Kingdom of Loradel, The Coast of Solamor, Present day.
The messenger hawk had returned faster than Rebecca imagined. On its ankle it carried the word of the king. Word that was shared to her, seeing as a she wasn't permitted to read the king's word herself.
…The call has been made. Kings and Queens of the Allied Kingdoms, a matter of immediate attention has arisen. Blood has been shed between nations and to extinguish any further embers of conflict, King Ered of Loradel has called for a meeting of truce. A member of each of nation's lineage must be present to discuss the future of our joined nations.
The letter demanded the day of meet be within the next month, giving all nations time to attend the meeting.
"What a load of hogshit," spat Taloz as he rode in front, his horse matched the general in heft.
The following trail was different than what Rebecca was accustom to. Next to no trees lined the rock-covered path. Instead, the land around them had a thick hide of grass that was divided by boulders tenfold the size of the wagons they brought with them. Two to be exact, filled with provisions and furs for the journey to come. They had left the outpost in a great hurry after they got the word of the king. They were to meet the king and his troops at eastern coast where they had tens of ships docked.
Kyone rode beside the general, his ears shot back as he frowned. "You shouldn't say such things, Taloz. Some of the men will overhear." He had made a quick recovery in the few days he was back at the outpost, part of it being Anaria's skill as a healer no doubt. He had insisted on joining them on their journey north once he had heard of the call.
"Let them. My thoughts are no secret. We barely have the men to hold our outpost and we're being called to attend a meeting of truce? Bosh, King Ered should just declare war on the bastards." Taloz turned back to her. "Oi, Lieutenant, you've been awfully quiet. A bit uncharacteristic if you ask me."
Rebecca snapped back to reality as an alcohol-kissed Taloz stared her down. "It's nothing, sir. I'm just a bit tired," she lied.
"My son was almost killed by those pigs. That is what will be said at the meeting. I'll mention nothing of Commander Alcazar's insubordination, it's not important while on the subject of war."
"Sir?" retorted Kyone. "Though it was Xeto's actions that led us to this, was it not?"
"I wasn't there, Commander Iska, but you were, was Xeto not provoked to attack after Zuland men murdered an innocent?"
"Yes, sir…but it was never our situation to intervein in. They weren't our citizens, they belonged to Zuland. Why not let them kill off their own people?"
Taloz waved a hand in a circular fashion. "I'm confused on what portion of this confuses you." He raised an eyebrow. "Xeto stopped an ongoing demon attack, then was met with conflict, a normality in our line of work. And he dealt with it as he should have."
Rebecca sighed, Kyone's ongoing blame for the commander stoked her flame of annoyance.
"Zuland won't see that way, they'll simply demand justice for the men they lost. They'll want Xeto's head on a pike and if it means stopping a war, I know the king would do it. Think about it, the life of one man to save thousands that would die in war."
Taloz' face grew a deeper shade of red. "That's why we'll be there to make sure it doesn't happen. I've sent a hawk for Xeto to meet us in Beswind, we'll be by his side when the time comes. I would have imagined you having a bit more of compassion for your fellow comrades. Your lieutenant was injured under your command and yet it wasn't enough to light a flame of redemption?"
Kyone's eyes were planted on the ground. "My hands were forced," he mumbled.
"I think that's enough, Commander," said Rebecca, masking the venom behind her words. "I think we're all just tired from the long ride, right? Once we get some mead and rest, we can discuss it further." She smiled.
~0~
Rebecca inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the ocean water as the taste of salt rested on her tongue. She leaned over the edge of the ship as the droplets of cool wind kissed her cheek before filling the sails. It had been years since she'd been on the water. Years she had wanted to spend a month at a coast house that invited the soothing roars of ocean, relaxing after her time in the demon-hunt. This of course came after earning enough coin to move her mother out of Viofell. The people of the city were kind, though the same couldn't be said about its winters. Being a city within a cavern meant very little sunlight and the bite of the cold seemed to sink deeper every year. A home on the eastern hills of Loradel would be good for her, the smoke of the winter fires lingered endlessly in the cavern at times, a hazard for the elderly.
