Black imprints from the soles of my boots could be seen from the many steps taken pacing back and forth, unable to relax while Einor was alone with the mysterious masked figure who countered his movements with such ease. My mind tugged even more at the familiarity with the fluid motions of the masked man who seemed to perceive Einor's plan of attack before he even did. The man's magical presence rivaled that of mother's and possessed enough strength to stop all caught in its grasp. I trust that Einor knows what he is doing after all he was the one that rivaled the man's strength. Still, the familiarity reminded me of how father taught us to use the sword and the knowledge gained from his experiences.
It wasn't hidden knowledge that father had often taken on select pupils looking to hone their skills from time to time. Four of which had been tutored alongside Einor and I for a month before officially enrolling into the Knight's Academy where his tutelage was sought for a number of years. Father had always declined such an opportunity to stay with his family even if it provided a multitude of benefits along with the chance to become Headmaster over the entire Academy. In the end, the Academy understood father's decision and settled for one such pupil who I hear still heads the Academy to this day. I'd also rather believe this scenario than imaging father being resurrected by some necromancer any day.
Isho's voice startled me from above, "People are beginning to think you're going crazy."
Looking in her direction, I found that she was lounging on the wall with her head tucked underneath her arms while her eight spindly legs clung to the hard stone. Sighing, "I guess I do look like a person on the verge of going insane."
Isho chuckled, "More like a chicken running around with no set direction nor a head."
I couldn't help but smile, "I see you've gained your father's knack of being brutally honest."
Isho shrugged and placed the two front limbs on the solid ground before the rest of her body joined. She smiled slightly as the two of us made our way to the banister overlooking the training ground and the scarred field behind it while the river danced behind the quickly built dam in the setting moonlight. My nerves were at peak position being close to a monster that consumed any who dared to emproach upon their webs and used the flabby skin as decor for their dens according to most books about monsters. I watched as Isho kept at my side despite her eyes being closed like they usually were. One could assume that the eight eyes of her spider lower half made the difference but one couldn't be certain since the odds of an Aranea evolving into a Arachne were very slim.
Thinking about the books now seemed a little silly since most of the descriptions held within were somewhat far from the truth however some of the information written did prove to be accurate. Since being among monsters, I have found that certain undead are still aware of their humanity and often form families hoping to regain what was lost over time. There was still a threat that each undead would ultimately lose sight of such humanity and become mindless drones walking without direction much like I have been now. The books also mention how many monster species would often fight for land, resources, and to show dominance against one another, especially those monster species that can't stand one another. More similarities between the races of man and monsters keep appearing the longer I spend among them despite the hostility placed upon them over years.
Though the similarities grow with each encounter, I can't help but fear such natural instincts would cause harm for the denizens of Breura even more so to Liliana who harbored disregard to the dangers present around her much like her father and I at that age. Part of me wanted to take Liliana far from this place so no harm could come to her. It sounded silly hearing it in my own head but that is how a mother should respond just like how an advisor who tries to persuade their king to deal with the issue before problems begin. Just like the advisors who strongly voiced their opinions, I too saw the potential danger of having monsters dwelling in the walls of Breura even with the words spoken by Nathaniel and what remained of his creed. Such a scenario would be just like a mouse trapped by walls while a cat stalks close.
I've seen first hand what the destruction created by a horde of monsters looks like and heard the helpless screams of the victims trampled. Monsters were undoubtedly unpredictable when marching across the land destroying everything in sight for the simple rule of the wild where the strong thrive without opposition. Thriving settlements torn asunder as towers of smoke reach for the heavens and denizens screaming in a chorus of frenzied terror trying to flee only to be torn apart. Meals freshly made sit idly by waiting for families to feast just to grow cold without a second glance. Not a week goes by without reports of monsters destroying a village or ambushing a caravan yet here I was next to one such monster.
On instinct, I grasped Lovic's hilt as something nudged my side without warning. "I was right," Isho sighed when our eyes met, "you hold doubts of our true nature."
Feeling guilty about trying to attack her without a true reason, "S-sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that, especially since you are part of our family."
