A/N: WARNING: Violence, blood, gore.

I'm back! Not much to say this time except that I'm sorry this one is a bit short. Also, that it's late. I tried to get it out last night, but I just couldn't. I'm sorry about that, but I do hope the contents of the chapter make up for it!

Oh, just a heads up. I'm going to be moving soon. That's partially why this chapter is a day late. I hope it doesn't cause any issues, but there is a decent chance that the move will cause a delay in the next chapter or two. I'll try not to let that happen, but life happens sometimes.

As always, please leave a comment or review with your thoughts and ideas! I love them and they keep me motivated.

A Digital Mother

Chapter 16

3032

Karst

"Scouts report a large offensive moving towards Mother's Vigil." The voice of Captain Rost came through the focus. "The enemy force is too powerful for us to hold against for long. A thousand strong at least." That was not good. The garrison at Mother's Vigil was only six hundred and it was the biggest garrison in the Sacred Lands!

"All is quiet along the northern valley." Captain Brun chimed in. "I've started to mobilize the garrison at Mother's Tears. We'll be on the march to reinforce Mother's Vigil soon."

"Korg here." Another voice now spoke. "We've begun the evacuation of Mother's Crown as a precautionary measure. They are headed for the Embrace. The bulk of the garrison are headed to reinforce Mother's Vigil."

"The garrison at Mother's Song will do the same." That was the voice of Seela. The recently appointed Captain of Mother's Song.

"The Mother's Rise garrison is headed for Mother's Crown. We will hold there and await further instructions." That was Captain Tosa.

"This is the War-chief!" Sona's voice cut through the chatter. "I am departing from the Embrace with a force of two hundred. We will link up with the garrison from Mother's Rise and continue on to join the battle. Rost, keep us updated on the status of the battle until we arrive!"

"Yes, War-Chief!"

"Seeker Karst!" He chimed in. "I am approaching Daytower. I have to hide my Focus, but I will provide any intel I can when it's safe!" Grimacing, Karst tore the triangular device from his head and stuffed it into a secret compartment on his Carja disguise along with his Seeker's Mark. Grabbing hold of his cart, he pushed forward and up the hill toward Daytower.

For the last few years, ever since the raids began, he'd begun cultivating a reputation for fairness and reliability amongst the Carja in his disguise as the merchant Merav alongside his fellow seeker, Sokana. Sokana herself was disguised as Merav's 'sister,' Moli. In truth, they were the perfect pair for the job since Sokana, one of the younger Seekers, was Karst's own cousin. They shared enough of a family resemblance to truly pass as siblings.

Still, despite the success of his and his fellow Seeker's attempts at saving refugees and gathering information, they'd utterly failed to ferret out this shocking attack plan by the Carja. The fact that there were traitors amongst the Nora, or even that such a force had been gathered at Daytower was something they'd completely missed! Sure, there weren't many of them and only seven total Seeker spies in Carja territory at the moment but still! He could kick himself for missing it!

Very few Seekers acted as spies walking amongst the Carja. Most of their number acted more as a clandestine strike force liberating slave camps and only entered the Sundom when they were given a specified target by one of the spies or when chasing after a raiding party that'd escaped the Sacred Lands.

That would have to change after this though. They needed more spies in key locations around Carja territory if they were to avoid another disaster like this. That is, if they survived this disaster in the first place. Shaking his head again to clear his thoughts, Karst pushed the cart further up the steep hill and towards the first guardhouse on the steep climb up to Daytower.

"Hold there!" One of the guards shouted from up ahead. "Who approaches?"

"Merav!" He called back up. "I'm a trader coming up from Meridian!"

"Merav?" The second guard called now, shading his eyes. "It is you! And Moli too! Stand down, Larzish, they're known here." The guard slapped the first man on the shoulder. "Approach! We'll have to inspect your cart. There's a big push on into the Savage East so security is tighter than usual."

