In a way, it was so difficult to deny that Barverra was so enticing in her anger. She stood tall and proud, the very embodiment of authority, her expression merciless and fierce.
Stricklander wouldn't mind admiring the image - well, if only he wasn't one of the targets of that ire. At least, for whatever reason, the daughter of Gunmar had picked someone else to obliterate. Walter had been more than sure that she disliked him more than anyone else. Bular, for example, would have never thought twice in the same position. His sister, however…
Most likely, she still saw some use in him and put her common sense above her emotions. Was the Trollhunter's identity really that valuable to her? Apparently, Stricklander's trump card had way more value than he had initially anticipated. Who could imagine?
Rezz's demise was quite a shock to everyone present, though the reaction to it differed a lot. Nomura hadn't even flinched - most likely, she had expected the youngster's death in any case. Montgo, apparently, was still overcoming his feeling because of Bular's attitude. Sethiz looked obviously distressed. Shen tried her best to keep at least a semblance of composure, yet her fear was seeping through the cracks.
"Sister?" the son of Gunmar was also surprised by Barverra's entrance - to the point that he had managed to forget about his own plan to obliterate everyone. In a way, it wasn't that good. The dark brute would have killed all the backup for sure. His sister, most likely, would be more invested in keeping the manpower intact.
Stricklander cursed inwardly. Why couldn't that vile female appear at least half an hour later? Somehow, she seemingly enjoyed destroying his intricate planning.
"So," Barverra continued. "I assume there is more of your kind at the base now…"
Her tone seemed trivial, but Walter had learned her good enough already. Putting any kind of remark at the moment could be suicidal.
And, of course, someone had fallen into that trap.
"We've come to assist you, my princess," Sethiz bowed with the utmost respect, perhaps, even genuine one.
The Head of Janus Order even felt some pity for the fool. His rival should have considered that the daughter of Gunmar could be way more problematic than Bular. It could be his last mistake.
"Then how have all of you managed to leak our location?" Barverra inquired, her tone cold and ruthless. "Why did the Trollhunter enter here without any problems last night?"
So, she knew. No, of course, Stricklander was well-aware of her connection with some humans, however, hadn't she put two and two together too fast?
The official cover-up story was the one involving some teenage vandals. How had the daughter of Gunmar guessed the right thing?
Unless one of the new changelings was her source. Walter glanced over them for the reaction. It couldn't be Sethiz - he seemed close to peeing himself. Shen also didn't look like one. Montgo? Deceased Rezz? Those two made even less sense.
Or could it be Nomura? Stricklander had always been sure in her loyalty, but what if?
No, his aide would never risk her life like that - after all, she had been partially responsible for not catching the Trollhunter.
Nothing made any sense.
"We'll deal with that problem swiftly," Sethiz answered in a shaky tone. Someone should have told him to just shut up. Well, Walter wasn't interested in that.
"I seriously doubt that," Barverra spat with disgust. "If you actually could do a thing, you'd have brought me the amulet already. So…" she pointed her blade first at Sethiz and then at Stricklander. "Who will take the responsibility?"
No, that damned female certainly was biased when it came to Walt. Seriously, what had he done to deserve that attitude? No, of course, he always pursued his own ambitions, but wasn't it the same for the good chunk of changelings?
Nomura had been right - the daughter of Gunmar hated his guts. The Head of Janus Order wondered if he should have said something. But would it be wise - Barverra only seemed calm while being inferno of rage inside. The first one to utter something she didn't like would be a goner for sure. Even Sethiz had realized it already, biting his tongue at last.
The help came from the most unexpected place.
"Your Highness," Montgo stepped forward, "let me correct this inexcusable mistake! Let me restore my honor! Let me prove that I'm still a proud Gumm-Gumm!"
Some trolls simply refused to give up easily, though even Stricklander couldn't help giving some credit to that stubbornness.
What a waste that it was entirely pointless! The former warrior had already faced rejection from his former commander, what made him think that the Herald of Doom would be different?
"Don't make me laugh," Bular snorted. "You'll never be a Gumm-Gumm, you im…"
"Bular, shut up!" Barverra growled, interrupting her brother at once. It was as if she had redirected all her previous hostility at her own kin - and no one present had missed that mood change.
