Sorry for the delay. Busy last fortnight for myself. Life never gives you a break so I had to work extra hard for this chapter. But now it is done. Olga Discordia vs Reginald Blackgrave. Hope you like it.
Not much else to say other than that.
The Hand of Suffering
Chapter 09: The Queen of Thorns
Garan
The enemy was at their gates.
Those words had not been spoken through this hall in the entire history of this Fortresses existence. No enemy has ever reached the very entrance to her home, until now it seemed. Even if she heard the sound of battle outside her fortress, seen it through the seer stones in her chamber, she still could not fathom how it was possible.
Such an event was impossible to consider, that an enemy could ever hope to reach this imposing fortification. To cross the Badlands, fight through tens of thousands of orcs, and even lay siege to the very walls that protected Garan was laughable. And yet this joke had become a startling reality.
"Black Dogs?" Olga inquired, looking to her military advisor.
"They are a Mercenary Company in the employ of Eostia, they make up the bulk of Celestine Lucross' army." General Ludo said, his youthful features hid his true age.
Long black hair tied into a tail, two strands framed his face, only his muscular physique made it easier to tell he was a man. Over a thousand years her senior and he still looked as young as the day he turned a hundred and three.
"So she has finally sent someone after me, but how did they cross the Badlands?" Olga whispered, how indeed, even she had little to no way of devising a way to cross these lands.
She had created the Badlands, but it was beyond her power to allow others to safely cross the territory between Garan to Eostia safely. Only orcs and other demonic creatures had been spared from this curse, how they had resistance to it she did not know. Perhaps it was because of their origins, these monsters had never been seen in the world before she created the Badlands.
"We must go out there and face them, we cannot let them breach the fortress!" Chloe said, her scowl in place and appearing ready to charge into the fray.
The young half elf was eager to go into battle, to take her blades to the enemy. But it was too dangerous, if she strolled from these protected grounds she would be in mortal danger. Not only would she be facing the Black Dogs but also the orcs, as much as they claim to be loyal she had no doubt that they would take the chance to kill them or take the women.
Orcs and other demonic beings obey only the strong, they listen to their chieftains and the chieftains pledge themselves to her. But she knew that allegiance was shaky at best, the moment they saw an opening they would take it. She was better off letting the orcs die in droves than help them, they would turn on them.
"The orcs can hold them for a while longer, we must consider our next move carefully. Our numbers will not make a major difference in the conflict if we join it, besides the clans around the fortress are expendable. Our people are not." Ludo replied, he was the calmer of the two and someone she trusted with matters of war above anyone else.
He had served at her fathers side for many centuries, they were close friends, and now he served her and she would always value the council he would give. Even in the times where she wished for nothing more than to strike out he had been the one to guide her down a better path. One that assured her desires were met more efficiently.
"Although it seems that Guzzmag and his Iron Tooth Clan have not joined the fray." Ludo stated. "If he were to join then these Black Dogs would all be but destroyed."
"If he has not attacked he likely is using this as a power play." Olga mused.
Orc chieftains often fought one another, pitting their clans against one another. It was nothing but a power struggle, attempts by clans and their leaders to increase their authority. In the last forty years the clans have been playing this game, and the largest of these clans was the Iron Tooth.
Sad to say his loyalty was to be questioned, his entire clan made up of nearly half of all orcs she had under her sway. But he did not follow her orders, his clan acted almost on its own accord without her authority and many times she worried that they would turn on her. There was little to nothing stopping these mongrels from marching north towards The Haven.
"If they do not join the battle we may be risking a siege." Ludo stated.
"Perhaps we should consider evacuating, this fortress is not truly manned, if these Black Dogs were to breach the gate and defeat the Rakshasa protecting the fortress grounds we have no one else to defend the fortress from being breached." Clarissa said, her court vizier and one of her teachers.
The idea of fleeing did not sit well with her, the idea of running from these savages made her feel ill. She had run from them long enough, fled in terror as they ravaged her lands and enslaved her people, never again would she turn away from them. If they came she would unleash all the magical might she could muster.
"Clarissa is correct, although perhaps evacuating those that are not useful for the coming battle. Many families and servants live in these halls after all." Ludo said. "If they flee we can be assured that none of our people can be captured. Only our warriors can remain."
Olga supposed that was a wise decision, if the people in this Fortress could not fight than there was no reason for them to remain here. She looked to Chloe and gave her the order, she would gather those who could not fight and send them away. If they escaped they would not have to worry about their people being taken hostage.
That was the last thing she wanted, more of her people to be enslaved and taken by humans. As her half-elven servant moved for the door Olga turned back to Ludo, she would need to be appraised of their fighting strength. After nearly four decades she had no idea the strength of arms they possessed, how many warriors remained.
