by Eric Vall
I nodded. “This storm stretches across the tunnels. Something’s going on with the weather. The Defenders up north didn’t sense magery in it, but I’ve got a feeling all hell’s about to break loose. I don’t think we’re in for a long wait out here.”
“The storm’s only across the tunnels?” Urn asked with concern.
“Yeah, and it’s freezing out our northern platoons,” I muttered. “I stopped by the Master’s fortress, and it looks like no one’s been there for days, too. Dorinick said a few possessed mages showed up at Rausch Loch not long before Aurora arrived, and that’s around the time the storm hit. Have you had any scouts here?”
“Not that we have seen,” Rhys replied, “but it was difficult to get everyone situated, so there is a chance something could have gone unnoticed.”
“Shit,” I said as I eyed the deep blue canopy. “I better get to the next tunnel. Has Shoshanne been through here yet?”
“No, but we started on a workspace for her,” Urn assured me. “We’ve got a hut built about forty yards from here, and two elves standing guard at the entrance. Rhys mentioned we might have trouble from some elves named Aelin?”
“From House Aelin,” I corrected as I glanced at Rhys. “Have you had a run in?”
“Two troops crossed our path on the way here,” the green-haired elf replied. “Dragir’s warriors held them off, but he said a third of them lived to break away. Aeris claimed this part of the jungle a few weeks ago, but it belonged to House Ceres before they fell to the Master.”
“Do you think he’d send out a troop?” I asked.
“Yes,” Rhys said without hesitation. “I expect them within an hour or so, but it is of no consequence.”
“Well, warn our soldiers anyways, because they won’t be expecting to be ambushed in the middle of their own ambush,” I muttered. “Hopefully, Aeris doesn’t get wind of the fact there’s a troop of mages here with my name stamped on their chests.”
“He will,” Rhys snorted and grinned without remorse. “You should have seen the look on his warrior’s faces when they saw the ogres and dwarves among them. I imagine he will declare war against us all within the week after a scene like that.”
“Excellent,” I mumbled. “That’s not the news I needed today.”
Urn sighed as rain dripped from the corners of his moustache, and the two of us exchanged an exhausted glance before I turned away.
“Keep a close watch for those scouts I mentioned,” I said before I ducked into the ferns.
“Yes, sir,” Urn called after me.
The idea of having to deal with an Elite army in the middle of all this made the muscles in my shoulders bunch with tension, and the constant deluge of rain drenching me to the bone didn’t help, either. It was nearly nightfall in the jungle, and with the storm continuing to build, it would get more difficult to pick up on an incoming attack if more elves showed up. At least my troops had made it here in one piece, though, and with Urn and Rhys working well together, there was a better chance of our troops coordinating well enough to handle whatever showed up. Possessed or not.
So, I focused on this win as Rammstein brought us up into an angry looking sky, and lightning jolted through the clouds above my head as I bent low against the steel dragon. The rain was coming in sideways as we dove into the canopy again to slam our way through the undergrowth, and after I slopped my way through the muck and ferns, I came to the next tunnel to find the tension was even more taut at this post.
Then I saw Kurna had gotten paired up with Dragir, and I cringed a little for the mage’s sake. Kurna looked ready to light the elf on fire while Dragir was completely oblivious beside him, and the ogre who was gnawing on a raw lizard nearby didn’t seem to improve the mood any.
“Ahh, my dear friend.” Dragir grinned as I came through the ferns.
“Hey, man,” I chuckled with some surprise, but then I realized he had his eyes on the metal dragon beyond the ferns.
“Have you brought young Dragir to assist me in slaughtering this army?” the elf asked.
“His name is not young Dragir,” I sighed. “It’s Rammstein, and he’s with me for this attack.”
The elf looked affronted. “That does not seem at all fitting. I gave him his powers. He should bear my name.”
“I’m not arguing with you about my dragon right now,” I informed the elf. “Are you guys doing alright out here?”
Even in the dim light, I could tell Kurna was leveling me with a hard stare, and Dragir cocked his brow at the mage.
