Chapter 27 – The Sundering
Sunderer was happily running full speed towards his opponent. Here in front of him was a man with guts if not brains. He would defeat him like all the rest.
Deathwalker did not stand there idle. He checked his current Strength stat.
Strength: 323
‘For a magic user my Strength is absolutely ridiculous. I am like that meme with the wizard with ripped abs. This is gonna be fun.’
With that thought Deathwalker rushed forward. When the duke jumped down to challenge the champion of the Melee tournament, he had done so without a weapon. ‘Why use a weapon when you have Omni-claws? Right?’
Both men swung their fist at each other. When the blows met each other, a massive shockwave could still be felt echoing in the arena shaking the entire coliseum. This time when dust settled Sunderer’s hand was the one knocked back.
The massive man looked down at his hand then to his opponent. “Finally, a worthy challenge!”
Sunderer charged once again. Deathwalker met him blow for blow.
“Yea! You can do it boss! Rip his head off! Ha, ha, ha, ha!” Garry cheered.
Deathwalker had covered the skin under his clothes with his dragon scales to provide better protection. Glad he did as each strike from Sunderer hit like a freight train. Though the mage was dishing it out just as much as he was taking.
Shockwaves kept reverberating as the men moved back and forth across the arena. Both men could be heard laughing. It was clear they both were enjoying the challenge. The Sunderer finally had an opponent to go all out on and Deathwalker was just enjoying the physical challenge and preparing for a big finish.
The crowd kept cheering as the fight continued. The back and forth blows and the constant change of tactics kept everyone on the edge of their seats. They first started with punches and quickly switched to adding in elbows, kicks and other moves into the mix.
“I thought Deathwalker was a mage who specializes in healing.” Lady Emma commented.
“Did you know he could fight like this?” Darrius asked his brother.
“I have not seen him fight unarmed. Though I have seen him with a blade. He is an excellent swordsman.” Marius replied.
“I have never seen anything like this.” Lord Dormeir stated.
Deathwalker picked up the various conversations here and there. He just smiled. His original plan was to keep his physical skills secret as they were not his specialty, but he could not pass up the chance to get such a powerful warrior to stand with him.
“You are a formidable opponent.” Sunderer grunted.
The fight had passed the hour mark and yet everyone was still focused on the combat. King Alfheim, Elder Martha, Duchess Lightheart, General Mineheir, and the elf king’s advisors finished the magical tournament for the day and joined the growing crowd.
“Please join us grandfather.” Lady Emma gestured to the seat next to her.
“We had to end the magical tournament early today. The constant shockwaves were such a distraction we had to.” Elder Martha explained.
“That and the spectators came here. And I can see why. Arden, did the Sunderer manhandle you and slams you around like a rag doll?” General Mineheir teased.
Major Arden, who stood behind his general sighed as if this was not the first time he had been asked this question. “Ugh, yes... sir.”
“Ha, ha, ha, ha!” General Mineheir laughed.
“It is impressive to see the duke fight like this. I saw him fight in the capital, but it was so quick... this is on a whole other level. I approve.” Duchess Lightheart commented.
BOOM!
Deathwalker had launched Sunderer into the arena wall. The Sunderer shook his head and charged his opponent once again. This time rather than meet the charge as he did every time before, Deathwalker sidestepped and swept the Sunderer’s legs out from under him.
The Sunderer fell face first into the ground.
“Hmmm.” Deathwalker grabbed one of the Sunderer’s legs and started slamming the giant man back and forth.
“Ha! How do you like it!” Major Arden yelled out.
SLAM!
SLAM!
SLAM!
Deathwalker dropped the leg. The Sunderer was now lying face up in one of the craters his body had made from the intense impacts.
Deathwalker looked around at the damage. “I might have over done it just a bit. I’m going to have to fix the floor or get some earth mages to do it.” Shaking his head he stuck his hand out to his opponent. “I thought it was only appropriate I defeated you the same way you gained your championship.”
Sunderer grabbed Deathwalker’s hand and let him lift him to his feet. Then the massive man took a knee and bowed his head. Doing so, he was still just as tall as Deathwalker in his human form. “You have given me what I wanted. You have proven yourself worthy to serve. If you will have me, I shall give you my oath of loyalty and fealty... my liege.”
“I accept your oath with the same gravity that it is given! Arise no longer a wanderer, you have a home at my side Sunderer!” Deathwalker replied.
The crowd went nuts. The entire coliseum roared and cheered; it was deafening. No one had ever seen the Sunderer defeated. Greater even their duke was the man to do it, ensuring the Sunderer’s strength was added to their Duchy.
