by Billy Wong
She bit her lip. "I don't. The only things close to that size I've encountered before are the King Elementals, and two of them are dead. The other two, well, definitely aren't an ocean-dwelling tentacled thing."
"Leviathan threatened to destroy Velinthe before her death," he reminded her. "Could this be related?"
The King Elemental of Water had indeed said she would slaughter the ten thousand inhabitants of the man-made island before Cart-Dragger killed her. But she had died without anyone else hearing her words. How then could this aquatic horde knowingly seek to fulfill her wish? Cart-Dragger got an idea. "Let's dissect one of these fish and see if they're elementals!"
She slit the belly of the one on her boat while the old couple she helped took over rowing, and opening up its body glimpsed a blue glow from deep within. Reaching inside, she pulled out a rubbery mass of the same color, the size of a fist. Scott stared, as did Lars and Russ who had joined them. "That's..."
"An elemental core," she finished, studying the object in her hand. "The fish aren't regular animals, but elementals. And that huge one might have been something akin to a King Elemental."
"But they still might also be the race of evil our ally referred to." Scott's eyes widened. "Wait, if these are elementals and live in the sea, shouldn't they be water elementals? In that case, their cores should be able to heal the injured!"
Cart-Dragger's spirits rose, then fell with a realization. Many wounded had already died since the battle, when they might have been saved if they learned the fishes' secret sooner. She blinked back tears at her failure to assess the situation properly. "What's wrong?" Russ asked, and she told them. "You shouldn't be too hard on yourself over that. These last days have been wild, easy to overlook something like checking if the fish might have healing properties. That would seem pretty unlikely in any case."
Maybe, yet she couldn't help but think the immense creature leading them should have been enough of a clue for her to consider the possibility. "I guess we have to move ahead, being unable to change the past." Dwelling on the deaths she might've prevented wouldn't bring any of them back, so she should focus on doing the best she could from here on. She told everyone if they had wounded nearby to remove a fish's core, and use it to cure them. Sighs of relief and the jubilation of loved ones filled the air, yet the mistake most remained unaware of continued to nag at Cart-Dragger. She didn't partake in eating elemental core, leaving the ache in her chest as a measure of punishment for herself.
Fortunately, they didn't encounter another storm on the way back to Athendar. Even so, most of the survivors were exhausted by the time they neared the port; the uncomfortable positions they slept in on the boats didn't help. Perhaps because he felt they wouldn't need her protection for much longer, Brennan took the chance to ask, "May it have been you who drew those monsters to us? It's strange how soon they arrived after you did."
She averted her gaze. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I have little idea how they might be connected to me"—unless they meant to carry out Leviathan's will, but it was hard to imagine how that could be—"but it is a weird coincidence. Still, I certainly didn't want that to happen. If I could've done something to avoid it, I..."
"I know it wasn't intentional on your part, seeing that you fought hard on our behalf. But since you may have caused this, intended or not, will you continue to aid us?"
"Of course I'll give you what help I can." Even if their situation hadn't possibly been brought on by her visit, seeing all these thousands deprived of their homes and in such a scared, melancholy state pained her heart. While it would be impossible to simply "correct" things for those who had lost loved ones, she wished for them to get back as close to a happy existence as they could.
"I just hope associating with you will not bring more perils."
"If that's what you think," Russ snapped, "you're welcome to do without our help."
Cart-Dragger normally had a bit of a temper too, but her guilt here dampened it. "You don't have to accept aid from me if you don't want. But you're the one who asked about it."
Brennan looked down. "We'll give you another chance. Hard for beggars to be choosers right now."
People stared from the docks of Athendar and beyond while their fleet of rowboats approached. The mayor, a mustached man with long straight hair in his forties named Jasper, arrived to gaze apprehensively at them in what looked like his bathrobe. His guards stood ahead of him with weapons drawn, as if prepared to repel an attack. "What is the meaning of this? You take a ship to Velinthe from my city, and come back with an invasion?"
She spread her arms exasperatedly. "Does this look like an invading force to you with all the children and elderly, and how few of them have weapons? Velinthe has fallen, and these people are in need of shelter." Many huddled together anxiously in their boats, desperate no doubt for someone to take them in.
"These are all the survivors of Velinthe? How many are they?"
"You and your men should do a head count," she said to Brennan. "We can help if you want."
"We'll do it ourselves. It will just cause confusion otherwise." It wasn't as if she and her friends had no organizational experience, but she deferred to him. After he and the guards finished, he announced, "There are almost exactly six thousand of us."
So nearly half the city had lost their lives. Cart-Dragger shook her head, a bitter taste like of vomit in her mouth. For all her efforts, she had let that many die... it reminded her that indeed, her reach was very limited. Some would-be protector of humanity she was. Should she even be the leader? She felt so imperfect and not really that good at it, just physically strong. That shouldn't qualify her to make decisions for others. But she was duchess, and many supported her rule. Maybe she wasn't that bad, and the inspiration she apparently gave made up for her flaws—she hoped. She did want to change the world, and that would be easier if she could continue to lead.
"Six thousand?" Jasper asked. "We can hardly allow that many refugees into our city."
