AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message spell speech
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
Chapter 21
AN: In this chapter I am describing a siege battle. It plays in a medieval setting. I am henceforth calling a WARNING. There will be mentioned of brutality, rape and other such despicable things. Please be cautious. If you are a child or a teenager, please skip the chapter. Thanks for reading.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Zesshi ←
Zesshi was turning in her bed, from right to left and from left to right, waking up for short times when doing so. Excitement flowed through her body and Zesshi felt it in every limb she had. The bones from her human body also shivered from excitement while her spider-parts simply felt stronger than ever.
The reason for her excitement came from mother. Her first assignment, at least one that was important. She had gotten assignments before, like learning a spell or to behave. Nothing on the level of being a messenger for mother. Failing it was out of the question!
Zesshi looked out of the window and saw the clear sky in the night. Stars sparkled and Zesshi fell at ease.
"I hope everything will go well. Otherwise I have failed mother." Zesshi whispered and decided to stand up and cracked her knuckles.
After taking her training gear Zesshi decided to walk to the training arena of the basement. She entered and began to change. She wore tight clothing on her upper-body while wearing long socks to cover her legs. A special mantle worked as makeshift trousers and covered her abdomen.
She looked at the weights and decided to warm up. Some rounds around the training field in a light and careful jog. Some stretches and some light exercises. In the end, when Zesshi felt warmed up, she looked at the weights and decided to take it easy today and began to train with those.
The crunch of a door was heard and Zesshi immediately looked in the direction. Two quartered and red dots looked at her and Zesshi immediately stopped.
"What can I do for you, older sister?" Zesshi asked and Entoma walked out of the shadow.
"Why are you up so early? Usually you sleep until I have to wake you for breakfast. What is going on?" Entomas ignored Zesshis question and wanted answers to her own.
"I couldn't sleep and decided to train a bit in preparation for today." Zesshi replied.
"Alright. But it doesn't explain why you are up. What is bothering you?" Entoma asked again and looked more directly at Zesshi, if it was possible.
"I fear. I fear that I will disappoint my mother." Zesshi whispered and Entoma sniffed.
"I can understand that fear. Do you want to talk about it? I can even give you a nice drink? I have a special tonight" Entoma asked.
Zesshi looked between Entoma and the weights in her hand.
"I rarely do anything with my sister. It gets lonely from time to time. Might as well try? Ok, Zesshi, here we go." Zesshi thought and stroked her cheeks.
"Sounds good. I will change and then we can go, sister." Zesshi tried and Entoma nodded.
Changing didn't take long and when she came back Entoma was waiting. Both went to the kitchen, where Entoma made a drink, containing some kind of jello, which Entoma did not specify but called 'delicious'. Afterwards both went outside and relished the air. Cold wind flew through the protecting trees and barely any sound dared to interrupt them.
"Now. What is bothering my little sister? Why do you fear failing your assignment?" Entoma asked.
"It is my first assignment and I fear to fail. What if I fail? What will happen then?" Zesshi babbled.
"Hmm. Shalltear once failed. But lord Ainz is a benevolent being. I also know that my mother is also benevolent." Entoma tried.
"Are you sure? I fear that if I fail that mother will be angry" Zesshi continued.
"I never saw my mother angry because of a failing mission. She loves us too much for being angry at us. She might get frustrated though." Entoma sighed
"But what if…" Zesshi began and Entoma stood up and walked in front of Zesshi, grasping the young arachne at the cheeks.
"You will manage. You will go with Leinas. After she brings her message, you will give them yours. Then you will wait for a response. Then you will use the scroll and come back. You. Will. Manage." Entoma spoke with determination and Zesshi shuddered.
"I will give my best." Zesshi said and Entoma sighed.
When Entoma sat down, both slurped their drinks and relaxed in the early morning.
→ Colognium / Proditor ←
It was early morning when a wave of drowsiness was abruptly washed away. Soldiers got woken up when the sun wasn't with them. The units began to assemble their armor and weapons. The first groups of levies were herded to the ladders and the Prince, together with the other two nobles, stood on a makeshift podium and held a 'motivating' speech. Telling them about their future pay and how their glory will be remembered forever more.
