I have been getting a lot of love for the recent chapters. People seems to be happy to see my Worgen Death Knight kicking ass and taking names. More of this will soon follow, along with a lot more interesting developments.
Many seems to expect my boy to bring down Eostia, murder everything around him with an undead army. You could not have it more wrong. Or more right. Not telling you which is which. Because lets face it, this is juicy and I am not letting it get spoiled. In time you will see what my boy can do. And it will be glorious.
For now enjoy.
The Hand of Suffering
Chapter 05: On the Road to Home
Sturmholz Village
It has been one hell of a battle, everyone was still thinking about it. Two days ago they had left behind Ulfraden Village, gotten away from the corpses of orcs and the sheer dread that place exuded. But people were still talking about it, first day they had been whispering about it.
After they had collected their wounded they ran, not opting to stay in that ruined village another second longer. They marched nearly six hours into the night before they stopped, tents were erected and a triage station were set up. None wanted to remain there, even the short time there brought up bad feelings that would turn into long memories. Even camping in the middle of the forest, filled with dead trees, rotting plants, and bones of dead orcs did little to alleviate their worry.
They stopped for the day to treat their wounded, which there were many, and they still were wounded even now. But the fact that the men were too antsy to remain in the woods it had been opted that they get to the closest village and hunker down.
The terror of that day had struck them all, that thing they had fought against had tore them a new one. People were still worried thought, it was still alive and they didn't know if they could face it again should it escape.
However, now everyone was being merry, those whispers had turned into godawful shouts of merriment as they recounted the heroic tale. The reason being is that they had finally gotten to a village they were happy to celebrate their accomplishment.
Maia watched from the sidelines as a group of men tried to woo the local village girls with their heroic tale how they fought against a dreaded werewolf. Didn't work much, because these people were just like those in Pretoria. Faces were blank, words were hollow, and their utter disinterest in them was apparent.
Well, not completely disinterested.
After they arrived they had gotten the usual treatment similar to those from Pretoria, they didn't talk much or complain, in fact they had brought them in and helped with the wounded. Giving them places to rest comfortably and also offering up some supplies, they had been quite accomodating in spite of their meagre supplies. Maia was glad that Alicia was still confined to the bed, she wouldn't make an ass of herself this time and now she could play diplomat.
It was going well, until they brought the werewolf in.
They realised that containing it was an issue, after a time they realised it would eventually break out of that magical sphere they had sealed it within. In fact the mages reported that it was starting to break, shocking considering a spell like that could seal a person almost indefinitely unless the mages maintaining it allowed for it to be released. So they got a cage, and enchanted the hell out of it and had mages on it constantly. After that they were able to transfer the creature to the cage.
As soon as the people saw it however, that was when things got interesting.
"People don't like us much huh?" Maia said aloud, watching as the woman walked away from the men, there was hostility in their eyes, barely hidden contempt.
Luckily those Black Dogs would be getting some attention, her own mercenaries felt pity for their poor efforts and gave them some attention. Her band was a hot blooded bunch, it almost made her laugh at how raunchy woman can be and how not dissimilar they are to men when it came to sex. Going into battle and not knowing when it would be your last often made you think about priorities, getting laid seemed to be one of the biggest priorities on the minds of people these days.
But any joy she had died in her throat as she regarded the many people within sight, all of them looked angry. That anger was being shoved right down the throats of every soldier and mercenary that had walked into this village a few hours before.
"Guess they don't like it when you put their god in a cage." Vault replied, he was beside her, sitting on a barrel of rum and taking a swig of it from his stein.
"Yeah, but I didn't expect this kind of reception." Maia muttered, now she felt like she was in Alicia's boots now, although for completely different reasons.
As soon as the people had seen the werewolf there was a tension in the air, the people had been emotionless when they arrived. They might as well have been walking dead men, not a scrap of emotion could be felt from them, but life came back when they saw the creature.
It was a flash of emotion, so much that she couldn't pick all of it up. But she saw shock, fear, anger, and confusion, all of this played out on the faces of the people before them as they bore witness to the creature. That was when things got bad, the people had started to converge on the cage, they were angry.
Maia had expected them to likely be pissed off about having a demon in their town, even when locked up, but the sheer murderous intent shocked her. These people were angry, legitimately enraged at seeing that creature, and they looked like they wanted blood. Maia tried to placate them, and force them back from doing anything too reckless. But ever platitude ended with them growing more angry.