Waves crashed onto the ship like an angered beast, though the vessel didn't give way, cutting through the water like silk. Men moved about, shouting orders and statuses, keeping the craft up to speed. Their position was on the middle-right of this diamond formation of seven other ships.
King Ered's ship was ahead of them, its red pine shined with grease as two equally elegant ships sailed at each side of it. They were heavily armed with countless cannons, should any danger arise, the king's ship would fold its sails, allowing the other two to take the lead. This would put King Ered at the center of their formation, protected from all sides.
The plan was etched in her mind, the royal guards made sure of that. She had heard stories of the man, but wasn't even able to catch a glimpse because of the cloak of royal guards surrounding him. Her mother would jump out of her boots if she heard she met the king, though as always, no such luck.
"Beautiful thing, isn't she?" Taloz leaned over the edge alongside her. "A sapphire jewel, like my wife, a gift to the eye but could just as easily swallow you up when she's angered." He smiled widely before taking a swig from a green-tinted bottle. "Haha, I take that back, my wife is much more frightening than the sea."
Rebecca smiled before leaning into her fist. "Careful, General, stories tell of sirens that target sailors inflicted by the bottle before any others." She chuckled.
"What, this?" He held up the thinned-neck bottle as he belched. "No, no, this is sporewater, used to help sailors from throwing up their dinner from all the constant swaying." He sighed. "I would like to drop the bottle—I always told my wife I would. When Alzac was a boy, I promised him I'd take him sailing." He took a drink. "I never did, I gave that boy nothing but false promises, maybe that's why he turned out so salt-hearted. Now he's possibly on his death bed…back at the outpost alone."
Rebecca tapped the man's shoulder. "My mother used to say when you cut yourself your body begins healing, and that'll take time for it to recover. Sometimes those cuts leave scars, but eventually time heals all wounds. You're still alive, General. You still have time to heal the wounds between you and your son." She paused as she echoed her mother's words in her mind. The admiration warmed her.
"That's some sound advice, Lieutenant. Your mother is a woman I'd like to meet."
"She'd enjoy the company, I'm sure. Before my brother's death, she would always have a place at our table for anyone who needed it. Over the years she's become more wary, but that spot still remains reserved for anyone with a good tale." She nodded. "I'm sure you have plenty to share."
"That I do." He chuckled before looking straight down into the water.
"Enjoy the winds, sir. If you need me, I'll be below deck cleaning my rifle." She pushed away from edge as she stretched.
"What in solitude is that?" said Taloz.
Rebecca turned to find the General with parted lips as his eyes widened.
"Something is under the ship."
Rebecca chuckled. "I think the ale is still in your blood, sir. It's probably a whale. Were in—"
The ship jerked to one side as something hit the hull.
Rebecca quickly ran to the edge as she unholstered her revolver.
"What in the dunes was that!" yelled a crewmate.
"Did we hit a reef?" asked another.
Many of the men scattered about, while others peered over the edge, eager to catch a glimpse of what they had run into.
"Man your stations, men! We might have hit iron jaws, prepare for an ambush!"
A large shadow followed underneath the ship for some seconds before sinking deeper and out of view.
Iron jaws? No, Iron jaws were much like bear traps attached to anchors, used by pirates to hold their prey in place for easy plundering. They were large, yes, but nowhere near the size of shade that was beneath them. Besides, they were in open water, there was no place for a ship to hide.
Rebecca squinted to see the men on the ship parallel to them topple over as something rocked their ship as well.
"I don't see anything, captain!" yelled a crewmate. "Could it really be an ambush?"
Rebecca gasped as she noticed a large shadow coming from beneath the other ship. "It's an ambush! They're beneath us!" Her claim came to fruition as a massive ship emerged from the depths.
It ripped out of the water bowsprit first, splitting the ship across them in half with ease. The booming sound of splintering wood was reminiscent to that of thunder as the large waves began to swallow portions of the ship like a deprived beast. This rotting ship quickly planted itself right-side-up revealing its inhuman weapon. It had a rusted crescent-shaped blade from the bowsprit to the stern. A thunderclap came as one of the ships behind them fractured into pieces, victim to another one of the black-sailed ships. Another second passed followed by another ship at their flank reduced to splinters as its crew was suspended into the air before being consumed by the depths.
