Chapter 132:

“Thank you.” The Dark Elf whimpered to Kal. He held her hand tight, completely uncaring for her Beast-kin limbs. “Thank you so much.”

Kal smiled, gently patting his head. “Just rest for now. It’ll take some time before your wounds heal and I don’t want to see any more. Okay?”

She patted the hand as it fell limp. The Dark Elf nodded, closed his eyes and instantly drifted to sleep. A faint white glow covered his body as Tethra’s prayer slowly worked to restore his body. His wounds were deep but not life-threatening, no missing limbs either.

We’re very lucky that we met Ferula and those books on magic. Otherwise, I’d only be able to help a few.

Almost all the Dark Elves in the large tent glowed, to some extent; all heavily wounded DuskReavers, and a few from the other Island Clans. Gerin had been swamped with requests for Kal’s abilities but he handled it well. For political favours. Kal helped those staring down death but the others would have to wait for another time. She didn’t have time or mana to create a healing artefact, which she didn’t know would work and would drain most of her mana, and she only had a few more moments within the fortresses walls. A pair of DuskReaver warriors stood near the entrance with a Sand Timer to their side. Very little sand remained in the top.

Verona sat nearby, watching the thin trail of sand pouring through the glass contraption. She said this device, this artefact, had some relevance to Anton’s original world, a strange world without magic. Kal presumed it had something to do with the writing etched into the Sand Timer in Gerin’s mansion. They had yet to hear from Anton or Cetina. She knew they would be fine but she wanted to hear their voices, but only when they were safe. A moment’s distraction was enough to end a life, something she knew all too well.

“Just one more.” Kal murmured.

“Did you say something?” Verona asked, her chin resting in her palms.

“I’m almost done.” Kal moved to the final Dark Elf. She bled heavily from many deep wounds covering her bandaged body, along with an amputated arm and a torn ear.

At least the Goblins didn’t bring her back to their nest.

“Then we need to head to the front.” Kal laid her hand on the woman’s head.

“Don’t use all your magic.” Verona squeaked as she stretched her back, pushing out her chest.

The Dark Elf warriors couldn’t help but steal a glance. Verona shot back a glare, the men snapped their eyes away as she chuckled silently. Kal finished her chant to being healing the woman over the next seven days. It still used a decent portion of mana but nothing compared to an instantaneous healing. Her pained face relaxed as the inflamed redness began to fade away.

Kal clapped her hands and returned to Verona.

“All good?” Verona raised a silver brow.

“They’ll live.” Kal smiled at the Dark Elf warriors. “And, hopefully, their wounds will completely recover given time.”

“Excellent.” Verona leapt up, hugging Kal tight. Kal sighed internally as Verona buried her head into her chest.

I have armour on. You can barely feel anything underneath.

“Are you done?” Kal pried off the hugging monster, much to her amusement.

“Better now. You haven’t heard anything from them yet?”

“Not yet.” Kal looked out of the tent. The fading mist drenched sunlight was slowly replaced by the faint purple hue given off from the top of the tower. “But I don’t want to wait much longer.”

“Yeah…Either way, there’s not a lot we can do without a portal.” Verona sighed. “If only Belinda hadn’t turned up for just a little bit longer. Then this would have been easy.”

Verona made for the exit, a Dark Elf warrior pulled back the sheet.

“Well, easier.” Verona chuckled.

Outside was still a disorganised mess. Kal had never been one for too much organisation until recently, living as a wandering vagabond hadn’t taught her much in that regard, but even she felt saddened by the lack of order. Warriors weren’t being left to die in the mud but it wasn’t far off. A small distance away she spotted Ceccitol and Tuccac speaking with a small group of Dark Elves. The small tassels they wore were red and dark green speckled with blue. She had no idea which clan they belonged to.

“Verona. Kal.” Anton’s voice echoed in her head. “Are you there?”

“We are.” Verona laughed, stopping and smiling at Kal. “Are you always going to start speaking with your wives like that? Like you would when writing to Cassius or Wilford.”

“Perhaps. Are you alright?”

“We’re fine,” Kal grumbled. “But don’t worry about us. We aren’t the ones that got attacked by bandits. Are you both safe?”

“We are. Cetina’s fine too. We had a few losses but nothing too severe. Our first run-in with enemy Principle Mages. I don’t think we…I mean I didn’t do that well, all things considered.”