It wouldn't be until later she realised that the people weren't angry at the werewolf, they were angry at the ones who had brought it here. This wasn't the case of an angry mob who was mad that some outsiders brought a dangerous creature into the streets of their village. No, this was a group of people that were vengeful against the bunch of brigands who locked up someone they respect and thought didn't deserve the treatment he was being given.
But then it stopped, they seemed to back off for no reason. Hesitantly at first, they had stopped and looked at the creature, not in fear or anger, but almost… concern. She would have liked to imagine they were concerned of what if it got out? But they likely were worried that he might never get out. It was no secret now that these people were members of this Wolf Cult, that they held reverence to this being.
Because even after the situation had blown over the people had put distance between them. They didn't want to socialise or even break a single word, it was as if they had become pariahs. Any attempts at conversation was met with a glare or an angry frown. In fact the village leader had told them that their wounded would only have beds until the morning. Before demanding that anyone else will be sleeping outside the village.
"These people are weird, they aren't happy that we aren't doing what they want. These guys have been dealing with shit for the last few years and we come in and start telling them not to do something. People are going to be mad, they are going to be angry we are not doing them any favours." Vault said, sage wisdom she guessed, he did tend to know what the people were thinking and in turn that made him very popular amongst the people.
"You think there is any truth about what is going on here?" Maia asked.
"About Zelindo, not so much. But this Wolf Cult, I definitely see a problem with it. It has turned the people against the Church and Nobility, those are the two greatest powers in the nation, if you go against that it means you are not exactly a fan of how this county is run. They hate them, maybe for good reason, not saying it is right, but these people believe what they do without a shadow of a doubt, and that is dangerous. Especially if they believe in that thing being their saviour." Vault replied.
She supposed that was right, these guys had their reasons to be angry – even if they were wrong about what. When they had scouted out the region around Ulfraden they had discovered a pass leading up to the mountains, one that might actually go over the ranges. It actually gave a plausible reason as to why the orcs had entered the region so easily.
With the Black Dogs name cleared and the evidence in Zelindo turning up nothing, all it left was this cult. But even she had some misgivings, these guys still had suffered and based on that alone it was likely because of these orcs this rebellion had started. They hold have done something, gone the extra mile.
"Still sucks though, makes you think about all that praise you get from strangers. Makes me wonder if we deserve it." Maia muttered.
"We deserve it, we do the hard work no one else can and it is the few that do the wrong thing that give us the bad rep. Kind of why Alicia is so defensive, these villagers bad mouth the nobles and she thought that since they didn't show her due preference she was being disrespected in kind. Girl's ego couldn't take it." Vault replied.
It would seem that Vault and Alicia's falling out had not settled, best that be dealt with before they get back to Ken. Last thing they need was Alicia or Vault doing or saying something that could cause a divide.
"I don't even want to talk about it, too much drama if you ask me." Maia replied, hoping to shift the conversation away from there and maybe somewhere better.
"Heh, more about the action than anything else, hence why I don't want to be a Knight, to much political bullshit for me to deal with." Vault laughed.
"True to that." Raising her mug and clanging it against Vault's before they drained the drinks. "I wouldn't mind getting in on some action."
Glancing towards Vault she smirked, he looked intrigued and she knew that she was reeling him in. All she had to do was make him take the bait. Leaning back in the chair she let her chest flair out a bit, not a man alive could resist the beautiful mounds upon her chest and she was going to prove that now.
"What did you have in mind?" Vault inquired, a smile tugging at his lips as his gaze went somewhere other than her eyes.
"I don't know, but I do like how you handled that sword of yours, perhaps a private lesson. I am always eager to improve on my skills." Not the best innuendo she could come up with, but at this point she had a fire in her loins and she wanted a big hot poker to help alleviate the heat.
Now that was a good one.
"You always did have a thing for the big ones, come on, I'll show you mine and maybe you can polish it while I polish yours." Vault said, jumping off his barrel and walking up the stairs to the next floor.
She was hot on his tail, she had been sending him signals all the way back from Ur a month ago. A wink here and there, a casual touch then and now, and even a few propositions whenever she felt like it. Now all that hard work was going to pay off.
