Chapter 29

A Sudden death

I thought I read somewhere that the battle is won before it starts. But I can’t say that about this one. I’m still waiting to see the number we have once Roland and Farrow come back. With their limited number of villagers to call upon, I know we’ll have to train and make up our strength in strategy.

I got with Clyde. “We need to make a plan.”

“Oh of course. What would you like?” Clyde replied.

“When we meet the Ancients. What will they do and what will we do?”

“I think I can help with that.”

We went over to the nearest screen and on it appeared a lot of X’s and lines.

“What is that?” I asked.

“A plan.” He saw I didn’t know what I was looking at, “The big red X is the Ancients and the smaller blue X’s are the predicted number of Xenos, you’re there, and the lines show where you go. See you surround them and come in all at once.”

“I don’t know if that’s going to work. I mean, it looks like a plan but those Ancients aren’t just another handful of Ursine. Haven’t you seen them?”

“Actually, no. See, I’ve been around here the whole time, but never really saw them all together. Maybe a glimpse at one or two over the years.”

“So I’m the only one who has seen them all?”

“Correct.”

I proceeded to tell him, “Well, there’s about ten of them, all huge and looking like they’ll kill anyone or anything.”

“This is a good idea, I’ll have to put this through my main processors. Tell me a description of each one.”

I did so, I told him about Dakur first, then his messenger the dark pegasus, the three foot wide serpent, Dyzo the hypnotist, the giant fanged abomination that hardly resembles an elk, the band of giant rats… All the while the Dryads came forwards to listen, along with the Bovine. And when I was done the looks on their faces told me they weren’t expecting this. So many overpowering Ancients and just a handful of Xenos, warriors mind you, but Xenos. The Ancients were sent to devour each and everyone one of us. So our plan better work, and be accurate. I had to make sure every detail I knew was known to Clyde.

“Listen,” I told them now. “I know we seem outnumbered, they’re the epitome of Death to the Xenos, and quite literally. But we have purpose. It’s not just them against our small number. They’re fighting Xenobia, all of us and our previous generations, we’ve learned and fought our way through history, we’re the ones who have survived all these years. Their immortality dies as it matches our own immortality: the life of all of Xenobia.”

Their faces changed once again and they seemed more determined, but still the doubt hung in the air.

“That only counts to eight with the three rats.” Clyde figured.

“That’s because I’ve killed three already.”

“But that was because they were singled out.” A Bovine added.

“Yes, one at a time. But one I killed with a small army of Equines, another with an army of Dryads and another by myself, underwater with only my skill and a simple weapon.” There I kicked my foot, and flashed Ungu at them. “Make their size their weakness.”

Now they were all mesmerized. It took Clyde once more to speak to get on with our plan.

“Now that that’s going through my processors, there are now eight big X’s in the middle and if you could please expound on our army and abilities, I could have a more accurate plan of attack.”

The Bovine stepped forward, being similar in attitude to their distant relative, the Equine, quite full of himself. “The Bovine number three, we are the brute force, horns as weapons, and can pull an entire weight of one ton, each, if need be. Each of us. Three should be plenty to take down one of them if the Huntress could do so by herself, and out of her own territory.”

“Duly noted.” Clyde said and some of the smaller X’s changed to a symbol resembling a Bovine.

We went through the rest.

The Dryads: numbering about twenty, carrying swords and shields, small warriors.

Aves: pending details.

Equine: also pending.

And one Feline, details known.

We were all hoping for more when another unexpected guest came by, alerted by Clyde. “Seems like some smaller Xenos have shown up.”

I ran outside and found a pack of Murids. Tattered and looking like junkies, as usual. I could tell they had seen me as some had jumped into the bushes, the one in the lead held his ground and whispered to his mate. They stood still while I advanced causally, not to scare them anymore than their sick souls already are.

I didn’t like them either, especially after my previous encounter with a Murid, not to mention their general appearance.

“Who are you?” He called out as soon as I was within yelling distance.

