by Billy Wong
The mix of concern for her and himself he conveyed was more than understandable. It did hurt a lot, and she wouldn't be at full strength if she had to fight in the next few weeks, but, "I'll be fine. If anything, if they bring any water elementals here I'll rip the core out of one, eat it and be healed."
You should tell me of this threat you face, Maximilian's voice said. It will be useful to know for when my empire rises again.
"What the?! But didn't I just..."
You have restricted me from trying to master your body. But I can still see through your eyes and hear through your ears. Well, that wasn't pleasing to know. She took a measure of relief in that if he was asking her to inform him, he couldn't read her thoughts.
"Willow?" Scott asked anxiously. "Are you talking to him?"
"Yeah. It seems the imperial heir is with us and wants to know about our new enemies."
A period of silence passed between them. "Wait, you're not seriously thinking of humoring him, are you? He's a vile man who cares for no one but himself, and murdered our mutual friend—your best friend—along with countless others. Aren't you mortal enemies?"
She glowered to remember Maximilian's past deeds, then exhaled. "Yes, but since I can't kill him right now, we might as well make the best of a bad situation and get what help we can from him. Perhaps he knows something we don't."
"Why would that monster aid us, though?"
"He may be a monster, evil and all that," Ruth said, "but I presume he desires Cart-Dragger's body for himself. If she gets killed, he won't have what he wants, and might die as well. So it seems plausible for him to be willing to help."
Scott relented. "Fine, let's tell him the basic facts we know."
After briefing Maximilian on what had happened, he asked, They are elementals, you say? And at least one of them is huge?
Cart-Dragger replied, "What of it?"
In the legends of the empire, it was said there should always be four King Elementals, one for each element. So perhaps now that two of them have died, the earth births replacements.
That was a significant piece of knowledge, she had to admit. The villain could prove useful after all, if he didn't end up stealing her body. "But why would they be so hostile, and slaughter people this way? The old elementals didn't actively seek to attack humans, at least before your country altered them."
Maximilian chuckled. Bitterness suits you, but I assure you we have nothing to do with it this time. As to your question, I do not know.
"The tentacle beast possibly being a replacement for the previous King Elemental could at least be a decent clue. I would thank you, but I know you're contributing solely out of self-interest."
I do wish for your victory in this struggle, so that when I wear your wonderful body, I shall do it unopposed.
"Fuck you too, Maximilian." A disturbing idea passed through her mind. "I killed the last King Elemental of Water, Leviathan. If this new King Elemental has the memories of the last, might it be out for revenge? And if every King Elemental inherits memories from its predecessor, how will this ever end?"
"That would be really bad." Ruth spoke in a small voice at odds with her usual bold self. "Let's hope it isn't so."
Scott nodded grimly. "Anyway, I had the engineers prioritize fixing what imperial machines they can and salvaging weapons from the rest. Hopefully that'll boost the city's defenses enough in case of an attack."
"Not that we shouldn't do whatever we can," Cart-Dragger said, "but Galantria is probably the most well defended city already these days. I'm more worried about Athendar and any smaller towns the monsters decide to go after."
"Don't worry Willow, Lars will be back soon with Abaddon. Then you can go to Athendar and help repel the next attack there, if it hasn't been resolved by then."
"I just hope it won't be too late for a lot of people. And I doubt we'll be so lucky for it to be that easily resolved."
They tried to carry on as best they could while waiting for Lars, seeking out more information about elementals to little avail and asking around about ways to exorcise possessing spirits in their scant time off. But they got nowhere, the folk remedies they tried ineffective and often as not just making Cart-Dragger feel sick. The worst was when she swallowed a crow's liver raw, and instead of expelling Maximilian ended up expelling most of her lunch. He mocked her when such solutions failed, but otherwise showed surprising restraint in terms of bothering her. He really did want her to succeed against this current threat, if only so he could use her later. Mostly he admonished her for not being stern enough with refugees who misbehaved, demanding jail time or public floggings for minor offenses for which she was inclined just to give a warning.
Still, she felt very self-conscious when she changed clothes or performed certain other activities knowing that her nemesis could see through her eyes. Once while she cleansed her breasts during a bath, he commented, You have some torn up womanly parts. You wish to find a man and start a family someday, do you not? Do you think you ever can with those manlike hands, stumpy legs, fat stomach, and lumps of scar tissue for breasts? Also, it amuses me that your real name is Willow. Willows are tall and thin. You are not.
Though she knew he was attempting to weaken her will by making her doubt herself, what he said hit home. She had plenty of wealth and power, for the present state of the world, but her freakish physicality and well battered body might not be the most attractive to potential suitors. Still, "This isn't an age when people can afford to be so picky. I may not be perfect, but I'd think I'm good enough for someone out there. Besides, I'm good enough for you considering you call it 'my wonderful body.'"
His voice took on an annoyed tone. I meant it would be wonderful to wear, not have for a lover.
"So have you always wanted to be a girl?"
Gah... it's only because you destroyed my male body, which looked better than yours ever could.
She smirked pleasedly to herself, knowing she had won this exchange with him.