The ladders were taken and the vanguard began to carefully get as close as possible to the walls of Colognium. Sadly the defenders of the city saw them halfway to the walls. Then the race over the city began. The bearer of the ladders sprinted with everything they got while the alarm bells were rung. Arrows were fired from both sides, though the defenders had higher ground and some of them targeted the archers of Re-Estize. Others targeted the ladders.
More and more defenders assembled and reigned death upon the besieger. The ladders moved forward like an unstoppable behemoth, carried by new soldiers, who took it from the fallen comrades.
Proditor was far in the rear with his groups, thanks to a bit of luck and advice. He also was among the few lucky ones, who had a shield stable enough to have some protections against arrows. His unit was pressing forward, some with anticipation of the ensuing payday while others were more fond of the fulfillment of other needs.
The ladders were now in range for stones. This meant that the defenders, which had no arrows and bows, were now increasing the struggle for the assault. The ladders were standing still for a few moments, when stones mauled some unfortunate victims. But that stabilizes itself quickly. The ladders continued its bumbling rush forwards.
When the ladders reached the walls they were hoisted and then climbed as fast as possible by the attackers. Sadly for them the defenders had some more ammunition in their arsenal. Boiling oil, water and sewage was cast down from the walls and many attackers fell from the ladders, sometimes with some unfortunate others which were directly under them. Many of those died due to burns, the high fall or the arrows, which were still shot upon the attackers.
Re-Estizes Archers were trying to shoot on the walls, but sadly the wind turned and the arrows missed the archers on the walls and hit the men on the ladders or behind them. The flock of men grew when some attackers spotted the ladders, which were abandoned due to the fire of the enemy. They gathered those and brought them to the walls. Sadly most archers from Re-Estize were now either wounded or dead. Thus the cover-fire was now fading away and the army was now completely under fire.
When the sun rose the defenders' arrows began to stop, with only a few arrows being fired here and there. This enabled the attacker to climb the ladders and the first were now beginning the combat on the walls. The defending archers, now without the ammunition, had taken their shields and swords and joined the rest in the desperate fight for their city.
After some climbing Proditors units' turn had come and they climbed the walls. The youths were the first and began to unleash brutal combat. Most used all the dirty tricks they could. Some threw sand and dry earth at their enemies while others kicked and hacked at the private parts of the defenders, with mixed results. Then came the more experienced fighters and ganged up on the already exhausted defenders.
The more experienced left the younger to hack. They preferred to look for openings and many fatal wounds were delivered from those. The defenders on the walls grew fewer and fewer until only a few remained in the gatehouse.
"Give up and you may live," Proditor shouted to the defenders. The men of his unit are already making torches to burn the gatehouse. Most attackers used this to take a breath, in anticipation for the aftermath.
They heard whispers and then the crack of a door. The defenders gave up. They gathered the surviving defenders on the wall. That is when Proditor looked at one from his unit, who had lost a close friend in the assault, and nodded.
The massacre began. First one attacker kicked a prisoner down the wall, then the others joined and everyone that gave up was dead or dying below the walls. The soldiers had taken the walls, now the streets would run with blood.
→ Near Colognium / Alator, a few priests and a corpse ←
Alator placed his hand out of the mirror and smiled. The battle was going on and it was turning into a one sided massacre. He had used his talent to watch the battle. For that he would use a mirror and scrying-magic to zoom around the area. It was a useful talent for scouting and it gave him a safe place in Zuranon. It had also helped him smuggle many corpses for his cult. The most recent one being a former member of the 'Black Scripture'. She laid in the middle of a circle stock naked. The broken armor was removed and the wounds were healed as best as possible, though one canine was missing. But those were details. The ritual had to be done.
"Begin. We have enough blood for the ritual." Alator ordered 5 priests. They stood at the tips of a pentagram. Chants filled the hut and then the lines of the ritual began to glow a deep dangerous red. Then blood poured out of those lines and flowed towards the corpse and through openings entered it. The massacre had been important. It opened a gateway to the great beyond and thus souls could be brought back, if the ritual was prepared and done properly.
The body was twitching violently and cracks ripped into the floor, thanks to the energy and the violent punches of the reanimated corpse.
