Tec Mage Chapter Forty Eight: War, Negotiation
On the west wall, many police men were dancing and jumping on the spot. After surviving such a massive attack did they feel blessed and lucky to be alive.
Now there was a force of golems protecting the west wall and the fierce coin ammo gatling guns repelling any force that tried to get near, did the defending police force fell like there was a chance of surviving. After the successful defending of the wall and the new golems standing guard did the attacks stop happening at the west wall. Not even a single arrow was fired from the enemy.
The amazing defence of the west wall spread like wild fire and all the players and NPC talked about it. Even the king and his minsters heard the news from passing maids.
Atlas new name greatly became his unofficial official name. When people talked about the man wearing a silver wolf helmet, they all named him as Tec Mage.
Atlas on the other hand didn't stop to dance with the police force but instead insist that they prepare for another attack.
The golems were repaired, the lime dust was replaced and new Coin Toss guns were made.
At this point in time Atlas had to change his gear. He had sacrifice too many levels in making the golem cores and thus couldn't wear his leather armour.
Atlas was now wearing beginner clothes, but he thought the exchange of levels for golems was a good exchange.
In the door way of the west wall stood 50 plus earth golems. Each one was powered by a golem core and would be commanded by one of the spirit controlled golems.
These were Atlas's trump card. He would of used them in the defence of the west wall but their body's weren't ready yet. The core was ready but not the puppet body.
These golems weren't the same as the spirit controlled golems. They were able to repair them selfs by absorbing the earth to repair their body's. The biggest difference was they weren't smart enough to fight. They needed more knowledge sacrifice to them when their core was made and so needed a commander to tell them what to do. That was where the spirit golems came in.
Atlas felt it was a good trade. One person's might could be use to fight a dozen people if they were strong but the sight of this many golems could scare an army before even the first attack.
With such development on the west wall, Atlas felt a bit more relaxed.
Just as Atlas was resting and started to read one of his history books, did a transparent blue sparrow fly down and land on Atlas book.
This was one of the many mana sparrows that Atlas had made. During the war, Atlas had ordered the mana sparrows and mana mouses to spy and report back to him.
Placing his hand out, the little mana sparrow jumped on to Atlas palm.
A small screen popped in the corner of Atlas vision as he watched the little sparrows memory's. Most of the memory was of little interest, that was until near the end.
The little sparrow memory showed that it was spying on the head players leading the invading army.
The players were talking about their borrowed army.
It turned out they were running out of time. The army they had borrowed from various kingdoms, were being called back. It turn out that the kings and minsters of the borrowed army didn't like that a kingdom was being overthrown using their forces. They reasoned that if they lent their force to conquer a kingdom then what would stop the players from doing the same to them. They also didn't like that they wouldn't get a single coin from this kingdom even though it was their forces doing the work.
This all may sound like great news for Atlas and the Ledern kingdom but it was decided that before the borrowed army would return, the players would stage an all out attack. If they were going to lose their army and their contribution points, then they might as well go all out with an attack.
This was bad news for Atlas, as the fear of losing contribution points was the biggest reason that the invading army didn't go all out.
The talk between the players carried on, and it was decided that negations would first be tried. The memory stopped and the mana sparrow flew away, leaving Atlas with an empty out stretched hand.
That very same day a white flag approached the west wall. The attacking players decided to parley with the west wall, not because they felt that the west wall was weak but just because they wanted to see the Tec Mage.
A large tent was erected half way between the wall and the rebuilt camp of the invading army.
Thomas, the leader of the west side of the invading army sat with two other players at a table. Opposite to them sat Atlas with his silver wolf helmet on. Atlas was joined by two spirit controlled golems.
When choosing a person to negotiate, Atlas volunteered. He was the best choice. As a player it didn't matter if he was killed. Atlas also had the negation stat which gave him a great advantage when negotiating.
Perhaps the reason that only Atlas chose to volunteer was that the minsters just didn't trust the attacking force. Better to have an immortal to be killed rather than them selfs.
Both party's looked at each other. Both sides were sizing each other up. With the giant golems looming over every one, it was hard for the players to keep their eyes off the golems.
A new addition was added to the golems, each one had a massive tower shield and a huge spiked mace. This new addition made the golems even more imposing and was meant to throw Thomas and the other players off balance.
With a light cough, Thomas brought the attention to him.
