The return trip to Renalis was much faster now that the roads were cleared. Rumors of a golden dragon rampaging across the countryside must have intimidated any potential bandits. What initially took a month only took three weeks.
I used that free time to mull over the intel about the Rift Arthur gave me.
I would march my army from Altanova into Pherae and rendezvous with the Arasthai and Pherae militaries for coordinated maneuvers through the Blighted Lands. There was a marauding horde of 10,000 Beur demons slowly making their way toward Pherae. The Alliance's priority for this year's crusade was not to get to the Rift but to put down the horde before it could wreak havoc on Pherae.
Many of the fortifications within the Blighted Lands were already overrun or destroyed by this horde. The valuable teleportation beacons scattered at these forward operating bases were now being used by the enemy to quickly amass their forces. I had no idea the situation was at such a tipping point. Despite Arthur's misgivings about the gods and my own distrust, Seras was telling a half-truth, at least. The forces of chaos and evil were about to raze Valeria to the ground.
The demons had to be stopped, even if it meant siding with the Primaries.
I paid careful attention to the logistical plans: Pherae was dominated by mages, so they would utilize complex teleportation rituals to bring supplies to the front line in addition to the well-bred and trained beastmen convoys. Replacement armaments would be provided by Renalis and mercenary ships would use the Altanovan coastline to sail the supplies to Pherae, where the convoys would take them on foot. No nation had a navy strong enough to contest the demon-infested waters, so shipping supplies beyond Pherae's zone of control was impossible. The Renalian army was lowest on the totem pole for resupply due to our greatly reduced status in the eyes of the Alliance. Though I had Arthur's blessing, it meant jack-shit to anyone else, a sentiment I appreciated. If the Alliance trusted Arthur purely on his word without evaluating my performance, I'd greatly question the competency of the upper brass.
From a leadership standpoint, I had very little autonomy. Pherae was in control of every strategic element because it was their land being threatened. I was a General in name only; for the size of my forces, I was a Battalion Commander at best.
I preferred it, honestly. I was a tactician, not a strategist.
When I wasn't using my World Map to plan out tactical movements, I hung out with the royal guardsmen. Now that they'd seen me in action, I was finally a member of their inner circle.
We all trained, sparred, and hunted together without worrying about customs and courtesies. My nights were occupied by my lovers. I often spent quiet moments with Anna as she slowly recovered from Arthur's terrifying aura.
When we finally returned to Veles, General Belmond, Archbishop Balin, and all my Captains greeted us, with the champions of Renalis formed up in one neat, gigantic square.
They were all armored in full plate of burnished gold, each piece forged from Goldfire Renala’s scales. In their arms rested a long pike and a heater shield. At their waists were golden curved longswords reminiscent of a German kriegmesser. Strapped to their backs was a quiver of arrows and powerful recurve bows made using Thaysil's secret druidic magical techniques. I could read their arcane inscriptions carved into the wood even if I didn’t truly understand their purpose. Finally, each one wore a uniformed backpack with golden tools for entrenching and fortification building.
Lydia was flabbergasted. Idyia's mouth hung open. Even Anna could sense the overwhelming power that emanated from each piece of equipment. Their faces were priceless. I grinned like a schoolboy in a candy store. This was almost as good as window-shopping for riflescopes.
When the royal entourage marched past the formation, I threw a wink at Balin. Just like he promised, my soldiers were clad in Mythical armor and wielded equivalently potent swords. He went above and beyond my expectations, going so far as to enlist Thaysil’s assistance in crafting the bows and arrows.
I broke off from Lydia’s retinue and stopped at the head of the formation.
“General Belmond, Archbishop Balin. Captains.” I stiffly shook hands with each of them.
“How do you like your troops?” Belmond smiled broadly at the firm handshake.
I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. “They look ready to wage some war.”
After almost six months of constant training, General Belmond finally beat the civilian out of every single one of these soldiers. They now had the aura, demeanor, and discipline I would come to expect from a member of the combat arms profession.
“Rest assured, your armor awaits you in your quarters,” Balin informed. “Along with the sets for your three wives.”
“T-that’s not official.”
“We aren’t blind nor deaf to the rumors, lad.” Belmond and Balin said in unison. Even my Captains shook their heads to stifle their laughter.
“Let them enjoy one week of leave,” I said, taking a more serious tone. Belmond’s eyes hardened. “Then we march for the Blighted Lands.”