As she entered the room she was lifted off her feet, a hand firmly on her right cheek and she found herself pinned to the wall. With a big hardy man right in front of her, she smiled as he looked her right in the eye. His other hands caressing her thigh, it was electrifying and she couldn't wait for it slide somewhere else.
"Well big boy, when are you going to show me your sword?" Maia asked, playfully whispering into her ear.
His response was to slide his fingers right where she wanted them, and with a blissful sigh she leaned back against the wall and let him do as he pleased.
Maia woke up a lot earlier than she liked. The sun was obviously up and she had to guess it was only an hour or so past dawn, way to early after the long night she had. Not that she could complain, it was as enjoyable and thrilling as she had thought, and heard from some sources.
As she sat up she could see she was the only one in bed, Vault having departed after their long night of wild passion. Gods, it sounded so girly in her mind to think like that, to look at someone she fancied and swoon like some adolescent that has a crush. But she couldn't help it, she may be a hard as nails mercenary with a penchant for drinking and brawls, she was a girl that wanted to settle down with a good man.
"Hope he wants to settle down with me." Maia muttered, a feeling of despair coming to her heart.
This little fling wasn't really much of anything, just her attempting to test the goods and Vault the same. He had woman hanging off him, you hear stories of the great Vault from his battles with orcs to his wild nights with any woman he comes across. The tales are a flight of fancy, but she did not deny that those wild nights were no exaggerations, he knew his way around a woman.
She loves him, without a doubt. Loved him since the day he rescued her from death at the hands of an orc warband, took her in and trained her up and made her into what she is now. She became the Mercenary Queen of Ansur, through the patronage and esteem given to her by Lady Celestine, Maia had become a worthy member of the Seven Shield Alliance.
After all the years she tried to prove herself to Vault she had finally reached the pinnacle of all honours. She just hoped he would remember that she was there and that she did this all for him, so that they in the end could be together.
"Wow, I do sound girly." Maia muttered, smiling as she dressed herself.
Coming down the stairs she could see barely a soul in sight, a few of her mercenaries were around and that of the Black Dogs. Luckily the Knight's of Iris had opted to stay in the camp outside the village. It would seem that their current leader knew better than to let the Knights antagonise anyone in town, especially since they followed Alicia's methods a little too well.
"Hey Maia, glad to see you up? Have fun last night?" Veronica called out, raising a mug in greeting.
"Yeah, how did you guess?" Maia asked, smirking and waiting for the reply.
"Because your legs are still shaking." Veronica laughed, which was joined by a few nearby.
"Well what can I say, he lives up the legend." Maia replied with a shrug, taking a seat and ordering a drink and some food. She was famished.
She got her meal quick, a nice stew with some vegetables and pork with a slice of bread on the side. Digging in she exchanged some conversation with the other members of her company, when on duty she kept her distance as was expected but really these girls were family to her. When not on duty she hung out with the men and worked with them.
"Any problems last night while I was… busy?" Maia asked.
"Nah, all good throughout the night, mostly a few of the girls wandered off with the boys, although the villagers didn't seem to take kindly to us. Something has them on edge." Veronica said.
Maia could have guessed, maybe they had heard about Pretoria, didn't see right though but it was a good guess. Maia and Vault had agreed not to discuss any information regarding this cult with the rest of the soldiers, but after Alicia blurted it out she had no idea how much info had spread. But she knew that they had to be doubly prepared, some of their people were staunch followers of the Goddess Reborn and if that faith was being threatened they might do something stupid.
"Hey, how is that monster doing?" Maia asked.
"Still sitting in the cage, hasn't moved a muscle, kind of freaky, we think it is dead but no one is willing to check." Veronica said.
Maia didn't blame them, that thing scared the hell out of her and everyone else. No way they were going to risk testing to see if it was alive or not, even with a hundred different wards and spells making that cage all but unescapable. Hell, even the Sorceress Olga Discordia couldn't get out of that cage.
"You've seen Vault around?"
"Looking for another romp before we get back on the road?" The leer she got spoke of naughty things.
"No, I think if I did that I would be paralysed from the waist down and unable to ride home. So I think I will stick with the buck between my legs rather than that stallion." Maia replied, laughing it up with Veronica and the others.