“You couldn’t’ just burn down the forest around us.” Cetina calmly added.

“Yes. But I expected to be able to kill them more easily. One of them managed to almost rip my leg off, but we dealt with him.”

“How the fuck did a Mage almost rip your leg off?” Though Verona was speaking through her mind Kal saw her face drenched in anger, so much so the nearby Dark Elf’s gave her some space. “Are they still alive?”

“No. They’re dead. We’ll tell you about it later. But I need to ask you two something.”

“What is it?” Kal asked.

“Cetina? Could you please take off your necklace for a moment?”

“Okay.”

It was impossible to tell if Cetina had actually removed the enchantment.

“What’s wrong?” Verona asked.

There was a great pause before Anton spoke again.

“What did you tell Cetina to do? Other than just keep me safe?”

I knew this would come back to bite us.

Kal glanced at Verona. She was the one that did most of the speaking. And convincing.

“Umm…” Verona’s body swayed unnaturally as she tried to think her way out of this. Strangely those thoughts weren’t echoing through Kal’s head. “Well, if she’s already told you then I don’t need to explain much more. So, what do you think?”

“I was a little surprised when she told me that you told her to relieve me at night if I needed it.”

“That was the idea.” Verona mused, holding her finger to her lip as she dragged Kal along. “It wasn’t…sex per se, but things with her mouth and hands are still fine. She’s followed that part, right?”

“We haven’t done anything.” Anton sounded a little angry. “And why did you even offer her to do something like that? Aren’t I married to you two?”

“You remember when you took Kal as your second woman?” Verona asked. “We said that she was joining your harem. And that you would need one, for later. “

“I don’t remember that second bit.”

“And then I mentioned it when we were in Soulthor, but then the Mole Rats attacked before you could really answer.”

“I…I remember that part too.” Anton sighed very faintly. “So why-”

“Because you need people that are going to stay by your side no matter what,” Kal said adamantly, surprising Verona and even herself. “We won’t always be there to fight alongside you. So you need someone who’s loyal and strong by your side. Someone’s who’s never going to betray you for wealth or power.”

“And the best way is for me to have sex with them until they’d never think of doing that?”

“Is there a problem with that?” Verona asked honestly. “Cetina’s far from ugly. She’s strong, loyal, attentive, and she doesn’t have a problem with some certain changes. So why not? And she’s not the only one you’ve got an eye on either…”

Anton exhaled again. “Because I promised myself to you two and not-”

“Hold that thought.” Verona smiled wickedly, winking at Kal again. “You told me that people from your world normally only take one partner, right?”

“Right.”

“But you took Kal, and I mean you took her,” Kal felt her face redden at Verona’s words. They weren’t exactly false either. “Without really resisting. So why is this any different?”

“There’s a lot. Firstly, I’m married to both of you.”

“So long as they follow The Rules I don’t really have a problem with it,” Kal said. “If they do that I’m fine with a harem. So long as it doesn’t get too ridiculous in size.”

“And how many would that be?”

“Ah, so you are interested.” Verona teased. “I can hear it in your voice.”

“Stop it, Verona.” There was no real threat to Anton’s voice. “I don’t…I don’t know how I would feel about this. Or Cetina. Have you even spoken to her about this?”

“Not yet,” Verona replied. “Just the nightly attendant stuff.”

“I think we might have pushed far enough for today,” Kal turned to Verona. A silver brow was raised in return. “If we go too far it could put him off forever. You know, pushing back after coming across too hard.”

“Good thinking Kal.” Verona chuckled. “We made more progress today than I thought I would. If you notice, he didn’t say no. To you or Cetina.”

“I still think it’s a little much for you both to have asked of her,” Anton said after some pause.

“This is our chance,” Verona whispered.

“Speaking like this about something important just isn’t right. It’s kind of hard to get things across when we can’t see each other’s faces. We’ll talk more when we see each other next, alright?”

“Alright…You two stay safe.”

“We will.” Both replied in unison, eliciting a chuckle.

“Good luck in Qaiviel,” Kal said. “Don’t let them destroy our home.”

Anton laughed. “I won’t. I’ll talk to you both soon.”

Both girls relinquished their hold over their rings. Verona laughed as they continued towards the small group of Dark Elves.