“Yes, we are prepared,” the silver-haired elf told me. “You could have sent me a less rude general, but… ”
“One more word,” Kurna growled in an ominously low voice.
“What did I do?” Dragir snorted. “You are rude. This is a fact. I say hello, you tell me to eat shit. I say this is how we should arrange our troops, and you tell me--”
“Kurna,” I cut in, “drop the attitude. I told you in Falmount to get over it, and I’m not repeating myself again.”
The brawny mage ground his jaw as his eyes shot daggers at Dragir.
“Have I battled you before?” the elf checked.
“No, you slept with the spice lady,” I sighed. “Kurna’s been… interested in the woman for some time now.”
“Ahh, this makes more sense.” Dragir smirked like he was picturing the spice lady’s best features in his mind, and he didn’t mask his appreciation as he turned to Kurna. “She is a highly erotic woman. You should pursue her further. As a tip, if you lock her legs up near her head while you penetrate her at an upward angle, she makes a noise like sphynxes in mating season and climaxes almost immediately. It is impressive.”
I lunged just in time to catch Kurna’s fist before it reached Dragir’s jaw, and the Bom beside us immediately cocked his rifle as he turned our way. Then Kurna shoved me away and stormed into the ferns, and I tried not to chuckle at the way he slipped all over the mud as he went.
“Maybe ease up on the details,” I muttered to Dragir.
The elf shrugged. “I thought it was good advice. She does sound exactly like--”
“So, you’re good?” I interrupted.
“Yes, we have discussed the dangers of the jungles with your troops and dispersed them to our advantage,” Dragir assured me. “I was able to kill thirteen warriors of House Aelin on the way here, but my fledglings are getting impatient for more action. I do not think they will attack the others, but it would be better if they were allowed to go after an ogre or two.”
I furrowed my brow as I eyed the few soldiers within my line of sight. “Which ones are the fledglings?”
Dragir pointed up beyond my shoulder, and I squinted against the rain as I looked toward the branches. Then I jumped back as a pair of serpentine eyes flashed from the shadows of the trees, and I could make out a ragged young elf perched like a tiger against the trunk.
I couldn’t tell if it was a male or female from how muddy its face and clothes were, but it took quick and shallow breaths as it clutched a Halcyan dagger in each hand, and its serpentine eyes locked on me like I was its prey.
“Holy shit,” I muttered as I registered how feral the elven fledglings really were. “How old is that kid?”
“Eight,” Dragir said with a proud grin. “This one is the least controllable, but she is holding out. If it becomes an issue, I will send her to fight the beasts in the jungle, but like I said, it would be best if I could use an ogre or two. Larger prey exerts the young energy well.”
“No, you may not use the ogres,” I informed the elf. “I’m gonna go check on the last tunnel, but this storm will be picking up steam pretty soon, and I need you to get an area set up for Shoshanne to work.”
“Yes, the rude mage has addressed this,” Dragir assured me.
“Great, maybe just call him General Kurna, though,” I suggested. “Might help ease the tension.”
Dragir shrugged noncommittally before I headed into the ferns, but I turned back as I conside
red the mangy elf in the trees again.
“Hey, uh… about these younger warriors,” I said above the pounding of the rain. “If they get branded in this fight--”
“This will not be an issue,” Dragir hollered back. “They are too fast to catch.”
I wasn’t so sure about this as I nodded and continued on my way, but a loud crack of thunder broke out above as I got to Rammstein, and the metal dragon let out a low growl as he eyed the dimming trees.
“I know, buddy, I don’t like the way things are turning out, either,” I muttered. “Let’s stay on track and get to our last stop. Then we’ll fly back south. They’re probably getting hammered down in Illaria now that the wind’s picked up, and we need to warn them about the scouts.”
It only took another short flight to reach the tunnel deep in the middle of the Nalnoran jungle, and the trees grew denser in these parts while the ferns towered higher than the other posts we’d been to. Snakes and bugs the size of my hand were dropping from the treetops as the trunks swayed ominously, and my Defenders were sitting in a foot of mud while they waited for the Master’s forces.