"How many soldiers do we have?" Olga inquired, it had been some time since their warriors had seen battle. While she trusted her General to keep their warriors battle-ready she was still concerned with their effectiveness.
"Ninety seven." Ludo replied. "But they are hardened warriors, I can assure you, they will take a hundred humans each."
"Then we will see them all dead along with the enemy." Olga mused, knowing that an army of over ten thousand was at her gates.
Again more horrible memories surfaced, Lorien, their last line of defence before the formation of the Badlands. A city that she had been forced to sacrifice along with most of her territory to keep her lands and people safe. But the cost still was heavy. Thousands had been trapped there, unable to escape because of both the humans who took the city and power that coursed quickly spread the earth.
When the city fell there was nothing to save them from the ravages of the humans, most would be killed or enslaved. She had reasoned that death was a better alternative, but even she knew that was a shallow reason. But her decision had been made, never to be undone or reversed. Even if she had stopped using the Black Stone, even reconsidered a moment after its use, it would be too late.
"We will use all our power to drive them back, wipe them out, and we will continue to fight this war." Olga said, she had fought for too long and lost too much to give up now, they must avenge everyone that had been claimed in this war.
If these Black Dogs made up the majority of the Eostian army, then their defeat would spell the end of their enemy. Garan would not fall, the Dark Elves would be the victors and see to the end of the vile nation that was Eostia.
"I will gather my warriors, we shall move to the gate and prepare a defence, if the enemy does breach we will hold them back." Ludo said, giving a bow as he moved for the door.
But before he could make it halfway to the door it opened, stumbling inside was one of their warriors. He was wounded, a gash along his side that drenched his hand in a deep crimson. Stumbling inside he gasped in pain, trying desperately to speak.
"There is an intruder! He is…" A claw wrapped itself around the elf's head, lifting him up and slamming his face into the door.
The elf was thrown to the ground, unmoving and most certainly unconscious. Olga narrowed her eyes as the beast stepped into the room, bare chested and hulking in physique. In its hand was a large bastard sword, jagged and pulsing with strange ruins. How strange for it to carry such a weapon, for its own hands were like steel talons.
"A werewolf?" Ludo murmured aloud, reaching for his blade. "How did it get in here?"
"This is no mere werewolf, it is something else." Clarissa said, stepping forward and to the edge of her throne.
Olga agreed, looking past the basic appearance of a lycanthrope one could see that it was something more. Something dark and terrifying. Her eyes were capable of seeing more than just what was on the surface, she could see so much more deeper. Within this beast surged a dark power she had only ever felt once before, within the Dark Stone that sapped the life from the Badlands.
But it was more potent, refined, and capable of greater things than what the stone was capable of performing, at least on a smaller scale. What could have possibly created such a thing? No power she knew of was mighty enough to make something like this.
"Creature, return to the outside world, you are ordered to obey!" Olga shouted, directing some magic to try and manipulate the beast.
It seemed to hear her words, the command echoing through its primitive mind. Yet it did not stop, instead it continued forward, ignoring the magic that should have forced it to obey. Again she tried and the result was the same, how could it resist her?
"Is that all you can do?" It said, words grating her ears and sending a cold wind that made her very soul shiver.
"Foul thing, what are you?" Ludo demanded, drawing his sword.
It did not speak, instead levelling its gaze upon her.
"Speak creature, what are you?" Olga demanded.
"What I am is of no concern, who I am however and why I am is of more importance." The werewolf said. "I am Reginald Blackgrave, and I have come to parley."
"Parley? If the notion was anymore laughable than the fact you give yourself a name I would certainly be in hysterics. But the insult of you entering these halls and not showing the respect expected of me, tempers only my anger." Olga said, glaring down at the werewolf.
"Sputter and fume if you wish, a tantruming child I will not speak with. I was sent only to capture you, someone wishes to give you a stern reprimand for your warmongering. I am to bring you back to Ken, Celestine Lucross demands your presence." The creature said, advancing slowly and with sword in hand. "I advise that you surrender, what people you have here will be spared."
Olga narrowed her eyes, never would she have thought that her old nemesis would rely on using a beast such as this to bring her in. But more than that she did not expect that this creature capable of speech, let alone anything resembling wit. She could feel her own blood boil at its impertinence, if not for the echoing and cold reverberation that carried with its words that could instil dread in her heart.
"You think you can make demands of me, beast? You think you can order me." Olga said, rising from her throne and stepping down to ground level. "The audacity of your crimes cannot properly be described. Breaking into my fortress, slaughtering my soldiers, and demanding I surrender to my sworn enemies. I should reduce you to ash for these transgressions."
"Considering the company you keep I thought I would be welcome. After all, you are in the company of more monsters than civilise beings." The werewolf said.
