Back into the void, seriously?!
"Voice-chan, I don't have time for this, please let me go, there is too much at stake to be here chatting." I yelled into the void a low rumbling sound causing my entire being to vibrate fiercely.
"Agashi." The low rumble turned into a furious voice that ripped apart the surrounding air waves, "Did you know that due to the stress of sleeping only once every few days during that campaign around the mountains and then over working your mind last night, that now your body is in a very dire state and if not for my blessing you would be dead, again?"
"Impossible, I was fine until just a while ago and I slept well last night!" I yelled back.
"You fool!" Voice-chan furiously bellowed, "Last night you did not sleep, you collapsed! You almost died as well! It is a wonder that woke up so soon after, a normal person would have been out for several days at least! Now I will keep you here for your own good for the next twenty four hours."
"Why are you suddenly so invested into my safety now?" I asked maliciously.
"Because you are my only source of entertainment is why! Do you have any idea how excruciatingly boring it is in this void now that all of my brothers and sisters have died?! A few strong wandering souls come by every now and then only to go back to the cycle without saying a word! As if I will let you die so easily! Now rest and recover and don't you dare force me to pause this show of yours again!" Voice-chan roared, the fierce atmosphere dying out in an instant she she seemed to have left.
So I'm Voice-chan's entertainment in the end, and that is why she is taking care of me now, I guess I'd be pretty mad too if I was stuck alone for hundreds of years and just when I get to interact and watch a show the main character dies of overwork.
Yea that'd be pretty angering and lame wouldn't it.
Damn.
Well.
Let's regroup while im in here, my body should be recovering right now since Voice-chan did say that this space is where souls cross it should just be my soul in here.
Therfore isin't this a tax free chance to think over the situation?
Kitar is now being settled by Warren with an army of four hundred, one hundred of which should be very loyal and the other three hundred holding shaky loyalties, regardless they are in a workable position now.
Hardvar said he sent out operatives into neighbouring border cities so they shouldn't be caught off guard with attacks coming from either Kendogan or Rekarsus even without the fairies help.
The prince and nobles were nowhere to be seen so they likely left early in the morning, it will take at least a week before the reinforcements arrive from the capital.
Trigo was still inside this evening meaning that word likely hasn't reached Rafulnas of the need for reinforcments here, thus those troops will likely not arrive here for at least a week unless they trek through the inhospitable mountains.
Knowing Nefamiti it is highly likely that Desdon has been reinforced and that a recruitment drive is going into affect in the town meaning at least an extra two hundred greenhorns joining, in the end it will take at leasta week to have the full strength that these territories can muster which is approximately at twenty one hundred men, if stretched thin they could defend the walls thoroughly enough.
We will have to prepare the populace for combat as well.
Of course this doesn't account for mercenaries who may come, but likely none will be brave enough to seek us out in this conflict as a battle with the underworld of either great empires will make it impossible for them to go there for work without being constantly harassed.
This has turned from a dire situation into a slightly less dire situation with now only Durlivan in any real danger, Kitar could be invaded with mercenaries and bandits but it would take at least a two weeks for forces to arrive there and by then Warren should have the situation under control.
Like Nova said Rafulnas won't face any danger and that leaves Durlivan, a land cursed by crime and lawlessness.
...
Ah.
Well that's certainly a plan isin't it?
That's a plan with a heavy body toll though.
Taking the rest of the time in the void for planning the hours quickly passed and light exploded into my vision blinding me for a short while as voices shot into my brain like gibberish from all directions.
"Everyone...." I reached my hand out causing an even greater shouting match, "Shut up."
Hum.... I didn't mean to use this bodies original deep and threatening voice, oh dear I didn't control my facial expression either.
"Agashi!!!" A soft being slammed into my chest along with the voice that disoriented my just by its sheer volume.
"Shion." I said warmly standing up, "I have a plan."
"What?" She tilted her head the tears in her eyes drying up nigh instantly, "How dare you talk like that! You just almost died!"
Wack. Christ, that's the second time you've almost killed me! Looking at the dagger embedded into the wall beside me I felt a cold sweat start to appear all over my back.
Glancing around everyone avoided my eye.
Traitors!
"I just need to get to this quickly, I've been out for a day right? Thing's need to get done-"
"Three." Shion suddenly said shakily.
"What?" My eyes widened as the implication hit me.
"You have been asleep for three days." She said the dagger scratching against the wall behind me, am I really going to die this way?
"Quickly! To the gates!" A panicked voice screamed, "We need to get the lord out of here!"
"What is--"
"Kreyan assaulted the roads around Durlivan, it appears that he used the harvest festival as a chance to send small groups through the territory, he never expected Tars and Kleiol to survive, he was using them as a distraction." Hardvar suddenly said, "The troops from the capital were killed on the way here we recieved this message just a few hours ago from Prince Surnova, a forward messenger on a fast horse got us the message."
Reading over the letter my face contorted angrily.
"Aga, things have gone badly here, it appears that the nobles in the royal court have begun the dispute for succsesion of the crown now that my Lord Father has fallen horribly ill, we are on our own, the underworld elites have retracted most of their influence from here appearing to be retreating to the most important areas taking sides in the dispute."
Looking at the bottom part of the page I frowned deeply, "We are on our own now."
Each word seemed to be have been written witha heavy aura of pain and anguish.
"We must leave now! Marcus and Hontau are holding off the invading force in the streets but we can't hold much longer!" Netman rushed in followed closely by Leyalt.
With a pale face Leyalt knelt, "It appears that the people have begun taking up arms in the streets! They too are fighting in defence of Durlivan!"
"Report, the northern side of the city has been captured, our troops are trying to evacuate the civilians but they are being slaughtered! We need orders if we are to hold off the onslaught!" Another messenger arrived.
"Have the soldiers hold the line." I said calmly, "Netman, get Lucas and Marsh from the fields, tell them to abandon the prisoner camp and come here, have them take up positions on the roof tops, the infantry must hold until they arrive to give support."
"Understood." Netman ran off quickly half way out the door by the time his words landed.
"Leyalt, tell Marcus and Honatu to slowly retreat towards the city center, spread the word to the people that if they truly wish to fight they must hide in their homes and wait," I began walking out of the door, "Hardvar, take Shion and go to Desdon fort, prepare the men there to move, have Nefamiti lead them into battle while you act as the advisor."
"Got it, Boss." Hardvar said trying to take Shion by the hand.
"I will fight too!" Shion's face twisted grimely, "I was forced to watch as my home fell to the fires once, I'll die before being forced to see it again!"
"Hardvar, go and take Nefamiti away to the fort, organize any and all personnel there and bring them around to the north gate." I finished strapping my swords to my back, no, these aren't swords are they? They are more like sabers.
"Shion, do you understand what staying with me means?" I said evenly.
"It means fighting, all royalty of Dra are trained for combat." She replied gripping a rapier tightly.
"It is the third day so Trigo is likely almost here, he will have also been held up by Kreyan's men but he will not die, Warren as well should arrive here in a day or two after hearing of the siege." Shion said quickly, "We just need to hold out for two days."
That is only if they decide to brave the extremely dangerous mountains to arrive here faster, we cannot count on that, or that they are even aware of the siege currently ongoing here in Durlivan since the roads were all cut off there's no guarentee that messengers would even get out of the territory.
"No." I replied decisively, "We will massacre these invaders today."