OGRES.

As the last light of the day begins to disappear from above the mountains, Primrose meets with the family in the dining hall. The dining room is big, but when there are no visitors staying, the family use a small, eight-seater table to have their meals. Kur sits at the head furthest from the exit, Set and Minerva usually sit on either side and Horus sits next to Set. Primrose takes a seat next to Minerva.

PRIMROSE: We’re meeting for dinner quite early, aren’t we?

KUR: I thought you’d all want to know immediately that I got word of Ares. Apparently, he fought through a horde of ogres and should be here soon. This evening, maybe.

HORUS: Does he not know there’s more ogres somewhere near us?

MINERVA: I don’t think fighting ogres bothers him.

HORUS: Knowing him, he’ll take down hundreds if it means getting home to his girl early.

PRIMROSE: I’d rather he wait until morning. Ogres are nocturnal, aren’t they?

HORUS: Yes. Have you ever fought them?

PRIMROSE: Not yet. We don’t really get ogres by the beach. Lots of goblins, though.

MINERVA: I fucking hate goblins.

PRIMROSE: Yes. I wonder which are worse, cave goblins, or water goblins?

KUR: Goblins are a nuisance, but not much of a real threat to anyone who knows how to defend themselves.

SET: Goblins are the only thing I’m ever allowed to fight.

HORUS: You’re too young to fight ogres, Set. You have to wait until after you’ve been to the academy. Quit whining all the time.

Suddenly, an alarm sounds. The servants rush from the room while the Sabers all stand in their place and start shedding their jackets and jewellery. Primrose stands tentatively beside them when Nail rushes in.

NAIL: Sir! More than sixty ogres have been spotted descending the southern peaks towards the city. Some have already reached citizen homes.

KUR: We’ll approach in a broad semi-circle, ensuring to cut off any coming in from the sides. Send the owls out to scout for any others.

NAIL: Yes, sir!

The servants come back, laden with armour and weapons. Already dressed for battle themselves, they work quickly to help the Sabers. Osprey goes to Primrose with her things.

OSPREY: Will you ride out, my lady?

PRIMROSE: Um…

HORUS: You can ride with me. Use your strongest arrows. Ogres have thick hides.

SET: What should I…

KUR: Stay indoors. Let’s move out, everyone.

The family rush out, leaving Set and Augustus by themselves. Set trails along behind and watches them leave from the front door.

SET: …The ogres came from the south, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come here. Did you lock up the kennels yet?

AUGUSTUS: No, we—

SET: The dogs will try and attack if one comes here, there’ll be a bloodbath! Go lock them now and bring back Kahmen.

AUGUSTUS: …Yes, Master Set.

SET: Hurry the fuck up, don’t be such a pussy!

Augustus rushes out to the kennels. When he gets there, he finds most of the dogs are missing. Panicking, he runs out and starts whistling for them, when he hears barking from around the corner. After a moment of hesitation, he runs towards the sound. He stops short when an ogre steps out from behind the wall, mess of dogs snapping at its heels. Augustus goes to run, but the ogre closes the distance between them in no time. Taking hold of Augustus, the beast lifts him clean off his feet and tosses him gruffly to the ground, where Augustus lands harshly on his side and cracks his ribs. When he scrambles to get up, he sees the ogre lurching towards him, club raised. Before Augustus can rise to his feet, Set comes flying in from the side, sword raised. Skidding past the ogre he leaves a large gash in its stomach, and as it turns to face him the dogs charge in, lunging for flesh to latch onto. Set continues to slash as the ogre staggers in confusion, and eventually, Set manages to wedge his sword into its neck. It falls to the ground with a thud and Set stares at it in a moment of disbelief before sprinting over to Augustus.

SET: Shit, are you okay?

AUGUSTUS: …I…I…

SET: Fuck. There’s probably more of them, we need to get back inside. Go!

Set helps Augustus to his feet before running the dogs back to the kennels. Augustus staggers to the castle and collapses onto the floor. Gritting his teeth against the pain in his ribs, he takes a moment to examine the grazes on his arms. Set comes in a moment later.

SET: The dogs are away… Shit, Augustus… Okay, we need to get you upstairs. Ogres can carry traces of poison in their hands. Can you walk?

