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 23
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Arachama was still sitting in the western part of the mansion. The world began to move again and she sighed.
"Can't have some rest here." She thought and decided to move into the foyer to message Albedo.
"What can I do for you Albedo?" Arachama asked.
"I want to help lord Ainz. As a succubus I can feel emotions and recently I feel loneliness radiate from him more and more often. I asked him about it." Albedo answered.
"So Monga feels lonely. I think I know what he feels. He always looked into the past. First his mother and then the guild-member that left. It must weigh him down." Arachama thought and looked out the window.
"I think I know how he feels. What idea do you have?" Arachama messaged Albedo.
"I thought that maybe he could spend more time with you, lady Arachama. He misses the other supreme beings and if he spends time with you he might lose this hole in his heart partially." Albedo tried.
"Sounds like a lovely idea. I think I can have tea with monga tomorrow afternoon. I would only ask that he comes in a form in which he can actually consume tea. I wouldn't want to waste it." Arachama said and heard a sigh of relief from Albedo.
"Thank you, lady Arachama." Albedo was audible only a small trip from tears.
"No problem. I have two questions though. What happened to the women we got from the empire and the worker from the invasion?" Arachama asked.
"The woman is in the company of Neuronist and the worker is in the 'Frozen Prison'. Why? Do you need them?" Albedo replied.
"I am planning some things. I will send requests with the documents. You will see what I will need." Arachama said.
"That wouldn't be a problem. Though what do you plan?" Albedo asked.
"I plan a trip to Carne. I know it is important for Monga and I plan to build defenses for it. I also plan to meet our string in the royal family soon." Arachama messaged.
"Alright. I will prepare the resources. The humans shall also be prepared according to your wish." Albedo said and cut the connection.
Arachama sighed and went back inside the western part, where Leinas was still hunting after Kuude and Ure. Zesshi was now looking at Arachama and proudly showed her newly learned spell. Arachama sighed and felt that her night would be more terrifying than before.
"How could this be more terrible? Stop Arachama, bad Arachama!" Arachama thought while Mini-Arachama was yelling something about not tempting fate to Arachama.
"Lady Arachama, the emperor has sent a messenger and asks for your presence in the palace in an hour." Yuri said when she entered. The mentioned messenger luckily was looking elsewhere, or more precisely was occupied with Foires face and beauty.
"I will be going. Kuude and Ure, revert your prank please. Leinas and I will move out in an hour." Arachama sighed.
"Yes, mother dear."
"Yes, dear mother" echoed in the room.
"Why did it have to be my day today?" Arachama cursed her luck and used "Teleportation" to get into her part of the mansion.
→ Barbos camp / Barbo ←
Barbo and his last loyal soldier had a small camp last night and only got little rest. The group wanted to place as much distance as possible between them and Colognium in hopes of bringing the news first towards their kingdom. That would enable them to make the enemy bigger than they actually were and thus safe their reputation.
He was in his tent, soundly asleep, when it flipped open and one of his officers walked inside.
"Your Highness. We need to get ready to move." the officers said and woke a grumbling prince.
"O-of course." Barbo said while rubbing his eyes and head.
"Everything will go well, Sir." The officer tried and Barbo smiled.
"Then prepare everything. I will speak with Lytton." Barbo ordered and went to Lytton.
Lytton was a few steps away, as he was also woken that time.
"Such brutes. Don't they know that sleep is important to me?" Lytton hissed and Barbo smiled.
"That they are. But right now we need to cover ground." Barbo said and took some smoked deer as breakfast. It was shot the day before.
"That's true. I hope Rokerlen manages to hold out as long as possible." Lytton sighed and Barbo became a bit sad.
"With those brigands? I hope that he is lucky and manages himself. I still think that we should have taken him with us." Barbo replied.
"Not really. One noble needs to be in charge. Imagine if they manage to win. Who would claim victory, if there wouldn't be a noble? Preposterous, don't you think?" Lytton argued.
"Such a disgusting thought. Now then. I see that our tents are already packed. We should prepare for the ride, as we need to look as best as possible." Barbo smiled and Lytton nodded.
"As you say, your highness." Lytton sighed and went.