I stopped, “I’m the Huntress.”

“Prove it,” he demanded.

I wondered for a moment, how to prove I’m the Huntress. “You’re in Feline territory, and you were told by your ancestors to meet me here on the western outskirts of the village.”

He nodded, seemingly amused at my knowledge. “Alright, but how do I know that you’re the Huntress?”

Again, what kind of question is this. Apparently a good one as Felines and Murids have never gotten along and we treat them like game, as always. And that’s probably why the King had dealings with them.

Some Murid called out from the bushes and yelled, “Catch!”

Through I couldn’t see where he was I saw a dagger spinning fast in my direction. I leaned back to dodge it and caught it with my hand.

The lead Murid laughed and advanced toward me. “I think that will do,” he said coolly, “though I was hoping for something else, like a token from the Ancients you’ve killed. Which one happened to be the one stalking our village for years over in the East.” He patted me on the lower back, reaching up, as Murids were never very big. “Thanks for that.” And he led me inside with the rest of his crew in front of me.

We entered and all met up with the heads of the other Xenos currently here. “Jerry Fields at your service, glad to help.” He said. Then turning around to the rest of his pack, “Boys, be on your best behavior, we don’t want to start anything, especially with the Felines.”

There was a unanimous and reluctant “awww,” from the Murids. “Nothing that hasn’t been started already.” One said.

“Shut up.” Jerry said and returned to business.

“So we have just been over the inventory of our army,” I said, now back to the plan with Clyde and the others. “That’s Bovine,” I said pointing to the symbol with horns.

“Out of their territory are they?” Jerry added.

I refrained from saying anything back and just continued,“Dryads and myself. The Equines are coming with a few more along with the Aves.”

“Boy, are we the minority.” He added, a cliché no one thought was funny.

“Don’t mind any of us, we’re all here for the same reason, killing the Ancients.” The Bovine said.

“I won’t,” Jerry replied, “but I’m not so sure about the boys. I don’t even know what to do with them half the time. Nearly kill themselves all on their own.”

“Fine, we’ll make you comfortable for the time you’re all here,” I told him. “Food and sleeping quarters are being arranged.”

That was the next thing I’d be onto, while I keep them training and on purpose. So I set them all out to do just that, hunting, running, climbing trees, cutting wood, lugging logs around while Clyde and I stayed busy keeping them busy.

That night everyone went to sleep exhausted, and I curled up in my bed, hoping there were more coming.

———

The Apes village was destroyed, none of them were outside, no bodies alive, as far as I could see, some eaten, and a piles of bones outside some windows. I regretfully walked through the village, finding no souls, not even in their great hall, not even in their own prisons. They were gone.

So were the Ancients.

The Apes. Forever gone, none left to walk this earth.

“See what will happen to all of Xenobia if you don’t stop them?”

I didn’t answer but Ares was right. A nightmare come true.

“They’ve headed East, unsuspectedly.” I heard Ares say behind me. Comforting in a way, that she’s always there in the worst of time. “There’s no major Xeno villages all the way to the coast, unless you count the Volpes tribe and a few other smaller species.”

“Maybe they’re scared of us.” I said, still gloomy, standing in the middle of the past carnage.

She laughed lightly, “Maybe, but you are quite intimidating when you set your mind to killing them. I’ve seen it.”

She must have seen me up against Stheno in the eastern forest. I had felt more at ease fighting her, comfortably jumping back and forth like it was an exercise, nothing to difficult to lure her into the trap. Nothing to really scare me.

“Why do you think they’ve gone east?” I asked her.

“No idea. But it gives you more time, yet further to go to catch up with them. But I’d hate to waste another Xeno village like this one.”

“They wouldn’t be able to find you in your desert temple would they?” I asked Ares, hoping the Ancestors would be safe where they are.

“They can’t touch us really.”

“Maybe there’s resources they need, but it seems they just need food, Xenos, to survive.”