The elves at this tunnel were arguing with two of Grot’s women with their swords drawn, though, and I jogged through the undergrowth as I heard Haragh trying to break things up.
“Hey!” I hollered as I came barreling across the mud, and the elves immediately stepped back when they saw me. “What the hell is going on?”
“Grot’s off huntin’ for his kill,” Haragh seethed as he took a few steadying breaths, and I could tell he’d been dealing with the issue for a while now. “His women think ogre rules apply out here, but I told ‘em they’re not in charge of this lot whether Grot’s here or not! I am, and these elves are actin’ like they don’t understand a damn word I’m sayin’, which ain’t helpin’ sort it out!”
“They might not understand you,” I pointed out as I glanced at the seven warriors beside us, but then a grin twitched at the corners of one of their mouths, and I narrowed my eyes. “Alright, cut the shit. General Haragh’s in charge, and I’m not above turning my machines on all of you to get that point across.”
The elves eyed my automatons without concern even though the barrel of their rifles were aimed right at them, and I realized they had no idea what the AR-15s were capable of since they’d come here from House Quyn.
“Here,” I said with a wave of my hand. “This might clarify my meaning.”
The nearest Bom instantly picked up on my order and whipped around to fire into the trees. Despite the gathering darkness, he struck four lizards down in quick succession as they dropped from the canopy, and when I turned back to the elves, they were gaping as rain streamed down their faces.
“Everyone understand who’s in charge?” I checked.
The warriors immediately stepped back and sheathed their swords, and even Grot’s women settled for glaring at the mud instead of roaring their asses off.
Then Haragh grabbed me by my armor and hauled me aside, and when he finally released me, he was still fuming.
“Ye’ could’ve told me what the hell I was walkin’ into out here,” the half-ogre growled.
“I know the jungle’s not the friendliest place, but it’s--”
“Not the damn jungle,” Haragh cut in, and he straightened up as he locked his jaw.
Then he tried to point above him without anyone seeing his hand move, and I furrowed my brow as I looked up. I jumped a foot when I found another fledgling lurking just above our heads, and this one had blood splattered up its gangly arms as it let out a low snarl. Its purple eyes flashed in the lightning to make it even more jarring to look at, and the way it kept dipping its head low to sniff out Haragh was unnerving to say the least.
“Okay, that’s called a fledgling, and I know,” I admitted. “They’re a little creepy, but Dragir told me--”
“It fuckin’ bit me,” Haragh hissed, and he raised his palm to expose a chunk of missing flesh that was oozing yellow puss. “The damn thing’s festerin’, too. Am I gonna get some kind of disease from that little bastard?”
“I have no idea,” I muttered as I eyed the gouge, “but you’ve got this, alright? It won’t be long now, I can feel it, and at least you’re not freezing your balls off in Orebane. They’ve got fifty mile an hour winds and a hell of a blizzard sitting on top of them.”
A black snake with a body as thick as my forearm dropped onto Haragh’s shoulder as if on cue, and the half-ogre took a deep breath before he hurled it against a tree trunk with a furious roar.
I raised my eyebrows. “You alright?”
“Sure,” Haragh muttered through gritted teeth. “Take these fuckin’ fledglings out of my platoon, though. I never asked for a bunch of ragged elf-goblins.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but Dragir said they’re the strongest fighters. Just… hold on.” I turned toward the fledgling creeping in the trees, and I swallowed hard as I noticed the young elf had chiseled bones sticking through the tips of its ears. “Hey, uh… little elf. No biting, alright? Dragir’s orders. I don’t want to have to--”
Haragh and I staggered back as the fledgling parted its jaws, and it let out a maniacal screech that sliced through my soul. Then it tore a chunk of its own hair out and chucked it at us as it screeched some more, and I shoved Haragh several feet away while the elven warriors around us chuckled proudly.
“Good boy, yes?” one of them said with a grin.
I just looked away, and I found Haragh wide-eyed beside me.