"Lets start with introductions. I'm Thomas, leader of the west camp" before Thomas could finish the introductions Atlas held up his hand.
"Lets leave our names out of it, i won't give you my real name" said Atlas
A slight frown appeared on Thomas face.
"Should i call you Tec Mage, then" asked Thomas.
This was the first time some one had called Atlas by Tec Mage. The police force on the west wall would call him lieutenant, and Atlas hadn't spent much time with anyone else apart from the police force.
"If you like" answered Atlas. It wasn't that strange of a name or title.
Thomas nodded his head "let me just say that i greatly admire your ingenious inventions and your unusual tactics, you have really got us on our toes"
Atlas listened to the sweet words that meant nothing.
"Lets cut to the chase" Thomas rubbed his hands together.
"Give us the city, there is no way you can fight back" hands cupped, Thomas pointed his fingers at Atlas
"You can defend well enough but time is on our side, each day that goes by, more suffering will hit you" said Thomas.
Atlas listened carefuly, everything Thomas had said was correct. With the city completly blocked with no reinforcements coming. There was no real choice but to give up the city.
Atlas knew this but he wanted to see what he could get.
"What are you offering" asked Atlas
"Peace, safety and stability" answered Thomas
Atlas was ordered not to give the city away, all of this was just a delaying tactic. The king wasn't willing to give up his kingdom.
"What about the king" asked Atlas
With this question, Thomas's face twisted again
"You have nothing to stand on, forget the king and hand him over. It's only a matter of time before we enter the city" said Thomas as he got a tiny bit annoyed with Atlas.
"mmmmmm" Atlas slowly taped the table he was sitting at.
Each tap seemed to irritate Thomas. While Atlas was thinking and moving his hand over the top of the table, Thomas notice the gear Atlas was wearing.
Apart from the silver wolf helmet, every piece was beginners outfit. It annoyed Thomas to no end that this Tec Mage had beaten his army while wearing this low end armour.
A gentle slap on the table broke Thomas wondering mind. Atlas had stopped his tapping and his palm was face down now.
"I've heard an interesting rumour, would you like me to share it with you?" asked Atlas
Thomas wasn't interested, all he wanted was an answer but due to keeping a friendly appearance he nodded.
"I've heard your army is a borrowed force from many different kingdoms" said Atlas
Thomas wasn't interested. The fact that most of the army was wearing different uniforms from different kingdoms was easy to see. Thomas was about to brush it off and demand an answer, when Atlas continued
"I've also heard that there has been a massive recall from the kingdoms. They want their men back" explained Atlas
Thomas face went pale, he had thought this news was only known to the players in command of the army. The two other players fidgeted about while looking at each other.
"It seems that both sides are running out of time" said Atlas
Thomas was stunned
"Now that we both have little time, please tell me what can you offer the city" Atlas kept his calm, or it appeared that way, for his helmet never gave any information on what his face was showing.
Quickly, Thomas stood to his feet and slammed his hand on the table
"WHO TOLD YOU THAT" Thomas couldn't tolerate betray. The only people who should know was the commanders.
When Thomas slapped the table, the two giant golems moved their heads to directly point at Thomas. Each giant mace in their hands moved a little higher.
The maces weren't something to look down on. Each one was bigger than a man and heavier than half of a cow.
Thomas settled down quickly. He may of acted brash right now but due to the golems standing right in front of him, he was in no position to cause a problem.
Atlas mission was to waste time but little did Atlas know that was Thomas mission as well.
The players didn't want to force an out right fight until they depleted every option. One of the option they did have was too send assassins to kill the king and force a surrender that way.
Thomas and his crew wanted to waste the Tec Mage's time. He was the only person that fell out of their expectations and so this little play was to keep the Tec Mage busy.
Just then a little sparrow flew in to the tent and landed on Atlas shoulder. Only a second went by and it flew away again.
"What was that" asked one of the players
Atlas ignored them.
At this moment he was sending a message to Loki, the little sparrow had shown Atlas a group of assassins making their way to the palace.
In the city Loki received a message from Atlas
To Loki
The player army has sent assassins to the palace. Send 20 golems in to protect the king. Speed is needed
Loki was a stand by person for Atlas, he was the only player who knew Atlas identity, the where about of the gnolls and who Mary and Dracken was.
Being a player, Loki was able to receive a message from Atlas in real time with out fear of it being interrupted.
Loki took action right away.
