Sorry for the delay, this chapter was mostly delayed because I didn't want to post without another chapter. But I am still sorry for how long. Anyway here is the next chapter, and I can tell you that things are going to be different this time around, just watch and see.
The Hand of Suffering
Chapter 19: Ansur Falls
Southern Ansur
Valeska ducked to the side and cut off the arm of the swordman, he didn't even have time to scream before his head parted from his body. As his body fell back her warriors advanced, charging into the Black Dogs line and carving them apart with brutal efficiency. No matter how numerous an enemy was they didn't stand a chance against her soldiers, quality over quantity. They were proving that now, outnumbered nearly three to one, her forces were pushing back the enemy with unparalleled speed.
They were making good time towards the enemy stronghold, a village near the Black Wood Forest and the Beast Swamp called Ashencombe. There was only one navigable path through these two obstacles of trees and bogs, it was the open plains between the two natural barriers to any army. At least for most.
Even bottle necked and exposed they were pushing back the Black Dogs and the Orcs advance, a week of heavy fighting and they had covered most of the distance between Ansur and Ashencombe. This was the final push before they broke the enemy army and secured the village and had an opening into the flood plains of northern Ansur.
"Send a signal to Nathan and Shifu, tell them to break the right flank and cut into the rear." Valeska ordered.
It had not taken long for the Black Dogs to attack, barely a week had passed since the capture of Ansur and they had been fighting relentlessly since then. Reports from the Untouched Valley of a massive army moving south and into Ansur through the Greenway Pass, joining up with forces from Zelindo and recruiting more soldiers as they marched south. Not too surprisingly the enemy had marched south through the Valley and erected a defensive fortification on the road between Ken and Ansur.
The route between Ansur and Ken was narrow, barely a kilometre wide, the mountains of the Untouched Valley along with the forests that hugged the base of the mountains made for perfect barriers. If one set up a fort there they could effectively hinder all travel between Ansur and Ken, unless of course they moved south into the Breadbasket and navigated their way across the plains and rivers to reach Ansur. But that would take three times longer than normal.
For all of Vaults arrogance he was no fool, he had fought against orcs for nearly thirty years. Been Eostia's sole military might in that time, he may be brutish and arrogant, but he had a sliver of cunning. If he didn't have to fight he wouldn't, sacrificing hundreds meant little to him, and it was obvious he was using the orcs as fodder to keep his best troops alive.
To consider him a minor threat or none at all was the height of stupidity, Valeska would not be caught unprepared by that man.
"And the hammer drops." Valeska mused. Watching as Nathan Walsh's Heavy Cavalry, the Crimson Hussars, alongside Shifu Xuiang's Shiryo Riders, charged from the forest and smashed into the unprepared right flank of the enemy.
Heavy Cavalry would smash through the majority of the enemy and leave them scattered, those that fled would be run down by the light cavalry. Individuals their forces could not be beaten, in tandem they were the very messengers of death. Valeska was glad that she had been able to get Shifu to come from Feoh, it didn't take much convincing and now she had a cavalry force that none in Eostia could match.
The enemy line broke within minutes, trapped between her army and the cavalry forces of Nathan and Shifu, they were torn apart. The commander of these mercenaries was dead, Nathan had smashed into their ranks and cut them all down. Leaderless, divided and without anyone to rally them they were corpses in waiting. Seeing that they had no chance of survival the mercenaries all began to retreat, fleeing for their lives and screaming for mercy. They had routed the entire army without much fuss, now it was time to wipe them out completely.
"The Black Dogs are retreating to Ashencombe." Faruk said, coming up beside her, his short swords bloodied and well used.
"I am sure they will receive a warm welcome from Barnabas and the Shadow Hunters." Valeska said, orcs never were ones to retreat from a fight.
They were stubborn and held their ground, but they would be swallowed up in a few moment. The Deathwatch had arrived, charging from the forests and hitting into the orcs line, the Kadame soldiers were skilled and dangerous in close combat. Hailing from the Island nation of Kadame, nestled between the continent of Eostia and Yushu, the Deathwatch was a force to be reckoned with.
The Kadame were rumoured to have soldiers trained at early childhood to wield the spear and sword, training daily to refine their skills to a knifes edge. While the Deathwatch was an imitation of that order, a respectful one mind you, they certain painted a beautiful picture of what kind of martial discipline the Kadame people were capable of. Their entire force of fifteen hundred warriors marched in tandem, like a well oiled machine they moved with purpose and grace that few could match.