Moving closer, Karst recognized the friendlier guard. His name was Hawil. They'd had dealings a few times over the years whenever Karst came to Daytower. Friendly enough, but only to fellow Carja. The light-skinned man utterly despised anyone who was no of his tribe. All in all, he was far from the kind of person Karst would count as a friend, but he was exactly the kind of friendly acquaintance that 'Merav' treasured.

"Is that you, Hawil?" 'Moli' asked, leaning around the cart. "It's so good to see you!" She bounced happily towards the two guards. Karst laughed internally. Sokana really was a very good actor.

"Ah, lovely Moli." Hawil smiled at her. "You are as the sun at dawn, brightening by day with your presence!" The girl blushed and turned her face away, poorly hiding a smile. Karst could almost believe she was genuinely flattered and interested in the man. That is, if Sokana hadn't been praying to the All-Mother that they wouldn't run into him less than an hour ago. His 'interest' in 'Moli' was very obvious.

"What's that you said about a push, Hawil?" 'Merav' asked while the two men inspected his cart.

He was always very careful to ensure there was nothing in his supplies that could identify him as anything but Carja. He and the other Seekers hadn't even brought their traditional Nora weapons or garb into the Sundom. He'd personally taken to leaving them in a cache within the hidden path near Morning's Watch since it was his usual point of entry into Carja lands.

"Ah, Kestrel Helis came up with a brilliant plan to break down that blasted wall." Hawil replied, proudly before slumping. "It worked but… it didn't go exactly to plan. Captain Zaid is dead, and the Kestrel was pretty badly burned. One of those savages detonated a bomb right next to them from what I heard. The Kestrel is here in the fort being treated while Lieutenant Maran is leading our forces into the east until the Kestrel is recovered enough to take command."

"Ah." 'Merav' nodded, feigning sympathy. "May the sun bless him with a speedy recovery. I've never met any Kestrels, but I'm told they are truly the best of the Sun King's noble army."

"Is it true the Kestrels are blessed by the sun itself?" 'Moli' asked.

"Heh. No doubt there, Moli." Hawil replied, talking over his compatriot's grumbling at the back of the cart. "The Kestrel is one of the greatest warriors I've ever known, but he doesn't tolerate failure."

"Got a damn short temper too." The other guard, Larzish, grunted. "You best keep yourselves quiet if you see him inside the fort."

"We'll be sure to stay out of his way." 'Merav' thanked the man for his warning.

Soon enough, they were on their way again. Up through the steep rocky slope and into the tunnel carved through the mountain. Once out of the top, they turned and moved towards the sealed gate. There, they were stopped and searched once again but these guards were just as familiar to Karst and Sokana as Hawil down below.

"Head on through, Merav." One of the guards, Bawan, said, motioning them in. "Lykhal will be thrilled to see you. He was just asking us the other day if we'd seen any sign of you coming back through. With the push on, he's all but depleted his stock." Lykhal was the merchant who'd taken up permanent residence within Daytower. Usually, when Karst came to the fortress, it was to sell the bulk of his stock to the Carja merchant or to Vatil, the fort's quartermaster.

The quartermaster of the fort typically only sold things required by the soldiers. Standardized armor, weapons, and other such things. Karst rarely dealt with him since the Carja quartermasters had their own supply chain. Not to mention, Karst rarely sold weapons. No, his stock was mostly foodstuffs, alcohol, and other such luxuries that Carja soldiers loved to spend their pay on. He might have been acting as a spy, but he was a Nora at heart. With the Carja at war with his tribe, Karst refused to sell them weapons.

"Merav!" Lykhal shouted with joy when he spotted Karst. "By the sun, my friend, I've been hoping you'd come by!" The slightly heavyset merchant bustled forward and grabbed Karst by the shoulders. "These brutes have all but cleaned out my stocks. Please tell me you've got a full cart to sell!"

"I do, indeed!" 'Merav' replied. Pulling back the cover, he revealed his wares to the Carja merchant. "I've managed to procure a few dozen jars of wine from the southern vineyards, not to mention my usual stock of items."