"The orcs are an improvement over the humans down south." Olga replied. "And given present company, it seems that Eostia has sent the worst they have against me."
"Yes, you would not believe the evil that was sent your way, but you have only one chance now." The werewolf said. "I promise you that no harm will come to your people, whether or not the Black Dogs survive the conflict outside these walls your people are not going to be in danger."
Olga narrowed her eyes, it would seem that these filthy humans had foul plans in store for herself and her people. But it would not come to that, she would wipe away this little pest and then do away with those humans outside.
"I do believe you actually, I know the foul things humans do to my kind and I will not let them commit such sins here. Sadly, that involve me having to do away with you, after all, I won't need your protection." Olga replied, raising her staff and aiming for the werewolf.
"Then I drag you back to Ken." The Werewolf said, advancing quickly towards her.
Olga fired a beam of intense fire towards the creature, as it struck the wave of burning hellfire washed over the room as the beast was engulfed. She smirked, such a foolish creature, did it actually think it could best her? She was the most powerful Sorceress on this continent, possibly even the entire world and it thought it could defeat her with a simple enchanted weapon.
Hilarious.
"The only tragedy in this is that I scorched a perfectly good rug." Olga quipped, smiling a little.
Until something shot from the smoke and impaled itself through her staff, the wood cracked and splintered as she dropped it. The extra weight of the sword through its shaft was too much for her to hold upright.
As it clattered to the ground something else lunged from the cloud, the lycanthrope leaped towards her with intent. Clarissa attempted to cast a spell, but the beast raised its hand and through some magical means halted her spell. As Clarissa was knocked aside and leaving Olga defenceless she was grasped by the throat and pushed into her throne.
"You are strong, but not strong enough." The Werewolf said, then its ear twitched and it raised its free claw.
A transparent shield appeared behind it, and just in time to stop an elven sword from rending its back open. Olga could see Ludo behind the shield, perplexed by the barrier between himself and it. Olga recognised the barrier easily, it was a basic barrier spell that any mage could learn. This thing had somehow gained knowledge of Dark Elven magic, but where had he gained such knowledge?
It didn't matter, she needed to escape its clutches.
Clarissa came to her aid, her staff ablaze with magical energy as she closed in on the werewolf. She gave a shout as she swung it at the beast, who then reached out with its other claw and somehow called its weapon back to its hand. Raising it to block the magical strike, but the blow staggered it enough for Ludo to leap over the shield and plunge his sword down towards the creature head.
The beast leaned forward and avoided the strike, but as Ludo landed he was knocked back by a kick. The general was sent flying back several meters, she would follow soon after as she was pulled off the throne and tossed after her military advisor.
Olga rolled to a stop, flat on her back and wincing at the rough landing she had been given. She was certainly going to have a few bruises after this. Looking back to her throne she could see Clarissa fighting for her life, her swings were quick and desperate. This thing was a skilled swordsman, the speed and precision of its strikes were driving back Clarissa.
"Hold on!" Ludo called out, rising to his feet and charging the beast.
As Ludo closed the distance he swung up, intercepting a sword swing and getting himself in between it and Clarissa. He ducked under its claw and moved for its side, ducking and weaving he swung his sword around and was able to land a glancing blow on the beast side. It didn't do any harm, the beast acknowledge the blow and seemed to show excitement.
"Finally, someone that is competent with a sword." The werewolf said.
"You will taste my blade soon enough monster!" Ludo yelled.
"Not likely." The creature replied, meeting the man in melee.
Olga turned away from the fight and towards her throne, laying beside it was her staff. Damaged as it may be there was still a chance she could use it to fight, maybe even use what magical energy she can muster to repair the ancient stave. If not, perhaps turn it into a smaller channel with what remained of its upper portion.
She made a dash for it, ignoring the battle that continued only a few meters to her right. Grasping her staff she examined the shaft of the stave, finding the large chunk of it missing, only splinters were keeping the weapon in one piece. It would be difficult to repair this weapon, if only because the magic needed to do so was one she had neglected to use regularly.
While she was a master of Shadow and Arcane magic, having trained for centuries in the art and being one of the foremost experts in the arts of her people. But this was an art she had trained herself in secretly, one not native to her people, the art of Nature and Spirit Magic.
The magic of their cousin race, the Light Elves.
Olga had garnered much attention from the Light Elves when she was born, apparently when she was born one of their own had seen visions of her. In the years that she would call Celestine Lucross her friend she had learned much of their people and their magic. In time she would even learn the basics of their magic, even able to harness it.
That had earned her some actual enmity, both from the Light Elves and her own people. Some saw it as a chance for both factions to become one, that they could put aside their differences and united as a single race. Most did not believe so and felt it a betrayal. Her own mother condemned her for using the powers of their ancient adversaries, but she ignored them all.
