Chapter 218: Disturbing Report

Chapter 218: Disturbing Report

Lord Mareks council had gathered in the command tent to discuss the recent ongoings of Dusk Valley and to receive the latest reports of the scouts who had only arrived this morning.

Nokti glanced at the men and women sitting across the table from her. Marek seemed tired, dark bags hung under his eyes. It had been a long autumn for the tribe, and the first winter snows had only made everything worse. She felt a pang in her heart, a part of her wanted to hug Marek and comfort him. But she buried that piece of her deep inside, she had a purpose now, a duty; the safety of the Ebon Realm was more important than her feelings for a past love.

Grim seemed... well, grim she supposed. After the axlean had lost an arm to the lamia traitor, the elemental mage had never been the same. Grim had always been a bit of recluse, but now any hint of warmth was gone from his milky-white eyes.

The elf, Kyriil seemed bored. He fiddled with his fingers as they waited for the scout to arrive. Dawn and Vaughn were expressionless as always, Nokti still felt unnerved by the creepy twins every time she looked at them.

Caligo, or Crow, as the others knew him, sat next to her, sleeping it seemed. His avian skull mask covered his entire head, hiding his silver hair and child-like face. No one could see what he was ever thinking, but then again, even without the mask Nokti doubted anyone knew what he was thinking except for, perhaps, Lin Lu. The snow-white fox was curled up in Crows lap, sleeping peacefully. The fact that no one else could see the fox still boggled Nokti.

The tent flaps flipped open, a woman dressed in a pale green garment ran into the tent and stumbled to a halt in front of the council.

She immediately turned to Marek and bowed low, My lord. Captain Mabel reporting for duty!

Forget the formalities, Marek waved his hand weakly.

Hes more tired than I thought, Nokti noted to herself.

You are in charge of all our scouts in the North and West of Dusk Valley, yes? Marek asked.

Yes, my lord, Mabel nodded. I came as soon as I gathered all the reports from my scouts.

Then what are you waiting for? On with it, Marek tapped the table.

Yes, my lord, Mabel pulled out a long roll of paper and laid it flat across the table.

Nokti stared at the map of Dusk Valley with wide eyes. Is that?

Mabel nodded glumly, The yellow markings are where the armies of Hollow Shade attacked a Valley tribe. The orange markings are where they attacked outposts of our own Cairn Tribe.

Holy shit, the entire West and North sections are covered in orange and yellow! Kyriil exclaimed.

Hollow Shades armies have tripled since spring and they are only growing by the day, Mabel said.

Marek ran his hands through his golden hair, Dammit

Grim pointed a long grey finger at the dozens of red circles on the map. What are the red markings?

Mabel took a shaky breath, The red circles are where a Valley tribes outpost was completely wiped out, no survivors

Dawn whistled, Thats a lot of people.

A lot of dead, Vaughn muttered.

Several of the Northern Valley tribes have already been wiped out, Mabel said quietly.

Our Valley has been plunged into a bloodbath, Nokti clenched her teeth.

We need to group up, all the tribes, Marek said. Its the only chance we have to survive Hollow Shades armies.

Except none of the other chieftains want to meet with us, Vaughn said.New novel chapters are published on

Its understandable, Nokti sighed. They blame us for this entire war. I wouldnt want to meet with us either.

Stingy bastards, Kyriil cursed.

Why do we need to parley with them in the first place? Grim asked. Cant we just keep attacking the tribes into submission? Absorb their remnants into our own army? Were already the strongest tribe in the Valley.

It wouldnt work, Marek shook his head. We cant fight the other tribes and Hollow Shade both. Well lose. We need the tribes to join us willingly.

And how are we supposed to do that? Grim asked.

We need the Adder Tribe, Dawn said. They are the most respected of the tribes. If we get their endorsement the other tribes will rally to us. If all the Valley tribes gather together, well have the largest army in the entire Ebon Realm.

Except the Adder Tribe refuses to meet with us, Marek sighed. After we failed to show up and meet with them on the Summer Solstice, they have cut off all communication with us. No envoys, no messenger birds, nothing.

Right, I almost forgot, Grim glanced at Kyriil and the sleeping Crow, You two fucked up the meeting.

Hey, we got fucking attacked by a group of master mages! Kyriil yelled. At least I didnt get my ass whooped by one snake girl!

You piece of shit! Grim roared and stood to his feet. He towered over the rest by several feet.

Enough! Vaughn raised his voice.

Grim and Kyriil froze. The hybrid arch-mage never shouted. Grim sat down and mumbled something under his breath.

My lord, any thoughts? Vaughn asked.