DRAGONVIEN!
DRAGONVIEN!
YEAAAAA!!!
————-
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
——DEATHWALKER’S PERSPECTIVE——
“I really didn’t think this through.” I told Mrrsha.
“He is rather conspicuous.” She replied.
“My liege please allow me to be one of your personal bodyguards!” Sunderer pleaded.
The giant of a man followed me everywhere and I do mean everywhere. I had to draw the line at the privy, I mean come on! In truth I wasn’t to upset he wanted to be one of my bodyguards, but I had to keep up appearances to make sure he understood boundaries.
“I was planning on having you join our adventuring party and also working with General Marius and Commander Willis on matters of defense.” I explained.
Sunderer was in supplication. “Please my liege! I must see to your protection! It is my sworn duty!”
Garry laughed. “Yes! Bow before my master! Ha, ha, ha, ha!”
Draconis nodded. “I agree! It is only right he bow to you master!”
I groaned. “You guys are not helping.”
Lady Emma, who made General Marius escort her down to where we were was snickering. “Psst. He, he, he!”
I gave her a stern look. “You are not helping Emma.”
She tried to compose herself but wasn’t trying very hard. “He, he, he, he! Hey, you were the one that wanted him to bend the knee. Ha, ha, ha, ha!”
I shook my head. Everyone thought it was so funny. Sure, the guy came up to my chest even in supplication with his massive size. That doesn’t make it funny.
“Sure, it does! What makes it funnier is we know how much this kind of stuff makes you feel so uncomfortable. Ha, ha, ha, ha!” Lilandra telepathically chimed in.
“Would you please get up. Or at least sit up.”
The Sunderer got up and then promptly sat on his rump, shaking the ground a little as he landed. “Is this better, my liege?”
I sighed. “Yes. At least this way we are eye level. If... and I do mean if I allow you to become one of my bodyguards, I expect multiple things.”
“Name it, my liege! It is my duty to serve!”
“First, I expect you to help wherever I need you. Sometimes that will send you away from me...” I raised my hand to forestall his protests. “That does not mean always, but I need strong, able-bodied people that I can trust and who can carry out important missions for me.”
“I understand, my liege.”
“Second, you follow the orders of Mrrsha, Prrsha, and Frrsha. You will have to fight my apprentice to see who follows who’s order but you can do that later.”
Sunderer looked at Draconis. “Not a problem.”
“Hey!” Draconis protested.
“Settle it later apprentice.”
“Fine!” Draconis harrumphed.
“Third, I there is one other I will introduce you to. Oh, and I will need you to coordinate with General Marius, his brother Darrius, and Commander Willis at times on important matters to ensure our people are protected too.”
‘He cares for his people. Yes, I have chosen well.’ The Sunderer thought as he nodded in agreement.
“Fine. You can be my bodyguard.”
I no sooner finished those words than Sunderer lifted me off the ground and wrapped me in a big bear hug. “Oh, thank you, my liege!”
“G-got it... big... guy. How about... you stop... crushing me.” I croaked out.
“Oh sorry, my liege. I sometimes forget my strength.” The Sunderer said as he put me down.
“Hey boss, I noticed you didn’t give him any instructions about me.” Garry interjected.
“Oh yea, and this is my familiar Garry. He is a crazy ball of murderhobo, but I love him. So don’t hurt him, but also take what he says with a grain of salt.” I explained.
“Okay, little one. You can help me kill the liege’s enemies.” Sunderer patted Garry on the head. Though he meant them as light a pat, it made Garry bounce like a basketball.
Garry wobbled in the air. “Ugh. I feel a little dizzy. Did I hear him say I can help him kill stuff, or was that just my wishful thinking?”
“You heard correctly, Garry.” Draconis answered his friend.
“Okay, good. I knew I would like this guy! But next time don’t pat me, only the hot female variety can touch me.” Garry stated.
“They must be of a certain temperature?” Sunderer asked confused.
“Yes! Smoking hot! Ha, ha, ha, ha!” Garry laughed.
“Now that that is settled, shall we all adjourn for the evening?” I asked.
—————
It took some serious convincing, but I got the girls to start to work with Sunderer. More importantly, they had to stay outside the bedroom, so I didn’t have him hovering over me while I tried to sleep. Nice guy but a bit more zealous than Draconis, and that was saying something.
