Lily

“Peace friend.” Staz said, as K3 glared at him, and Unyielding oak approached with Harken at her side. “As I told Tiptoe here, I’m a member of lord Ronin’s team. I didn’t arrive at the valley until recently, but I came from the same place as our lord and the Owl team did.” Staz had to look up at K3 as he spoke, since he hadn’t resumed his standard appearance yet. The kaldarr towering over him with menace that Lily had never seen from the giant before. When he had followed her husband around, he was quiet and reserved, now, he was frightening.

“Is that so?” K3 asked, tilting his head to the side as he observed Staz. Lily watched from her outside perspective as he took in the camera harness the oni wore, along with the kanabo and his bare chest. “My lord left to help his friend Kevin out of a tight spot, he’d gotten crushed under a boulder as I remember it. Do you know if he was able to solve the problem?” Lily blinked at the question; she wasn’t aware of any such thing. Then she realized it was a trick question, meant to figure out if Staz was being truthful or not.

“To the best of my knowledge, he’s fine.” Staz said calmly, waiting just long enough to see K3’s muscles bulge, in readiness before he continued. “Only, as I recall. His name was Markus, not Keven, and he’d been shot by an enemy of our lord.” He’d never moved during the questioning, not even a twitch, but Lily did. When K3 had readied himself to attack, she’d found herself scrambling back on her bed, despite being days away from the kaldarr.

“Very well,” K3 said with a nod. “Very few people know the name Markus, and of those who do, even fewer know the circumstances around what happened to him. I believe you are my lord’s man.”

“We going to buy his story, just like that?” Unyielding oak asked with a scowl. She’d drawn her bow as K3 readied himself but stopped before firing when he’d relaxed again. Still, her nature wasn’t very forgiving or understanding. Lily knew she’d much rather kill a loyal follower of their lord then risk letting a spy into their midst.

“He’s who he says he is,” K3 answered simply. “Besides, I’ve been with lord Ronin for months. He wouldn’t have told just anyone that tale, so I am choosing to believe him… not to mention we’re on the clock now. If we’re going to take advantage of the distraction the traitors provide, we need to do it now.”

“Understood,” Unyielding oak said with a nod, putting her bow away. “So, how do you want to play this?” The kaldarr was clearly in charge of this operation since everyone was looking to him for his answer. Nearly all the people Lily had sent from the valley were here now. The bugbear whose loyalty wasn’t in question, Unyielding oak and her fighters, the thirteen kaldarr warriors who’d, after months of wearing slave collars, had decided to join in the fight, rather than be stuck as laborers. The only group that was missing were the goblins. Both the scouts and the food corps members were nowhere to be seen, apart from the lone team who’d helped put the grate in place and watched the tunnel as Staz descended.

“Once they come spewing out of the barn,” K3 began, doing a slow circle as he spoke to address everyone gathered around. “We’ll break into teams and cross the bridge. Stay low and move fast, we need to get to the edges of the cave and get as close as possible to the city before we’re discovered. Hopefully, the traitors will put up a fight, and the tear gas will distract the batlins long enough that we’ll have a chance of getting there. Just in case, however, the kaldarr along with several bugbear and elves will remain here, to shoot into the swarm and bring their attention to the mushroom forest, rather than onto us.”

Lily listened along with everyone else. It wasn’t much of a plan, as far as they went. Her mind went unbidden to the truck her husband loved so much, parked right outside her tent in the cave. If they’d been able to finish the tunnel all the way down, they’d have been safe from all ariel foes while in that truck. That, and several other ideas came to mind as she pictured her husband’s most loyal people risking themselves crossing the fields that spanned no less than twenty miles of open ground. Perhaps they’d overstretched after all. This sounded less and less like a good plan.