“There’s only twenty-five of them,” I tried. “That’s not bad.”
“Oh, sure,” Haragh snorted. “Not bad at all. Keep in mind, though, you’ll be raisin’ one soon enough. Ye’ realize that, right?”
I honestly hadn’t even considered that yet, but as I eyed the flashing serpentine eyes between the leaves, I was suddenly terrified to meet my first child.
What if it came out as wild as a fledgling with mage powers and Deya’s habit of sneaking around? I’d end up getting mauled by my own offspring for getting up to take a piss in the middle of the night.
“I gotta go,” I abruptly announced. “Uh… good luck out here, and--”
“Ohhh, no,” Haragh countered. “Yer not leavin’ me out here with this lot.”
“Dude, you’re a general now, you’ve got this,” I assured him as I beelined for the ferns. “I’ll be back later once I’ve made the rounds. Make sure you’ve got a healing area arranged and--”
“Don’t you dare get back on that dragon,” Haragh warned as he dogged after me, and I quickly dove straight through a fern to shake him off my trail.
“I’ll be back!” I hollered over my shoulder.
Then I sprinted into the jungle as wet fronds slapped me across the face, but anything was better than imagining the feral baby I’d be raising in a few short months. I’d assumed my kids would be a little unruly given who their mothers were, but no one warned me about psycho-murder-elven-kids.
I’d heard not a damned word about them until the last couple days, and I wondered if Deya had been anything like these fledglings when she was a young girl. Part of me didn’t want to know, though, and I ignored Stan’s tapping at my neck as I made it back to Rammstein.
“It’ll be fine,” I told the dragon even though he had no idea what I was panicking over, and I was halfway up his frame when I heard the same fledgling let out a ravenous screech that resounded throughout the jungle.
I froze as I considered going back to check on Haragh, but I really didn’t want another glimpse of those crazed serpentine eyes or the blood splattered arms. Then Stan started punching me in the neck with his tiny metal fist, and as I heard Haragh holler, I knew I couldn’t leave him with the little wildling.
I was just climbing down to the ground when more shouts rose up, and as I narrowed my focus, I sensed a rumbling through the mud under my boots.
Then I looked down to see Stan waving his arms like mad, and I wrenched my axe off the dragon along with my he
lm. Swords were clanging in the distance while I slammed the steel over my head and bolted into the ferns, and pistols began firing as well just before a blaze of flames and lightning burst among the darkened trees.
My heart rate shot up as I came barreling out of the fronds, and I froze at the sight of the fully armored soldiers streaming into the jungle out of midair. They had sallow cheeks and hollow stares as they took off running the moment they appeared, and more kept arriving by the tens with every passing second as our troops closed in from all sides.
Then the purple-eyed fledgling pounced from the trees, and as he sank his teeth into the face of a possessed mage, I lunged straight ahead, raised my axe, and swung.
Chapter 20
Rain hammered down as loud as the crack of pistols while the jungle ignited with enchanted flames, and blood splattered me from all sides as more minions spilled out of the four portals and into our trap.
I had a pistol in one hand and an axe in the other, and I hacked through the incoming bodies as I fired one round after another into the fray. The roar of the ogres resounded throughout the jungle along with the thrashing of clubs against steel, and as I realized we were being attacked solely by mages and elves, I knew what I’d find among them before I even summoned my powers.
My metal magic instantly zeroed in on the branding irons on their belts, and there was no doubt this army had been sent out for one purpose: to make their way through the regions and gather every being they came across into the Master’s regime.
Where he’d gotten so many elves, I had no idea, but their shoddy armor concealed their tunics so only their heads were exposed. The Master must have finally caught on to how easy I could get his soldiers these days, but what he hadn’t anticipated was how effective our weapons would be even with armor between us and his troops.
Laced bullets broke through the minions’ steel plating to engulf them in a wash of flames, and as lightning burrowed into their limbs, they convulsed and dropped into charred heaps under our boots. My two Boms took aim at two different portals while I covered the others, and they didn’t stop firing for anything except to reload.
