Ashley's Warband staggered back from the explosion, drawing their weapons. They looked confused until the new Goblins shrieked and attacked. Suddenly Ashley was surrounded by battle. There were easily more of them than there were of her group.
This is no good.
She fired her staff up into the air, hoping to gain the Spectre's attention wherever it had gotten to.
Rebus was cringing behind her feet, obviously intent on keeping out of trouble.
"Cry of the Hunter," she yelled. "Do it now!"
"Yes Mistress," he said, and then let loose with his war cry. Even prepared for it, she winced at the power of the shriek. It had no effect at all apart from scaring the hell out of people, but it was enough for the moment.
The warrior leapt out of the whirl of magic that surrounded himself and Sam, sword at the ready. He looked like he'd been burned across his chest and arms, and he was bleeding from several slashes. Sam twirled around to face their direction as well. All of the Goblins stopped what they were doing, and turned to snarl in fear.
It didn't take Ravi more than a moment to work out that nothing was actually attacking him from her direction. He looked her up and down and sneered.
"And what are you supposed to be?" he said.
Happily, at that moment the Spectre decided to put in an appearance, and wafted into the clearing.
Ashley pointed at it.
"Come here, child," she said calmly.
The thing did as it was told, and the warrior's jaw dropped as the Spectre stopped, and then bowed before her.
Nice. Perfect. I owe you, dude.
She pointed at the new Goblins.
"You know me, my Children. I am the Night Queen. I have come to take you home."
"It true thing!" one of her Goblins yelled from the crowd. To her surprise it was one of the minor members who had simpered before her earlier. "Our lives for the Night Queen!"
Not to be outdone, Gravmok threw his sword in the dirt and turned his back to the new mob. He dropped to the ground in a bow before her yelling, "All our lives for the Night Queen!"
The rest of her warband followed his example, throwing their arms to the ground and dropping in front of her.
"Come," she whispered to the Spectre, and it followed her as she walked to the new group.
Their mouths were open, uncertain of what to do. Nearby stood five huge, fat creatures. She had no idea what they were. They carried various smashing weapons - hammers, clubs, and other wicked looking items.
It worked once before...
She went up to the nearest hulking thing. It towered over her and had fierce eyes and it stank like rotten meat. It was breathing heavily, and had not let go of its long spiky club.
She reached up to touch two fingers to the tough, leathery skin of its cheek.
"I am here. As the Arbrachit said. Follow me home."
She spoke quietly, only for the ears of this creature.
For a moment there was a wild, feral look that swept across its features. She could see that part of it wanted to smash her flat. But then it looked directly into her own eyes, and something like wonder spread across its face.
It wailed a strangely high-pitched warbling sound and dropped to the ground.
"Mistress!" it boomed with its face nearly in the dirt. "Mistress!"
That appeared to tip the balance. There was a crash of iron as swords and staves and knives hit the ground together. All of the new creatures joined the rest in bowing before her.
Leader, Minor WarBand - Band Size Increased (45); Group Promotion Near
HP Increase +23x10; Now 890
XP+500; Now 8050
MP increased now: 450
Tier 1 Class Specialization Now Permitted
"What the fuck?" Ravi the Warrior shouted. "What do you think you're doing? Get up!"
He kicked the rear of the nearest Goblin, which snarled and leapt up, grabbing its knife back from the ground.
"We follow the Night Queen now," it said menacingly.
The creature was obviously no match for the warrior, but the determination in its voice made him hesitate.
Behind him, Sam had his hand up, obviously restraining his summoned casters. But he was clearly waiting.
Ravi looked back at Ashely again. She saw his fingers twitch.
Then he snorted.
"The Night Queen. I'd heard... well, never mind."
He turned his head to look at Sam.
"It figures. It absolutely figures that I'd find you with her."
Sam let a quick grin flash across his face.
"It was sheer coincidence," he said. "But we are all in the service of the Night Queen now. You should listen to what she has to say."
Ashley cast her own Appraise, doing her best to barely let her fingers move.
