A taste of Victory
Both retaking the city and liberating the people were trivial before the power of Malak Al Moot. The main army , the part which was made of humans , was intact and virtually unhurt. And while some of the undead soldiers summoned by Malak's magic perished in the attack , there was no reason to be concerned about the life of summoned creatures since they could be summoned again.
There were also some people who were unhappy about letting the beastmen who submitted to the Sorcerous Kingdom to live , But since they were under the protection of Malak , who promised that they would be transported to the Sorcerous Kingdom and would never again harm any citizen of the Dragon Kingdom , the protests began to vanish. Even though many still harbored the desire to take revenge upon the beastmen.
Everyone was smiling as Asar and Malak walked down the street. They were rejoicing over being freed and having a real meal after a long time. Whenever Malak passed a street , the people on it would welcome her with their smiles and bows , while some the children would even come running to Malak side just so they could give her a flower. Some of them even wanted to hug Malak. Though Asar didn't want to let them at first , Malak herself nodded and told him that it was fine as she hugged some them in the same manner a mother would hug her own child , with a warm smile and a warm embrace.
Since Malak didn't seem to mind , it would be very rude of Asar to do something on his own that went against Malak wishes.
Her highness isn't just strong... she is very kind as well. What if our own queen was like that?
He quickly vanished that thought from his mind. Even though Malak was all that he thought , It would be treason to think like that about the monarch of your own country. But part of him believed that a queen should be just like that. Strong , Smart and Kind.
They walked until they heard some sounds. Judging by the voices and the directions they were coming from , it seemed a large number of people had gathered in the city main plaza. The same place that Malak had fought against the beastmen leader Lannstar.
Malak changed her direction to that of the plaza , and Asar followed behind her. As they expected , hundreds of people were gathered in the plaza. A closer look revealed the reason.
At the center of the plaza , a man who was held by two guards was being whipped as he was being placed on cross made out of wood. He was badly beaten , dirtied by trash and rotten vegetables and wore a ragged old robe. His face was ordinary , neither handsome nor ugly. He had long curvy hair that touched his shoulders and short facial hair.
One of the soldiers , who held a paper in his hand , looked at gathered people.
" For the crimes of Blasphemy , treachery , betraying the humanity and conspiring with the invading forces of the beastmen , Lungus Placat is hereby stripped from his position and title as a priest of the four gods and is condemned to crucifixion. You may begin."
The others , who were waiting for this , began to disrobe the condemned before strapping the man to the cross with their ropes.
The other people began to cheer for the guards and shouted curses toward the dishonored priest.
" What's the matter here? what did that man do?" Malak asked Asar calmly without raising her voice.
" I'm not consulted on the policy decisions your highness."
" Well , your people put him up there."
They began to nail his wrist and legs to the cross , and with each strike his voice of agony reached the sky.
" did you ever meet that man , Asar?"
" Yes , he seemed a rather bright fellow. Even after he was arrested by the authorities , he didn't show any sign of ill will."
One of the guards raised his hammer high above , and then swung it down to nail the criminal left hand to the cross. The anvil pierced the skin and the flesh , and blood began to flow from it's spot.
" Ouch" Malak said as if she was on that cross. " that has got to hurt... What was it he said that got everybody so upset?"
" ' Be Kind to Each Other.' I believe." Asar answered.
" Oh , yes." Malak nodded her head in understanding. " That'll do it."
The guards picked up the cross for all to see the tormented man upon it , and planted it on the ground.
Even though his anguish was obvious on his face , he didn't show any hatred toward the people.
" Well then. That's enough for now. let's go see the refuges."
" Yes!"
Led by Malak , the two of them left the gory scene and headed toward the place where the people were being sorted out.
There were thousands of people standing in several lines , awaiting to be processed by the officers whom were writing down their names. It was clear that the people were growing impatient. There were many voices like " how long it's going to take?" or " what's taking them so long?" and other such things. But none actually complained or tried to break the line. After enjoying the hospitality of the Beastmen for some time , they could endure this much trouble.
It took only a moment for Malak presence to be realized among the masses. Once people saw their savior walking among them , they greeted her with cheers and shouts of praise.
Malak answered their cries with a simple and kind smile , which caused more people to be smitten by her.
" Oh... Your highness! You honor us with your presence!" The one who spoke was General Waliant who was overseeing the registering process. His tone was filled with respect. Even though he had received a sharp answer from Malak when he challenged her authority when she first arrived , It seemed that he had come to respect Malak and her power. Mainly because it was thanks to her that they managed to take the city with almost no casualties.