Most of their members were of Kadame descent, either full blooded, from half to quarter. Taken as slaves by the Ansur Regime decades ago they were made into gladiators and forced to wear magic collars that forced them to obey every command given. When Ansur fell these men and woman all banded together and fought their way out of Ansur and settled in the Untouched Valley. Years later the children and grandchildren of these freed men and woman would form the Deathwatch, led by Sonja Kadame. Daughter of Zoya Kadame, Princess of the Kadame Empire and sister to the nations current Emperor.
The Deathwatch marched forward with practiced ease, their steps sounded as one and was like thunder across the battlefield. Encircling what remained of the enemy army all that was left to do is squeeze until they expired. Her army and the Deathwatch could handle this, best send off the rest of their forces.
"Brayan, Faruk, take your companies and relieve Nathan and Shifu. I want them going after everyone that escaped." Valeska ordered, she didn't receive a confirmation, but she knew it would be done.
It took only a few minutes before she watched as the Shiryo and Crimson Hussars break off from the battle. As they rode to the north Brayan and Faruk brought their companies around the orcs and attacked their rear. Pressed between the Deathwatch and two companies, the beasts didn't stand a chance.
The battle would end soon and then they would begin marching north again, the bulk of the Black Dogs army was retreating and the orcs were trapped and waiting to be slaughtered. All that remained was to keeping moving north, securing the remaining villages and its people and getting them to the south. If they were out of region they would be safe from possible future attacks.
The last orc fell with a roar and as it dropped her army began returning to marching formation. Moving forward she marched to the front of her army, by the time she was there they had already taken up formation. Any general would be proud to have troops as disciplined and cohesive as these, and while she was proud she did not show it, they still had a battle to fight.
It was time to chase after those fleeing mercenaries and secure Ashencombe.
An hour of marching they reached Ashencombe.
It was a large village, big walls and defences surrounded it. This place was one of the few villages that had been outfitted to repel attacks from the south. Considering the Wildlings often liked to raid from the swamps and forests this place was a prime target for them. Even after a few years of peace it still was in good shape, at least in retrospect.
The outside walls were comparably new, but the houses were the exact opposite. As they entered through the gate they found the village in shambles, they knew whatever resources this village had was put towards the defence of the town rather than its upkeep. What was the point of a good house when it would be burnt down in a raid?
But those walls also kept out a lot more than just the Wildlings. Something you had to look out for was the people, paranoid and distrustful of outsiders was to be expected. Given that most of the villages in Ansur were under the yoke of the nobles of Zelindo you couldn't blame them for not trusting people they never met. Out here you really couldn't trust anyone. It wasn't strange to hear some villages actually raiding each other for food, given the poor quality of food that can be grown here it was no surprise people took to raiding and stealing to survive.
When Valeska was still in command of the Rose Company and over Ansur she had pulled back most of the people around the city. Unwilling to leave them to the elements and risk Wildling attacks, not a single village between Ansur and Ashcombe was inhabited.
Before she ruled Ansur the Wildlings were a constant hassle, it was better if she didn't have to send her forces out to deal with them every time an attack came. Also it stopped the people from killing each other as well. That was why there were dozens of deserted hamlets and villages around Ansur, everyone opted to move to the city and be safe behind the big stone walls.
Even when Maia took control she never bothered to expand her influence outside the city, little point considering there was nothing really of value to gain. Yet even her lack of presence in the region had earned herself a reputation. People liked to find a outlet for their frustration, and more than anything they usually took it out on the one person who was supposed to be in charge.
Coming to the centre of the village she found most of the commanders for the different companies present. As she approached they all turned and offered a nod in greeting, she returned it and with her company captains in tow they began the meeting. Although there was another face there, a woman with dark hair and a bruise or two on her face. If she was here she was likely an elder or whatever amounted to an authority figure in this village now.
"Situation?" Valeska inquired.
"Village has been cleared out, most of the people were either killed or were taken towards Zelindo." Barnabas Hendricks responded, before gesturing to the unknown woman. "A few survivors are still present, most of them woman."
"Fuckers kept us here to play with." She said, despite her heated words she shivered in revulsion.
"This is Carmen Marlowe, she is the daughter of the village magistrate, as of now she is the current leader of this village." Nathan Walsh said, introducing the woman, it would seem that her father was dead given that she now holds the privilege.
"Ma'am, I am sorry we couldn't arrive in time." Valeska said, her words may be hollow but they were sincere.
