An Incubus Life - 166 - Gundella's Fall

Chapter 166 Gundella POV (voted on by Patrons)

Gundella watched Apollyon slip into the portal between worlds after his group.  She had not yet gotten everything she could out of the strange orc Champion.  But she had gained a lot so far.  Her daughter, Tevega, was going to be an exceptional fighter and had unlocked the ancestor’s blood in her veins.  Tevega was even beginning to enjoy the training and getting proficient with an array of weapons.  The expensive trainers Gundella had employed said Tevega would be exceptional in time.

Tevega would also give birth to a new leader of the Whispering Rock Clan.  Gundella would be sure not to make the same mistakes she had on her other children.  She had coddled them and allowed them to choose their own destiny.  She thought that all ice orcs had gotten soft after conquering the planet and the greens. She would be much harder on this child.  Maybe the seed of Apollyon would give her twins; she fantasized about her Clan reaching new heights.

Gundella did have some losses.  The Haunted Waters Clan was sending representatives from the southern continent to confront Apolloyon.  The Haunted Waters Clan spanned the planet, and branches of the Clan governed through having the best warriors in every city.  They had been embarrassed when Apollyon defeated Vakgar publicly.  Now, they needed to respond, and without Apollyon to target, they would target Whispering Rock as she had orchestrated everything.

It might have been a mistake to manipulate the Champion Maestro into fighting Vakgar, but the truth was Gundella was sure after her death, her Clan would fall and become subservient to another.  Apollyon had breathed new life into her and her Clan.  She remembered him taking Tevega from behind at the table.  His impressive cock driving into her over and over while Tevega grunted in pleasure, the scent of sex in the air.  The pleasure of being filled over and over.  She pictured herself in Tevega’s place, but she clamped down hard on his cock, forcing him to release into her, rather than waste as he had done the first time he mated her daughter.

Gundella felt hot.  Maybe she would order a young male to lube her own tunnel this evening.  Or maybe two.  It had been a long time, but she found that just thinking of Apollyon excited her once-dead lust.  She gained her composure and returned to planning as she waited for the closing ceremonies to finish so she could leave.  As she was leaving the central chamber, she heard one of the shamans say the portal looked different than normal.  It was a cause of concern, but another shaman brushed it off, saying it would be different if the Supreme were using it.

A foggy memory of Apollyon talking to the Supreme Spiritualist came to Gundella.  They had a friendly conversation, and Apolloyon convinced her to join him in the transit on the expedition.  Apollyon was persuasive and powerful.  The thought of him and what she had seen him do once again sent tingles through her body.  He was the most impressive orc she had ever met.

As she walked, she knew not having Sharn was going to be a big loss.  The Molten Fist female was not only a good fighter but also a good leader and coordinator.  The hundred-plus Whispering Rock caravan guards respected her.  She hoped Sharn still had a fragment of loyalty to Whispering Rock and would ensure Apollyon returned.  Gundella was gracious in allowing Sharn and her Molten Fist Clan to serve Apollyon.  She was sure Sharn would see the favor she had given them.

She entered her steam-powered transport, and the vehicle powered up and began its voyage back to the Whispering Rock Estate.  Apollyon had also told her that the Fiery Snow clan had killed her mate.  She always suspected they had been involved.  Now she had a book as proof but needed to bid her time as things like this could not be rushed.  Any accusation she made could be met with a challenge to Honor Combat.  That would be a contest she could not win at present—maybe in a year if Tevega reached her potential.

Invigorated with a thousand plans in her head of things she could do to improve the Clan and entice Apollyon to stay when he returned, Gundella entered the main hall.  Tevega met Gundella, and Tevega’s frown was intense. Gundella sensed something was wrong, “Tevega, what has happened?”

Tevega spoke slowly, “I failed you, Matriarch.  I confirmed with the shaman healers I do not carry a child of the Maestro.”  Gundella’s hand struck Tevega hard on the cheek, but the young orc barely moved.

Gundella raged, “Did you not take the fertility potion?  His copious seed would not have failed!”  Gundella’s mind raced as things were falling apart.  Apollyon would most likely not be back for months.  She had hoped to present his child to him.  Now?  “Go train!  Your skills as a warrior might be needed sooner or later,” Gundella ordered Tevega away.