Stricklander had always believed it was difficult to surprise him, but even he was dumbstruck. The daughter of Gunmar protecting an impure - what was even going on here?
'She's nicer,' Nomura's words flashed through Walter's memory. Was his aide actually correct and not just delusional?
"Gomragg," Barverra turned her full attention to the troll in question, "show me your loyalty. Bring the Trollhunter here. Alive. I'll deal with that fleshbag child myself."
"Yes, Your Highness," Montgo's eyes flashed with delight as he left the hideout - most likely, eager to execute his order as soon as possible.
Walter rolled his eyes - that strategy would never work. Though Young Atlas might have gotten a major headache soon enough. And well, it would definitely complicate things for the Head of Janus Order as well - someone would need to cover all the mess an overeager brute could cause. As if he hadn't trouble with only Bular around!
But seriously, Barverra showing some sympathy had been one of the top unexpected things. Or could it be just a part of some intricate scheme? If so, she was actually way more vicious than her brother could ever be.
"As for the rest of you," the daughter of Gunmar continued, yet somehow it felt as if her murderous intent plummeted. She seemed disinterested and tired for whatever reason too. "It was the last time I've forgiven your mistakes. There won't be next time for any of you. Understood?"
She left before anyone managed to respond to that. Nomura gave Stricklander a questioning glance. That one had to mean 'what's next?'. They would need to reconsider their strategy later.
Bular growled, muttering some intricate curses under his breath, and followed his sister. Most likely, the dark prince was as confused and lost as everyone else.
Shen was the next one to disappear. Walter wondered what exactly that one schemed - she hadn't revealed anything so far, unlike Sethiz or even Montgo. In hindsight, she might have caused the most trouble in the future - simply because her course of action remained unpredictable. Perhaps, Stricklander should have focused on that one for now…
She failed to understand her own emotions. During her entrance, just some split seconds after Rezz's death, Barverra had been more than ready to unleash her anger at everyone present, regardless of their allegiances or possible immunity. Perhaps, she would have attacked even Bular back then.
The source of her rage hadn't been just an annoyance with a spy at her workplace. Neither had it been the Trollhunter's infiltration at the base. Surely, both of those had been irritating inconveniences, yet…
Yes, the daughter of Gunmar had been furious the most with her brother's words thrown at his former subordinate. She had realized that the troll world she belonged to would never be accepting of her son.
That had been that kind of impotent rage - the one born out of desperation, yet never capable of changing a thing.
And it had hurt the most.
Somehow, Barverra had managed to banish it deep inside her soul, leaving only her feeling regarding the recent failure. Fortunately, there was that annoying changeling, whose name she couldn't even recall in her current state. That one worked as a perfect target - and well, in the worst-case scenario, his head would roll next.
And after that? There were also Stricklander and two female impures. Though, probably it would never go that far.
One more death - that would be more than enough to satisfy her bloodlust, even if common sense whispered that it would be pointless and no different from Bular's brainless outburst. Though, maybe at times, that kind of approach was the best one. Even Gunmar had obliterated so many of his soldiers in his blind ire. Besides, who would dare to throw any kind of accusation at the infamous Herald of Doom?
The main question was who would fit that target role the best. As much as Barverra wished it to be Stricklander, she had to admit begrudgingly that he still remained untouchable. At least until she confirmed that there wouldn't be any consequences for Jim.
The annoying changeling, on the other hand, just kept getting more bad points. One more reckless phrase - and he would be a goner for sure.
And then, all the impure just got a save from the most unlikely source. Gomragg, the former Gumm-Gumm warrior. His plea was one of desperation - the daughter of Gunmar could see it in his eyes.
He was forced to live a human life, much like Barverra herself, yet never betrayed his true nature, unlike her.
It would be so much easier for him to find some attachment in the human world.
That was such a treacherous thought. Or was it an attempt to find an excuse for her own weakness? Gomragg stayed true to his past and principles despite everything. And her? How many compromises had been there through all of these years?