Augustus nods, accepting a hand up yet again, and leans into Set as they walk together to the infirmary. With Python gone, Set helps Augustus on his own. Once the dirt and stones are cleaned from his skin, Augustus finally begins to calm down.

AUGUSTUS: …I’m alright, Master Set. I can finish this.

SET: Shut up. I’m not completely useless. I can bandage an arm.

AUGUSTUS: Master Set…

SET: I’m sorry, alright? I fucked up. I should never have asked you to go out there by yourself. I’m a fucking idiot. I’m sorry. Let me do this.

AUGUSTUS: Master Set…

SET: Some of the dogs got badly hurt. I’m going back out there to try and rescue them as soon as I’m done here.

AUGUSTUS: …

SET: Just don’t tell my dad I sent you out there by yourself. Please? I regretted it almost as soon as you left.

AUGUSTUS: Master Set, please listen. I’m fine, and I won’t say what happened. I don’t want your father whipping you, despite how satisfying it might be.

SET: …you don’t?

AUGUSTUS: I’m vehemently against corporal punishment.

SET: Makes sense… Really, Augustus. I know you hate me, but I never meant for you to get hurt. You’re sassy and shit with a sword, but you’ve looked after me most of my life. I’m sorry I put you in danger. It was irresponsible.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t hate you, I hate how you treat me.

SET: Same difference.

Set finishes bandaging Augustus.

SET: Get Python to look it over when she gets back. I’m going to see the dogs.

Set hurries to leave. Augustus grabs him by the arm.

SET: What are you doing?

AUGUSTUS: It’s not safe out there. Wait for your family to come back.

SET: I have family bleeding to death in the kennels. Let go of my arm.

AUGUSTUS: What if there was more than one ogre? You think you can fight off another one? You’re not even wearing armour. Besides, I can’t let you go alone.

Set stares at him a moment before wrenching his hand from Augustus’s grasp and running away. Augustus goes to run after him but stops in pain — his ribs aren’t letting him go anywhere. He lies down instead, head pounding.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

In the city south, sirens blare through the empty streets as people peer cautiously out their windows, watching closely for signs of life. Some ogres bash on the walls of the homes furthest south while others continue pressing forward through the town, oblivious to the danger that is coming for them. The soldiers of Cragg strike forward with alarming speed, halting the ogres from progressing. Kur and Horus both wield giant swords that cut through the ogres, whereas Minerva has poisoned her blade and attacks less directly. Primrose is also incredibly helpful with her archery, as she takes down several from a distance. It’s a bloody mess, but eventually, the ogre numbers start to dwindle, and some begin to retreat. Nail approaches Horus while other soldiers keep fighting.

NAIL: Orders, sir?

HORUS: Finish up here, then spread out. Keep civilians inside until mid-morning. I want complete scans of the mountains.

NAIL: Yes, my lord. And clean-up?

HORUS: Minerva needs the monster parts for her elixirs. Line the bodies up and she can take it from there.

NAIL: As you command.

HORUS: I’m going back to the castle. Tell the others.

Nail nods and Horus goes back to find his horse, where Primrose is waiting for him. They meet up with Kur and Minerva on the ride home and arrive back to the castle together. Set is in the entryway as they walk in, wiping himself down.

SET: You’re back already.

HORUS: Yes. What happened here? Are you alright?

SET: There was a minor setback. Python, can you go check on Augustus? He’s in the infirmary.

OSPREY: My lord?

HORUS: Yes, Osprey, you can go with her. Set, what happened?

SET: We went outside to shut the dogs away and an ogre came out of nowhere. I killed it, but Augustus was hurt.

KUR: You went outside while there were ogres storming our city?

SET: Yes. I…

Kur grabs Set’s chin and squeezes.

KUR: Don’t ever do something like that again. It isn’t safe. What if you’d gotten hurt? What if there’d been more of them? You could have died.

SET: I know. I’m sorry, father.

HORUS: Father, if there was an ogre in our garden, there’s probably more. We should go back out and scout.

PRIMROSE: I’ll go with you.

KUR: Alright. Minerva, keep an eye on your brother.

