Look! Another Chapter. This one is going to include a death scene I have written for Gregor before I decided I didn't want to kill him. I will post it at the end. and for those of you who are shocked at this, I have been posting random things on a site that is easier to use on my phone as I drive truck.
Chapter 3
He wheeled, sheathing his sword in a fluid movement, as he roared "I NEED A FLIER!"
Suddenly one landed in front of him. Massive, with its mottled grey fur marred by scars both fresh and red and covered by discolored fur, and glared at him. It spoke in a voice that was more a growl than pur. "Yes, Overlander?"
"I need to go to the armory. Then follow the queen."
The flier gave a sound like rolling gravel and Gregor realized it was chuckling. "What does a boy like you know about fighting Cutters?"
He met the bats deep black eyes. "I know they are no more than thigh high so my legs will need protection. I know they are controlled by a hive mind and only death can stop them. And that I still bear the scars from fighting them in the Vineyard of Eyes." The bat said nothing, merely turned to let him on.
He quickly climbed onto its back and it took to the sky, beating at the air with quick, powerful strokes. They flew quickly through the city and Gregor was surprised that it seemed like more torches and fires were being lit. He raised that point to the bat.
It chuckled. "I thought you knew how to fight cutters? We see better than them in the light, so why blind ourselves?" He nodded, understanding.
Shortly after they landed outside of the armory. Gregor slid off its back and darted inside, rapidly moving to try to find armor that would fit. Suddenly a voice rose behind him.
"What's an Overlander doing here?" A man's voice sneered
Gregor didn't stop his search. "Need armor to fight Cutters. To follow the Queen."
"Why would you need to follow the Queen?"
Gregor's hands tightened on the heavy quilted shirt and gleaming chest piece. "Because I know she will head to the wall, if the Cutters really are here in force." He turned, staring down at the man, rage building. "I know she is rash, so the odds of her stopping to get properly armed are small." He pulled the shirt over his head followed by the breastplate and cinched it tight. "I know, unless things have changed, that there are 2 people who can save her from her rashness. And I'm the only one who can sit astride a Flier. Quickly now! Tassets, full greaves, thick leather boots! Heavy vambraces, thick gloves!"
The older man sputtered. "That's not...Who Are You…"
"NOW!" He roared in a voice that would brook no argument as he looked for gloves.
Soon he was struggling through motions he only faintly remembered. Latch the tassets to the bottom of the cuirass, thick boots with a metal segmented plate stitched on top going on before the greaves, vambraces then gloves. A maddened rush to belt his sword belt, knowing he had been moving slow. Then he darted out and onto the grey fliers back once more. In a leathery rustle they are cutting through the air.
"Do you know where she is? Any word from anyone?" He wrapped a hand around the hilt of his sword with a grip so tight he could hear the creak of leather.
"No," the big flier growled back, "but I am flying straight to the wall nearest the city proper. As good a place as any." He nodded, even though he hadn't felt such tension since he had been deployed to a hot spot when he first got to Afghanistan. The few, the proud he thought as the city flashed below.
They hit the wall and flew along it, and he cursed. The first of the cutters were swarming onto it, using their bodies as ladders. The battle was fought in a weird, half silence. Cutters making no noise, Regalians knowing they couldn't be scared off with war cry's. So they flew along the wall, hearing gasps of breaths as a soul died, scattered screams as soldiers lost limbs before falling, the sound of sharp blades thudding into hard chitin.
Then, he saw her. Still in her dress, surrounded by her personal guard as they strove to hold a section of wall. As the big bat flew he watched as men fell. First they were a bulwark holding back the tide, then a wall, then a line, then a handful.
"Get Me Down There!" He roared.
"There's nowhere to land!"
He snarled "Dive!" The bat folded its wings and, dipping its left shoulder, fell like a stone. His stomach flew to his throat as he watched the wall grow close. "ROLL!" He roared. It did.
Gregor threw himself off the bat's back. He threw out his arms in an effort to stabilize the short fall, to land on his feet. The momentum from the roll was too much and he landed on his side on a cutter, flattening it to the wall with a sickening series of snaps and crunches.
He surged to his feet, sword seeming to slide from the sheath of its own accord, and he cursed. He had given the command to dive too soon. As he charged forward, sword keening from the speed of his swings, he saw he was too far away and all he could do was watch.
Watch as a line became 6, then 5, then 4. He surged forward, each swing killing an ant. The Rager sense was burning hot and bright, everything seeming to move in slow motion, everything except him. Still he was too slow. As he stooped to grab a fallen sword 3 became 2, and he hadn't yet completed a full rotation before 2 turned into 1. Time slowed to a crawl as she fell. His eyes locked onto her. Onto the shocked, painful, confused look on her face. On the slowly, oh so slowly, growing patch of blood just above, maybe at, her waist. And he spun.
