Chapter 226: A Dangerous Proposal

Chapter 226: A Dangerous Proposal

With a wince, the warlord Marek Helene bent his aching legs and sat down on the snow. He inhaled in a cold-biting breath of air, mixed in with the scents of blood and smoke. The battlefield was riddled with bodies, soldiers of Hollow Shade and the Cairn Tribe lay dead across the bloodied snow in a horrific show of death.

There were only a few survivors of his battalion. They sat on the snow, shivering. Many cried quietly and mourned the fall of their loved ones. How many more battalions would he lose before this war ended? How many more lives of his people would he sacrifice?

Marek stared at the broken spear that lay at his feet. The wooden shaft had shattered in the middle of battle, like the other half-dozen spears before. He sorely missed the enchanted steel spear that was his fathers and the previous Cairn Tribe leaders. But the enchanted weapon had been lost, it had fallen off a cliff at Widows Crag, along with that cursed blue goblin.

Now that Marek thought about it, everything had gone downhill after that night. He had lost not only his most prized weapon, but the love of his life, Nokti. She had left him and had suddenly given her loyalty and love to another, Crow that damn bastard.

As if that hadnt been enough, Crow had failed to reach a meeting with the Adder Tribe that night. And now the armies of Hollow Shade had begun to roam the hills of Dusk Valley with a size and fury that had not been seen in decades.

Crow and Nokti had suddenly left on an unknown trip a few weeks back. Where they went or why? No one knew. All Marek knew was that his spy and scouts networks had suffered greatly after Crows disappearance. The Cairn had already encountered Hollow Shades armies several times.

Fortunately, his people had only faced off against small scouting battalions from the enemy. But if the Cairn ever found themselves against an entire legion of well-armored soldiers led by skilled generals and powerful mages, well Marek hoped it wouldnt come to that.

He needed the Unildyr. They were still too young, but the void creatures were growing at a rapid pace. The young Unildyr already reached the height of a full-grown man while sitting on their haunches. Their glassy black eyes and the way they stared at everyone as if eyeing prey was unsettling. Their pale grey, almost-translucent skin did little to hide the powerful white muscles underneath.

Every time Marek watched the Unildyr feed on a person, he was reminded of how dangerous these monsters really were. Their long black talons ripped through steel-plate armor, muscle, and bone as if ripping a sheet of paper. But it was the look in an Unildyrs eye when they fed that truly gave Marek pause. The way an inner light shined in those dark unfeeling eyes; in those moments Marek wondered if awakening these monsters had been the right choice.

Lord Marek, Dawn called out.

Marek didnt bother to answer, but he heard her footsteps crunch the snow as she neared. Like her twin, the mysterious hybrid arch-mage rarely deemed to speak. When either twin did, it was often short and grim. And more often than not, Dawns words came with an insult.

Dawn stopped next to him and looked over his ragged appearance. You look tired, young lord.

And there it is. He sighed, Im fine.

Dawn clicked her tongue, The war is taking its toll on you and your people.

Well manage. We always have, he said curtly.

Is that so? Dawn dug her hand under the snow, touched the grass underneath, and channeled green mana into the ground. A large vine sprouted five paces long and two paces wide. Dawn sat down on the make-shift bench and patted the area of vine next to her. Come on, it may not be a soft bed, but it beats the cold wet snow.

Marek hung his head in defeat and sighed. He begrudgingly stood up from the snow and sat down on the vine, next to her. ...Thank you, he muttered.

Youre welcome, young lord, Dawn smirked. I only wish I had my brothers gift in the Orange; Id conjure up a dozen fires and melt all this snow away.

Marek held out his arm, an orb of fire flickered to life in front of them. He lowered his hand, yet the flame spell continued to hover in the air, thawing their cold bodies.

Dawn smiled and held out her hands for warmth, Well, it seems we both might be able to help each other.

What is it you want? he asked. I know its not the company.

Are you sure about that? My brother is on a mission to try and improve our relations with the Adder Tribe. Perhaps I am bored and just want a conversation.

Says the woman who rarely speaks a word. If there is one thing I know about Vaughn and you is that you both never speak unless its necessary. So, what do you want?

Persistent and straight to the point, good. The Cairn people need a man of focus. Dawn gestured at the corpses strewn across the battlefield, But, how do you plan to save your people from all of this?

We won didnt we? he shrugged uncomfortably.

That wasnt what I asked.

Marek looked at her. Dawns dark violet eyes stared at him intently. He fidgeted underneath her stare and finally broke his gaze away. ...I awoke the Unildyr for a reason, didnt I? When grown they will be our ultimate weapon and protection against Hollow Shade and its forces.

Dawn nodded slowly, Except you didnt awaken the Unildyr. You and Crow did that.

Marek gritted his teeth. Whats the difference? Crow serves me.

Crow seems to know much more about the Unildyr than any of us, including you, young lord. How do you plan to control the Unildyr once theyre fully grown, without Crow interfering?