"Man the cannons! The enemy is at our flank, sink it and protect his majesty's ship at all costs!"
Rebecca's breath was caught in her throat as she noticed the enemy's sails were completely tattered. How is that ship moving? A second observation revealed the abundance of a crew. It was covered in moss and seaweed as rot ate away at the wooded planks. "Its some sort of demon ship."
"By the black sands," exclaimed Taloz.
"Raise the sails and turn her around! Our flank is exposed—we're the rearguard now!" The aged ship's captain frantically appointed the crew to their positions.
Rebecca met eyes with Taloz. "Sir, your orders?"
"Arm yourself, retrieve your rifle and pinpoint the source of these ship's authority. Something or someone is commanding them, nothing moves without instruction, cut the head and the rest follow."
"Aye, sir!" Rebecca quickly jumped to the lower deck, a maze of panic and shouts as the crew readied the cannons.
"We have enemies to the north, load portside cannons and wait for my command!" yelled a voice.
"Aye, sir! Portside portside! We—"
The commands were overruled the booming sound of shattered wood as a cannonball blasted through the hull of the ship, leaving behind a red mist as multiple crewmembers lay dead or injured at her feet.
"Return fire!" yelled the men above.
Her heart quickened, further filling her with adrenaline as she weaved passed the men as a storm on cannonfire blasted through the ship's interior. She leapt over some toppled barrels and landed firmly on the other side. A sudden jerk caused her to lose balance but she quickly threw herself over some supply crates, breaking her fall with a well-timed roll. She took hold of her rifle that was on a weapons rack and made her way to the bowside of the ship. Sunlight blinded her temporarily as she escaped the storm of blood and splinters of the lower deck.
Unnervingly, the situation above was no better as mutilated bodies dotted the deck. Their ship fired a wave of cannonballs to its adversary which now sailed nearly beside them. The iron cut through the demon ship with ease, blasting large fragments of it into the ocean.
"That's how it's done, men!" yelled the captain.
The men jeered aloud, though their flame of morale was quickly snuffed as a black tar-like substance emerged from the fractures of the wounded ship. It wrapped around the damages and quickly reversed the impairments. Seconds later a whirlwind of ash formed on the quarterdeck. It took the shape of hunched robed figure.
"We can't do damage to this thing!" yelled a crewmate.
"These demon ships have come to drag us to solitude!"
A woman's tormenting cackle came from the robed figure across from them as she lowered her hood. "Don't be afraid, the black sands are quite inviting." The hag before them gave a grim smile. "Though many of you will wish for a quick death after my beauties feast on your eyes!" A long skeletal staff appeared in her grasp as she opened her black-gummed mouth. She gagged loudly as a haze of black escaped her throat. The dust-sized spores buzzed aloud as they quickly flew towards them.
Are those…insects? Rebecca trained her rifle on the hag's head. She squeezed the trigger only to miss her shot as something took hold of her ankle and pulled her down. She landed on her shoulder to find the corpse of a reanimated crewmate inches from her. What! Instinct took over as she unholstered her revolver and fired a shot cleanly through its skull. She summersaulted back to her feet as the cloud of insects overtook the deck.
"Locusts! Save yourselves!" commanded the captain seconds before the swarm overwhelmed him. His screams filled the air as his eyes and flesh were devoured in seconds, leaving only a pile of bones with flakes of skin.
Rebecca felt a sudden warm liquid jump to her throat before forcing it back down. Her heart beat faster as she attempted to make sense of her next move.
Many of the crewmates jumped overboard, the roaring sea was now a sanctuary compared to this scene.
"Feast! Drain them of all their blood!" The shrill voice of the hag grew louder as her ship drew closer.
Take out the head, and the rest will follow. Rebecca quickly retrained her rifle on the grey-skinned witch. She shot, though the rock of ship caused her to misfire, grazing the woman's leathery cheek. "Damn."
The hag displayed her yellow teeth once more. The wound across her cheek dripped with black tar rather than blood.
Rebecca stepped back as the swarm of locusts closed in.
"No, not her. This one is…intriguing." The hag raised her hand, stopping the horde of insects and calling them back to her side. "Not many are valiant enough to attack me. Is it bravery? Or perhaps its idiocy" She put a boney finger to her chin.