The streets were almost empty, only people who desperately needed to do their business came out.
Loki was ridding on the shoulders of the earth golems. He pointed his massive pick axe towards the palace.
"Onwards"
Normal people started to look out of their homes. The rumbling the golems caused was vast like thunder.
People started to follow the golems. They were scared, but being behind the golems made them feel safe and powerful.
The golems pushed past the guards that protected the front gates. The guards looked shocked but that didn't stop them from swinging there swords.
Cuts and chucks of earth fell from the golems with each swing of the guards swords. Unlike the metal golems, their durability was less.
A golems reached out and swatted the guards, knocking them out. Taking further steps, the golems scares healed and repaired them selfs. Each golem had earth mana mixed into their core, this meant they were indestructible as long as they walked on the earth.
Even if their whole body was smashed, as long as the core survived and a part of the body wasn't ground to dust, then they would repair them selfs.
The 20 golems pushed past the guards, only to meet with more guards.
Again the golems pushed past, slapping and bending swords that were waved at them. On top of the golems, Loki was standing like George Washington crossing the Delaware.
The guards weren't low level, but how do you beat a mass of rocks moving towards you.
Guards were flung in to the air, and chest pieces were ripped from the guards and torn in front of their eyes.
It didn't take long for the golems to reach the throne room. If the guards were at full strength, backed up with special class's, then the golems would of had a harder time. But it wasn't that way, the guards were spread to thin and most of their special forces had left with the fleeing Lords.
There was a couple of Knights that had great strength, that managed to do serious damage to one or two of the golems.
The front lines of the golems had the worst of it, with some losing an arm. When that happened the front line golems just picked up their fallen arms and attack with it. Beating the more powerful Knights with arms that had fallen from the golems.
After knocking the knights out, the golems reattach their arms to their body.
Nothing the knights or guards could do could stop the golems. If the knights were at full strength, then there was no way that a group of 20 golems could get this far. It would of taken a group of 50.
The golem that Atlas had made weren't equal to the golems that could be summoned. Summoned golems would some times stop listening to the the summoner. The size and power was also lacking.
It was all down to how hard it was to make the golems. While summoned golems would only need mana, Atlas golems needed levels and stats to be sacrificed to them, also a body as a puppet for the cores to power. It just wasn't the same as summons. It was better.
The golems made their way to the throne room, where the king was waiting with sword in hand and a massive amounts of knights protecting him.
"HOW DARE YOU INVADE...." the king shouted
The golems ignored him and moved to the out side of the room and stopped next to a window.
With out hesitation the golems smashed their massive fist in to the wall and broke the window and wall. When they retracted their arms, in each of their hands was a black clad assassin.
The player army had tried to kill the king though assassination. Turning on the spot, the golems offered the assassins to the knights.
The knights didn't know what was going on, but still took the assassins.
"Your Majesty" Loki was now bowing, which made him fall off the golems shoulders.
"Opps" after landing on the ground in a crumpled mess, Loki sprang to his feet and picked up his pickaxe.
"GODS DAMN THIS IDIOT" shouted the king "WILL SOME ONE EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON"
"Sorry, sorry" Loki was rubbing the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
"These are assassins from the attacking army, and these are golems from the Tec Mage" Loki simplified what was going on.
Loki had heard the name Tec Mage from the forms and knew it was Atlas.
"The Tec Mage had learnt of an assassin attempt on the king and so lent these golems to you for your protection" said Loki
"YOU GOD DAMN IDIOT, YOU STOMPED YOUR WAY THOUGH MY PALACE, KNOCKING OUT MY KNIGHTS, TO PROTECT ME" yelled the king
Rubbing his noise, Loki answered " time was a factor, your kingy. If i didn't make haste, you would of died"
Just then, one of the assassins broke free from the hands of the knights and threw a dagger, dripping with poison at the king.
A massive golem body moved in the way and protected the king. At the same time a sweeping massive hand slapped the assassin to the ground and killed him. A pillar of light burst in to the sky to show a player had died.
The king almost shrieked out loud but his breeding stopped him from any sound leaving his lips.
"Hehe, good job" Loki slapped the golem on its arm.
Composing him self, the king called out.
"You have fulfilled your duty and saved my life..." the king started to say.
"That's not all, these golems are here to protect you and will follow your command" Loki interrupted the king.