Kur, Primrose and Horus go back outside, taking Fairfax with them.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

MINERVA: You just lied about something. What was it?

SET: Shut up, Minerva. How was the fight?

MINERVA: It was fine. Primrose is amazing with that bow and arrow. No wonder we lost so many soldiers to Tijora. Did you kill the ogre all by yourself?

SET: Yes.

MINERVA: Augustus didn’t help?

SET: He played the role of a distraction, but otherwise, I killed it myself. Why is that so surprising?

MINERVA: Because it is. That’s very impressive. Well done, Set. Come on, leave this mess to Elizabeth. Let’s go upstairs and wash up.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

In the infirmary, Python is tending to Augustus. Osprey is sitting by the bed, clutching Augustus’s hand tightly.

OSPREY: Are you sure you’re okay?

AUGUSTUS: I’m sure. I was just shaken up, mostly.

PYTHON: You’re lucky it wasn’t worse. Those ogres can really pack a throw.

AUGUSTUS: Really, I’m fine. Sore, but fine. Can I claim any time off work?

PYTHON: Of course. Two days. I’ll have Marsden approve it tonight.

OSPREY: Thank goodness Set was there to intervene. I hate to think…

PYTHON: Let’s not think.

AUGUSTUS: No, it’s alright. I just… I keep finding myself reliving it, you know?

PYTHON: That’s normal. It must have been scary…

AUGUSTUS: Not that. Set. I’ve never seen…

OSPREY: …it’s pretty amazing the first time you see a Saber in action, huh? A lot different from the training drills we’re used to.

AUGUSTUS: He was incredible. He’s so small, I always assumed…

PYTHON: A dangerous assumption many will make throughout his life, I imagine. The ethereal bond Saber’s share with steel is no joke.

OSPREY: Are you really sure you’re okay, Augustus?

AUGUSTUS: Yeah… Can I go to bed now?

PYTHON: If you can, you should go see Master Set. Tell him you’re taking the two days and thank him while you’re there.

AUGUSTUS: Alright…

Augustus doesn’t move. Python and Osprey give each other the sly eye before Python puts a hand on his shoulder.

PYTHON: Are you sure you didn’t hit your head? You’re acting a bit concussed.

AUGUSTUS: …I… I really thought he’d let me die. Even if he only saved me because he thought his father would be angry, I still thought… I mean, no-one was around. He could have let me die, made up a story and got away with it. Why…

OSPREY: Sounds like a question you should ask him. Go on, go see him and go to bed. I’ll come see you once Primrose and Danielle are good for the night, okay?

AUGUSTUS: …Alright. Hey, don’t mention this to Tiger.

OSPREY: Why not?

AUGUSTUS: Just… don’t. He’ll worry. I’ll tell him tomorrow.

Augustus drags himself up, staggering a little but walking much better after Python’s magic. Augustus makes his way through the servants’ corridors and up to Set’s room, where he enters through the walk-in robe. Set barely looks up from his sword as Augustus comes in.

SET: Wasn’t sure if I’d see you again tonight. How’s your arms?

AUGUSTUS: They’re fine, but I bruised my ribs pretty badly. Python wants me to take a couple days off in case there’s further damage.

SET: …I see.

AUGUSTUS: …Master Set, I wanted to—

SET: Take the whole week if you want it.

AUGUSTUS: I’m sorry?

SET: I can survive without you for a little while. Don’t rush to come back if you need more time.

AUGUSTUS: …Two days will suffice, Master. I just wanted to say—

SET: Please don’t quit.

AUGUSTUS: …What?

SET: I was reckless and sent you out into danger and you got hurt and you want to quit. I’m asking you not to.

AUGUSTUS: …Are you going to let me finish what I have to say?

SET: Gods damnit, Augustus, why do you always have to be so sassy? Alright, fine. Say your piece.

AUGUSTUS: I actually came to thank you. For saving me.

SET: …Are you stupid? I’m the reason you got hurt in the first place.

AUGUSTUS: Yeah, you are. But you didn’t have to come outside, and you didn’t have to put yourself in danger to save me.

SET: As soon as you left, I knew I made a mistake. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t know, Master Set, but tonight I thought you were brave. I’ll be off to bed now, so I’ll see you in a few days.

