Chapter 77: The Convoy

There were two people who would not be returning to Kazar. Denerim placed a fatherly hand on Viv’s shoulder as they stood to the side to let the convoy go on.

“So, this is goodbye. I still remember that you almost tossed us out when we first met you.”

“I was having a bad day and religious law enforcement doesn’t exactly have the best reputation where I came from.”

“Oh, you must not have met inquisitors of Maranor yet.”

“No? Why?”

“They’re cunts. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

Viv smiled. Denerim seldom swore and his sudden vulgarity lifted the mood, somewhat.

“I wonder why I have not met her clergy yet.”

“That is an easy question to answer, my dear. Kazar is a forgotten mudhole and the destiny of an entire kingdom is being decided on the other side of the woods right now. That’s where most of them are going to be. In any case, I wanted to thank you, not just for the regrowth spell but also for helping us all those times. You are a good person at heart.”

“Yeah, not so sure about that, Denerim.”

“First, bad people worry much less about being good and second, a bad person would have asked payment to kill the acolyte of Gomogog. You didn’t.”

Viv tried to remember that night and realized that yes, she had just jumped right in.

“Fighting for good does not mean that you can’t be an underhanded asshole about it, as I am sure you already know. I hope you never forget that even we inquisitors also use deception and face grey decisions. We don’t fall when we take the wrong one. We fall when we stop caring.”

“Oh.”

“Look at the old man rambling again,” Orkan said, gently pushing himself in front of Viv. Viv thought that Denerim might get pissed but the older man merely chuckled.

“He is right. We have a charter. I am merely repeating the church’s precepts. You are not a very fervent person Viv, for obvious reasons, but you might still want to have a look. Who knows? Maybe Kazar can become a principality like Helock or Mornyr and the church of Neriad becomes its state religion?”

“Wow, aren’t you going a bit fast?”

“Merely preparing for the future, my dear. I will let you and Orkan say your goodbyes. I need to have a talk with the veterans.”

The Hallurian appeared to be a bit nervous. His tattoos pulsed lightly in the shade of the nearby trees.

“Yeah. So. I wish we could have stayed longer. I will miss our training sessions, going through the woods and bringing back harrens and other beasts to roast over a nice fire. Thank you for seeing me like a person, not just the man with two blades. It really made a difference to me on a level I cannot express. I really hope we meet again,” he said with a blush.

Viv stared at his quickly retreating back with a growing suspicion that she may have been really, really oblivious.

“Wait. Was he flirting?”

//I always assumed that you were not sensitive to his advances.

“But he never said anything! Never tried anything!”

//Perhaps his physique usually suffices to attract partners.

//I must say, with how inefficient human reproduction methods are, I always expected that getting to the mating part would be a streamlined process.

//Truly, I fail to understand how your species managed to propagate.

“Damn.”

Viv thought that Orkan was a bit of a stud if not exactly someone she could see herself dating long-term because she didn’t exactly click.

“I should have at least gotten laid,” she commiserated. “Ah well maybe next time.”

//Please remember to use measures to prevent pregnancy, such as a cold-womb ring, or an infusion.

“No problem, if I have a kid I’ll just have you raise them.”

//Ah yes, a subject for my experiments.

“Nevermind.”

Viv and the rest of the group left with the convoy. She burned with questions on Enoria and so on but decided to wait until they stopped for the night. For some reason, the veterans were tense and extremely professional. They didn’t have scouts and so Two-Six became everyone’s favorite girl. Despite her assurance that nothing had spotted them so far, the troops progressed with vigilance. It was easy to guess why since many of the veterans had brought their families.

It was only after night had fallen and they had finished establishing a secured camp complete with sentries and a perimeter that the unofficial leader invited her to his tent to explain things. Like most of the group’s possessions, his tent had seen better days. It showed clear signs of repair, some of them on top of each other. A shorter woman was boiling a pot with magic. She handed Viv a bowl of soup and sat by the man’s side, exhausted. While he seemed to manage, she had dark pockets under her eyes and her traits were emaciated.

She was also ethnically different. Her skin tone approached what Viv would associate with Asian and her hair was slightly lighter than those of everyone else here with yellow highlights. Her features were different as well. Viv also thought that they were a gorgeous couple. The man placed his own bowl on the tiny rug between them and embraced her. She leaned into it and closed her eyes.

“It’s good that you came to escort us. Your name was Beebiane?” he asked.

His tone was more casual now and he had a strong Baranese accent that she had not noticed before. It was a bit more rugged than the one captain Cernit had shown. She considered inspecting him again but thought he might feel it and it would be a bit rude. He still breathed out this sense of power and danger that the woman next to him apparently shared, to Viv’s surprise. It was the way mana flowed around them. It did not have the vibrating quality of what she could perceive around Arthur but it did feel… disciplined. Controlled.

Deadly.

“Viviane, yes. Don’t worry about the pronunciation. Most people struggle with it.”