Vault had been setting up to depart almost immediately, understandable. He had voiced that he had been away from the Diohart for nearly two months, any longer and they were really starting to risk invasion. Although it was no secret that the people of the village wanted them gone, they had even lined up along the main road out to see them off. But it was not a fond farewell, and she suspected it was for the werewolf more than the valiant warriors who captured it.
Alicia had actually decided to join them, even if the way she winced every time her horse trotted forward made it clear she shouldn't be riding. She didn't want to be left out with the wounded, some would say her pride had been more injured than her body. Given the way she glared at the lycanthrope every time it was near proved she was still sore about how it beat her without much effort.
Not that she could say anyone else did any better.
She should be happy she is alive.
"The company is ready to march." Veronica told her, tersely rather than cheerful, just like any professional soldier.
With Alicia back around you had to be on your best behaviour otherwise she would call you out. That was very important right now because she was in a foul mood, so you have to be doubly sure you didn't use the wrong word or even whistle while she was near. The Princess wanted to vent and no one wanted to be the one she did it to, no matter how impossible it would be for her to back up her threats with how injured she was.
Four broken ribs, from what they could guess, and that was going through the armor she wore. She got hit hard, and she was still hurt and in the mood to start a fight. If she wasn't so prissy and uptight Alicia would likely be a hell of a girl to hang out with.
"Then lets head out." Maia said, mounting up and taking place at the head of their company.
It was times like this that Maia often liked, where they would depart a Village and receive praise and admiration from the people, to be lauded for their good deeds and wished a safe journey. None were given. There was a tense silence as they left, not a word said or even a damn sneeze to break the noiselessness. Not unexpected but still the thought of leaving without so much as a goodbye left a bitter taste in her mouth. They had captured and removed a very dangerous creature from their lands, you would think that they would be happy about it.
Although given that these people believed it to be of the same divine nature as the Goddess, or at least godly, it made some sense why they were angry. But didn't they know that it would murder them the moment they came into contact with it? Didn't they realise this thing was a monster? They were doing them a favour here, otherwise they would be this things next lunch.
As she passed the people she watched their faces, seeing all forms of emotions pass over it as they moved by. It really stung seeing all that hate being directed towards you, made her feel worthless and that she had done wrong. But she also noticed some other expressions, concern and sadness, all directed towards the cage a few meters behind them.
Near the very edge of the village they saw Jocasta, the village leader, standing there and watching. Her expression held worry, but she managed to give a reassuring smile, if that single shred of positive emotion had been directed to anything but the werewolf Maia might have felt a bit better.
Looking back she could see the werewolf, nice and cozy within its cage looking right back at Jocasta. Maia had no idea what the hell that was, but it lasted only a few moments before the creature faced forward and closed its eyes.
Facing forward she tried to make sense of the strange scene that had played out behind her. Unable to come up with a reasonable answer she just came up with a single thought that summed up how she regarded the scene.
That was weird.
Nine Days Later
It was over a week later before they were within walking distance of Ken, the capital was in sight and the people were happy to see it. A lot had happened, the last six days had been probably the worst of their journey back to the Capital. Strange things had been occurring in the company, things that had resulted in a few deaths and some disappearances.
One could cast aside the strange glances and looks they got from the villagers in the Untouched Valley, no matter how distrustful they may be. But it was of the creature that Alicia's took notice of, it was the only thing that was in their ranks that could inspire emotion from those otherwise emotionless people. She had not been the first to notice, and only after they had departed the Valley did she realise what they she had seen.
The people of the Valley gave almost no care for their presence, distrust and disrespect were a given. But for the creature, who had inspired fear in all the men and woman that fought to defeat it and failed, they showed it something else entirely.
They seemed to show concern, care and even reverence. Maia had been the first to alert her that it may be possible the villagers were part of the Wolf Cult, that their reaction to the werewolf in a cage may have prompted their outburst of emotions. Alicia couldn't fathom it, how utterly foolish and insane this cult was, they were worried about the werewolf. They actually cared for its predicament, that they were concerned over its capture.
Had she not been there to see it herself she would have brushed it off as a mummers story, it was simply too insane to believe. Alicia may not have been in Sturmholz village until their departure, but in that short time she had seen the hate and anger of the people. It was underserved, they were heroes and protectors and they were being made out to be the wrongdoers? It made her blood boil.