“We’ll find out eventually, there’s more coming your way, more Xenos that is. I was surprised that most of the existing Xenos were willing to join forces with us. Any that could spare a warrior or two are headed toward the forest temple. Keep them training until you have an unbeatable plan, then strike when they’re not ready.”

“Any more advice? I’m stuck home keeping with Clyde for the time being. I’ve trained, I can fly, the village is settled.”

“Come with me.”

She grabbed my arm and we shot through the air, and in a blink were at her desert temple. The stream gently bubbling through the garden, a few hardwood fruit trees told me this had been a fertile oasis for many lifetimes. Wending through the stone pebble path we entered the dark inside of the temple, closed off by stone so that no light, even during the day, would come through. My eyes stared blankly, while I found I didn’t need them, it was something on the order of seeing in the dark, though the image wasn’t coming from my eyes. Ares seemed to know where to go so I followed her to where I could only hear voices, though I could see the long table and chairs around it, the voices only emanated from dark shadows where a person should have been.

“Besides the Ancients something has been plaguing our people,” a male’s voice said. “I’ve already lost contact with two royalties, and I’ve heard others in our ranks have as well.”

“Maybe you should treat them better, not like dogs.”

A few laughed, interspersed between less joyful tones of others.

“I treat them as my own sons and daughters, as they are. They know when they step out of line, but now they’ve just disappeared, and the one or two left told me things have been going wrong.”

“It’s the Ancients, they’re on their deathbed as we speak, trying their last efforts to sabotage Xenobia.”

“I’m glad you have so much confidence in the minuscule army and impending battle that will save who knows what.”

“That army is made of more than just a few commoners.”

“They’re not even as big as we were when we were dropped to fight each other to the death, even then we had more troubles with one unnamed enemy, much less a dozen Ancients.”

“I might say, that unnamed enemy is on our side, Equine.” It was Xeres, a voice I couldn’t forget if I tried, not to mention the unmistakeable pitch and staccato of a Feline’s voice.

“I know you’re up to something, Feline, keep you and your Felines under control.”

“You’re bickering over something long past.” Xeres retorted, “Enemies have changed sides or died, new beasts have awoken, and you argue about the legitimacy of our own very best fighters, when the beasts are enemies to us all. The least faithful and most disloyal have already left us. Anymore to leave would only be leaving my team.”

“The Feline has a point, no use arguing over our own warriors, the Ancients are all our enemies.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Which brings us back to the well being of our army.”

“I’ve seen them with my own eyes, training well, planning, joining hands before the battle. We even have some natives, wielding wooden razors and shields.”

“Natives?”

“The Dryads, myths, folklore, a passive species, yet they have been quite strong in their day, and smart enough to stay relatively hidden for thousands of years.”

“How did they come to our battle?”

“The Ancients wreak havoc on more than just the Xenos, they destroy lands and forests and ecosystems. Something, I guess, the natives have learned to live with and cherish too much to let go…”

Ares pulled me out and back up to the garden at this point.

“Boys will be boys.” Ares said in a loving way that told me she enjoyed it as much as they did. “Xeres always had a way with words and people.”

“But the threat they were talking about, what was that?”

“Something unknown to us yet. We will find it, but just as your King betrayed the village, so did others. It’s happened before but not as much as now.”

“Maybe the Ancients have something to do with it. Dyzo seems to be able to move and manipulate things, and he could even see me like you see me now, when nobody else could.”

“True, but I don’t think he’s part of it. I wouldn’t believe that he can take over the minds of ten or fifteen Xenos at once.”

“Ten or fifteen?” I exclaimed. I had no idea this was that bad.

“Yes, a threat we’d rather not confront right now, but who knows…” She paused, trying not to say that anyone could have been turned already, even in our army. “The Canines were the most affected by it. It seems they’ve all been turned, that’s why you don’t see them around anymore, not even the chance to ask them to help fight for Xenobia once and for all.”