Ravi of the Deadmoors; Barbarian [Ravager]; Level 53
Heart of Iron, Slayer of Innocents, Absolute Focus, Ascended Ravager (Merciless), Boone of Desolation, Authority of the Damned; Dark Councilor
"Ravi," she said. "I've heard of you. They say you're a great warrior. I'd be nothing but happy if you were to join us. You will have an honored position."
He frowned. It was obvious that the sudden change in the power balance had left him uncertain.
"Join you? What do you plan to do?"
Gravmok had clearly had enough of the attitude. He picked up his sword off the ground and hefted it, looking at the Warrior.
"I don't like this guy's tongue, Mistress," he said. "Do you want me to give it to you as a present?"
Ravi snorted and then laughed.
"I'd like to see you try that, but it would be over too fast to really enjoy. By all means feel free though."
Ashley waved a calming hand at Gravmok.
"I understand you were a high commander in the Demon King's army. Your experience will be important. As our first step, we will take Amiran Fortress."
Ravi looked like he wanted to make another snide comment, but instead he turned to Sam.
Like one equal to another. Fuck you Ravi.
"Is she serious?" he said.
Sam's eyes met hers, and for once he appeared willing to cooperate. He said nothing.
"The Night Queen is over this way, warrior," she said. "You need to get used to it."
He made a dismissive noise.
"If they hear you're coming, you'll have two armies standing in your way. Maybe more. You think you can regroup enough of the Damned in a few weeks of marching?"
She'd been pondering that herself. Really it all came down to trusting Andrew the Paladin. She couldn't entirely justify doing so, but part of her felt like she did anyway. It could all be an act of course - taking himself and that woman out of a losing situation and setting up a better one where they could take her crown even if they had to kill her this time. Even though she didn't really believe he would try.
All the same if I can't find two thousand followers before that, then I need some kind of backup plan. A trump card. Something I definitely don't have yet.
But she had a few weeks to come up with one.
"Yes," she said to Ravi, "They will certainly send their armies, but in the end we will march into Amiran and take it for ourselves."
He stared back at her for a moment, then glanced around at Sam again. The Necromancer nodded slightly.
"Fine," he said. "Since I've just lost my entire group, I guess I don't have much else to do right now. Let's talk and I'll decide what to do from there."
He certainly wasn't bowing down to her. She briefly considered sicking the Spectre on him just an example of what would happen to anyone who decided to take an attitude with the Night Queen.
But I'm still weak. That would be foolish.
She needed allies right now more than she needed automatic respect. That would come in time.
The shift in loyalty from his forces had obviously deflated Ravi's anger enough to get him to start talking. Now he sat opposite her and Sam, with Gravmok holding the NPC spot. She ordered the Spectre to lurk nearby though, just to make sure her message remained clear. The five gigantic creatures – Ogres all – sat in a cluster not far away, and rumbled back and forth to each other while ignoring everyone else.
She wanted to ask him one thing in particular, but impractical to do it privately right now.
"Ravi," she said. "Your presence is hard to sense. You surprised us all, I think."
She looked at Sam, who nodded.
He grinned.
"It's a useful skill for your top General, don't you think? I can be anywhere with very little warning."
Ashley noted that it was really only good for misleading other players, but it was yet another thing that needed some thought before she brought it up.
"I am Magister Militum," Sam said.
"Good for you. You wrangled spirits for the Demon King. Please tell me your qualifications for giving orders to cavalry and archers and fighters."
Sam frowned.
"Obviously strategy with the non-magical forces is your area," he said uncomfortably.
"Damn straight. You stick with the spooks and the casters and leave that to me. We might actually not get slaughtered that way."
"We must have a clear chain of command," Ashley said. "Especially as we grow."
Sam nodded but Ravi slammed his fist down on his knee.
"I won't play silly games with this. This one broke and ran when Harald's casters routed the Spectral AOEs and the Dragons. That chaos changed the tide of the battle."
He pointed at Sam.
"You aren't reliable. You're arguably a traitor. You certainly don't know shit about being Magister fucking Militum."
He glared at Ashely.