Bular had been wrong to ditch his former subordinate when his own sister had committed something way more inexcusable. Oh, wait, he knew nothing, so perhaps, she would still face his disgust later.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Gomragg was a way better Gumm-Gumm than her. So what right would she have to reject his genuine plea? Sure thing, he would stay changeling until the very death - it wasn't like anything could revert the vile magic twisting his nature, but at least he had the right to keep his honor.
Nevertheless, Barverra hesitated to give the brute an order to kill. That reluctance was confusing even to her. Yes, she didn't want to kill that human child, however, making sure that someone else wouldn't do that? Wasn't that too much? Couldn't she just shift the responsibility and get away with that?
The daughter of Gunmar wondered if anyone had noticed her moment of weakness. At least, she had left just in time. Or perhaps, it could be too late already…
"Barverra!" Bular's angry yell stopped her in her tracks. Oh yeah, her brother would like to talk right now and would never let her go without getting his answers.
"What?" she spat, turning back to face him. "If you want to rant, I'm not in the mood!"
The daughter of Gunmar felt too drained to argue with him at the moment. Honestly, she would just prefer to be at home, in her human guise and with a good dose of coffee.
"Is it a joke to you?" the dark prince scowled with a menacing growl. "What did happen back then? Why have you allowed that impure…"
"Stop calling a fellow Gumm-Gumm an impure," Barverra hissed, interrupting his angry speech.
She had to make her brother reconsider his position, to think with more integrity. Otherwise, Bular would never accept his nephew. Jim would need the backing from his kin - in that case, no troll would ever dare to jeer at his nature as a halfling.
"An impure is an impure," the brute refused to listen to any reasoning, dead-set on his own beliefs.
"Even if Father forced him?"
"Father must have had the reason for that!"
She hit the wall - the one made of Bular's genuine faith, no, his borderline worship of Gunmar. It wasn't something anyone could shake that easily.
Yet…
"Bular, have you ever considered that Father can be wrong at times?" Barverra asked quietly - she just couldn't yell or growl at her brother anymore. Not after seeing yet another demonstration of his devotion.
"He can't," the dark prince shrugged, calming down as well. "He's the Skullcrusher, the ultimate troll! He makes no mistakes."
Yes, that was an ultimate conviction - and why was she that surprised? Bular had always been like that, never questioning Gunmar's orders or decisions. Though… It used to be the same for Barverra herself, yet lately, she kept wondering if her father had chosen the right option every time.
"Whatever," the brute interrupted her musing. "I'm more interested why you gave that order about keeping the Trollhunter alive. If that impure kills the fleshbag, we will resolve everything, and no one's pride will be damaged!"
Surprisingly, that was a rather sound thought. It made a lot of sense from any Gumm-Gumm's point of view. Alas, the daughter of Gunmar didn't share the sentiment anymore. She would prefer to get the amulet without killing someone from Jim's school.
Not that Bular would ever learn that. Probably, she had to throw him some excuse to prevent him from taking reckless action.
"Here we go again," she faked a disappointment. "Does Gomragg look that clever to you? Do you think he won't lose the amulet like you?"
At least, this time, it was a piece of cake to convince her stubborn brother - after all, he had admitted that his methods hadn't worked.
"Oh, so you want the impure to bring the fleshbag to you so that we can proceed with your plan?" he asked, after giving it some thought.
Barverra nodded. Everything would do as long as it kept Bular at bay. He didn't even seem interested in arguing anymore, probably fully satisfied with her explanation. For how long would it last, though?
The son of Gunmar went back to the base, and the female nearly sighed with relief. Now she was free to go back home.
Or she thought so before sensing someone else's presence. Just great - couldn't they leave her alone? Barverra felt the anger rising once again. A part of her was already tempted to obliterate the annoyance.
"Your Highness," a female changeling appeared from the darkness with a bow. The daughter of Gunmar remembered that one staying silent during the conversation in the museum. Though probably the impure wasn't that smart if she decided to contact the Herald of Doom after witnessing that she could obliterate anyone in her annoyance.
Well, perhaps, the incident with Gomragg was misleading enough.
"Who are you?" Barverra muttered, barely keeping her irritation in check. "If you want just to talk about your loyalty, then you'd better run now. I may even give you some seconds for that!"