This cult has spread throughout the entire Valley, there was likely not a single worshipper of the Goddess left. As much as she would have liked to go back interrogate them, to gain some kind of proof and evidence that they were heretical, she had been notified of several alarming occurrences.
Several soldiers had disappeared, at first it was suspected that they had deserted their posts. Tensions were still high, most had chalked it up to the stresses of the last two months which was filled with constant fighting. Only to find their bodies some time later. Many suspected the villagers had been to blame, but they had left the Valley behind two days prior to the first death.
The chances that they were being followed seemed impossible, but they could not be certain. For the time being they had no choice but to keep moving and double the sentries and also get more guards on the Lycanthrope. Their efforts were in vain however, for the next two days similar disappearances continued. It took some investigating and eventually they found the culprit, it had chilled many to the bone to discover the one murdering their people.
She glanced behind her, looking towards the column of soldiers marching away.
Their faces were sullen, some even having a haunted look in their eyes, for such battle hardened men as the Black Dogs it was strange to see them so shaken. But how could they not be, not after what had happened two days ago, when they discovered the culprit behind the murders.
Their attempts to discover the one responsible had only been successful because the killer, or killers in this instance, had begun killing one another. Four of the mages in the Black Dog and Rose Company went insane and started a small massacre. They had killed over a dozen people in their mad frenzy, blabbering insane things and having completely gone mad. They had been dispatched before they could do any further harm, and it was determined later that they were most definitely the murderers.
Twenty nine people were dead.
They had no idea how it happened, only statements saying that after capturing the creature they seemed to become melancholy. The cause of this insanity was discovered just yesterday, the Scythe of that werewolf. All four of the mages had been tasked with guarding and studying that weapon, to see what kind of power it held. Had they come to this realisation sooner than they could have spared the next one to get close to the cursed weapon.
She did not know his name, having only met him once after he was heard screaming in the night. The entire camp was awake as they heard his gut wrenching screams, many thought he was another victim, or another deranged murderer.
It was then that the link between the Scythe and the bouts of insanity were formed. But it was too late to do anything for the mage who had been exposed.
From that point onwards the Scythe had been sealed in a crate and warded. However, the man still complained of monsters and now had an aversion to the dark. She got a report alongside Vault and Maia from one of their healers, he had been scared when he reported the checkup. The man had woken up screaming again, saying monsters were touching and clawing at him.
They thought it was insanity. But a thorough examination turned up something. All across his body were bruises, handprints and scrape marks. Oddly, and terrifyingly enough, those handprints were not entirely human, but something else.
The affected mage was being watched closely, and people were worried they may have to put him down. They were wary of anyone else that showed signs of erratic behaviour, several incidents had followed on after that and had to be dealt with.
The march home had been hell for them all.
"Thank the Goddess we are back." Alicia muttered aloud, glad that this entire escapade was behind them.
"A good few days rest is not something I am going to pass up, after the adventure we've had some soft beds would be nice." Maia said, the Mercenary was beside her and gave a stretch.
"Agreed." Alicia replied, actually feeling comfortable having the Mercenary woman around.
The last week may have been a terrible affair but Maia had made an effort to lesson the burden on her shoulders. Something that she was appreciative of, at least until she allowed herself to be helped. Her two lieutenants, Doretha and Ursula, had been incapacitated by the werewolf, she had few officers left to take the reigns and Maia had stepped up to offer her assistance.
Alicia may have not had much of a working relationship with the woman before, their times together were limited to the occasional Alliance meeting and summit. Rare was it that they talked, especially when they made a truce in order not to step on each other's toes. In that time they kept their distance from one another, but having to work with one another they were forced to shrink that distance.
Alicia had come to respect the woman's ability to organise and command, she was strong and wilful and hard on anyone that stepped out of line. She commanded respect and did not care for those who thought to undermine her command. Alicia was pleasantly surprised how easy she took charge, even to the consternation of some of her Knights they followed her orders to the letter.
Whatever bad blood that had been between them before this journey had evaporated, and to her delight she actually had someone she could speak with plainly. To socialise with her fellow Knights would be in poor taste, as she was their commander, not their friend, but Maia was of the same rank and therefore an equal.
