A Lich's Love (Death Knight Series Book 5) Page 5

  Dion staggered forward, only to see that there were no more beasts or Drafeng.

  He took the chance and looked around.

  The fighting on the wall was calming as people pushed to the battlements, attacking the climbing Drafeng.

  Dion looked out at the Drafeng beyond the walls.

  “We need to destroy the doorways, slow down the rate that they can enter Dena and then we need to kill off their queens, then grind the rest of them down.” Ubi’s clan spirit revealed himself, talking to Dion.

  Dion looked at the army of beasts pressed up against his walls.

  Long-range attacks sailed over his head, hitting Skalafell; other attacks hit the breaches that were being repaired, slowing down their work.

  Dion tightened his grip. “I like the simple plans—there is less to go wrong.”

  “Dion Lemar,” a voice called from the wind.

  Dion looked over at a clan spirit, a small bobcat kin. Her ears twitched. She was alert to everything, but there was a soft look in her eyes as she looked at Dion.

  Dion had never known his parents, his mother. Seeing this lady, Dion felt his heart had been squeezed, a bloodline connection that ran so deep he knew that she was his ancestor.

  “Ancestor.” Dion dropped to a knee.

  “There is a battle to be fought, Dion. I have fought, but I have devoted my life and my existence to help people with crops and herbs,” the woman said.

  Dion felt a yearning in his heart. “If-if you’ll take me, I would like to learn.” He spoke the truth, the complete truth; he wanted to grow to know her. As a lord, his worries weren’t battles; it was the people. Their food. The supplies they would need in the winter months.

  The woman picked him up. “My name is Pheena, and I will protect you with all my strength.”

  Dion cleared his throat, filled with emotion. Without Tissis, he had few friends remaining. Only Keze gave her love freely. He had been a lonely man, with the man he thought of as his brother betraying him. It had made him closed off to the rest of the world.

  Now he felt that he had someone else to rely on.

  “We will protect you,” Ubi said and looked to the side.

  Dion saw Mai and Jun, each of them filled with strength as they walked over, killing chaotic beasts on the wall left and right.

  We will win. The clan spirits are with us now.

  “I will do all in my power to protect you and Skalafell,” Dion said to Pheena.

  “Ah, seems that I didn’t pick wrong,” Pheena said with a motherly smile.

  Dion bowed his head as Pheena turned into a misty light that entered Dion’s body. His clan tattoos blazed with light and he dropped to his knees, dropping his spear. His body changed to accompany the new strength.

  He let out a roar that filled the air. Other clan spirits that had been waiting took this opportunity to take on a champion. Those champions who had already been picked were taught by their clan spirits how to improve their fighting abilities. They offered pointers and observations to others around them.

  The beast kin of Skalafell worked together, improving and strengthening their techniques and abilities, all of it in dire need to win and survive.

  Chapter: In Hidden Corners and Foreign Lands

  Tamarra looked at the map table in the middle of the room. There were scenes of battle from across Dena. Epan and Ilsal had been cleared and there were roving patrol units looking for doorways and those that were marking their positions.

  Their trading navies had come under the control of the alliance and were shipping supplies back and forth between the main continent and the islands.

  They had deployed the first army into the Deepwood and were now pushing up to the north, sweeping through Selenus, searching for and destroying doorways.

  The United Army from the Deepwood had cleared out the forest and were now moving up north, taking on military units from Radal and Selenus, using them as auxiliaries.

  “Information from the human lands is still slow. Where is that Army of Light?” Tamarra asked.

  “We had reports of them heading into the city Reemus, but then the Guardian Flame activated there and punished those who came into the city. They attacked and the barrier protected the city. We have had possible sightings, but it looks like they are moving toward Ascen,” an aide supplied.

  “Having them wander around the wilderness doesn’t put me at ease.” Tamarra’s eyes fell on her real worry. She looked at the navy markers that were headed toward Cheon. The abandoned tundra lay to the north. It was cold year-round, covered in ice and snow. People had lived there in the past, but few remained there.

  With our divination spells, there has to be a lot of doorways on Cheon. Tamarra felt uneasy. They didn’t have any information and she had sent the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Fleets with the Second and Third Army to go scout Cheon and engage the Drafeng there.

  “We have received a message from the Selenus leadership. They have granted us the right to enter their lands and request aid from our people. Their units will support us as desired. There has been an apparent change in leadership. The message is sent by Guardian Damien. He requests judges and Guardians of Selenus to return.”

  “Took over an entire country.” Tamarra shook her head, thinking of the lovable and also dense death knight. “Send the information to our people in the Deepwood. Have them advance with all speed and reach out to the different beast kin legion camps as soon as possible. Send word to the Guardians and judges who are within Selenus to report to the leadership and start working out in the open if they feel it is safe. How are the Guardian Flames doing?”

  “They have been seeded into most of the harbors and sea-facing cities. The progress is slow with everything having to be done in the dark. Now that our people can operate freely, they should be able to increase their speed,” the aide said.

  Tamarra opened her mouth to speak.