"I need to win this race against time. I can't imagine what my greedy brother will do, if news of these problems reaches him." Barbo thought and gritted his teeth. Determination shone in Prince Barbos' eyes. He would remedy and salvage his reputation with everything he has.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Arachama sighed and looked inside a mirror in her room. She wore a nice summer dress and a more elegant hat. The dress, for her taste, was a bit long but it was modest and quiet in trend inside the capitol. It was light blue with white trim. The hat was bowed upwards at one side and had a few flowers inside them. Yuri had gotten them during her trips to 'research the market'. Her hair was done into a single bun, which would be hidden by her hat. The flowers were in a nice red-blue coloring.
She was in her wheelchair and was already tired. The call from Albedo was still in her head and weighed down on her. It always hurts to remember their guild members. But that is what she was doing now. She had sat here for nearly half an hour and remembered them.
"We need to go, lady Arachama" Leinas whispered. She had stood behind Arachama and looked concerned.
"Alright. Let's move out." Arachama sighed.
"I know it's hard to lose people you trust. But we need to focus right now." Leinas said and Arachama petted her own cheeks.
"That is correct. Though it is still hard to remember them from time to time." Arachama smiled weakly.
"That's true." Leinas tried to smile reassuringly, which worked only partially.
"I am only asking myself why I have to lose nearly everyone that I got close to in my life. I lost a great part of my friends." Arachama said.
"And I had lost my husband and daughter before then. Luckily I have gotten a new family where I am now. I shudder at the thought of not having them." Arachama shuddered and Leinas sighed.
"If you wish I could go to the emperor and ask if the meeting could be tomorrow." Leinas gave Arachama the choice.
"No. It isn't our choice. We will move to the palace, please." Arachama replied.
"I also got my costume on already. Might as well pull through." She thought and banished her memories into the back of her head. Mini-Arachama was already filling them in the restricted section of a library, eight tears rolling down her face.
They left the mansion and Foire waited at the carriage, having prepared it for her lady. It was a new model, which she had gotten as a present from Jircniv for travel inside Arwintar. It had four horses pulling them. All of them were white horses with deep black eyes. They were such lovely creatures. The carriage itself was quite nicely done. It was white with silver ornamentation. The seats were cushioned with blue pillows and it was open. There was even an open seat, which was carved out. It was ideal for a person with a wheelchair, such as 'Arachama'. The carriage though needed a lot of care, as it was an open carriage.
Officially it was given to 'Arachama' for great services to the empire, or more precisely for her traveling with the emperor to Nazarick and her forgetting to hide the books on the roman empire in time.
"As if I wouldnt know that there is probably a deeper reason for this present." Arachama thought, knowing many things thanks to her small friends everywhere.
"It is a nice carriage though." Leinas said and Arachama frowned.
"Am I that obvious?" she asked and Leinas giggled.
"Not really. I was talking with Foire right now." Leinas replied and Foire had snickered behind her hand.
"I should spend less time thinking then." Arachama showed a faux pout and then all three burst out laughing.
Foire and Leinas helped Arachama inside and secured her at her place. Arachama meanwhile tried to make it as easy as possible, which the dress didn't help with.
Once Aracheme was tucked up Leinas seated herself across from her, back to the driver's seat. Foire took the reins of the horses and the ride began.
Wind flowed through Arachamas hair and she felt quite well. Her sadness was flowing away and she smiled when she held her hat. The warm wind caressed her and Arachama felt the looks of the passersby. Somewhere envious others simply bowed slightly. Arachama looked at Arwintar and simply enjoyed the ride, after her sadness was sufficiently suppressed.
After a short while the carriage reached its goal and Foire parked the carriage at a sufficient place. Leinas and Foire then took her and her wheelchair out of the carriage and pushed her towards the palace complex. One blond man with a slim but strong figure saw them and ran towards them. He wore the typical armor of the 'four imperial knights'. Arachama was sure he was called Nimble.
"Ahh. Nimble, how are you?" Leinas greeted and Nimble bowed slightly.
"Yes, I was correct." Arachama thought to herself.
"I am great. The emperor is in his typical room. I can escort you there if you wish, lady Arachama." Nimble suggested and Arachama simply nodded.
Leinas meanwhile simply shook her head.
It only took a few minutes when Arachama entered a lavish furnished room. It had many couches and the emperor was laying in one of them. The colorscheme of the room was golden with red. Jircniv saw them and stood up. He walked to Arachama and her companions with open arms.