"It will be good to have a bed to lay down upon so that my side does not ache." Alicia said, feeling the wince again as her horse trotted along.
"Maybe a boy named Wallace to go with it?" Maia replied.
Alicia flinched, this time not from the uneven ground, that name was more painful to hear that any wound she could be dealt. She was certain her face was heating up, she composed herself as best she could and tried to fight down her irritation. But she would have gone pale with disgust if Maia's comment had not been so salacious.
"I am not laying with a man I barely know, besides he may be a suitor but he is not going to be my husband." Alicia replied, huffing as she turned away and tried to ignore her.
Alicia knew that Maia had a smirk on her lips, and it would be growing larger by the second. The Mercenary Queen had always sought to poke fun at her, prod and jab at her with words to see how she would react. Sadly it was her own volition that had spawned this source of torment, she had confided in Maia about one such issue in her life and now she used it to jest and joke. Often at her expense.
What she was playing at was her upcoming marriage, or planned marriage. She had a slew of suitors lined up to take her hand, but sadly she had always found a fault with one that left her desiring they would jump off the Palace balcony and never bother her again.
The worst among the lot was Wallace Uttengurd, the heir apparent of his family and it was an old family. One that was just as old as her own, and he was a front runner in her fathers opinion to be her husband, if only because the current head of the family was a friend of the King's and the Parliaments Deputy Of Financing.
Still there were problems with the arranged marriage.
He was twice her age and had an abnormal gut that stuck out very far, while the rest of his body was oddly thin. He smelled of many perfumes because he had terrible body odour, something that he had earned a foul nickname in the noble caste. He dressed like a court jester, with so many colours on his doublet alone he was a sight she couldn't look at for long. Paired with his grating voice it was impossible to stay in the same room as him for a few minutes at a time.
The idea of marry someone like that made Alicia's skin crawl, she could not think of a life where she was with him for more than a few minutes in a day. The idea of having to lay with the man to have a child was even more unappealing, to lose her virtue to a man that repulsed her. He may be the worst, but the other top men waiting to take her hand were nearly as bad.
"Glad I am not in your shoes. Still, no way around it?" Maia asked.
"Regrettably no, I will have no choice but to marry one of them by this years end. If not, my father will make the choice for himself." Alicia replied, and as much as she was thankful she was being given the chance to actually decide for herself.
But still the fact remained that at years end she would be married, and likely producing an heir for the throne. It did not make her decision all that much easier, even being pragmatic did not ease her mind when trying to make a decision. Because this was not just deciding to accept a new knight into her ranks, this was a very deeply personnel decision that would affect her entire life. She would be choosing someone that she would marry and give all of herself to. As much as she knew that love was not always the way of these things, she sometimes wished she had what Claudia had.
A loving husband from a good family, and while it was known he could not produce and heir she knew that their marriage one that was of mutual respect and love. Alicia had hoped for some sort of miracle where she could find a man that she could respect, as a human being and as a noble, and say she could fall in love with.
"Hey, look on the bright side, maybe you can find someone else to marry, run off together and live on a farm." Maia said.
"A farm?" Alicia asked, giving a laugh and trying to hide a smile. "I am not a farmer. And I would not marry a man who works on one, no. If I am to marry it must be for the good of Feoh, to do otherwise would shame my family and dishonour my people. We all must make sacrifices, and I intend to do so."
Living on a farm, it was a funny thought. Several children and a husband plowing the fields and getting dirty, it did not sound like the most pleasant of lives.
"Well, lets put this behind us, we completed the mission, we are back home safe and sound. Let us have a drink after this, and to sweeten the invitation we can have tea instead of ale and rum." Maia said, smirking over towards Alicia.
"Yes… I think that will be good." Alicia replied, giving a small smile.
They crossed the land bridge and passed through the massive gates of Ken, down the long street and towards the castle. Along the way the people lined this massive street and cheered for them, flowers and linen were thrown before them as they welcomed their heroes back. Cries of admiration and affection came hand in hand, the people loved and respected them.
Alicia smiled, it was good to be back with civilised people that welcomed they in open arms. To hear those cheers and feel the pedals over her face made her remember the good that comes from their deeds, the people were happy and they are rewarded for those acts of heroism. This was the life she wanted, after all the blood and pain that they would at least have something that made it all worth it.
"Big crowd, bigger than the one last time." Vault commented.