"Ah! The sun shines on me this day!" Lykhal crowed to the sky. "Truly, you and dear Moli are a blessing in these troubled times, my friend."

'Moli' giggled. "Thanks, Mr. Lykhal. Hawil told us things are kind of tense around here, but he didn't say much. What happened?"

"Mhm. Nasty buisness." Lykhal shook his head. "Between you and me, I don't really see the point in pushing the eastern savages so hard, but then I don't pretend to know the mind of the Kestrel and certainly not His Luminance. As I've heard it, the Kestrel was able to gain the services of a few turn-cloaks among the savages, but their defenders proved more determined than expected. Forgive me, my dear girl, but I'd prefer to spare you the gruesome details."

"Moli, why don't you go let the quartermaster know we're here. He might be interested in our stock of machine parts." 'Merav' said, sending his 'sister' off on her errand. Once she was out of earshot, he turned back to Lykhal. "What happened?" he whispered.

"The leader of the savages used a bomb to blow up Captain Zaid's head." The merchant whispered back. "She killed herself to do it. What's more, the blast wounded the Kestrel. Burns and the like though," he leaned in closer, "I've heard a rumor saying that part of Zaid's skull embedded itself in Kestrel Helis' face."

'Merav's' face twisted in disgust. Internally, Karst was celebrating. Helis was a monster of the highest order. Even disregarding the initial raids against the Nora, word of the atrocities Helis had been committing against the Oseram and Banuk in the north flowed like rivers through the Sundom. If he was injured enough to be out of the fight, it only meant good things for the Nora defenders at Mother's Vigil.

"Aye, it's a gruesome rumor. I can't speak to the truth of it though." Lyhkal continued, convinced by the feigned disgust on 'Merav's' face. "I haven't seen the Kestrel since he was brought back to the fortress by the soldiers. I've heard him screaming orders a few times, so he'd definitely alive, but I haven't seen him."

"Do you think the soldiers will push on into he east?" 'Merav' asked. "Should I start planning on bringing my wares further in?"

Lykhal shook his head. "No, no. Even if they do push in, they're not likely to let civilian merchants like us pass through the gate but it doesn't sound like they're intending to push at the moment. If the gossip I'm hearing is right, then the plan was to take out their forward positions quietly. From what I've heard, it's gone well so far. None of the savages were able to get word out about the attack on the wall."

"How will our forces keep things quiet once they start attacking villages?" 'Merav' asked with fascinated concern.

"Well, I don't pretend to know much about military matters, but I have to assume they'll try surrounding the villages to prevent spies getting out or something like that. I'm no solider, so I really don't know."

"No, I suppose not. It's not really our place to know anyway, is it?" 'Merav' asked. "As fascinating as the war is, our job is just to keep these fine soldiers fed and happy."

"Well said, my friend!" Lykhal slapped him on the shoulder. "Now, how much do you want for your stock of wine?"

Rost

"They have us completely surrounded." Rost grimaced, looking out from the walls. The Carja had clearly learned from their previous attempt at capturing Mother's Vigil. Where before they'd simply charged the gate, this time they were cautious. He'd watched from the walls as their commander sent teams to scour the woods, vigilant for any attack from there like the one Yore led during the first battle of Mother's Vigil.

Then, instead of only attacking from one place, they completely surrounded the village. The Nora were facing a full-on siege at this point. Rost could only hope that the Carja believed them unable to communicate with the other villages and held off on the attack for a while.

The defenses of Mother's Vigil were significantly improved compared to what they'd been during the first battle around three years before. Instead of a prototype war sling and a rudimentary trap door over the gate, there were now two slings stationed at both gates, chillwater defenses, fire prevention systems, and a myriad number of traps covering the approaches.

