57.

Erak spent the hours sleeping, eating, resting, and then finally being summoned back to the bridge by a runner. They had found him a small officer’s cabin that he had promptly taken over and for the first time in days he had taken the heavy armor off. His weapons were stacked neatly to the side and his armor was cleaned vigorously, the water in the basic growing black with every pass of the rag. It wasn’t the proper way to care for armor, but it was the best he had at the time.

He walked now, bare faced and without weapons to the bridge. Every step forward brought a new face to bear and each time he watched the myriad of emotions overwhelm them as they viewed the man beneath the steel. Horror, distaste, revulsion, and then pity. It had always been pity that he had disdained the most.

Stepping into the bridge brought a surcease of sound. Officers, royalty, an ancient war spirit, and a group of courtesans and royal guardsmen all turned to stare as he walked silently into the room. Illyria’s face had paled at the sight of him while Sammus looked grim. Rutledge was perched next to Sword and her eyes drank him in, voracious in their desire.

Sword of Empire merely smiled widely, showing her gleaming teeth. She leaned over the console everyone was gathered around and passed through it to stand before Erak. She towered above him, growing rapidly so not to be looked down upon. Her voice had changed from the bellows of the guns, to the howl of the wind over her hull.

“You are glorious, Bloodsworn. These fools do not understand that glory is earned in flesh scarred. A testament to your might, you live while all others lay buried.” Erak nodded at her words and stepped into the circle to look down at the console.

A holographic map of the city was made in miniature. Street blockages were marked out, burnt out buildings, enemy camps, and anything else of note. The pale red light of the hologram made everyone seem more grim as they finally tore their gaze’s off of Erak’s face.

“We were just discussing how to begin the assault,” Gressen began hesitantly. The older officer looked around and Erak noticed the stress had aged the man even further, to the point he looked frail and ready to keel over.

“We’re down to one tank. With Dull being deactivated we’ve lost the ability to produce any munitions of the artillery in the Armory and most of the larger weapons. The tank will be rolling with twelve blasts in the main cannon and a few hundred in the smaller weapons.” Gressen paused and swallowed hard.

“I will be leading the charge against the portal. Lord Bloodsworn will be in charge, but for the operational command it will be me, then Captain Brady.” He nodded to an older man with wispy white hair brushed across his mostly bald pate.

“At the same time of the decoy attack, we will begin the evacuation. We have supply vehicles that will hold most of the population of the Armory that won’t fit inside of Sword of Empire. The fuel won’t last long, but it should get them clear of the outskirts of the city and a few miles further. Nevia, you will be in charge of the column.”

“Sir!” Nevia protested immediately.

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“Lieutenant, you’ve done great work and I will commend you for it. Most of your command is dead though. Your platoon plus the walking wounded and a few supplementary units will be the only security presence we have for the escort. You will be hard pressed to clear the city. It is with hope and a good amount of borrowed luck that most of the eyes will be affixed to us.” Gressen dismissed Nevia after that, turning to look back at the map.

“As we begin the assault on the Cathedral and the forces massed there, Princess Illyria will activate the ship.”

“It will take at least ten to fifteen minutes after activating the core of the warship to gather enough Essence to fire upon the creature in the portal. It must be distracted,” Illyria said as all eyes turned toward her.

“Lord Bloodsworn, that is where you come in. With your weapons, armor, and high level, we believe you are the only one who can even begin to draw the creature’s attention. It will likely end in your near immediate death. The power of the guardian is immense. I’ve spoken to several survivors who were blocks away when its fire hit and they said it vaporized the area all around it with every cast,” Gressen warned him. Erak could swear there was a sliver of hope in the old man’s eyes that Erak would turn down the duty.

“I will honor my oaths and will kill this creature. Whether by force of arms or through trickery, it matters not,” Erak signed to the group. Most of them nodded, though the Colonel looked stupefied until Rutledge leaned in and whispered to him.

“Well, then the die is cast. We have a few hours until all our preparations are complete. I will not lie. This will likely be our end,” Gressen’s voice was sad and whispery as he looked out over his officers.

“What ruination has fallen upon us, I know not. I do know that it is foul and evil and our blood has bought just a few moments of time for our people. Let us spend more of it, for our people need every moment.” Gressen turned and left the group somber as he quickly gathered his officers around himself to finish out the last of the plans to start the distraction.

Beside Erak, Nevia steamed. He could almost see the steam venting from her ears her rage was so great. She turned to him, looking up without flinching and her gaze softened for just a moment.

“It has only been a day, Erak. Yet, this feels like a subversion of destiny. To fight beside you, even if death was the only outcome, would have been worthwhile. Duty though.” She shook her head with her face fixed in a grimace.

“I shall see you in the next world then, or perhaps you shall shock the world again.”

“I will face the creature in the portal, regardless of the outcome. If I survive, I shall seek you out and we shall hunt the demons once more. In the meantime, lead these people to safety,” Pomp said for Erak, emerging from his shoulder to curl around his neck.

“Pompous, I shall not miss you,” Nevia said, this time smiling. She turned and left without another word, shoulders square to brace against the disappointment. A good soldier with the heart of a warrior.

“I see, so the intrepid band is broken. Fear not, Erak, I shall stand beside you,” Sammus said with a wide smile. The lean man was dressed in an assortment of gear and a long curved sword hung from his hip.

“I do not fear the absence of your company, your highness. Quite the opposite,” Erak signed to the prince. Sammus faked a look of offense, holding his hand to his breast and gasping dramatically.

“Foul words, Erak. Foul. So, if I kill the beastie in the portal, does that make me the Champion of the Empire?” Sammus said with a smile.

“It means you have died and you dream of conquests that had been beyond your reach in the mortal realm,” Erak signed back. He turned to leave and the prince stuck with him.

“Erak, you wouldn’t have happened to find any food on your foray into the depths of the city?” Sammus asked.

Erak shot the man a look of loathing and hurried his pace back to his room. And his snacks.