"Good day. How was your trip here, lady Arachama?" Jircniv asked and pressed Arachamas knuckles with his lips. Arachama played shy and giggled a bit.
"The trip was comfortable. Though how may I help your highness?" Arachama asked, jumping directly to the point of the summon.
"The council of Korsika asked to become a vassal to Baharut. That would be a great boon for us, as they are famous for their navy and goods. I would like for you to look over the proposed treaty." Jircniv explained and signed Nimble to bring the mentioned proposal.
"Then I shall look over them." Arachama said and unrolled the proposal and began reading it.
Arachama read through it in detail and mentally probed it for any fineprint or major disadvantages. It took some time and she didn't find any except a small detail that could lead to great problems if not handled well.
"May I ask where Korsika is located?" Arachama asked and Jircniv nodded towards Nimble, who took out a map.
The map showed Re-Estize to the west, the Slane Theocracy to the south, Baharut in the center and many other countries around them. Nimble then pointed to a sea, which was called 'Mare Homunus'. Then he showed a peninsula deep in the south. There, written in an old language was 'Korsika'.
"Ara ara. It is quite far away." Arachama sighed and Jircniv looked at her, curiosity written in his face.
"So you see the potential problem?" he asked with a small mischievous smile.
"We should ask for some kind of Embassy. Then we could have one magician with fitting scrolls and the problem I can think of is solved. We might even use it for bureaucracy and to observe the implementation of the treaty." Arachama proposed and Jircnivs smile grew even bigger, slightly unsettling Arachamas spine.
"Then we are on the same page here. Please prepare yourself for the meeting." Jircniv said and signed Leinas to push the wheelchair to his side.
"Ara ara. Is there something else?" Arachama asked.
"Two things. We have the negotiations in roughly an hour. The second is on another topic. I have received unsettling reports and I would like you to ask Nazarick for the solution. But we will come to that a bit later. Now we enjoy lunch." Jircniv replied.
"Let me just hope that the twins dont pull more stunts like today." Arachama thought and smiled sincerely, truly hoping to find her mansion in one piece. Mini-Arachama meanwhile sweat bullets.
"Then I have to thank you, your highness, for this honor." Arachama thanked jircniv and a group of butlers and maids walked in with a big table and many trays.
→ Near Colognium / Alator ←
Alator woke up later than usual. It was almost time for lunch and he decided that he was hungry for a nice piece of meat. Thus Alator prepared a pig he held close to the shed. It was butchered and then Alator made fire in a grill, after which he placed the pig on the grill. The smell seemed to sweep through the building as he heard then annoyance by the name of Clementine.
"Ahh. Nice smell, pervert. Can I have some meat too?" Clementine asked and Alator smirked.
"Why should I give you any?" Alator didn't answer and simply sat himself opposite the heavy door to Clementine's cell.
"Because you want me?" Clementine changed her face, trying to seduce Alator.
"Ohh. Is that so?" Alator replied.
"All perverts do." Clementine answered.
"Then I am an exception. I think you are annoying." Alator sighed and Clementine looked flabbergasted.
"Just give me meat." Clementine pleaded.
"You didn't answer my question. Why should I give you food? For all I care I could have you starve to death. You disobeyed my orders." Alator dismissed.
"I shouldn't tell her that I know her plans to murder me for now. Will be funny if she actually tries." Alator thought and couldn't contain his smirk.
"Because you need me?" Clementine tried and Alator gave her a questioning look.
"Continue. Let's play that angle." Alator ordered.
"I am one of the few who set foot in the halls of heroes. I am strong and you need that strength. I could probably overpower even you." Clementine began.
"Yet you lost against my mind and you lost to a copper-plate. I think you're stupid and weak." Alator teased and Clementine grew slightly angry. At least if her face was an indicator.
"I am one of the most dangerous predators found. I am the last member of the black scripture. I can defeat nearly anything." Clementine blurred out.
"I give you one thing. Master found nearly all corpses of the black scripture. Sadly they can't be revived, as they are turned. But we never found the corpse of the extra seat. It means that there are only two members of the black scripture and I think you're by far the weaker member. You're also not as valuable as you might think you are." Alator snickered sinisterly.