She half-expected the female changeling to get lost, so the elusive polite smile as a response was quite a surprise.
"Oh, no, nothing like that," the impure shook her head. "I simply wanted to report that I'm going to find the Trollhunter's identity in some more days."
That came out of nowhere, that was for sure. Not to mention that the statement was rather bold, to say the least.
"Continue," Barverra spat through her teeth. She had to hear more before deciding. "And I still haven't heard your name."
Somehow, she already couldn't stand the elusive impure - that one was another of skillful schemers. The daughter of Gunmar genuinely believed that Stricklander filled the quota perfectly.
"I'm Shen," the female introduced herself. "And I plan to leave Stricklander without his ultimate trump card soon…"
There was too much beating around the bush. Barverra hated that kind of people with passion - instead of getting straight to the point, those kept wasting her time.
"And how do you plan to do that?" she drawled. If there was another vague response, she would simply finish the changeling on the spot - even if she could possibly help with turning tables on Stricklander.
Most likely, Shen was good in reading the mood as her reply wasn't elusive anymore:
"The Trollhunter is one of Stricklander's students. I'll infiltrate his school and figure out which one."
That sounded surprisingly reasonable. After all, the Trollhunter used some magic to obscure his identity while on missions. However, the foolish child simply couldn't use it all day long without causing some commotion. He still had studies to care about, not to mention his family.
Yes, an insider in his school would be the best answer. However, that one was also Jim's school. Somehow, Barverra hated even the idea of another impure near her son.
Of course, Shen could possibly find the Trollhunter. But wouldn't that mean that she could accidentally stumble upon Jim's ancestry?
The daughter of Gunmar cursed inwardly - apparently, she had killed the wrong changeling. She could have possibly found a way to fool Suarez. Shen, however, was getting too close to her son.
Though… Wasn't Barverra overthinking? Perhaps, she should have let the impure investigate a bit. And if Shen was brainless enough to get too close to Jim, the Herald of Doom could always obliterate her. She would never allow the second Stricklander to appear.
Zoe couldn't help feeling upset. How could it be otherwise when her attempt to ensure the Hex Tech's cooperation in the future confrontation with the Gumm-Gumm forces had failed miserably? Well, she had known that the hedge witches were dead-set on keeping a neutral stance. The only important rule there would be 'no harm for the fellow members' - and everything else was never limited.
Zoe suspected that some of her acquaintances there could possibly even cooperate with the Janus Order. And a good chunk of hedge witches hated Douxie only because he was Merlin's apprentice - and the self-centered prick in question somehow had managed to infuriate too many magic communities.
The girl sighed, stretching on the couch in Douxie's room and examining the ceiling. She had a feeling that some kind of a horrible storm would break out soon. No magic user would ever ignore a hunch.
The hedge witch missed talking to her boyfriend. Recently, because of their conflicting schedules, they barely had a second to see each other. No, it wasn't anything new, but it never meant it was easy to fill the void.
Archie tried his best to work as an intermediary and keep them both informed about all the events. Zoe felt slightly frustrated that Douxie's side had been way more eventful lately.
Who could have imagined that their team would have stumbled upon the enemies' base because of sheer luck? The pink-haired girl groaned, regretting once again that she hadn't been present - with her around, they could have possibly applied a different strategy. She had good firepower with her electricity element.
Yes, everyone had managed to escape unscathed, but she couldn't continue to be a liability.
The door creaked, and the witch sat up with a jerk.
"I'm wasted," Douxie complained with a yawn. "Can use some suggestions for replenishing energy…"
"How about my special brew?" Zoe smiled. "And seriously, get some sleep! When was the last time, by the way? You look like a zombie. Do you think that collapsing will help anyone?"
"Has Arch delegated his nagging responsibility to you?" the young man chuckled. "I'll survive. Just an exhausting shift at the Benoit's…"
He threw himself at the coach, finally relaxing.
"And everything else?" Zoe inquired gently, stroking his hair. "There has been so much stuff lately…"
"Don't remind me," he groaned. "At times, I'm genuinely lost and have no idea what to do… But, honestly, I'm more worried about Jim and Toby."