She didn't say anything as her human figure leaned forward with arms pressed against her chin and supported by the larger spider half. Her eyes were still closed yet I sensed them gazing on the horizon where the setting moon lingered with its watchful eyes basking on the land below until the sun awakens. Flowing crimson blue hair sat evenly around her shoulders and bound in tight braids held together by violet beads at each intersection. A gown of fine silk dyed the came violet hugged her human half snuggly before cascading over the spider's back like some custom tailored cloak that allowed each limb free range. Fidgety fingers tapped flesh in succession just like Einor once did whenever trying to be patient.
[(That's great Veronica, just ruin any attempt made to regain Einor's trust.)]
"Trust," Isho finally spoke without looking at me, "isn't trust without risks to either party involved. Past enemies will never forget what had been done even when peace is brokered between them whether they approve or not. Trust is something that can't be achieved over the course of a day but through hardships wielded by both people."
She smiled and gazed at me with crimson irises, "It's something father taught me a long time ago on one of the travels he allowed me to tag along."
A raven flew toward the sky with a majestic call between us gaining our full attention on it as it spiraled around our heads before descending to the stone balcony. As it landed, black haze engulfed its body only to have a well-mannered looking gentleman dressed in the garbs of a butler break through such thick clouds. His blonde hair was combed neatly into place despite the turbulence of the wind that pressed against him and his outfit didn't have a speck of dirt plastered on it. White gloved hands found the folds of his crossed arms as he leaned his back against the banister between us. He gave a small nod to each of us before looking at his feet with a concerned expression on his travel worn face.
Isho was the first to speak as she patted the man's head, "I heard you finally acknowledged him as your father instead of your master. How does it feel knowing you have a little sibling to watch over, Orion?"
Orion smirked, "You're more than capable of taking care of yourself then again you often manage to get drawn in by the best of bars. A bad habit for a king's daughter in my opinion of things."
He chuckled after a moment, "It's as you said once before Isho. He's always taken care of me like his own instead of a simple familiar. Guess seeing him sacrifice himself so that I may bring word to the others opened my eyes to it. Despite understanding this, I'm still torn between calling him father or master. Both titles fit him perfectly and could be interchanged with one another without hassle."
Isho nodded as the two shared a moment before speaking comforting words, "I believe father would approve of whichever one feels best for you, brother."
Orion gave a sly grin before sighing, "Father and the masked man made it to the aqueducts without hindrance even when walking amongst the charmed knights disguised as bustling workers. I will say it was surprising to find such a necessity of life built into an adjoining tunnel system much like the sewers of Ironclad."
I nodded, "The precursors were quite skilled in construction along with their imaginative use of magic. Your father collected all kinds of literature based around the precursors because of how mysterious they are. I remember him asleep with his head in the confines of those books and papers around him that had attempted deciphering of words. He was quite the tireless scholar back then."
"He still is," Orion gave a small grin, "as you saw when you broke into our room in Siegfried. He has three bookcases lined with texts acquired from past travels and several journals scavenged from Creideamh."
I felt my eyes go wipe upon hearing that pieces of our family's legacy had survived the horrid night that almost marked the end of the VonKnight name. "Einor," I whispered, "found some of Father's journals?"
Orion nodded and looked to say something else when shouts from below gained our collective attention. Shouts came from the gathering knights hoping to see what was heading toward the castle doors and prevent its entry without fail in order to protect their beloved king. Knights wielding spears stood tall with their elongated weapons placed between the gaps created by the line of shieldmen crouched in front protecting those in back. With the rising sun, two mounted figures clad in tattered garments worn by Vaniel officials leapt over the wall of shields and continued forward. I was surprised to see the two knights who stayed by Tanja's side riding upon the backs of two obsidian wolves whose fur was a ceaseless motion of constricting shadows just like the ones seen in Ironclad's throne room.
I watched as the two dismounted the wolves upon seeing my Uncle and the Beastking who were adorned in armor before being followed by Isabella alongside the two lizardmen who remained at her side. Both wolves howled as they descended into the black rift at their feet and returned to the world of shadow once more. Curious, I turned just in time to see Orion leap from the balcony that was at least two floors above the ground and land safely between the two women before being followed by Isho. The two newcomers fell on their asses at seeing Isho towering above them as she nonchalantly made her way closer with disregard to their harsh words. Puzzled, I watched Isho gently grasp the brunette's outstretched arm and pulled some kind of cloth from it before moving it around.