“I haven’t seen any recently.” I thought about that Canine boy my age. “Not that I see them often.”

“They’ll come back eventually, though even the Canines left our little party here, saying it’s all about the Felines now. Not that they haven’t had their turn in the spotlight before.”

I picked another pear from the fruit tree in the garden, we seemed to have made it out to the edge of the garden already.

Ares kissed me on the forehead and wished me good luck, telling me that more troops are on their way.

———

I woke refreshed that morning, hope was rising everyday.

I got out of bed and took a bite of the pear I had been holding, it’s cold juices running out and down my chin.

When I made it into the hangar, there were two new faces that weren’t too unfamiliar.

“Pisces!”

“Huntress!” They called out.

“It took you long enough.”

They were holding the map that they used to get here in disgust. “I’m not used to these kind of maps.”

The other one said, “You’d think it’d be easier in two dimensions but no. We had to get lost twice, overshoot and come back through the East. At least we know where the grasslands are.”

“It was a nice tour of the land. Something Pisces don’t get to see very often.”

“Ever,” the other interrupted.

“There’s so many trees and living creatures that fly and all that sort of thing.”

“And hardly any water. I don’t know how you can survive like this. By the way, can we have a drink?”

I laughed and got them both a glass of water, refilling it a couple times and then finally asking Clyde to just fill up a couple of buckets for them.

“We have an indoor pool if they would like it.” Clyde said.

“You never told me we have a pool.” I said.

“You never asked. Plus I never knew a Feline to like swimming.”

“Usually they don’t. Though I am quite a good swimmer.”

“No worries, I’ve filled it up as I thought someone would finally use it after all these years.”

The Pisces were all too happy to find it, and though it was small, they refrained from complaining, as what else can you ask for on land, more than a few feet of water.

We soon added them to the list of Xenos in the battle so that Clyde could put them in and register battle tactics.

Soon enough they were training, finding it much more difficult to do any fighting on land, but soon enough had it down and were now masters with their spears again.

More Xenos at the door. Welcome them in, they look lost.

Another group arrived, Reptiles. Clyde had me go outside to fetch them as they were walking around the temple, probably wondering if this is the right ominous looking temple or something else.

“Reptiles!” I yelled out, calling them over to the hangar door.

“Feline!” Came their response. Somewhat glad to have found me and not someone else.

“Come in and join our party. You’re right on time.”

They came to me, three of them, all gilded in chains and armor. Very ceremonial. Though threatening as they look they seemed nice enough. Felines never had anything against them besides a squabble for food or land here and there.

“I’m Rico, pleased to meet you.” The lead Reptile announced. “I heard the war is starting and we would feel very remiss to have been left out.” He bowed, speaking with all the formalities one would expect of a knightly Reptile. Mind you that the Reptiles aren’t very socially skilled, nor popular in he common city. Though I smiled at his words.

He continued “Especially if it means life or death for ourselves and our families, not to mention the rest of the Xenos. It is a battle all must partake if anyone wants to keep one’s home. And home is where the heart lies, not somewhere else. And our heart lies in Xenobia, the greatest land. Home to many many more who cherish her luxurious forests and deserts, oceans and fields. Yes, Xenobia is a land for those of us who may seem so different between our own species, yet so close that Man can come and converse with us and say that we too, look a little bit like Man. But within all of us, all of the species and living creatures on this Gods blessèd planet, we all have a heart, and our beloved Xenobia has an even bigger heart to love and cherish us back. Therefore, for the sake of us all and Xenobia, I, Rico Forte Pechado de los Arbolados command my team of magnificent Reptilian Xenobians at your service, to defeat and kill the beasts who have plagued us for many millennia. Who have…”

“I agree.” I said. Trying not to keep him going. “Let’s get inside and have you meet everyone.”

Clyde messaged me: I don’t have a heart.

You don’t? I replied sarcastically. Though I did sort of wonder.

No, we call it something else. And it definitely doesn’t beat at 80bpm. Try somewhere in the millions on a boring day.