#
Days later, a letter from Strength arrived by bird. She wrote that Athendar had been attacked again by the tentacled titan, which seemed to have regrown the limbs lost to Cart-Dragger, along with an army of giant turtles, shrimp and crabs. The aquatic horde had been driven back owing largely to the heroics of Strength—according to her, though it was likely true—but not before the city suffered several hundred casualties. Cart-Dragger's blood boiled at the news. For so many to keep dying, when there was a very limited number of humans to begin with these days... this had to end. She prayed for Lars to return soon, so she could hurry to Athendar and send that overgrown squid or whatever it was to a watery grave herself.
This is rather disturbing, Maximilian said.
"Since when do you care about people?"
Remember the empire was created to bring order under a world government. Have you not taken on the role of unifier, claiming yourself the protector of humanity? We are not so different.
She scowled. "Except I don't use violence or the threat of it to strong-arm anyone who doesn't cooperate into doing so."
But violence follows you everywhere you go, can you deny that? Even if it is not your goal, if the results are the same, is there truly a difference?
"There is a difference between being the aggressor or the defender."
Yes, but if one can prevent great future violence with lesser violence in the present, is that not worthy?
"Well..."
Is that not what you intend with your desire to take the fight to the elementals and stop the attacks at their source? Isn't it what you've done many times fighting against those you deem wrong?
The fiend could be right sometimes, which irked her. "Yes, sometimes it's warranted to act decisively to prevent evils. But I just go after those who have already done harm. Your empire tried to bully other countries that never attacked you, just to put them under 'better' rule."
Those that opposed unification promoted strife without end. What nation hasn't been inv
olved in countless wars? The existence of multiple sovereignties by definition supports the continuation of mass slaughter. If civilization came together under one banner, how much waste of lives would be avoided?
Hearing his argument like this, she couldn't help but see his point of view. If humanity could actually be united, and stay united, how would that not be a change for the better? Yet, "It may not be terrible as an idea, but can anybody really execute it? Your people certainly weren't qualified, given they wound up almost destroying the world."
The world has become a much smaller place. Even if my predecessors made mistakes in going about it, perhaps it could be done more easily now.
"No matter what you say, I'd hardly give the man who murdered my best friend in cold blood a chance to rule, much less offer up my body for him."
I would not expect you to. But I know you will think about what I said, and may someday realize what is needed for true peace.
"You think a forced peace is one that will last? You keep your shortsighted notions to yourself. I'm less likely to be convinced by them, than tempted to go inside my head and beat you up again." Yet she acknowledged that sometimes, when people were unreasonable enough, she felt an urge to act more like him. Perhaps he didn't expect her to fully embrace his stance, so much as hoped for her to waver and lose some of the conviction that, as much as her strength, made her her. She smiled. He would have to do better than that.
Not a week after she received Strength's letter, Cart-Dragger got word a group of weary-looking people of foreign appearance were at the gate, claiming to be refugees from some place whose name the guard no doubt badly mangled. She sighed. Just how much had to be put on her plate at once? She would've had Ruth meet them with her since she was her main assistant in refugee affairs, but figured that foreigners might feel more at ease with a male presence around. Thus she had Russ accompany her instead, as Maximilian in her head didn't really count.
Seeing the group huddled before the city entrance, she counted about forty in all, mixed men, women and children with brown skin wearing loose, heavy-looking fabrics and decorative beads worn in a variety of ways. They seemed fittingly dusty and haggard for refugees from afar, but then most looked like that after traveling any distance nowadays. "Greetings," she said, "I am the Duchess Willow, ruler of this city, and this is my captain of the guard."
Russ waved. "Hello, I'm Russ. Welcome to our beautiful city."
She raised a brow at his interruption, then continued, "To whom do I speak, and where do you hail from?"
A white-bearded man with deep wrinkles at their front bowed his head. "I am Obo, the head of my humble clan, and we come from the southeastern continent where a terrible war rages between what is left of mankind and elemental beasts." Cart-Dragger started, and she heard Russ inhale sharply beside her. So this wasn't contained to their region, but happened around the world... "While most of our neighbors fled to nearby villages, I and my wives judged that nowhere close to our destroyed home would be safe for long, and one of my sons had heard whispers of a wondrous land called Galantria which might yet stand against the most dreadful of foes—whose champion is the strongest human to ever walk the earth, and whose hammer can smash even demigods. So we journeyed here in hopes that Galantria, city of glories, would grant us shelter."
She laughed, making Obo and the three old women she took to be his wives blink in surprise. It wasn't that much of an outburst, so maybe they were used to leaders being unfailingly serious while conducting their business. "Strongest to ever walk the earth, eh? I haven't lived through all of history to be sure of that, but I daresay our champion's pretty strong."
One of his wives turned her gaze on Russ. "Is that him? He looks strong enough, if softer than expected."
"Nope." She pointed a thumb over her shoulder at the hammer jutting up from her back. "The champion of Galantria is also its ruler."
"A woman?" another of Obo's wives whispered. "But that weapon is massive—she must have immense strength just to carry it as easily as she does."
How boring it is to watch you gloat about your prowess, Maximilian said.