“Nice thinking there at the end.” Verona sniggered. “End on a high note so he doesn’t question what we said before. And you’re always accusing him of being manipulative.”

“He is.” Kal folded her arms, her ears pulled back in defiance. “Sometimes he just doesn’t seem to know it.” Kal’s ears fell down. A gloved finger scratched on the tip. “He did that to me and he wasn’t even trying…”

Verona laughed, linking her arm with Kal’s. “It was pretty funny once I realised what was happening. Was I just slow for a while there? I don’t know. But we’ll get ‘em. Don’t worry. And we’ll make sure they all follow The Rules. They’re a pretty good list too.”

Kal nodded. She was second, even if Verona and Anton would never dare say or think it. So long as any potential haremettes didn’t try and jump ahead, and they followed The Rules, there wasn’t a real problem. Verona certainly didn’t have an issue. If anything the idea excited her. Unnaturally so.

I wonder if Verona’s corrupted me like she has Anton?

---[]---

Darkness had all but completely overtaken The Shadow Isles before they reached a small hill overlooking the front lines. The faint purple light from the tower hung high behind them, in front lay a massive field of brightly burning torches.

Verona groaned loudly next to Kal. While Kal had a better handle of the Jaguar Mount Verona was still struggling.

She’s sitting down when she needs to be standing up. Or maybe it’s those lumps on her chest that are dragging her down.

Verona rubbed her shoulders after dismounting the somewhat terrifying beast. She raised a brow as Kal looked at her but Kal didn’t respond. Verona would tease her for days for being jealous.

“This seems nice,” Verona said mockingly. “It’s a bloody war zone.”

She wasn’t wrong. Dark Elves, some riding the Jaguars but most on foot, fought a strange battle against a seemingly endless horde of Goblins pouring in from the black void beyond. They didn’t form a cohesive line, like humans or even Dwarves would, instead darting back and forth firing arrows and slicing Goblins apart that got too close. Small packs of Jaguar’s ran through the lines targeting isolated packs of Goblins with Chelium tipped lances, the distinctive blue metal shining brightly against the flickering light of the torches.

Kal sighed. “Anton would be far better in this place than us. He could just take out the forest and the Goblins would retreat. Though that would leave other problems.”

“We’d still like the forest in one piece when we’re done.” Gerin frowned. “Some of these trees are ancient, far older than the United Empire, and are very important to us.”

“Not as important as you all dying.” Verona folded her arms and overlooked the battle. “Nothing matters when you’re dead.”

Ceccitol shot her father a look, one that silenced his incoming rebuttal.

“So what do you want us to do?” Kal asked. “Our magic isn’t that destructive. Well, at least mine isn’t.”

Verona laughed. “Mine is short range. That’s what Anton called it anyway.”

“We’ll head to the command post and see what they need.” Gerin whipped on the reins, driving his temperamental beast forward. So too did the other Dark Elves.

Behind the fields of lights, Kal saw small camps surrounded by nervous guards, all equipped with bows and arrows nocked. Their attention lay squarely towards the running battles in the field of light. Every so often a group of Goblins would breach perimeter only to be struck down by a flurry of black arrows flying out of the darkness. Kal saw the Dark Elves hiding amongst the trees and shrubbery, silent and patiently waiting for their targets to arrive.

“Surely it can’t be this bad all the time,” Kal said. “Otherwise you would have fallen a long time ago.”

“Most nights it’s this bad but the days are generally quiet,” Gerin said. “They can see well in the dark. But that doesn’t matter when we can see too.”

Verona sighed. “I can barely see anything.”

Kal held her shoulder and chanted a prayer to allow her to see clearly at night. Verona blinked furiously to adjust to the new light level before winking at Kal.

The Dark Elf guards surrounding the largest of the tents, Kal presumed it to be the command post, twitched alert as they approached.

“Lord Gerin.” A warrior waved warmly. “Lord Vonkal is in the command tent if you wish to see him.”

“Thank you.” Gerin brought them to a halt just before him. The Jaguars were so close their steamy breath brushed against the nervous guard. “How bad are things here? It’s been a while since I’ve been to the front.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Not good.” The guard sighed, taking a step back from the beast. “Vonkal will be able to tell you more.”

Kal saw the blue and purple tassel attached to his neck. She didn’t know which clan this belonged to either.