“I’ll learn. I’m Solar and this is Wamiri, my wife. If you can really do what you say you can do, we will be in your debt.”

He closed his eyes and frowned.

“Sorry. Not really doubting you, more like…”

“We search for long time. In many places,” the woman finished. She had a heavy accent that Viv could not place.

“Yeah. That. You have no idea how hard I’ve tried to find a way.”

“There are other methods to regrow a limb?”

He snorted.

“None that I’d care to try. I’m not on good terms with the dark gods, you see? I may have lost my dominant arm but I’m not defenseless.

“Hm. Okay? Speaking of which, I wanted to ask. Why did people bring their families?” Viv asked.

Solar gave her a glare, but frowned and shook his head soon afterward. His locks bumped against the woman’s nose and she exhaled.

“Yeah you are cut off. Should remember that. I’m more of a wanderer myself but most folks here are Enorians and I wouldn’t want to leave a relative in that shithole if I could help it. Entire country is on its way to hell right now.”

“Because of the civil war?”

“Yeah, more specifically because of the raids and second Regnos.”

Viv frowned.

“I heard that noun before.”

“Yeah probably. Look, Denerim told me you were a traveler. Don’t worry, I swore an oath to Neriad, not about to stab you in the back. What I meant to say is that you probably don’t know what’s going on so tell me if you’re lost. Where was I? Oh yes, the glorious history of the hallowed kingdom of Enoria.”

He scoffed and tasted the soup, giving an appreciative hum.

“Regnos was a huge battle that marked the end of the first civil war. Rebel forces managed to trap the king’s army and cut off its retreat but only the gods could have told which way the battle would have gone if those idiots had kept fighting. Regnos is the perfect battlefield if you’re confident. It’s a large mining town in the middle of a large plain encircled by mountains and marshland. There are only two safe passages for armies to get in. One to the south and one to the north.”

“The king’s loyalists occupy the south, right?”

“And the rebels control the north, yeah. As soon as hostilities flared up again and folks were riled up by bloody raids, both armies made their way to the place for a decisive showdown. That was two weeks ago. The battle was a fucking meat grinder that lasted for a week. A full week. By the accounts we received from some of the wounded, Regnos is destroyed and there are aberrants everywhere. It’s a fucking mess.”

“Did Prince Lancer die?”

“Hah! You wish. If only things were that easy, ey? In fact, he might be the next heir to the throne.”

Viv blanched.

“Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Well, he has a good chance now but things are not as simple as it seems. Look, the temple of Neriad knows what happened. Truth is, both sides butchered each other at second Regnos. More than half of the rebel nobles are dead. Not wounded, dead. The first princess got beheaded during a charge aimed at cutting off the rebels and the first prince is maimed. Only Lancer is a serious candidate right now, but he needs to win the war and it doesn’t look good. You got to understand. Almost fifteen thousand people died on that field.”

Viv flinched. Fifteen thousand fatalities was… she had trouble wrapping her head around it. The battle of Crecy during the hundred years war had been one of the greatest military disasters in French medieval history and five thousand men had been lost.

“Yeah. I know. This is what happens when you tell an entire generation that they have to unite the land again. Nobody surrendered and nobody withdrew until the bitter end. The king is rumored to be devastated by the loss of his daughter while the rebel leadership was utterly gutted in a single battle. Nobody won, except the dead.”

“And Prince Lancer.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. One thing is sure though, he needs to finish you off.”

Viv blinked.

“Why? He can just take the throne and wait, no?”

“His enemies at the court have spread and amplified his failure. Congratulations, you are a public figure. I even saw a caricature of you shoving a metal rod up Lancer’s… natural orifice.”

“How prophetic…” Viv mumbled while Wamiri tutted.

“Ah sorry. What I mean to say is that he needs to wash the stain on his honor before claiming the throne. I am sure that someone already explained to you that followers of Maranor must show ruthlessness towards their foes in order to curry her favor. He will return, and this time, he will bring enough troops to guarantee a kill.”

“Damn.”

“There is good news though. You are going to receive a lot of veterans soon. We are just the first wave. And he will be underestimating you. I can assure you that I can organize our defenses to give us a fighting chance. If I get my arm back, I will be your best hope and your best warrior.”

“Alright, let’s make something clear. I have a plan and a training program already and I doubt you can top it, and second, you’ll be the second best warrior.”

“Oh?” Solar asked, politely curious, “and who would be the first?”

///That would be me.

//A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sword master.

//Now, I am confident that we can find a role for you newcomers in our glorious army.

The convoy progressed slowly over the next few days. Viv accompanied a group of fast movers to scout and forage on the way, sometimes digging up a few beasts and roots to supplement the diet of the rest. They had left during the harvest and got enough time to collect food but now they were down to boiled cereals. Mana-rich meat skewers and fresh greens went a long way to improving the mood. In fact, Viv’s presence and the assurance that they had an actual destination uplifted everyone’s spirits. It was one thing to dream about a haven in times of trouble, and another to have one of its inhabitants come to escort you in person.

