“Who? Katarina? Yes, she is. I’m not doing anything with her that I don’t do with you. No, you shouldn’t be jealous, you’re well aware of the situation. And no, you shouldn’t be worried,” Runner growled at her. The amount of self-restraint he had placed on himself was immense. With even the smallest screw up, the tiniest of slips, he was certain they would assume he’d made his choice amongst them. Then all would be lost.
They knew it of course. Knew it and were enjoying taunting him mercilessly to make his choice. At least they weren’t fighting over it, or even angry at him. For the time being at least.
“Do you know how damned hard it is to not touch you? Or Katarina? I seriously doubt you’d find a camp filled with soldiers, and our friends nearby, an auspicious occasion for nighttime revelry. Unless you’re telling me you’re into voyeurism? Could see how far we could push Kitten or Hanners. Rabbit would say no.
“Besides, back to topic, it’s good for her to be more adventurous. Feels like she’s finally coming out of her head a bit more, wouldn’t you agree, my lady?” Runner changed the subject, desperate to not think on the fact that he spent every night with one of them.
Thana hummed in response, a small smile curling her lips. His insinuations had little to no effect on her as of late. Truth be told, only Isabelle seemed fazed by him, and he wasn’t even trying to flirt with her.
“Someday, you won’t be given the luxury of choice about your actions, Master Runner,” Thana tutted. “I do, however, agree to your point. She’s definitely becoming truer to herself.”
Her eyes left him and focused on the fight brewing. She was the closest thing he had to a therapist and chancellor and knew her eye and opinion would be needed during this little exercise.
At the moment, Runner could not care less about the battle. Heart hammering in his chest, it felt like it clutched the insides of his rib cage. Her statement rang through his ears like a bell.
Could I make a choice? Do I dare? Should I? Would it be taken from me if I didn’t make one?
Runner’s thoughts echoed repeatedly around in his head, winding him up further and further.
The din of distant battle reached him and broke him from his inner battle.
Groups of five, each given the means to survive an encounter on its own merits, crashed into waiting patrols, stationary targets, and buildings.
The inhabitants of the pass were universally bandits. Not one of them came back as anything other than “Kill on Sight” red.
No conversations, witty banter, or pleas would allow them passage.
Runner didn’t care. He needed this as a way to train up his troops’ experience levels. Traditional warfare would not work here since most enemies would not be incapacitated from a single blow.
“Shit,” came a whisper from his left.
Glancing up, Runner found Hannah and Nadine at his side. They had joined him without his notice. Hannah’s eyes were locked on the dire scene below. Even from this distance it looked a bit like a madhouse.
A few feet beyond her was Nadine. With a creased brow, she shook her head. Turning from the carnage, she pulled something free of her inventory and leaned over it.
Carving again. She’s such an openhearted softie.
Returning his attention to the battle, he found his eyes drawn to the center.
Striding through them all was Katarina, her black blade and shield a beacon. Any who stood before her dropped like a broken plaything in a few swings of her blade.
Trailing a pace to her left was Isabelle, her bow flinging arrows as fast she could draw.
Need to make her a new bow. Armor for everyone. Gear for myself…so much to do.
Around them in every direction were foes. Foes battling his friends and soldiers. Highpass Crossing had been listed as a raid encounter, though it might have understated it a bit. The dungeon was full of bandits, wall to wall it seemed like. Elites were even spread throughout the encounter to spice things up, as it were.
This would prove to be even better of a test in action than he’d dreamed or hoped for. Of course he could have drowned the entire thing in bodies and swamped it. There would be no lessons though, no learning.
No casualties.
Casualties taught lessons. Not so much for the dead as for the living.
A test for the soldiers, a test for the support groups, and a test for the leadership. Blooding the fresh recruits. Putting the fear of life and death into them and clearing away any of the glory and pride nonsense.
“We’ll pay in blood for this education. Best we make sure we learn our lessons. Though from what I can see and confirm,” Runner said, taking a moment to check his raid window, “losses are less than a single percent of the force currently engaged.”
“Indeed. What are your plans for the few who run this entire organization? The boss, as you would say.”
“Plans? Fuck plans, I stab ’em, bag ’em, push ’em over a cliff. Predators get lunch, we break for the day, Runner leads us on our merry way afterwards.”
“Colorful, Hanners. Though Lady Death is correct—we do need a plan. I fear the one I have in mind will be more of a demonstration of force than anything resembling strategy. Suffice it to say, we’ll not be engaging them directly.”
No, not engaging them at all. Going to glass the whole area. Let’s hope no one asks why we didn’t do it to begin with.
Placing his chin into his right hand, he frowned. Katarina had spun on her heel and shield bashed an opponent back to the group it had come from. For one reason or another, it had peeled off towards Isabelle and Katarina.
“Hanners, could you get down there and run sheepdog on Kitten and Belle? Keep an eye on their backs, no need to engage beyond that. Get to test out your new blades, lucky you.”
Hannah scoffed, muttered something about “lucky,” and took off at a trot. Runner watched her go, a line of worry wrinkling his brow.
