Chapter 150 Enemies Abroad and Enemies Within.
I’m a crowd, a herd with many brains.
I shall follow, the one who entertains.
One who promises, but won’t deliver my gains.
Yet, everyone wants to be a part of me.
Despite the reins and reigns.
Mayan, the Ocean Fairy.
“Excuse me?” Ovin’s polite voice comes from out of my tent.
I get out of Kolag’s embrace and fix my dress. “Come in.”
A dark haired man bound in brown roots and green vines is thrown at my feet. “Here’s the assassin.” Ovin says with a shit eating grin.
Salik at his side gives him the evil eye. “The assa…”
Ovin cuts him before he can talk. “They mentioned some king. It’s not the same group who tried to assassinate you, it’s someone else. They’re coming from Blue Cypress City.”
“I see… Interesting. Thank you, Ovin.” I crouch near the assassin. “Are you going to tell me who sent you, or do we have to do this the hard way?”
“A-hem. Can I request a reward?” Ovin asks.
“Sure, what is it that you want?”
"One spell from your spellbook. One that I pick."
"I already told you that it's not an option."
"Then some of your potions. The ones that heal up a slit throat."
"Sure. I give everyone some of my potions just for emergencies. You simply weren't there when I made the last batch. Here." I float him a couple of flasks from the nearby wooden box. "The one with the red strap is for healing injures, the black strap will numb pain, and the green strap is to nullify toxins."
“Understood. Thank you, master, you are very very generous.” Ovin looks at the flasks as if it’s a small pile of gold. He snatches them from the air and inserts them into his belt.
I turn to the bound assassin, take out an owl feather and chant. “Revatol revisarisoroar. Atrevi revisarisor quiri to revisor keshla shin koarr rakvis. Atrevi revshak quiri oarsorak.”
I move my hands in the correct gestures and place my thumbs on his forehead and mine. “Are you going to tell me who sent you?”
“…Snakes snakes! This is all wrong! That’s my target?! This little girl? I’d never kill someone this young no matter how good the pay is or how much magic she has! Snakes! I have bigger problems. How do I get out of here alive? There’s this creepy wood sorcerer, and that knight looks like trouble and… Wait, what is she doing to me? Why is she putting her thumb on my forehead like this? Is this some magic? I have obsidian it shouldn’t work… Unless the creepy wood sorcerer took it? Snakes!”
King Beydor… Beydor… the name is familiar… Ah! That idiotic archmage’s son from the tower! We fucked for gems when I just started… So he’s here… And he’s sending assassins after me? At least this assassin isn’t a psychopath like the last guy, seems like a decent person... For an assassin. “Let’s just talk, if you tell me what I want to know, I’ll let you go and might even give you role to play.”
He’s trembling visibly “She’s lying. Of course she’s lying. No one just lets assassins go. I’m dead. I have to…”
“I’m not lying, and yes I can read your every thought. I know King Beydor sent you already.”
His brown eyes open wide with horror. “I’m dead. There’s not much I can offer her other than… No no no don’t think about it don’t think about it!”
“Don’t think about what?”
“King Beydor’s invasion plans he… No no no! snakes! Rotten snakes in a jar! I can’t!”
“Look. I already decided I’ll spare your life. Your first thought was about how you wouldn’t harm a young woman like me. You didn’t know I’m reading your mind, and people aren’t capable of controlling their own thoughts as I just proved about King Beydor’s invasion plans…”
“Snakes… Does she really plan on letting me live?!”
“Oh yes. I want you to carry a massage to Beydor for me. We’re acquainted but I’m pretty sure he didn’t know it was me when he sent you after me.”
Kolag stirs. “Acquainted? Beydor? That fat brat from the tower?”
“Fat brat from the tower?! Calling that to a powerful sorcerer king who reigns over five cities?! These people have some peas!” “Ok… I’ll talk, can you please stop reading my mind?”