The kings face went red with anger, he wasn't expecting to be interrupted, he calmed him self again but now a little twisted smile was on his lips.
"Like i was saying, you did your duty and saved my life.... but you did attack my knights and destroy my palace" the king sat on his chair.
"Your a freemen, aren't you?" asked the king.
"Yep" replied Loki.
With a wave of his hand, the king pointed at Loki
"Golems, kill him" ordered the king.
With Loki releasing his command over the golems, he no longer could control the golems
"Whoa whoa whoa, calm down. There's no need for that" Loki was backing up against the destroyed wall.
A giant earth palm swang at Loki, the hand clipped Loki and caused Loki to turn on his toes. Thanks to the gear that the gnolls had made for him and the hp he had gathered from the skill of mining, he was able to stay alive.
Loki was now facing the hole that was made from the golems that captured the assassins. On the wall was a rope that the assassins had used to climb up to the second floor.
Quickly, Loki turned around and gave the king the finger.
"You suck" with that said, Loki grabbed the rope and slid down. Loki would take his chances with the fall rather the golems.
A knight quickly ran to the hole only to see Loki run to the very stable and thick palace walls. With just a couple of swings, Loki had knocked a hole with his massive pickaxe.
The knight was stunned but was completely shocked when Loki appeared again from the hole. In his hands were stones fresh from the fallen walls. With all of his might, Loki threw the stones at the stained glass windows and smashed them.
With a final rude sign, Loki disappeared.
The knight turned to look at the king only to be pushed aside by the golems. They were walking to leave. The golems were trying to fulfil the order the king gave them.
The golems would go to the ends of the earth to find Loki and kill him, even if it took a hundred years, they wouldn't stop looking. That was the way they were made, to follow orders and never stop trying.
Fortunately for Loki, the king ordered them back.
All 20 golems were now surrounding the king. The size of the golems around the king made him fell untouchable.
The attack from the assassin, shook the king up quite badly but now he felt that he could take on the gods.
The king would soon realise just how great golems were. They would never betray him, didn't need food or water and would forever protect him.
Ever since the war had started, the king had sleepless nights. He worried for his life, even his private guards couldn't be completely trusted.
The king had a small tinge of doubt when the golems were sent to guard him but that was completely removed when with out hesitation the golems went to kill Loki.
The king was a lot happier. Maybe with these golems he could fight the invading army to a stand still.
fulfilling his job, Loki sent a message back to Atlas.
The negotiation between Atlas and the commanding invading players had slowed to a snails pace. Each party was stalling for time.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The invading players were discussing what would happen when the city was relinquished.
A long scroll was was being read from.
"Article 29. Any changes made by the previous king will be held and honoured by the law. Article 29 b. Unless, that change harms the ministration of the new rulers"
Atlas was making a copy of the rules in his little not book, when he recived the message from Loki.
"Ding"
Reading the message, Atlas face smiled. Thankfully the silver wolf helmet didn't show any signs of Atlas smile, only the metal wolf ears twitched.
At the same time, the players also received a message from the captured assassins.
The full story of the golems capturing the assassins was shared. Unlike Atlas the players didn't have a helmet on and so Atlas could see the upset faces of his enemy.
In front of them sat Atlas with his two golems standing besides him.
"Bad news?" asked Atlas.
Both party's new that Atlas had sent golems to protect the king. Who else had control over the golems, apart from Atlas.
One of the players slammed his fist into the table.
The two golems on either side of Atlas raised their spiked maces. The shadow of each weapon was enough to cover the players in a veil of darkness.
"Wait" Atlas had his hand held out.
"Don't get angry, instead, why not give me your demands and i will bring them to the king" explained Atlas.
With the twin massive maces's hanging above their heads, the players were forced to keep their calm. The players handed over the scroll and Atlas pocketed it.
A basic plan on how the city would be run was also written in the scroll. The minsters would most likely be replaced and in their place would be players.
When Atlas had learned of these changes, he knew that the king wouldn't except them and his minsters would also dismiss them.
Unfortunately for both sides, Atlas negation stat wasn't super high and it also seemed that while the negation stat was able to persuade NPC, it was less powerful on players.
Before Atlas left, Thomas spoke.
"You know that our forces are being recalled but let me tell you this, before that happens, i will attack with everything i have" Thomas face was still and no emotions could be seen.
