Lyo and Tykal stood guard over the sky sailor whilst the rest of the group went towards Berwick.
"I can't believe we're actually expecting help from them." Began Lyo.
"Well unless you can pull out a whole legionnaire battalion out of your ass we'll have to make do."
"Fucking Gaists deserve to get slaughtered."
Tykal sighed. "It's gonna be a long one isn't it?"
"Do you really think our superiors are gonna let us do this?" Asked Lyo.
"If it means winning the war then yes. Besides you and I aren't the commanding officers on this mission, but Onyx and Azura. They'll probably take most of the blame. It's out of our hands." Explained Tykal.
"That's what really vexes me. Doesn't it bother you?"
"Nah. Besides there's a second reason we're here."
"Onyx?"
"Nope. Don't you find it odd that they would send us in to ignite a civil war? And that in doing so we would have to pick a side? They sent us here to gather intelligence on enemy deployments. Karash is probably gonna pick a fight with Zul-Aman next. That's assuming they haven't already."
"Why? We haven't even beaten Dol-Sur."
"Who knows, but one thing's for sure… After we beat Dol-Sur we'll be aiming for Zul-Aman next."
The group walked along the road through the barren lands to the city of Berwick. The city itself was surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides save for the main entrance, which was the only way in or out of the city. Outside the city were trenches, barricades, and watchtowers to deter enemy attacks. Azura scanned the fortifications. They were decent, but poorly built. The trenches were dug in a single line as opposed to staggered. If an enemy jumped in with automatic crossbows they would inflict massive casualties as they were all lined up to be shot. The watchtowers looked like they were about to fall over. They seemed fine at first glance, but their foundations were weak. To top it off they probably lacked decent sharpshooters. The barricades were about the only thing that were well made. They were made up of logs piled on top of each other with rope with a second layer behind that was firmly planted into the ground. If Zulamarian forces were to assault the city now they would be massacred.
Azura sighed. "What a damn fine mess."
"Something the matter?" Asked Irene.
"I'm surprised you've all managed to build these fortifications, but clearly you all don't even know the first thing. They're poorly built, and probably poorly maintained too."
"It's not like we get many visitors out here anyways. The Zulamarians abandoned the city ages ago."
"Because even they're not crazy enough to live here. Seriously the land's barren because the plants don't even like it here." Tigris quipped.
"It's only temporary. Until we can finally reclaim our birthright."
"Fucking waste of time."
"You've got some fucking nerve!" Irene yelled.
Both girls glared at each other until Azura finally intervened. "Where's this Baphomet?"
"Later. First I'll take you to Dawon."
Azura placed her hand on Irene's shoulder. "Not so fast. First Baphomet then Dawon. You need us more than we need you."
Irene growled. "Fine."
They entered the city to find it in shambles, for the most part at least. The roofs had holes in them, there were rats and other small animals scurrying about, the people smelled like they hadn't bathed in a season, and they all looked so miserable.
"Ha! Just like I imagined it. It looks worst on the inside." Tigris chuckled.
"Why you…" Irene began before lunging at Tigris.
However, Azura caught Irene's arm and pinned her down. Several onlookers transformed immediately, and surrounded the group as they readied their weapons.
"Been a long time Tigris." Tigris and the rest saw Dawon making his way through the crowd to meet them. "I see you're still as rambunctious as ever. Now then if you don't mind."
Azura however did not let go. "I let her go, and there's nothing stopping you from attacking us."
"Smart." Dawon turned his attention towards Tigris. "What do you want?"
"Believe me when I say that I don't want to be here. We're here because we need to see Baphomet."
"That old goat? What do you want with him?"
"Information." Tigris stated plainly.
"About?"
Tigris and Azura glanced at each other unsure of how to answer.
"Dragon Eyes." Answered Irene. "That kid there's changing."
Onyx and Embry glared at Irene. Onyx then unwrapped his arm revealing the black scales to everyone.
"Hmph…" Dawon grunted.
Azura scanned the immediate surroundings in case they needed to fight their way out. Because they would be facing animalists the first course of action should be to fight their way to a defensible position, but she couldn't find any. She still had Irene as a hostage, and considering the fact that Dawon had not immediately sent his soldiers to attack them meant that she was at least valuable.
"If you kill me then you miss your only chance of saving him." Grunted Irene as she struggled under Azura's grasp.
Azura looked around once more, and reluctantly let Irene go.
"Escort them to the prison." Ordered Dawon.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? Were it not for us Akama would be dead. Besides we just scared the shit out of Albion with the little stunt we pulled. You need us a lot more." Said Tigris as the guards took one step towards the group.
"Send the others to the cells. She comes with me."
"Well, shit…" Muttered Tigris.
