Numen was drowning in thought over Vaerox’s words. He did not think about what to do after Robar was defeated. At first, Numen did not know if he could rule better than Robar did, but after these revelations Numen was confident that the people of Umbran would adore him. The very thought warmed Numen’s heart and sharpened his resolve to finish his conquest of the kingdom.
“Ah there we are!” Vaerox exclaimed.
Vaerox withdrew from the hole, revealing it to be a pitch-black abyss that did not seem to have a bottom. Numen was afraid the edge would crumble and he would fall in, taking a few steps back.
“Stand clear,” Vaerox instructed.
Then Vaerox created a deep gurgling noise as drool and foam dripped from his mouth. Dipping his serpentine head into the pit, Vaerox opened his toothy maw and a tidal wave of slimy bones poured out of his throat. Numen recoiled as he was exposed to the smell of putrid flesh and sulfur. The stench was so horrid that Numen gagged as he struggled to breathe.
Finally, after many disgusting moments, Vaerox finished regurgitating the bones. The human remains filled the pit almost to the brim, the wretched smell was worse than ever, and Vaerox’s digestive fluids slithered off the bones. Vaerox then belched loudly.
Unable to stand the stench any longer, Numen ordered, “That’s good! Quickly cover the hole!”
Vaerox moved his winged front arms to bury the bones and all that remained was a large mound of dirt that stood out from the rest of the landscape. Even though the disgusting smell still lingered, it was not as bad as it was before.
Relieved that he could breathe again, Numen said, “Thank you, Vaerox. We will start building the Temple once our hold on this kingdom is secure. Until then, we will use this mound as a marker of where to build. Shall we go celebrate with the others?”
Displaying a toothy smile, Vaerox replied, “I will try to mingle as long as I don’t frighten anyone.”
After that exchange, Numen and Vaerox turned and walked together towards Foxden Castle in a joyous mood . . .
CHAPTER 39
Several days later . . .
Within the halls of Blood Arrow, Melaria sat in the great hall in a bored state. She played with an empty chalice as she laid back in the throne, sighing with discontent. The guards who stood at attention also seemed to find the atmosphere as tedious as Melaria did due to their sagging posture.
“Somebody bring me my damn cupbearer!” Melaria shouted.
A moment later, a twelve-year-old boy with a black and broken nose slinked towards Melaria with a pitcher. Melaria held out her chalice expectantly and the boy sloppily refilled her cup, spilling wine all over the floor. Enraged, Melaria punched the boy so hard he limply collapsed across the room, dropping his pitcher.
Turning to the guards, Melaria ordered, “Take the brat out back and teach him how to pour a cup properly!”
After those words, the guards grabbed the boy and dragged him out of the throne room. The boy cried profusely as he vanished from view. Once the boy was gone, Melaria enjoyed her refilled wine.
Suddenly, Melaria’s solitude was disrupted when another guard entered the chamber and announced, “Your Majesty! Your husband, Robar Baal, was slain and his army was annihilated! Only one hundred survived; two have arrived and are here to report what happened!”
Sighing, Melaria callously said, “Send them in.”
Soon two Baal soldiers were escorted into the throne room by more guards. The visitors were frightened and covered in grime. Once the soldiers reached the dais, they kneeled and awaited Melaria to speak.
Impatiently, Melaria instructed, “All right! Get up and tell me what happened!”
When the soldiers did as they were told, one of them replied, “Dowager Queen, the siege of Foxden was a failure! The last Magnus boy and a rebel army came out of nowhere and defeated us! No . . . ‘defeated’ is too gentle a word. We were annihilated! They had a dragon on their side!”
Scoffing, Melaria said, “Dragons died out from the Dark Death. What you are suggesting is impossible. Anything else?”
The other soldier further explained, “The Magnus boy slew your husband and spared the rest of us.”
Raising an eyebrow, Melaria asked, “And why is that?”
Gulping hard, the first soldier answered, “He told us to tell all of Umbran what happened. Most of the others did as they were told, but we came straight here to prove our loyalty. Most people do not believe the rumors of a dragon, but because of your husband’s death rebellions are breaking out all over the kingdom.”