“No. I’m reading your mind to ensure you aren’t lying to me. You’re not in a position to negotiate about this.”
Kolag grunts, hand clenched around the hilt of his dagger. “I’m going to kill that arrogant sack of fat!”
“Kill that arrogant sack of fat?! To King Beydor?! He’s the son of the arch sorcerer Archon of Heavens. If his father hears of his death he can erase this whole island from existence! Who are these people?!”
“And I’m the daughter to the Maven of Mysteries. She’s just as powerful. Look, we know Beydor, sort of. He wouldn’t send you to kill me because he’s in love with me. He didn’t know it was me, because I’m using a different name. You’re saying he’s planning to invade my cities?”
“Yes. After you die and they’re left in a disarray, he's currently invading Queen Tiara's cities. He’s waiting for our report.” “I’m so dead. I’m useless now, she’s just going to kill me…”
“No. I’m not going to kill you. Ok. Here is what I want you to do. Go back to your king. Tell him that I’m the princess who bought the ‘Kinetic Burst’ Spellbook from him at the price of thirty six gems.” I grimace at the nickname, but I remember it nonetheless. I remember everything, and I bet Beydor would too. “Tell him that I’m currently looking for allies, and that I’ve already achieved my training goal on this island. I’ll be leaving as soon as my mother contacts me. When I leave, he can have my cities for free.”
“Wait… Leaving? Give away cities for free? What does that even mean?”
“Just memorize it. Or better yet, I’ll write it down in a letter for you. Just deliver it. You’re free to tell him everything that happened here.”
Kolag stomps angrily. “Marisha? A word?”
I sigh and cancel the mindreading spell. “Sure. Everyone out. Salik, get the men ready for another march in a few days. Get a messenger to Red Cedar to prepare for a possible enemy from the river, and place… umm… What’s your name, assassin?”
“Vem, Your Grace.”
I hand the necklace that controls the Men of Arms to Salik. “Place Vem under guard. He’s jumpy and might run, so I want him bound and watched, but treat him well. He’s a good man.”
Salik tips his straw hat with a sarcastic smirk. “Of course, Your Majesty.” Ovin turns and leave. While Salik directs a pair of soldiers to drag the assassin out of my tent.
I turn to Kolag and switch to Toml’a. “Go on?”
Kolag lowers his helmet slit to face me. “You want to ally with the man who forced himself on you?! Why?!”
I look up and catch a glimpse of his gray eyes behind the dark metal. “He didn’t. I sold myself to him like a Koshavi’s Zephyr. I was desperate back then, I needed the gems and the training. He’s rather obnoxious, but he never forced me to do anything against my will.”
He takes a deep breath. “Fine. But why ally with him?! You know what he’s like, he…”
I cut him off. “Because we have too many enemies right now. We don’t have enough soldiers to defend three cities. I have no idea how many men he has under him. We have the mysterious assassins from Sajarev, and a bunch of orcs sitting out here. We’ll have to push them far from the city somehow or they’ll start raiding caravans for slaves… I need allies. Other than Tiara who's apparently under attack right now."
“But why him?” he insists.
“Because he’s in love with me and I’m using it against him. Because he has already made his move without knowing my identity, and this is my most convenient move to counter that and give him a pause. Because it sounds like his land is quite stable if he has five cities and currently planning an invasion of more. I could use a stable stronger ally. Now that I have a ten thousand souls under my banner, I can relax and spend the next year in peace until the hag contacts me again. I don’t want or need another war, the mysterious foes from Sajarev are bad enough as it is.”
“I… you’re right. I let my personal feelings get the better of me. He... He didn’t force himself on you?”
I shake my head. “No. He always paid, and his teachings helped me start with my magic.” I can’t help but smile. “I even still practice some of his methods for meditation.”
“You like him?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Jealous?”
“What if I am?”