Rebecca eyed her surroundings. The ship was now silent as all of the crewmembers were nothing but piles of mutilated flesh and bones. General Taloz was nowhere in sight. Is he dead? He couldn't be… Damn this witch! Her ears grew warm as she glared at the monster before her.
"Oh, I see, its anger. Revenge is it?" The hag pushed her dry white hair aside as she pouted mockingly. "We're those your friends? Don't you worry, you'll have more friends than you could ever imagine once I make you into one of my flesh puppets. I have hundreds in my collection, though I've never had one with silver-kissed hair like yours."
Rebecca grinded her teeth as the woman's contemptuous remarks stoked her anger further. "Who are you? Was is it you're after? Is it the king?"
The hag tilted her head. "Oh puppet, curiosity isn't a trait I like in my dolls."
Rebecca looked back as the echo of cannonfire grew louder. The other demon ship had been blown to fragments, and unlike the one the hag captained, it wasn't repairing itself. A newfound flame of morale ignited in her. "Looks like your fleet isn't doing well, witch."
The hag grimaced as she rolled her eyes. "Why must everything be a chore." She gave another grin as her ship departed and gained speed towards the king's vessel. "I'll be back to add you to my collection, dear puppet, don't you worry. But first I must rid the dear king of all his organs. Here, allow me to reunite you with your friends." She cackled loudly as she waved her staff.
"Come back here!" Rebecca fired another shot only to have the woman vanish in a cloud of ash and appear seconds later on the crow's nest. I can't let her get to King Ered. She burst into a full sprint across the deck, skipping over the countless bodies.
A choir of growls and groans came from the lower deck. A line of undead limped up the stairs, a crowd of six now cut her from her from her destination. Fresh blood dripped from their mouths as it stained their tan uniforms a deep crimson. They howled in unison as they ran at her.
She readied her rifle and fired her remaining three shots. Two landed on their mark, blasting one's head into fragments and other thrown back by the kick as the bullet pierced its chest. She pushed her rifle to her back as she drew her second revolver. She dashed towards the remaining four, using her momentum she slid underneath the legs of the nearest enemy. As she reached its flank, she fired a shot behind its leg, shattering the knee and forcing it to the ground. Right as it hit the wood floor, she fired a second shot cleanly through its skull.
Provoked, the remaining three quickly turned and charged.
Rebecca took aim as she walked back, she though was quickly compromised as she was backed up to the edge of the ship. She fired only to have her right revolver disarmed by a heavy swing of the nearest undead. As she readied her second revolver the undead pounced for her neck pinning her weapon against her chest. Her back strained as it heaved her halfway off the edge. Her free hand kept it as bay as its jaws clenched inches from her face. Behind it she noticed the other two closing in, if they reached her, their combined weight would push her overboard. I can't—I refuse to die like this! She exhaled and prepared for unavoidable pain as she reached for the sword on the undead's waist.
With nothing to hold it back, the undead heaved forward and dug its fangs into her left shoulder.
Rebecca clenched her teeth as her eyes watered. She muscled through the pain that spread across her entire arm as she pulled the saber from its sheath and managed to run it through the undead's chest. The pain ceased as it loosened its bite. She took this second of opportunity to push the blade further. It emerged from its back as it pierced into the abdomen of the second undead. She quickly moved aside, allowing the force of their charge to be their undoing as they tumbled overboard. She took no second for granted as she raised her revolver and aimed for the last one.
It pounced, though rather than the taste of flesh, it was met with cold steel as she rammed her revolver into its mouth.
Once she felt the barrel reach the end of its throat, she squeezed the trigger. A loud ringing remained in her ears as a mist of blood flew into the air only to be taken away by the seawind seconds later. She tossed the limp body aside and continued for her destination. She reached the top deck and took hold of the wheel. Never had she steered a ship, let alone sail, but by the goddess she wasn't about to let that witch reach Ered. Her muscles strained as she slowly turned the ship back onto course, following behind the hag's vessel.
A loud crash came from below as one of the hatches that led to the lower deck flung open by a corpse. It quickly stood up as it focused its red glare into the darkness. Its angered growls were cut short as a burly figure emerged from the lower deck and took hold of its neck.