Gerin and the other DuskReavers were allowed into the camp. The rest of the warriors were shown to a stable, of sorts, while Gerin, Ceccitol, Tuccac, Verona and Kal were directed to the larger tent. Unlike the Elder’s chamber, this place reeked of life and activity, though tainted by the presence of war. Dark Elves ran about, arguing and bickering over details on a giant map of the north of the Shadow Isles. Commanders spoke in rapid hushed whispers, pointing to the map to demonstrate avenues of attack. Servants moved between the groups with small plates of food and water. No one gave the servants a look of derision or hostility, they were treated as an equal part.

At least these people don’t smell of death. Thank Tethra that human’s and Dark Elf noses aren’t as good as mine.

“Gerin, you lovable bastard.” A Dark Elf, perhaps a little younger than Gerin, turned away from the map and smiled. “And I thought I would have to deal with all of this myself.”

Gerin shook his hand firmly. “If only we were so lucky. But we’re here now. You know of my daughter’s vision? It turned out to be true.”

“And how is little Ceccitol now?” Vonkal laughed, Ceccitol hugged the man. “I haven’t seen you since your wedding. Last I heard you were pregnant again.”

Ceccitol laughed, patting his back to tell him to let go, something Tuccac was eager to see. “That was a long time ago. But they are doing well. All three of my children are.”

“Three? Well, haven’t you two been busy.”

Tuccac kept his face flat but Kal saw the faintest hint of pride underneath his calm exterior.

“And who are these two?” Vonkal raised a black brow. “I haven’t seen a human in a long time. And...” Vonkal focused hard on Kal’s eyes. Kal recoiled slightly underneath the stare, it wasn’t a pleasant one, one that even Verona recognised.

“These are the help that my daughter saw in her vision.” Gerin frowned lightly. “At least some of them. It’s…Complicated.”

“I see.” Vonkal approached Kal, reaching out to touch her ears. “Are these real?”

“They are.” Kal’s heart turned to ice, the Dark Elf flinched at her stare. “And they’re not for you to touch.”

“Please restrain yourself, Vonkal.” Gerin tried to laugh things off. “He is somewhat of an eccentric but he is an excellent warrior and leader.”

“Not that great,” Verona grumbled. “It should be common knowledge that you just don’t touch someone without their permission.”

Vonkal was completely and utterly unfazed by Verona’s words. Kal made a note to keep an eye on him and anyone from his clan, just in case.

“Our introductions have been a little muddled up,” Gerin said. “Vonkal is the Clan leader of the Wind Runners. A fellow Island Clan.”

Vonkal snapped his fingers and ran to the large map. Three of the small northern islands had been completely marked red while another had the beginning of an infection of Goblins. He pointed to the island clockwise of the three infested lands.

“We’re here.” Vonkal seemed strangely happy. “No land bridge, so there’s that. But I think just about every warrior is on the front. Just like yours, right Gerin?”

Gerin grunted. “Yes…But with their help, many will survive. So keep your hands to yourself.”

Vonkal laughed as he gripped his hands tightly behind his back. Kal hated the warm smile on his face, it reeked of insincerity. She wished that Anton was here. If he’d tried to touch her he’d probably be writhing in pain from a lightning strike. Perhaps lying flat on the ground too…

“So what do you want us to do?” Verona asked, folding her arms. “I can hear the battle still going on outside.”

“It’s been like this for the past few days.” Vonkal sighed. He tapped the Green Moon Clan’s island, completely stained with red. “A lot have been coming from there. Most of the Green Moon weren’t able to evacuate, unlike the Red Wave and the Crescents Clans. So…” He shrugged as a female warrior whispered in his ears. “I think we all know what that means.”

Kal had no intention of witnessing a woman bloated with Goblin babies. The very thought that something so horrible could gestate inside her disgusted her with every fibre of her being. Anton and Verona didn’t talk about Mount Aspire.

“Thank you.” Vonkal nodded to the female warrior. She returned the bow but remained at his side. “My adjutant has just informed me that we have located a group of Goblins, behind the main force, that appear to be directing this attack. However…These seem different.”

“Awakened?” Verona asked.

“I don’t know what that is. But these have black skin.” Vonkal scratched his ear. “We’ve only spotted them because their iron armour reflected against the light. Most Goblins are essentially naked, so…”

“You’ve only come across the Greens and Yellows?” Verona asked.

