Defenders of the Realm

by Dave Willmarth

  Geb shook his head. “I can still sense demons nearby.”

  Alexander nodded. “There may still be some at their camp. And about a hundred of them escaped the battle and are running around down below. They’re being hunted now. I’ll take a group to their camp and-”

  “No.” Barin interrupted him. One of us will remain here with the Guardian. “The rest will deal with whatever demons remain at their camp.”

  The threat in his voice almost made Alexander feel sorry for the demons. But he grinned at Barin “No Mercy.”

  He watched as all but one of the dragon’s disappeared. Geb raised a block of his own and sat across from Alexander. “You have done well, young one. I have a gift for you.”

  He held out a hand, palm facing downward, and closed his eyes. The stone below his hand began to glow. A moment later a red gem emerged from the stone and floated upward into Geb’s grasp. He turned his hand over and held it out to Alexander. Upon his palm sat a ruby about the size of a walnut. It pulsed in rhythm with the node in the floor nearby.

  “This is a small portion of my node. It contains great power. But that power is not for you to use. At least, not yet. You may learn to do so eventually. For now, it will allow you to communicate with me over great distance.”

  Alexander accepted the stone and gazed into its depths. The interior swirled as if it were liquid. “Thank you, Ancient One.” He bowed his head. “I will only use this in the most dire of emergencies.”

  “Nonsense!” Geb admonished him. “It gets lonely down here. You call on me anytime you like. Need advice on how to impress the ladies? I’m your man!” The Guardian winked at him.

  Alexander couldn’t help but laugh. “I might just do that. My girlfriend seems to relish the idea of killing me.”

  Thanking Geb once more, they said their goodbyes and Alexander teleported himself back to the spot he’d left. The bodies of the dead had been removed and placed around the altar, which had somehow survived the undead dragon and Kai’s wrath as well. Father Alric was draping the bodies with white sheets. There would be a service that evening and the bodies would be burned.

  The looting was finished, and most of the demon hunters had returned. Between the groups that had reported in, they had accounted for more than seventy dead demons in the forest. Alexander took it all in, then asked, “Jeeves, how many invaders remain in our lands?”

  “There are none currently within my area of detection. However, several were still alive and running southeastward when they left my sensor range. I counted eleven in total.”

  “Alright, thank you Jeeves. Please alert us instantly if any of them return. Or if you detect any on the plateau.”

  “Of course, Alexander. That goes without saying.” Jeeves’ monotone voice managed to sound slightly offended.

  “I need to go warn Stormforge.” Finding Silverbeard near him he called out. “Master Silverbeard, please send someone to Broken Mountain to inform them of what happened. And tell Thalgrin how many of his people I’ve gotten killed.” Before Silverbeard could respond, he teleported himself to the palace at Stormforge.

  The guards on duty there saw the blood and gore that spattered Alexander’s gear and hurried ahead to find Captain Redmond and the King as Alexander made his way inside. He was directed to the king’s study, where he found both the king and queen, as well as Edward and the Captain.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, your Majesty.” Alexander bowed respectfully.

  “Nonsense! Come in Alexander! You are always welcome here. And you look as if you’ve had a rough day.”

  Alexander joined them and was directed to a chair. The queen sent servants for food and drink, and they all listened intently as Alexander related the events of the day. When he reached the end, he said. “... And eleven of the demons escaped into the forest. They were fleeing in this direction.”

  Charles gave his head a good scratching, and sent a significant look at Captain Redmond, who quickly left the room to issue orders. The watch would be doubled, as would the lookouts on the wall.

  “Thank you for the warning, Alexander. And for taking care of so many demons. I hate to think about how we would have fared against such an army. We of course all received the same World War quest from the dragons that you did. That is what we were discussing when you arrived.”

  “Our hunters are in the woods and will try to eliminate them before they reach you.” Alexander assured the royal family.

  Edward chimed in. “I hope they reach the gates. My men could use some practice with those light cannons!”