Then the flow stopped and the body fell to the ground. Eyes shot open and they looked warily around, until they saw they stopped at Alator.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty. Ready to wake up?" Alator asked sarcastically.
The blond grew angry and it was visible. She then had a flush when she realized her nude form.
"Give me my damn clothes, you pervert!" Clementine shouted and Alator smiled.
"Nah. You earn your clothes." Alator smiled.
"I will not…." Clementine began but stopped when Alator threw five stilettos into the ground near her.
"No. You will kill those five. Then I will give you your clothes." Alator hissed.
The priests were shocked when Clementine jumped up. They looked at Alator with surprise when Clementine was throwing two of her stilettos, which destroyed the throats of two priests.
"Why would you do that? We did as you asked." One priest tried to argue. Clementine shot over this priest and killed the third, which was behind the one that asked.
"You all were priests from the temple of Alah Alaf…" Alator began when the fourth priest fell, thanks to a destroyed heart.
"...My master hates peace and life. He wants war and death. We are Zuranon!" Alator continued and Clementine stabbed the last priest through both eyes, twisting the stilettos and fire consumed the body. Alator looked around and was satisfied with the ritual. He pointed towards a wardrobe with Clementine's clothing. She went there and dressed herself.
"So the ritual was completed and the revival had worked. 5 willing priests, many unwilling souls, one revive." Alator grinned and Clementine looked at him.
"By the way? Who is our master?" she asked and Alator looked at her.
"Who said that he is also your master? Only because you served him before?" He counterasked.
"Let's see. Khajiit had to listen to you. You listen to your master. I am a member of Zuranon. Thus he is also my master. Though strength may play a part in that." Clementine tried.
"You are a tool and will act as such. Here. I already have your orders." Alator said and threw a scroll at Clementine.
She opened it and read through it. A big smile was plastered on her face.
"They sound like fun." she replied and Alator nodded.
"Your eagerness is noted. Now. Get to work!" Alator hissed and Clemenitne rushed out of the building.
→ Colognium / Proditor ←
Proditor looked upon the burning city with a big smile on his face. He saw soldiers looting, killing and rampaging throughout the city. Nearly everyone was either dying or already dead. There was also nearly no escape, as the prince had scouts at the other gates, just in case. He laughed as he watched the soldiers throwing bodies into a makeshift mass grave. He then saw soldiers having their time with a young woman, until she had blood on her legs. He then looked and saw a bound priest, who was used as target practice. Loot was hoarded close to the walls and only a few held back.
"Har har har. And Krieg is riding in Colognium. Har har har." He laughed and went to have his own fun within the city. He was a man and a man had needs.
Before he went though he looked at a hill outside the walls and saw the nobles arguing. It went better than expected.
He went through the streets. He saw more disgusting things than on the walls, but who was he to judge this neglected army.
"I wish I had taken dibs earlier. I could have a nice tool at my hands. But we will probably have much more fun in the near future. Need to make a sacrifice to Surshana after all. He gave us this glorious day." Proditor though as he watched some soldiers have fun with women's bodies.
"Want to join, Proditor?" One man of his unit asked and showed a plundered slave market.
While the male slaves were slaughtered, there were the female elfs.
"You know what. I will." Proditor said and drank from his cup. He grabbed one of the females and went on.
This day Colognium would bleed but the fire was started.
→ Outside Re-Estize ( the city) / Zesshi ←
Zesshi had prepared and was now through the portal, which was casted by her mother. Determination shone in her eight eyes. She wore something called a kimono, which she got from mother. Her scythe was on her back and would serve in emergencies. She held the ultimatum in a separate bag. Leinas wore a non-combat uniform and would lead the process.
They went to the Gatehouse, which provided some trouble, as Zesshi was officially not from any nation, nor a human being. But after some sharper words they were led through. The palace proved more of a challenge, as there was a meeting of some kinds with nobles. One of the guards was running through the palace to inform someone.
The other guard stared at them and eyed Leinas up, which annoyed both of them. Just when Zesshi was about to flex her muscles a messenger came and Leinas looked at him.
"Gazef Stronoff. It is an honor to meet you." Leinas introduced and Zesshi decided to be formal.
"Good day, Gazef Stronoff. I am here to deliver a message to the king." She informed the small fly before her.