"If what they say is true," the conniving Ursa advisor from before began his desperate plea, "then there is no way we can trust such a man let alone the monsters he commands. We must try and negotiate with the Vaniel Prince while there is still enough time to do so."
A Vulpes woman dressed in red added, "I'm afraid Ullas is right, my King. If Vaniel already has an encampment inside the aqueducts and adjoining caverns then there is no telling how many troops will be dispatched through to flank us. We also must consider the ships stationed just outside the port and the possibility that Prince Maddox had revealed many more secrets to reach the capital."
"You're forgetting," a Lepus man spoke up, "the possible threat hiding in wait among us. I mean, we've all heard tales of monsters destroying crops, slaughtering innocents, and bringing ruin to anything in their path without cause except to do so. With all due respect to Sir Jackal, We are sitting ducks between two different packs of hungry wolves waiting for a perfect opportunity. I believe I speak for most here when saying we should act against the closest threat before facing another."
Sounds of agreement filled the conference hall as those advisors prone to be rid of Einor's subjects voiced their combined agreement to the ill tempered eyes of Isabella and those who volunteered to represent Einor in his absence. She has proven to be quite the negotiator in the short while of knowing her and it was quite evident that she was like an advisor to Einor more times than I could count. I still had my doubts about her silver-tongue since meeting her and was even more intrigued when finding out she was a vampiress just like Kuval though I would be lying if I said I wasn't glad she was more mannered than the latter. She held herself with the dignity and grace that most nobles wield when in the public's eyes. That sense of grace and her magnificent eyes make her a dangerous weapon for Einor to use if the need comes.
[(Why am I having doubts about Einor's decisions?)]
The advisors and a few knights fell silent when Queen Udreth raised her right hand, "I understand your fears, your reasons, and your hearts. It is true that many reports have plagued our kingdom about damages caused by monsters and the deaths discovered afterwards. I have personally read reports from several adventurers and knights alike about the horrors they saw in the field. Townspeople torn to shreds without remorse whether man, woman, or child laying in ruins of the most populous of cities. Captives corralled like cattle in pens awaiting their turn for unspeakable things."
"Psst," a noise caught my attention while Queen Udreth continued her speech at the distaste of Kuval who looked about to show them just how deadly monsters were.
My gaze fell on several people stealthily taking positions above the table and just out of sight from all present. "Psst," the sound came again as sparkling name plates hung around their necks like badges of honor, "Lady Veronica over here."
Sighing, I finally decided to give the hecklery full attention just as Isabella began to speak of the horrors monsters do but also compared the actions the races of man do upon one another without real reason except to satisfy greed no matter its disguise. I hid a small grin upon hearing such a statement and the several faces made by not only the advisors but the Beastking as well. None expected such a comparison to come from one who looked so young yet held a sharp tongue for words. Isabella continued by saying those monsters within the city walls are not like those primitives and simply wish to live a normal life. She concluded that they were not a threat to anyone except when provoked or mistakenly talking ill about Einor in their presence.
"Just like the adventurers who snuck in with the aid of someone," she smirked as her eyes fell on the figures trying to stay unseen, "are doing now. Honestly, people haven't learned much in the past two centuries."
Heated arguments ensued as most of the higher ranking adventurers stepped out the shadows knowing that they were caught despite careful planning. I ignored them and found Isaac standing behind one of the pillars closest to the doorway where Einor made his loud entrance yesterday. Like a shadow, he stood hidden from sight wearing tattered Vaniel garments that looked to be recently damaged as splotches of blood coated his body and carried what looked to be an iron mask with a blank expression. His face had specks of blood covering it giving him an equal appearance of a man just freshly out of battle yet he still smiled as I made my way over to stand before him. He gave a slight bow of respect before gazing at the figures surrounding the table and those stationed to protect the king.
"You're in danger as is everyone else," he whispered as he rose, "Vaniel has spies embedded amongst us."
My eyes went wide, "How do you know? What happened?"
Isaac took a breath before almost collapsing into me, "Lady Nyxis is being held captive as is the Vaniel princess along with many other beastmen chosen to be gifts to the Emperor."