"Surprising, usually you need Lady Claudia around to get this many people to turn up." Maia said, the Dawn Templar were legends amongst the Knights of Eostia.
Seeing them outside of Ur or the Royal Palace was a rarity, and when you saw them they drew a crowd. She had been mesmerised by them for years, and she had moulded her own order after those same Knights. She had always wanted to live up to their legend, their greatness in which all of their nation prides itself upon.
"Our actions draw much attention, people would know what we have done and the fruit of our labours. It is only natural that the people would come to laud us for our actions." Alicia said, beaming with pride as the people cheered.
Soon enough they came to the steps of the Royal Palace, a large number of Dawn Templar lined the stairs and guarded it. At the top of the stairs was their leader, Claudia Levantine, standing guard and waiting for their arrival. Dismounting the three walked up the steps and met with the military leader of the Seven Shield Alliance and the strongest Knight in Eostia.
"You have returned, very good." Claudia said. "Were you successful in tracking down the Orc Warband?"
"That and more, we should talk inside." Alicia replied, without any further prompting the four of them walked within.
They followed Claudia inside the atrium of the palace, the roof was pane glass and a mix of many colours that bathed the hallway in many translucent hues. Along the walls were depictions, carved into the stone were many stories of this Kingdoms history and the major events that forged it. They were only of moments in those events, that cemented it in history as a decisive point that changed the course of history.
From the Founding of their nation, were refugees from a broken empire across the sea came here to survive following its collapse. Founded and built by Prince Alger, a survivor of that Empire who escaped before it crumbled to invaders. How this was the beginning of what would become the Eostian Empire and the Seven Shield Alliance.
The Founding War, the first conflict between their people and the Dark Elves, when they settled in the northern reaches. How they prevailed against those enemies and created Ur, the first city in Eostia to be ruled and protected by humans.
Dozens of other conflicts and major events were depicted, each one of great importance in this nations history and what made it what it is today. Without this knowledge they were blind, unable to really understand where they came from and who they are now. Alicia knew the entire history of their nation, all five hundred years since the founding of this continent and their arrival here she knew with great clarity.
But its most crowning moment was when it was united under the leadership of Celestine Lucross, who brought the broken Kingdoms of Ansur, the separatist nation of Feoh and the secluded lands of the South into a single Alliance with the independent Ur. They became one of the most powerful nations in the known world. The carving of that event depicted above the doorway ahead of them at the end of the atrium.
Soon enough they came to the throne room, or the antechamber to the palace. Here was where the nobles and guests of honour would come to speak with the High Queen, and make pleas or announce important events. It was a massive hall, lining the walls were columns of silver stone and the walls painted red and lined with gold. It was bare of much ornamentation but still had a sense of glamour that mesmerised one when they entered.
To their surprise as they entered they found the entire hall packed with nobles, all ages and on every level of the hierarchy within the noble caste. Hundreds were here, and not just from Ken, there were dignitaries and diplomats from all the major cities and regions. Even from Thorn down south and Rad to the north-east, all huddled in a small corner of the room away from everyone else.
"There are a lot of big wigs here, surprised no one in Zelindo warned me about this." Vault said, looking around at the assemble upper echelon.
"They came here following our victory over the orcish army. Most are here to coordinate with the recovery and also to see about planning a counter attack." Claudia replied quietly.
"Good luck with that, most of these people don't leave the safety of these walls." Maia said, walking with the rest towards the throne at the far end of the chamber.
"Sadly that is true, little has been done, in fact it has slowed us down considerably since we have been forced to accommodate them and bring them into war meetings. Everyone does not wish to be left out and wants to be the one that makes a decisive decision on how to end the war." Claudia replied. "For now that has been put on hold, with your return they have decided that a celebration of our victory is in order."
"I take it they have had a few of those since coming here." Maia said aloud.
"Yes." Claudia replied, the conversation ending there as they approached the end of the hall.
They could see on a raised platform the throne of Celestine Lucross, simple wooden chair with ornamentation consisting of a personal sigil. No different than the six other seats that flanked her, and too their surprise two of them were occupied with familiar faces.