“Put your masks on,” K3 continued, as he held up a strange, shaped black mask and slipped it on over his head. It was leather and had a long, slightly downward sloped point on the end that looked very much like a bird’s beak. In addition, there were two round disks for eyes on either side of the beak. “There is a filter at the end of the large opening, which should help eliminate the tear gas from getting into your eyes and lungs. Just remember, the canisters will give you a head start, but they won’t last all the way to the city.” The lone scout team began passing out small cylinders, about the size of a drinking glass. They were sealed off on one end and had a tab sticking out from it. In addition, they hefted out four more of the machines that were even now pumping smoke into the tunnel.

Lily smacked her head as she watched. How could she forget about the ‘gas grenades’ and the ‘plague doctor masks’ Owl two had made for the troops. They would get as far as they could before they were noticed, then before they were swarmed, they would release as much of the tear gas into the air as they could to keep the batlins occupied while they ran for the city. The orange smoke would also serve another purpose. To alert the goblins who’d worked themselves into the city that it was time to act. Hunter and Silent step, along with Guts and all their people should have entered the city by now and be biding their time to attack when everyone was distracted by the orange smoke.

The troops gathered round, collecting their grenades, and donning their masks. Once the scouts had emptied the small tunnel of equipment, Lily watched as they faded away into the forest. She knew they were heading to take out the guards on the other side of the bridge. The camera angle was jostled when Staz moved forward as the troops lined up.

“Hold it,” K3 said, putting his armored hand out in front of the oni, “I believe you are who you say you are, but that doesn’t mean I trust you with the rest of my people. They’ve each proven their loyalty. And I won’t risk their lives, just to add one more set of hands to the operation. You stay here, with the gunner team. We have plenty of spare rifles, so don’t worry about not being able to help.” Lily frowned, not being used to this assertive version of K3, wondering what Staz would do under these circumstances.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll stay here, for now.” He added, moving back from the group as they finished getting ready. A short time later, the scouts returned, motioning that it was done. Lily watched as they filed into the mists, and, once the orange smoke from the farm caught the attention of the batlins that clustered over the ceiling in the tens of thousands, they dashed across the bridge as fast as they could move, while the swarm dived down into the orange cloud.

Lily could just make out the screams from Eric’s people, as they were forced from the barn and into the open. Many were coughing violently and rubbing their eyes to clear away the smoke. Those were the first to be taken by the bats, who dove down on them like lightning strikes. After that first dive run however, the batlins didn’t have it so easy. The tear gas had affected them just as it had Eric’s people. many of them swooped up and away, but, blinded by the smoke, smashed directly into their fellows. Lily watched as they tumbled from the sky in their hundreds.

“Form up,” she heard Eric screaming over the screeching mass of batlin bodies. “They’re nothing more than winged goblins. Crush them. We only have to hold until the smoke clears, then it’s back up to the valley for us… we’ll get that bitch Lily for this, believe that.” Lily felt a little resentful at that, sure she’d helped set this up, but it was nearly entirely Owl twos doing.

“You getting this, my lady?” Staz said with a chuckle that rumbled through the earpiece like thunder. “Looks like even here, your quite popular…” The giant trailed off as the surrounding batlins flew circles around the smoke, the larger hobats leading dozens of their smaller kin in tight circles. It looked like they too were waiting for the smoke to thin out. When, one of the hobats who’d been crashed into and spiraled down to the ground far from the town, let out a screech so loud it hurt to hear, even through the speaker in Lily’s ear.

It had come down close to one of the outer walls, and as it righted itself it had seen K3’s group. Only one of many, and not the first, who’d charged across the bridge. The hobats, not being able to safely enter the smoke to get to Eric’s people, changed tactics and flocked straight for K3 and his small group of men and women.

The kaldarr who’d remained behind saw the swarm change targets and acted instantly. They fired their guns until the magazines ran dry into the swarm, then dropped them for one of their helpers to reload as they picked up a fresh rifle, to repeat the process. The batlins fell, first in ones and twos, then the tens, before hundreds of them were raining from the sky under the hail of fire coming from the mist cloaked mushroom forest.