SET: Just to be clear… you aren’t going to quit?

AUGUSTUS: This job? You pay for my family’s whole life. I’m not leaving until you do. Why do you care?

SET: …I need you here. Especially now we’re having a solstice party.

AUGUSTUS: You’re going away to the academy, Set. You need to learn to stand up for yourself.

SET: …you’re dismissed, Augustus.

Augustus leaves without another word. A little while after, Horus walks in.

HORUS: There you are. We found two more ogres, but that seems to be all of them. We found the ogre you killed. It didn’t look like a quick fight.

SET: I suppose not. I didn’t have the strength to kill it on the first strike.

HORUS: But you did kill it.

Horus sits down next to Set.

HORUS: Father was right about what he said. You shouldn’t have gone out there just the two of you. It was reckless.

SET: I know… I feel really bad about Augustus.

HORUS: You do?

SET: It was my idea to go outside, after all.

HORUS: Well… he’ll be alright, so I wouldn’t fret on it. You’ll be more thoughtful next time.

SET: Yeah…

Horus wraps an arm around Set and kisses his temple.

HORUS: I’m proud of you. I still can’t believe you’re going to the academy in less than a year.

Set’s eyes fill with water, and Horus laughs.

HORUS: Go to sleep. I’ll see you at breakfast.

SET: Wait. Are you alright?

HORUS: Of course. A bunch of ogres aren’t anything new to an old man like me, are they?

Just as Horus is on the way out, Kur enters.

KUR: I came to reprimand the boy, but I see you had a different approach.

HORUS: He’s already been told off twice for fighting an ogre. You have to admit, father, what he did was impressive.

KUR: Certainly not. If he’d faced two ogres, he’d be dead. Set, you disobeyed my orders. You’re on room arrest for the rest of the week.

SET: Yes, father.

KUR: …I’m glad you’re okay, son. Next time, though, sacrifice the butler and save yourself.

Kur exits. Set looks to Horus for confirmation, which Horus gives.

HORUS: Well, I need to go shower. Are you sure you’re feeling alright?

SET: I think so.

HORUS: Hm. Well, to be safe, come stay in my room tonight.

SET: Seriously?

HORUS: Yes. I want to keep an eye on you, just in case.

SET: …okay. Thank you.

Do you think I have a chance of surviving knights training?

HORUS: I think you can survive anything. Your Heir Ignis ritual proved that.

Set and Horus go back to Horus’s room. Set climbs into bed and stares at the ceiling while Horus goes to shower. With the door closed, Horus takes a moment to look at himself in the mirror. His reflection looks shockingly like Kur. After he’s showered, he goes back out to find Set still staring.

HORUS: Go to sleep, Set.

SET: I can’t.

HORUS: …Do you think I look like father?

SET: What? All of us do, don’t we?

HORUS: I used to think I had some of mother’s features. The older I get, the more I see dad.

SET: I think I’m going the other way. Aside from the hair, sometimes I don’t think I look a thing like him.

HORUS: Lucky bastard. Close your eyes, Set. Father will be on your case tomorrow; you can’t afford to be awake all night.

SET: …I was supposed to study.

HORUS: You’ll study tomorrow. Sleep.

Set rolls over and closes his eyes. Horus reads until Set’s asleep, then quietly slips out of bed and steps outside. He bumps into Fairfax in the hallway.

FAIRFAX: Oh, hello Master. Sorry I’m so late, there was an awful lot to help Marsden with.

HORUS: I assumed as much. You can go to bed now, Fairfax.

FAIRFAX: My Lord, regarding what you mentioned earlier, I implore you to at least wait until Ares is home. Lord Kur…

HORUS: We’ve delayed long enough. I need to talk to him now. I won’t sleep if I don’t.

FAIRFAX: Then… Shall I keep Python on standby?

HORUS: No, Fairfax. I’ll be fine. See you in the morning.

FAIRFAX: Very well. Goodnight, my lord.

Fairfax leaves, and Horus climbs the stairs to Kur’s room. There’s a dim light from under the door. Horus knocks loudly.

KUR: Come in, Horus.