We marched inside my ominous temple with the Reptilians behind me, none of them too outgoing like the Murids, but somewhat in awe of the impressive stone and hi-tech insides.

“Rico, please meet Clyde, my assistant. He’ll take your details to analyze battle schematics.”

He bowed again, giving an all too open and enthusiastic smile, handshake and hug to Clyde. “We are the Reptilians, kindly proud to be at your service on the hunt against the Ancients. Our mystic father told us about swearing in at the temple of the Felines. We would never miss a chance to hunt the Ancients when a coordinated group of such strong warriors gather side by side to overcome the threatening image of such dreadful beasts.”

“Thank you.” Clyde said, knowing how much he likes to talk. “And your details, in terms of number, strengths, weaknesses and weapons.”

Rico stared blankly at him for a moment. “You mean we’re actually going up against them?”

“That’s the plan.” Clyde pointed at the screen. “Ancients, Xenos. Battle, fight.” He said, miming with his tool-like hands.

“Hmm. Well then.” Rico nervously scratched his head. “I thought this was more of a committee against the wrongs of the Ancients and having meetings about…”

“So it looks like there’s three of you.” Clyde butted in. “How do you fight?”

Rico straightened up and took a look behind him at the scene. Bovines, Murids, Pisces and Dryads. They were all sparring or pushing and pulling heavy objects, crafting weapons or sitting down to relax after an obvious heavy exertion of effort, and more or less all looking like serious warriors going to battle.

His crew seemed to be sharing the moment of surprise and stared in awe.

“Details please.” Clyde reminded them.

“Well, there’s three of us. We’re good with knives and spears, we can bite and scratch fairly well, and could probably use a bow and arrow, from far away, if needed.”

“Multi-weapons, that’s good to know. Any weaknesses?”

“Cold, we tend to have problems moving.”

“And anything else to add? No? Then there we have it.” A few more bubbles popped up in the screen resembling Reptiles.”

I decided to get them in the right mood and start sparing, trying out the weapons the Dryads produce. “Why don’t you come over here and join the Dryads, they should be able to help you out.”

They followed my directions and I was left with Clyde. “Any more coming today?” I asked my robotic friend.

“It looks like a few Equine, but they probably won’t be here until tonight.”

“Good,” I said, “maybe I’ll go check on the village and see if the commotions died down now.

I took it slow walking there, going over the plan of action now. I think we’ll have the Equine here soon, and the Aves as well. It’s been longer than I expected but barely by a day or two.

It’s getting closer, I can feel it. There’s going to be a lot of us, and few of them, we’ll have to out number them by what we lack in size and strength. Equine, Aves, Pisces, Murids, Bovine and Dryads, and now the Reptilians, hopefully Ursine too, even those long lost (throws cursed and condemned Xenos. The species who have betrayed and wronged the rest of us, damned to be killed by the Ancients or left to themselves, like the Apes or Satyrs) would be welcome in this fight. The more of us, the better our chances.

I arrived to the village finding the hierarchy having gone to work in handling less urgent affairs. The Maiden of Truth still found me and rushed to my side.

“How’s your work these days?” I asked.

“Busy, I took your advice and now we have a gathering every night too keep everyone happy. It’s only been one or two nights, but they seem to be getting along better. It’s like a new age of happiness, hidden terrors and threats are gone, problems are being handled and the Felines seem to be moving in the right direction.”

“That’s great,” I acknowledged her. But there seemed to be something else bothering her. “What about the old King? Did he come out?”

She burst into another fit of suppressed emotions, between terror and anger, silently, until she could finally find a word. “Come.”

She led me into the great hall and into the back rooms and offices. “That’s the King’s door. Open it.”

“He’s not in there is he?”

She shook her head, though in a way that didn’t give me an answer.

Cautiously I opened the door and found the room trashed.

“I tried to keep it as it was. I knew you’d want to take a look and do any investigating, though they said it wasn’t a job for the Huntress.”