Tigris followed Dawon and Irene to what looked like the city's keep. It looked worse for wear as some of the bricks had fallen off, and the walls were cracked. They took up residence, but they did not even try to restore or repair any of the buildings. They probably lacked the resources to do so anyways. The inside was not much better. There were cobwebs sprinkled around the ceiling and walls. You could even see the outside through several cracks.
"So… Nice digs you got. Might consider buying a place myself." Noted Tigris sarcastically.
"It's temporary." Added Irene.
"Well it's certainly better than the shithole we used to live in. Remember that Dawon?"
Dawon stopped dead in his tracks. "Why are you here?"
"Just… Following orders."
Dawon turned to meet her gaze. Their eyes locked on to each other. "You've got some real nerve walking back here after what you did. You betrayed us and for what?"
"Three hots, a cot, and a warm body with massive tits." Said Tigris smiling.
Dawon growled. "I'll never know what dad saw in you. You could've been…"
"A political tool. Dad would've married me off to who knows who. Fuck that! I ain't gonna become a baby maker like mom. I'm glad they're fucking dead!"
Dawon then lunged at Tigris as he transformed, and pinned her down. "You insolent bitch! Do you think that I won't snap your neck right now?"
Tigris smirked. "You still need me, or did you forget? I saved Akama. I am the one of the Heroes of Tofar. What the fuck have you done? Led a nuisance that can be barely called a rebellion. Don't make me laugh. Even the Kaulkans put up a better fight than you, and we slaughtered those fucking pricks."
Dawon slowly tightened his grip before finally letting go. "Take me to the others I want to know exactly what I'm dealing with."
"You know… I've been going to prison a lot since coming here." Said Onyx as he looked outside the prison cell.
"Yeah, but at least this time you have us." Said Embry as she leaned on him.
"The company is nice. You think they'll attack Lyo and Tykal?" Onyx asked.
"Hard to say. Probably if they wanna get their hands on the sky sailor, but knowing Tykal and Lyo they'll definitely put up a fight. Say Onyx can you give me a hand here?" Answered Azura as she tried to pick the lock.
"Yeah sure. What's the plan once we get out?" Asked Onyx.
"First we kill the guards. Then we find Tigris. Then…" Her mind trailed off thinking about Baphomet, and how he might help Onyx with his predicament.
"We knew it was a long shot." Said Onyx as he continued to pick the lock. "Besides right now I'd rather escape with our lives. Probably for the best to grab everyone, and ride the sky sailor home. Nothing else left for us to do."
"Yeah… Besides there's bound to be someone who knows something back in Legionnaire Command." Added Azura as they finally opened the lock on their cell.
Just as they were about to take their first step outside they heard footsteps coming down the hallway. The trio walked back inside the cell, and closed it. After a short moment Dawon, Tigris, and Irene stood before them with a small entourage of guards.
"Talk." Said Dawon in a sharp and concise tone.
"I'm assuming Tigris must've told you most of it." Answered Azura.
"She said she was just following orders. So it's up to you to decide their fates."
Azura paused for a moment then glanced at Onyx's arm then began to assess the situation. Onyx had used his Dragon Eyes twice at least. The first time nothing about him changed, but the second time was different. There was no telling what were to happen if his body continued to change. Baphomet was an unknown. Tigris alleged that he knew something about Dragon Eyes, but how much was unknown. In addition, if she told Dawon anything they'd be killed, and if she told him nothing they'd still be killed. Furthermore, there was no guarantee of escape. They still had to carry out their orders in the end.
"Our mission was to escalate tensions between the factions here to launch an assault on Zul-Aman. More specifically the mines located in the Karashian and Zulthur border. You all would be distracted fighting each other, and we would seize as much ore as we could for our war with Dol-Sur."
Onyx, Embry, and Tigris knew that Azura lied about their orders since the real objective was to pull veteran troops from the Karashian and Zulamarian border to fight against Dol-Sur. Though they all pretended as though that was their real objective.
"I see… Let's say that I do help you. What's in it for us? Will Karash recognize Amani as a nation? Or will they one day turn their swords on our backs?"
"I don't know. I may have bars, but even I'm not high enough the chain of command to know everything."
"But you could get us equipment correct?"
"I suppose so. Although I can do better, and give you access to our intelligence net. You wanna know troop allocations, supply wagon schedules, patrol routes, and more. That's what we can offer."
Dawon measured the value in what she had to offer. If they did take her offer it would mean having the tactical advantage. It would allow them to make a significant dent in their influence in Amani. Knowing the routes and schedules of their supply wagons would make sure they're well stocked. However, it would involve working closely with Karash, more specifically their legionnaires. They may be a bunch of children, but they're nothing if not cunning. They would know their battle tactics, and their command structure. The Karashians would undoubtedly send a kill squad to assassinate their leaders when they figure out who's more valuable to lead. It was nothing if not a risky gamble.