  The queen placed a hand on her son’s arm to quiet him. “Alexander, you’ve had a long day. Thank you for the warning. Now go home and get some rest.”

  Alexander didn’t argue. He teleported himself back to the keep. As soon as he arrived, Jeeves informed him he had a message. “Princess Lia has requested your presence in her roost, Alexander. Several times. Most emphatically.”

  With a resigned shrug and a sigh, Alexander teleported himself up to the ledge outside Kai and Lia’s home. He called “Lady Lia? You wanted to see me?”

  “Yes! Come in, Alexander. I must speak with you.”

  Alexander walked behind the waterfall and into the main chamber of the roost. Lia was sitting there in dragon form, filling the depression in the center of the room. Alexander knew that beneath her was a clutch of dragon eggs. “How can I help you, my lady?”

  “You can tell me where my mate disappeared to!” she replied, her voice terse.

  “I’m sorry, Lady Lia. There was a battle down below…” He told her the story, ending with Kai’s words about going to see the Dragon King. Lia’s head drooped to the floor and there were crystalline tears trailing down her scaled snout.

  “Poor little Daginalistros. To be killed so young, and then have your corpse used so…” she drifted off. Alexander was eyeing the floor beneath her head. The tears had not puddled, but had become solid. Little crystals scattered about like diamonds.

  “Lady Lia… if you wouldn’t mind, could I gather some of those tears there?” He pointed to the floor. “I think Sasha would love to see if they might have some healing property or other alchemical use.”

  “What? Tears? Oh. Of course, Alexander. Help yourself. There will indeed be magic in them. Though I’ve never heard of them being used that way. Most humans think they will grant wishes.” She answered absently.

  Alexander produced a few empty vials and filled them with dragon’s tears. As he worked, Lia muttered to herself. Finally she spoke again “My children will hatch soon. Sooner than expected. I think it is this place.”

  “This place?” Alexander asked, pausing to look up at the dragoness.

  “The concentration of magic here. Divine magic. I… I feel that my hatchlings will be different. Though I cannot quite fathom how. Yet.”

  “Well it is my experience that every mother believes her children to be special.” He winked at the dragon, who was not amused. “But I for one hope that your hatchlings are indeed special. Maybe you will be the mother of a whole new breed of dragons. They might be… smarter. Or larger and more powerful. Or born with both dragon magic and divine. Or all of the above!”

  Catering to the dragon princess’s vanity seemed to be working. She stopped fidgeting and lowered her head onto her forelegs, which were crossed in front of her. She closed her eyes slowly, saying “Yes… that would be wonderful…” and just like that she seemed to be asleep.

  Not quite sure, Alexander resumed gathering the tears. When he had them all, he moved back toward the exit. Whispering “Sleep well, Lady Lia” he left the roost and teleported himself back to the keep.

  He found Silverbeard there waiting for him. “King Thalgrin wishes to visit this evening to honor the dead. He will arrive at sunset.” The old dwarf informed him.

  “Thank you Master Silverbeard. I shall apologize to him in person for losing so many of his soldiers.”

  “Ye’ll do no such thing!” Silverbeard grabbed Alexa
nder by the elbow and led him to a quiet corner. “They be dwarves. Dwarves live fer the glory o’ battle. An honorable death in battle be every dwarf’s hope. Don’t be takin away from that honor with yer self-pity and doubt. Thank the king fer helpin ye, and thank the dead fer their sacrifice. But don’t ye be apologizing!”

  Alexander accepted the rebuke quietly, though it stung him badly. This NPC had basically just told him to grow a pair and behave like a proper king... He was right. Which annoyed Alexander even more. Still, he knew it was said with good intentions, and in his own best interests. So he gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. When he let it out, he said, “Thank you, Master Silverbeard. You are correct, as usual.”

  The ancient dwarf nodded once and stomped away. Captain Taylor appeared next, unable or unwilling to meet Alexander’s eyes as he approached. Alexander took the initiative. “Out with it, Captain. What’s the bad news.”