Viv found the veterans and their family to be the most eclectic group to join Kazar so far. There were some actual low-ranked nobles who had dropped everything to come here. Others had been little better than beggars when they had joined. The carts and carriages reflected that. No two were alike, and most of the additional protections were nailed on. Only a few centennial cornudons were available to pull the heaviest pieces while the rest got carried forward by lesser animals and, sometimes, even humans. Despite their differences, the veterans shared the same unerring vigilance that bordered on paranoia. She would find it annoying if she hadn’t seen in what state the previous convoy had arrived. And three days later, as they were going through the deep woods, their caution was justified.

“What was that?” Viv asked no one in particular. The sound had reminded her of a mix between an eagle cry and a blender.

//That would be a warning cry from a Tempest Raptor, Your Grace.

//An aerial apex predator in the Deadshield Woods’ more shallow parts.

Viv slowed down to watch Solfis who was on their old cart, now hitched to the largest waggon on account of being tiny.

“Wait, we’re in a shallow part?”

//Yes, Your Grace.

//We stand in a sort of isthmus, if you will pardon an inaccurate approximation that your fleshy brain will comprehend better.

//The Deadshield Woods are much denser going north and south.

//Nevertheless, we still travel to what is technically ‘deep woods’.

//Thus, this cry, which warns other predators than the Tempest Raptor spotted prey and not to interfere.

Viv pondered that for exactly half a second.

“It’s us, isn’t it?”

//I estimate that your opinion has 97.8% chances of being correct.

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

Arthur landed a second later and stayed on the cart, keeping a cautious eye on whatever little grey sky could be seen through the canopy. Armed soldiers moved along the column with Solar directing people up and down. They had very few archers. The only one Viv had seen was missing an eye and had trouble seeing from the second. So, yeah. Solar made his way to Viv just as she and Marruk finished strapping their armors and helmets.

“We could really use your help, war caster. This is a bird of prey with an excellent sight. It will avoid dangers like me and pick at our most vulnerable members when our guard is low.”

“I don’t think we can stay on high alert for a week. Solfis, can we take it down?”

//The standard protocol for humans in your situation is to sacrifice members until the beast is sated.

//But of course, we cannot allow overgrown Arthur-bait to damage valuable imperial resources.

//With access to battle reports of several successful eliminations of Tempest Raptors, I have identified a strategy that would best match our present capabilities.

//In order to succeed, we need someone to act as bait.

The silence was deafening.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

“I’m afraid I must say no,” Solar said.

//Your input is noted.

//Now shut up.

//As for the bait, we need someone who looks like they would provide valuable nutrition to the raptor.

//I believe that the individual Marruk would provide the best candidate.

“Me?” the Kark asked bashfully.

//Indeed.

//Marruk’s height and girth are among the greatest in the caravan.

//Additionally, she is quite muscular.

Marruk was turning an interesting shade of purple. She sputtered a few unintelligible words and Viv felt compelled to come to the rescue.

“Oi, Solfis!”

//With her fighting prowess, Marruk presents the best chance at surviving the attempt.

“I’ll do it!” the Kark warrior bellowed, “I’ll do it! You can stop talking now!”

//Very well.

//The bait will lie on the ground in full view at the back of the convoy.

//The Tempest Raptor will initiate a dive.

//Right before it lands, it will spread its wings to slow its descent.

//We will strike at this exact moment.

//Under my guidance, the Heir shall strike its head with a mighty spell.

//I will use the opening to jump on the creature and neutralize it.

//That is all.

“What if I miss?” VIv asked, a bit worried.

//I will use my superior sensor systems to warn you of the beast’s approach and its direction.

//The Raptor should stop about twenty paces away from the ground.

//I will point at the most likely place beforehand and count down for you.

//With this, you should have no trouble landing your attack.

//But if you fail, it would be unfortunate for Marruk.

“Please don’t fail?” Marruk asked. She was still flustered.

“What about me? I can help,” Solar said with confidence.

//Your presence is not required for the success of this plan.

“Look, it’s not because I’m a cripple that…”

They didn’t have time for this.

“It’s not related to your handicap,” she said. “And Solfis called you a blade master so he knows that you’re not dead weight. Look, the three of us have worked together for six months and we have managed through undead, monsters and a whole fucking siege. We know each other’s capabilities. We know how to work together. You’re just a variable in a plan that doesn’t need it. It has nothing to do with your skill. You could be Eron the dragonslayer reborn and I would still ask you to step aside and let us do our job.”

The man chuckled a bit bitterly.

“Ah, you have leadership. Not just a spell flinger then? Alright, let’s see what you guys can do. I’ll make sure to keep everyone else going. Happy hunting.”

“Thanks. Alright, let’s go.”

Marruk walked to the back with Viv leaning towards her as they were passing the rear-guard.