“I’m guessing you took him down to the prison cells until he talked?”

“Oh, he talked, but no one knows what he means.”

“Where is he now?” I asked. I’m sure I could get some information out of him.

She hesitated and shook some more, finally she said, “He’s dead. Probably as soon as he got in his room, wrote half an entry in his diary and then died.”

I was trying to put the pieces together now. Room trashed, half written diary, then dead. “Where’s the queen?”

“Dead too. We buried them in the Royal cemetery.”

I looked around some more. No blood. “Did you diagnose their death?”

“Must have been poison, no blood, just a stone cold stare lying on the floor, looking somewhat agonized. Both of them.”

“Very interesting.”

I looked at the diary. It was a half written entry. Or, at least the last sentence wasn’t competed.

I’m ruined, I’ve been kicked out.

The last thing I remember is eating lunch, the usual glares from the villagers, my staff keeping them at bay while I try to enjoy my lunch. Just trying, nothing’s really been enjoyable. Then, I wake up to the Huntress claiming me to be an outlaw against my own village, I believe her, I had no choice but to run, find out what’s right and wrong, what I’ve done again. Out of all the commotion of the people testifying against me, my wife took my hand and threw me into the room and comforted me. Told me everything will be alright.

The pain was too much. Much more than ever before. He was angry I could tell. I popped some more of those pills to make it feel better, take myself out of what’s this now maddening reality and into the dream land, they’re much nicer, though not nearly as nice as real life, still.

I thought maybe we’d be able to make a break for it and run to the ship and get away but she told me the Huntress has sabotaged that as well.

She told me I’ve now been caught in the act of sending slaves, Feline slaves to the Murids. I only wish I caught myself in the act, yet one more reason to end my life, I’ve already tried and failed many times.

I had gotten another phone call, personally to my room, Jenres was asking if we were on the way. I had to answer up personally, not my “other” self. I said “It isn’t coming today, difficulties,” and I hung up immediately. I only hope now they don’t send a ship to counter whatever the hell is going on in my own great hall. I know they have weapons we would never dream of, it’s scary, but comforting, knowing it might all end soon.

Oh Ares and Xeres, please forgive me. If you can hear me, or if you ever read this, It’s not me, I really didn’t do it. The strange blackouts, finding myself in places I’ve never been, in situations I seemed to have just walked into unknowingly, not even knowing I was walking. The whole thing with the Huntress, it wasn’t me, I hardly met her, I only heard of the treacherous things I’ve done. Please believe me. It was the nightmares telling me what to do, if not, dire and painful — very painful, consequences. I knew something was wrong, I haven’t seen you in years, Xeres. It wasn’t my fault. But it makes sense now. It only started after…

Interesting. It seems like just what Ares was saying, he was out of contact with them and became so out of control. Though I do have a hard time believing he was a perfect King,

“See? It doesn’t make sense.” The Maiden of Truth said. “He didn’t mean to do it. But that’s what every child says when they’ve done something bad.”

“It’s not just that.” I said, fitting in another piece of the puzzle.

“You mean you know what happened?”

“No. I just think I know a bit more than the rest of us do.”

“Tell me. Please.”

“I can’t. Even I don’t really know.”

I took the diary. Something to read tonight. Hopefully with no nightmares.

Getting back to the temple I found exactly what I was wishing for.

The four of them were at my door, looking like they had just knocked and given up, now sitting and waiting.

“It took me five days from the city, and another day through the forest just to find this place and no one’s home. Please tell me you live here.” He grumbled.

“Ursine,” I greeted him. “So glad to have you. And yes this is my house.”

“Thank the Gods.” He said in a tone most might think is the furthest one could get upset.

“Don’t worry, I’ve only been to the village and I’m still recruiting for our battle.”

“Again. Thank the Gods,” he said. “There were Murids and Bovine all around but I was told to answer to no one but the Huntress of the Felines.”