"Good day. Leinas Rockbruise and?" Gazef asked.
"Mother named me Zesshi Zetsumei." She beamed with pride.
"Right then. Follow me please. I also ask that you don't use your weapon or I will have to fight you." Gazef informed them and then turned.
"As if you were a threat. But he has backbone." Zesshi thought and gave a small smile.
The way through the palace was boring. She also felt that the palace was far colder than the homely mansion of her mother. Luckily the way was short and they stopped in front of heavy doors.
"You will be called shortly." Gazef informed them and went inside.
Zesshi stood there and fumbled with her thumbs while Leinas stood beside her. Both knew how arrogant the nobles of Re-Estize were and were equally sure that 'short' could mean anything from a few moments to the rest of the day.
"How about a spar after this?" Leinas asked and Zesshi mused.
"I would. Sadly I am tired. Couldn't sleep well thanks to excitement." Zesshi answered.
"Then not. I will help Kuude and Ure prepare their fun then." Leinas replied and Zesshi looked at Leinas more carefully now.
"What are the twins up to?" Zesshi wanted to know. The twins were developing into pranksters and had done quite a few pranks already, though they always got away thanks to alibis.
"Most of which were provided by Leinas, now that I think about it:" Zesshi thought and grew more suspicious of Leinas, who smiled back at her.
"Ahh. nothing dangerous." Leinas smiled and Zesshi then proceeded to take an elastic ball the size of her fist out of her bag. She kneaded it to calm down.
"Danger is looming over me. Countdown. 10. 9…" Shot through her head and Leinas smile grew when she seemed to realize why Zesshi was punishing her stress-ball so heavily.
The door cracked and both went through. They saw many nobles standing there in neat rows. In front of them sat the king with seemingly his heir. A fat blond with his nose up high.
"I announce: Lady Leinas Rockbruise and Zesshi Zetsumei!" one of the servants shouted and Zesshi followed Leinas inside.
The nobles threw Leinas lewd looks while disgust was in their face when they looked at her. This was taxing already for poor Zesshi. They reminded her too much of the former Theocracy.
The king stood up and looked at them. Leinas bowed while Zesshi did a small curtsy, just enough to not count as impolite.
"What brings two messengers into my hall?" the king asked and Zesshi immediately felt that this day would be even longer than she already planned.
Leinas stepped forth and handed a scroll to the king. He took it and read it. His face contorted into a frightened look before it went to normal in an instant.
"I see. We will talk over it. What is your message?" the king asked Zesshi, who imitated Leinas and gave the scroll to the king.
"We will talk over them now. Please wait before the door.
Both went out the door and Zesshi sighed and felt frustrated.
Today's enemy was Boredom. Luckily she could use mother's sudoku-booklet.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Ramposa III ←
It was a bad day for Ramposa, when the royals had their meetings and it was worse when a messenger of Baharut showed up. Luckily he hasn't asked himself what could have been even worse. Can't tempt fate today.
"This is probably a declaration of war. Probably with the casus belli of the northern Theocracy. But what is with the other message? Since when do we get messages from monsters?" Ramposa thought and ignored the declaration of war from Baharut. He also overheard most of the ultimatum the second messenger bought. His thoughts were revolving about rumors and reports from the front. All quite frightening and terrible. Those were the reasons why the nobles even met.
"That is outrageous! We could never surrender to an unknown entity that is most like little more than animals!" one of the nobles woke Ramposa from his thoughts.
"Hear! Hear!" echoed through the room.
Ramposa looked at the second message and read through it. The terms were certainly possible, though the nobility would never agree to this. At least if the shouts were an indicator.
"The only question is not what they want but rather if we can defeat them." Ramposa thought and looked at the door, through which, as he learned, the arachne waited.
"How dangerous do you think the forces of this 'Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown' are? Could we defeat them?" Ramposa whispered to Gazef, using the uproar over the ultimatum.
"Only if they got weaker. But I doubt that. Their messenger alone could defeat me." Gazef replied.
"How strong can she be?" Ramposa asked astonished
"I don't believe that I have the slightest chance against her. Maybe 'blue roses' or 'darkness'. But those are adventurers." Gazef answered and Ramposa turned back to see over the nobles. As he hoped none of the nobles had registered their exchange, even Zanac hadn't heard anything, probably.