"But they have to go somewhere," she said. "They won't be able to feed themselves and survive out there in the wilderness, especially not the old or weak. It's unbecoming of a leader of civilized people to ignore the suffering of fellow humans and abandon them to die."
"And if we accept them, what will happen to our own food supply? Must we starve to help these strangers who just a week ago shunned our aid?"
"I've heard a different account of that. Regardless, circumstances have changed. These folks are already used to eating less than most, I doubt they'll be as much of a burden as you fear."
"I have an idea," Scott said, having rowed up next to her. "Want to hear it?" She nodded, and he whispered into her ear. It made her hesitate for an instant, but then she decided they shouldn't be selfish and approved it. "We'll share in the cost of helping these people," he told Jasper, "if you agree to. You can keep a record of how much food and supplies they use, and we'll reimburse you half so the responsibility is divided between our cities."
"And how are we to know if we can trust you?"
Cart-Dragger answered, "If we don't hold up our end of the bargain, you'll be able to cut off your aid. So unless we aren't sincere about wanting to help, we have to do as we say or take on the entire burden ourselves."
Jasper touched his chin in thought. "Still, why not do it yourself if you're so concerned about being charitable?"
"It's a long way from here to Galantria. Some of them could make it, but those who are elderly or sick, I don't know if they can."
"Please," Brennan said clasping his hands together, "for the sake of my people I implore you to let us stay. So many of them have already lost family members, and I could not bear to see them lose more. And if you help us, we will surely repay the both of you when we can." His show of humility surprised Cart-Dragger, and she nodded.
"And where would we house six thousand newcomers, exactly?"
"We won't demand much in the way of accommodations. It would be preferable we did not have to sle
ep out in the open, but the stronger among us could make do with tents. For the children, old, and sick, I would much appreciate if you could find any kind of indoor space to spare."
The mayor of Athendar fell briefly silent. "I suppose your expectations aren't so unreasonable. However, your numbers are still problematic. How about this? Duchess, you said you would share in the costs. Why don't you share then in providing places to stay as well?"
It sounded fair, but... "Who will stay here and who will come with me?"
"Some of the refugees are unfit to travel, yes? They can stay here, along with enough others to make up half the lot, and the rest can go with you."
She glanced at Brennan to see a tense expression on his face and said what he must be thinking. "But that will separate families."
"If there are not too many infirm, those closest to them can stay with them."
Cart-Dragger didn't know how many could not travel easily, and how much of their kin would be able to remain in Athendar. She looked to Brennan again, asking with her gaze for him to share his thoughts.
"It's all right," he said. "We are in great need of help, and as such have little room to make demands. My grandmother is quite ill, so I suppose I will be staying here with her. Take care of the rest of my people, will you?"
She gave a firm nod. "I definitely will."
"Then it's settled?" Jasper still bore an annoyed look, but at least he wasn't being overly difficult. "Very well, come up on land so we can divide you up."
Brennan put on a grateful smile. "Thank you. We'll try our best not to intrude too much, and the healthier among us will do any work you deem suitable." He turned to Cart-Dragger. "Thank you too, despite our earlier misgivings. Although I must admit, I am somewhat relieved to be separating from you soon."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. The elementals might've been drawn by me, but their grudge could also be against Velinthe. If that's so, and they come after its people, Athendar may need help defending itself and you."
Russ' eyes widened at her words. "You're not thinking of staying here, are you?"
"Maybe for a while. It wouldn't be good if we left, only for another city to fall victim to monsters."
"But if they attacked Velinthe because of us, our home could be in danger!"
She swallowed, but replied, "They were sea creatures. Maybe that big one could go on land for a bit, I don't know, but I doubt the fish could reach Galantria."
"There could be other beings that serve the same master or purpose, though," Lars pointed out.
"You make a good point, but what do you suggest? Should we leave Athendar and the most vulnerable refugees to fend for themselves?"
"What if we got Abaddon to help? He might have lost to you before, but being a two hundred foot flame elemental he should make a decent ally against aquatic creatures."
But her one-time adversary turned friend, the King Elemental of Fire, was far away now. "It would take weeks to fetch him, at the least. By the time he got here, in the worst case scenario it could be too late to help. Strength is almost as good a fighter as me, or fairly close," she reminded them. "If I'm not home, Galantria would still have a formidable defender in her."
Russ frowned. "Can we trust her enough to risk her neck over it?"
"She loves battle, and has quite the sense of pride. I'm sure that confronted by such an imposing challenge, she would give it more than a solid effort."
"Even if Strength is guarding our home," Scott said, "half the refugees will still be traveling there for the next few weeks. If you're not on the road with them, then they'll be unprotected like you fear Athendar will. We aren't such strong warriors as you. Athendar is a whole city, capable of raising thousands of fighters if necessary, and isn't an unstable island like Velinthe was. Meanwhile the refugees with us will mostly be unarmed. They need you more."
Having seen the size of the tentacled beast and knowing how water elementals rapidly healed, she wasn't confident in the ability of any forces Athendar could muster to handle it. But if she had to choose, they did seem to have a better chance of defending themselves than the refugees accompanied by her friends would. "You're right. We'll go back together, and then maybe I can send Strength or someone to support Athendar."