  “We have a report from Admiral Raye. They’ve sighted Cheon. He says that they will make landfall early morning tomorrow.”

  ***

  Khurok stood in the middle of the conversion tower, drawing in more power to himself. He could feel that he was getting closer to an evolution.

  This land’s power is so bountiful. How strong were the older generations if they were freely able to consume like this?

  There was a noise from the entrance of the conversion tower. He rose to his feet, revealing his large mass. He snorted in annoyance at being disturbed.

  “Leader Khurok, our ranged Drafeng have spotted a group of trees that cross the water.” Commander Oru lowered his head.

  Khurok let out a noise of acknowledgement. Oru had been his second for centuries now.

  “How many?”

  “There are three groups of fifty or so floating trees.”

  “Prepare the chaotic beasts to fend them off. It is time they had an evolution to Drafeng. Have Drafeng erect conversion towers in the direction that they are coming from and create defensive walls. Have the Drafeng attack as the enemy reaches the shore. Make sure the scouts remain alert in other locations in case there is a second attack.”

  “Yes, Leader,” Oru said.

  “How many of the beast have evolved in the pits?”

  “We have had several emerge from the evolution pits,” Oru said.

  “Good. A Drafeng is much more important than a chaotic beast.” Khurok stepped out from his personal conversion tower and tasted the air, moving his jaw side to side. The air felt stale—palatable but stale. It would take more time to consume the power here.

  The camp was a scar upon the clear white snow and blue ice plains that surrounded them.

  The conversion towers created a ring around a large black open pit. Drafeng and chaotic beasts broke the ground. The chaotic beasts consumed the broken stone and then carried it out to the plains. There were several areas filled with Drafeng. They were using the materials from the pit mine with their crystals to create large platforms that held conversion tower
s upon them.

  Three of these conversion tower platforms were being built around the main camp.

  Crystal walls grew from the ground, with mounds of the mine’s leftovers creating successive walls.

  The conversion towers’ roots drew in power and then released a greenish-brown fog that rolled out and filled the stronghold.

  From four of the conversion towers, Drafeng removed chaotic beasts that were herded out of the stronghold.

  “The queen’s output?” Khurok asked.

  “Optimal. Moving the chaotic beasts to the secondary fortresses has left more power for us to consume in the area. Do you wish for me to send out more of the Drafeng on patrol to erect conversion towers?”

  “Do it. The more power that we can convert, the larger the area we can move in and recover quickly,” Khurok said. “Have Enya lead the force toward the south to assist our forces holding off the floating trees.”

  “Yes, Commander.” Oru lowered his head. Wings sprouted from his horse-like body and he flew over to the evolution pits. To become Drafeng the Chaotic beasts required massive amounts of chaotic power, the fastest way was for them to fight one another. They would gain talents in battle before they evolved into true Drafeng.

  ***

  Bryce Woods looked at Ascen. The Army of Light looked all the worse for wear as they left the road and spread out.

  Once we have reclaimed our place, we will bring down righteous judgement upon those in Reemus and the other towns that dare to follow the path of the defilers. Their purple barriers and flames are enough to prove their guilt.

  He looked at the Army of Light behind him.

  Being treated like beasts—having to supply our own food and water, march for hours a day. It is upon the people to fill our needs. We are looking to save their souls—can they not see? Their willingness to turn away from the Lord of Light, hoarding their supplies—giving to the Church of Light only increases the rewards they will gain in the afterlife.

  He shifted in his saddle, feeling the sores on his legs, this is preposterous.

  He had always been able to get a bath and plenty of food to fuel him for the Lord of Light’s work. Now he had been riding for nearly a week, sleeping with only his tent and supplies he had brought along with him.

  “Set up the tents. We will see how they react, knowing that we have come to reclaim our church!” Bryce said.

  The servants quickly moved to unpack the supplies and tents were thrown up.

  Bryce waited impatiently as his tent was completed.

  It was big enough to fit three carriages inside. There was an office area, a place to socialize and eat, and his sleeping quarters. He raised up his arms; his servants took off his armor.

  He took a seat as a servant arrived with teas and some meager fruits. “What is this? Only an apple!” Bryce yelled, throwing his fork at the woman.

  It struck her in the head and she dropped to her knees. “I am sorry, your benevolence. The defilers have stripped the land clear!” She whimpered.

  Bryce snarled and then looked out of his tent in the direction of Ascen. “We shall show them, cleansing this world of their evil!” Bryce snarled.

  ***

  Claire sat next to the purple flames. She stared into the flames as scenes appeared in front of her.

  She saw different cities, towns, and villages with Guardian Flames.

  It created a network across Dena, information, control, the flames were more powerful than a hundred swords. They coordinate the attacks of thousands. Claire couldn’t operate the flames herself. They were created from the combined power of Dena, the power of the Guardians.

  Thankfully they could test those that dared to become a Guardian. It had been a great way to get a few minions.

  “How can you organize so many people? I’m here sending the messages but I can’t keep track of everything,” Gnock, a gnome Guardian, asked.