My sweet sweet puppy! “Awwww you’re sweet. No. I don’t like him in that sense. I'm just nostalgic. He’s repulsing, but competent. I don’t have to like him, I just need him to keep his armies away from our cities. And having him as an ally will dissuade kings and queens with similar ideas. We’ve been through too much conflicts and we’re weakened. Other city rulers are like vultures, they see a weakness and they might attack soon… I'm surprised I wasn't attacked by now. I can only assume Tiara's messengers are asking for help at Red Cedar about now." I heave a sigh. “I wish Jerro was here. He could tell me right away. Regardless, I’ll go for it. And if Beydor insists on a war anyway, then we’ll go to war and you’ll get your wish to slay him.”
Kolag nods with a grunt. “Agreed.”
*
{28} Kilako (October) the 21st
True their word, the orcs disappeared during the night.
At dawn, my army step into Pear City.
Riding on Loyal, I enter the city at the head of my army. The first street is empty, but soon enough we reach the city square before the palace grounds. There are hundreds of people here, all bound by ropes. Faint cries and murmurs carry over in the air, and heads are raised when we make our appearance.
“Cut their ropes.” I order.
“Cut their ropes!!!” Salik shouts my order and the Men of Arms spring into action.
“Your grace!”
“We’re saved!”
“Thank Jalier!”
Some of these people sob. Others cheer. Some stay silent as my men cut off their bindings.
At the other side of the square near the palace’s entrance, I spot a convenient wooden stage. I don’t know why it’s there, but I don’t care. I lead Loyal to the stage and have him climb on it. I observe the crowd from high atop my horse. Salik and Ovin follow me, but Kolag and Zoe joins the Men of Arms in freeing the people. Asking questions and giving out food.
I watch the buzzing chaotic crowd silently from the stage for a while. Once most of the people are freed of their bindings, I raise my hand.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!”
I expected silence so I could speak, instead I get a massive cheer from these people. My skin is covered by goosebumps and a chill runs down my spine. I moan softly and take a deep breath. They’re all cheering for me… I freed them, they’re cheering for me! They’re all thanking me! These are the results of my choices! And now they're all my sweet little dogs ready to kiss my boots at a word...
The excitement is intoxicating, the cheer is pure electrifying mana channeled through my veins. I let my instincts take over and lower my hand.
The cheering die out.
"Tans fe-lasiuak"
“People of Green Pear City! The orcs have been vanquished. Some of these savages lay dead right outside your walls while the rest flee like the cowards they are!” What am I saying?! What my dogs need to hear to kiss my boots of course!
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Another stronger cheer erupts from the crowd. Kolag?! I’m surprised to see my armored boyfriend cheering along with the crowd, raising and shaking his fist. My puppy, worship me!
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
My heart pounds in my chest like a loud drums, and the odd arousal I got from the crowd alone turns into something much stronger that I can no longer resist. An angry part of my mind attempts to resist the natural reaction of my body, but I can't help but give in.
Never mind that just continue! Yes continue! This is fun!
I raise my hand again and the cheers die out.
“You are free, my people. But the orcs may come again, and we need brave men to fight them and keep our roads safe. Those of you who wish to volunteer for such a task, will present themselves before General Salik.” I gesture at my general who tips his straw hat toward the crowd.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Another cheer erupts. Some people shout loudly how they want to fight the orcs. Soon the crowd is chanting.
“Kill the orcs! Kill the orcs! Kill the orcs!”
Yes! Kill the orcs and kiss my boots you little shits! Worship me, hold me, say my name! Wait... they don't even know my name! My puppy knows my name, yes... I want to remove his helmet and kiss him... Maybe his armor too... That demon will become our little pawn too...
ENOUGH!
What am I doing?! Why am I sending more men into battle? Do I really need more fighting men?
Forget it! They’re fun pawns!
They’re people. Let’s do something nice for them too…
I raise my hand again for the cheering to die out, sweat trickles down my back as I gasp for breath in an attempt to ignore the creepy reaction of my body to a cheering crowd. “I want you to elect three people to represent yourselves. The first from the rich, the second from the poor and the slums, and the third from the craftsmen and the middle class. You will elect these representatives by the end of the week. How you elect them is up to you, but I will not allow violence. Choose wisely. These people will represent your combined will to me.”