"Better had you come sooner, but it is good that you came at all." Carmen said, she was willing to give some respect it seems, but only so much. Likely prejudice against them as outsiders and foreigners played more part in her distrust than their lack of response to the sacking of her home.
The Ansur region was considered low value, the people and land were so dispensable that even the loss of the majority of its population didn't even amount to a single village across the frontier. Usually this place was given a passing glance and subsequently ignored whenever something bad happened here. This place was lawless and uncivilised, none wanted to live here but had no choice.
Now the people were being corralled towards Zelindo, either to be enslaved or recruited into the Black Dogs army. Given that this region was prime recruiting grounds for the mercenary company and freelance work was the only true avenue for money it was a given that a lot of people here took up the sword over trying to meet out simple lives in this hellhole.
"But I still got people missing, husbands, fathers, and most of the children too." Carmen said.
"Can you intercept them before they reach the city?" Valeska turned towards Barnabas.
"Yes." He replied.
"Then go."
Barnabas turned and moved off, giving a shrill whistle as he headed north, he wasn't going to wait around. None of them were. Elite companies such as the ones she was working with now were independent and could operate outside of her command or without the aid of traditional armies. They were invaluable for carrying out operations that were too delicate for her forces to handle quickly or were better handled by elite soldiers.
She had five groups in total aiding her, that accounted to more than half of the Elite forces they had in the Hand of Suffering. With those forces she could scour and take over most of Ansur within a few months of slow fighting. But she planned to have reached Zelindo within a month, and have the city under their control by the end of that period.
"Nathan, Sonja."
The former Knight of Ur and half child of Kadame royalty glanced her way.
"Head to Stagvale, reinforce the town and make sure the Black Dogs do not get a foothold there after we take it." Valeska ordered, immediately they turned and moved off.
Debates and strategy meetings were pointless, they needed to be fast, brutal and not give the enemy a chance to come up with a counter strategy. They move from one position to the next and do not withdraw unless they are facing opposition that will cost them soldiers and the advantage.
"Shifu."
The ronin glanced her way, once the imposter to the late Hinako, now she returned to her position as the Elite Captain of their Light Cavalry Unit. Most of the Shiryo Riders were refugees from Zelindo, having been hold up in the eastern district under Hinako's protection. In truth they were all trained horse riders and warriors, waiting alongside their Captain for the moment when they may ride again and strike at the enemy.
"Scout out the regions in the north, I want to know what is happening out there. Also send word to Rad, tell them to get their people into the city, the Black Dogs will be moving against them soon enough." Valeska said, it was time she allowed Shifu square away her business with Shrine Maiden Kaguya.
While she knew that Barnabas was a better option to scouting the entire region, he grew up here and often carried out many of the Nobles more questionable dealings. But Shifu was better served in this capacity as she had history with Rad and its people, along with the Shrine Maiden Kaguya.
She knew that Shifu wished to return back to Rad and explain the circumstances to Kaguya. Especially with having assumed the role of Shrine Priestess Hinako, something that was done out of duty rather than disrespect. Beyond the personal reasons for going to Rad it was important that she alerted them to the threat, as well as her own actions over the last year and a half. Her honour as a Samurai could never be squashed, and there was no way she would be able to function properly unless she was able to sort this out.
It also allowed them to make sure that Rad was not a threat to their advance. The last thing they needed was to risk conflict with the Samurai, they had enough to deal with. Besides there was a ceasefire in effect between the Hand of Suffering and the Alliance. Even though the people of Rad were breaking away from the Alliance it was best they not try and make things a technicality.
As the Elite forces moved off to do their work she had to consider her next operation. As much as she wished to push forward she had to wonder about how quickly she was moving against the Black Dogs.
"We pushed up here quickly." Valeska stated, looking to her captains, they all agreed.
"Enemy numbers are inconsistent, even if a number of them are to the west hindering reinforcements from Ken there should be more." Solaina Prescott, captain of the Crimson Brides company, she had been serving under her since she started up the militia five and half years ago.
She had a husband, currently serving under Faruk, while her daughter and son were in The Vengeful Dark Company under Fayanna Smythe. It always amazed her how people from so many different backgrounds could come together and form such a solid and respectable command structure.
A seamstress, a crime family hitman, and a former Dark Elf Guard Captain from Lorain. A random bunch, but under the Hand they were one organism, one fist.