Melaria paused for a moment as she digested the soldiers’ words.
Then Melaria leaned forward and asked, “How do I know you did not aid your compatriots in spreading words of treason?”
Fearful of Melaria’s question, the second soldier frantically assured, “Dowager Queen, we did not help the traitors spread treasonous words! We have always been faithful subjects of the crown!”
Laughing mirthlessly, Melaria ordered, “Kill the traitors!”
On command, the guards took out their daggers slit the soldiers’ throats. The soldiers were left to bleed to death in front of the throne.
Disregarding the fresh corpses that lay before her, Melaria said, “Assemble what men we have left and crush the rebellions!”
One of the guards countered, “That may be difficult, Dowager Queen. Most of our army was wiped out at Foxden Castle and it has become impossible to raise more levies with the rebellions. The best we can do is muster a thousand men. Houses Ubba and Karlor are in the same situation as we are and have gathered whatever men they could to prepare for a siege. I strongly recommend we do the same.”
Dropping her chalice and breaking out into a fit of insane cackling, Melaria said, “Then do it! If that Magnus brat wants this throne he is going to have to drag the cold dead bodies of me and my child!”
Melaria continued to laugh, disturbing her guards in the process . . .
__ __ __
Meanwhile at Foxden Castle, Numen’s army finished making fortifications to fortress. The wall that exploded had been partially rebuilt and the spikes in the trenches were pointed in the other direction. Overall, the castle was as ready as it would ever be for another siege.
Inside the great hall, Numen and his top generals, companions, and advisors gathered to discuss their next course of action. At first, Numen merely sat at the lord’s table with Katherine and Edward while everyone else in the hall were busy bickering amongst themselves. Numen chuckled when he realized his followers were quarrelling with each other because some of their ideas sounded hilarious.
Eventually, slammed his fist on the table for silence and everyone quieted down. Numen cleared his voice and shifted his weight in his seat. He was not used to make announcements to such a large group of people. Still, if Numen was be king and eventually emperor, he had to get used to these kinds of situations.
“My Lords and Ladies. Thank you all for coming. As you all know, we have gathered discuss what needs to be done now that King Robar is dead. Days ago, we sent messenger pigeons to all the barons in Umbran. How many of them have pledged allegiance to us?” Numen asked anxiously.
William answered, “All but Houses Ubba and Karlor have yielded. They have chosen to stay loyal to House Baal until the bitter end. While most of the kingdom is skeptical of us having a dragon on our side the fact that Robar and his army were defeated was enough to cause rebellions everywhere. Also, even with their king dead and forces destroyed, House Baal has gathered what little men they could and holed up in their castle like the Ubbas and Karlors.”
Smiling, Numen said, “With all those rebellions, what remains of House Baal’s army will be spread thin and they will have difficulty raising more levies. This is the ideal time sever House Baal’s hold on Umbran once and for all. To avoid another siege, we will leave four thousand men to defend Foxden Castle. We will take the remaining five thousand men out to bring down the Baals, Ubbas, and Karlors.”
Confused,
Edgar asked, “Cousin Numen, is it wise to divide our forces so drastically? Do you really think we can sack three castles with just five thousand men?”
Winking at Edgar, Numen replied, “Have you forgotten that we have a dragon on our side? Umbran may not believe that dragons still live, but when we take all three of those fortresses with Vaerox’s help they will believe. Seeing us conquer the Baals, Ubbas, and Karlors will also further solidify our position in their eyes. Who knows? As we travel from stronghold to stronghold more rebels may swell our ranks. What say you?”
After a moment’s pause, everyone in the great hall nodded and murmured in agreement to Numen’s plan.
Turning to Braun, Numen said, “Uncle Braun, while Vaerox and I will attack from the sky, I will be making you the general of our ground forces. I will be counting on you.”