  “Well, sir. You know that we’ve lost several guards in the recent battles. Jenkins whole squad at the bridge, and more here today. The truth is… we’re running low on human guards. And we could use more dwarves as well. Honestly, anyone else willing to heft a shield and sword and stand a watch.”

  Alexander nodded his head. “Gather the captains and we’ll meet in the great hall to discuss this. I’m not sure what the solution is. Antalia has too few to spare us any. And we’ve already recruited so many from Stormforge…”

  “Aye, sir. I’ll gather everyone.” Taylor saluted with fist to chest and departed.

  Behind Taylor came the minotaurs. Alexander waved at them. “I’m sorry for the delay. I can take you back to your people now if you’d like.” He stepped close and teleported them first to the garrison tower, then north a few hops to their tower just north of the forest.

  Upon arrival, Alexander said “I hope you will consider my offer. I think your people would be a welcome addition to our lands.”

  Molgo nodded his great bull’s head. “We will tell our people, and the orcs, of this valiant battle. And of your people. The way so many races live in harmony.”

  Dawn elbowed him in the ribs and snorted. Molgo looked sidelong at her, then cleared his throat. “We wish to ask… I am not a king. Nor was I built to rule. I am a warrior. I lead my people in battle. But I have no gift for the everyday problems of food and trade.” He paused awkwardly, and Dawn threatened to poke him again.

  “If you would have us, my tribe would like to join with your kingdom. We need a ruler who can help my people prosper. And to be blunt, you need warriors. We can help each other.” He paused, seeming anxious. Then he added defensively “It was Dawn’s idea!”

  Alexander had to strain not to smile at that last bit. It seemed he wasn’t the only one led around by the nose by the women in his life. “We would be honored to accept Molgo’s tribe as fellow Elysians. I must attend to honoring our dead at the keep, so I must go. But I’ll return and we can discuss the details.” He looked around. “And what of the orcs?”

  Dawn spoke before Molgo could even open his mouth. “They have no single leader. I will gather them and speak to them of you and your people. I believe they will not wish to have a ruler so soon after being freed from the warlord. But we shall see.”

  “Fair enough, Dawn. And if it will help any, please tell them that I am king mostly in name only. I have a group of ministers who help me make important decisions. You and Molgo will become two of those ministers. And I would expect at least one from the orcs as well, should they choose to join us.”

  With a final wave, he teleported himself away. He stopped at the village he’d promised to the minotaurs. “Jeeves?”

  “Yes, Alexander? How can I be of service?”

  “There will be minotaurs, and possibly orcs, moving into the two villages. I don’t think we have enough buildings. How long would it take you to build a few longhouses to be used as short-term barracks? Two in each village?”

  “Half of one day for each longhouse, Alexander. A full day each if they are two-story.”

  “Interesting idea. Okay please build a single-story longhouse at each village. When they are complete, build a two-story at each village. When they no longer need them for housing, they can turn them into storage houses.”

  “This will significantly deplete my reserves of stone, Alexander.”

  “Ah, well then let us find you some more. I don’t need an expansion at the keep just now. So how about… create an underground space under each village by taking the stone from there. Can you do that?”

  “Certainly. Would you like the underground space to take any particular form?”

  “Yes. Create a stairway leading down but do not connect it to the surface. Place it under the longhouse. Let the stairway descend… twenty feet. Then create a large round room with a water source and bathroom facilities. As large as you need it to be in order to generate enough stone resources.”

  “It shall be done, Alexander. The two smaller structures will be complete by this time tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Jeeves.”

  Alexander teleported himself back to the keep. Heading into the great hall, he found his four captains waiting for him. Jenkins and Taylor, and the dwarven captains Garlin and Borin. He motioned for them to sit and joined them at a long table.

  “This meeting may not be necessary now. We were going to speak about how to recruit more guards from among your people to replace those that have given their lives for us. But Molgo and Dawn, the minotaurs who stood with me during the battle today, have just asked to join us. They have at least five hundred warriors that I’ve seen, and maybe more. Along with a much larger number of civilians.”