“Then you’ve had it very easy.” Kal sighed. “No Blacks, Oranges, Purples or Reds.”

Not that we really know what the Reds’ do.

“I was not aware they had so many variants.” Vonkal glanced at his adjutant. “I thought they were large Yellows wearing mud or some sort of camouflage.” He held his chin in deep thought. “That would explain why they’ve been able to coordinate so well during the night. We simply haven’t seen them before.”

I’m sure Anton would say something about this.

“If we take out these Black Goblin Commanders will that be a start?” Verona asked, turning to Kal. “Otherwise it’ll just be you healing people until Anton gets here. No chance to show off your fancy arrows either.”

“I think I’ll stick to the lightning ones.” Kal detached her quiver and sifted through the arrows. “I might need some more soon.”

“We have thousands.” Gerin shrugged. “I’m sure you could borrow some.”

“I don’t know how much you understand about the Goblins-”

“Very little.” Vonkal sighed. “I’m afraid.”

“-You need to know that they arrange themselves based on colour. The Greens are at the bottom, then the Yellows then the Blacks. I don’t know where the others fit in exactly. But if they are being directed by the Black Goblins then killing them will cause the rest to break…” Kal frowned. “Unless there’s an Awakened with them.”

“I’d think they’d know.” Verona shrugged. “The ones we’ve seen aren’t the type to sit back and just watch. Like Fort Acidava. They were a tricky bunch.”

Memories of the Orange and Purple Goblins in the tight confines of the corridors of Fort Acidava came flooding back.

“No Demons,” Kal mumbled. “Thankfully.”

“If killing the Black Goblins would break their assault then we’d be extremely grateful.” Vonkal bowed his head. “Even a single day would give our warriors much-needed rest.”

“We’ll see what we can do,” Gerin said. “We’ll take our warriors and assist them. Do you have their location?”

“They’re on a small hill overlooking our lines.” The Adjutant said calmly. “However they are well beyond the range of our archers or mages. And the areas swarming with Goblins and probably traps.”

“I’d forgotten they could use those.” Verona scrunched her eyes tight.

The Adjutant solemnly nodded. “Many of our warriors have received grievous injuries from their hidden stakes.”

“If they were covered in faeces then that’s beyond what a Green or Yellow would be capable of.” Kal mused. “Perhaps a Black Goblin would be smart enough.”

“If Anton was here he could light up the forest,” Verona said. “Or have a fireball over our heads to illuminate everything.” Verona shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I can see perfectly in the darkness right now. So we’ll lead and take them out.”

“The Goblin traps will be crude but well hidden.” The Adjutant said. “But given enough practice, as we have, they are easy to spot. Most of the time.”

“Perfect.” Vonkal clapped his hands. He pushed the Adjutant forward. “Then you can go with them.”

“Me?” A bead of sweat ran down her face. “But, but I’m needed here. Organising reports and ensuring logistics-”

“We’ll be fine.” Vonkal smiled, patting her shoulder and pushing her forward again. “You’ve been complaining your deeds aren’t being recognised to the warriors while you’re drunk. Right? Well, now’s your chance.”

“I…” The Adjutant looked at him in fear, genuine fear, before resigning herself to her fate. “I understand.”

“Excellent. Please take care of her. Salvira is a daughter of one of my more important commanders. I’d hate for something to happen to her right when the DuskReavers finally arrive at my section of the front.” Vonkal pouted, something felt wrong by a grown man playing pretend like that. “It wouldn’t look good for any of us.”

What’s behind this? Is he just trying to get rid of an annoying subordinate? He didn’t know about us…He might have but he wouldn’t know about our abilities, we’ve barely spoken about them ourselves. We should be careful. Maybe we should ask her a few questions later. No, before we go. Just to be safe.

Salvira trudged to their side, her head hanging as low as the expression on her face. She looked like most of the other Dark Elves; dark skin, long ears and perfectly straight black hair. Up close she lacked the high cheekbones of most of the Dark Elf women but also their curves. Her chest armour was perfectly flat and so too were her hips, Kal could see a small rear but that was it. For some reason it made Kal feel better about her own.

“Can you handle a bow?” Ceccitol asked.

“I can,” Salvira replied, forcing herself to appear confident. “I may not be the best shot but I won’t abandon my position.”

No one asked you that part.