Gundella retreated to the library and slammed the door.  The frame of the door shook the wall, and a panel fell.  The panel concealed the wards to reveal magicked disguises and invisible beings.  She picked the wood panel up and was about to return when she noticed the wards had been disabled.  That was odd.  She would need to call a shaman to restore them.

Apollyon or one of his companions must have done this, as they were the only ones in this room since the wards were last renewed.  Apollyon had entered first...so maybe one of his companions was in disguise?  Maybe he did not know, and she could warn him and gain favor?  Or maybe he did know. If he came from a transit, then it would make sense he had been exposed to many races and liked to experiment with his massive penis.  The idea of crossbreeding repulsed her.  She couldn’t even imagine coupling with a green or gray.

Tevega took the book with no title on the spine and sat heavily in the chair.  She was going to need this to bargain with the Fiery Snow Clan for support against the Haunted Waters Clan.  Maybe if they needed it back so badly, then maybe she could use it to turn the two Clans against each other?  That way, she could get revenge for her mate and still sidestep reprisal from Haunted Waters.  She plotted well into the night.

The next week, Gundella found a dozen young, healthy ice orc males and forced them on Tevega.  If Tevega got with the child quickly enough, then perhaps Apollyon would not know it was not his.  Tevega welcomed the candidates to her room but required them to physically subdue her for their prize.  It was just as Apollyon had done to her.  Not one of the males was able to claim his prize, and most were left with serious injuries.

Tevega got hand-to-hand practice and started to gain a warrior’s reputation in the city as well.  So, at least something was coming of Gundella’s efforts. Gundella did not press Tevega to give in to the males she sent, as Gundella was proud of her daughter’s strength.  Gundella even pulled a few of the men to her room. If they took her from behind, she could imagine it was Apollyon penetrating her even if their size did not match his.

Gundella’s plotting to return the book and implicate Haunted Waters was also progressing.  She had it copied first and then arranged for it to be found by Shaman Faust when he visited the residence of a Haunted Waters manor.  She had put a few notes inside written by a Kolm, the leader of the Haunted Waters Clan before Vakgar.

The servant informant said that a thief broke in the next day and stole the book.  It was obviously an agent of Fiery Snow.  To her dismay, Vakgar of Haunted Waters Clan did not seem overly concerned.  He had not left the residence since being beaten and losing his first bead.  He was going to be replaced, and it was just a question of when.  It was frustrating as subtle subterfuge was not normal for orcs.  They preferred being straightforward, and such actions were frowned upon.

It was two more weeks before a large delegation arrived from the south—three Champions of the Haunted Waters and a Champion from Frenzied Seas.  The Frenzied Seas Clan controlled most of the shipping to and from the two continents.  They were an unusual clan as they were entirely composed of grays and rarely left their steamships.  Even this orc champion was a gray.

She received an invitation from Vakgar to attend dinner.  It was a formal letter and a request to pay homage to the Whispering Rock.  It was also addressed to both her and Tevega.  She could decline it, and it would be an insult and give Haunted Waters enough reason to request an Honor Duel.  She crumbled up the invitation and threw it at her fat gray servant.  He just bent over and straightened it out.  “So, you will be attending then?”  He asked emotionlessly.

Gundella growled at him, “Yes.  Send my response back.”  Why couldn’t they just do what she expected?  It had been three weeks since Apollyon left.  Now, her manipulations were coming back to bite her.  At least iron ingot shipments were up 33% now that she replaced her nephew.  The only thing she could do was delay the banquet a few days.  “Tell them, I will be returning from a trip to check on operations at the mining and smelting operations in three days and would be happy to attend.”

Three days later, Gundella was seated next to Tevega in their steam-powered transport.  Tevega was dressed in common warrior garb.  Her body had thickened rapidly with muscle.  She looked to be an imposing warrior.  Gundella asked, “Are you prepared to defend the Honor of your clan?”

“Yes, Matriarch,” she replied curtly.

“How did your last challenger fair?” Gundella asked her daughter.

“He was slow. I broke his arm and wrenched his shoulder out of its socket,” Tevega said with a hint of humor.

“I am glad you are enjoying yourself. But please refrain from damaging them too much. I have to promise to pay for their healing just to get them to show now,” Gundella said with her own smirk.