The benefits of using these magics were obvious, what she had gained, the knowledge and power she could harness with these forces was unparalleled. It opened so many avenues, her own people were stubborn, her own mother and even her father were fools to think she should stop. They were fools, all of them, distancing themselves from the powers and forces of the world simply because it was not their way.
She had proven them wrong, with an army of only a few hundred she had brought an entire empire to its knees. With the power of the Dark Stone, something her mother had also told her could never be used, she had nearly wiped out Eostia. Again she had proven herself to be in the right. With the power she had accumulated she had enslaved tens of thousands of demonic beasts, who served her both in fear of her power and with the magic she now courted to control them.
"Perhaps I overestimated you, you already begin to tire." The werewolf said, he held Clarissa by the throat and Ludo was struggling to hold back the sword that was pressing down on him.
Olga looked to her work, and finding the stave to finally have been repaired. The wood reshaping itself into a solid and smooth surface, with her weapon back in order she turned towards the creature and attacked.
Aiming her staff she fired a stream of magic towards the beast, the dark magic struck the creature in the chest and sent it flying away. It vaulted onto its feet as it landed, unaffected by her blast, although she had only used it to force it away from her allies she had not expected it to be unaffected by the magic. Even the flickering residue from her magic seemed to dissipate quickly, as if it was being rendered inert.
Perhaps the werewolf's own nature that made it resistant, having a power similar to that of the Dark Stone may give it an innate immunity to the shadow magic she used. If that was the case she would need to be careful, there was no telling what else it could be resistant towards. Best use more destructive means then, brute forcing the creature seemed to be the only viable way to end it.
"It is powerful." Ludo said breathlessly, stepping forward and raising his sword.
"More than that it possesses potent magic, and seems capable of countering ours. Even using it." Clarissa wheezed, holding her throat.
Olga noticed, that shield it summoned to ward off Ludo had Clarissa's design all over it, but how it was possible for it to steal her magic she did not know. But they would need to use all their skill and power to bring this creature down, to imagine that she would require aid in killing this mongrel. Perhaps she was being to overconfident, it had been some time since she last took to the field and she certainly has not been keeping her skills sharp.
A part of her told herself this was a wake up call, a warning not to become complacent. Well then, after she and her comrades deal with this beast she will see to it that she takes a much more active role. It had been over a century since she actually took to the field of battle, and fifty since she left this Fortress, it was as good as time as any to step back into the battlefield.
"We strike as one, me and Clarissa will support you General." Olga said. "And you beast, will face the might of the three greatest Dark Elves in the Fortress of Garan!"
It did nothing more than raise its sword and drop into a stance, ready for whatever they threw at it.
Chloe ushered the family of three through the passageway. It would lead them to the north, far outside the reaches of Garan and into the forests of Orrasul. The people could live there indefinitely, and if danger followed than they could flee further north towards the city of Haven.
"Thank you my lady." The mother said, guiding her two children through the door as they fled from the Fortress.
Chloe gave a reassuring smile to the little girls as they were ushered into the long tunnel. She knew they were scared, they were leaving the one place they had known for so long for the unknown. She understood that feeling so well, but unlike the children she did not have her mother or any sibling to help her.
Shaking off the feeling she had for the past Chloe turned back to the slowly emptying room. The escape tunnel was only so large and could only send so many people through, often one at a time. Hundreds still needed to be sent out, and most had yet to be gathered.
"How many is that?" Chloe asked.
"A little over a hundred, we are only a quarter of the way there." One of the guard said.
This was going slow, and as much as she did not believe for a moment this fortress could be breached she did respect her mistresses orders. If the possibility existed it was within the best interest of everyone here that the innocent were sent away so that they could be safe.
"Have you been able to gather the others?" Chloe asked, hundreds more people needed to be evacuated.
They were all through the fortress, they were lucky they did not also have to evacuate the guards. That was another hundred head there, but still getting the civilians out was a long process, filing them down a single stair case and bringing them here required a good deal of manpower. With a fortress this large it was difficult to get to everyone, some groups lived in very secluded sections of this fortress.
"Yes, most have been gathered, only a few remain beyond our reach, but they have been sent for." The guardsman said.
"Good, keep to it. Lady Olga wishes for her people to be safe." Chloe replied.
The process would continue on from here for some time, with the people slowly flowing into the underground passage. It was a slow and boring affair, but that was how it should be, even as the people showed fear over the possibility of enemies breaching this fortress before they could escape.
An enemy could lay siege to these walls for a hundred years and never bring the down, they cannot be scaled and certainly not circumvented. Not before the Badlands took their lives. This place could not be taken, it will never be taken. And it will see to the end of days, and most certainly to the end of the humans of Eostia.