"I swear that the city will burn before my forces are recalled." After that, Thomas didn't say a word
It wasn't a threat or boosting, this was a promise from a man. When nothing could hurt a player, not even death, then true madness could shine though.
This was the problem with players, they could give everything without batting an eye. One second, they could worry about the loss of their contribution points and then next, they would purposely throw it all a way in spite and anger.
Without any real consequences in the game, nothing mattered, not even death.
Atlas left, with nothing more to be said, there was no reason to stay.
At the front of the palace, Atlas was expecting to meet with a minster to hand over his reports. The last time Atlas met with the king, he had told the king to flee the kingdom and give up being royalty. When Atlas had said this, he was ejected from the palace. So to Atlas great surprise he was ushered in to the palace and placed in a room with the king.
The only living things in the room was the king and Atlas. Surrounding the king was 20 of Atlas golems.
The king seemed to gain some of his royal air about him. his face looked better, like a person who had a good night sleep.
Going down on his knee, Atlas greeted the king.
"Your majesty" said Atlas.
Atlas raised to his feet after the king allowed it.
Atlas handed the scroll over. Instead of the king or minster taking the scroll, a massive golem hand took the information instead.
The golem walked back and handed the scroll over to the king.
The king read the scroll. While he was reading Atlas took notice that their was no minsters or guards in the room. It turned out the assassin attempt on the kings life had effected him deeply, The king no longer felt safe around people.
"Tonk"
Atlas attention was brought back to the king. The king had dropped the scroll and by the look on his face, he was fuming.
"Totally unfeasible, Do they take me as a weak kitten" asked the king to no one in particular
Atlas knew that the pride of the king wouldn't agree to the terms set by the attacking forces but the reaction of the king felt a bit off.
The king must of known how close he came to dying. There didn't seem to be a way to win, why would the king behave this way.
Pacing, the king fist were tightly closed. He was muttering under his breath. Atlas could only understand a couple words but what he could understand didn't make him happy.
Atlas had made a mistake in saving the king with the golems. With the mighty golems beside him, the king was under the delusion that he could win the war.
If Atlas just let the king die then no more deaths would happen. Instead of trying to escape, the king wanted to fight.
This would without a doubt mean more deaths.
"Your Majesty, now is the time to leave. If you fight, there will be nothing but death, for you and the city" Atlas tried to explain.
"SHUT UP, YOU... YOU ARE WORKING WITH THEM" the king yelled at Atlas. After his assassin attempt, his paranoia had sky rocketed.
"KILL HIM" the king pointed at Atlas.
When the king had first got the golems he had experimented with them to see what orders they would follow.
Every thing he had said, the golems followed. The king had ordered one of the golems to rip it's own arm off, and of course it did.
But this was different.
When they had been ordered to kill Loki, they had no problem with following this order. But attacking Atlas was completely different.
Atlas was their creator. It wasn't that they felt love for Atlas but instead it was the order that came before all orders.
Do no harm to the creator and do as they ordered.
While the king had ordered the golems to kill Atlas, it would interfere with the order of Atlas.
The golems would do what the king had ordered but against Atlas, it was no good.
The king was the king but Atlas was god. It would be easier to say that the golems followed two sets of orders.
One was Atlas orders that might as well be gods commandant. The second was anybody else's orders.
Comparing the two was like a shiny diamond and a piece of dirt.
When the golems failed to take action, the king looked awkward and confused.
"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME, KILL HIM" the king tried to push the golems towards Atlas but that was like pushing a hill.
"It was a mistake to save you" said Atlas.
"Come" Atlas beckoned the golems to his side.
The golems left the kings side and stood beside Atlas.
"Your death will save many lives" Atlas wasn't joking.
Atlas didn't know if the king was a bad or good ruler but at this point in time the kingdom and the people living in the city would benefit without this king.
Atlas wasn't going to kill the king, but by taking his golems he would be less well protected.
Atlas didn't wait for the king to say anything, instead he walked away with the golems.
"WAIT" the kings face dropped and became pale as a sheet of ice.
Dropping to his knees, the kings head hanged in defeat. His sense's had returned to him. A brief moment of madness had visited him but now the cold reality of the world hit him.
With his head hung, the king thought about his short comings. He should of extend trade with other kingdoms, establish good ties with his neighbours and signed a non aggressive pact. Instead he left most of the work to minsters and lords. he was deeply out of touch with the workings of the kingdom and only realised when the attacking army turned up and bribed most of the lords to leave and take their army with them.