  “The last Guardian leader was out of the office most of the time. Kept sneaking around acting like a damn adventurer. He was a good leader, but he was a terrible administrator.” Claire shrugged. “Well I also don’t need to sleep anymore and I ran two countries for several centuries. It gets easier.”

  “Just running two countries over here, no biggie,” Gnock opened and closed his hands trying to pull the words he wanted out of the air. “That’s a very big deal!”

  The flame flickered and a face appeared.

  “Guardian Clem,” Claire said as she looked at the former beast kin slave.

  “The Church of Light have appeared at the outskirts of Ascen. We have pulled all of the people into the city. There have been some issues but we settled them. What should we do now?” Clem asked Claire.

  “What do you think you should do?” Claire looked at Clem.

  The panda kin scratched his head awkwardly. “We should defend, let the barriers take the attacks, wear them out.”

  “Then?” Claire pressed.

  “We, uh, drive them off?”

  “Drive them off. And what will a broken army of fanatics do if loosed upon Dena?” Claire asked.

  Clem deflated as he saw where her words were leading him.

  “Summon Guardian Braxus,” Claire said.

  A large dwarf appeared as Clem did as he was told.

  “I was having a nice nap. What is it?” Braxus demanded. He stroked his fine red beard that had been braided and barely tamed with iron bands.

  “War,” Claire said.

  Braxus’s angry expression turned solemn.

  “Tell him what you told me,” Claire said.

  Clem repeated his plan to Braxus.

  “Them fanatic types. Bunch of rabble thrown together. I’ll have a look.”

  “Teach them, Braxus,” Claire said.

  Braxus pouted and dropped his arms.

  Claire raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes ma’am. Come on, you moving tie-dye shirt,” Braxus said to Clem.

  “Should we be concerned?” Gnock asked.

  “We should have some reinforcements soon,” Claire said.

  A face appeared in the fires.

  “Damien?” Claire asked.

  “I have reports from across Selenus.” Damien pulled out a piece of paper. “Most of the doorways are reported to come from the southeast. A number of towns and villages were destroyed in the area. The legions that were training in the north I have been sweeping west. The forces in the Deepwood are pushing through to the north and pivoting east to clear through. We have information coming from some of the larger cities. The returning clan spirits has allowed them to regain some of their footing. I have passed word to them. Skalafell is at the center of it all.

  “There are doorways all around them. They are going to try to destroy the doorways closest to them in coordinated strikes to reduce the pressure. Their second targets are the conversion towers that have appeared.”

  “Pressure them from the inside and outside.” Claire nodded.

  Damien put down the paper. “That isn’t all. I found out about the forces deployed to the north. I have sent them orders telling them to cooperate with you. They told me that a legion was deployed to scout and attack Shivernsin.”

  “Is there any way to contact them?”

  “Not reliably. I had the fortresses send out runners. Also, I really want to get some Guardians out to the fortresses to organize them and clean up the ranks. I’ve started to clean up the units down here and it doesn’t look good. I have been doing Guardian’s Judgements and trials everywhere to try to cleanse Selenus and raise Guardians to keep people on the right path.”

  “We can just do our best. Send the fortresses orders to not attack our people. I’ll see if I can get some of our Guardians to sneak in and plant Guardian Flames. We still need to do the same on the human side and there are a lot more of them stuck in there.”

  “Anthony?” Damien asked.

  “He is moving through the different villages and towns that are harder to reach, creating Guardian Flames.” Clair
e couldn’t keep the worry out of her voice.

  “Something wrong?”

  “He might be undead, but he’s burning himself out, trying to do everything possible to try to help the people. I can’t blame him, but seeing him like that...” Claire felt guilty.

  If I raise the Guardians, will he be able to do his duty? Will losing me shatter him as it nearly did me? We need the old generation of Guardians if we want to win. We have secured a number of victories, but we are overwhelmed. For now we are holding. If the Drafeng secure their positions then everything will change.

  “Claire, when has Anthony ever been normal?” Damien asked.

  “Hmm? Uhh, no I don’t think so,” Claire said distractedly.

  “What are you planning?”

  “Why do you think I’m planning something?”

  “We have worked together for centuries. I’ve learned a few things.”

  “I have to make a decision, it won’t be easy. Though I have to think of Dena. I can’t be selfish.”

  “Don’t forget that you have friends to help you out.”

  “I know, but this is something I need to decide myself.”

  Chapter: A Foothold in the Sand

  Admiral Raye looked out at the land of ice and stone in front of him. Waves crashed against black stone shores with bays of black sand in between.

  Through his telescope, he could see the chaotic beasts waiting on the sandy shores and the crystal lines that had grown from the ground.

  “The other admirals are ready,” a signal officer said.

  “Then let’s begin. Captain.” Raye looked at Captain Devra.

  “Roll out the cannons. Prepare acceleration spells. Power the movement enchantments!”

  “Pass the order, Signal Officer,” Raye said.

  The signal officer sent up the prepared flags.

  The lead ship cut inward, pulling in their sails.

  It rocked violently from being thrown to the side. Its maw opened as cannons were pushed out into the salt water spray. One could see the glow from the enchanted cannons as the ship steadied.