What's more, the six hundred Braves within the garrison were fully stocked with every type of bomb and arrow they could imagine. They had enough ammunition to sustain a protracted siege and, if their calculations were correct, enough provisions to last them two to three weeks. Though, thankfully it shouldn't take that long for their reinforcements to arrive.

"They're coming, Captain." Sola's voice cut across his musings. Looking back over the wall, Rost could see a small party moving closer.

"Come no closer, Carja!" Rost shouted over the walls. "We will rain arrows down upon you if you do not retreat back to your lands at once!"

"I am Lieutenant Maran!" The Craja shouted, ignoring his warning. "Second in command to Kestrel Helis!" That was not good. If the famed butcher was leading this force, then things could get ugly. "If you surrender at once, you will be treated with mercy! Resist, and we shall cut you down for the glory of the Sun King!"

"I care nothing for your king, Carja butcher!" Rost shouted over the wall. "You have invaded our Sacred Lands without provocation! Turn back now, or we will show no mercy!"

"I ask you to see reason, Nora!" The lieutenant called out. "You are surrounded! Completely cut off! None of your other villages have any idea you are in danger, nor is it possible for you to warn them! Stand down, and you will be treated with mercy!"

Rost growled and, drawing his bow back, released an arrow directly at the speaker. The Carja soldier barely managed to dodge the projectile, stumbling forward and faceplanting into the dirt. After a moment, he rose again and shook his fist at the wall.

"This is your answer then?" He shouted, angrily. "Turn your face to the sun, savage! Death will find you soon enough!"

"Sola!" Rost barked at his lieutenant. "Make your way to the eastern gate and take command." She nodded and rushed off. "Vai, take the northernmost point of the wall. Tas, you have the south. I'll stay here to command the western gate." Off in the distance, the drums of the Carja began to beat as the column slowly began to march forward.

Mern

Mern scrambled through the underbrush as stealthily as he could, cursing his luck. He'd been one of the scouts who'd first noticed the army coming to attack Mother's Vigil three years ago and here he was again! Spying on an army attacking Mother's Vigil, only now he had so much more to lose!

Peering out through the trees, he could see the ongoing battle. Carja forces had Mother's Vigil completely surrounded. Arrows and bombs of all kinds rained down from the walls and back up at the defenders. He watched as one of the slings set to defend the eastern gate let loose, sending firebombs screaming into the Carja army. Occasionally, there would be a blast of some kind at the front of the charging force when one of the soldiers triggered a trap or some other defense.

Mern watched closely, trying to drown out the screams of pain. Already, the grass around the village was burning and corpses littered the ground. At a guess, he'd have to say the battle had been raging for the better part of a few hours by now. If his eyes did not deceive him, it appeared a section of the northern wall was on fire along with a few of the huts inside the village itself. Had the fire prevention systems not worked? Reaching down, he caressed the beads attached to his necklace.

One for each of his parents, his grandparents, brother, and sister. The last three were the most important though. Ezana, his beloved mate, and their children. Samina and Yore. Yore, of course, was named after their now fallen captain. A dear friend to them both, and the one who'd most encouraged his relationship with Ezana. Even giving them leave at the same time so that they could enjoy a little peace during the years of war.

The gruff captain was beyond touched when they'd decided to name their firstborn daughter after her. If only she'd gotten to live long enough to see the girl grow up. As for their other child, Samina was only three months old. It was an odd name for a Nora, but what did that matter when you were naming your child after one of the honored Alphas? The name itself had resonated with Ezana and, since Mern had chosen Yore's name, he was happy for his darling mate to name their younger daughter after the Alpha.

Ezana and their girls were thankfully both safe, staying with Mern's own parents in Mother's Rise. He'd been intending to join them in a few weeks, with his recent deployment having supposedly been just a routine supply mission to Mother's Crown. Sadly, that was the day the Carja decided to invade again, forcing him out into the field. As one of the best damn scouts in the tribe, Captain Korg had naturally asked him to run ahead. He'd even given him one of the most precious treasures the tribe possessed. Reaching up, he tapped the triangular device on his head.