" At ease general. It seems that everything is going well around here."
" Yes your highness. As you can see , we have been sorting out the people of this city , to see how many of them are natives , how many can join our army and how many need to be send back to the rear." They began to walk behind the desk of the officers as they talked.
" I will look forward to hear your report on that. Is there any problem so far?"
" No , nothing major. Only..." Waliant bite his lower lip. He was uncertain how to continue.
" You can tell me anything general. What's bothering you? is it the beastmen I took under my wing when I conquered this city? If the people are unhappy about it , just tell them that they are going to be send to the Sorcerous Kingdom."
" No... Nothing like that. Though there were many who were unhappy that you chose to spare the beastmen rather than kill them , no one filed any complaint. The problem is the Magilos magic casters."
" What about them?"
" Well , you see. There were thirty of them present when you take this city. But we have only counted twenty six of them among our captives. There were also three corpses belonging to the Magilos who were killed when you attacked the city , but that still leaves one Magilos missing."
Asar looked at Malak. " could it be that Magilos has simply evaded us and escaped? They were magic casters after all. It might have turned invisible and used the flight spell to escape."
Malak placed a hand in her chin and moved her head in disapproval. " No , that is unlikely. Death Cavaliers had surrounded the city when I attacked. Even if that one could have turned itself invisible , They could have snuffed it out."
" Then , could it be that it had used Teleportation magic to escape? But I have heard that it is a high tier magic. Only very few can use it."
" It is a problem. If that Magilos has escaped , there is no doubt the word of our victory has reached the enemy sooner than we would have wished for... But if the Magilos hasn't escaped , it means that it must be hidden inside this city."
The trio stopped walking. There was unease in their moods as they considered the possibility of the presence of an unknown person among them.
Malak looked at the two , and then she began to look at the people. " Keep this between us. It's better that the people remain ignorant while we search. It could cause unwanted disturbance."
" What if we used your soldiers? They shall have some abilities to snuff out this person. Right?"
" It would cause questions among the others. All that matters is that Magilos is..." Suddenly , Malak stopped in her tracks , her eyes fixed on one spot. "... caught."
Without saying a word , she started to walk toward the back of the lines. Asar and Waliant looked at each other with confusion , but they followed after Malak.
Malak went to the place where the elders were sitting on coaches , they all greeted her with kind and warm smiles , old men and women alike. " Thank you for saving the lives of our children." one old woman said. " Words can not express my gratitude. My grandchildren are alive because of you , your highness." Said an old man.
Malak thanked them with all the courtesy a young woman should show toward the elders. Her humble manner and kindness only caused them to grow more respectful toward her.
She continued to walk among them and greeted them all one by one , until she stopped before an old woman.
She looked like one of those favorite grandmothers that any child would yearn to have. She was tall , slightly stooped with crinkles around her brown eyes. Her hair was white and her face was full of wrinkles , But there was an indescribable charm in her appearance , a motherly one. Her clothes were old like her , and she wasn't wearing anything decent , but old rags and skirts.
Malak looked at the old woman with her sharp eyes , looking down on her from above. The old woman looked back with her motherly eyes , giving Malak a motherly smile before thanking her for saving her children and grandchildren lives.
Malak smiled softly , as she always did. " You are welcome sweetheart!" But right after her sentence was finished , she clenched her fist and punched the old lady in the face.
As the old woman was thrown on the ground , cries of fear and horror filled the air.
Everyone looked at Malak with wide open eyes , wondering why she would do such a terrible thing. A few rushed over to help the old woman , but the gaze and the dark aura emitting from Malak made them to step back.
Malak turned her attention back to the old woman on the ground , who was bleeding at her mouth , and picked her up by the collar to look her in the eye.
" That's quite a pretty face you have. I really hate to ruin it. Do you mind if I take it off you?" She took out a dagger out of nowhere , and placed it's tip on top of the old woman's face. Blood began to flow from her forehead and she began to wail , to Malak's indifference.
" What are you doing?! Let go of her!" Asar who couldn't bear to watch such a terrible thing lash out at Malak , and so did Waliant. Overcoming their fears , they attempted to stop Malak from tormenting the old woman. They grabbed her left arm to remove it from the old woman's neck , But they couldn't even budge it.
" You have been deceived." Malak said , averting her gaze from the old woman to them. " There is no truth in this face."