The girls hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of not being able to sleep next to me, but I just needed some alone time. I still trip out on how this is my life now. My original plan was to go on a solo adventure. It had started out that way, but that was definitely not the case now. Eh, who am I kidding? I like people, some may drive me nuts, and some are completely infuriating, but I like helping heal those around me. Also, I am surrounded by some awesome people.
No real complaints other than I wish some of my friends from my old life could be here to share it all with. I do hope James is okay. My timetable pushed back even further in finding him just so I don’t come apart at the seams.
A light whizzed in front of my face just before I opened the door to my private bedroom.
The little fairy whispered. “Oh, savior of fairy-kind, I came to warn you. There is someone in your bedroom. Advisor Mona.”
I really did like these little guys. They were the perfect messengers and spies. I nodded back. “Thank you for letting me know. No turning back now. Might as well figure out what she wants if I have any hope of getting some sleep tonight.”
The little fairy bowed in the air before darting off out of sight. I entered my room to find Advisor Mona sitting on my bed staring at me.
“Surprised to see me?” The fey woman smiled coyly at me.
I sat in a chair near a small desk I had in my room. After sitting down, I started taking my boots off. “Not really. I figured I would be seeing you at some point.”
“He, he, he, he. You are an interesting one.” Advisor Mona chuckled. She stood up and walked over to me.
“Most men, especially humans have a hard time resisting a fey’s allure.” Advisor Mona ran her slender index finger across my cheek giving me a sultry look.
I felt a surge of energy. It did not feel malicious, more a promise of what could come. “I am not one to be driven by my emotions. One thing I know about Winter Court fey, neither do they.”
Advisor Mona giggled as she sat in my lap. “One’s desires can stimulate the mind.” giving a little wiggle in my lap.
I shook my head. “Ha! Laying on a bit thick don’t ya think, my lady?”
She gave me a little pout. “You are very focused Duke Dragonvein. I have noticed when you set your mind on something your focus is unbreakable. Like an arrow focused on its target... or perhaps the hunter who shot the arrow.”
“Ah, she gets to the heart of the matter.” I replied.
The fey woman put her hand to her chest with a look of mock confusion. “Why, what ever could you mean your grace?”
“You are an advisor to Queen Mab are you not?”
“I am.” Advisor Mona’s smugness and pride in her position roiled off her.
‘Time to change things up.’
I picked her up in my arms, stood up, and turned around before promptly plopping Advisor Mona in the chair I was just sitting in. She had an initial look of surprise and confusion. That look turned into a sly smile. “I had no idea you like to manhandle a woman. Do not worry fey women can handle it rough.”
I shook my head. “Laser focused remember.”
Mona took on a puzzled look with my use of the word ‘laser’. Deciding to get this little game wrapped up I figured blunt and direct is what I had time for. In truth, that is usually all I have time for. “It has been a long day, Advisor Mona. Let me answer some questions you have not asked. Yes, I love to hunt, and I only eat meat or things that come from an animal. It appears I have a way with animals, and I love magic. Critical thinking and logic drive my decisions and as you can tell my emotions are a bit... muted. Now, if you do not mind, can we call it a night?”
“I would not mind adjourning for the evening.” The fey woman motioned to the bed behind me.
I sighed.
Advisor Mona waved her hand. “Fine, we can ‘dance’ some other time. For you to give me those answers means you have some idea of why I am here. I will say you are the most likely candidate to be the Huntsman in centuries.”
The fey woman stood up and leaned into me for a hug. Her head came up to my chest which meant she looked up at me. Grabbing my head, she pulled me closer to her. “I will leave you for now. But know this, there are many benefits to being one of the Winter Court.”
Advisor Mona stepped back abruptly. “Until next time, your grace.” Then promptly turned around and left.
I just shook my head. “Yikes! That is one very dangerous woman.”
Prrsha burst in the room. “Alpha, are you alright?!”
“I am fine. The advisor just wanted to talk.”
Prrsha walked up to me and sniffed. “Are you sure? I can smell her on you. I could claw her eyes out for you.”
‘I think Prrsha might me a Yandere.’
“Yes, fey play mental games. This was nothing more than that. Oh, let’s not tell Garry about this. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Only if I can stay here tonight.” Prrsha countered.
“What about the Sunderer? I am not going to have him watching me all night.”
“Mrrsha is handling that. She is better at coordinating others, especially non-pumas. Frrsha only has eyes for you and our kind. And I would rather claw the eyes out of those that annoy us.”
“Ha! Ever my huntress.” I reached up and scratched behind her ears. “Fine, I’m going to sleep. Stay if you want.” I said sleepily.