Horus goes into Kur’s bedroom where he comes face to face with a large fireplace and a picture of Kur and Eleanor. Kur is by the fire, drinking whiskey. Horus goes over and sits in the adjoining chair.

KUR: You’re too conservative with your killings. You always were.

HORUS: There’s a time and a place for excess bloodshed. Painting the city with ogre blood will cause unnecessary panic. The less mess, the more in control we appear.

KUR: The faster we kill the monsters, the less chance there is for casualties. Your mother taught you that, but I suppose you can’t be expected to remember everything from before she died. I assume you came here for a reason.

HORUS: Yes. I don’t want Ares doing whatever it is the queen is asking of him.

KUR: Is this a joke? Do you hear yourself?

HORUS: You know better than any of us how dangerous Ares can be. His magic isn’t stable, even in small doses. He can’t do whatever she’s asking.

KUR: The queen’s word is law.

HORUS: I bet I could overturn that word.

KUR: Stop it, Horus. You may not challenge the queen, ever. Ares will do what he’s told.

HORUS: Aren’t you scared for him? Don’t you want your son to be happy?

KUR: You think forcing him to disobey the queen’s orders will make him happy? He’ll do what the queen asks. Him being dangerous could very well work in his favour if he’s facing something dangerous.

HORUS: You didn’t answer my question.

KUR: Yes, Horus. I’m scared for Ares. I’m scared for all of you. But I trust Ares will be alright. He’s always been independent, and he’s taken care of himself for this long. Stop letting your fears consume you. You have a bad habit of mothering your siblings.

HORUS: …I do not.

KUR: Hm. By the way, did you notice anything about the ogre Set killed?

HORUS: You mean that it took several attacks?

KUR: No. You didn’t see anything…odd?

HORUS: Just tell me what you’re getting at, dad.

KUR: You didn’t think there was considerably less blood than there should have been? Given the number of lacerations, don’t you think we should have seen more spatter?

Horus’s eyes widen as he turns his gaze to the fireplace.

HORUS: You…what are you saying, exactly?

KUR: You know exactly what I’m saying. I think Set summoned fire to his blade.

HORUS: Set…is a fire elemental?

KUR: Maybe. It’s not unheard of for certain elemental powers to remain dormant until adulthood. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Horus shakes his head at the statement and draws his eyes to the portrait of his parents.

HORUS: …The days are starting to get cold. Mama’s birthday will be here soon.

KUR: I know.

HORUS: Will you be okay this year?

KUR: …I think that depends on how safe I think my children will be once I’m gone.

HORUS: You know I’ll always take care of them.

KUR: I know you’ll try. I’m still not sure you’ll be any good at it. Goodnight, son. We can talk about Ares more when he gets home.

Horus leaves without complaint, taking Kur’s bottle of whiskey on his way out. He’s had several swigs by the time he gets into bed. When Set wakes up, Horus is sleeping heavily beside him, the bottle on the bedside table. It’s missing a lot. Set silently takes a big swig as he gets up before heading off to tend his dogs.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The following morning, Augustus wakes up early and rather than get up, stays in bed to read his book. Osprey stops by his room on his way to breakfast.

OSPREY: You’re here. Not used to seeing you in the mornings.

AUGUSTUS: Day off, remember?

OSPREY: What’re you reading?

AUGUSTUS: Hmm? Oh, it’s a fictional recount of the war between Lee and Chan.

OSPREY: Still on the history books, huh?

AUGUSTUS: It’s hardly history if it’s fictional…

OSPREY: Right, right. That’s not why I’m here. How are you feeling? How’s the ribs?

AUGUSTUS: I’m… fine. Really. Still trying to process everything.

OSPREY: Probably still spooked, it’s only natural. You’re safe now, they scouted the whole area and there’s no sign of anymore ogres. Okay?

AUGUSTUS: Sure… except…

OSPREY: What now?

AUGUSTUS: That’s just it. What now? Set’s leaving for the academy in less than a year, and I don’t know if I’m going with him or not.

OSPREY: Well… what do you think you should do?

AUGUSTUS: Being a squire is good money. Mama and papa really benefit from us working here.

OSPREY: How do you think you’d go at the academy?