Shrine Maiden Kaguya, a foreign priestess who had come from the Eastern Empire of Yushu, and ruler of Rad. She wore a red dress, a Kimono in her peoples language, with golden flowers stitched into the silk, and a headdress that appeared as if the sun was behind her head. Her hair was short and framed her pale face, her purple eyes gazing over the crowd without any emotion.
Right next to her was Luu-Luu, appearing as a child but in truth she was over ninety years old and a member of the Halfling race. Short and lithe she stood only four feet in height and wore a thick green cloak over some simple baggy shorts and a shirt. Her hair was long and curled, auburn in colour and her green eyes were alight with wonder and childlike innocence.
"The other Shields are here?" Alicia asked. "Is…"
"Yes, Prim is here, she is with the Prime Minister." Claudia said, turning and nodding her head to the side.
Sure enough when Alicia looked she saw her young cousin, her pink hair standing out amongst the other nobles. Along with her white and pink dress it was impossible to miss her, and when she turned her smile widened and beamed such joy. Alicia smiled in turn, trying to give her as much affection from her smile as her little cousin was.
At Prim side was the Prime Minister, he turned and gave her a nod in greeting and small smile. His face was tanned, he was formally from Ansur before its collapse, having a darker skin tone that was sagging slightly. His hair had turned fully grey and was slowly starting to turn white as his own age began to catch up to him. Her father must have sent him in his place, he was a trusted confidant and friend to the King, it would make sense he would be trusted with such an important gathering such as this.
"They arrived not long after the nobles, with the recent attack by the orcs it was high time we gathered to discuss the next phase of the war effort." Claudia replied, just as they came before the front of the throne.
Celestine rose form her seat, immediately the chatter amongst the nobles died down. She smiled at them, beautiful and benevolent, like a true goddess her radiance seemed to light up the room.
"Welcome back my Shields, I trust your mission was a success?" Celestine asked.
The crowd watched in anticipation, they were eager to hear the results of their mission into the untouched valley. As much as she would love to regale them on their mission, she knew that their success had hollow.
"We were successful, although not in the way we expected." Alicia stated.
"How so?" Celestine inquired.
"The orc horde had been destroyed, but it had not been by our forces." Alicia clarified. "We discovered that the orc horde, and subsequent hordes that have been invading the region have been attacked by an unknown entity."
There was a series of murmurs through the hall, people were intrigued and from the look on the other members of the Shields so were they. Alicia turned back when she heard the sound of grading gears. As it grew louder the whispering did as well, some shouting in shock and surprise at the beast being led into the hall.
"We investigated the Valley and after questioning survivors we determined the location of this entity." Alicia stated, turning to watch as the creature was wheeled into the hall.
Vault had made the suggestion on the way towards the Palace, he wanted to show it off and prove how great they were. Alicia had tried to dissuade them but he had been adamant, and Maia had argued that it would be useful to show off the creature. It was a unique being and they would need to present this to Celestine.
Although in the presence of so many it may have been a poor decision not to actually consider stopping it being brought into the palace. This was the only way to the dungeons beneath the palace, so she suspected it couldn't be avoided. And having it wait outside might cause a stir best not allowed to happen.
Alicia watched the reactions of all those who saw the creature, shock and disgust being the obvious expressions upon their faces. They whispered and cursed under their breath, hurling barely heard insults towards the creature. It did not even move, just like it had not moved for the last nine days. Sitting with its back against the bars and with a single arm resting on its knee, it had not shifted or moved. She wondered if it was waiting for something.
The cage came to a halt. Claudia narrowed her eyes upon the creature, her hand had slipped over her sword and grasped the handle tightly.
"What is this creature?" Claudia hissed, glaring at the thing within the cage.
It's eyes opened beneath the hood, glaring blue orbs looked up and stared past them. Alicia shivered as she looked into those orbs, they were terrifying and had she seen them when she first entered that estate she would never have approached. Now it sat there, looking past them towards someone else.
Alicia turned, looking towards Celestine. The Goddess had always worn a smile, never has Alicia seen anything but grace and happiness reflected off of her. But today was the first she had seen something so human of an emotion pass over her face, something that was so shocking it even made Alicia feel its painful sting.
Fear.
But it was the word that left her mouth, a single word, that caused Alicia's blood to turn to ice.
"You."
The plot thickens, and it is only going to get more thicker. Take that as you wish.
I think I can manage one chapter a week now. We will see.