  “Sweet Durin’s manhammer!” Borin whispered. “Five hunnerd minotaurs? Ye could smash through an army o’ cavalry with half that many!” His grin showed his clear approval.

  Garlin said “Still, I’d feel better if we at least replaced them that we lost with some o’ our own.”

  Jenkins nodded his head. “We’re down two full squads of the volunteers from Stormforge. Taylor and I know some lads who’d happily join us. Lads with families that couldn’t bring them along. If you think it’s safe enough now…”

  Alexander thought it over. He looked first at Taylor. “Go speak with Captain Redmond. If he feels he can spare the men you have in mind, they are welcome here. I think we have strong enough defenses, and safe places to retreat to, that we can risk families living among us.”

  Next he looked at Garlin. “Garlin you do the same with King Thalgrin. We’ll welcome any of the dwarves who wish to come. Including any of those who fought with us today and wish to stay.”

  Getting up he began to pace around. “We’ll need to up our food production, but with the minotaurs being willing to farm, and the increased growth rate of our crops down here…”

  Looking up at all four of them he said “Spread the word. Any of our people who left family behind when they volunteered may bring them here. Within limits. Let’s say two generations at most for now. That may change as our food production stabilizes and we’re sure we can feed everyone. We don’t have housing for a flood of new citizens yet, so we’ll bring… let’s say ten families per week from each city. And we’ll arrange for regular weekly portals so that families can visit if they do not wish to join us full time.”

  An idea struck him that he wanted to talk to Silverbeard about. “Any questions, captains?”

  The four soldiers hopped to their feet and saluted. “No questions, Sire!” they said in unison and quickly departed before he could object to the term.

  Shaking his head he followed them out and went to Silverbeard’s office. He told the old chancellor about the minotaurs and orcs, and about his plan to allow families into Elysia.

  “It be about time!” Silverbeard thumped his hand on his desk. “I understand yer need to be careful, and yer wantin’ ta protect yer people. But this place be as sound a fortress as any I’ve see’d above ground. And ye canno’ keep it as a military camp indefinitely
. Lola and meself will begin preparations. Ye’ll need to take me with ye when ye return to the minotaurs.”

  “Of course. I’d never try to manage that without you. Now, I had an idea. Since you mentioned protection. We don’t have a lot of space available inside the keep. And with families here, we’re going to need things like shops, restaurants, a school…”

  Silverbeard interjected. “Ye want build another wall? Expand the keep out to make room?”

  Alexander shook his head. “Just the opposite. I was hoping to use the expertise of the dwarves among us to build ourselves a dwarven city inside the mountain. Only… with taller doors and ceilings.” He grinned as Silverbeard snorted.

  “Aye, I see yer meanin’. If the walls be breached, there’ll be room inside for all. And food, and other stores too.”

  “Jeeves can do all of the heavy lifting, removing stone as you need it. And we can use the stone to build other things. Increase the size of the villages. Make stone farmhouses and corrals outside the walls. Build another bridge over the river. Or make roads to Stormforge and Broken mountain!”

  Alexander was getting excited over the possibilities opening up to them. He could build an actual working kingdom! And how much easier would it be for his foundation to help people rebuild themselves through immersion if he could offer them an entire kingdom’s resources? Safe places to practice walking and running, guards to escort them on noob quests. Safe mines and fields and shops to practice professions or crafting. The idea sent a thrill through him.

  Silverbeard brought him out of his reverie. “We’ll get started on all that. But now ye need to honor them that give’d their lives today.” He rose from his desk and led Alexander out of the office. Outside, the sun was making its way toward the horizon. Sunset was still a ways away, but he could see his people making their way out the gate toward the battle site. Jules joined him from out of nowhere and took his hand.

  “Do you just stealth around till you find me and then appear?” he teased.

  “Pretty much, yeah.” She said with a totally straight face as she squeezed his hand.