"We are screwed and I can't do anything. I can only see it and the nobles let pride guide them into our demise." Ramposa thought while a grim thought settled into his mind. A scene of a chessboard from the last game he had with Renner flowed into his mind. The white king falls at a slow pace and Renner accidentally topeling the clock.
"As stupid as that sounds to myself. The picture fits. Let's try to reduce the damage. I should have done the same as the 'Bloody Emperor'." Ramposa analyzed and leaned back.
"How sure are you all that we will win?" One of the older nobles asked.
"We already have a force of roughly 350 000 to 400 000 in the fields. I would argue that we call more bannermen and then take the empire." another replied and Ramposa looked more and more mortified.
"Are they trying to destroy our kingdom?" Ramposa thought while trying to compose himself.
"Hear! Hear!" the sound filled the hall.
"So the kingdom will march to war?" The king asked, flabbergasted.
"Hear! Hear!" came the reply. Ramposa sighed and then nodded.
"Then bring in the messengers." Ramposa ordered.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Zesshi and Leinas ←
Zesshi was bored and scribbled in a booklet with those strange 'Sudoku'- puzzles. She enjoyed those as they were not as annoying as the rubik's cube she had before. A frown became visible when she remembered the blasted thing. Never had she more than two sides correctly.
In between she heard the shouts and a grin came to her face.
"Those fools. Nobody will be able to stop my mother and lord Ainz." Zesshi mused and continued.
Leinas meanwhile looked over Zesshis shoulder at the same booklet. Zesshi had explained how they worked and Leinas had decided to ask for one for herself.
She also had prepared something she had gotten from the twins, though she hadn't told Zesshi about what.
"As long as I will not be hit by it." Zesshi mused and was grumbling about an empty cell inside a sudoku.
Suddenly the door opened and Zesshi lost her thought. Now she was even more annoyed.
Leinas and Zesshi walked in and were surrounded by nobles.
The king stood up and tried to look imposing, though Zesshi smelled fear.
"We have heard your messages. The kingdom is now at war with the Baharut empire. The messenger shall leave before sunset.
We will not meet the demands of this usurper Ainz Ooal Gown. The messenger is banished and shall leave until sunset. Afterwards she is nothing more than a brainless monster. Something the adventurers will take care of." the king announces.
"We have heard your answer. I will deliver this and leave together with her." Leinas replied.
"I would leave then. Au Revoir." Zesshi said and yawned. She placed her booklet back in her bag. A small potion fell out and sizzled on the ground. Fume rose and a hole would form on the ground.
They were led out of the palace, when they used a scroll with "Gate" to leave the Re-Estize capital.
→ Between Colognium and Baharut border / Legio II ←
The second legion, Legio II of Baharut Empire, marched towards their goal. On their way they encountered some refugees, who told tales of barbary. This gave the man more resolve to end the threat before it takes hold. What would those monsters in human skin do if they crossed into Baharut?
The legion was seen as the second best and had specialized in siege warfare. That was their daily training and what they could do in their sleep. The symbol of this proud legion was an angry looking honey badger, to show their resilience. This legion had many battles in which they won, thanks to their bark, bite and stubbornness.
One of those legionnaires was Marcus Cassisiu Scaeva. He was above average height with his 1.8 meters (5,9 feet). He had brown haired and was well built, which was fairly common within the legions. His eyes and posture were prideful and determined, but who wouldn't be in the second legion? Marcus came from a rich family of traders, though since he was the fourth son he wouldnt inherit anything, thus he joined the legions at an age of 16. Now he was 19 and couldn't wait. He had proved himself in the last two annual wars and thus got from the 6th into the 3rd and then into the 2nd.
The day was clear and the march was strenuous, the sun beaming down on the legionnaires with the goal to burn them. Luckily the streets were paved and they managed to cover more than the general had set as a goal for today. Only two more days and they would reach Colognium.
The scouts were sent out, the sentries were stationed. They build small fortifications to protect themselves.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Arachama had been waiting since morning for Zesshi to arrive. Fear was always prevalent, despite the tries of Enti and Yuri to calm her down. She had been walking up and down in the foyer, desperate for the portal to open and revealing Leinas and Zesshi. In the late afternoon it finally happened. First the portal opened and then Leinas appeared in front of her.