"They have superior numbers but it is also lax, most of what we are fighting against are green boys." Selim Rowley of The Widowed said, having named his Company after the fact most of his soldiers had lost a spouse or loved one to the orcs during the five year conflict in the Valley. He had lost his wife and children, nearly gone mad from the grief, now he was stronger, focused.
"Their holding back their main force then." Solaina said, if all the enemy was freshly recruited unblooded warriors that means they don't want to sacrifice their best men in a pointless skirmish.
"They sacrificed a lot of soldiers to us though, they are either trying to delay us…" Brayan said, shaking his head, he didn't need to say anything, they all thought the same.
"Yeah, I think they are luring us up north." Faruk said. "They kept pulling back when we engaged their main army, had we not cut off their escape they would have retreated again. Left the orcs so they can run for it."
"They are also taking people as slaves and dragging them across the country, that strategy is a waste of resources." Fayanna said, the Dark Elf warrior crossed her arms, her purple hair tied into a knot and a large blade hanging from her back. "They also left people behind, didn't hurt them all that much either, said that not even the orcs were allowed to touch them."
The Black Dogs have no compunction about how they treated their prisoners, not unless there was some value in keeping them unsullied. They left them alive and in good health, along with sacrificing thousands of new recruits for something. It came to them quickly what it could mean.
"Their drawing us away from Ansur then." Valeska mused.
The battles against the Black Dogs had been easy, too easy, if the enemy was using fresh recruits that meant they were sacrificial pawns for another scheme. There was more to this than they realised, Vault was up to something and he was keeping his forces in reserve.
Defending against Rad made no sense, neither was assaulting it if he was launching an attack to the South and specifically cutting off reinforcements from Ken. Rad wasn't his target, there is no value in taking it and he only wastes time and resources capturing it, he needed to get south and Ansur was his only option. Instead of an all out assault he was trying something else.
"Khalid, Fayanna, I want you two back in Ansur now." Valeska said, while the Rose Company was there she had her doubts that with Maia still in command they would be able to deal with a possible siege.
"Understood." Fayanna said, turning along with Khalid to gather their forces and begin the march back to Ansur.
It would take them four days to get back, they didn't have a moment to waste. In that time she would continue her advance forward and see what the enemy was up too. They were setting a trap for them, if that was the case then it was time they sprung it.
Her soldiers were turning on her.
Day by day more of them were siding with Melleah and her comrades to prepare the city for a siege. Control was slowly being lost, as much as she still controlled the Rose Company it was no longer in her hands. Veronica says she was on her side, would follow her without complaint, but Maia knew she agreed with those traitors.
Dammit, she had gotten careless. So focused on making sure that the Black Dog's name wasn't dragged through the mud that she forgot about her own reputation and hold of the Company. It was no secret that she didn't get along with Melleah or any of the city guard, they hated her for getting rid of their original leader. That was a sentiment that was shared by many in the Company, even her officers had been divided when they learned that Valeska was alive and part of the Hand.
A part of her couldn't fathom how they didn't see her as a better alternative. That fossil was more focused on this city than anywhere else, she had brought them recognition and respect from the Alliance and literally made them heroes.
They were out there fighting off orcs and demons and other foul things for the benefit of the entire nation and she was labeled a worse leader than Valeska.
But could she really blame them?
She knew that this was a matter of wounded pride more than anything. The people of Ansur had been through hell and she was barely here to do anything, and when she was there wasn't much she did to improve the city or the lives of the people. Most times she was antsy and wanting to get out of here, administration wasn't her thing, so she left it to someone else and just went off to fight. You could rationalize it as much as you like, no matter what she had done in the past it didn't change the fact she had left this city to rot.
Valeska had taken back her Company, unified them and brought a lot of order back to this city. There was no denying that, they had executed traitors in her own ranks and basically wiped out crime in the city in only a few days. It still was horrifying to think that her own people would betray her to the crime lords, to the very people she had thought she had control over.
Turns out it was the other way around. She thought that she had nothing to worry about from them when she took over the Rose Company. That was wrong. It was the biggest mistake of her life, and now it was coming back to haunt her.
"Fuck, even the beer isn't helping anymore." Maia muttered, pushing away the half empty mug and throwing some coins on the counter.
The dive she had come into was empty, given it was not even noon yet she had to wonder why she was trying to get drunk so early. Not like it mattered, what else was there to do? She had been ousted and left to wallow in her misery while the people celebrated their own way at the liberation of the city by the Hand of Suffering and by Valeska Notleigh.