This causes murmurs amongst the crowd. Oh stop being such a party pooper! Let them cheer! Let them come and lick my boots all the way up!
“But for now, bring out the food and drink. Enjoy your freedom, for you are free!!!” I shout from the top of my lungs, my voice amplified by my magic.
The cheering erupts again. Much louder this time. I wave and direct Loyal to the palace with my knees, trying to ignore the warm flesh underneath me. The cheering follows me as I pass between the open gates. “Organize a party for them! Bring in our food!” I tell Salik as we pass through the gates.
“Didn’t know you had it in you kid.” Salik comments by my side.
“I didn’t know I had it in me either…” Yes! Cheer for me! Good dogs! Good pawns! Lick my boots and serve me! My heart thumps loudly in my chest, and excitement washes me in electrifying waves throughout my body. The cheering from behind the wall only makes it stronger.
“I need to get away from this crowd, I think I’m going to vomit…” I say with shaken gasp, hiding my perverse excitement by pretending to be sick. Good pawns. Serve me, your queen! Cheer for me while I feast on your flesh! And nibble on your bones!
“Master! You were amazing back then!” Zoe squeals.
My puppy... Such a good pawn you are…
"That was sure impressive," Kolag notes.
“Ahhh…” A joyful moan escapes my lips. I shake my head, covering my mouth in horror as cold sweat washes my body. What was that?! Stop that! Just stop! I seriously need to get away and distract myself with something…
Zoe bounces in place near my horse. “Anyway Berthold’s back! He said he found those Manticores you were looking for?”
Manticores. Yes. Just the distraction I needed… “Bring him here.”
*~*~*
Interlude 150.1
Ovin.
Ovin clenches his fists in his tent walking back and forth, struggling to calm down.
She had forgotten.
Queen Inara had forgotten her promise to him.
She promised him a city of his own once she leaves the gray islands, but now made that same offer to King Beydor. She even turned the assassin he caught into the messenger of that offer
Had she forgotten? Or does she make empty promises?
It does not matter. She had forgotten!
Yet, she saved his life. She taught him magic freely. But she forgotten her promise to him! And he cannot fight a king this strong on his own. Not one that the terrifying little girl treats as an equal.
Maybe she did not forgot, maybe she figured out that if that king can simply take over the cities after she’s gone, giving it to Ovin would’ve sentenced him to death. Yes that’s must be it. And it’s a correct assumption.
Yet. She should’ve talked to him about it. Apologized, said something. You don’t just ignore a promise given!
Maybe Ovin should offer his services to that King, He will probably want to have competent spies under Inara. But Ovin will have to be careful, he’ll have to wait for the meeting with that King Beydor and see what kind of man he is, then decide.
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: connected: 1 gem replenished per minute.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 91
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: connected: 41 neutral gems. Conversion ratio: elemental : neutral-3:1, neutral : elemental-1:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 34 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 16/26 gems
Water: Affinity 6: connected: 73/75 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 8 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: connected: 88/113 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream. Aria's Increased Voice.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Effrat's Ember Vision. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite. Oniga's Soap Creation.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Enhance Vision. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freezem. Ayla's Flowing Shield. Ayla’s Freezing Vapors. Hot Water Conjuration. Boiling Waterjet.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray. Alf's Copper Bolt
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burstm. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s Lesser Shield IIm. Imari’s Minor Telekinesism. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pullm. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body. Alino's Orbiter.
Transmutation: Oniga's Laundry.
Space: Lumina's Spatial Stepa.
Spells known:
Light: Wassho’s invisibilityb2x2. Rika's Electric Channelb1x3
Water: Mayan’s Boiling Waveb2. Tolste’s Icy Escape.