AUGUSTUS: …I think I’d be a disaster. I doubt I’d pass squires training.

OSPREY: I don’t understand it. You’re a big, fit guy. Why didn’t you take to the sword?

AUGUSTUS: It’s barbaric.

OSPREY: Against humans, it’s barbaric. Against ogres, it’s lifesaving. But you don’t want to stay working here forever, anyway.

AUGUSTUS: Don’t I?

OSPREY: Of course not. You don’t like Set, and you hate working for him. You’ve never really tried with the dogs, even.

AUGUSTUS: Yeah, I fucking hate the dogs.

OSPREY: But they’re his pride and joy. You could at least work harder for his sake. He has to study and train, you know? He needs you to help him pick up his slack. That’s a pretty core part of being a squire.

AUGUSTUS: I do help him pick up his slack.

OSPREY: Of course, you do, but do you think you’re doing the best job you can?

AUGUSTUS: No. I hate this job. Why should I give it my best?

OSPREY: Because in a job as demanding as this, it’s all or nothing. If you’re not doing your best, people will treat you like you’re doing your worst. You shouldn’t be here if you’re not going to give it your all.

AUGUSTUS: Hmm.

If I’m not working here, though… what am I doing? If I want to do anything that makes money as good as this, I’ll need a degree, which we can’t really afford. I don’t know if we can afford for me not to go to the academy, you know?

OSPREY: If you don’t want to be his squire, don’t do it. You’re smart, you could do anything you wanted. And we talked about this. I have money saved. We can get you into university if that’s what you want to do.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t know what I’d do there.

OSPREY: Medicine. Tax. Farming. Mining. Anything that pays well. Just get the fuck out of here. You’re too good for this place.

AUGUSTUS: I’m surprised you’re trying so hard to get rid of me.

OSPREY: It broke my heart when you started working here, Augustus. You were a smart guy and I really thought you go could off and do whatever you wanted, and you wouldn’t have to go through all the bullshit I went through. I started working here for you, and you ended up stuck in here with me. All I want is for you to get out of here, same as Crow. You deserve to be happy. You won’t find that here.

AUGUSTUS: …what about you?

OSPREY: Lord Kur, at best, should only have forty years left in him. He won’t be acting Baron for all that time. Besides, I’ll hopefully be leaving to live in Tijora someday. I definitely don’t want you here if I’m not here to look after you.

AUGUSTUS: Forty years is a long time, and Kur will never really be out of your life.

OSPREY: I’m okay with dedicating my life to the Sabers, Augustus. Really, I am. I love Ares, and I’m devoted to this family. But I also love you, and you need to get out of here. You aren’t safe. Especially not with your temper.

Osprey’s watch beeps, and he checks it quickly. A smile creeps onto his face.

OSPREY: Ares is here. Just seen coming up the path. I better go. Make sure you go down for breakfast soon, okay?

Augustus nods and Osprey rushes out without another word. He sprints all the way to the servants exit by the entryway before fixing himself and stepping outside to wait. Horus is already there with Fairfax, and Primrose, Minerva and Set join them not long after. Osprey can barely contain his smile.

PRIMROSE: He’s finally home! I barely slept, worried he’d tried to ride through the night.

HORUS: There he is. I thought he was bringing a shaman with him?

MINERVA: Probably left them behind so he could show off for Primrose.

PRIMROSE: Aww!

Sure enough, as Ares approaches, he dismounts from Venus with a flashy jump that lands him at Primrose’s feet, where he sweeps her into an overly affectionate hug. Kur comes outside at last, prompting Ares to finally put Primrose down and stop smothering her with kisses.

ARES: Hey everyone! I’m home.

HORUS: Glad you’re here safe. I thought you were bringing someone with you?

ARES: Yeah, about that. She’s riding up now, but I need to warn you…

MINERVA: Oh my gods, Ares, is that Moonie?!

They all turn to look. Sure enough, Moonie is approaching on her goat.

ARES: …yeah, so anyway, Moonie is going to be training magic with me for the next couple of months. Surprise.

Everyone stares at Horus, waiting for his response, but his eyes are transfixed ahead, watching as Moonie draws closer.