A thundering boom and shaking of stone beneath their feet took them by surprise, something had happened. Close by it would seem. Chloe did not like the sound of it. She nodded towards the guards and as she rushed from the room they followed.
They would need to see what was the disturbance, if it was so close they could not risk it being a danger for their peoples escape. Rushing down the hall they found the source of the disturbance.
"Orcs" Chloe growled, drawing her blades she rushed forward.
She cut the throats of the beasts, nearly severing their heads with each swing. A dozen fell to her blades alone before she turned the corner, finding several Elves at the mercy of these beasts. She rushed in to save them, killing the monsters before they could defile the innocent.
"Run, get to the tunnel!" Chloe yelled.
They had to escape, remaining here would put their lives and virtue in danger, and while she planned to kill these orcs without mercy she did not wish to tempt fate. She had suffered at the hands of humans, defiled by their touch and tortured by their cruel desires. Orcs could be just a vile, and the last thing she would want was for the people here to suffer just like she had when she was younger.
Shaking the thoughts from her mind she focused on the situation at hand. The fact remained that these orcs were inside the Black Fortress, something that shouldn't be possible. Even if the orcs served Olga loyally, through fear of her power or respect for that same might, they would never be allowed within the walls of this fortress. They were untrustworthy and stupid beasts, any woman within reach would be vulnerable to their basic instinct.
So they were forced to camp outside the walls.
But it raised the question. How the hell did they get inside? The gate was the only way they could have come in, but if that was so they would have been alerted that the gates had fallen. No, this was something else
There had to be a breach, somewhere that they had slipped in unnoticed. It couldn't be left open, if the orcs find a way in they would swarm this place and take everything and everyone. She had to find it. Carving her way through the orcs was simple enough, slow and stupid creatures they were. The only good that came from sending them down south to fight was that they almost always got killed. Less orcs in the world was a better one than it was before. Although no matter how many times they died they seemed to come back.
Cutting through another orc she came to the source of the breach, finding one of the many open chambers having collapsed into the earth. Chloe could see a large tunnel breaching into the room, orcs were funnelling inside. A lot of orcs.
With a growl she leaped into the fray, the warriors behind her followed close behind. They fell upon the orcs and cut their way towards the entrance, sealing it would likely not be possible but they could at least make sure nothing else came through. With the number of beasts charging up from the earth one had to wonder how many of them were behind this invasion.
Who would be brazen enough to actually attempt to infiltrate this fortress in the midst of a battle? None of the orcs clans would be stupid enough to consider facing the wrath of Olga Discordia. Something else was going on here. Pushing these questions to the back of her mind she turned to one of her guards.
"Send word to Lady Olga! She must know of this!" Chloe called out.
The guard was about to comply when he was seized by the head and lifted up. A sickening crunch was heard a moment later and his headless body fell to the ground. His killer stood there, leering at her from a safe distance.
"Guzz'mag." Chloe snarled.
The Chieftain of the Urgon Clan, one of the larger orc Clans that had pledged their servitude to Olga Discordia freely rather than having to be forced into compliance. He was a hulking beast with yellowish skin and fiery red hair, large teeth and an even larger physique that dwarfed its fellow orcs. Clarissa had thought the creature cunning, deceptively smart for his race and certainly dangerous.
The High Vizier was obviously overestimating this mongrel if she thought it was intelligent.
"Little elf, you would not believe how long I have wanted to get in here, take your woman and have a good lay and meal. Elf meat is quite tender." Guzz'mag said, lifting up its club.
Chloe snarled and readied her weapons, killing this monster would not be easy but she had to bring it down. None betrayed Lady Olga and lived to tell about it.
"Not yet big guy, we still have to take this fortress."
Chloe turned to the unknown man, who strolled up through the cave. To her shock it was a human. Tanned skin and wearing maroon armour and holding a weighted bastard sword. What the hell was this? How was a human here?
"Then we take the woman, and you give us our cut, that was the agreement Vault. You owe us a lot already." Guzz'mag said.
"That's right, I'll throw this little minx in with the spoils, just make sure you capture them instead of killing them, alright?" Vault said, smirking as he advanced towards her.
The orcs and Black Dogs were working together? How did this happen? She wasn't given much chance to consider, not before the human fell upon her and she was forced to fend off his heavy blows. All the while her comrades fought off the oncoming waves of human mercenaries and orcs.
They wouldn't be able to hold for long, not against this kind of force. Their only hope was to hold them off long enough for Olga to arrive. Once she got here they would be safe.
Reginald expected this.
To be honest he expected a great deal, and while he was not caught by surprise at the difficulty of this undertaking. After all he was fighting not only Olga Discordia but two of her subordinates that were close to if not as great as her. This Ludo, a warrior of capable skill if only lacking in stamina, perhaps he had not been upon the battlefield in some time. Clarissa, a mage that could possibly be an equal to the Queen of Thorns herself with magical ability.