Chaos erupted in their ranks, chaos that was only compounded when K3’s team began throwing their tear gas grenades. As more of the field filled up with orange smoke, the batlins lost much of their cohesion. The whole time, the kaldarr shot them by the hundreds. K3 and his team were able to slip out of the swarm, and ran for all they were worth, having barely escaped without injury. The swarm however, led by another screeching hobat, had found a new target. The kaldarr continued firing as the swarm flocked in their direction. Doing everything they could to get as many of them as possible before they were forced to stop shooting and run.

Lily watched as the batlins got closer and closer to the kaldarr line. She started whispering for them to run, but they just kept right on firing. When the hobat led swarm was less than fifty feet away, the elves and bugbear got up and fled into the mists, doing what they could to disperse and hide themselves from the winged threat. The kaldarr, in contrast, kept firing. Right up to the end, not one of them turned their backs on the enemy. Lily let out a muffled yelp as the swarm washed over the still firing kaldarr gunners.

“Brave, but foolish.” Staz whispered aloud. “If they’d have run, they could have rallied later to provide more covering fire. Now… well, I’d be surprised if half of them are even still alive. Still, a noble end for warriors who were forced to fight for a master they didn’t choose.”

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“You think they died on purpose?” Lily asked, momentarily forgetting Staz couldn’t hear her.

“Looks like lord Ronin’s favorite soldier has gotten himself into trouble again.” The oni said, pointing towards K3’s group, who had joined up with Unyielding oaks team, and were both being swarmed. “Guess that’s my cue.” Standing up from whatever he’d been sitting on, the oni released his spell, and grew up to his normal ten feet. The camera gyrated around as he limbered up his arms and pulled his kanabo from behind his back. Lily grinned in anticipation of what he would do as he tore off towards the bridge, when Vara called her name.

“Lily, are you awake?” The words floated in through the tent’s flap, and Lily cursed. The battle was in full swing, and she hadn’t gotten the hand of watching through the contact and dealing with things right in front of her. She’d have to turn this off if she was to converse with Vara.

“I’m busy right now Vara,” she finally called, hoping her friend would take the hint and leave her alone. Staz had already reached the bridge, and was surrounded by batlins, who cut into his exposed chest as he pushed his way through the swarm.

“My lady, it’s important.” Vara called insistently. Lily cursed again because she recognized that tone. It really was important, or her friend wouldn’t have used it.

“Alright, alright.” She grumbled, pressing the button to turn off the feed as she rose from the bed and called. “Come in then,” as she wrapped herself in a robe and moved to her chair.

“My lady,” Vara said as she entered the tent, Owl two at her heels once more.

“Lady Lily,” the armored man said just after Vara, entering her tent for the second time in as many days.

“Owl two, Vara,” Lily said, a frown coming over her face. “I hate to be rude, but it’s improper for another man to enter the sleeping quarters of a lord’s wife. We don’t need rumors spreading, do we?”

“I’m sorry Lily,” Vara said, and sounded like it. Lily’s eyes sharpened on the pair once she saw how agitated her childhood friend was.

“What is it Vara?” She asked, getting to her feet. “Is there a problem in the camp? Have the locusts broken through the wall? I knew it was a risk pulling all our people out to help in the caves, but…”

“My lady, please, calm down.” Vara said, patting the air in a calming gesture. “It’s nothing like that, it's something that pertains only to you.” If Vara thought that would reassure her, she was wrong.

“Me?” Lily asked, getting even more riled up. “Is it Andessa and Tupelo? Did they betray us already?” she started pacing the tent, rubbing her belly that had started acting up again with the fresh agitation. “Or is it something to do with Andona’s remaining family? I know they…”

“Lily, please.” Vara tried again, only to be cut off as Lily continued to throw out increasingly more ridiculous ideas.

“You are pregnant Lily.” Owl Two said loudly, cutting across Lily’s babble.

“I’m… what?” Lily said, not sure she’d heard properly.

“You are pregnant.” He repeated in his unfeeling monotone. “Vara suspected something was wrong when you started getting sick. Coupled with the irritability, and mood swings you have been having lately, it was almost certain. Still, I ran a test to be sure. You are with child Lily… Now, if there is nothing else?” He asked, looking at Vara. “No? Then I will be going, I have a lot of work to finish before it’s too late.” He was gone before the last of his words drifted back through the tent’s flap.