He lacked control. He had chosen no true focus, no spot to come back to. His footwork was slow, hampered by Luxa's form on the ground at his feet. It was slowed even more by the fact that with every rotation he pushed her closer to the edge. Why, he had no idea. The only thing that kept him alive and on his feet was the fact only those in front of him and to his immediate sides attacked him. The swarm was bent on surging over the wall.
Suddenly a voice growled in his ear, "jump Overlander." Instantly he dropped the sword in his off hand, grabbed the front of Luxa's dress, and jumped, hurling them both into open space.
His heart seemed to be beating in his mouth as they tumbled toward the ground. Then a dark shape flashed under them and they landed hard, causing the flier to gasp. Fumbling compared to his earlier speed and precision, he sheathed his sword and widened the hole in her dress.
"Shit!" He cursed as he saw the blood pumping from the wound. "The Hospital! QUICKLY!" His stomach shifted as the flier did.
He reached into his emergency supply pouch and pulled out a suture kit and started to pull the deep gash just above the left side of her hip closed. He didn't stop to flush it, didn't care. They could worry about that later. All that mattered was to slow the bleeding. A stitch too deep here, too shallow there, but quickly the wound was closed.
Suddenly 2 flying pairs darted over their heads and wheeled to chase them, yelling "STOP!"
Gregor stood and the flier's back. "Don't stop." Then, as the fliers got close, he leapt at them.
As he hurtled toward the first pair the rider was too shocked to react. React the fist flying toward his head, to stop it from knocking him senseless off his bond. A bond that soon fell after him, screaming, as Gregor brought his foot down hard on the wing joint, smiling savagely at the pop.
As it twisted he jumped towards the next. She was prepared, sword thrust at him. His momentum slowed as he drew his sword and twisted, knocking her blade away and leaving his left fist an opening. An opening to crush her nose and send her tumbling back, screaming in rage and pain. He felt the flier shift, and then he was tumbling.
Instants before he hit the ground a flier grabbed him and, in a pur that was almost a scream, said "Where Is She!"
He looked up and saw it was Aurora. "I SENT HER TO THE HOSPITAL! I DID WHAT I COULD!" She started to beat towards it, not dropping him.
They flew over the city and Gregor saw more pairs flying back towards the fields, humans dropping to the ground to aid gnawers, crawlers, even spinners. Saw, however, they were out of view as Aurora dropped to the hospital. She finally let him go so she could land.
He darted into the hospital, roaring, "WHERE IS SHE! WHERE IS THE QUEEN!" Scared into shocked compliance they merely pointed the way.
He ran through the halls under the vague guidance, shouting her name, bouncing off walls and corners in his haste. Suddenly, arms reached out and pulled him into a room.
"In here, Gregor. She is in here."
He looked at the form laying on the bed, barely taking shallow breaths, skin a sickly white, arms and chest wrapped in bandages from sounds he hadn't seen. "How…"
"Stable, as much as one can be, you did well Gregor. And my cousin is strong. But she has lost a lot of blood..."
He looked at the man and finally recognized Howard. "Is there...anything…"
He looked pained. "There's transfusion options but…." he let the sentence drift off.
The words jogged something in Gregor's mind. "I need 2 needles and some tubing connecting them. And we will pray that 400 years haven't changed us too much." Howard nodded, confused, and took off.
As soon as Howard left Aurora entered the room, coming in close to her bond. "Where is Howard going? Why is she not awake?"
"She's dying. But I… I have a plan."
Howard came back shortly, still confused, as he was sitting opposite Aurora, face tight and worried. "What do you need me to do?"
Gregor swallowed. "Stick one end in one of her veins and hand me the other." Howard nodded and handed him an end.
Gregor grabbed it and stared at his arm, licking his lips. He knew what he needed to do. Jab it in, and then that life sustaining blood would flow into her. But he couldn't do it.
Howard jerked him out of the trance. "What do you need to do?"
He sighed, "I need you to stick this in an artery. I can't do it myself."
Howard was shocked. "But it will…"
"Now or we lose her!" With that Howard stabbed him in the arm.
"Now will you explain. We have tried this before, and usually it kills both people."
Gregor shook his head. "I am what is known as a universal donor in the Overland. So long as evolution hasn't changed us too much in 400 years, we should be fine. And I am a good deal larger than Luxa. So long as we stop before I get too light headed we both should be fine."
Howard shook his head. "How do you know this? Universal donor?"
He gave a small chuckle. "I took an emergency medical course during my last 6 months in the Overland. You mentioned you had taken something similar when we crossed the Waterway. Keep them alive until you can get somewhere safe."