"You ended up with this guy by accident. That shouldn't preclude changing your plans when circumstances change. I am one thousand times the warrior he is, and actually know what the hell I'm doing with an army. He has no legitimate basis for this position and you should put me in his place immediately."
He sat back and crossed his arms.
Gravmok nodded gravely.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Ravi is a great warrior. Commanded many regmach. He is the strongest and smartest for that job."
Sam's face went red and he looked for a moment like he was going to do something to Gravmok.
Goblin respect for strength and status. Got to love it. Clears up a lot of politics quite easily.
If only it was that simple. She still needed Sam. At least for now. He remained one of her two magical heavy-hitters.
"What would be the Goblin solution here, Gravmok?" she said.
He shrugged.
"Weaker Goblin takes the stronger one as leader. Simple."
Then he appeared to reconsider his words.
"Not saying Sam is weak. He is strongest rechmalach here. Caster. Important job. We need him."
"Thanks so much for the vote of confidence," Sam said sourly.
The Goblin growled.
"Humans always make things hard. Strongest for job should lead. What so complicated?"
Ravi laughed.
"I agree with you completely Gravmok, and not just because I get what I want that way. Fitness to purpose should come before ego."
"That what I said," muttered the Goblin.
Ashley slumped back and rubbed her eyes. She knew that Ravi was right. Her own experience with Sam told her he was unreliable. That he'd stick with her until things looked bad.
Which is exactly when it matters.
Even Andrew the Paladin had said the same thing. It was a universal consensus from every side. But then again Ravi was a complete unknown. He was obviously competent, and someone like him was vital to building her army. But she had no idea what his qualities were and how reliable he would be. He was clearly arrogant and insubordinate.
Is that balanced by being the best man to command?
It was an unknown. But she couldn't change everything in one night based on nothing at all. It might even make her look weak. Like she'd been brow-beaten into accepting the change.
She stood up.
"This is my decision. Nothing changes for now."
She held up a hand at Ravi when he tried to interrupt.
"But Ravi is the man to command our non-magical forces. For now I place him under the Magister Militum. You, Sam, still have direct command over all the casters."
"That's me and the spook!"
"For now. Listen. Nobody gets to be anything without proving themselves. I will observe your qualities. If one of you looks like the one to lead my armies, or someone else for that matter, then I will change their positions."
She glared at Sam.
"You don't stay at the top unless you earn it."
Ravi frowned.
"I don't like it, but as long as he doesn't get in my way and handles the casters properly I won't make a fuss."
Sam looked suddenly indifferent.
"Whatever. This is all theoretical for now anyway. We don't have any kind of army."
Ravi pointed at him.
"That attitude is why you're not fit for the role."
Gravmok shook his head.
"Humans," he muttered.
By the time she finally collapsed into her tent she was actually excited to wrap the flimsy leathers and furs around herself and go to sleep. Rebus seemed to agree, and folded himself up in the driest corner without a word.
This cannot continue. I need a decent night's rest.
So she wasn't even a little bit surprised when the text popped up.
Contact Offer: Ravi of the Deadmoors (Barbarian)
She sighed and accepted it.
Ravi of the Deadmoors[4]: We can double the size of our forces pretty quickly. Should even make Sam happy. I know of a place not far from here. More Goblins including some mages. Plus a good number of fighters and more Ogres. We can be there tomorrow.
She'd finally taken a few moments to greet all the Ogres that had accompanied Ravi. They varied from level 10 to level 18, and they had all looked at her with big wide eyes and had grunted a few words of submission. All her best Goblins were still below level 10, so the Ogres were the next best thing she had after the Spectre. They were definitely a bit smelly though - she'd need to remember to keep them on the downwind side of any camp they made. But having a large batch of them would definitely be an advantage.
Ashely[4]: That's great really, but can we talk about it tomorrow? I'm seriously bushed right now.
She briefly thought he'd relent and leave her alone, but another message popped up.
Ravi of the Deadmoors[3]: I've been talking to some of your group. For level 11 you're doing surprisingly well. A lot of people would have lost it under these circumstances. Putting the fear of death into one of the Company, that's a nice piece of work. I admit I'm more encouraged than I expected to be. This could be interesting. Have a good night.