I gently laid the lad down and discovered an arrow plunged deep into his lower right waist just above the kidney. Hurriedly, I moved him onto his side as a small pool formed from several open wounds began to stain the wooden floor before tracing the arrow shaft to find a barbed arrowhead with serrated teeth just barely peeking through folds of cloth. My main concern was the greenish mucus substance mixed with blood surrounding the arrow and deep within the wound itself. Vaniel may be known for their strength but they weren't above using poison or other tactics to keep an edge over any adversary. Isaac's skin began to pale while his veins started to blacken.
"Move!" Isho yelled as she took my position.
Threads began to shift in her palm before forming a pile of silken bandages. "You," she turned to a nearby adventurer who was startled when Isho pointed to her, "give me your dagger sheath and all."
"W-" the adventurer muttered, "what do you pl–"
Isho interrupted, "Do it now or he'll die!"
Hurriedly, the woman unbound the dagger tied to her waist and handed it to Isho who pulled the blade free and held the sheath in front of Isaac's mouth. "Bite down," Isaac was barely conscious but did as asked while Isho looked to Ogga, "Aranea venom most definitely but could be mixed with something else making it look like this. I need him held down while I pull the arrow free, think you can handle that?"
Ogga placed a massive hand on Isaac's midsection and lower legs while Isho proceeded to grab the shaft just above the fletchings. Isaac screamed a muffled scream as Isho broke the part sticking free of his back and placed it to the side before putting several gaws on the wound to hopefully slow the bleeding while continuing. With Ogga's help, Isho rolled Isaac on his back so the arrowhead could be better seen and dealt with. She then turned to a knight and told them to bring two big bowls of water then proceeded to dig the tip of the blade next to the arrow in an attempt to gradually wedge it free to a certain degree. Isaac struggled underneath Ogga's immovable grasp and bit down harder on the sheath making his muscles tighten.
"You have your doubts about us," Isho spoke as the arrow began to move little by little, "and we have our doubts about you."
She grunted as the arrow finally came free from the wound and placed it on a sheet of silk so the poison didn't spread even further. As she held the arrow before her, "I need two bowls of water."
None moved from Isho as she moved her eyes amongst them only to scoff at the ignorance of the onlookers. "Fetch the water," the Beastking roared as he made his way to kneel beside Isho, "can you save him?"
Isho sighed, "It'll be tough. The venom has stayed in the bloodstream for an unknown amount of time and has already begun attacking the organs. Luckily, I can make an antidote from my own venom and blood mixed with Iribole like those in the garden."
The Beastking nodded and commanded two knights to fetch what was needed. "Tell me," Lord Udreth questioned, "who is he and why is he here?"
My Uncle chimed in, "Do you know him, Veronica?"
Isho placed the extracted arrow in one bowl of water where the congealed poison became liquidly once more then wiped the blade free. "His name is Isaac," I watched as she slit her palm while a few droplets of venom dripped from a massive fang, "he's another subordinate of Einor's and has helped to get here."
I heard the Ursa advisor mutter, "Probably another slave forced to serve under him and the monsters."
I stood and slowly turned to the advisor with my head down so my face couldn't be fully seen. "The reason why he is here," the advisor took a step back when my gaze fell on him, "is to warn us about traitors amongst us and to tell us that Nyxis is being held captive alongside more Beastmen designated to be gifts to the Vaniel Emperor."
Clapping came from one of the balconies causing everyone to turn in unison and gaze at the one responsible. A maid that I had seen present during all the meetings stood between walls of knights and adventurers alike now dawning billowy cloaks with tattered holes as they looked down upon us. The woman's face contorted into an unsettling smile which appeared to almost snap her head in half if stretched further. Her attire changed to that of a fine coat and trousers made of leather while nothing was worn underneath giving full light to the Vaniel sigil burned into flesh. Her golden hair became gilded pink while her fox features disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
The woman laughed, "Bravo! Bravo! The interloper made it here without dying to warn you only to die alongside you all anyway. Oh, what fun!"
Lord Udreth shouted with fury, "What is the meaning of this?!"
Upon hearing such a question, the woman crossed her arms with a saddened expression. "Tsk tsk," she shook her head, "the brave and strong king doesn't understand he's about to become a martyr along with the nobility of Ironclad. Such a shame that Jackal wasn't here to witness such a thing. It'd be a wonderful thing to see his expression when I claim his head and hand it to the Emperor."