She looked back at her and sheathed her dagger , then sheopened her right fist while holding the old woman with her left. And from within her right hand , a small fire ball was formed. Even though it looked like it was puny and would go out at any moment , the fire was exceptionally hot. Even those standing aside could feel it's warmth.
" This is your last chance , show yourself , or I will burn your skin without killing you. Until you scream for me to do so!"
The old woman showed signs of fear all over her face , but still refused to talk.
" So be it." Malak began to press her fiery right arm into her face , but before the flames could touch the old woman's face...
" Alright! I Yield!"
She shouted as hard as she could , with a voice that seemed like it belonged to a young woman , and then , the light and shadow around her withered.
The clothes remained , the old rags and wools and skirts. But the wrinkles disappeared. The white hair became black , long and dark, and the face began to dissolve as well. Though similar to that of a human , a few things set it apart. Namely , the yellow color and the cat like pupils. On her face was a rune that seemed to shine lowly with magical light. But the most disturbing thing was the arms.
In place of the two old wrinkled arms , four arms appeared. Young and slender , but different from those of men. They had four fingers on each of them , and sharp short black claws in place of fingernails.
Everyone , even the people , realized the identity of the being before them.
" Magilos!" Someone shouted. The others panicked as well.
" Everybody calm down! The situation is under control." Malak shouted to the nearby people , while holding her grip around the Magilos's neck.
It lessened the dismay , but many still remained of their guard.
" How?" The Magilos said. " How did you see though my illusion? It was a forth tier spell that could fool the sight and the sense of touch! How did you..."
" There are very few things that can hide from this eyes , low tier illusions are not one of them."
Perhaps she didn't thought she would be caught , or that she was surprised that someone would regard a fourth tier spell as low tier magic , so her eyes went wide.
Shortly , a group of human soldiers arrived at the scene to take custody of the Magilos. Malak handed her over to them , chained and roped.
" Take this one to a cell. Careful that her hands remain cuffed, otherwise she might escape with magic. We will interrogate her later."
After the Magilos was taken away ,Waliant went to Malak side.
" Your highness , may I ask you something?"
Malak turned around to look at him before saying " you may."
" How did you manage to see through her illusion? And what do you hope to learn from that demihuman? didn't we already questioned the beastmen you took captive?"
" I can't answer your first question. As for the second ,We did question them. But they didn't give us a lot of info to act on. We still don't know why the beastmen have attacked this nation in full force. All their chief told them was that they had to take this city for their own protection. They are fleeing to this kingdom , rather than just invading it."
Waliant , and Asar , were both shocked and visibly concerned by this revelation.
" What could possibly be dangerous enough to beastmen to cause them to unite with each other and other demihumans and then flee?!"
" I don't know...yet. But we need to gather information as fast and as much as we can. If whatever threat the Beastmen are running from chose to follow them here and we are not ready for it , there will be disastrous consequences to face. That Magilos has no doubt was spying on us , sending information to the enemy. You can be certain that by now ,they are aware that we have taken this city. And that you have a powerful ally with you."
" What do you think we should do?"
Malak put a hand on her chin. " To answer that we must first figure out what the beastmen would do. If their leaders were idiots , which I doubt they are , they would attack us with all force. If they are smart , they will try to figure out as much as they can about us before launching an attack to some other strategically less important location to distract us and then reclaim this city. There are also other possibilities..."
Malak went silent for a moment , and looked to the sky. If the look on her face was any clue , she was deep in thought. Thought Asar and Waliant both wanted to know what was going on in her head , they thought it would be better if they didn't disrupt her line of thought.
A few moment later , Malak turned her back on them on began to walk toward the city gate.
" Where are you going , your highness?"
" I have some matters to settle. I am going back to my tent. I will call for you and the others when I'm done."
The day was grey and cold , and the scent was weak.
The big old snakeman had taken a group of their warriors for ranging beyond the mountain pass , to check on the enemy's movement and finding if they had moved from their position.
To see if the Dead were coming after their scent of life.
The moon was black tonight. There was almost no light in the sky. Though Beastmen like him had dark vision and could see in the night almost as well as the day , they didn't enjoy darkness much. Unless it was for hunting a prey. And he knew that these days , they were the prey.
" Get up here Morqa! My watch is done."
Chatt shouted as well as he could , in order to summon another one of his tribe men to take over his place.