“That’s me.” I said all to cheerfully, making up for the lack of it in the Ursine.

“Great, I hope we have a good time here. I’m tired of these Ancients,” he grumbled. “Not really the Ancients. I couldn’t give a Murid’s ass about them. But the complaining and scared looks people have talking about them. I can’t stand all that grumbling.”

“Me too. I really agree with that.” I said, feeling compelled to appease him more than start any kind of argument.

“Well it looks like we’ve started off on the right foot together. I’m sure we’ll get along well. Now tell me Huntress, where can I get some food, we’ve been eating leaves and berries for the last week.”

“Come inside. Come inside. I have something for all of you.”

What do Ursine eat? They’re starving and I don’t want to upset them.

Berries and leaves.

Maybe something different?

Honey?

Do we have any? There’s four of them and they’re all huge. I don’t want to upset them.

Killer of Ancients doesn’t want to upset an Ursine. I’ve seen you in the simulation room too.

Clyde! Honey. Please.

Ok, sugar.

We all got through the door, slightly sideways, and into the hangar.

“Wow.” The Ursine said. “Didn’t expect this to be here.” He turned around to one of his buddies, “Do we have one of these at home?”

They all three shrugged but enjoyed the sight as I lead them back to where Clyde was.

“I think we might start with something to eat. I’d hate to keep them waiting with their stomachs empty.”

“Fine, fine.” Clyde replied. “Honey will do fine?”

“Sounds great.” The lead replied, and the others agreed.

Clyde came out with a bucket of honey, four bowls and spoons. “I hope this will suffice.”

They served up and took their spoons, carefully laid them on the table and started eating it with their hands.

“By the way. Name’s Rex. You?”

“Dawn.”

“Good to officially know each other on a names basis. It keeps the group together.” He said in between handfuls of honey, which seemed to lighten his rumbling voice.

Once they were done with their bowls they got onto the bucket and shared it between themselves.

Once they were done I felt a bit better about asking them questions.

“So Rex, we’ve been putting together battle schematics. Please tell us about your abilities in battle and what you’d prefer to do.”

“Well, I can pretty well kill anything I’d need to and I’d rather be at home watching the clouds go by.”

“Very well. Clyde, put that down.”

“Any weapons of choice?”

“Well a big gun, that’d be great. And a... what do you want?” He asked the others. “Guns, and a knife.” They eventually all agreed on being heavily armed, and in weapons as well.

“We’ll help provide those.” I said, glancing at Clyde to make sure he didn’t object. I still remember all those guns behind the first door. “In the meantime, if you don’t mind, the Dryads have provided wooden swords and shields, you might find useful for sparing with. We’re all training and practicing during the day to keep in shape. Please, help yourself.”

“Thanks.” He grumbled once more and the four of them got up and pushed their tired selves over to where the Dryads were, picked up some their swords and held them like daggers.

I looked at Clyde hoping he agreed I made a good impression, though he seems busy with the battle schematics for the moment “I shouldn’t have called them swords, shouldn’t I have.”

“Huh? Oh sure.” He saw the Ursine now, joking about how small everything was. “Big guys aren’t they.”

“I think they’re bigger than the simulations.” I said.

“Remember, they’re the top of the top warriors of their village and when Ursine grow, they grow big.”

“Obviously.” I said.

“Why don’t you go get some sleep. I can manage everything here and get them all to bed tonight.”

I looked at him curiously. “What? Do I really look that bad?”

“You seem tired.”

“Did you see what happened to the King?”

“I saw, seems interesting enough. Not a normal death, didn’t quite seem like a suicide, though I didn’t see the body.”

“What about the mysterious part of him waking up in different cities, doing things he’d never do?”

“I might have something on that. Though it’s processing, I’ll have to get back to you on that.” He gave me a face that he always does, one which worked in every situation, “After you get some sleep.”

“Fine.” I said and marched up to my room and sat down in the bed. Looking at what I held in my hands for the last hour.