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb1x3. Tukado's Pushb1x4. Tukado’s defense IIIb1x5m. Imari’s Lesser Flightb2x2m. Lumina’s Kinetic Blast Boltb1x6a. Alino’s Crushing Weightb3.
Psyche: Lumina's Mind Touchb3
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison. Brigit’s Skin Restoration.
(Little letters by the spells: m=mastered. a=advanced. b=bound spell, number near the b is how many gems of the mana pool binding the said spell takes. The number is determined by the elemental's size that's bound + the number of spells bound.)
Patterns Foci:
Air: 16
Fire: 8
Light: 12-13
Water: 21
Earth: 8
Wood: 8
Gravity: 22
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Carried Wealth: 384 Magical Gems. 102 diamonds. 40 Golden Peas, 20 Silver Scales. 20 Copper Bits.
Personal Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
3 potions of Lesser Healing.
4 potions of Pain Tolerance.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
31g Rose petals.
7g Lavender petals.
10g Sowbread petals.
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 39/100. Unlocked.
A bent Wand of Lightning Bolts charges 0/5
Present Pawns:
Kolag of house Befar. Control Method: My puppy.
Berthold. Control Method: His sister's health.
Ovin. Control Method: A promise of magic and power.
Zoe. Control Method: fulfilling her idle fantasies.
Salik. Control Method: Glitter.
Loyal. Control Method: Unknown! Fixated on me. Unreasonably Loyal. Potential threat.
Absent Pawns:
Jerro. Control Method: Sharlafyn's love.
Sharlafyn Nettledew. Control Method: Pity.
Ryon. Control Method: Food and Sex.
Languages:
Toml’a
Sinteo
Myrsha
Felul
Nim
A'arkalu
Injuries and scars:
Curses: unknown extracted parasite, possibly bloodline related. Gone due to an unknown bloodline magic.
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 25,234 Golden Peas. 765 Magical Gems.
Kingdom’s citizen:
Red Cedar City: 3,609 adults. 1,654 children.
Apricot City: 1,877 adults. 504 children.
Green Pear City: LOVING PAWNS WHO LICK MY BOOTS!
Kingdom's army: 4,943 Men of Arms. 123 Footmen. 16 Peacekeeper Knights. 500 Blood Spears.
Total Souls: 12,644 souls.
Pawns at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder: Control Method: Threats on her life.
Jolla SilverQuill. Control Method: Pursuit of knowledge in her presence.
Talbot Bookkeeper. Control Method: Agoraphobia.
Aisha? Control Method: Humane acts?
The board has many pieces, which one to move, which one...
God's relationship: Unknown interests. Expect the worst.
Tukado: Unknown interests. Known pawns: Jolla.
Koshavi: Clearly Interested. Known interest: Kolag's love for me. Cordial so far. Wants something. Known pawns: Kolag.
Nuriss: Unknown interests. Possible pawns: Salik.
Noxi: Known interest: My death. Hostile. No known pawns.
Lokamesh: Unknown interests. No known pawns.
Tonisha: Unknown interests. Possible pawns: Berthold.
Amaret: Unknown interests. Assume hostility, Noxi's ally. No known pawns.
Brigit: Unknown interests. Assume hostility, Noxi's ally. No known pawns.
Rakisha: Unknown interests. Known pawns. Ovin.
Kilako: Unknown interests. No known pawns.
Tiyadi: Helpful so far. Wants something. Unknown interests. Known pawns. Jerro.
Mayan: Unknown interests. No known pawns.
Fae Monarchs Coalition: Unknown interests. Assume malicious intentions.
Twilight, Maiden of Darkness: Unknown interests. Assume malicious intentions. Known pawns. Sharla. Possible pawns: Berthold.
Devil lords: Potential Unknown interests. Assume the worst.
Hot Iron: Unknown Interests. Assume malicious intents. Known pawns. Ryon.
Arch mages:
Maven of Mysteries: Known interest: An apprentice in her image. Currently distracted.