"Or someone?" Russ asked.
Her eyes narrowed. "Like Lars proposed, maybe it's time to get Abaddon back into the fold. If we are dealing with some 'race of evil' capable of calling on forces like that, we could use all the allies we have."
Chapter 3
After splitting up the refugees, they left for Galantria with the healthier group. Brennan sent half his staff with them, including the white-haired but alert captain of his guard. Cart-Dragger hadn't bothered getting a new wagon to replace the one sunk with Velinthe, figuring she wouldn't need it just going home. Carrying the hammer on her back all day wasn't the most comfortable even with her strength though, and she began to regret it. Once they took a break, earlier than she would've liked on account of the refugees, she walked behind some tall rocks. She lifted up her tunic to find both her breasts deeply bruised, and tender to the touch. Eh... could be worse.
Just as she started to pull her shirt back down, she heard a surprised yelp and looked. Russ had walked past a nearby boulder, and now gawked at her exposed chest. "Um," she said. "If you saw me walk away from everybody, didn't you think maybe I might be relieving myself or something?"
"S-sorry! I wasn't paying attention, and only knew I had to take a piss."
She sighed. "It's fine. Not as if you've never seen those before." Her shirts weren't exactly impossible to rip in a fight.
"Are you all right?" he asked with concern. "They looked pretty bad."
"It's nothing to fuss over. You know me getting hit by a four hundred foot tentacle is like getting punched for most people. I wasn't expecting to fight enemies that big again, though. Seems I might have to bring back the long form of my hammer." After having her haft shortened to half its original length in a duel against the imperial heir Maximilian Rouge, she had left it that way thinking it'd suffice for typical foes. But a greater reach would be useful facing gargantuan beings, and she was glad to have had Mindy make her a replica of her hammer in its old size just in case.
Russ took on a fearful look. "I hope we won't have to face a thing like that at home."
"That's a hope we share." Though not as shaken at the prospect, she didn't wish to fight one in Galantria knowing the damage such a battle could cause to the city.
"It'll be a big task getting all the refugees settled in, too."
"Yeah. I don't want to make anyone sleep outside in tents if possible, so let's hope enough people will be willing to lend some indoor space."
The trek back took a full month, as even the healthy refugees couldn't keep the pace she and her friends were used to. Though she understood everybody couldn't be in peak condition, especially when they had lacked proper nutrition for years, she couldn't help feeling a tad flustered since she wanted to get back and question the God Soldiers about "the race of evil" as soon as possible. She thought about asking to go on ahead—but no, they and her friends were counting on her in case of attack and she couldn't risk endangering them so. She would just have to be patient.
They finally arrived at Galantria, whereupon she tasked the others with organizing the refugees and rushed off to find the God Soldier they had seen collapse as they departed for Velinthe. It took a little work, since the beetlelike giant had moved on to a different construction site, but she eventually did. She approached the elemental as it stacked large blocks to form the wall of a new building. "Duchess? What do you need?"
"Remember that line you said about a race of evil right before we left? Are you sure you don't know anything at all about what that meant?"
"I do not even remember saying it, much less have any notion what it means. However, there are others who experienced a similar thing that day, and you may have better luck asking one of them."
She went around qu
estioning other God Soldiers about that day almost two months ago, but most did not remember anything either. At last, however, one resembling a ten foot crested parrot with metal feathers replied in a voice like an old woman, "Ah yes, the race of evil. I remember hearing that."
Cart-Dragger's heart leapt. "Is it some old term from legends? What does it refer to?"
"I do not know." That put a damper on her anticipation. "The first time I heard it was on that day you mention. In my head, there was a voice—female it seemed, and powerful. But all she said was, like a war cry, 'the race of evil.'"
"Female, huh? Well, that's something... maybe she's the true leader of whatever force attacked Velinthe? Do you have any idea who she might be?"
"No. It was a voice unfamiliar to me, though if so many elementals heard it and no humans did, she may be related in some way to us."
"All right. Thanks for telling me what you know." If "she" was related to elementals, it seemed quite possible she had something to do with the ones encountered at Velinthe too. Cart-Dragger couldn't be sure the mysterious voice belonged to an enemy and hadn't just been trying to warn them, but her instincts told her to err on the side of caution.
She met with her advisors in the dining hall to tell them what she'd learned, and expressed the worry that what they'd seen at Velinthe might only be the tip of the iceberg. Gene seemed particularly unnerved, no doubt because of his family, while Strength grinned as at the thrill of imminent battle. Everyone else just grimly accepted the challenge they might soon face. With Strength being so keen for a fight, Cart-Dragger wondered how she would react to the suggestion she had planned.
"We're not the only city at risk," she said to the big woman. "If the people of Velinthe themselves were the monsters' target, and even if they weren't, Athendar could also be attacked. Since they don't have a champion like me, I was wondering if you would mind going there to aid in their defense?"
"It's not certain they'll suffer an attack, is it?"
"It's not certain we will either, if the enemy really is limited to the ocean or near it." She added with a wink, "Anyway, if they are attacked, you won't have to share in the glory as much since I won't be there."