“She’s n-not mad at you. She’s scared of fighting. I think her n-new blades will help to allay those fears. Trust in you and your gear is easier than herself.”
Runner looked to Nadine while taking in her statement. Once more he reminded himself he really needed to sit Hannah down and discuss, well, Hannah.
“Thank you, Rabbit. I appreciate that. Nothing to do now but wait.”
Beside him Thana made a noncommittal noise. Nadine continued on with her carving. Runner watched the battle.
After several hours, a number of casualties, and a sudden need for a loot-master for the rewards filtering in, they’d reached the boss area. It was an open area at the exit point of the pass. Nothing more than a series of huts, tents, and a log cabin. Blocking the exit of the pass, which was the entrance from the other side, would force all travelers into a confrontation.
They had arranged themselves in the pass in a column formation for travel. Runner stood at the front lines. All around him the SO team was setting up, arranging their cannons to aim downfield at the enemy position. They positioned their ammunition obelisks at their own discretion.
Ninety-nine percent of his allies had no idea what these “crafters” could do. A few had even gone so far as to question Runner directly.
The unknowing masses looked upon the noncombatants with derision.
Soon, they’ll understand the world has changed. That their tactics are worthless. That I have brought them death and victory in equal measure.
“Angel, Brighteyes, I’m going to dedicate this display to the both of you,” Runner whispered to nobody. “You’re welcome to make an appearance. It’s going to be showy. Real showy.”
Grunting, he shook his head and then turned to Isabelle.
“Belle, could you put an arrow downrange? I believe you said the maximum range for you was about two fifty? Need to figure out what distance that we’re looking at and I’d like to use your shot as a range-finder.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Isabelle took several steps forward and launched an arrow from her bow. It arced gr
acefully through the air and embedded itself fairly close to the targets.
“That looks right, my lord,” Isabelle said confidently.
Runner nodded and turned to the man he’d put in charge of the battery.
“Arrow sits at two hundred and fifty yards. Give or take. Take measurements and load. No ranging rounds,” Runner explained. He waved the man off and turned to look at the little cabin.
That’s where the boss should be. The quest writers are consistent if not original.
Breaking into a smile, he put his hands on his hips.
“Ten extra points to every team who hits the cabin in the first salvo,” Runner proclaimed.
Now that got the battery’s attention. Loot would be parceled out by lottery, each person receiving a single point for this sortie. They could select what to put their point towards in the drawing. Should their point not be drawn and used it would be returned to the owner.
There was always more loot to be handed out after a battle and this looked like it would be a long war.
Squaring his shoulders, he faced the column. Leaving his left hand on his hip, he let his right dangle.
Slowly, all conversations ended. Soon there was no noise at all except for the occasional cough and equipment rattling.
Letting his eyes travel the crowd, he took in a slow deep breath. His voice would carry if he made sure it was a shout.
“To you who survived. To you who battled and clawed your way to stand here. To you who bled and fought with and for each other. To you who are ready to fight for a nation that is not yours so that it might remain free.”
Runner paused for dramatic emphasis.
“To you I say, I shall clear the field before you. I will reap this bloody harvest with a scythe made from my own hands. In the name of Brunhild and Ernsta, I shall build a castle out of the bones of our enemies and a throne of skulls,” Runner said with a cold smile. He lifted his right hand and clenched it before him.
Ernsta and Brunhild appeared on each side of him. They were dressed the same as when he had last seen them. Both radiated their divinity like blazing suns scorching the land.
Standing between them, he felt like he was being bathed in a supernatural ocean of power.
“I will drown our enemies in their own blood. They will feast on regrets as well as their dead.”
Runner spun and dropped his hand in a chopping motion.
“Fire!”
In unison, forty cannons whumped. Forty large variant Splatterhouse rounds screamed across the distance to their intended victims. Gunners watched their rounds to determine corrections. Loaders pulled rounds from the obelisks’ cradles and reloaded the cannons.
Nearly at the same time, forty canisters of pressurized magic exploded on impact. A cloud of fire and plasma erupted in all directions.
Runner felt the heat of the blast on his face. He smirked.
Haze and dirt obscured the target area. Runner was here to make a show, though. A demonstration.
Seconds ticked by and still nothing could be seen.
Runner waited till thirty seconds had passed from the initial volley. All cannons would be ready to fire again at that interval. There was still no visibility, but that didn’t matter. Almost every shot had been on target and few adjustments would need to be made.
“Fire!”
Forty cannons coughed out their ordnance. Another wave of heat rolled over him as the rounds detonated together.
Deep in his psyche Runner felt like he’d stolen the sense of wonder from a child. From this point forward, the world would not be the same. Could not be the same.
Glancing to his right, he watched as Brunhild observed the carnage. She said not a word. Runner hoped she was impressed. At least more impressed than she was appalled.
Swiveling his head to the left, he found Ernsta staring at him. Her eyes were glowing blue with a wary sadness. He got the impression she was following the logical course of where these new weapons would lead.