"The extra seat is alive?" Clementine asked and Alator shook his head.
"We don't know. I only said that we didn't see her inside the capital. Now back again. What can you offer me?"
"Should I be more careful and keep my temper under control?" Clementine tried.
Alator smiled. He had her where he wanted her. Thus he walked towards the grill and took a chunk of meat from it. Once he sat again he began to eat.
"Give me that meat." Clementine furiously shouted. He stood up and grabbed her head. Then he let the meat fall into her cell.
"There. This evening you will have an assignment. You will follow all orders I will give you, do you understand?" Alator asked and only heard Clementine eating
→ Arwintar Imperial-palace / Arachama ←
The lunch at the palace was great, though Arachama preferred the food in Nazarick. Or even better Entis food.
"But that probably is thanks to biology." Arachama thought and fought off the embrace of sleep. Mini-Arachama woke up thanks to the sound of a pokeflute, showing the majority blue color while only her face and stomach was white.
"I see that you liked the cuisine." Jircniv smiled and Arachama played shy.
"Maybe." She smiled and Jircniv laughed.
"But sadly we cannot let the messenger wait. Prepare the room and then let the messenger know that we are ready." Jircniv ordered and the servants took every tray, cleaned the table and laid out the necessary documents.
After a short while the messenger was brought in and he bowed towards the emperor. The emperor on his part simply nodded towards the messenger.
"I have looked over the documents. I agree largely with your council. I also agree with the tribute that the council will hand over each year. Though I would like to have an embassy there. Since Baharut will be responsible for your protection, we would like to place a few mages and bureaucrats on Korsika. Would that be a problem?" Jircniv asked.
"How would the mages help in that process and why bureaucrats?" the messenger replied.
"We have a supply of scrolls with the spell "Gate". If we send a sufficient amount we can bring our troops over in time of need. Bureaucrats are there to support them in maintaining the embassy." Jircniv explained.
"I don't think that this would be a problem. Sadly I don't have the power to sign any contract. If you please I could travel back with your proposal and some of those mages. That way we can contact you faster." the messenger proposed and Jircniv nodded along.
"That sounds great. But if you travel back, at least rest for this day and night." Jircniv ordered and the Korsikan simply nodded.
After the messenger left Arachama simply exhaled and looked at Jircniv, who looked at her.
"You did well, lady Arachama." Jircniv said and Arachama felt his stare at her.
"Thanks your highness." Arachama smiled and took a sip from the tea she got, trying to hide how uneasy she was. Jircniv got closer and leaned over her. He was right beside her ear.
"I mean it. You did extremely well. Sadly I can only reward you after the war is finished with something more … fitting the help you gave the empire. Please be patient till then. I promise it will be worth it." Jircniv whispered and Arachama simply nodded.
"Then I have to thank you." Arachama beamed and JIrcniv nodded.
The rest of the afternoon was more of a small tea party, though Arachama noted that Jircniv was always by her side and treated her a bit better than the other guests.
"Probably because I helped him." Arachama would later reminisce.
→ Near Colognium / Alator ←
Alator waited until the sunset was nearly dying, when he approached the cell from Clementine. He banged at the door and heard a grumble.
"Wake up. Your assignment needs your attention." He shouted and Clementine grumbled louder and threw an angry stare at Alator.
"What assignment?" Clementine asked and tried to hide the butter knife behind herself. Alator decided to play along.
"You will take over what I already did. The empire is patrolling outside their encampment. Sadly they get closer towards this forest. Since I don't want to face a complete legion you will take patrols out west of this forest. But remember. In the morning you will return here, or I will hunt you down myself." He told her.
"Of course. Anything else?" Clementine asked and tried to sound sarcastic.
"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you. I know you feel the need to kill. I am giving you this chance. Be grateful for that. If we would go after me you would never be revived." Alator hissed.
"Relax. I am only making fun." Clementine tried and Alator opened the door.
Once Alator opened the door Clementine threw sand with her left hand. Alator wasn't surprised and simply closed his left eye while ducking to the right. This meant that Clementine's knife missed his face. Clementine then tried to jump back. Sadly for her Alator kicked her feet from under her and she fell to the ground. She tried to stand up, but Alator simply grabbed her by the neck, building pressure on her neck.