They made this fight a little difficult.
Fighting more than one enemy, even if both were of mediocre skill, was no easy task. Fighting three enemies that were of considerable skill and you were in for a fight of your life. This fight would have been a lot simpler if he still had his armour and weapon.
He ducked under Ludo's sword, he had to drop quite low to avoid it in fact, he stood a good foot in height over the elf he was duelling with. But it allowed him to push aside the blade as it passed overhead and then aim for the back of the elf's neck, sadly the strike was halted by a hastily summoned magical barrier.
Out of the corner of his eye Reginald could see the elven mage, Clarissa, standing there and using her powers to support the elven warrior. She was doing a good job at it, creating hastily made barriers over specific parts of the body to protect him from suffering a single wound. Reginald had to admit her skill and precision was quite impressive, he knew no mage that could do the same back on Azeroth. Sadly he could only respect her skill so much, considering that she was an enemy. Her powers gave the man he duelled a greater amount of freedom when he needed to counter.
As shown when the man swung his blade up, forcing Reginald to step back lest he be dealt another wound. How he wished he had his Scythe here, the Saronite forged weapon would be perfect for countering the magic of these elves. It's very purpose was to do that, capable of killing souls, dispelling magic and countering it was what made the dark metal so valuable.
"Begone beast!" Olga called out, releasing a ball of fire towards him.
She had been the most vocal of the three, he wondered if she was attempting to present herself as the biggest threat here. Olga Discordia spoke a big game when he confronted her, and it seems that she does not like being shown up and was attempting to prove her worth. It was possible her ego had been damaged from their initial scuffle.
"You will not escape punishment, after you are dealt with I will skin your corpse and make you into a rug." Olga called out, the colourful threat was amusing if he had to speculate.
She was not in shape, it would seem that the years away from the battlefield have taken their toll. More than likely she has done nothing but sit on that throne and roam these halls the entire time, it was mind boggling how much her abilities have deteriorated. She may have been a threat when she use to take to the field, but after so long her skills have become rusty and the finesse of her power paled in comparison to her compatriots.
"Perhaps you should let those with actual strength take charge, after all, you look to be unfit to continue." Reginald replied, leaping aside as a burst of flame sailed towards him.
She was easily provoked, he honestly expected someone more cold and calculating. He was definitely disappointed, had it not been for these two he was certain Olga would have fallen to him in an instant. With that same logic all he needed to do was best these two and she would be vulnerable.
"I will not be insulted by a beast such as you!" Olga cried out.
Reginald ducked under the next series of bolts sent his way and charged the Queen of Thorns, but was quickly intercepted by Ludo. The man was his obstacle towards the Queen, the Knight always between him and his target. Attempting to slash at him resulted in a shield blocking his blow, and then a counterattack he was forced to move away from. He would be forced back and then Olga would take pot shots at him.
Several injuries had been acquired through this strategy, nothing to debilitating for a Death Knight, but it was proving to be effective in wearing him down. In time a blow will land that will be debilitating and then eventually he would be killed. He had to remove at least one of Olga's allies to win.
He dodged the stab easily enough, then strafed to the elven warriors side and swung towards his neck. The blow was blocked by the barrier spell, and as the elf attempted to swing his blade Reginald snagged his wrist and pulled him forward and through the air.
He attempted to cut him at half at the waist, but the hastily made barrier beneath Ludo saved the man from such a fate. Ludo pivoted on the barrier and kicked Reginald in the nose and then pushed himself off the barrier.
These two worked too well together.
That barrier that ran parallel to the ground soon shifted around to face him, it was only a moment later before Reginald felt the increase in temperature. Glancing back he saw the wall of fire approaching. He felt the fire singe his fur and burn his flesh, pain was not something he felt often but the sting of agony could still awaken his dead nerves.
He staved it off, releasing a wave of frost around himself he saved himself from being incinerated. Burns were covered in a layer of permafrost and he used the smokescreen to lunge towards Olga, Ludo would be behind him. Sadly Clarissa was quick to come to her mistresses defence, a barrier came up right before Reginald could reach her.
Olga moved back, regaining the distance she lost in his charge. Reginald heard the footfalls of Ludo, approaching fast, turning he swung down towards the elf's head. The blow was was expectedly blocked by a barrier, and as the elf swung around to slash into Reginald's side he grasped the elf's wrist.
With a quick tug he pulled him forward and then kicked him away. He glanced towards the Queen of Thorns and saw her preparing another spell, Reginald had an idea. Their own repetitive tactic would be their undoing.