"Because they discovered changelings' existence?" the witch raised her eyebrows. "They'd learn it in any case, one way or other… You or I could bring it up, or more likely, Archie. Or one of the trolls…"
"It's different," Douxie disagreed. "It's one thing to hear or read it… But seeing someone changing their form? I wonder if it may cause some paranoia…"
His mind trailed back to Jim's hostile reaction when he had thought that his friends had been suspecting his mother. Who knew which other consequences it could possibly have?
"How are boys?" Zoe asked carefully. "Stressed?"
"No idea," the young man shrugged. "Toby jokes, Jim keeps brave facade… But you know, it can mean nothing…"
Different people tended to cope with stressful situations differently. Douxie still wasn't that confident that he knew his younger friends well enough.
"And you?"
That question came out of nowhere. The wizard-in-training chuckled:
"Come on, Zoe, I've seen so many various magic creatures in my life that one or two changelings will never shake me… It's nothing compared to milking Slorr…"
He couldn't help shuddering at the memory - that would probably be the last thing he wished to do once more.
"I'm not talking about changelings," the witch sighed. "You're obviously troubled about something else…"
Well, when you knew someone for decades, you would have learned to read them like an open book. It was especially true in their case. Besides, Zoe was keen to start with.
"Archie's told me about your apprentice," she continued after receiving no response. "I'm surprised. I've thought you refused to get a proper master wizard status unless your teacher acknowledged it…"
She was surprisingly considerate tonight - to the point that she had referred Merlin using a neutral term, unlike most of the times.
"Technically, Claire isn't my apprentice," Douxie argued with a sigh. "I've just introduced her to some stuff - a good half of people learn more before finding their master!"
He remembered his own magic level before meeting Merlin - of course, his knowledge had consisted of bits and pieces he had gotten from all kinds of sources rather than something systematic. In hindsight, most wizards would have probably felt reluctant about teaching someone with such a chaotic skillset. His master, on the other hand, had never bothered with that circumstance.
"Archie's said you still treat that girl as your student," Zoe's voice broke Douxie's reverie. "And I can tell for sure that you're worried. Why so?"
The young man gave up - it was impossible to hide anything from his girlfriend. And apparently, from his familiar as well, because the cat-dragon had obviously brought the matter up in his conversation with the hedge witch.
"I think I was too careless when I gave Claire that magic book…"
The wording wasn't the best - Zoe raised her eyebrows at once:
"Some explanation, please. I've thought you were excited about finding another magic user."
"Exactly," Douxie nodded. "But it didn't change the fact that it was a hasty decision. I think I've screwed with timing and…"
"And when do you think there would be a good time?" the witch interrupted him, flicking his forehead rather roughly. She had guessed the unsaid part effortlessly, figuring out that her boyfriend was concerned about a possible incoming death battle.
Yes, they planned to stall for as long as possible, but the recent incident at the museum would put everything upside-down. Sure thing, their team had discovered the enemy's base and even gotten some glimpse at their plans, however…
It was difficult to deny that Douxie had revealed his own existence and involvement with the Trollhunter's party. They couldn't play the role of the hidden trump card anymore.
With all those factors, there was no guarantee that the standstill between Gunmar's party and the Trollhunter's team wouldn't turn out into an outright war involving the entire Arcadia.
And dragging Claire into all of that when she had nothing to do with trolls simply felt low. He couldn't help admitting all of that to Zoe.
"You know, nine centuries ago, I was so frustrated with my old man keeping me out of everything when it came to the amulet, Gunmar or Morgana," Douxie smiled wistfully. "Yet now, being in a similar position, I can somehow relate. I don't want Claire to get in danger…"
It was so unlike the situation with Jim - the wizard-in-training was also concerned about his younger friend, but the teen was too involved with all the troll stuff to keep him shielded.
"You said it yourself," the witch shrugged. "You were frustrated back then… Do you think the girl won't notice that you hide something from her? The master-apprentice bond requires an ultimate level of trust, unlike whatever that old jerk told you… Even the most reasonable people make mistakes - maybe you should do things your own way and not copy anyone else?"