Given his attitude since the moment he'd walked into camp she was taken aback by the sudden change in tone.
Maybe I picked the right way to deal with him after all?
She hoped she'd made the smart choice all by herself, but couldn't help wondering about that little push that she felt from the crown now and then. It was subtle and easy to miss.
But there was no point in fretting about it. She had a real General at her disposal now. It was easier to start thinking about Sam in the past tense already. But she couldn't afford to just dismiss him. He still had lots of information that she needed, and uses to which he could be put. She'd have to stroke his ego for the time being at least.
She closed her eyes and slept deep and dreamlessly.
"Over there," Ravi said, pointing.
There was nothing to see apart from a jumble of huge rocks. It was obviously the remains of an avalanche, and a fresh one at that. Bright fractures and sharp edges on the stones made that clear.
They were on the edge of the great scar where the final battle against the Demon King had taken place. Even without her guides it would have been obvious that something huge happened here. The land was barren and scorched to the horizon, littered with dead, burned trees and churned-up mud. Like the Goblins had promised, there were bones picked white here and there as well.
She'd been taken aback by it the first time it came into sight around noon. The destruction seemed to have no end - it just went on and on to the horizon. In a few places dark, evil-looking smoke still spewed up from spots in the ground.
"We need to stay away from those," Sam had said. "Nasty stuff. Probably take years to dissipate."
It was scene of utter desolation that gouged itself into the forest and across the mountain range before them. Whole mountains in the distance looked to have been ripped open and shattered, with disarrayed foothills leading down to the great muddy plain where they stood..
Right in front of them was the nearest of the slides. The mountain - really just a big hill - was still mostly intact, but had several huge craters in its side, from which the maze of boulders had tumbled.
"You know the way?" she said to Ravi.
"Of course," he said, favoring her with a smile.
He was cocky. Annoyingly so. She felt like he assumed he was in control now, and in practical terms he kind of was since she had put him in charge of all the physical damage dealers, which was currently pretty much everyone.
The senior Goblins all seemed happy enough with it. The Ogres didn't appear to care. She supposed they were already used to fighting for him, and apart from being awed by the presence of the Night Queen they probably weren't sharp enough to pick up on any undercurrents of what was going on.
The Gnolls she'd kept with Sam. Strictly speaking they weren't casters of course, but they also weren't a lot of use in a fight and were more important for their crafting ability. So they stayed safe under his protection for now.
Plus this morning they had proudly presented her with the new boots she was wearing, which fit her miraculously well. Her toes were actually staying dry.
I wonder what a whole bunch of those guys could get up to?
The Gnoll Question needed exploration, that was for sure.
The remaining Kobolds she'd assigned to Ravi. The poor things looked lost and bewildered - they were pack creatures after all. With any luck they'd find a few more of their kind along the way. Aakshaz and Kazrhash were their names. They carried axes and some kind of polearm. For the time being they would just have to make do as honorary Goblins.
But to give Ravi credit, he'd formed them all up right away into something more organized than the rabble that had been tagging along with her and Sam. His bearing provoked obedience and respect from the Goblins and they marched along together looking like start of an actual army. Which they hadn't been doing under Sam's leadership.
And that's all very nice, but this is my army, not Ravi's.
She needed to make sure he was clear on that.
Soon he was leading them through a twisting maze of house-sized rocks that lay in such a close-packed jumble that sometimes they lost sight of the sky entirely. But he seemed to know his way.
She casually examined his back. He had a lot of scars, which wasn't surprising considering his total lack of armor. His skin was taught over clearly-defined muscles, though. He glanced back and caught her looking, giving her a flash of a smile.
In your dreams, Ravi.
She simply needed to assess the players who were with her. He was a gigantic threat from a physical standpoint of course, but unless he was particularly gifted at acting she didn't get the sense that he much resented the awe with which the Damned all seemed to view her. He was unlike Sam in that respect. As she could tell he appreciated competence and strength. So she at least needed to simulate those for now, until she could gain more actual strength and experience.