Marek laughed, The Unildyr hate Crow more than anyone. Any time they spot his black-feather cloak they begin hissing and extending their talons.

Perhaps, but that man knows more about those void monsters than anyone. How long until he figures out a way to make them listen to him? What happens then, when he no longer needs you?

Crow may be an aloof ass, but we have a deal. He will help me conquer Hollow Shade.

And after that? What then, young warlord of Dusk Valley? What happens when Hollow Shade lies in ruins at the feet of the Unildyr? Who will control them then? You? Or him?

Marek narrowed his eyes, You act as if Crow is my enemy?

She placed a finger under her chin and cocked her head to the side, Isnt he?

What? he frowned.

He took Nokti from you, she whispered. The love of your life, in the arms of another, all solely for the sake of spiting you. I wouldnt call that much of an ally.

Careful with your next words, Marek snarled.

...Even if youre right, why do you need me?

Do you know what orichalcum is?

Of course, its one of the rarest and most precious metals in all the ten Null Realms.

Dawn nodded, And one of the most coveted materials for magic.

For magic? he frowned. I mean sure, orichalcum is incredibly durable, you could probably make a very nice suit of armor if you ever found enough of the black metal. But, magic? I thought orichalcum couldnt conduct mana? In terms of enchanting, you could never do anything with it.

Youre quite right. However, it is believed that in the Age of Titans they discovered a way to create magical artifacts from orichalcum. The art of crafting such artifacts may have been lost, but some people have learned the secrets of how to wield orichalcums magic.

Like Crow? Marek asked.

And a few others, that I know of at least. From what I understand, orichalcum artifacts are incredibly difficult to use, the larger and more powerful ones especially. They take a toll on the body that few can withstand.

Let me guess, that weapon in Crows vault is made of orichalcum?

She shrugged, Im a vampire-drow hybrid. I could probably wield such a weapon, for a little while, before my body gives out and breaks down. She gave him a side-glance, But a dire? Well, maybe thats another story.

Marek nodded slowly, And Im the most powerful dire around.

Dawn poked his chest with her fore finger, The dire trait is said to be a remnant, a whisper in the blood of an age long forgotten.

His eyes widened, The Age of Titans

Perhaps your body can withstand what mine cannot. Dawn stood up and looked up at him. Even sitting down, he was still taller than her. She smiled, I hear you are in need of a new weapon, young lord.

Marek stared at her, silent and expressionless. He thought of Crow and Nokti, of all that he had lost, and what he could still lose. He nodded solemnly, That I am.

Well then, Dawn smirked. It seems we have a deal.

~~~

Stryg Felis voice called out in the distance. Stryg, wake up. Wake up!

Stryg screamed and sat up in bed. His body was covered in sweat, but he felt cold. He clenched his fists and tried to calm his breathing.

Feli rubbed his back and kissed his shoulder, Its okay. Its over now. Youre okay.

...Im sorry, he sighed. I didnt mean to wake you.

She pursed her lips wryly and looked at him with an expression of love and pity, You dont have to apologize. How bad was it?

Stryg closed his eyes, the memory of the dream was clear. He could still see Clypeus on Widows Crag. Stryg couldnt do anything but stand still, frozen. He watched as Clypeus was stabbed over and over, a look of surprise on his face as he looked straight at Stryg.

Im fine, Feli, honest. Stryg swallowed, his throat felt dry.

Feli bit her lip, Theyve been getting worse havent they?

He glanced out the window, it was still dark outside, though sunrise wasnt far off. He pulled back the blankets and got up. Im pretty thirsty. Im going to get something to drink.

Feli reached out her hand, she hesitated and let him go. Im here if you ever need to talk. You're not alone, Stryg. Im here and so is Rhian. Your family is here for you.

Stryg stopped at the door and looked back at her. I know, he smiled weakly and closed the door behind him.

He walked past the kitchen and made his way to the front door. He grabbed his longsword, Nameless, and slipped on his shoes.

Stryg walked out quietly and tiptoed his way down the buildings stairs and made his way to the street below. The few undead sentinels rambling the Scholar Districts roads sensed the silver nameplate in his pocket and ignored him.

The silver was a nice upgrade from his bronze nameplate, he no longer needed to show each sentinel he passed by the slab of enchanted metal. The silver nameplate had been one of the nicer gifts Elzri gave him when he had officially become his godparent.

The undead sentinels didnt bother Stryg as he made his way to the training courtyards. The sentinels however failed to notice the lamia that followed the goblin silently from the shadows.

Authors Note:

Yesterday the power in my neighborhood went out and I was unable to do any work, nor post a chapter as usual. However, due to that delay I will post another chapter tomorrow as well.

Thank you for your patience,

~Frostbird

https://discord.gg/uYqw7R6SKz

If you liked the chapter please leave a like, if there is something else you are interested in knowing about the lore, or if you have any questions, remarks, or just want to say hi drop a comment below!

Check out the glossary for more info on characters, lore, magic, and more!