Chapter 9 - Secret Base

As Deathwalker walked back to his private study he reached out to Lilandra. “How goes what we discussed Lilandra?”

“It goes well. The portal room was already connected to a barracks in Nexus city.” Lilandra replied telepathically.

“Really? That’s the name we are going with?” Deathwalker mentally groaned.

Garry butted in on the telepathic conversation. “What? I liked it and the name makes sense.”

“It was your suggestion and you convinced everyone I liked it.” Deathwalker commented.

“Alpha does not like the name?” Frrsha chimed in.

Mrrsha and Prrsha were still not as comfortable using telepathy, but they still listened.

“Fine, Nexus city, until we think of something cooler.” Deathwalker begrudgingly agreed.

Garry smiled. “Thanks, boss.”

Deathwalker shifted his focus back to his first disciple. “Now you were saying Lilandra.”

“Yes, Orantes has lent me several of her drones. They helped with some of the required modifications. The connected barracks leads to a training facility and practice ring. All of that has been cut off from the rest of the city until you decide to reveal the truth to those stationed there. Master, are you sure you still want to do this?” Lilandra replied.

“We require a base. I want somewhere isolated. If we can prevent them from exploring, it should work. Let’s have the pumas patrol near the barracks as common practice, just to be sure.” Deathwalker replied.

Before moving on with his plan, another idea struck Deathwalker. “How is Orantes doing?”

“Very well. I visit her often. She has asked that you come see her when you can. I believe she wishes to show off the work her brood has accomplished. Why do you ask?” Lilandra relayed.

“Her brood could be a force unto themselves, but we would require different types of warriors. It might be good to have a conversation with her. I wanted to bring it up to you my little genie, as you might have ideas to help achieve what I am envisioning.” Deathwalker explained.

“I see the images you are sending me. It is doable but give me some time to consider it.” Lilandra answered.

“Excellent! I will see you shortly.” Deathwalker stated, before cutting off the telepathic conversation.

It did not take General Marius long to arrive. He headed over after bidding his brother a good night. Deathwalker gestured to the empty seat at the table.

“Please sit, General. We have much to discuss.”

“As you command, my liege.” General Marius said as he sat down.

“I wanted to discuss the secret base we wanted to build. Had any luck locating somewhere sufficient for our needs?”

“No, my liege. Other than training and recruiting efforts, I used much of the time while you were away to have our men scout out possible base locations deeper in the forest. Though there are some options off the beaten path, closer to the Harkin mountains, that would put them too far from Timberfall to be of use.” General Marius explained.

“Harkin Mountains. Hmmm. Grimhold told me that one of the Dwarven kingdoms is within the heart of those mountains. They have a few passageways that lead to the Elven nation and Hargrave. However, my understanding is that the side of the Harkin mountains Timberfall is far from the dwarves.” Deathwalker said.

“That is true, my liege. It goes to show you how massive those mountains are. It would be hundreds of miles into the mountains before you reached the dwarves. Why do you ask?” General Marius replied.

“Might be worth the effort to create a portal station or create the tunnel. Just thinking of the future. Now, back to the base. I have a proposed location for our primary military base, but one that requires the highest secrecy and strictest requirements while there.” Deathwalker answered.

“If you have a location, I can send my men to scout it out and determine the feasibility.” General Marius commented.

“No, that simply won’t do.”

“Why not, my liege?” General Marius asked.

“You’ll see. I am willing to take you there personally. I already sent my bodyguards and familiar along to ensure everything was ready. I wanted us to chat first. If you agree to this, I will expect strict oaths from anyone who goes to this location. One day you will understand why.” Deathwalker said before standing. “So, how about it General, care to check it out?”

Without waiting for an answer, Deathwalker exited his suite and headed towards the Portal Station. General Marius followed quickly behind. “Where are we going, my liege?”

“The portal station.” Deathwalker replied.

“The portal station?! Where are we going?” General Marius asked.

“You’ll see soon enough.” Was all Deathwalker said before going completely silent until they reached the portal hub.

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“Leave us.” Deathwalker ordered the guards insider to leave the room.

The squad of soldiers did not argue. They snapped to attention and quickly left. Once they were alone again Deathwalker turned to his general. “Where we are about to go, you must swear to never share with anyone without my permission. Anyone you bring in the future must not only give the same oath but also is required to obey the rules of those there. Am I understood?”

“Not exactly, my liege, but you have my oath.” General Marius stated.

Deathwalker nodded, grabbed the warrior by the shoulder and pulled him into a portal. When General Marius opened his eyes, he was in a grand room that was larger than any amphitheater he had ever seen. There were archways everywhere. In the center of the room was a giant raised map. Part of the map he recognized as Timberfall, the rest he was unfamiliar with.

“Where are we, my liege?” General Marius asked.

“That is something we ask you to wait for an answer. Needless to say, you are in a very secret location. I believe that was one of the critical requirements to a ‘secret’ base.” Lilandra answered.

General Marius spun around to find one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his life. Her skin was a lavender color, she had pointy ears, and her outfit was very distracting.

Deathwalker spoke up. “Do not stare General. Let me introduce you to my Portal Master Lilandra. She is another layer of security over our network. This is her home, and you will respect her authority in this place.”

General Marius nodded multiple times. “As you command, my liege.” Turning to the lavender woman. “It is an honor to be allowed in your home Portal Master Lilandra. My apologies for staring. This place is quite breathtaking.”

Lilandra giggled. “He, he, he. At least he is respectful. I can see why you like him, master.”