Ashley[4]: Well? Are you going to tell me how you're concealed from the contacts list? It's probably important to know this. Otherwise we're liable to ambush, no?
She sent the message expecting he'd see it later and reply, but to her surprise his answer came back right away.
Ravi of the Deadmoors[4]: It's an artefact. Conceals me from contacts, and also from some other high-level searches. Not impossible someone else has a similar ability, but I'd be very surprised if they had it in the same way.
She grimaced. That was a shame. She'd been hoping it was some kind of magic he could share, or talent she could develop. As an artefact it was probably a one-off ability.
It would have been very useful. Could still be if...
She cut that line of thinking off right away. She needed Ravi. Neither she nor Sam was competent to stand in his place. For now at least.
Ashley[3]: An ancient artefact that has an effect on private player messaging? That's a bit on the nose isn't it? They're not even trying to make it lore-friendly.
She saw his big shoulders shrug, and a few moments later his reply came through.
Ravi of the Deadmoors[3]: At least they don't force us to pretend while we're messaging. Appreciate small mercies I guess.
She really wanted to start digging into what other players thought. Sam wasn't the best partner for that discussion.
Ashley[2]: When I ask Sam about the world he doesn't seem very interested in figuring out why we're here. He doesn't even want to talk about it.
They had to clamber over a pile of boulders so nothing came back for a while, but once they were through he replied.
Ravi of the Deadmoors[2]: He's refusing to engage with anything except having enough power to stay alive and find a way out. I can understand it in one sense. Whatever reasons they have are theirs and they can go to hell, that's his attitude. He's not going to give them the dignity of pretending this is anything but a sham. But he's selfish and cowardly and unreliable, too. Maybe that's just who he is, but to me that says he's scared, bone deep.
He stopped and held up one hand. The two lines of troops marching along on either side of her and Sam stopped without a word.
Rebus was riding on her shoulders - she didn't really mind the weight of him around her neck. It was oddly comfortable. Even if his claws dug into her once in a while when she lurched the wrong way.
"We'll probably run into their sentries soon," Ravi said. "From what I've heard there's a lot of Goblin Mages, so let me do the talking. This will be a paranoid bunch."
Sam was still trying to get back in her good books.
"They will obey the Night Queen," he said. "You should know that by now. She took your whole band without lifting a finger."
Ravi grimaced and nodded back at Ashley.
"Be my guest if you want, though this bunch is not your typical set of randos. There are some less cooperative types here."
Ashley brushed past Sam and walked up to the front of the line.
"What does that mean?" she said. "They're all members of the Demon King's army right?"
Ravi dropped back to loom next to her. She was strongly aware of the bulk of his body - he was a bit taller than her, and just bigger in every way. He smelled like sweat too. That part was actually a bit of a relief from the relentless sour smell of dozens of Goblins.
Part of her wanted to just breathe it in deeply, but she resisted the urge.
"The Goblin Mages aren't frontline troops, and they're not known for being team players even within their own kind. They stand at the back and cast AOEs and debuffs and curses. But I hear they have a good number of Ogres with them, along with some wildmen too. The wildmen are rabble and hard to control at the best of times. We should get more actual fighters out of this at least."
"The Goblin mages are casters," Sam said. "So I should be the one to talk with them. We understand one another at least a little. I'll probably already know a few."
"The Night Queen goes first," Ashely said. "Besides, you need to recognize the impact I have on my children. They will obey me."
"Suit yourself," Ravi said. "But don't say I didn't warn you. I've been kind of avoiding this bunch up until now."
He'd told her that this was the biggest nearby cluster of the Damned in one place that he knew about, and she'd insisted they recruit them first thing. She needed more bodies, and the prospect of additional casters would give Sam something to worry about that wasn't Ravi. All the same she was proceeding carefully. It was obvious that both of them were feeling cautious, and she had learned to take follower concerns seriously.
But these were her children, after all. They owed their loyalty to her, so she had something Sam and Ravi could not hope to posses. But it was a given that any new creatures they brought on board were going to come with their own issues as well.