As much as she knew she had been in the wrong, how she had messed up good, she couldn't help but feel envious of that woman.
"Hey, Maia, found you." Veronica said.
"What are you doing here?" Maia asked, not bothering to hide her apathy.
Veronica had been busy ever since the Hand of Suffering had taken over, from what she had heard it seems her second was working with them to reinforce the city. Word was that there was an orc army to the west blocking off reinforcements from coming from Ken. Not like it mattered, she wasn't going to ask for help from those bastards.
"Got word from the Seaside Gate, we got reinforcements from Ken riding into the city." Veronica said.
"What? How the hell did they get here?" Maia said, surprised by the news.
She hadn't sent word for reinforcements, hell even if she did there was no way they could have gotten here in time. While she knew Celestine was preparing an army to move for Ansur it was still weeks away from actually arriving, let alone being prepared.
Celestine had wanted to make a grand gesture and also wanted to utterly annihilate the Black Dogs and Zelindo. So she was getting a massive force together, she had basically dumped what was left of the treasury into making weapons and armor to get them ready for battle. Along with taking a large chunk of the nobilities riches to help support this army, many were not happy and seemed to be expressing it by only donating the bare minimum.
But how the hell did they get here so fast? How did they get through the blockade?
"Better go see who has graced our presence." Maia said, moving for the main plaza and preparing to wait for them there.
As she arrived she found a host of soldiers, maybe a thousand strong, well equipped and armed. A sizable force, one that could fortify the city easily from an attack, maybe even drive out the Hand of Suffering. That came to mind very quickly when she saw the soldiers, it was tempting to put into action, but for now she had to see who she would be dealing with.
Last thing she wanted was her people getting killed because someone thought them traitors, even if she thought the same she couldn't bring herself to have them massacred. The Rose Company was still her, even if in name, she was not going to sacrifice her people just to retake this city.
Their reasons for turning could be considered legitimate, and they cared about the city and its people. She wouldn't say they would be getting off scot free, they had sided with the Hand of Suffering after all, but they would face trial to see if they could be either swayed back to her side or keep them imprisoned.
It was hard to make a decision, to keep them locked up or execute them. But after the failing she had just suffered through, perhaps it was time to get back herself back into shape and start acting like a leader.
"Lady Maia, my love, it is good to see you again."
"Oh fuck me." Maia muttered, hoping this was some kind of nightmare.
Riding at the head of this cadre of troops was a fat bastard, his gut hung out so far from his belly that it wasn't able to be covered by his shirt. He had a small face as well and looked like a big baby, with how he talked it sounded annoyingly like one that whined too much. If there was anyone out there that hated crying babies this asshole would be on their shit list the moment he opened his mouth.
His name was Michelle Pantielle, the son of a former Knight of Ken, who was a famous and influential noble. The man had two sons, one who was a Dawn Templar and the pinnacle of Knighthood, the other was about as pretty as cow shit. She wouldn't much care who Michelle was but the problem was this asshole was madly in love with her and never took a hint to leave her alone. It aggravated her to no end, and now he was here with troops, likely he had come here at his own behest.
"I have brought a thousand soldiers my lady, to help you protect this city from the clutches of those heretical monsters!" Michelle said.
He hopped off the horse, having to use a step to get down, and Maia only felt sympathy to the horse that didn't have to carry that fat bastard around. It was a travesty that this shit was a noble, and even worse that he made her the source of all his affections.
"Well at least something good came from you coming here." Maia muttered aloud. "You can show yourself out now, I will take command of these guys."
Looking over the men she could tell that they had some experience to them, they walked and moved like professionals. They were skilled, kind of strange how they had come from Ken, these guys were not green boys. She had seen the recruits they had gotten from Ken and they were lackluster at best, considering there hasn't been a nationwide army in over forty years it was expected.
The majority of the people they brought in were levies from down south, farmers and peasants who were unfortunate to be called to serve on short notice. She truly pitied them, being force to fight against orcs and likely against the Black Dogs too. It was only the latter she was angry about, because Celestine and the Shields were sending innocent people to die against Vault's forces.
"What's this?" Melleah said, walking into the conversation.
Behind her was a group of Guardsmen, about twenty, they regarded the arriving forces with confusion and anxiety. That was to be expected, they had just picked the side that was an enemy to most of Eostia and now judgement was about to fall on their heads. As much as she would like to rub it in their faces she decided to save face, for them and herself, and just tell them their little coup was over.