The question at the center of it all was if Amani was worth a future war with Karash? More importantly could they win such a war?
For the moment at least he had to hope that the answer would be yes.
"Well then you are free to go." Said Dawon.
Just as the guard was about to pull out the keys Onyx opened the cell door, and they all walked out.
Tigris laughed. "Holy shit! I was wondering why you guys were still here. I thought for sure you'd escape by now."
"We almost did." Said Embry.
Just then a chill crept through Dawon's spine. He lost. He felt powerful having their lives in his hands, but now it was Karash that had his live in their hands. When Karash decides to take Amani by storm they will not be able to stop them.
Azura, Tigris, Onyx, and Embry stood before Baphomet's house.
"Moment of truth. Are you ready?" Asked Embry.
Onyx reached for Embry's hand and held it firmly. "Yeah. Let's go."
They knocked on the door a few times, but heard no reply.
"Maybe he's not home?" Asked Azura.
"Can't be. Old goat's old as shit. He's gotta be in there. Hey jackass open up!" Yelled Tigris as she loudly banged in the door.
"How old is he supposed to be?" Asked Embry.
"Uh… A hundred… At least." Answered Tigris unsure of her own response.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now Tigris?" Asked Onyx with a bewildered look in his eyes.
"It's not my fault you didn't ask. Besides… Well no actually yeah that's… Well, shit."
Azura then opened the door. "No lock."
"So maybe he's still kicking." Said Tigris as they made their way inside his house.
The inside was littered with cobwebs, rotting furniture, and a few lit candles. They saw a large goat with long horns, his torso and arms were still human, but his head and legs were goat-like. His eyes were grey and faded, most likely indicating blindness. He looked severely emaciated as well as if he had not eaten in days, perhaps longer. He sat there with his head hung low snoring.
"Why… Why does he still have human form with goat features?" Asked Embry.
Tigris sighed. "Let's just say our transformations are a lot more complicated than you can imagine. Some of us only manage to make it back halfway, and others… Not at all."
"Can he talk normally?" Asked Onyx.
"Yeah… I mean last time I remember he spoke fine… I think."
Onyx tapped Baphomet's shoulder at first to see of that would wake him, but nothing came of it. He turned to look at the others to see if they had any ideas, but they just shrugged. Then suddenly Onyx felt a hand grab his hand tightly.
"Your hand." Said Baphomet in a hoarse voice.
"Ye-yeah…" Stuttered Onyx.
"I can't seem to find a ring on it. Poor girl your age should consider marriage. Otherwise your hips will deteriorate, and you will be unable to bear children. I recommend a pair of donkey testicles wrapped around your neck… Or was it spine hound testicles… No it was manure… Or maybe…" Baphomet trailed off.
"Help me." Said Onyx with a pleading look in his eyes.
"We're here about any information on Dragon Eyes you can give us." Said Azura.
"Ah yes now I remember what the donkey testicles were for. So what you need is…" Baphomet didn't hear Azura.
"Ugh." Sighed Embry in frustration as she took hold of Baphomet's free hand, and placed it on Onyx's affected arm.
"I see now… Come closer girl and let me have a proper look at you." Baphomet then pulled Onyx closer.
"I'm a boy."
"That's what I said Clarence."
Onyx glared at Tigris who chuckled. "You wanted your answers now you have them."
"Child of Zephyrus… I fear that it is out of my hands. It has begun, and there is no stopping it."
"But there's gotta be something to stop it at least." Said Embry in frustration.
"There is one place to the north. The Ice Lands of Ruh' Wani… There's a tribe there… The Yukingawari… The unconquered ones… They will have the answers you seek. But beware of the one called Yiriv The Desolate One… Your journey shall begin there little girl." Baphomet then slowly fell asleep.
"The Ice Lands of Ruh' Wani… That ain't exactly paradise. Not to mention it's unmapped. I've heard of numerous expeditions sent there by the Zulamarians, and they never come back." Said Tigris as they exited Baphomet's house.
"The Yukingawari… Why does that name sound familiar?" Asked Azura.
"The unconquered tribe." Answered Tigris. "They're the only ones that Gaeric, Corrax, or the Sovereigns never conquered, or at least that's the way the legend goes. They're supposed to be a myth."
"Myth or not it's the only lead we've got. We'll stay here for now, and ask around besides we have to establish communications with Karash and the Gaists first. Maybe someone's been to Ruh' Wani if not… It'll just be us then."
"An excursion to Ruh' Wani? Sure why not?" Said Tigris sarcastically.
"No Tigris. You, Tykal, and Lyo will stay here until the mission's done then head back to Karash for debriefing. Onyx, Embry, and I will take the sky sailor to Ruh' Wani. This concerns us not you three."
Tigris sighed. "Yeah I understand."