The king was so very tired, all around him were people but none of them could be trusted. Ever since most of the lords abandon the kingdom, he felt that any person could leave, or even worst, take his life.
Out side was an attacking army, inside were people he wouldn't trust.
The king lifted his head. He should of taken a more active role in the kingdom. Raising his hands the king lifted his crown of his head and placed it on his lap.
"OK, tell me what to do" the royal air that once surrounded the king was gone.
In front of Atlas was just a man.
Atlas bent down and lifted the king to his feet, patting him on his back Atlas comforted the king
"You need to escape. As long as you are alive, you can make a difference" Atlas simple said.
"It's too late for that, all the secret tunnels exiting the city have been caved in" said the king.
This was to stop the traitorous lords from giving the attacking army an easy way to enter the kingdom.
"I have a way out, don't worry about it" explained Atlas.
"You won't betray me?" asked the king.
Atlas looked hard at the king. His face was one of worry, the king wanted to live but couldn't trust anyone because of his title as king, his head was worth a lot.
"If i wanted you dead, wouldn't the golems do it right now" Atlas didn't say this as a joke. It was a serious matter and the king had to see that.
The king nodded. Atlas quickly told the king to prepare him self to leave. Only Atlas and the king would leave. The less people knew who the king was or where he was going the better.
In the streets, loud trumpets sounded off, causing the air to be blasted with noise. This was an official announcement by the king.
On the streets the common people left their homes and visited the gates of the palace. It wasn't just the common people that was there but also knights and guards.
On the balcony of the palace, the king turned up and behind him was Atlas.
Not many common people had seen the king but quite a few had seen Atlas in his wolf helmet.
With the metal silver wolf helmet, Atlas was easy to recognize.
"Is that the Tec Mage" asked a player
"It must be, he's wearing that wolf helmet thing" said another
Soon, all the players were recording this scene to later place it online.
The king lifted his hand and waited as the noise drifted away.
What come after was a long speech. The basics were, the king no longer could defend the realm and he was willingly giving up his kingdom for the sake of the people.
Atlas was pretty sure that this part wasn't true.
Atlas didn't really pay much attention, and only when the king started to talk about rewards did Atlas ears perk up.
"First. I want to promote captain Merek. As I'm sure you know, it is Merek that has defend the west wall from the invading attack" explained the king.
"Without him there with his men defending the west wall, many more lives would be lost and so he will be given the title of Baron, with the corresponding lands and power to go with said title" announced the king.
This was Atlas idea, he had persuaded the king that hoarding titles when he was about to lose his own didn't make sense. With some sly persuasion, Atlas had said that if he wanted to return one day that he should give out titles to the loyal and hard working people, while demoting those that had ran away. This may give him some future ally.
The people who were watching the king were shocked, a police officer had risen to the rank of Baron. This was unheard of.
Merek was a captain but he had skipped a knighthood and gone straight to baron. Pride and shock could be seen though out the crowd.
"I am also going to reward the priest of Demeter with full citizenship" spoke the king.
All the crowd started to mummer, they had expected the priest to be rewarded with more. After all they had fed the hungry and protected the weak. If Baron Merek was awarded his title then why was the priest of Demeter only being awarded with citizenship
Just then Atlas got a notification.
"Ding"
Hard work and understanding has lead the gnolls to be excepted in the kingdom of Ledern. A new species will now be playable for new players. The gnolls have special beast powers and heightened senses.
The mission set to you by beast has been complete. The gnolls will now be excepted as citizens
Talk to the leader of the gnolls for your reward
In the crowd a couple of gnolls took off there white hoods to reveal for the first time that they were gnolls. The priest of Demeter were gnolls.
A couple of the people were shocked but most already knew. It was only a hood that covered their face. When they had worked dishing out food most people saw the gnolls faces by chance.
A couple of old women approached the gnolls and held their hands. With out their help, they would of staved.
It was a massive surprise to the gnolls that they had been welcomed so easily. Then again, they had fed the poor, looked after the unhealthy, and healed the sick. All this without a single payment.
They had earned their place within the kingdom and the people's hearts.
Only the knights and guards were surprised. They were fed by the crown and so didn't need to free food from the gnolls. So all of this was big news to them.
Again, the king rewarded a number of people. Atlas didn't know these people and it didn't care who they were.