"Reinforcements from Ken." Maia said, looking at her with a frown. "I think you know that I am not going to let the Hand remain here, nor am I going to let you run wild anymore."
"So what? You going to murder us because we didn't share your delusion that Vault isn't a traitor?" Melleah scowled.
Maia ground her teeth together, this conversation was not going to head there, she was ending this.
"Hey! I want all members of the city guard rounded up! They were working with the Hand. I want them all alive to face trial." Maia ordered. "Consider that a mercy."
"You bitch, fuck your mercy." Melleah scowled.
"I am not letting my city get gutted by that werewolf and his fanatics." Maia said. "Detain them and move through the city, I want them all in chains."
"I think we can do that."
Maia felt herself go rigid for a moment, turning she looked to an approaching Knight, broad and having a bit of swagger in his step. He took off his helmet and showed off his handsome weathered face along with his unruly black hair.
"Vault?" Maia breathed.
"Good to see you Maia." He said, smirking as he usually did when they greeted one another.
Maia stepped forward, she had rushed towards him quickly, stopping just short of him. She had nearly tried to hug him, but she stopped herself before she did anything embarrassing. Awkwardly she stood there, looking between him and the ground, struggling to find the words to speak. He watched on impassively, although he did for a moment seem to show affection.
"Shit, the Black Dogs, how the hell did they get into the city?" Melleah said, drawing her sword and looking around at the enemy that was surrounding them.
"We came by sea." Vault said, stepping forward and giving a shit-eating grin towards Melleah and her guardsmen. "Now surrender, Maia wants you all alive, so I advise that you do it."
"Like I would surrender to you. I would bite out my own tongue before putting myself at your mercy." Melleah growled, her guardsmen did the same.
Maia knew things would get ugly, and as much as she wanted that woman to pay for turning on her this wasn't the way to do it. A part of her couldn't bring herself to accept that murdering them because of what they did was just, they had done everything to keep this city safe. They deserved a fair trial.
"Vault, don't kill them. Just take them captive, I want them to answer for what they did." Maia said, fighting to speak to him, she almost sounded like she was begging right now. "Please."
He regarded her for a moment, and then stiffly gave a nod and then ordered his troops to apprehend the Guardsmen. They were surrounded and had no chance to escape, eventually they were overwhelmed and detained, screaming all the while as they were chained up and led away.
Maia was glad that Vault listened, he often came down hard on people that were his enemies. But it only proved that she was right, that he had not turned, he was still the same man she knew. He turned to her and his smirk returned full force, stepping forward he wrapped a hand around her shoulder and walked towards the palace.
"Let's have a talk, I want to know what's been going on since I departed for the Black Fortress." Vault said.
Maia could only smile, glad to have the man she loved back. His arm around her was enough to dispel any worries she had. With Vault by her side again she could rest easy knowing that nothing would threaten them again.
It had been hard riding, then it had been a hard run, now she was barely able to walk.
She was tired, hungry, and felt like dying with every step she was forced to take. To give up now would be something she wouldn't have any guilt over doing, but she couldn't.
There was no other choice but to keep moving. Ansur was in danger, if she didn't do anything the entire city was doomed. It was hard to keep focused, her mind was a flurry of thoughts and images, she was muttering to herself.
"Maia, you idiot… why didn't you listen… why didn't you listen…"
Margaret hated her for being so difficult, she had betrayed everything she stood for. Maia was a hypocrite, plain and simple, and because of that Ansur was likely under siege by the Black Dogs and their demonic army.
They had invaded Seacliffe a day ago and took the fishing hamlet for themselves, the bastards had taken ships from the north. Margaret had seen the ships in the distance and thought they were the usual shipment that came from up north, but when mercenaries and orcs attacked it said otherwise. The village fell within minutes, dozens dead and hundred enslaved.
"They were right all along… those bastards… they are traitors… all of them…"
The Black Dogs had led the attack, Vault himself was there, leading the horde or rapists and murders through the village and collecting the spoils. She had watched as they raped the woman and girls, some to death and others to insanity.
As much as Maia denied it, as much as she silenced and demanded people to not speak ill of Vault and the Black Dogs, she was wrong. Those monsters had aligned themselves with the orcs and turned on Eostia, she had believed it the moment she heard the truth. Even before finding evidence in Diohart she had heard the words from that werewolf's mouth and believed it.
She didn't trust it, not one bit. But she trusted her gut and experience and knew that thing wasn't lying.