Vonkal silently agreed with Kal’s thoughts. Perhaps it was an annoying subordinate.

Gerin patted her daughter’s shoulder. “Can you lead this assault? I need to speak with Vonkal.”

“Of course father. We will return safely.”

“If you can’t get to them retreat. There’s nothing to be gained with a heroic sacrifice.”

Ceccitol hugged her father as Tuccac turned to Salvira.

“Get your bow, arrows and meet us outside,” Tuccac said. “You shouldn’t be doing much fighting, that’ll be left to the human and Beast-kin. You just need to make sure we don’t run into any traps.”

“R-Right.” Salvira’s fingers flexed. “I’ll, I’ll go get those.”

She almost spun in one place before darting out the rear of the tent. Verona shot Kal a look, she wasn’t too confident about this Dark Elf either, but they had little choice. Alliances between independent forces, even between the same species when their existence was at stake could produce some oddities.

“We should prepare as well,” Tuccac said. “I’m sure the ladies need to get ready themselves.”

“I await news of your victory.” Vonkal bowed his head before turning back to the map. He didn’t look towards them again, they had completely fallen away from his mind.

Verona chuckled as they left the tent. “I’ll need to borrow some more blood. Kal? Can I borrow your hand for a moment?”

---[]---

Kal stood at the edge of the camp, watching the constant battle unfold in the field of light. The Dark Elves never attempted to leave the relative safety of the light while the Goblins attacked with total disregard for their own lives. At least that wasn’t too different from their normal behaviour, at least when the Greens and Yellows were under the command of a higher ranked Goblin. Every so often a Goblin would get lucky and score a hit. Most were light wounds but she witnessed an attack that was clearly fatal, no one could survive an iron-tipped spear through the throat. Her heart grew troubled as the Dark Elves rushed forward to their fallen comrade, fighting off the Goblins before retrieving the body. But this was just a small section of the defensive line. And replacing a Goblin was far easier than a Dark Elf.

“Can you see them?” Verona asked, resting on a large empty crate. “With this eye enchantment thing, I can see them on those hills. There’s a lot more than they said.”

“I count fifty.”

“This all seems very strange,” Verona grumbled.

“Not if there’s an Awakened leading them,” Kal replied. “Remember Fort Acidava? They dug that huge pit for us.”

“Verona! Kal!” Ceccitol yelled from behind. She rode her Jaguar Mount and held the reins of their mounts, they certainly didn’t appreciate being in such close contact. “Are you both ready to go?”

“Sure.” Verona flashed her power, the red tattoos covering half of her body glowed bright. “I’ve got enough blood, and I’ll pick up the rest out there.”

“We just need to have a chat with this new Dark Elf,” Kal said. “We don’t know her and since we’ll probably be at the front…”

“I understand,” Ceccitol said. “Doing something foolish like that wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility for the Dark Elves. Salvira shouldn’t be too far away.”

“I’m here.” Salvira approached with Tuccac beside. Both rode Jaguar Mounts but Salvira’s was slightly larger and had a red sheen to its otherwise black coat. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to ride this guy.”

She rubbed the giant cat’s neck. Its face remained unmoving.

“Well…” Verona glanced at Kal. “I can see something wrong already.”

“What?”

“You don’t have any arrows,” Kal said flatly, slowly shaking her head.

Salvira’s hands grasped at empty air. Her face drained of colour as her head darted about.

“No.” Salvira whimpered. “Not again. This is why I wanted to stay in the command tent.”

“You forget your arrows but you can still organise logistics and troop movements?” Verona asked, gently approaching her Jaguar.

“It’s the fighting,” Salvira admitted. “The noise…I always lock up and freeze when I hear it.”

“Even in a warrior’s society?” Kal asked, taking the reins for her mount. Hers looked slightly annoyed that it would have to be running again.

“Yes.” A dark elf presented Salvira with a quiver of black feathered arrows. “Thank you. I was in this position before the Goblins became a threat. And I can’t just leave.”

“I guess so.” Kal deftly mounted her Jaguar. “But Vonkal seemed very glad to send you out.”

Salvira looked down and refused to answer.

“Another time.” Ceccitol nodded to the battle lines. “Every moment we waste is another dead Dark Elf.”

Tuccac and the majority of the DuskReaver mounts arrived.