I stepped off to the side so everyone could see me.
“Present,” I bellowed. In unison, the entire formation straightened its posture. The pikes were taken from the resting position on their shoulders and pointed straight into the sky. Over 300 pikes stood at attention. “Arms!” Upon the command of execution, all the pikes tilted forward. Each pike had a triangular Renalian flag just below the spearhead and seeing them all gently sway in the wind warmed my heart almost as much as seeing the American flag did.
“Order, Arms!” The pikes immediately returned to their previous position and pointed directly into the sky. As if on cue, Renala dove down from the cloudline and roared above the formation.
To my deepest satisfaction, none of my soldiers broke ranks. They stayed entirely focused on my commands. It was time for a motivational speech.
“You’ve all trained hard. Some of you, I almost deemed hopeless when you first started, but I was wrong. I could not be more proud of the men and women I see before me today. Know that I would lay my life for anyone here, just as I know you would for me. You will be given one week to rest, relax, and put your affairs in order,” I announced. “Enjoy your leave, because after, we march to death and glory!”
“Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!” Came the steely reply that electrified the air in a deliciously aggressive way. They continued their mantra until all of Veles could hear their echoes.
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I turned to Belmond, who bowed at the waist. “You have command, General Belmond. See them off well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I threw a glance at my soldiers and nodded. The chanting quickly died down to absolute stillness. Their response time to my slightest movement was fucking outstanding.
“As you were.” I then followed after Lydia and the rest, who paused to watch the spectacle. Lydia and Anna both wore looks of pride. Idyia was still coping with the image. I knew how she felt. It was mind-blowing to see the rag-tag bunch of trainees gathered from all ends of the kingdom transform into a cohesive military unit in a matter of half a year. It was thanks to a mix of General Belmond’s training regime and my focus on teamwork, mental development, and severe discipline pulled from my experience in the US Army.
The four of us first made our way to the citadel bathhouse. Lydia, in a rare show of magical supremacy, warmed the waters until they steamed so we all enjoyed a relaxing, private bath together. After shedding weeks of grime, we split off into our rooms.
Balin was waiting for my arrival. He helped me don the golden armor the dwarves forged. I wore the chainmail beneath my military fatigues and strapped on the breastplates, arm and shin guards, as well as the elbow and knee pads. Unlike the full plate armor the rest of my soldiers wore, I still opted to maximize my maneuverability and movement speed. To a rifleman, positioning was far more important than raw protection. I lived and eventually died by that doctrine. Like Arthur, my own habits died harder than a sniper rifle could punch through my chest plates.
“You look ready for the battlefield, Ranger Levin,” Balin praised, stroking his chin. He rolled a large vanity mirror in front of me. I took a glance and frowned. There was only one issue.
“What’s wrong? Is there something that displeases you, my lord?” Balin was nervous now. Instead of answering him, I quickly stripped down back into my uniform and called for Anna, but she was already on her way with what I needed most. Eagerly, I threw open the door when I saw her finally appear on my Map. In her arms were earthy paints.
“I love arts and crafts!” I chortled loudly.
Balin paled. “Miss Annabell?! W-wait, Your Majesty, surely you do not plan to”
Anna giggled ominously and we spent the next few hours painting Operational Camouflage Patterns over my golden armor while Balin stared at us, catatonic.
I spent a day and night alone with each of my lovers. I went to church with Anna and taught her a few recipes I’d seen online when learning to cook for Rebecca. I also tried on all of her latest creations. She really wanted to match modern stitching and she was getting very, very close. Sometimes, I barely noticed the difference.
“Hm. You are pickier than I anticipated, Levin,” Anna pouted, her arms folded cutely. I rolled my eyes and kissed her cheek.
“I only expect the best from you, that’s all.”
“Oh, spare me the flattery. Just you wait, I’ll get you to wear my clothing line soon enough. My pride and skill as Renalis’ premier seamstress are in shambles because of your terrible, childish opinion.”
I laughed and carried her off to bed.
Idyia wanted to see her people, so we flew on dragonback to Altanova at maximum speed the next day. We arrived late in the evening, but Idyia just wanted a few hours to check-in.
I blinked in surprise when I saw her play with some of the Dark Elven children. She was roleplaying a villain, on her knees, dual wielding a pair of sticks while the children surrounded her to overwhelm her with sheer numbers. She hammed it up pretty well, although her monotone way of speaking ruined her emotional inflection, it sounded like a good Darth Vader imitation. Maybe I shouldn’t have shown them Star Wars while traveling back to Renalis? Naw. That was definitely one of my better decisions.