The transport stopped outside the black walls of the Haunted Waters estate.  The Whispering Rock guards exited the back and formed an escort to take them to the door.  Her guards stationed themselves outside the entrance as two pale-skinned attendants took over their escort to the dining hall.

When she reached the dining hall, she hesitated, slightly fearful.  Shaman Faust and Eldar Ergoth from Fiery Snow were seated here. The book was positioned between them.  She had not expected them to be here.  Tevega didn’t hesitate, stepping past her mother and taking a seat where her attendant indicated.  Gundella followed, trying to puzzle out this unusual event.  Gundella should have been the honored guest as per the invitation.

Vakgar was seated at the head of the table, which surprised her and also caught her off-guard.  He should have stepped down now that the new Champion had arrived.  She tried to figure out which of the three hulking ice orcs would be replacing him.  The gray-skinned Champion of the Frenzied Seas was easy to identify.

Vakgar voiced a welcome, “Gundella, it has been long since you shared my table and shared in my kill.” He pointed to the largest Champion, “A wild boar killed two days prior.”  The table was set with a dozen different preparations for the boar meat. Gundella was not interested in the food. Tevega was already helping herself as her food needs had greatly increased since becoming awakened.

“Why are we here?”  Gundella asked when she sat at the other head of the long table.

Shaman Faust answered, superseding the host’s authority, “The Supreme Spiritualist has not returned.  She left with your Champion.  No Pyramid has been able to connect to Everhome or Earth since.  We are hoping you can explain.  This is the Clan Leader of Frenzied Seas, Renton.  This is General Werth of Haunted Waters.  And this is General Dramon of Frozen Hearth Clan.” He did not introduce the fourth Champion.

Gundella inhaled.  The names were all familiar.  Werth, she should have recognized him from pictures.  He was the top General of Haunted Waters.  The Frozen Hearth Clan was a powerful clan inside the transit and managed the cities.  And Renton…she did not know him, but he looked imposing.

“Apollyon is not a Champion of Whispering Rock. We were still in negotiations when he departed with the Supreme,” Gundella stated calmly and poured herself a drink.

“Drop all pretense, Gundella,” Eldar Ergoth spoke. His hand was on top of the book. “The Sendings have been interrupted, and we have had to push all the young ones into the transits instead of through the World Gate.”

General Dramon said, “While I appreciate the fresh blood in the transit, they came in too great numbers, and a minor revolution has occurred. I now have to spend considerable resources retaking two cities from the greens and grays.”

Gundella did not understand transit politics or such repercussions, but she guessed, “Did Champion Apollyon participate in the upheaval?” She had a tone of surprise or maybe hope. Maybe Apollyon was consolidating territory for himself inside the transit.

“No sign of Apollyon or the Supreme has been seen in the transit,” Dramon stated coldly.

“Impossible!  He would have arrived inside the city of Elgrun with the Supreme and his attendants,” Tevega interrupted the conversation.

“Yet, he has not been seen in Elgrun or any city inside the transit,” Shaman Faust said hotly. “We think he may have traveled to the twenty-second layer or higher. There were abnormalities in the gate established.” General Dramon nodded his head in agreement, the thick tendons on his neck bulging.

Eldar Ergoth added, “We think Appolyon has abducted the Supreme Spiritualist. We sent a message to the angelics on the higher layers. An angelic called Ramiel responded.” Gundella gasped. Angelics on the higher layers were akin to gods. Ergoth nodded at her surprise, “He told us the Supreme should never have left Mercanious and told us to find her at all costs.”

Shaman Faust added, “Pyramid operations are being halted, and General Werth is preparing an expedition to search for her.” He smiled toothily at Gundella, “So, Gundella, we are here to determine your role in all this.”

Gundella shifted uneasily, and Tevega had also gone on alert. Five Champions and the most powerful shaman in the city sat at the table.  The invitation she had received should have protected her from any conflict, but these Champions did not look like they planned to follow conventions of etiquette.

Tevega stood, “I challenge any of you who would defame Apollyon. The Champion Maestro will return and lead us all. Vakgar can attest his prowess is unmatched.”

Gundella wished she had not brought Tevega along. The stupid girl had let her infatuation for Apollyon cloud her senses. Gundella was trying to think of a way to back out of this, but Champion Renton of Frenzied Seas stood. “I accept your offer to defend Apollyon’s Honor in his name, child.”