"What a surprise. The overeager girl wants to impress my master. Sadly she is still not experienced enough." Alator laughed and Clementine bit her lip while trying to breathe.
"You will do as I say and keep as close to the rules as possible. One, you will not use martial arts inside the forest. Two, you will never try anything like this again. Three, you will never talk without my permission. Nodd if you understand." Alator hissed into Clementine's ear. Clementine felt tears flow down her cheeks when she nodded.
"Good. I will release you in short order. You will lay down on the floor and place your arms out. I will search your room and you will never get a weapon inside this shed." Alator ordered and released her.
Clementine immediately followed her orders and Alator did as he said. He found a small arsenal, which he immediately placed inside his own room.
Afterward Alator searched Clementine and found even more weapons, which he dealt the same way.
"I don't know what got into your head. But be sure I can destroy you every day. Especially if you practically tell me your plans." Alator shook his head. Then he signed her to stand up.
"I am a predator. What do you expect?" Clementine whispered.
"Ha. You're a tool that is not properly cleaned." Alator laughed and Clementine got a shot of anger in her face.
"No. I am a predator. I need to kill." Clementine replied, shouting in his face.
"I tell you something. You should rather be my tool. Do you ever see a blacksmith destroy his own anvil? Do you ever see lumberjack destroying his own ax? What about the carpenters and how they destroy their tools? On the other hand, what do we humans do with animals, which are out of control?" Alator insinuated and Clementine looked at Alator, tears in her eyes.
"Now what are you?" Alator asked.
"I am your tool." Clementine replied and Alator nodded.
"Are you prepared to do your assignment?" Alator inquired.
"Yes." Clementine answered.
"Good. Your stilettos are outside. Be back at sunrise. If you are late you will lose your sleep. If you try to run I will hunt you down." Alator ordered and Clementine simply walked out.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion /Arachama ←
After a nice tea party Arachama, Foire and Leinas were back at the mansion. Jircniv had given Arachama the reports he wanted her to read on the way out. Arachama had decided to read them once they were back home, and after she had a nice cuddle-session with her children.
The cuddle-session turned out to be especially long when Arche sternly reminded the twins to go to bed. Arachama then looked at the clock and then also looked sternly at Arche, who should also be in bed. The same happened to Ninya, though Yuri and Tuare took the role of the stern spoilsport. Afterwards only Leinas, Zesshi and Arachama remained in the living room in the western part.
"Why don't we look at the reports now?" Leinas asked, killing the joy in the room.
"Way to kill the mood, foxy." Zesshi hissed, freeing herself from Arachamas bearhug.
"Ara ara. Now, we could do that. I could also continue my cuddle-session." Arachama weighed and Yuri walked in.
"What do you wish to do with the reports, lady Arachama?" Yuri asked and Arachama gave up.
"Ara ara. Alright. I understand. I will do them now." Arachama whined, leaving Zesshi and reaching for the reports.
"That is the spirit, lady Arachama." Yuri smiled.
"Ara ara. If that is a spirit, it is a mean one." Arachama thought, unknowingly showing her displeasure at the offending reports.
"Could I somehow help you mother?" Zesshi asked and Arachama sighed.
"Ara ara. This is my work. But thanks Zesshi. Let's see. Here we have those pesky things. Supply issues, none so far. Reports are on time, nice. Cologne is under siege, I guess the war goes well. Ahh. That is the part Jircniv probably meant. Patrols that disappear and never come back. That's intriguing." Aarchama skimmed the text.
"You're right, mother. Where do they happen?" Zesshi asked, leaning on Arachamas shoulder, whispering into Arachamas ear. Leinas meanwhile looked a bit flabbergasted.
"Near Colognium, west of that city. On first glance I would say that it was the Prince doing guerilla tactics. But…" Arachama began.
"It doesn't fit him. I remember him from reports. While trained he only engages when he is sure he wins. He is also always looking to present himself in a good light." Zesshi continued while Arachama nodded.
"Ara ara. Is someone reading my mind?" Arachama asked and kissed the cheek of Zesshi, who smiled.
"Nah. I am more for the hands-on approach." Zesshi replied cheekily.
"Ara ara." Arachama smiled.
"*Caugh* Can we get back to the reports and plans?" Leinas asked.