Soon, the powers of good triumphed over Darth Idyiaus and she succumbed to countless wounds. When the game was finally over and the children said their farewells, I approached.
“You’re really good with kids,” I smirked as she dusted herself off. A small blush graced her face.
“Do you truly believe so? I have learned much from Miss Anna while you were away.” Idyia replied then weaved one arm around mine as we watched Renala circle above us.
“Ready to go back?” I asked her. She looked longingly at the small village her people were slowly constructing. The first permanent signs of their budding community.
“You can stay.” I whispered with a sad smile. A part of me was worried she’d stay. She was my partner. But I couldn’t force her to fight if she didn’t want to. Before I would, but not anymore. Not after all we’ve been through. She’d done more than enough for me and friends never counted favors.
“N-no. T-they don’t need me anymore.”
For the first time, I saw Idyia cry. I wasn’t sure if they were tears of happiness or sadness, but if I had to guess, they were bittersweet. I thumbed away her tears and kissed her forehead.
“You’ve trained so hard to feed them. To protect them. To fight for them. You should be proud; this little village was built upon your efforts and sacrifices, Idyia.”
We shared a long, silent hug. Renala eventually picked us up in her claws and flew back to Veles.
The next day, I spent flower-picking with Lydia. To my great surprise, my draconian wife adored gardening with whatever spare time she could afford. I was terrible at it, so she instructed me on which flowers to cut and how to arrange them in a bouquet. We even had a little competition to see which one Anna and Idyia would prefer. I lost both votes. My selection was too dull and brown. Whatever, it wasn’t like I was ever gonna put daisies in my hair and call it camo.
Our little date ended in Lydia’s room. I expected a more sexual encounter, but Lydia’s face turned solemn as she stared at the golden chainmail and battle dress forged for her at my demand.
“I’m going with you into the Rift.” Lydia’s tone was steadfast, but I met it with my own fire.
My eyes widened to the point of hurting. Our bouquets slipped out of my hand as anger built. I trampled on them, forgotten. “Absolutely-fucking-not!”
“Levin. It is important for me, as a ruler, to gain as many levels as possible-” She tried to rationalize her decision, but I wouldn’t let her.
“No. No. No. Fuck no. Absolutely fucking no. You will not!” I panicked. This was not how this was supposed to go. This was never in any of our plans. Why was she changing her mind now?! “I didn’t let Rebecca join the Army. Do you think I’m going to let you do the same?!”
“Rebecca is your daughter. I am your wife. And I am your Queen.” She motioned to her chest, standing up tall, but all I saw was a brave front of a woman who didn’t want her husband to leave.
“What about Renalis? Who will rule if you’re gone!?” I quizzed, trying to use her rationale against her.
“I will name Anna my Queen Regent and send her my decrees through your Skill.” She countered, turning my telepathy against me. I grit my teeth.
“No. Fuck. No! I can’t believe you’re even considering this! Your mother died in the Abyss!”
Lydia looked shocked, hurt beyond measure. I felt my face drain of blood. That was a low, low blow. I cursed myself for it. Anger boiled into her expression. The temperature rose. “Levin, this is my choice to make-”
“No. I am the commander of this expedition.” I clenched my jaw and stood ramrod straight. I swung my arm across my body to draw an imaginary line in the sand. “I am the one who has final approval of any roster changes. You are not coming. This conversation is over.”
“Do you expect me to play second to Idyia? To allow my husband to go to war while I sit and wait for his return? If he ever does?” Lydia marched forward into my space, ignoring the line I drew and shoving her face so close to mine our noses almost touched.
“Is that what this is about?!” I retreated back a few steps and glared. “I don’t judge any of you based on your ability to wage war! Do you think I expect Anna to fight on the frontlines of a battlefield?!”
She clutched her chest, her eyes widened in desperation. WIth her free hand she grabbed my wrist. “Don’t leave me!”
My breath caught in my throat. My anger died. In an instant, Lydia was the same princess I met my first night in Valeria. Alone. Desperate. Cold. Forsaken. I pulled her into a tight embrace and stared at the ceiling. This feeling of despair and inevitable heartache was all-too-familiar. This was the same conversation I had with Rebecca right before I deployed to fight in World War III.
“Don’t leave me.” She sobbed, tugging weakly on my shirt.