But that didn't matter, not when Maia was in charge and sprouting off nonsense to try and save the Black Dogs reputation. Like it would do any good, you heard more bad rumors about them than good ones, and some dark stuff as well. But like always, Maia covered it up, used her reputation to protect them and keep everything quiet.
"Gotta find Valeska… she can fix this… gotta find Valeska…"
Ansur was under attack, the city was all but taken, their only option was the Hand of Suffering. They had the soldiers and numbers to take back the city, and she was not going to waste a single moment until she reached them.
Horses were heard in the distance, and she came to a stop. Looking up she could blearily see a cavalry column moving her way, she noticed the banner flapping in the sunset.
She collapsed, unable to keep going further. Laying on the ground she watched as someone approached, a Dark Elf from the looks of it, she recognized her as one of Valeska's subordinate. Surprising that one of their kind would work with a human, but from what she had heard about Valeska she had a way of drawing people in.
"She's exhausted, get a triage station set up, she needs medical attention." Fayanna ordered, looking back down at her. "Stay calm, we will help you."
"Ansur… under… attack… Black Dogs… took over Ansur…" Margaret wheezed, she needed to let them know.
"Save your strength, we are ways away yet, you can tell us when you have recovered." Fayanna said, lifting her up and carrying her.
To finally be off her feet and able to sleep, that was something she couldn't resist, so instead she rested her head against the neck of the Dark Elf and drifted off to sleep. Her only fleeting thought was that they may be able to save the city now.
Vault let out a content sigh as he flopped back onto the bed.
"That was quite intense." Maia huffed, rolling close to him and resting on his bare chest.
"Had a lot of pent up energy, it's been a while you know." Vault replied, smirking as he drew in Maia close.
They had decided to mark their reunion with a quick romp under the sheets, although it had been a few hours since then and they had yet to get out of bed. Vault had left the clean up of the city to Hick and Michelle, they should be able to round up those traitors easily enough. Should have expected it when he got here, that the werewolf would send his forces to take over the city before they arrived.
"I can imagine, having everyone turn on you isn't exactly the best thing to happen." Maia replied, she had frowned when she said it and Vault actually felt some relief seeing it.
He felt a little conflicted, but now he was certain. He didn't have to worry about Maia, she was on his side now, once he started his march down south he could use what is left of the Rose Company to take over the Breadbasket and then bleed Ken dry.
"They will get what they deserve, all of them will get what they deserve in the end. I'll make that bitch pay for what she has put us all through." Vault said, intent on making that Goddess Reborn rue the day she took over this nation and made it weak.
A hand trailed along his stomach and he looked down at Maia, she was smiling up at him and there was a seductive glint in her eyes. He could feel his sword rising to attention, that woman was insatiable at times, not that he complained. With someone as ravenous as he was it didn't have any drawbacks having a roll in the hay.
"One more round?" Vault asked, rolling over and on top of her, she didn't get a chance to speak before he went into her.
The next few hours went by as a haze of pleasure, sweat and carnal sounds, it was definitely enjoyable. But as he dressed himself he cast one final gaze down to the sleeping woman in the bed and smirked, everything was going well. He would need to keep her busy for the next few days as he built up his defenses here and prepare for the next assault.
Departing the room he needed to meet with Hicks and see how the rounding up was going, he found him along with a few sergeants in the main hall waiting for him. As he drew close they quieted down, all except one, that fat ass Michelle strolled up and started complaining.
"Vault! You promised me Maia! Why did you take her away from me? She is my woman! Mine! I want her now!" He whined, and Vault was almost tempted to kill the fucker, but he couldn't just yet, he needed to wait and see.
"In time my Lord, I am just getting her ready for you." Vault said, smirking as he brushed past the bumbling noble and meeting with his troops. "How has the hunt been going? Along with reinforcing the walls?"
"Well enough, we have rounded up most of the Rose Company and Veronica has been kind enough to point out who is loyal and who isn't." Hick said, although he said that he had a frown on his face. "Why the hell are we doing this again?"
"I am not going to be caught off guard like last time, I am not going to have anyone that is working with the Hand still around and neither am I going to risk them getting into the city without me knowing about it." Vault hissed.
The sting of defeat in Feoh was still fresh, he had been utterly humiliated by Olga Discordia and that werewolf. It was so unexpected that he had no way to expect the enemy to come for him, who would have thought they would turn up and have the strength to take the city back from him so quickly. Sure those bastards in the Valley had held off dozens of orc attacks but orcs were not as tough as some people might thing.