"Ara ara. Excuse me Leinass, I didn't know you were together. But well, back on track. I think we have a third party in there. Though I don't know how deep they are in this war and neither their goals." Arachama thought out loud.
"Why not rebels?" Leinas threw in her lot.
"I doubt that. Rebels would either terrorize the occupier. For that they would need supplies. Since we don't give them supplies and I doubt that the Prince would support rebels against himself, they would turn bandits. Attacking the supply lines of Re-Estize would make the most sense for those people. No patrols from Baharut, since they only carry their weapons. It just isn't reliable enough." Arachama explained.
"But why would a third party do all that?" Leinas asked.
"Many possible reasons. Information, inciting conflict, distracting from another goal and luring someone out of hiding. Though I am sure Monga can think of many more. He is better at that form of planning than me." Arachama answered and shrugged her shoulders.
"Then how can we work against it?" Yuri asked.
All thought for a moment when Zesshi kissed Arachamas cheek.
"I have an idea, mother. Why don't I go on patrol there? I can even take a "Gate" scroll and "Message" scrolls with me. If I am attacked I can take that person to you. Then we have the information we need. If the attacker is stronger I retreat." Zesshi proposed.
"That is a sound idea." Leinas supported.
"Ara ara. But you just came from an assignment…" Arachama wanted to reject it.
"Mother. How many in the world can stand against me? I only know very few. The ones I know are either my allies or wouldn't bother with a patrol. I am sure I can do this." Zesshi smiled.
"But…" Arachama didn't like the idea.
"Everything will work out, mother. I will have the safety and the skill to manage this. Please. I just want to flex my muscles now. Let me do it." Zesshi replied, holding Arachamas cheeks and locking all eight eyes with Arachamas. Arachama could see the pleading and determination.
"I can't deny those cute eyes." Arachama realized, cursing herself, and simply sighed.
"You will pack your bag tomorrow morning. Prepare for a week. If you didn't do it by then I will withdraw you and someone else will do it. Am I clear?" Arachama asked, trying to place authority into her voice. From the looks of it Zesshi didn't buy it but humored her.
"If it lasts a week I will wear the wretched maid outfit for a month." Zesshi said and Arachama smiled.
"It is not wretched. It was designed by the supreme beings WhiteBrim, HeroHero and Coup De Grace for lord Genjiro" Yuri interjected.
"Ara ara. I remember. They wanted to surprise me with some things and thus designed those maid outfits." Arachama remembered.
"Pero also asked me to wear them and for some pictures of my avatar in them. Luckily I decided to not do it." Arachama thought.
"I don't like to wear them. They make me feel strange." Zesshi replied and Arachama smiled.
"Ara ara. Then you better do this assignment within the week. If you manage that I can look for a nice reward." Arachama said and Zesshi grinned.
"So the bet is on." Zesshi replied and then yawned.
"So it seems. Now. I think we should go to bed. It is already past midnight." Arachama looked sternly at her child. All nodded and went to bed. Except Leinas, who had to bring a message to the emperor. Afterwards and deep in the night, Arachama heard a *thunk* from the guest room.
"I should let her sleep in tomorrow." Arachama though, before beginning her torturous night. The storm outside mirroring her dreams.
→ Colognium / Proditor ←
The siege of Colognium was, to the chagrin of the Re-Estize levies, still ongoing. Though Zuranon planned this, Proditor still had his orders to fulfill. The big leader was, as far as Proditor was told, observing the siege for something. Thus Proditor had the orders to make this siege as bloody and long as possible.
To that goal Proditor had poisoned some of the wells and spread the fire, which was now in the process of being extinguished. This would cut the numbers down and thus make the fight for Re-Estize harder. It also kept the new leaders on their toes, as they were wary of the legionaries of Baharut.
Though Re-Estize wasn't the only one to suffer, as Proditor had seen someone throw carcasses of humans into the river. Proditor knew that those were legionnaires, since he was informed by the cult to not report those to his superiors. The legions were occupied by digging trenches and calling for reinforcements. Rumors said that those were only two days away. The new leadership hoped that they could fend them off by using their walls.
Proditor was walking towards the new warchambers, as the prince's former quarters now were used as such. He walked in and saw five veterans and Rokerlen.
