A number simply fell over where they stood, nowhere near enough though.
Ryker already knew that the forces with Tris and himself were too few in comparison to the enemy forces. They’d kept a third of their forces towards the rear of the church forces.
Mostly to ensure there’d be no escapees or survivors if anyone broke and tried to run back to Dungeon.
That’d be watched over by the fairy dungeon cores. Which meant Charlotte, Marybelle, Sierra, and Arria were in the field, but not nearby.
They were there to make sure the entire force was eliminated.
Tris bounded up from her crouch and lifted her shield up in front of herself.
Responding quickly, owing to being trained well, the forces of the light pantheon charged forward towards Tris’ position.
A number of fairies lifted shields that had been laid on the ground and stepped forward. They took their place beside Tris and formed an impromptu shield wall. A second line was formed of those who would be using medium range weapons and short range spells. The third forming immediately behind that was one of support—healers, and long range spells.
It was a very well-oiled movement.
As if Tris had been drilling her people repeatedly.
“Wynne. Have they been training?” Ryker asked.
“That they have. Impressive, aren’t they? We’ll have an army yet for you, my king,” came the prideful response.
“Before you go and promise any rewards to Tris, you might want to take a few days off. I do believe your wives are becoming suspicious to a degree of how often you vanish with the Avatars in tow,” Wynne warned him.
Huh? Oh. Oh, yeah.
“Right. Don’t bang the Fairies for a little. Got it,” Ryker said.
Feeling a bit of the normal battle anxiety creeping up on him, Ryker had to do something. So he stood up and gave his body a shake, as if to cast off the jitters.
Putting his mind to use, he began to sort through his spells to figure out what he wanted to use.
Most of the more complicated spells he knew, weren’t really for general combat like this. They were complicated forms meant to shunt, shift, or alter other spells into different facets. Most of the complexity of spell-casting came from memorizing forms, and efficient management of mana. That and being able to control the spell rather than turning into a vat of beef stroganoff to be splattered all over everything nearby.
Mana eruptions tended to be sudden and messy.
Though… now we have the mana to do the big stuff. Why not?
As fast as he could, Ryker partitioned his mind with an internalized spell aimed at assisting with magical construct work.
Then he began to parcel out multiple spells, chaining them all together into one gigantic complex form.
He built an earth spell that would harden a clump of dirt into an iron ball. Hollowing it out he filled it with a lightning construct that was held in stasis. Quick as he could, he laid a form that was more or less liquid fire over the entirety of the iron ball at an insane temperature.
The whole thing would turn into a giant, glowing, molten ball of slag, filled with explosive energy.
Building a rapid form of air, he stretched it from the point of impact to the point that the spell would come into being. Setting up the trajectory, aim, and angle so that it would intersect with the enemy forces at the midpoint.
All of this was in turn built into a force construct for power. It all looped back into one big framework that would draw ungodly amounts of power and feed this monstrosity of a spell.
It’d be big.
It’d be messy.
It’d be the biggest fucking spell he’d ever cast.
The zealots of the pantheon of light were already halfway across the field.
And right where he needed them to be.
Snapping the activator of the spell form into place it channeled itself into life.
Bright red, angry, and roaring, a fiery ball of death appeared in the sky.
It was already screaming downward at an impossible speed.
The noise it made was something Ryker had never heard in his life, and it made the very bones in his body vibrate. His heart hammered in his body and his knees gave out from the rapid loss of mana. Casting such a spell with his normal body would have outright killed him.
It only weakened the avatar.
Everyone looked up, even the church troops, transfixed by the red finger of death.
Faster than they expected, it smashed into the ground.
And detonated.
Lightning, molten iron, and super heated air exploded out in every direction. The entire area became smoke and vapor, and no one could see a thing.
The shockwave was strong enough to knock all the Fairies flat on their backs, the trees around them snapping in half. Even Ryker was knocked to the ground with the extreme force the spell put out. It washed over him and scorched his flesh and hair.
Then it was all over. Almost as quickly as it’d happened.
Getting to his feet, Ryker swept a hand across in front of himself. A massive simple air elemental spell came to life and swept the field.
His field of view was cleared in a second. Smoldering earth, hissing iron, and broken bodies littered the field from one side to the other.
He couldn’t imagine there being anything left of the people hit directly.
“Go ahead and sweep the field,” Ryker said, pausing to cough twice. “Do what you need to do. I’m going to uh… I think I should go chat with my wives about what I’ve been up to. Maybe exaggerate some problems with work. Rope Edwin into it, too. See if I can’t fix a few problems with this whole thing. And then, how about you swing by later tonight, Tris, and we’ll see about a reward for your people’s training.”
Nope, sure as shit ain’t passing up on Tris’ turn. She can be freaky in a fun way.
I’ll make this work.
Somehow.
Chapter 29- Changes -
Adele made a contented noise at him from the bed and fanned herself with a hand.