“Salvira.” Kal caught the nervous Dark Elf’s attention. “Tell us where there are likely to be traps and ambushes. So stay near the middle.”

Her breathing calmed, the grip on the reins relaxed somewhat. Ceccitol didn’t have to speak a word and signalled for the Dark Elves to charge. They silently rode out of the camp and into the illuminated fields. The fighting Dark Elf warriors saw the large group of riders and parted, a few smiled and waved. The Goblins, still attacking in unrelenting waves, tilted their heads at the column of Jaguars charging towards their lines. Some brave Goblins attempted to hold them, holding their small wooden spears but without armour, they were easy prey for the Dark Elf arrows.

“There’s a trap!” Salvira pointed between two large trees.

To Kal’s eye, the ground looked wrong, the leaves had been deliberately moved in a poor attempt to hide something. Ceccitol signalled for the group to turn away. Verona threw a blood shard as they passed. A thin layer of branches and leaves into a deep pit bristling with dirty and wet stakes. No one said a word and continued forward.

“Where are these things?” Tuccac asked.

The Black Goblins did blend into the black inky surroundings but they weren’t completely invisible. Bright iron patches reflected the dim light of the stars perfectly.

“I could take out most with one of these.” Kal drew a lightning arrow. This one, just like the one from Jaka, had taken most of her mana but it would undoubtedly kill almost every Goblin on the small hill.

“Fire as soon as you are able,” Ceccitol yelled back. “They’re getting quite thick here.”

The Goblins emerged from the bushes and trees, screeching frantically as they threw themselves upon the Dark Elves. While they weren’t able to strike the rapidly moving Jaguar mounts their numbers continued to grow. Wherever Kal looked all she could see were more and more Goblins. Far too many Goblins.

They could just charge in at once and overwhelm the front. So why aren’t they? What are we missing?

“Go right,” Ceccitol ordered.

She directed them towards a thinner patch of Goblins. Something tingled up Kal’s spine.

“No!” Salvira yelled. “Go straight! There’s a giant pitfall trap that way.”

Kal couldn’t see it but the Goblins were directing them slightly away from the hill. Ceccitol took a second glance at Salvira and ordered everyone forward. The Dark Elves released a flurry of arrows, knocking the Goblins down like wheat, but there were simply too many. With tooth and claw, the Jaguars crashed into the Goblin lines. Their hides were no match for claws larger than hands, the Goblin resistance simply evaporated before them.

“I think I can get them from here,” Kal yelled.

Ceccitol brought everyone to a halt, everyone wordlessly formed a tight perimeter and began to fire at the attacking Goblins. Compared to the fields of torches these came in great waves, far too many for the Dark Elves to reasonably handle.

Kal drew back her bow and whispered a prayer to guide the arrow. As she loosed something felt off. The arrow soared through the air, crashing into the massed group of Black Goblins in a shower of lightning and sparks. Every Black Goblin fell but the assault continued with even greater intensity. Something was very wrong.

“Maybe they do have an Awakened here.” Verona shrugged.

She threw the shards into the charging Goblins, each cut allowed her to control more and more blood. The shards multiplied and formed a spinning circle around them. The Dark elves lowered their bows, every Goblin that touched the shards was ripped into a thousand pieces before adding its own blood to the swirling defence.

Something bothered Kal. Though they could call this foray a success the Goblins had yet to give up the attack.

“When the Red died they kept on coming.” Kal murmured.

“Are you serious?” Verona kept her arm outstretched, barely taking a glance back at Kal. “If that’s true we need to retreat.”

“But you’re killing so many.” Tuccac raised a black brow. “I-”

His head snapped up. A Green Goblin dropped onto his head. The small stone blade stabbed at his neck but he grabbed its arm before it could do any damage. He snapped the Goblins neck and tossed it aside, holding the small wound shut.

The trees above them rattled and shook. Greens and Yellows clambered up the rough bark, some slipped free but the tree’s bark pulsed and surged upwards with Goblin hides.

“Retreat!” Ceccitol yelled. No one defied her order.

Verona threw the shards up to form a swirling mass over their heads. Un-phased by the change the Goblins leapt towards them. Tiny chunks of Goblins splattered over them, Verona held her head down and covered her face. Without the blood shards at ground level, the Goblins could attack once again. The Jaguar’s speed and strength were too great to overcome, even though Kal saw many running with a decided limp to their stride. As the returned to the field of lights the Goblin attacks lessened and were picked off by the Dark Elf warriors roaming the field. They continued running until they reached the safety of the tents.