"Captain Korg." Mern said, waiting for a reply that was quick in coming.

"Report!"

"The Carja have Mother's Vigil surrounded and are attacking from all sides. The defenders are holding out, but it looks rough. The north wall looks to be on fire, along with several buildings within the village and the enemy force is slowly overwhelming the traps. I can't see the eastern gate from here, but it looks like the southern gate has yet to use their chillwater defense. The Carja look like they're trying to make good use of bombs and fire arrows."

"Well done, Mern. Keep yourself hidden and send us any updates you can if the tide of the battle shifts. Captain Rost's last report says that they're focusing the bulk of their forces on the western gate. Let us know if anything changes."

"By your command, Captain." Mern closed off the connection and turned his gaze to the battlefield once more.

Rost
"Release the doors!" Rost shouted, ducking down below the rampart. With a heave, two Braves let the chillwater defense pour down onto the charging Carja. It worked as intended, but it just wasn't enough. Once the screams of pain echoing from the frozen and burning men subsided, the determined soldiers stepped on and over their fallen comrades, picking up the dropped battering ram before slamming it against the gates once more. The wall itself shuddered under Rost's feet with the power of their blows.

Shuffling forward, Rost leaned over and released arrow after arrow into the open gates with his Braves, aiming for the besieging soldiers. Some raised shields above their heads while others let go of the ram to dodge away.

He'd lost track of just how long the battle around him had raged. Hours? Days? Minutes? He couldn't tell. The sun was beginning to sink in the sky, so it had to have been a few hours, yet the Carja just kept coming. No word yet had come from Karst or Sokana, their spies headed for Daytower, but that wasn't unexpected. It likely wouldn't be until they left the fortress that they would be able to report.

"Bring up another barrel!" Rost shouted down to the defenders at the base of the wall. "We cannot let them through! Bring more timbers! Shore up the door!"

Two burly Braves heaved a barrel of chillwater off the ground and began to lug it up the ramp to the top of the wall while another group brought a series of long timbers forward, moving to reinforce the gate. Looking around, Rost could see his brave warriors fighting to the bitter end. Arrow after arrow, bomb after bomb were being thrown from the walls yet still it wasn't enough.

The siege slings let out a loud 'twang' as they released their payloads into the besieging army. Only a moment later, there was a deafening 'boom' followed by the sounds of men screaming. At Rost's feet, the corpse of a fallen Brave lay still, blood pouring onto the wooden scaffold. A single Carja arrow protruded from the eye of the fallen warrior. Looking up, he heard a cry of pain from behind him.
One of the Braves carrying the chillwater had been struck in the shoulder. Toppling off the wall, his compatriot lost his hold on the barrel, sending it tumbling down to the ground. The Brave landed painfully and had only the briefest moment to register what was happening before the barrel of deadly liquid landed on top of him and burst open. His poor fellow, still standing on top of the wall, was granted only another moment more to process the horrifying screams of his dying friend before an arrow sprouted from his neck and he too toppled from the wall. Rost closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, listening to the rhythmic sound of the battering ram pounding against the gate.

"Damn these Carja bastards! May their king rot under his precious sun!" He whispered under his breath. Turning, he spotted a Brave running frantically towards him from deeper into the village. The captain stood and rushed along the wall, then down the ramp towards the ground.

"Captain!" The Brave shouted, running close.

"Report!"

"A team of Braves are working to put out the fires, Captain!" The man replied, breathlessly. "Lieutenant Sola is holding the eastern gate as best she can but it's rough going."

"We can only hope…" Rost was cut off by the sound of cracking and the screams of fear from behind him.

Whirling around, Rost charged towards the Braves gathered behind the gate. Braves, as many who could fit themselves in the gap, were standing at the gate bracing it with a combination of timbers and their own bodies. With each pound of the battering ram, the gate would shudder and knock a few of them back yet each time they would rush forward to reinforce the gate once more.