But the biggest humiliation, one that was still engraved on his soul and in the many wounds he had received, was the fact he was allowed to escape. That werewolf had let him go, killed him men without a care and told him to run, saying he wasn't done showing him the depths of his sins or the shame of defeat.
Vault had no choice but to run, fleeing the city through the underground tunnels and riding hard and fast towards Geoff. On the road he had met Beasley, along with his guards, reported what happened. The next blow to his pride came when that old bastard had criticized him for losing, after that they had changed course to Markward and had been hold up there for the last few weeks recovering from the ordeal.
"I am not talking about that, I don't understand why you haven't just conquered the city yet or enslaved everyone here." Hicks said.
Vault halted for a moment, turning to glare at his second in command, it wasn't his place to question him on this. He made a decision and it was expected to be followed, his second in command had better listen otherwise he was not exempt from a good beating.
"Because I told you." Vault said, leaning in close and glaring at the shorter man.
"Boss, that bitch betrayed us, she signed up with the Goddess Reborn and left us in the dust." Hicks said, he didn't show even the slightest bit of concern. "She can play nice and give us hugs and kisses all she wants, doesn't change the fact she broke away from us and tried taking all the glory from the Black Dogs, from you."
Vault knew that, he remembered the day she had taken her unit with her to Ansur and taken over the Rose Company. He had expected her to do it in the name of the Black Dogs but instead she fashioned herself as a Queen, taking the title of Shield Knight and becoming the cities ruler. Breaking away from the Black Dogs, the unit he had allowed her to join in spite of being a woman and given her command of an all female force.
Maia had wormed her way into his unit and army and earned her place, she had done good for them and in a way he had come to respect her. A part of him might even say love. But after she departed without orders, launched an attack he didn't permit, just to get some esteem with the Goddess Reborn to become a big shot while he and his men wallowed in the dust.
Unforgivable.
Coming to Ansur he intended to wipe it off the face of the map and have Maia tied to a bed and raped over and over again by orcs for what she did. For betraying his unit and trying to overshadow him as a Queen of Mercenaries, thinking herself better than him and everyone else. No different than those other Shield Knight's who looked down on him and his men as nothing but expendable fodder.
He wasn't going to go down the path all the other men had when they tried to work for the Goddess, there was no way he was going to allow her to sweep him under the rug and be left to die. He was going to make that bitch pay and all the others, he was nearing that goal in fact. But then he remembered seeing Maia's face when he revealed himself.
The moment she rushed him he had reached for a dagger, thinking it was an attack. But the look on her face, that affection and love, something he had seen so many times before yet still so powerful did he hesitate.
Then he heard of all the rumors of how she was defending them, going to great lengths and even earning the ire of the Goddess herself to protect their image. A part of him had been amused, laughing about it that she believed in him still. But another part was moved, actually happy to know she was still on his side, that she wasn't the traitor as he thought she was. He couldn't tell the men that, most of them would jump at the chance to kill him to take over, he had to remain strong and ruthless in their eyes.
"We stay this way for now, if the Hand of Suffering comes I want as many bodies pushed against them as possible. Including the Rose Company." Vault said.
It was an excuse, he knew that.
He had orcs to do that job, so why would he need the Rose Company for a job they weren't needed for and one he didn't want them in? Well, because it meant that they could help protect the city, not like he could bring orcs into the city. His plan originally had been to have them rush the city and take it over, take whatever spoils they wished and then prepare for battle. But for now he kept them at a distance, Maia didn't seem to think anything that was leveled against him was true so he would use that.
If he could convince her to join him than he would have a good number of skilled reinforcements at his side. Maybe nothing game changing but it might be just enough to put an end to those damn cultists once and for all. So he had to play it safe, keep his men from raping and pillaging, and make sure the orcs didn't turn up.
"You have your orders. Keep to it." Vault barked, and they all walked off.
He knew they were disgruntled and annoyed, but he didn't have a choice in the matter. This was the only way to make sure that Maia was still on their side, he hoped she was. To be betrayed again was not something he believed he could live through.
There you have it, strange things indeed, it would seem that Maia is now in league with the Black Dogs. But will it last I wonder? We will have to wait and see, but I can assure you things are going to escalate here.
As you can see I am trying to give Vault a bit more humanity and character here, there is more to him than just some guy that is raping woman for the hell of it. He is like this for a reason, I want to explore that as time goes on, to show you how he became like this.