She sighed before smiling once more, "No matter, he and that untrustworthy Kraven will be dead soon anyway so none of you will be apart for long."
The three advisors stepped forward and chimed, "What about our deal?!
"Oh," the woman seemed very pleased, "I did promise you three anything your hearts' desired for your parts."
None moved as the three advisors fell to the ground dead as smoke rose from emptied holes located where their greedy hearts once held rhythmic tunes. Panicked screams shouted in unison as most of us on the ground floor saw outlines of spells being formed and weapons drawn ready to start the massacre that would surely devastate both kingdoms. Such a tragedy would also weaken each domain to an extent where Vaniel would have free reign over the lands much like they did with the kingdom that once stood next to Ironclad. They were conquerors even during the Great War between races long ago where they honed their crafts to an extreme. Father had often compared the Vaniel troops to the dämon they killed in battle.
"Do me a favor," the woman placed her fingers against her lips in a seductive manner, "and scream real loud when you die so I have something to think upon later."
To my horror, even more of the knights sworn to protect the crown and the adventurers who wore no nation's colors charged forward with weapons held high just as the bombardment of projectiles rained down. Several knights charged forward to meet those on the ground level head on despite the constant danger from above. With Lovic in hand, I used a technique Father had taught us called Flash Step and cut down those that went after Isho who continued to save Isaac even in such chaos. The woman got what she wanted as screams of death filled the room even as a barrier of golden light surrounded our small group. I watched several good men and women die trying to reach the safety of the barrier created by Queen Udreth as the mad woman laughed in ecstasy with each deafening scream.
[(Brother, where are you?!)]
"Get Down!!" Ogga roared behind me as three of the enemy lunged forward in a combined attack.
Doing as instructed, I watched the massive wooden club strike the place where my head once was as it collided hard with the side of the outermost enemy. That one blow knocked all three to the side giving a clear path for Ogga to charge forward and trample any that followed behind the inital three. His club continued to flatten any unlucky soul unable to get out of its way as he pushed forward to the center edge of the barrier where the woman continued her esctasic moans even when her own men were slain. Charging forward, Ogga showcased the innate healing abilities those of his brood carry as scorch marks from spells and deep gashes from bladed weapons healed within an instant. He was a force of its own not meant to be triffled with as he collided with the collum underneath the woman.
Ogga was immediately surrounded as some of those above casting spells or firing bolts lept down and began to attack him on all sides. My eyes then moved to the cracks begining to appear throughout the barrier allowing stray attacks to slip through and strike without mercy nor expectation. I cut several more down and gazed across the carnage to where Queen Udreth knelt with blood soaking through her left shoulder yet still tried holding the spell in place as Izras stood next to her like a guard dog protecting its owner. More cracks formed while those already there widened with each moment until finally breaking. The woman's moanish laughter filled my ears more than the battle at hand that would see our defeat.
[(There number isn't much but they are fighting without consideration.)]
Looking at a nearby skirmish where one of the former knights fought against the two kings in an uneven battle of skill, I was instantly fearful that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. The man was riddled with ally arrows and skewered multiple by former brothers in arms before slaying them. A deep gash ran the length of his chest where blood flowed freely yet the man didn't seem to notice one bit. My eyes then fell on a few that I killed for anything that might help understand such ferocity and trivial mindset of a wild animal deprived of feeling. That's when I noticed the pigment of their skin which was a sickly shade of white that reminded me of recently deceased corpses.
A voice startled me to the point I brought Lovic around only for my limbs to be placed behind my back. "Necromancer and illusions," Kraven spoke in a nonchalant tone before releasing me, "are a powerful combination if used precisely."
Before I could speak, I saw the Ent Elesar slam two adversaries into one another before flinging them in either direction. He smiled when he saw me staring then proceeded to place his hands upward and was followed by a rumbling sound coming from beneath our very feet catching everyone including the woman off guard. Surprised screams came from the mass of enemies surrounding Isabella as hundreds of roots bursted through the floor in an endless mass and enveloped them. More rivers of roots came like a large wave and bashed against the enemy whose cries were cut short from the very roots burrowing into their bodies. Elesar stood at the center of the massacre and retorted a more devilish smile back at the woman as masses of roots climbed the balconies.