She sidestepped and then Zesshi came through, a big prideful grin on her face. She seemingly found Arachama, who wasn't moving and only looked her daughter up and down, and sprinted towards her. Both were seemingly molten in a big hug.
"Are you healthy? Did those morons do anything against you? Are you injured?" Arachama asked in hysteria.
"Mother. Mother. MOTHER! I am fine. Please let me breathe." Zesshi replied and Arachama relaxed her hug a little.
"It went as planned. The kingdom sees Nazarick as a rebelling force." Zesshi said.
Arachama loosened her grip and Leinas simply snickered. Arachama missed the pointed stare of Zesshi towards Leinas, who retreated into the western part of the mansion, probably to the twins.
"So Nazarick has every right to act now since our demands were declined. I thank you again, Zesshi. I believe I wouldn't have the strength to stand against those pesky nobles. Their scheming and the stares of disgust aren't something I can bear much off." Arachama thanked Zesshi.
"I am thankful to prove myself to you mother." Zesshi beamed and again hugged Arachama, who was in another plane of ecstasy. Even Mini-Arachama was happy and threw buckets of ice-cream from her lap.
Both went to the northern part, in which Enti had prepared tea and cake.
"I am sure you weren't given food by those barbarians. Thus Enti had prepared something for you." Arachama said and Zesshi kissed Arachama on her cheek.
"Thank you. You are right. They didn't give us food or something to drink. Thank you for this, mother" Zesshi replied and Arachama felt another rush of happiness.
"Careful Arachama or you get a sugar shock." Arachama thought and smiled back.
"Then we are lucky. Dig in. I meanwhile will bring those news to my friend Monga" Arachama said and casted "Gate" to get to Nazarick. The portal opened and she went through, finding herself in Mongas office.
The scene was strange for Arachama. What Arachama thought was Mongas office was now covered in papers and the desk had multiple stacks of paper threatening to fall over.
"Ara ara. Where am I and how do I get to Mongas office?" Arachama asked and Albedo looked around a stack of papers.
"Ahh. Good afternoon, Lady Arachama. Did the kingdom decide to attack us?" Albedo asked and Arachama stared at her.
"Ara. Yes. They dismissed our ultimatum. How do you know though?" Arachama smiled.
"These are humans. Humans don't know when to give up and survive. They think they are the best in the world. Why should they concede then?" Albedo replied.
"Ara ara. While I had hoped they would concede, they mistreated one of my daughters. Can you imagine not giving an exhausted messenger replenishments?" Arachama said, completely flabbergasted.
"That is barbaric. But I am sure we can give them their own rudeness back. Can I help you in another way?" Albedo asked, sending a nervous glance towards a paperstack in the middle.
"Ara. I don't need anything else. I am just here to bring that message. Though do you need help with the paperwork and what is it for?" Arachama asked and Albedo sighed.
"Most of it is for the realm my love and you will create. We got copies of every official document from the vicinity of E-Rantel. We also test certain aspects of laws, executive and trading to enable my love and you to rule as you wish." Albedo smiled brightly, similar to a cute dog who brought a stick back.
"Ara ara. That is so nice of you. But don't overwork yourself. I am sure I can help you. Are you sure you don't need help?" Arachama asked again.
"I can manage it." Albedo reassured and Arachama shrugged.
"Ara ara. As you wish. I am gone then." Arachama left through the same portal she came from. She only heard the *thud* of a paperstack.
→ Colognium Palace of the mayor / Barbo ←
The Mayor of Colognium had a palace at the central plaza. It was similar to the palace of the royal family in Re-Estize, which annoyed Barbo. It was four stories tall and was decorated in lavish paintings and statues. The glass was clear and some of the ornaments were even made with precious metals and stones. Inside were large halls and carpets. Sadly most of it was covered in blood and corpses. Though most of it was already being cleaned now. It annoyed Barbo that the point of his triumph felt so hollow.
He decided to use the palace as his personal headquarters and let the levies sleep where they could find shelter. It was what they deserved after destroying the reputation he had. But surely his soldiers were at fault and he could salvage something?