Howard nodded. "I do remember. But I never thought…"
"I have caused a lot of death, Howard. Here and in the Overland. I felt the need to… atone I guess. And I didn't know if I would be allowed to stay, so being able to keep myself alive down here would be useful."
"And the blood?"
He shrugged. "There are different types. Some can be combined and some can't. That's all the help I can give you, I don't know more myself."
Howard rubbed his chin. "That is more than enough. Thank you."
Gregor nodded through a growing lightheadedness. "But enough about me. What about you? How have you been doing the last few years?"
Howard gave a wry smile. "Head doctor of the Regalian hospital, as you can see. I also married Dulcet. We have a lovely 3 year old daughter with another child on the way."
He nodded. "So I take it you gave up your claim to Lord of the Fount?"
"Aye. I never wanted to be Lord. And Dulcet didn't want to move." His eyes darkened. "That does leave Stellovet as heir, however."
"So she hasn't changed?"
"Not in the slightest."
Suddenly Gregor was hit with a massive wave of nausea. He pulled the needle out and slumped against the wall. "I think that is eno…" he stood shakily and hurried toward a can and vomited. "Maybe...too...much." he hurled again.
Howard placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"
He nodded. "A little much, too fast. But I had to be sure." He settled back into a chair. "She will need lots of water, red meat, and greens to replace what she lost. No alcohol. This was just enough to stave off total organ failure. I will need the same, if it can be spared."
A voice rose from the hallway. "I'm sure it can be spared for the Savior of the Queen. If there is any left that is." It was Ripred.
"What...do you mean?"
"That wall they came over? Straight into the fields."
Howard spoke. "Aren't you doing anything?"
Ripred sneered. "Oh, they're trying. But they're demoralized, they fear for their Queen. Barely able to halt progress. But if 2 powerful warriors show up to bolster the line," he stared at Gregor, "one which is a bona fide hero, we should be able to push them back. It seems the Queen's did not commit an excessively large force. More like heavy reconnaissance."
Gregor nodded. "Very…well. Let's go." He rolled down his sleeve and pulled on his gloves.
Howard started towards him. "You're not fit. You are in no state…"
The words cut off as Gregor stared at him, a hint of anger showing. "This isn't the worst thing the Underland has requested of me. Surely I can give it some more of my blood." He nodded at Ripred and they both walked down the hall.
As they left the hospital, Gregor saw the grey bat again. "How is the Queen? They made me wait here."
"She will live," he swallowed. "I made sure of it."
"This the Flier that took you from the arena?" Gregor nodded. "Ha ha ha. Life really does have a sense of humor, doesn't it."
Gregor scowled at the large rat. "What do you mean by that?"
Ripred bared his fangs. "Not my story to tell. Ananke, will you bear my young friend to the far side of the line? It is time to see if we can push them back."
The big bat gave a slow nod. "Of course, Peacemaker." Ripred nodded and ran off.
Gregor turned to the bat. "Ananke, my name is Gregor. Thank you for your help."
It turned to allow him on. "Repay me with saving Regalia." Gregor nodded as he climbed on.
The battle being waged in the fields was in stark contrast to the one to hold the walls. Before, the men and women had given their all, prepared to die for the cause. Now they were scared and disheartened, the woman who had led them for the last 9 years missing or maybe dead. And so they were slowly allowing themselves to be pushed back.
Gregor took all of this in as they flew overhead, mind spinning from the loss of blood and rapid flight. He hit the ground with a roar loud enough to startle those close to him.
"We Need To Push Them Back Beyond The Wall! To Save The Fields! To Save Your Families! To Save The Wounded Queen! Now Follow Me, TO HELL!" He surged forward with a roar on his lips.
He pushed through the line and came to swords once again with the Cutters, hearing his roar echo up and down the line, knowing that he managed to restarted the fire of fury and hope in the disheartened soldiers.
A woman next to him fell and he grabbed her sword, preparing to spin. But the blood loss had been to great and he could not achieve the focus needed. So instead he the power of the Rager to lash out with both hands, quick thrusts and slashes with his left and broad lusty swings with his right. And still he continued to roar, to keep the fire of passion stoked in those around him.
Time soon lost all meaning, his vision so tunneled he couldn't tell where one cutter began and another fell. He could only see where to stab and cut and how best to move there. And he didn't know how long it continued like that, a near mindless killing, until his sword clanged against stone. The outer wall of Regalia.
His senses came back to him and he could hear cheering, the roar of victory. He staggered back from the wall, dropping the dead woman's sword, and looked around in near uncomprehension.
A voice growled behind him. "Quickly Overlander, I will take you back to the hospital." He turned and recognized Ananke and climbed on.