Things were snowballing too fast out of control for Gundella. Before she could speak, Tevega agreed, “I stand to defend Champion Apollyon’s Honor.”

They were in a small fighting ring inside the Haunted Waters estate two hours later. Gundella had no advice for her daughter other than, “Break him as quickly as possible. If you do not, we may not be allowed to leave.”

Tevega ignored her mother as she focused on her opponent. The large gray orc weighed more than twice her weight, and he had more than eight inches of her height. He was lean for Champion, and Tevega watched him walk. He was sure-footed, and Tevega guessed all the hours he spent on a ship gave him a superb sense of balance.

A rack of Honor swords was brought out. Tevega was given the option of having a blade retrieved from the Whispering Rock Estate, but she declined. There was no need to prolong this. She was more than confident. Tevega knew Champions could call on the ancestor’s blood, enhancing a physical attribute. But where they could only draw on one physical aspect, she could draw on multiple aspects until she ran out of aether.

She pulled the smallest blade on the rack and tested it. It was a good blade, and she rolled her wrist, getting a quick feel for the weight. Renton had his own blade brought to him. It was a black metal with blue veins of some unique metal in it. “I am sorry, girl, but time is scarce, and things need to be done.” It was a threat, and Tevega just smirked.

Gundella looked on nervously as her daughter stood before the goliath of an orc. Shaman Faust looked at the two, shortened the ritual announcement, and started the combat. The result was a foregone conclusion. Renton immediately swung his blade in a tight arc, Tevega danced back, and he only cut the air.  Tevega had focused on improving her speed and agility. She was much faster than the large orc.

Renton turned to the others, “This is the one that has been developing a reputation for abusing the males?”

Vakgar answered him, “She is. She has changed since I had last seen her, Renton.”

The gray orc looked back at Tevega, his golden eyes dancing across her body. “I will tame her,” he finally said, taking an offensive stance. Tevega smirked as she rushed the larger orc.

Renton blocked her attack, but it had been a feint. Tevega was inside his guard, and before he could react, the tip of the long blade was under his chin and moving upward into his brain. Renton kicked, trying to create space between them. Tevega once again was out of range. Renton was confused as Tevega was now unarmed. His hand moved to his chin, and he felt the blade. His moved moved to the top of his head. The sword tip was extending out the top of his head by six inches.

Everyone was still as Renton slowly smiled. He tried to speak, but the words did not come. He took one step and then fell face first, his body hitting the ground with a thud. Shaman Faust and Eldar Ergoth raced forward. Honor Duels were rarely to the death. They fought to remove the sword, and Faust tried to heal the injury and failed.

Tevega picked up the sword, covered in blood and brain matter. She turned and faced the other Champions, “Who else wants to challenge Apollyon? I will take all challenges in his name. I am his student and shield!”

After seeing Tevega’s display of speed, no one else issued a challenge. Gundella took the opportunity to get them out of the Haunted Waters Estate and to their transport. Once secured inside, Gundella turned to her daughter, “You were marvelous, Tevega. We must get home so I can plan for what is to come.”

“No, mother. You will be doing no planning. You are being sent to manage the ore mines. I will be assuming the role of Matriarch,” Tevega said calmly.

“You can not run the Clan, daughter! I am the Matriarch and will be till I die,” she barked at her.

“If that is how you wish it. It can also be that way,” Tevega gripped the Honor Blade she had taken with her.

Gundella barked a laugh, “It seemed Apollyon pounded some spine into you as well as awakening your blood.” Although she was furious, at least her daughter was showing some promise. “I will transfer the Clan rule to you openly if you allow me to remain to advise you.”

Tevega turned the words over in her mind. Gundella was loyal to herself first and the Clan second. She needed to prepare for Apollyon’’s return by making the Whispering Rock Clan greater. More than a Merchant Clan. She had visions of a great warrior clan above all others. Openly turning the leadership to her would make the first steps easier. “Agreed, Gundella. If you oppose me in any way, it will not go well for you.”

Gundella forced a smile. “Good, Matriarch. Now, we should discuss the Haunted Waters and Fiery Snow Clan. After your display and with the missing Supreme they will be coming for you…”