Barbo was desperate. The thought of his reputation was lingering over him evermore and he wished that the normal populus could differentiate between him and his army. He also knew that this was not likely. Both sides clashed in his mind more and more. He had hoped to gain fame and prestige by conquering territory, which had belonged to the now dysfunctional Theocracy. That fame could have helped him to get rid of the threat of his brother. Sadly the soldiers were more interested in slaughter, looting and rampaging.
He had seen the destruction of the city and it felt like the chance for his place on the throne was burning.
→ Near Colognium ←
Cold air went through the forest, clawing at hearts and tickling at exposed skin of a small patrol from Re-Estize. There were five levies, which were conscripted to scout for their looting, though those saw it more as repression from their superiors. They followed a small path in the forest and poked lazily between some bushes.
"That is boring." one of the younger sighed and looked at the others.
"Yeah. I just had fun with the fat one." another one licked his lips and sharp teeth glimmered through the night.
"I rather like being bored. Less trouble than storming a city by storm." An older man grumbled.
"Does anyone know when we get paid?" the youngest askes.
"I heard that not even the officers are paid. The prince is truly greedy" the last in the group hissed.
*cracks*
"Who goes there?" one shouted and six spears plowed into the direction the sounds came from.
"I am" A man with a phenix pendant walked out of the shadows.
"Ahh, Proditor. How are you?" One of the younger asks.
"I am relaxing. What are you doing here? I thought the looting was still ongoing." Proditor asks with a friendly smile.
"It is. We are sent on patrol." The oldest grumbled.
"I can accompany you." Proditor offered.
"Nah. You can still get booty." the patrol laughed and Proditor smiled.
"If you find the corpse of an elf. Don't panic, it is there because she didn't follow orders that I wanted to be fulfilled." Proditor laughed, the patrol fell in and continued marching.
After a while they came upon the mentioned corpse. It had deep wounds, some in the joints and some in other sensitive areas.
"What is.." one of them started and couldn't continue.
*plump*
Five turned and saw the sixth on the ground. A blond woman in scarce armor looked at them and grinned.
"Hi hi hi. Good evening." She said and threw one of the strange blades at the oldest, who tried to dodge, but got hit in the knee. The other four started to run.
"I will take care of you later. I want some fun after all," Clementine smiled at the injured. Her goal was now to hunt the rest.
"It is fun to be alive and to hunt again" Clementine laughed and saw the prey running in fear. She followed them through the forest. Then two splitted of. One decided to wade through and flee through a small river while another decided to hide in a burrow.
She laughed and stayed for a bit over the burrow. Then she stabbed her stiletto on top of the borrow and used the magic imbued to let the burrow fall into, to the terror of its occupant. He would never be seen again. She got through the river as fast as possible after this kill.
The one that fled through the river was running and Clementine could smell him.
She sprinted around him in a wide curve. She stayed in the forest while her prey was running in an open field. It stopped and laughed, seemingly thinking that it escaped when a stiletto was where its throat used to be and the prey collapsed. Only two remaining.
The last two ran and ran. Then one decided to split off and hid inside of the boat while the last one ran towards a bridge. After it the escape would be safe. There was Proditor who looked confused.
"Run. There is a psycho running after us. We need to get into safety." The soldier shouted to Proditor. Understanding gleamed into his eyes.
When he was sprinting across Proditor he felt a sharp pain in the back of his knee. He fell to the ground and saw a sinister smile on Proditor.
"Don't worry weakling. I will surely satisfy the slave you got and I will certainly take care of your older sister." Proditor hissed and choked the soldier. Shock built in the face of the soldier.
Clementine smelled the way the soldier had run. She was at a small dock when the smell splitted. She followed it and then smiled. A flash. A stab. A shriek and the hunt was over.
"Such a shame that I can only torture the one from the beginning. I don't think I could get that other one." Clementine lamented and retreated to the shack she was supposed to protect.
Hunting was always funny, especially if the prey wasn't a man in black armor and wielding two big black swords. Yeah, hunting always was fun for Clementine and her new/ old master sure as hell was great for allowing her this pleasure.
AN: Thanks for reading. Please review and till next time.