A short while later he staggered back into the Queen's Room. "How is she?"
Howard answered him. "Still unaware."
He nodded. "Days until she recovers from the shock, I forgot."
Howard came over, concern in his eyes. "How are you?"
He waved a hand. "A cut here, another there. Nothing serious."
Howard shook his head. "We don't know how much blood you gave Luxa so even a small loss could kill you. Stripp off that armor and sit, I will be back with supplies to patch you up." Gregor nodded and complied.
He was sitting, holding her hand, when Ripred walked in. "So, you managed to help save the city. Good for you. Howard also says you personally saved my bond from death twice though he refuses to tell me how."
Gregor only looked at him for a moment before turning his eyes back to Luxa, staring at a face so similar yet so different from the girl he knew, he loved.
"You may have saved her today, but they will attack again. And then what will happen?"
"I don't know."
Ripred gave a bark of laughter. "I do, they will attack in force. They know they can breach the walls now, and they will find their way through even if we close the tunnels."
"So what do you think we should do?"
His voice lost the hostile edge. "There are 12 queens allied against us. Well, make that 10. The Queen asked me to kill them, to break the hive mind. I have managed 2 in the last year. And the cost was high. But if I had another Rager, a good one that I trust…"
"When do we leave?"
"As soon as you convince Ananke to come with us. You can't keep up on foot and you aren't going to ride me."
Gregor stood, face stony. "Very well. The Arena in an hour." He pushed past the big rat and into the hall.
Death scene!
He stood, leaning against the wall, looking at the sleeping form of his daughter. He spoke in a rough, hoarse, and painful voice. "I wish I didn't have to leave."
Luxa clutched at his arm. "You don't." Alarm was in her voice.
He shook his head, amd them sadness combijed with pain almost took his voice. "...lied to Aurora. Was lost for 6 or 7 days during a Brimstone eruption. I'm dying..."
He hands left his arm and flew to her mouth, then latched back on and started to drag him. "We can get you to the hospital."
"Stop...stop there's no point. I hid in the Deadlands for two weeks hoping I could cough it out. Only reason I'm here now was I didn't want you to think I wouldn't come back. Didn't want you to find a pile of bones."
Fear, pain, and more than a little hysteria crept into her voice as tears filled her eyes. "No...no. We have to..."
He learned heavily back against the wall and slid down. "There is blood...with every breath...don't even have...the strength to stand." He looked back at the door way, no more than an arms length away. "Need you...to promise me."
"W-what..."
"You're going to hate her, when she gets older. She's too much like you." He coughed, more blood running into his beard. "You're both stubborn, impulsive. You'll butt heads, get angry. You will chase her away. And then she will hate her only parent. You have to promise me you'll give her the love of two parents. It would have been better if she was more like me but there's no changing her. Just like there's no changing you. Promise me. Promise Me!"
"I-I promise."
He found some strength and grabbed one of her hands, engulfing it with his. "There's worse...ways to die. I've seen them, inflicted them. Worse places. Been there, killed all...manner of things. At least...I got to...see you. And her. My daughter." The word still felt weird in his mouth. "I love you, Lu..."
The word's stopped, the volcanic ash having finally destroyed his vocal cords. So he looked up at her, eyes filled with thousands of words and hope she would understand even one tenth of it. He gripped her hands as hard as he could, and resigned himself to counting breaths.
One breath. She sat down on the floor next to him and he managed to find the strength to wrap an arm around her.
Two breaths. The blood started to drip from his beard on to his chest even as she laid her head there.
Three breaths. He wished she hadn't have done that. He didn't want her to be covered in his blood again.
Four breaths. No longer caring he bent down and kissed the top of her head.
Five breaths. The pressure of his lips on top of her head grew harder as he no longer had the strength to raise his head.
Six breaths. There are worse ways to die, he thought, than staring at the person you love. Their scent in your nose.
He didn't know how long he waited for that last, 7th breath. He didn't even realize the numbness moving up his limbs until he felt his heart slow and stop. His mind was so oxygen deprived there was no fear as his vision faded to nothing.
The guards found them less than an hour later. They found their Queen, curled up and clutching the man she loved, covered in his blood, sobbing so deeply there was no sound. Feet from the entrance to their daughter's room.
Notes: Here it is, the third chapter! And I don't know what I am going to do with the next few. I could do a hard jump to the next major story bit but I don't want too. So it is going to take a long while to plan that out, and when I am on the road I write on a tablet and I hate that tablet. So just know I haven't forgotten you. Or Gregor. Or Luxa. I might forget Ripred but he features in some later story beats so he can't be gone too long. And I will try to add my random, spoiler filled chapter here so you all can see what is going to happen.