Reginald did not bother to counter Olga, instead he opted to turned towards Clarissa and launch his sword towards the elf just as the Dark Elven Queen launched her spell. As intended she summoned a shield to block his weapon, with her magical power occupied in defence of herself he reached out with his other claw and snagged the downed Ludo with a Death Grip.
Pulling around he launched the elf at the magical fireball sent towards him by Olga. She could do nothing but watch as her comrade was engulfed in fire, catapulted away and burned by the Queens own power.
"Ludo!" Clarissa called out, horror wrenching itself free from her throat.
Reginald reached for his blade, the runic connection he held with the weapon responding to his mental command. Immediately the blade flew up and towards Clarissa again. As she summoned a barrier to block the blade Reginald created another weapon.
Forming behind the struggling Clarissa was a fully formed Dancing Rune Blade, and with a single stroke of his hand the blade descended and wretched a gash into the elf's back. She screamed and stumbled forward, her staff falling from her hand as she lay on the ground writhing in agony.
"Clarissa!" Olga called out, her teeth gnashing together as she turned to glare at him. "You will pay for this beast!"
Reginald did not respond, only raising his hand and calling the physical and ethereal blades back to his hands. Both weapons at the ready he charged Olga, with her allies out of the way she would be easy to subdue. Even so she put up a valiant defence, her use of magic was exemplary, without the risk to her allies she was using everything she could to wipe him from existence.
But Reginald closed in on her, no matter how much she tried to keep her distance it would last only so long. She was tired, releasing deep pants as she greedily tried to suck in a breath. With a final leap with the aid of magic she pushed herself away, collapsing as her feet touched the ground. On her knees she fired a volley of spells, the attempt was to force him back.
Reginald simply weathered the strikes, forming an Anti-Magic Shield around himself to disperse the show of force from the Elven Queen. Lunging forward he threw the ethereal sword towards her, the weapon was deflected and shattered with a magical empowered swing of her stave. But she had no time to raise it against before he got close.
A magical barrier formed around the stave, ensnaring it in a greenish glow that pulsed with runic symbols. Reginald struck home, and the stave was cut neatly into two pieces, leaving Olga to stumble back and collapse to the floor.
"How… that is impossible…" Olga said aloud, looking at the broken pieces of her stave. "You… that glow, what was that?"
Anti-Magic Shell, he would have clarified it for her but did not care to. She was defenceless now, and he was not going to be playing nice anymore.
"Surrender." Reginald intoned.
She could do nothing, with her weapon gone and on the verge of exhaustion she was in no position to fight or flee. He wouldn't kill her, obligations made it important that he bring Olga Discordia back to Ken to face trial. He was not going to lose out on this deal. He needed things to go according to plan, as much as he had his doubts that the Alliance would honour their agreement he had to stick to his own machinations as much as possible.
At least attempt to stick to it.
His ears picked up the feint sounds of boots on stone, glancing to the side he saw the glint of a silver blade moving for his head. Leaning back Reginald evaded the sword, and watched at the wounded Ludo stumbled forward.
"You will not harm… the Queen!" Ludo said, sweating and struggling to keep his sword aloft.
He was showing some signs of pain, although the trembling in his arms and legs were likely from fatigue. The fires that had ensnared him had licked his face, leaving some ugly marks, but his back must be a true sight of horror. The nerves and skin must have melted away, leaving nothing there to feel the pain.
"Do you wish to die immediately rather than slowly succumbing to your wounds?" Reginald asked.
"I will die protecting my Queen." Ludo said. "Lady Olga, you must flee, I will hold the beast back as long as I can."
"She won't get far, and you will die the moment I step towards you." Reginald said, ready to carry out the threat. "Surrender and you will be treated for your wounds."
Just then he saw something moving towards him, turning he saw a bolt of magic sailing his way. He turned and raised his sword in defence, using what power he had to counter the magical bolt. Just as it was deflected Ludo attacked, lunging forward to stab him through the back.
Reaching out Reginald grasped the blade as it neared his side, stoping it cold and glaring at the stubborn fool. Dropping his own sword he used his now free hand to reach out and grasp the struggling form of Clarissa, and with a pull he dragged her forward and sent her colliding into Ludo.
Both tumbled to the ground in front of Olga.
"Stop! Enough of this! I demand you cease!"
"Then surrender." Reginald replied.
"If you cease this brutality I will do so!" Olga yelled. "Spare them, let me help them! If you allow it I will surrender!"
Reginald knew that she was likely trying to vie for time, to either get her allies back on their feet so they could continue to resist. The woman did not likely wish to be beaten, allowing her to heal them would be problematic, it would involve allowing her to harness magical forces without knowing her intent.
"If you surrender, they will be given treatment. I will send them to your own healers as well, I only want you." Reginald replied.