“Dunno what brought that on, but I’m thankful for it?” she said, a strange question formed at the end of her statement.
“You seemed like you needed attention. So as your husband, I wanted to give you some,” Ryker said, eyeing her from his side of her bed.
What she lacked in experience, she made up for in energy and enthusiasm.
He’d made his rounds to his wives the previous day after the battle and promised to spend more time with each woman.
Claire didn’t mind either way, but was happy he was attentive to her.
Diane and Adele both expressed gratitude and seemed interested in what he had planned.
He hadn’t expected the little bit of sudden attention to go as far as it did.
Then again, they were all noblewomen, and their ideas of marriage were probably fairly screwed up.
Or at least skewed.
“I get that, but it’s the middle of the day, you ass. I’m going to reek of sweat and sex,” Adele complained, still fanning herself.
“You’re not actually complaining, are you?”
Adele wrinkled her nose at him.
“No, and we could always go agai—” Then her eyes widened and she smiled at him.
“Oh! A letter from Lauren for you came. I got one as well. Rob dropped them off. He said he wasn’t going to get anywhere near your crazy ass. Apparently he did listen about not involving Claire though.”
She paused and took a deep breath, flopping back onto the bed.
“I read my own, and I have yours as well. It’s in the roll top desk.” She indicated a desk in the corner of the room.
They were in his farmhouse. Adele had practically taken up residence here and more or less refused to leave. The Fairies had actually grown fond of her and treated her well, only reinforcing her desire to not leave.
Diane was also coming here far more frequently as well. What free time she used to spend in the city was more and more often h
ere.
With Adele and the Fairies.
Apparently an enemy shared between the two nobles had made them allies. Both despised Chadwick extremely.
Getting off the bed he strode over to the desk and flipped it open. Sitting in the corner of the desk was a letter that looked identical to the previous one. Picking it up he flipped it over, only to find it was already opened.
Huh? I thought—oh, this is hers.
Setting it to one side he picked up another letter that had been directly under the previous one. Turning it over, he found it was sealed, and untouched.
Cracking it open with a thumb, he slipped a finger in and pulled out the letter.
Dearest Asshat,
I’m glad to see my letter found you. And apparently in good health, if not particularly good humor.
Or so I would guess from your argument about how to shove a candelabra into my “wretched womb” for having to work with Rob.
While I appreciated the imagery, I’m afraid I don’t think it humanly possible.
I suppose we’ll have to experiment, but that’s a different conversation for another time. Preferably when I can slap you repeatedly for whatever foul-mouthed nonsense you spew out.
First, thank you for taking care of my cousins. I’m disturbed and saddened to hear that it sounds like Claire has opted for cowardice, though I am not terribly surprised.
I’m also extremely gladdened that you and Adele are doing all you can for me.
In addition, Adele complains about being your “fuck doll”, but not of your treatment of her in said role.
I thank you for that, in addition to all that you’ve already done.
Apparently from what Rob can deduce, there’s been a constant loss of soldiers, information, and ability there in Dungeon, with no possible source other than dumb luck and the dungeon.
And for that, I thank you.
That an elite squad consisting of the strongest paladin seen and a team of acolytes had been tasked with my murder simply vanished.
For that as well, I thank you.
Further, an armed courier arrived with what was stated as “taxes collected and fees owed” from one of my vassals, without even a letter or tax log to explain it.
No one thought to stop the courier from leaving to determine who the vassal was however.
The amount was… unexpected, and welcome. Needed even.
It didn’t match any of my records however as to what I could expect from any of my loyal retainers.
And for that contribution, I thank you.
Unfortunately, I cannot prove any of this. I am certain that you’ll deny all of it, as well.
My thanks will be private since I cannot force you to admit anything. Though I will find a suitable punishment in time.
Perhaps having your home filled with nothing but fancy foot-cheese.
Enough of this though.
I have news for you that will probably not go over very well, but I’m afraid I had no choice in the matter.
I’ve invited the dark pantheon into the cause.
They haven’t made any demands other than the ability to build temples, which I regretfully was forced to agree to.
We as a nation simply don’t have the strength to repel the false queen and the church of light at the same time.
You may find operatives of the dark pantheon in Dungeon. Please assist them if you’re able.
I do know that you have no love for them, but this is an ally I was forced to accept.
I fear that my reign, even if it survives this, will be put to the test. I think that our neighbors will be eyeing us no matter who wins.
And now to the hardest part of this letter, and I know you have no mind for politics so forgive me, I made two declarations.
One, that your “marriage” to Diane is null and void. That it was never approved by the rightful queen, and would not be recognized, regardless of anything signed.
Secondly, that your marriage to Adele and Claire is unrecognized for its timing, but not its legitimacy. Essentially this means the marriage will be upheld, but not the date of said marriage.
Thirdly, that that marriage is null and void with Diane because you are already in a contract to be wed to myself.