"What now?" Nomura inquired, after getting sure that only Stricklander and her remained at the base. Personally, she was slightly annoyed that none of Gunmar's kin had started the massacre tonight. Though that one could have possibly resulted in her own untimely demise, so perhaps, it had been for better.
"I guess we'll be multitasking from now on," the man muttered. Getting the amulet without alarming Barverra while also taking out the rivals. Nothing sounded easy.
"A pity that Sethiz managed to shut up before his head rolled," Nomura spat. "That would leave only Shen…"
Walter nodded - he thought the same, in the end. Nevertheless, perhaps, there was some chance that that guy would manage to piss off either Bular or Barverra.
Of course, there was also the matter of Montgo, but that one was simply a chaotic oaf. If he managed to stumble upon Young Atlas by some sheer luck no one would dare to complain.
"Don't you think it's odd that our princess ordered to bring her the kid alive?" the female asked another question. She was right - that simply didn't add like being a piece of some different puzzle altogether. Strickler wondered if he could ever learn to read the Herald of Doom.
"Probably wants to play around," he shrugged, feigning indifference. To be honest, he was rather intrigued by that riddle, but his aide had no need to know that. "More importantly, we should make our own move now, until it's too late…"
Walter couldn't help feeling that his party had fallen behind already in their complicated battle of wits. Jim had gotten a good chunk of valuable information during his venture to the museum. Barverra had managed to secure a loyal, even if not-that-bright ally and even Shen had the least shaky position. Stricklander needed something that would put him in more favorable condition.
"I've told you to scare the boy yesterday, so how was that?" he asked.
"I bet you've gotten senile," Nomura jeered. "Have you already forgotten that his house is protected?"
He ignored the jab altogether, not in a mood to bicker with his only reliable ally.
"There are different kinds of fear…" he drawled. "Probably, you'd better learn from Barverra. Should I remind you what exactly has made her that infamous?"
The female smirked, getting the hint at once.
"Are you telling me to attack someone close to the Trollhunter?"
"Nothing too excessive," Walter hissed, knowing well enough that Nomura might have possibly gone overboard. "Just a scare - and make sure that the boy will learn about it!"
"Then it'll be the best to start with his mother," the female mused.
"No!"
Stricklander himself was genuinely surprised by his outburst. Did he actually care about Mrs. Lake, no, Barbara that much? Sure thing, there should have been some other reason - and his mind provided him with one in some seconds.
"Have you forgotten that both Barverra and our rivals monitor our actions?" he glared at his aide. "Don't you think your attack will reveal the Trollhunter's identity? You need someone less obvious…"
"I assume that his best friend isn't an option as well?" Nomura folded her arms in irritation. "I don't know anyone else if you've forgotten!"
She was right - it would be nearly impossible to pick up a fitting target without good insight about Young Atlas's close circle. Luckily for her, Stricklander had always been well informed in that regard.
He mentally ran through the list of possible candidates. There were no more close relatives, according to Barbara, but well, targeting family would be a big no. Domzalski's grandma should have been omitted for exactly the same reason.
It would be better to consider Jim's circle of friends instead. The problem was that Young Atlas, apparently, wasn't that close to many people. Walter wondered how he had managed to miss that fact until now. Perhaps, it was because his student had never seemed lonely or isolated.
Still, currently, it would just cause some limitations to his plan. The only one who could probably count as Jim's friend would be Eli Pepperjack. The problem was that the bespectacled teen bringing up an encounter with a monster… Yeah, that one would be just regular stuff.
Stricklander even started considering staging a fake assault on himself - wasn't he Young Atlas's favorite teacher, after all - when he had finally remembered someone who could work perfectly as a target.
Claire Nunez, Jim's crush. They might have been not that close, but Walter could swear that those two were on friendly terms already.
"I've found someone for you," the man smirked, scribbling the name and address on the slip of paper. Nomura looked at it with some curiosity.
"Will it be safe, though?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Walter nodded. "The girl is popular enough and has countless friends. Besides, her link to our Trollhunter isn't that obvious."
You needed to know Jim to learn about his crush - and that one wouldn't be an easy achievement for outsiders.