I stood in the now silent conference hall gazing upon the many casualties left behind from the battle moments ago. Our losses were slim compared to those the grim woman had achieved yet still the force of the Vaniel army was placed against us making it harder to believe victory was achievable. Then again, this was probably one of that bastard's schemes to ensure total victory for his Father. The mind of a zealot like Agusta is a dangerous path to tread upon let alone trying to find some sort of advantage against. I couldn't help but chuckle at the feeling of facing against Einor who was unpredictable in most things just like him acquiring subjects like Isabella or Ogga for the matter who will do everything to ensure his throne.
Speaking of the ogre, I found him gently carrying several injured over to the healers who continued their work with the aid of Isho and a newly recovered Isaac. Most seemed reluctant to allow a massive monster like Ogga cradle them like newborn but he didn't care as he proceeded to scoop them up in his arms despite loud protests. They weren't the only monsters that helped the injured nor had a hard faught battle. Duval and the other monsters took the initiative when senseless killing started and began fighting alongside the knights of Breura to protect those who knew little about combat. Even now, the monsters continued to do what they could to be of any aid despite past blood ties.
Sighing, I made my way over to a nearby table that managed to survive where one of the many corpses rested with Akroq's bony fingers in its gut. "Quite fascinating," the lich chuckled, "the organs still show signs of life yet the body is clearly dead. I wonder if… no it couldn't be."
Uncle looked to the lich, "Please finish what you were about to say. What is it you wonder?"
Akroq spoke in a whispery tone as her gaze fell on the silent Kraven, "A necromancer is responsible for such a creation that I am certain. As you may or may not know, ghouls are brought back to life from the dead just like common undead through patching together needed parts and siphoning some of your own life force into it to once again awaken its flow of mana once more."
She stopped to let the information sink in before continuing, "Now imagine that a living body was the catalyst for such a spell. A perfect spy with the ability to secretly walk among your enemies without being detected or the ideal knight that's unable to feel pain nor need the necessitites of life."
"So you're saying," Lord Udreth looked at the Lepus knight that stood by his side most of the time while being here, "is that these knights were these amalgamations all along. How is it possible?"
Akroq sighed and spoke in a comforting tone which was out of character for her, "I do not know, Beastking or I would tell you. I personally only read about such things over the centuries of my undeath and thought such things were ravings of a mad man. That being said, your men will finally know peace in the end."
Queen Udreth spoke up as she and Izras comforted the Beastking, "Is it possible to reverse such a thing?"
The blue orbs that made up Akroq's eyes brightened as she placed a scarred leather bound journal on the table. "I cannot guarantee that there is a way but with the journal acquired by him," she pointed to Kraven who stalked his way over to the Vaniel Princess who was accompanied by Casteilla and the Apophis from the port, "there may be some inscription discussing such a miracle."
I was about to ask a question when a pale faced messenger pushed her way through the doors and hurriedly over to a distraught faced king and queens. Her flowing greenish red hair erupted from the helm as it swallowed her shoulders with each step before coming to kneel before the Beastking. A rolled parchment was held in her right hand and held out toward Lord Udreth who took it after giving the woman a chalice of drink hoping to calm her beating heart. We all knew what was written inside the parchment yet my heart still beated in quick thumps watching the unrolling of the much awaited warning. With just a sigh, I knew Agusta and his men had made their move toward capturing Vusta.
Fear filled my heart at the sight that awaited us across the field where the Vaniel troops congregated waiting for the orders to march forward. Out of the knights that remained from the massacre and those that answered the king's call to return from leave, we numbered around five hundred or so men compared to the army ranging in the thousands before us. Trebuchets attached to wheeled ships towered above the ground ready to send flaming rubble down upon us while cannons were loaded. I was both afraid and amazed seeing the numerous ships that once rested in the bay move across the land with ground shaking ease. Such armaments themselves would prove enough to capture any kingdom with just the number alone.
[(Brother, I wish you were here to aid us. I'm sure you'd be able to rally your subjects to fight for our cause.)]
With such a hope in mind, I nudged my horse to trot alongside Uncle and Lord Udreth to come face to face with Agusta. My heart sank even further when I saw Nyxis being pulled along behind Agusta's white stead wearing tattered clothes and showing signs of being beaten to an inch of her life. Her left eye was swollen to an extreme that must have made it hard to see while she hurriedly limbed behind the horse. The tips of her ears were disfigured from chunks missing where flecks of long dried blood rested in the blowing breeze. Despite this and more, fire burned in the eye I could see even as she was pulled along the ground a couple of steps before regaining her feet.
