard flag checking traps.
“What’s that?” Jorma asked, pointing to the sky.
A black spec shot down towards the wall, aiming for a balcony across from mine. The trajectory was clear, but why… I focused on the area, seeing nothing but chairs.
A glint of light flashing from the sunlight caught my attention.
An arrow zipped out of thin air. For a fraction of a second, I caught sight of an elva under some sort of camouflage cloak. She fired an arrow for me, and I added up a few things quickly.
The black dot diving down was Zhogath. Darri brought assassins with him, and they were likely making their moves early due to Zhogath discovering them.
“Assassins!” I shouted while pushing Jorma into the throne room.