This was in part to protect myself from being forced into a marriage of convenience with the church of dark. Please forgive me for my selfish reasoning.
Though it’ll be interesting to see how Adele takes that news when you tell her.
I’m afraid my bravery failed me and I left that part out of my letter to her.
In closing, I look forward to seeing you when this is over, betrothed. Don’t hurt me too badly for doing this, but I had few other options, and no allies.
Yours alone,
Lauren
Ryker blinked, and re-read the long letter once more.
Folding it up carefully when he finished the second read-through, he gently slid it back into the envelope.
“So? What’s my twat of a cousin telling you?” Adele asked from behind him.
“Oh. Things. I guess,” Ryker said. “Stuff.”
“I figured that, idiot. You going to stand there or tell me? Though it is a nice view from here,” Adele said, her tone of voice changing at the last.
“Ha… you might not like that view in about thirty seconds.”
“Why’s that?”
“Cause that’s how long it’ll take you to stop screaming at me. I’ve been tasked with telling you that Lauren engaged herself to me, a contracted betrothal, and that my marriage to Diane won’t be recognized. Our marriage, and Claire’s, though, are valid, though the timing is wrong. It’s going to take place after Lauren’s marriage is contractually fulfilled with me.”
Ryker was wrong.
It took a minute.
***
Meino fell in line with him as he exited his bedroom.
The big minotaur had taken over the farmhouse entirely as its “house-guard”, having found that no one visited the office or alcove enough.
He’d tried to argue with her, even order her. In the end, she only stared at him, and offered him nothing in exchange.
And remained in the farmhouse.
“Leaving the house and heading into town,” Ryker said.
Meino nodded her head and walked him to the door and no further.
Before he even managed to get to the city proper he already saw the people following him.
Chadwick apparently wanted to know where Ryker was at all times and had assigned entire teams to tail him.
Ignoring them, Ryker carried on as if he didn’t know they were there.
The simple fact was that putting a tail on him could be an act of intimidation as well. He didn’t plan to give the vicar the satisfaction of knowing it bothered him
Even if it did.
Edwin was waiting at the outermost road of the city that intersected with the road down from the farm.
Ryker immediately noticed that the older man looked a touch out of sorts. His normal ex-military stamped look seemed worn.
Tired.
“Edwin, you alright, bud?” Ryker said, shaking the man’s hand when he got close enough.
“Not particularly, no. I just chased off a couple of soldiers who were trying to force a woman to go somewhere with them,” said Edwin. “Between the soldiers and the church, the people are getting squeezed in the middle.”
Ryker’s face soured and he felt the frown on his face.
He knew logically this would happen, but he really wasn’t sure what they could do about it.
“The guards were enough before the church got here. But now they’re spread terribly thin. Gaps are forming that we can’t fill,” Edwin said, as if reading his thoughts. “On top of that, Diane supported us with the soldiers. That damnable vicar is doing whatever he wants.”
Sighing, Ryker looked down the street at the citizens of Dungeon.
They were as numerous as ever, surprising him every time he looked, but they
moved in groups now. Everyone with a look of watching out for something.
Or someone.
“I’ll be honest, my friend, I’m not sure what we can do. We can hire more guards, the teleports are always bringing in more people, but I don’t think that’ll solve the problem. At least, not anymore,” Ryker said.
“No. That vicar is more or less declaring war on you. His goal is to take your power and wield it for himself. I doubt Veronica cares one whit for you either and would happily sacrifice you to appease the church.”
“Tell me about it. Here I am doing my damnedest to knock her daughter up, and I’m already on the way out the door.”
Edwin snorted at that and shook his head.
“It’s a damn shame. If this keeps up, I’m betting on that vicar having you killed.”
You have no idea. He’s already tried and with practically every tool he has at his disposal.
“I don’t doubt it. So, how about you give me a better rundown over lunch. You said you found a new place to try,” Ryker said, gesturing down the street.
“Yeah. Let’s do that. Some normalcy.”
Edwin acted on his words and turned into the street, marching along
“By the way, my darling king, I never did tell you how they knew your avatar wasn’t a normal person,” Wynne said. “They’re using detect life.”
Ryker closed his eyes with a grimace, following Edwin.
“I should have known. Almost every adventurer runs around with it on anyways. The avatars probably stand out like a sore thumb,” Ryker said.
“Indeed. It’s a simple oversight, but one that makes it impossible for us to hide in plain sight. Something to consider, obviously, when planning things. Don’t forget dinner tonight before you go ravage Diane. Adele is still recovering from your activities. And Lauren’s message,” Wynne said, and then her presence faded.
And almost immediately came back with an overwhelming need.
“Ryker, a great number of people are gathering at the church grounds. Something is going on and I don’t know what yet, I think you should be there,” she practically shouted inside his head.
Unable to think straight due to the sheer weight of her need, Ryker stumbled forward in a trot.
Dungeon Deposed Page 31