"Why did you ask for me?" Proditor asked.
"We want to negotiate. Ideally enough time to pack our things and horses to transport them out of this city." One of the leaders ordered.
"Then why do you ask me?" replied Proditor.
"We know that you are one of the few experienced soldiers inside the city. Your name was called multiple times. Rokerlen will negotiate and you will accompany him there." answered the leadership.
"Negotiations would be against the plan. Luckily those idiots are working in my favor. Let's take this chance." Proditor thought and then nodded.
"If I get paid." Proditor said.
"You will get paid." the leadership agreed.
"Then count me in. When do we go to the negotiations?" Proditor asked.
"We will go tomorrow morning." Rokerlen answered and Proditor nodded.
"Till then. I think I saw liquor just in this one pub down the road. Just getting the situation out of my head." Proditor smiled and left.
→ West of Colognium / Clementine ←
Clementine was hiding within a forest path. She hated her new role with everything possible. She hated Alator, who placed her in this role. She hated this elder lich, who played this Momon. If you would ask her what her biggest mistake was, she wouldn't know where to start.
She was remembering every mistake she made. There was the job for Zuranon, through which she met Khajit. Then there was that she tried to desert her position within the black scripture. If that didn't happen she wouldn't have later asked Khajit for help. Another of her mistakes, especially since she had paid for it with a cruel death. She sometimes dreamt of that dead or felt the fear and pain from it.
"If I hadn't asked Khajit for help I wouldn't have died and then revived. Then I wouldn't have to do Alators bidding." Clementine clenched her teeth and fist.
That was another thing with a sour taste for Clementine. It was hard for her to accept, but Alator is stronger. It was a cruel reminder that not every strong individual was part of the Theocracy, nor that that would help her as she was a deserter.
Worst was that he told her what he thought of her, which wasn't pleasing. She was, in his eyes, a tool. Worse, he would have no problem killing her for good, if she went against him. Sadly she had no choice. She saw it in his eyes. She knew that he meant every word.
Clementine waited for quite a long while and observed how a patrol came closer. Alator said they were only wary. That she could observe and saw only four men. She knew from what she learned in Slane that Baharut normally only sent two on patrol.
"Funny how they think that would help" Clementine thought happily and couldn't wait for her fun.
She prepared two of her four stilettos and threw them. She hit two necks, the legionnaires falling dead. The other two immediately threw their javelins at her and she dodged them to another bush. The legionnaires looked at their comrades and nodded. Both retreated slowly and steadily. Their big shields were used as walls to the threat.
"They are far better than the levies from Re-Estize. Though I should make it quick. Have many more tonight." Clementine assessed.
She took her other stilettos and slowly stalked parallel to the legionnaires retreat. There was a bottleneck on the forest path. She hid there until the legionnaires were close enough. Then, like a wild cat, she jumped out of the cover and immediately impaled one of them through both eyes. He fell to the ground and small twitches swapped over his body. She pulled her stilettos out and smiled at the last one.
"Eh. What a nice night, right pervert?" She asked, trying to get a rise out of her opponent.
"You killed my comrades. I will kill you, you monster!" the last legionnaire shouted and charged. She dodged and then punctured his shoulder, leaving his left arm incapable of moving properly.
"I love it when they want revenge. Makes it much more intense and pleasurable for me. At least I can enjoy this. Eh." Clementine told the poor sob.
"I can have fun with him. He is at least far easier than Momon." Clementine grinned and then charged the legionnaire. He tried to defend himself, but failed.
Muffled shrieks of agony filled the night. Clementine had her victim and would take out her anger on him. A stab here, a punch there, a kick there. The full package, as far as she could. It took nearly an hour before the legionnaire was allowed to die. For Clementine this was a feat. After such a long time and after a death and resurrection, she needed it.
Such horrible scenes would play throughout the night. Three times she butchered the patrol, tortured the last survivor and then hid the bodies. For that she would use the river and throw the bodies in there with some weights.
After the last patrol she saw the twilight and decided to leave. Once she came closer to the cabin she hid her stilettos and knocked. Alator opened, bound her and then threw her in the cell. While she was laying she got her last thought before sleep
"At least I can kill now. This predator needs to hunt and to kill." Clementine thought.
AN: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it and please, leave a review.