Ever since the invasion of the Dragon Kingdom began , He and many others Beastmen were ordered by their chiefs to watch the back of their army. To monitor the army of the dead and warn the main body if they were to attack the Beastmen from behind.
That was why he was sent to this gods forsaken mountain pass.
The Beastmen nation was divided into two parts by a large mountain rank. The mountains were very hard to pass , even for beastmen. Rocky and hard , Sharp tilts and impassable as a mountain could be. There were only a few safe routes from which one could travel between the eastern part of nation , were several demihuman tribes used to live, and the western part , which was home to Beastmen.
The demihumans from the eastern part were either dead or had already fled to the west. Right now the only beings living in that area were the Dead.
Since the eastern parts were bordered by a sea at east and south , the only way the Dead could attack was to either march thousands of leagues to the north to circle the mountains, or to march west and pass the mountain passes.
That was they had constructed several ring forts in those key locations.
The beastmen didn't have the knowledge to raise fortress with mighty thick stone walls and towers , that much was true. Otherwise they wouldn't had to conquer the Dragon Kingdom cities , to hide behind their walls for protection. But they knew how to build a ring fort made out of rough unshaped stones mortared with clay.
They had chosen the highest ground in this pass to build their fort , and strengthened it's defense by digging a moat before the fort and putting stakes on the other side of it if the dead were to somehow break through. The moat itself was also filled with wood covered with tar and oil , to create a ring of fire that would hold the dead back. Theoretically.
Morqa walked to the top of the fort , and shared his gaze with Chatt.
" Has there been no word on those Snakemen? It's been three days." Morqa asked.
Chatt waved his head." No , I haven't heard anything about them. You think they might be dead? It's quite chilly out there , and they are coldblooded."
" If they are going to be dead , It wouldn't be the cold that kills them."
" I don't care what will happen to them , but considering the situation that we are in , I prefer that they live. I don't wanna be around when the dead come knocking on our door."
When Chatt said this , Morqa gave him a sharp look.
" Are you afraid to fight them?"
Chatt ignored his mockery , because he knew that Morqa didn't really know anything about the enemy they were facing.
" I was there... at Black Horn. I saw the dead attacking and slaughtering everyone on sight. I saw the icy ones too... you know , the undead warriors that look like they are made of ice , With blades so cold that they shatter steel upon impact. And that's not even the worse of it. I saw the Reaper itself. From my boat as we drifted away , I saw that monster raising it's hands and turning the dead into it's soldiers. I would be a bloody fool if I wasn't afraid of them after all that."
Morqa didn't say anything to him after that. Smart boy, Chatt thought. He simply drew his bow and arrow to take his post. Chatt might have told him that he didn't need to keep his bow in hand until he saw the enemy , despite the law that every defender must be ready to use his weapon at once , but he decided that there was no need to bother and went to the ladder.
" Assemble!" The shout came suddenly , from a dozen throats , and quick spread to every part of the ring fort. " Everyone to your posts. Now!"
Frowning , Chatt and Moraq looked around to see what was going on. Every single Beastmen in the ring fort had taken up position above the walls , readying their weapon and looking at the east. To the forest that was a few hundred meters away.
The air was misty and the fire of the torches and hearths glinted of their steel. He could hear the sound of the wind picking against the wall , and his fur. Though his fur granted him cold resistance , it didn't meant that he was immune to the cold. He spat on the ground , and his spittle froze before it hit the earth.
The flames swirled and shriveled by the wind , as if they too were cold.
He found himself kneeling on the wall and listening to the night. The wind did sound like a wailing child, and from time to time , the growls of the other Beastmen , a log spitting in fire and nothing else. It's so quite.
He felt a chill on his spine , and his entire body shook for one moment. Snow was falling .It was a heavy fall. Thick white flakes coming down all over him. He could sense tears on his cheek freezing.
Uuuuuuuhoooooo!
He got on his feet as he heard the sound of the horn. There were several onlookers all around the camp and before it on the top of the trees to warn them of the coming of their friends and foes. The single sound of the horn meant that their men were coming back from the ranging.
He felt a little life return to him by that sound alone , he looked at his left and saw Moraq had made the same face.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhoooooooooooooooooooooooo!
The sound went on and on , and it seemed it would never end. Birds were flying away and screaming above the fort. The Beastmen bared their steel and readied their bow. Some of them began to speak with their comrades , with a fear that they couldn't hide in their shaking voice.
Chatt felt shaking , and he looked at Moraq with a terrified look on his eyes.