“Master?” General Marius said under his breath but both Deathwalker and Lilandra heard him.

“Yes, I am Deathwalker’s first disciple.” Lilandra chimed in.

“Disciple?” General Marius was getting even more confused. He could feel the power radiating off this woman. ‘And she is my duke’s disciple? Totally lost here.’

Seeing his general’s confused look Deathwalker spoke up. “I have many secrets General. We do not have the time to cover them all.”

Turning to Lilandra, “Lilandra, why don’t you show us to the barracks.”

A smile spread over her face. She rather enjoyed being helpful. “Follow me. I will show you the secret base we have established for our people.”

Lilandra guided the two men to the barracks, training yard, and military storage. Every new building they entered, General Marius’ eyes grew bigger and bigger. The barracks was massive and could easily house tens of thousands of people with room to spare. The training yard was huge with several sections for melee combat, ranged attack dummies, and magic practice zones. The military storage had racks for weapons, separate sections to house rations and other perishables.

General Marius couldn’t hold back any longer. “This place is magnificent!”

“I’m glad you like it General. I will expect you to coordinate with Lilandra. Bring the soldiers and supplies to the portal and she will know.” Deathwalker ordered.

“How will she know?” General Marius asked.

“I am the Master Portal Guardian. I see all that enters one of the portal stations. I will await your men. Please make it clear I will tolerate no curiosity or ‘accidental exploration’. If that occurs you can expect ‘accidental death’, am I clear?”

“Yes ma’am!” General Marius saluted.

Deathwalker clapped his general on the shoulder. “Excellent. Let us get back. I’m mentally exhausted and could use a rest.”

“Of course, my liege. Forgive my insensitivity. I was excited at such a perfect facility.” General Marius replied before following Deathwalker and Lilandra back to the portal room.

As General Marius and Deathwalker exited the portal back to Timberfall they heard two guards talking.

“It is just a black raven. Why are you acting so weird.”

“I know of no black ravens in this forest. They are not native. So, what is it doing here?”

“Who cares? It is just a bird!”

“It gives me the creeps!”

“What are you two talking about?” Deathwalker inquired.

Both men quickly snapped to attention. “Sorry, your grace. We were just chatting.”

“Yes, I heard. What is this about a black raven?”

Both soldiers looked uncertain. General Marius, seeing this barked a quick order. “Your Duke asked you a question. Answer him!”

“Well, you see, your grace. We guard this portal every day and for the last few days we noticed a large black raven perched on the manor wall. It seems to be watching what is going on.”

“Please excuse him, your grace. I do not think he has slept well the last few days. His mind is playing tricks on him.” The second guard replied.

“It is not! I am telling you there is intelligence behind those eyes!”

“Decorum gentlemen! You are in front of your Duke!” General Marius reminded the two soldiers.

Both soldiers looked horrified and dropped to their knees. “Our apologies, your grace!”

Lilandra sent a telepathic message out of nowhere. “Master, you should...”

Deathwalker cut her off. He was too tired mentally to worry about this whole situation. “Later! Too tired!”

Turning his attention to the two guards kneeling. “Get up. It’s fine.” Deathwalker said before exiting the building.

“I will discipline them later, my liege. They must know how to act properly.” General Marius commented once they left the building.

Deathwalker was about to reply when he noticed the large black raven. It stirred something within him. The giant bird turned its head and looked straight into his eyes.

For some reason Deathwalker recalled a moment from his favorite TV show Babylon 5. The line echoed in his head. “YOU HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR MIND!”

“What the heck? Why would I recall...” Deathwalker began to say before he dropped to his knees in sudden pain.

As Deathwalker shut his eyes, a vision flashed in his mind. He recalled seeing this before. It was the same scene Uriel showed Deathwalker of his arrival to the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm.

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Deathwalker exited a roiling portal before transforming from a dragon into his human form. He collapsed unconscious. This is where his vision ended the last time Uriel showed it to him. However, now the vision continued. The scene panned to the side to reveal two angels. One Deathwalker recognized Uriel, the other he did not know.

The angel Deathwalker did not know walked up to his unconscious past self, bent down and placed their hands on Deathwalker’s head and chest. The angel’s hands began to glow.

Uriel spoke up as the light faded and the unknown angel stood. “Raphael, what did you just do?”

“Do not worry brother. I put a hidden geas on his soul. You have your duties and I have mine. We have seen what this man did to track down his friend. Do you think when he wakes up, he will stop doing everything he can to find his friend? Not a chance. The man is too loyal and passionate a person.” Raphael replied.

“Yes, I agree he will be focused, but that focus could help him grow.” Uriel chimed in.

“His friend is in the hands of the Dark! The scales must be balanced. You are the only one who can see to his introduction. I have done what I came to do. The geas must remain unknown.”

Raphael patted Uriel’s shoulder. “Do not worry brother, what I have done will only help him. This must be done with the utmost care, or he will recklessly go off chasing after his friend before he is ready to face him, and all is lost.” Raphael stated before disappearing in a flash.

The scene ended as Deathwalker collapsed in pain. “AHHHHH!!!”

General Marius was at his side. “MY LIEGE, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! WHAT HAS HAPPENED?!”

The General turned to his liege’s familiar Garry to ask him if he knew anything.

As he looked up, Marius heard Garry say, “Oh Crap!”

Just after uttering those words, Garry winked out of existence.

CAAW, CAAW

The last thing Deathwalker thought he heard before falling unconscious was a voice saying, “We must talk!”