"You rotting fucker!" came a voice.
Rebecca smiled; she knew the voice well. "General Taloz, you're alive."
Taloz slammed the screaming undead onto the ground before burying a hatchet into its skull. His chest heaved heavily as new wounds decorated his face. "Rebecca, that you? Kiss the goddess, you're alive," he said with a grin. "Is there anyone else left?"
She shook her head.
"Blast. Where's that whore?"
"She's up ahead, she's after the king." The ocean betrayed her as she strained to keep the ship in a straight path. "She's getting away, can't this ship go any faster?" she yelled, as the cold wind stiffened the hairs of her nape.
"We need more wind if we want any chance of catching up," retorted Taloz. He eyed every inch before pointing at one of the folded sails. He looked back at her with a scowl. "There's no use, I can't drop those sails, we need a crew."
"Maybe not—Taloz, take the wheel."
"Aye, but what will you do?" He reached the top and firmly grasped control of the ship.
She unpinned her cloak and wrapped it around her arm as a makeshift bandage, wincing as she tightened it "If you keep the ship steady, I'll be able to take her from here." She leapt off the quarterdeck and landed firmly below. She holstered her revolvers before climbing up the shrouds which was made more difficult with the throbbing of her shoulder. Shortly, she reached the top and vaulted into the crow's nest.
The gusts of wind seem to carry ice-cold needles as it rushed by.
"Now then," she murmured, before pulling a handful of ammo from her belt pouch. She rested her rifle off the edge and loaded, the shined bullets slid into the chamber comfortably. "Where are you, witch…" She slid her bolt into place, chambering the rounds as she leaned into the stock.
The woman's ship was now aligned with Ered's. There was no hesitation as the gallant galleon fired on its counterpart, reducing large portions of the decayed wood into splinters. The remaining intact guard ship picked up speed before veering sharply and attempting to snare the demon from both sides.
Rebecca adjusted her magnification as she saw the witch's shoulders bounce with glee before saying something, though it was inaudible from this distance.
A loud roar echoed as the surface of the ocean was shattered by yet another demon ship that rose from the depths. The water below it foamed as slammed into the guard's galleon, a large fracture now decorated its right side. Water seeped into the hull as the ocean waves split the vessel in two.
Rebecca swallowed yet her throat remained dry. The king's last line of defense was gone, it was up to her and Taloz now.
The woman vanished from her post in a cloud of ash yet again, appearing a few seconds later on the king's main deck. Soldiers quickly surrounded her, weapons in hand. Black tar dripped from her fingernails, the newformed black puddles at her feet quickly took the shape of thorned vines. The vines thrusted towards the nearest men like a serpent. Dozens killed in a matter of seconds as the vines tunneled through their chests. The vines multiplied in number as more tar dripped from the impaled men's orifices.
The surviving few charged at her only to be cut off by their reanimated comrades. One of the men kept his distance while giving orders. His hair was as bright as fire and he wore shined armor that defined him as a commander. The man weaved through the crowd of undead armed with a shortsword and revolver as he brought them their second deaths.
The vines slithered towards their new target.
The commander dodged past them with perfectly timed side flip. Upon landing he tossed his blade at breakneck speed, impaling through woman through the neck.
The vines lost their shape as they splashed onto the deck. Meanwhile the woman desperately grasped at her throat, with eyes full of fear she fell to her knees. She remained lifeless as tar dripped from the hilt.
Rebecca smiled inwardly. That man must be the King's Shield. His movement and precision were beyond admirable, though that must only mean that his position was well deserved.
The commander kept his distance and aimed his revolver. The woman lay still yet he remained on guard. He fired two consecutive shots, through the cheek and forehead respectively.
The woman's body jerked back upright as she smiled and reformed her vines.
How did he know?
He dashed for her, once again making fools of her vines as they failed to strike him. He conjured flame aura and lit the tar aflame while closing the distance between him and the woman.
Rebecca slowed her breathing as she noticed the hag's lack of defense as her vines squirmed and writhed like worms.
The man leapt over her vines and pulled his sword from her throat and quickly spun around for killing swing.