“I’m… pregnant?” Lily whispered, sliding back onto her bed. “And what does he mean, mood swings?” She added with a bite to her tone. “Oh, my… It’s unexpected, we only… I mean, my lord was only with me the once, when we confirmed our marriage… Vasylia.” She jumped back to her feet again when she thought of her marriage night and her sister wife. “She was with our husband that night as well. Do you think… she’s in the assault… she’s attacking the city right now… oh no. Vara, what do I do?”

“My lady,” Vara said, stepping up and gently grabbing Lily by her shoulders. “I understand that you have the ability to observe what is going on down there somehow.” She said, doing a poor job of concealing the wonder in her tone. “But the undercity is two days away by tunnel. There is nothing you can do, the battle will be over before we could get a runner down there, and in your condition, you aren’t going anywhere near combat again for some months.” Lily groaned as she flopped backwards on her bed.

“This is so unfair,” she said, kicking her legs in the air. She was acting like a child and knew it but let herself act the fool anyway. It wasn’t every day you were told you were pregnant after all, and that your sister wife, who might also be pregnant, was two days away from you in mortal combat. “Ok Vara, thank you for telling me, but I’m going to focus back in on the battle now.” She said, coming to a decision at last.

“But my lady.” Vara said, brow furrowed in concern. “You just got important news, and the father isn’t around to tell. Are you sure you want too…”

“Thank you, Vara,” Lily interrupted. “But this is the best way for me to keep my mind off this, besides, Staz just arrived on the field and is trying to save K3. I must see how it goes and keep an eye out for Vasylia. No matter how it goes, I have to tell my husband what happened to his men, and his second wife.” Vara tried again to talk her into some other course of action, but she insisted, and before much longer Lily was back in bed. Button pressed on her earpiece as she closed her eyes.

It took long seconds for her to regain her bearings, but when she did, she realized Staz was still in the thick of the action. She didn’t know what had happened with K3 and Unyielding oak’s groups, because she couldn’t see either of them. What she could see was the city wall looming up before the giant, its gate being slowly forced closed by several panicked looking hobgoblins. She couldn’t focus on that for long, however, because Staz was being constantly swarmed with batlins.

He swung the kanabo so fast it was a blur. Each pass the metal club took through the air, brought numerous batlins to the ground. He was being hurt though, she could tell from the grunts he kept letting out, and the occasional splash of blood when a batlin made it past his guard to dig its taloned feet into the giant’s body. The offending batlins never survived the encounter, being pulled away and crushed in the giant’s free hand, but the damage had to be adding up.

Lily was astounded by his speed. She’d thought he was fast before, while running through the tunnels, but this was on another level. He ran so fast that not all the batlins who crashed into him were able to dig their claws into his flesh, because they were crushed under the combined momentum of their dives and his forward charge. Lily heard bones breaking as one batlin after another crashed right into the giant. At one point, she jumped in terror as a batlin smashed feet first into the camera she was watching through.

It broke free of the harness, swinging around and giving her a view of the oni, before it was disconnected, and her vision went black for a second. She was able to see a moment later through a back up camera, but even once her vision returned to the swarm around them, Lily’s thoughts were still stuck on the sight of Staz’s flesh as he ran.

The giant had been flayed bare. Long cuts ran down the length of his body, where long talons had dug into him, and strips of skin and muscle flapped freely as he bounced along. The blue flesh, so covered in red blood that the oni appeared purple to her eyes. She shuddered, how was he even alive, let alone still fighting and running like that? it should have been impossible, yet the giant was doing it.

The mutilated body of her husband’s newest follower wasn’t all she’d managed to see while the camera was flopping around though. She’d caught sight of K3 and Unyielding oak, running in the giant’s wake. The kaldarr was fully encased in his armor, but he still looked like a mess. Blood flowed over the black metal plates, and there were dents and a few cracks along the surface. He’d also lost his helmet at some point. His face, the brief glimpse Lily had gotten anyway, was set in a determined line as he ran.