"It's not like you didn't flaunt your status as the 'greatest warrior in the world' before I proved that definitively wrong."
If they had seemed surprised before, the foreigners looked downright baffled now. They probably thought her crazy talking to herself... "Sorry, I was simply communicating with someone through magical means."
"An ally who is also a great warrior?" Obo asked. "That would be reassuring, to be watched over by such mighty champions."
He wasn't exactly an ally or a viable warrior at the moment for that matter. "I'd hope we would have more than one solid fighter. Besides me, we have many stout allies, human and not alike." Since she'd been testing their reaction, she was glad to see they didn't show much unease at that. "We already have thousands of people from a destroyed city taking shelter here though, since your side of the world isn't the only one with such problems. I guess it's a good thing there aren't that many of you, so adding you won't be a horrendous burden."
Wait. Do you not find it suspicious that there are so few of them, when they claim to be fleeing from disaster?
Not wanting to look like she talked to herself again, Cart-Dragger said, "Excuse me, I need to have a word with my acquaintance. Russ can answer your questions about the city until I'm finished." She turned and walked a few strides away. "Are you trying to make me feel bad by turning them away? Being one clan explains their small numbers, and they're human." Maximilian didn't respond, as if to make her mull over what she'd said. Now that she thought about it, the empire itself had consisted of humans who manipulated elementals to do their bidding. "They have children and elderly with them. It seems like a lot of trouble for the sake of perfect believability."
We do not know the lengths the enemy will go to in order to deceive us. Perhaps the land they come from has already been conquered by our foes, and they are being forced to act in their masters' interests. If we allow them into our city, it will make it easier for them to get a sense of our strengths and weaknesses.
She rolled her eyes at his use of our. "Bit pretentious speaking like you're a member of the team." But dammit, he did have a point. "What do you suggest we do? If they are legitimate refugees, turning them away after they came so far would be rather heartless."
Why don't you offer to set up a camp outside the walls? Then we can observe their reactions. If they are truly fleeing from grave peril, they should still appreciate the food, water and medical assistance you would provide them. If they came intending to spy on us, however, their discontent will soon be evident.
She thought some people might not be happy being denied entry in spite of other charity she might offer. Still, they shouldn't suffer much harm if she gave them waterproof tents along with the amenities Maximilian proposed. Should they turn out to be spies, it probably wouldn't take long before one of them got impatient and revealed themselves. "That isn't a bad plan, although I might have thought of something like it a bit later. Still, you did warn me of potential treachery before I really considered it. I could get used to an advisor riding around inside my skull, if you weren't evil."
I am not evil. Your perception of good and evil is overly rigid and simplistic. I am merely a man with a better outlook on what is acceptable in exchange for order.
"Order, smorder. Order is overrated, you should take the compliment I gave your plan and shut up." She returned to Russ' side and shared Maximilian's advice with him. "What do you think, is it too callous or does the would-be tyrant have the right idea?"
After some deliberation, Russ said, "It seems he has a point. We didn't see these people lose their homes like we did at Velinthe, so their story has to be taken with a grain of salt."
"I was kind of hoping you would have a good argument against him, since I lean towards his view as well. But if we're all in agreement, we'll err on the side of caution."
As she accompanied him to instruc
t the guards on how to set up the camp, however, she wondered if this was what Jen would have done. She probably would've placed her trust in such pitiable seeming folk, and Cart-Dragger felt inclined to believe them too. Yet looking at the big picture, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Late that afternoon, Mindy stormed into her office. "After coming so far, you're making them stay outside the city?" she asked with brawny arms disapprovingly crossed. "They have kids with them, for heaven's sake."
"I made sure to get them good tents."
"Who gave you this idea anyway? Was it by any chance your new friend in your head?"
Cart-Dragger spread her hands in exasperation. "He's not my friend! He did suggest it, but it makes sense. How can we know these people aren't spies for the enemy?"
"We can't know there aren't spies among those from Velinthe, or otherwise amidst us already."
"Well, that's true. Still, they're more suspicious I think..."
The ones who fled Velinthe could not have known they would be taken in by you. So it is much less probable spies were planted there with the goal of infiltrating Galantria.
She shared Maximilian's reasoning with Mindy, a tad disconcerted how often she found herself agreeing with him. "And while it's possible they've turned some of our citizens to their side, that seems fairly unlikely unless the enemy has humans in their ranks."
"You make a good point. Still, it puts a bad taste in my mouth to punish the young ones for their elders' potential wrongdoing."
"Maybe you could go and take some time to tell them stories and make them feel welcome." While Mindy was pretty busy as head blacksmith, she did have a knack with kids and probably wouldn't mind.
"I think I will. If the ruler of Galantria won't be an accommodating host, one of its ministers should at least try to be. I hope this will be resolved soon so we don't have to keep giving those people a hard time."
She'd be glad to have it resolved for more reasons than that, but thinking of the other continent made her doubt even more that would be soon. Despite believing she had made the right decision about the new refugees, Cart-Dragger couldn't help but continue to feel a little bad about it. At dinner that night, Russ noticed her eating more slowly than normal and without zest. "Is something wrong? Your appetite doesn't appear its usual self."