The woman arched her to the side, catching the sword in her teeth. More wrinkles decorated her face as she smiled.
Now! Rebecca fired, grimacing as the kick of the rifle pushed into her shoulder.
The woman's bottom jaw was blown cleanly off as her tongue hung uselessly.
Without hesitation the commander aimed for a decapitation.
The woman eyes were now filled with anger as she stopped the blade with her tar-enveloped hand. She swung her free hand, commanding the vines towards the man.
He released his grip on the sword as he backstepped. His eyes widened, being his first show emotion that wasn't contempt. He managed to sidestep the first flurry of attacks. Though his fortune found its end as one of the vines drove through his shoulder.
Horripilation ran down Rebecca's back as she could make out the man's screams over the wind.
The vine slithered into his body, slowly widening the hole in his shoulder.
He looked back at their ship before dropping his revolver. He clenched bloodied teeth as he swung his arm, conjuring a large blast of fire.
To Rebecca's surprise, the man didn't aim his magic for the woman. Instead he had lit the mast and sails ablaze. Why would he— He's destroying the sails, giving us a chance to catch up.
The woman arched her head, the vine complied as jerked back, launching the commander overboard.
The water around him was stained red as his body sank into the depths.
Rebecca steadied for another shot.
The jawless hag moved rapidly in a puppet-like movement towards the captain's cabin.
Rebecca nostrils flared as the witch moved out of sight. "Taloz! Line us up right behind them." They were still a far distance, but with the king's sails now half-eaten by flames they had a chance to catch up. She lined her rifle once more as she looked through the large windows at the rear of the ship. As she expected, the hag was in the cabin with a man whose back was against the glass. "Taloz, hold her steady, I'm going to take the shot!"
"What! No! You might hit the king! You can't—"
"He's dead either way, this is our only chance!" she retorted. His renewed silence was a sign of his agreement.
The hag moved slowly towards her victim, what remained of her jaw arched upward as if smiling.
Rebecca slowed her breathing; all she heard now was the waves on the ship and the gust in her ears. Inhale, exhale, now only the wind. Inhale, exhale, now there was nothing except her own heartbeat.
The woman was now inches from the king, her talon-like hands eagerly reached for him.
One heartbeat, two heartbeats…She squeezed the trigger as the woman entered the center of her crosshairs. As if waking from a dream, the blast brought back the sounds of the ocean.
The entire panel of glass shattered as the shards were fed to the sea, revealing her success.
The hag was on her knees devoid of a head as black stains decorated the lavish furniture of the cabin. Black tar spurted from her exposed neck.
They were now seconds from reaching the galleon.
Empowered by a sunburst of pleasure that came with her triumph, Rebecca stowed her rifle and leapt for a nearby pully. The steel rattled loudly as gravity pulled her back to the deck floor. She landed firmly and dashed for the stern of the ship.
"Brace!" yelled Taloz as the ships were feet from each other.
Rebecca quickly vaulted over the edgeguard and ran up the bowsprit, using it as a bridge right as both vessels made impact. One final well-timed jump landed her in the cabin. "Lord King, are you hurt?"
The trembling man still held fear in his eyes. "Y-yes. I believe I am quite well." He stood while wiping his hands on his oversized decorative robe. His brown shoulder length hair stuck to his sweat-covered forehead.
Rebecca nodded and quickly dashed for the woman's corpse. She closed in carefully as she armed herself, revolver trained on her.
"Is…is she dead?" asked Ered.
"I'm not risking it," said Rebecca, before firing four shots into her chest.
The hag's body shot forward and took hold of Rebecca's wrist.
Rebecca aimed for her chest once more and pulled the trigger. She was met with the dissatisfying click of an empty chamber.
Another shot went of inches from her, hitting the body in the back.
Rebecca stepped back as the corpse went limp. She looked up to find her savior.
The crimson-haired commander leaned against the doorway, his revolver smoking. He slid down to the ground as his labored breathing slowed.
The hag's body bubbled and slowly disintegrated into a black puddle. "This is not over…" Her shrill voice surrounded them, it carried anger. The puddle dried into nothing and once more came the echo. "The dawn of the black sun…is coming…"