Even as he ran, and swung his hammer at the batlins, K3 held his shield arm up and out to cover the elven leader. Unyielding oak was in even worse shape than the kaldarr, though not nearly as bad as Staz, who cut the way forward for them. She’d lost her bow, but even if she’d had it Lily doubted, she could have used it. The elf wasn’t a wall of regenerating muscle like Staz, or a nanite infused, genetically altered warrior like K3. It was a miracle that she was still up and moving at all, let alone fighting. Blinking away the memory of what were likely the only surviving members of the pair’s teams, Lily focused back on the new camera the feed had been routed through. This, at least, explained why Owl two’s harness had held no less than a dozen cameras in various locations across the giant’s body.

They were drawing near to the gate, the hobgoblins pushing with everything they had to close the massive stone gate, before the raging, bloody giant could make his way into the city. Lily could tell the moment they realized they weren’t going to make it, because seven of the twelve soldiers who were trying to close the gate, gave up and turned tail. Leaving only five hobgoblins who were still trying to push the gate closed. They too, decided that discretion was the better part of valor and turned to flee, but it was already too late.

Staz smashed into the doors like the White flame’s truck going top speed. The giant gate was far too big for even the oni to slam open, but its forward momentum stopped entirely, letting him slip through the gap and into the city. Three quick swings of his kanabo ended the lives of the five hobs who’d been trying to escape, before he turned around to help clear the entrance for K3 and Unyielding oak as they stumbled the last few feet into the city proper.

Thankfully, the batlins didn’t follow them in. It seemed the hobat her husband had questioned all those months ago had been telling the truth. The batlins guarded the cavern, but wouldn’t interfere inside the city, thinking it was the hobgoblins wish, since they’d killed all those who’d entered before. That didn’t mean they were safe, however. Even as the battered combatants stumbled to the ground inside the gate, a rain of javelins came crashing down on them. Blocked from death only by the intervening bulk of the oni, K3 forced Unyielding oak to drink the flask he’d pulled from his equipment harness. She tried resisting, but the kaldarr was much stronger than her, even at her peek and he forced it down her throat. He was likely planning on using his own nanite granted regeneration to recover, but Staz held out his own flask to the kaldarr before he could stand.

“Drink it,” Staz said with a grunt. The bloody javelins that clattered to the ground around him clued Lily into the fact he was pulling them from his own back. “Lord Ronin has a soft spot for you, I won’t be the reason you die. Now, drink. You have to get deeper into the city, and I have to go back out and save who I can before they’re all killed… here.” Lily’s view was jostled even more when Staz pulled the harness off and tossed it to K3. “Put this on, lady Lily is watching, or will be watching the recording if she isn’t watching live. So, give her a good show of you taking this city for our lord.” The camera now turned around in K3’s hands, Lily was finally able to get a good look at Staz’s body.

She screamed in horror, right inside her tent, having to shoo Vara away as she blinked back tears at what she saw. It was even worse than she’d thought. Blood, and strips of muscle were the least of the oni’s problems. One of his eyes had been clawed out, and his belly had been split. Thick, ropy intestines were spilling from his belly as he pushed them back in with one hand, while pulling out the javelins that peppered him like a pin cushion with the other.

“You can’t go back out there like that,” K3 gasped out. “You’ll die… None of us, not even me, can be more valuable to our lord than you. I can see you healing already, just find a place to lay low for as long as it takes for your wounds to heal, then you can try and get out of here. The boss needs…”

“The boss needs an army,” Staz cut in, now throwing javelins back at the hobs who’d ducked for cover once they’d thrown their weapons. “No matter how strong any one person is, a kingdom is built from the people who make it up, not the few at the top. Now, put that on and go. Something tells me the goblins are going to need your help.” With those cryptic words, Staz turned, and flung himself back out into the swarming batlins.