Nodding in acknowledgement, Braun replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Returning his attention to the rest of the great hall, Numen announced, “We march at dawn. Rest up and prepare for tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 40
After marching for three days from Foxden Castle, the rebel army of five thousand men reached Chainhorn Castle, the ancestral stronghold of House Ubba. It was a formidable fortress with a towering keep that was surrounded by two circular curtain walls. There was no moat, but the gates were thick and heavy. Overall, an invading host would not lay siege to the castle without suffering serious casualties. Braun and Edgar led the rebel force at the front and when they stopped two hundred yards from Chainhorn’s gates so too did their men.
After looking up at the battlements, Edgar asked, “How many men do you think they have left, Father?”
Braun thought for a moment and suggested, “Probably around five hundred. House Karlor is likely in the same position. We have them outnumbered ten to one and even though we cannot reach them we have a trick up our sleeve. Send a herald to discuss terms.”
Edgar gestured to the nearest soldier and the man rode his horse until he was right at the front gate. A gaunt, red-bearded man wearing a baron’s garb peeked over the battlements and the Torrens could hear a conversation ensuing. The baron was not in a welcoming mood.
“I am the new lord of these lands, Baron Marl Ubba! What do you rabble want? What have you done to my brother? Where is he?” Baron Ubba demanded fiercely.
“Your brother is dead along with your army. We have come to ask for your surrender to the new king of Umbran and future emperor of Gradaia, Numen of House Magnus. What say you?” the herald announced professionally.
Laughing sarcastically, Marl answered, “This is what I think about your false king and Imperial pretender!” Marl then spat over the castle wall in defiance. “Now get off my land before I sick the true king on you!”
After that exchange, Marl vanished into the battlements and the herald returned to the rebel army.
Shaking his head, the herald said, “They are not going to surrender, My Lord.”
Sighing with disappointment, Braun ordered, “Tell the men to withdraw two hundred yards from the castle. Now!”
Following Braun’s instructions, the rebel host fell back away from Chainhorn Castle. Behind them, the stronghold’s garrison arrogantly jeered, thinking the invaders were running away. However, once the rebel force met the required distance, they turned around and locked their eyes on Chainhorn Castle.
To Edgar, Braun instructed, “Send the signal.”
A man-at-arms gave Edgar a longbow and a single arrow. Once Edgar fastened the arrow to the string, the man-at-arms offered a torch to Edgar and Edgar lit the arrowhead on fire. Edgar then drew his bow as high as he could before launching the fiery missile into the evening sky . . .
__ __ __
Above Chainhorn Castle, Numen and Vaerox saw the flaming arrow rise from the rebel army like a firefly in the coming darkness.
Grinning, Numen said, “There’s the signal, Vaerox!”
Flapping his great wings, Vaerox asked, “How shall we do this, Monster Slayer?”
After some thought, Numen answered, “Let’s burn the castle so greatly that the flames and smoke can be seen for miles around.”
“Then let’s do this. Hang on tight, Monster Slayer!” Vaerox warned.
Numen gripped Vaerox’s scaly back as the dragon dove towards Chainhorn Castle. As they drew closer, the duo felt glee when they saw the fortress’s garrison panicking at the sight of Vaerox. Vaerox stopped fifty feet above the castle and hovered over it. Frantically, the garrison fired arrows, spears, and crossbow bolts at Vaerox, but none of the projectiles could penetrate the dragon’s thick hide.
Inhaling deeply, Vaerox lifted his head before lashing out with his mouth open. A powerful stream of flaming chemicals sprayed out of Vaerox’s maw. Numen noticed that Vaerox’s inferno was larger and more concentrated than when he burned the Baal army. As a result, the fiery substance inflicted a lot more damage, incinerating the garrison instantly. Blazing blobs of slime flew all over the courtyards and stuck to the walls, stables, and granaries. After a gloriously long time, the stone structures of the castle started to melt like ice in the summer sun.
Numen felt his skin tingled as he felt the intense heat radiate from the collapsing fortress. The fire was so bright that he could no longer see the extent of the damage to the stronghold. Smoke and sulfur filled Numen’s nostrils as he breathed.
Giving Vaerox a hard pat on the back, Numen said, “All right! That’s enough!”