" Two blasts... I heard two." Chatt squeaked. " That can only mean one thing. Two means..."
" The Dead." Moraq finished his sentence. Chatt made a sound that was half laugh and half sob , and he could feel a wet sensation on his legs. Steam rose from where his pissed himself, and the two Beastman looked at the tree line.
And there they saw it.
From within the darkness of the forest , and the mist that surrounded it , came out several riders.
They were all tall and gaunt , with bodies clad in blue crystal armor and holding all sorts of blades in their hands. Their form was like that of humans , But they were not humans.
They were the cold icy undead warriors of the Reaper , and beneath them they rode dead beasts. Some of them were on horses , but there were other types of beasts as well. Mammoths , Giant Bears , Barghests and...
As they marched closer , Chatt could feel the air becoming colder as well. He didn't feel cold on the outside , but from within. His very body was shaking , he could hardly keep his blade in hand. He looked around , and saw that many of his fellows were not any better. Even Moraq was trembling like a child.
" More! Look. They are coming from the trees.
From within the tree lines , right behind icy undead warriors , came their dead servants.
There were all kinds of the undead. Some of them were beastmen , some orcs , ogres , snakemen , magilos... even Naga rajas. Towering above them all were the Hill Giants , some of which were carrying large wooden shields and clubs. Not only that , there were many undead beasts and wild animals as well , numbering in the thousands and marching beside the rest.
" Spirits, There is hundreds... No! Thousands of them. Tens of thousands!"
He heard Moraq as his voice trembled.
The undead army marched in perfect sync. Even though there were several thousands of them with different types , they all marched in line, Without anyone of them slowing down or speeding up. They walked calmly toward their position as if they were taking a relax walk on an open plain without anything and anyone to disturb them. That performance of military order and discipline might be praise worthy , if it wasn't done by an undead army steadily marching forward to kill you. It caused Chatt to be even more afraid that he already was.
" Fire arrows!" The commander of the fort shouted , with a voice that seemed to belong to a cornered chicken rather than a beastman warrior. " Ready your fire arrow! Fire is the bane of the undead! Rarg! Send the riders away, call for backup. Tell the chiefs that the dead are one the move! Now!"
Chatt didn't mind the commander , and only looked toward the army of the dead. It's going to be fine. We just need to hold out until reinforcements arrive. He thought to himself. The path between the mountain was just a hundred meter long , and they held the high ground and a good defensive position. Though the enemy number was much larger than them , As long as they held the high ground they should be able to repel them.
Suddenly , The icy riders stopped dead in their tracks , and the whole undead army stopped before them as well. They stood their ground a hundred meters away from them , and simply lifted their head and looked at their position.
Chatt looked at them with fear , and so did Morqa and the others. The undead usually attacked the living on sight , without the slightest regard for their own existence or fear. So why were they stopping now?
Perhaps they have an intelligent undead commander? One that realized they can't pass this mountain... or are they afraid of us?
He desperately wished that was the case. But part of his mind kept telling him that the dead felt no fear , and the Reaper was more than powerful enough to break through their defenses if it showed up here.
Not that damned undead! please gods... don't let it come to us tonight. He prayed to whatever god , spirit or even demon that would listen.
At this moment , he heard a terrible voice coming from above the mountain.
He looked up , and saw something large was in the sky.
There was no shadow of it on the ground. For a shadow to exist there must some light first. And tonight was dark and full of terrors.
And then there were more of them. They looked a winged beast from afar. But as they drew closer , Chatt realized that they were no ordinary flying beasts.
They were Skeletal Dragons.
They numbered thirty , and on their backs and were riders as black as the night. With no face visible behind their dark black hoods. They wore grey full plated armor over their dark loose robes , and they held long swords in their hands.
And they were diving down from the black sky. Coming right for them. And behind them was another Skeletal Dragon. That one was different. It had three heads instead on of one , and on it's back was a figure that Chatt identified even from two hundred meter away.
He felt a warm wet sensation between his legs for a second time.
Author note: Hi, I'm back. I know what you are thinking. Why the hell it took more than three months to release a chapter? and why was it relatively short? Well... I'm sure there are many working members of society writing their stories in this site. But I doubt that there are many of them who have to work for 10 hours and travel nearly 100 miles everyday to make a living and support a family. that doesn't really live much free time for writing guys.
Any way , I have decided to focus my effort into just one story , This one. As for my other story , Death is our Shadow... I'm gonna tell you about that in the next update. Which will hopefully come within a week.