"Under special acknowledgement, i would like to reward the owner's of the four jacks shop, who with the help of the priest of Demeter made the food that fed the people. Land and tax relief for 3 years will be awarded to them" announced the king.
This was Atlas idea, he might as well get some of the rewards. He could pass them on to Dracken and Mary.
The king was finishing up and he was about to say his goodbyes when Atlas whispered in his ear.
A frown appeared on the kings face "yes, i understand" said the king
"Those who were loyal have been rewarded but those who betrayed the kingdom have yet to be punished" The king started to name a list of names.
Each one was a noble who had left the kingdom weaker by leaving. As the king got to the end of the list, a name popped up. Lord Bolt.
"Everyone on this list will have there lands and wealth taken. Their titles are no longer in effect" said the king
This part didn't really matter, as for the lords who were bought by the invading army, they would most likely have their lands and title restored.
Atlas had added Lord Bolt to the list because he knew that he was guilty of conspiring with the enemy. He didn't have proof but he had the kings ear, and so it was added to the list.
Lord Bolt was the enemy of Mary and so was the enemy of Atlas. It was only fitting to weaken you enemy.
With that said, the king turned to leave. The people were about to leave when Atlas started to speak.
"People, i also wish to reward some well deserved people" said Atlas
The crowd quickly went silent.
"To the police force who protected your lives, i awarded them 4 of my war golems" just then four giant golems walked out of the palace.
Atlas had realised that if he didn't give away the golems and just used them for his own end, it wouldn't take a genius to work out that the person who was commanding the golems was most likely the Tec Mage.
Atlas gave four to the police force.
"The rest will be held by the owners of the four jacks shop and the priest of Demeter to do with as they see fit. I believe that they will find a good use for them" essentially, Atlas had given the golems to him self. Now if any one saw golems with him, there was a reason for it.
With that said Atlas also left. The crowd was wordless wondering what the golems would be used for but they all thought it would be something great.
On the same day the king went missing, not only that a huge chunk of wealth disappeared from the royal vault.
The invading army quickly took over and searched for the king. Inside the city a vast platoon of soldiers searched for any place the king could be hiding.
They were happy that they had taken over the kingdom but the king seemed to escape in to nothing.
The player controlled army wouldn't find the king, for he was long gone with Atlas.
In the sky covered by a thick rain cloud, Atlas was piloting his flying machine. In the back was the king.
Gripping tightly, the king was scared out of his mind. The wooden arm rest had small scratches where the kings nails had dug in deep.
Flying was meant for the birds and wizards but the king wasn't either one.
Though the air a small rubble came from the flying machine that Atlas was riding.
Atlas was steering the flying machine with gust from his hand, towards a country. The king had pointed out a manor that he owned. No one knew about it and it was a place for the king to hide.
On the side of the magnificent flying machine were sacks of loot from the treasure of the king.
Money made the world go round and the king would need the cash to pay new workers to clean and take care of his manor.
Atlas dropped off the king and was about to leave when the king stopped him.
"I suppose i should thank you" said the king.
"Yes, that sounds right" answered Atlas.
The king went red in the face, but instead of rage, there was shame.
"Please call me George" the king held his hand out to Atlas.
Atlas looked at the hand and then at George's face. Atlas was silently taken back, this felt like the first time he had meet the king.
George no longer looked like a king but instead a young boy of 18 to 20. Did Atlas even dare to believe that this young man was the same as before.
The pressure of war had made George's features look haggard and tired. Being attacked had made his personalty the way it was and the lose of his kingdom was a big deal to his mentality.
But now he looked like a boy who was free to choice for him self. A slight smile shone on his lips.
Atlas didn't keep George's hand waiting. Quickly he shook the hand.
"Who are you.... can i see your face" George asked.
Atlas thought for awhile before he raised his helmet off
"Huh, you look normal. I half expected that you were a golem too" said George.
Atlas wasn't scared that George would give his identity away. After all, Atlas wasn't a noble and so, George wouldn't be able to point him out to his enemy's. Plus George was more wanted than Atlas.
After the hand shake Atlas left George to him self. With the amount of gold he had, George would have an easy life. It was all up to how he wanted to spend it.
In the air Atlas waved good bye to the now ex king of Ledern.
End Of Chapter Forty Eight
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This is the last chapter in the war series. For my next chapters small adventures will be held
I hope you enjoyed my new chapter