“What happened there?” Ceccitol asked. “You said the Goblins would break if we killed their leaders.”

“Normally they would.” Kal dismounted, gently rubbing the Jaguar’s neck, something it appreciated. “But if there’s a higher ranked Goblin nearby-”

“Or we simply didn’t get them all,” Verona added. She relinquished control of most of her blood, letting it splash onto the dry dark grass. “You all saw how many I just killed, right? Probably over a thousand. Maybe. I think for our first day we did alright.”

“And we didn’t fall into any pits.”

“Thank Stratos.” Salvira whimpered lightly. “I didn’t expect this when my husband got me this easy position.”

“Really…” Verona frowned ever so slightly.

Kal kept herself from rolling her eyes. To be judging someone so soon after meeting them…

“Get the Jaguar’s to their stables,” Ceccitol ordered. “And tend to their wounds. Kal? Could you please help? We need them all in top fighting condition.”

“Certainly. Tethra’s power works on animals too. I’ll need some mana vials if you have any.”

“So what’s the plan now?” Verona asked, manoeuvring her mount closer as the others left. “Are we going to attack in the morning?”

“We try to push forward then.” Salvira began. “But there are so many Goblins that everyone’s tires before we can take any land. And we go through arrows like crazy.” A wistful set of eyes turn to the command tent. “So many…” She sighed loudly. “I want my old job back.”

“Maybe Vonkal can.” Verona chuckled. “I think Kal knows what to look for now.”

“That would be so nice.” Salvira smiled. “If he’d actually let me.” Her black brows furrowed lightly. “His mood changes so quickly.”

Kal found her hand reaching for her ear. “A few thousand dead Goblins is a good start. I’ll give your best archers my enchanted arrows. Better that they kill something than just stay in my quiver.”

Ceccitol nodded. “After you’ve healed the Jaguar’s could you meet us back in the command tent? We need to plan, properly this time.”

“I think we did alright for our first assault.” Verona shrugged. “We ran in, killed our targets and when that didn’t work we ran back out. And no one’s dead. I’d consider that a win.”

“Until we can get Anton,” Kal began. “And his magic, mainly his summons, we should focus on keeping the Dark Elves alive. I’ll spend most of my magic healing the wounded while Verona uses her magic to cut down their numbers so you can push forward a little.”

“That might be enough.” Ceccitol smiled. “The attacks have thinned somewhat already. If nothing else the Dark Elves will be indebted to the Beast-kin. I don’t think something like that’s happened in a long time.”

“How many did you think I killed anyway?” Verona asked with a sly smile. “Honestly?”

Kal didn’t want to stroke her ego too much as looked towards the small hill and enhanced her sight. Amongst the Black Goblin corpses, something moved, shining red against the faint light of the stars. A Red Goblin, with a diminutive twisted left arm, overlooked the field. Its eerily human face showed no emotion, no annoyance or elation at the progression of the battle. It eyes flicked up, almost causing Kal to gasp. The Red turned its attention to the main camp, again with zero emotion. Behind it, a Black Goblin emerged. It looked more similar to an Orc than a Goblin, in size and stature. In one hand it held a large white mace, a small green shield in the other. Kal waved her hand frantically for Verona’s shoulder.

“Where?” Verona asked, bringing her Jaguar alongside hers.

Kal gave Verona the same eye enhancement and pointed to the Goblin pair. Verona groaned.

“Fuck.”

The Red Goblin said something to the giant Black Goblin, waving its good hand across the field. The Black stared at him unblinking. Eventually, the Red waved dismissively and retreated from sight. Kal relinquished her hold on Verona and her own enhancement.

“What’s happening?” Ceccitol asked aloud. “Is this what you meant by breaking?”

The battlefield quickly fell silent. Dark Elves stood stunned as the Goblins slinked back to the forest, clearly resisting something pulling them back from the fight, but obeyed nonetheless. A few Dark Elves fired trailing shots before becoming lost and confused. Slowly they retreated to the final line, none knowing what had just transpired.

“No.” Kal bared her teeth. “No, it doesn’t.” Kal removed her helmet and ran her hand through her hair. “If only Duchess Belinda hadn’t turned up until spring.”