Reginald watched her struggle to make a reply, even at the behest of the two elven aids she seemed unable to form a response. She looked conflicted, it was strange that she was struggling to form a response. Pragmatic he may be, but even he could see the clear concern in her eyes as she looked to her two subordinates.
She cared for them. It would appear that way from her lack of response. Perhaps she was having a crisis of who she is, as a fellow elf or as a ruler. Should she maintain the pride of her station and allow these two to die and herself included to be a symbol of defiance, or give in and hope that her two close confidants could be saved.
"I…"
Olga seemed ready to make her decision, before the doors to the chamber opened.
Reginald turned an much to his surprise saw none other than Vault walk through them, smirking as he usually would and with a entourage of soldiers behind him with similar leers on their faces. Now how did they get inside? He doubted those gates had been breached, and that they could have gotten past those demons so easily. In fact, they should all be dead right about now.
"I will be damned, you actually did it." Vault said, his voice booming as he laughed at the scene. "You beat Olga Discordia, and not only her, but the Black Blade of Garan and the Darklight Vizier. A bonus I suppose."
The man walked by and was standing over the Queen of the Dark Elves, looming there like he had been the one to do the deed. It was simply amazing how this fool tried to reap the glory for himself. It was a wonder if he felt so inferior that at circumstance he attempted to prove he was better than everyone else, a desperation born of a need to prove himself.
"Alright Queen of Thorns, how about you submit to me and we can move along." Vault said.
Whatever conflict that had once clouded Olga's mind had evaporated in the presence of Vault. Terrific, now he had to think of a way to get around this, along with deal with this fool.
"I would never surrender to common filth such as you." Olga growled.
"Oh really, how about now?" Vault said, turning and presenting the Dark Queen with an ultimatum.
Now was a time for surprises it seemed, standing at the doors was an orc with a dark elf in its clutches. Reginald had no idea who the girl was, but she was in the grasp of a large orc and with a very large blade at her neck. From the gasp that escaped from Olga's mouth it showed that she had a connection with this one.
"Lady Olga… I am sorry… I could not stop them!" She said, the blade pressing closer to her neck.
"Leave her be!" Olga yelled.
"Then surrender, do that and I will let her go." Vault said, smirking as he looked down at her.
Reginald had no idea why he was doing this, Olga was in no position to truly resist anymore. Why not take her into custody along with the others and be done with it. But again he was reminded of what kind of man Vault was, he got off on flaunting himself and proving his strength. He suffered no one resisting him, no one above him, he liked power in all its forms and cared about subjugating anyone he saw as a threat to his authority and strength.
It was time to remind him that there was someone that would not submit to him.
"She already has." Reginald said.
Vault turned to him, his smirk dropping as he gave a wary look.
"Olga Discordia has surrendered onto me, she is my prisoner." Reginald replied.
"Oh really?" Vault said, he didn't looked to pleased, good.
"Yes, as part of my agreement with Celestine Lucross I would bring back Olga Discordia and any of her officers to be tried for crimes against Eostia. She is my prisoner Vault, remember that." Reginald replied.
The standoff between them seemed to cause a stir with all who watched, the tension was thick in the air and some looked ready to choke. Before Vault gave a snort of derision, turning away and waving him off.
"Take Olga then, put her in a cell somewhere, along with the girl." Vault said, looking towards the wounded Ludo.
"And the man. He is an officer, and will be sent back to Ken as well." Reginald replied. "Given that the one you hold there is also known to the Queen, she will be given to me."
"You are overstepping dog." Vault said, looking ready to actually draw his sword.
"Do as you are paid to Mercenary, yours is not to question, it is to obey. Now send these four to the nearest cells, and make sure those two are given medical treatment." Reginald said, leaning in close to Vault.
The Mercenary seemed to consider what to do next, and for a few short moments mulled it over before he waved to the men. They came forward and started to take away the prisoners, Olga and Clarissa bound in magical cuffs and collars, while Ludo was dragged on his stomach from the room.
"Why is this? Why is my treasure being taken? You best explain Vault!" A larger lumbering orc said.
The yellow skinned orc seemed displeased with its prize being taken away. That raised some questions, ones that Reginald wished to have answered. Vault was already in front of the lumbering beast trying to calm it with half hearted promises.
"Trust me, you will be getting your fill soon enough." Vault said, smirking as he made himself appear pleasing and confident to the irate orc.
Reginald watched the exchange for a moment before he turned to leave. The moment he met the Black Dogs he knew that he would not be their allies, they saw him as an asset and wild animal. But ever since departing Diohart he knew that there was more to them than anyone believed, he just didn't think it would be this twisted.
The Black Dogs were many things, but the truth of what they were was unknown to many. Reginald knew now, and as the pieces came together he would need to make a decision on how he was going to get himself out of this situation.
There you have it.