Then Vaerox stopped breathing fire and withdrew from Chainhorn Castle. When they were a safe distance away, Numen and Vaerox could see the extent of the destruction. The once solid and proud fortress had been reduced to a colossal flaming mess. There was no more keep, the courtyards were obliterated, and all that remained of the walls were a few melting structures sticking out of the ground. The flames and smoke were so large that they eclipsed the moon and stars and lit up the night with the intensity of the sun. On the other side of the field, the rebel army was cheering as they watched the castle burn.
The dark satisfaction Numen felt when he defeated King Robar and his army returned. Numen was finding it addictive to not only beat his enemies but annihilate them. It was a sensation that Numen wanted more of.
Laughing triumphantly, Numen declared, “This is what will happen to all who stand in our way, Blood Demon!”
Joining Numen’s cackling, Vaerox agreed, “Aye! Let all our enemies burn, Monster Slayer!”
__ __ __
The next morning, Numen and Vaerox rendezvoused with the rebel army. Chainhorn Castle was still on fire with the same intensity as before and the smoke had blocked out the sky in the entire area. While Numen met with his generals, the rest of the rebel host was enjoying a grand breakfast to celebrate their victory. Inside the command tent, Numen talked with Braun, Edgar, and Edward.
“How long do you think the castle will burn?” Numen asked, partly as a joke.
Shrugging, Braun suggested, “We don’t know. This kind of warfare has never been done before. Based on how powerful it is, I’m guessing it will keep burning for days or even a week.”
Sheepishly, Edgar handed Numen a piece of rolled fabric and said, “I noticed you have a new hobby of collecting trophies from your defeated enemies so I salvaged this from the fire.”
Curious, Numen took the fabric from Edgar, unrolled it, and discovered that it was a charred banner that bore the sigil of House Ubba. In some ways, it reminded Numen of his makeshift cape he acquired while on the run.
Gleefully clutching the flag, Numen said, “Thank you, Cousin Edgar.”
Intently, Braun asked, “So what is our next move, Numen?”
Grinning with confidence, Numen answered, “We start marching after breakfast towards the Karlor fortress of Karlor Hall. If they refuse to yield, they will suffer the same fate as House Ubba. When we’re done with them, we will make for Blood Arrow and overthrow House Baal. Then Umbran will be ours.”
CHAPTER 41
Less than a week
later, Blood Arrow was in disarray when news of what happened to Houses Ubba and Karlor reached them. Many people fled the castle while others fled the walled city outside out of fear of the forthcoming dragon. All that remained of the garrison were less than one hundred men and they were considering the idea of deserting too.
Meanwhile, Melaria clutched her baby in her arms while sitting in the throne room. The Dowager Queen was giggling like a madwoman with a crazed smile on her face. Melaria shifted her weight in the throne wildly as though she could not find any comfortable position to sit in.
“They are coming for our throne, Little Darling. We are doomed! We will burn and the Gods themselves have forsaken us! We are doomed!” Melaria raved.
The baby cried profusely, frightened by his mother’s erratic behavior. Melaria’s manic smile broadened when she ordered, “Shut up, Brat! Shut up!”
Suddenly, a guard burst into the throne room and hysterically announced, “Dowager Queen! The rebel army is coming . . . the dragon is with them!”
“Get out and fight!” Melaria shrieked, tears flowing down her cheeks and her eyes blood-shot.
The guard ran away, frightened by both his mad queen and the approaching invaders. When the guard left, Melaria continued to rave quietly. Melaria’s baby cried loudly, frightened by his mother’s increasing insanity.
“Shut up, Brat!” Melaria screamed into the infant’s face, but when the baby kept crying Melaria violently threw him into the wall next to her. There was a loud crunch as the infant’s skull slammed against the stone. When he hit the marble floor, the baby twitched for a moment before becoming forever still. After realizing what she had done, Melaria chuckled, “This was mercy. Better this than whatever fate the rebels had in mind.”
Numen the Slayer (Magnus Dynasty Saga Book 1) Page 18