Agusta smiled as he stopped and allowed his two representatives to continue forward to meet us. "Our Lord," a plate armored knight spoke in a deep reverberated tone, "is gracious enough to ask for your complete submission along with what was asked for. Will you comply or die here!?"
Lord Udreth roared loud enough so that Agusta could hear without fear in his voice, "We will not bow nor be used as tools. We will stand and fight until our last breaths are whispered throughout the winds! These lands were carved by our forefathers long ago during the Great War and shall never be the hunting grounds of those who are undeserving! We would rather die than to live as slaves!"
I saw a joy filled smile spread across Agusta's face almost as yells of approval lashed out in unison and carried by the sounds of hilts clashing against shields. "Very well," the younger rider wearing mostly leather armor strapped to chainmail spoke as she turned her white horse around, "then you shall die as you wish just like Him!"
The word escaped my lips before I could catch hold of it, "H-him?!"
I felt Uncle take hold of the reins and pull be beside him while my full attention was on the woman's back as she sat next to Agusta while her counterpart continued further to rejoin the amassed army. My mind raced at all the possibilities that could answer the burning question playing like a ill tuned violin though I had a devastating feeling that the identity of Him was clouded by my own disbelief. Kraven had said Einor had gone to reclaim Nyxis on his own after wiping out the guards stationed to watch over the lingering ship docked in an abandoned fishing hamlet. I knew Einor was a capable fighter but he was still recovering from the ordeal facing the Ghoul and the time spent with one foot on either side of the grave. I bit the inside of my cheek hoping to keep a hold of my own mind.
"We are about to find out," Uncle spoke in an already defeated tone as he nodded to Agusta who held up a brown sac while his army marched to stand behind him.
I watched ever so intently as Agusta reached into the bag with an ever triumphant smirk. "Fear," a voice whispered in my ears when his arm began to move, "is my weapon."
A wide misshapen head was pulled from the bag and thrust into the air for all to see that it wasn't Einor who was killed but some unknown person. I heard Kraven chuckle from my side to some unknown joke as the head's terrified mask gazed toward us with bulgy lidless eyes and a horrified lipless scowl. Pain began to swell in the pits of my gut at the mere sight of such a horrific face that made the Ghoul ever so charming especially upon seeing the strips of flesh ceremoniously carved free. Agusta chuckled at our silence only to become puzzled at several confused gazes from both sides. His eyes became furrowed at the realization that the head didn't belong to Einor which seemed to send a small unnoticeable shiver down his spine.
A loud screech filled the skies causing our necks to shift upward and watch a large figure hidden by the sun dive toward the ground. The figure became clearer as thin feathery arm length wings shifted the figure's course a little revealing the blurred image of a harpy clutching something between its taloned feet. Faster and faster the harpy dived forward until inches above the Vaniel army as it headed straight for Agusta who still gazed into the head's eyes hoping it to be an illusion. Using Far Sight, I watched the headless corpse that the harpy carried collide with Agusta and knock him free from his horse. Many knights hurried to remove the corpse off their startled prince leaving Nyxis unattended for a figure dressed in jester garments to appear out of the ground and pull her down with it, sending panicked chaos through those who watched.
Suddenly our horses began to trot nervously in place as they snorted and whimpered like something was unknowingly happening close by. The armored white mare given to me by Izras stood on its hind legs almost bucking me from the saddle while it lashed out with its front hooves at some unseen danger. I managed to get the mare calmed once more but fear filled its eyes as panic grunts came from the others. It was then that sounds of explosions erupted on the wings of surprised screams as multiple Vaniel soldiers flew through the air causing even more chaos to spread through their ranks. Two of the massive land ships broke formation while five others were torn to shreds by shadowy tendrils much like that of the sea creature Einor had told me about long ago.
"Milady," a voice chuckled beside me, causing me to turn and find the jester bowed before me with his right arm in the air behind him, "Lord Jackal requests that you take this opportunity to strike first."
The man chuckled as he looked at me with a tragedy threatre mask that had one eye, "The fun is about to begin!"