Such is life as the Queen of the Damned.
She continued to let Ravi lead the way while her warband marched along behind them with the Spectre at the rear. They twisted through broken boulders, sometimes having to turn sideways and go single-file to fit, for what seemed like an unreasonably long time. Not a sentry was to be seen, which appeared to worry him.
We must be deep inside the actual rockslide by now.
But their goal finally made sense when she saw it.
Their path ended in a rough open space with gray sky above, and a clearing that had somehow managed to stay mainly free of falling rock. In it was a crushed, shattered fortress which had taken part of the avalanche's power. Half of a battered tower reached up into the air until it terminated in ruins. A smashed gatehouse and a ripped open rock wall were guarded by probably a dozen Goblins, all of whom had arrows pointed at them.
Ravi looked at her.
"From this distance, I think it would be smart for me to say hello, okay? They will know me."
She needed to assert authority right away. That was obvious. Ravi would never stop trying to dominate any situation.
"No," she said. "You stay here please."
Rebus jumped down from her shoulder and looked up at her.
"I'm getting a strange feeling," he said. "Something's not right here. Something's different."
She didn't feel like there was time to look hesitant, so she just gave him a tiny shrug. With that she walked boldly forward into the clearing. With a flick of her finger she summoned her staff. She felt more like a proper magic user with a staff in her hand.
"My children!" she said as loudly as she could without shouting. "The Night Queen has returned, as the Arbrachit foretold! I am here to lead you home. Come to me."
She gestured at the Goblin nearest to her. He was tall, and he gave off a sense of authority.
Without a word he drew his sword, and he walked aggressively towards her.
"I don't like it," said Rebus. "Something is off."
I don't want this to start badly.
She was very tempted to throw up a shield, but that would look like she was afraid. So instead she took two slow, deliberate steps of her own and found herself face to face with him.
He is a tall boy.
The Goblin's sneer finally collapsed when she stared into his eyes, and she was thankful for that extra loyalty boost.
"Yes," she said. "I am not lying to you. I have come."
"Truly?" he said.
His diction seemed better than a regular Goblin, she noticed. She took his sword hand, and calmly pushed it down.
"I am gathering all of my children who were scattered across the land, and we will return home. The Demon King's time is over. Mine has begun."
She still sensed some hesitation in him though.
"Tell me what worries you," she said. "Is it that I'm not as strong yet as I will be?"
"Our enemies are fierce."
She nodded.
"Everything begins somewhere. I am regaining my strength. The Goblins who are with me can tell you what we have done so far. With your strength we will destroy anyone in our way, and I will gain my proper power back as well."
She shrugged.
"I am the Night Queen. I will love you and protect you when nobody else will. I will not let another Goblin die without need."
She wanted to dial back the I won't let another one of you die bit. That was clearly impractical.
"Mistress," the Goblin said. "I wish to pledge my loyalty to you."
He sounded sincere, and he looked pained.
"What is your name?"
"Remrag." He cast a glance at her own warband, who were lined up in formation in the background, obviously waiting for events to unfold. "I am superior to any of your Goblins here, I think."
"Then join us," she said. "Or tell me why not."
"We are bound. None may enter here."
"Bound by a greater authority than mine?"
He looked pained again.
"I cannot say."
"But we can't come in and you can't come with us."
"I wish to," he said. "Mistress, I cannot help it! If you try to enter we must kill you all!"
Anguish filled his voice, and the other guard Goblins had begun muttering angrily to one another.
I need to short circuit whatever the hell this is.
She held up her hand.
"Okay Remrag," she said. "Here's what I want to do. There are two humans with me, and both of them are very strong and experienced. Can we parley? Out here in the... courtyard? You bring your best ones out here, and we can all talk. Nobody is trying to get inside. This is just a conversation."
Obvious relief swept across his face.
"Yes, Mistress," he said. "Outside is good. We will bring food and drink."
She gestured back at her other creatures.
"Please feed all of us," she said. "I care for all of my children, remember."
Remrag nodded eagerly, and turned to his own Goblins and began barking orders.