Marek stayed quiet for a moment before answering, We cant fight the Adder people, they are the only tribe with an army large enough to oppose us. We need to find a diplomatic solution.

Says the man who hatched a bunch of monster babies and started a war with a fucking Great City, Kyriil muttered. I dont get paid enough for this.

But youre more than happy enough to fuck the woman of our tribe, huh? Nokti sneered.

An elf needs his comforts, okay? Whats wrong with that? Kyriil shrugged.

Does he need his balls too? Nokti asked. Because if you dont stop talking Im going to rip them right off between those skinny legs!

Gods I dont have the energy to deal with this right now, Marek groaned.

Mabel coughed and cleared her throat.

Is there something you want to add? Marek raised an eyebrow.

Nokti simply nodded, she was getting used to him saying things that made no sense.

You said Honorem was a twin dagger? she glanced at the large wooden chest.

Votum isnt in that chest. Caligo picked up the leather pack and threw it over his other shoulder.

Are you leaving the camp? she asked anxiously.

For now.

To find your other swo- dagger?

No. That will have to wait for some other time.

She bit her lip, When will you be back? The tribe will be in danger if youre not here.

Ive made arrangements, the tribe will survive. Ill be back before anything momentously stupid happens.

Can I come with you? she whispered.

Caligo looked up at the fox on his head.

Lin Lu squeaked. Caligo nodded.

She says you dont look heavy, so thats a yes, he said.

Oh, Nokti blinked. Great?

Caligo pulled back the tents flap, stopped, and looked back at Nokti, A word of caution. If you come along, I may not be able to keep you safe.

Nokti felt a shiver run down her spine. Whats so dangerous that a god cant keep someone safe? Dragons? Really? She suddenly felt a lot less certain about this trip.

She shook her head, straightened her back, and nodded, I can handle myself.

...Follow me, Caligo threw his hood over his head and Lin Lu, then walked out.

~~~

Nokti trailed behind the snowy footsteps of Caligo until they reached the outskirts of the camp. Unfortunately, she hadnt gotten a chance to stop by her tent, she didnt even have a change of clothes, let alone her favorite fur cloak.

Nokti sighed, she could see her warm breath turn into a cold wisp in the evening moonlight.

Caligo looked up, a small sliver of the moon floated in the night sky. He smirked, Were in luck, its a waxing crescent.

What does that mean? she asked.

It means Lunaes visual prowess is very weak right now. Once the new moon arrives, shell have no way of finding us.

Nokti glanced up at the moon and simply nodded. She was really getting used to Caligo saying things that made little sense.

Dawn and Vaughn stood waiting for them beyond a hill nearby the camp. Nokti sighed in relief, Dawn held a traveling pack and a fur cloak in her hands. She handed them to Nokti without a word.

Thanks, Nokti smiled.

Stay safe, Dawn said curtly. She turned to Caligo and kneeled in the snow, We will keep the tribe safe while you are gone, Master.

That job will be left to only you, Caligo said. Vaughn, I have a different task for you.

Just say the word, Master, Vaughn kneeled.

Go to the Adder Tribe, ensure that a meeting between the Cairn and the Adder happens. Feel free to use whatever means necessary.

As you wish, Master, Vaughn said.

Lin Lu jumped out from under Caligos hood and fell into the deep snow. Her white fur and body disappeared among the snow.

Is she okay? Nokti asked, a tad worried.

The snow shifted apart, an enormous snow-white fox rose from the ground, reaching thrice the height of any centaur Nokti had ever seen.

She can grow big!? Nokti gasped.

Lin Lu looked down at the small people beneath her, her amber eyes alight with smugness.

Lady Lin Lu is a shapeshifter, Dawn said respectfully.

So shes like Lord Caligo? Nokti glanced between the two of them.

Not even close, Caligo winked.

Our Master is unique, Dawn glared at the vampiress.

Sorry, Nokti winced. Dammit, that was stupid of me. Hes a god. Of course he isnt like others.

Lin Lus black lips curled back in a high pitch chuckle.

I hear you, lets get going, Caligo smiled half-heartedly.

He wrapped his arm around Noktis waist and jumped a dozen feet in the air. They landed softly on Lin Lus back. Caligo nestled himself between the giant foxs shoulders, Nokti sat behind him.

She wrapped her arms around Caligo. Im ready I think?

Lin Lu bent her legs and narrowed her amber eyes. In one fluid motion, she vaulted off the ground and soared a hundred feet up. Small puffs of clouds formed beneath Lin Lus paws and crystalized, shattering into dust as she kicked off them and flew higher into the sky in a whirlwind of speed. Nokti screamed, Lin Lu laughed.