This time though, it was different. When the battering ram collided with the gate, there was a horrific cracking sound and the gate bowed inward, the timbers holding it shut splitting apart under the pressure. The Braves roared in anger and fear, slamming the doors shut before the Carja could try to charge. It was too late. On the next pound of the ram, the gates to Mother's Vigil burst open, throwing the gathered Braves to the ground.

"Charge!" Rost shouted, brandishing his spear and. Every Brave, who was not on the wall, drew their melee weapons and charged towards the Carja soldiers pouring in through the broken gate. "They have broken through!" Rost shouted, both into his Focus and to rally his Braves. "Push them back! Fight! For the All-Mother!" With that, he charged into the fray.

A/N: There we go! The battle is not exactly going well, is it? What do you think? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments! I'll try to get the next one out as soon as I can!

We got to take a look at Karst in his Carja disguise! What did you all think of that? Did it work? I like to imagine he's dressed similarly to your generic Carja npc. Same with Sokana.

Answers to Questions

On FFN

Matt22152: There could be more or that could have been it. None of them have a Focus though. The Matriarchs were mostly aware of who'd been spouting the same stuff as Resh but since they quieted down after he got himself into trouble and didn't act out, nobody really expected something like them betraying the tribe.

AtlasStelle1: Thank you!

Rios: Yore was one of my favorite OC's. I had to let her go out with a bang.

D3Diton: She managed to hurt Helis too. A True badass.

LunaShadowWolf: I hope you liked this one too! As for Aloy, she's thankfully secure in the Embrace. Not likely to see Helis just yet.

Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you liked my song choice!

vmage2: Yore was a badass.

Bargo: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Don't worry about your english. It was very easy to understand.

Frostwolf3227: Eh. Maybe she'll do some more research on armors but I can't really let her have just anything. She can only really have access to things that members of ZD staff might realistically have watched/read/listened to when GAIA herself was paying attention. Or at least was nearby.

DragoAngelus17: Thank you very much!

On AO3

ReviewerDWJ2: Thank you! Nobody said Resh's followers were very bright. I look at them a little bit like the Nora mercenaries you can meet in ZD. Yun and his group in Sunfall. No real loyalty to the other Nora. They were perfectly willing to sell the others out for a guarantee of safety, but just smart enough to not reveal any vital intel until they were safe so Helis didn't get anything important.

Jpxo999: As for Beta, no comment. You're right that Sylens is going to be interesting once he finds out about all this though.

Xenomorph_Hunter: Thank you!

Chiki270: Thank you!

Readinginthedarkisfunnier: I'm glad you liked the chapter! I hope you liked this one too!

Boudica96: Yes! I had so much fun writing the GAIA and CYAN scene. Not to mention Yore. I had to let her go out like a boss.

Cameth: Yup! Zaid is dead and I could not let it be pleasant. I felt detonating a bomb in his mouts was a suitably painful death for him. Maybe a bit too quick.

WolvesRock17: I wish we got to see more Aloy inventions too. The whole thing with her and Morlund in Forbidden West was so much fun! I'm really glad you liked the chapter!

SpiritDeNight: Woo!

Ryanlarsen84: Thank you! I do think that she would have mentioned HADES but he's less of a direct threat to CYAN specifically than HEPHAESTUS is. He's more of a threat to the world in general, but not as much of one to CYAN directly. An AI that can remotely move around and take control of her is far more dangerous than one who is likely stuck in one place. HEPHAESTUS is the only one that can move like that, and GAIA knows it. As for the rebels, it's more of a case that they and Resh were only using the rhetoric they were spouting as justification for being assholes. They are loyal to Resh, but not to the tribe. With Lansra denouncing Resh, they lost their ability to spout his nonsense with any kind of believability. They don't really care about the tribe. Just themselves. With Resh gone and no real hope of rescuing him, they just decided to say, 'screw you' and throw the tribe under the bus for the sake of their own safety.