He gave her a halfhearted smile
“For now I am become death, destroyer of worlds. Fear and despair comes with me wherever I shall go,” Runner whispered. “I believe your job as the guide to the departed will become busier. My apologies.”
Ernsta said nothing. Instead she watched him. Her eyes burned in their cold azure hue as she stared into him. Runner lifted one shoulder at her and turned his attention back to the boss location.
Runner had considered firing a third salvo but two seemed perfect.
Look what I can do in two shots. I put eighty rounds out in one minute.
Finally the smoke cleared. All could see the boss of the open dungeon.
Or the lack thereof.
The tents were gone. The huts were gone. Only one corner post of the cabin stood upright. Nothing remained. Even the grass was burned and large craters dotted the landscape.
Without turning around, Runner held up a fist and shouted a challenge at the grave he had made. A second later a thousand voices were raised behind him, shouting their defiance and promise of destruction.
Chapter 10 - First Contact -
7:08 am Sovereign Earth time
11/15/43
Runner leaned over the map of the Barbarian capital. The name escaped him for the moment and truthfully he didn’t care. It was a means to an end. Like so much else.
Ah, Kastell.
Remembering the name, he shook his head.
The area the map displayed was of fairly hilly terrain. Small timberlands dotted the countryside. All in all, though, it could be described as rugged.
Fitting.
Nowhere to be seen were the rolling plains of the Sunless Kingdom. The vast expanses of wilderness and woods that were part and parcel of the southern region that the Humans inhabited didn’t exist here either.
“My lord, the lottery is over.”
Sparing a glance to the entry, he found Isabelle and Nadine standing there.
“Very good, thank you for handling it.”
“Of course, my lord,” said Isabelle. She came over to stand at a corner of the table. Holding up a piece of paper, she continued. “In total we distributed thirty rares, eighty-two uncommons, and four hundred thirty-five common items. All normal quality items were spread evenly throughout, per your orders.”
“Mm. I’m sure we’ll have a number of new recruits when this is over. I imagine our generosity will inspire quite a few to sign on,” Runner mused. Reaching over the map, he shifted a few pieces around to simulate another possible scenario.
“In-n-deed. Quite a few have stated their desire to join. I advised Isabelle to refuse them-m for now. Until they finish up their current contracts, we won’t be hiring them.” Nadine stood at his elbow, peering at the map in front of him.
“Very good. Thanks, Rabbit. Wouldn’t want to start dating someone who is cheating on another to be with you. Poor manners and a terrible precedent,” Runner said. Scratching at his cheek, he tilted his head.
Until I know where they’re set up, this is pointless. I can only run through these so many times.
As if fate were reading his mind, a man dressed in messenger colors rushed through the entryway of the tent.
“Report,” commanded Runner, pinning the man with his eyes alone.
“Ah, uh,” the man said intelligently.
Runner smiled and made a “please continue” type of gesture with his right hand.
“Oh! Lord Runner, the scouts report they’ve found the enemy army. They’re encircled around Kastell and are preparing for the siege,” the messenger stated, smiling.
“And?” Runner prompted.
“And?”
“Yes. And. And did they make contact? Were they spotted? Did they exit without being noticed?”
“Yes!”
“Yes, what?”
“No.”
Sighing, Runner held up his left hand with the index finger upraised. He face-palmed with his right hand.
“Did they engage the enemy?”
“No.”
“Were they spotted?”
“No.”
“The enemy, as far as we can tell, is unaware of us?”
“Yes.”
“Did they notice any scouts or a screening force?”
“No. They looked like they were in the reserves.”
“Excellent. C’mere.” Runner visibly regained his composure and motioned the man over. Dropping a handful of tokens representing the enemy into the messenger’s hand, he gestured at the map. “Please mark the enemy locations as they were last known.”
The messenger ducked his head and bent over the map. Catching sight of Isabelle on the other side of the man, Runner rolled his eyes.
Isabelle merely stared back at him.
Maybe she finally realizes how silly she sounds constantly calling him a lord?
Not likely.
Standing upright, the man nodded at Runner.
“There they are, my lord.”
“Fantastic. Go get some breakfast and return to duty.” Runner dismissed the man and looked to the pieces.
They were arranged in an circle around the city. Grinning, Runner couldn’t help but shake his head.
Kastell would come under siege this day. In preparation for that attack the Human general had recalled their vanguard. They didn’t seem to expect anyone to come from the direction of Highpass Crossing.
He’d been given two things: mission-critical information and the element of surprise. Like a gift. All wrapped up in a pretty bow.
“There it is then. We hit their supply depot as hard as we can. Take nothing and burn it all to the ground. Right as they move to assault the city,” Runner supplied.
Moving his pieces into position, he lined his forces accordingly. They’d keep their back to Highpass in case they needed an exit. Using the terrain to their advantage, they would set their forces on a ridgeline.
Hit hard, burn all the supplies, retreat as soon as they move to engage us.
Gesturing to the map again, he indicated the far right flank of the encirclement.
Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy Page 18
