Risha: Chapter 60

Shouts echoed out of the hall, arguing, growls, and anger filling the space. 

Risha walked into the council room with only a single hand resting on Leaf-Watcher to help her keep balance. The loud conversation of the room silenced, the many monsters turning to look at the changed kobold and the Grand Mother who walked beside her.

It was complete silence, except for their soft footfalls as Risha was escorted to the chair at the head of the room. Risha kept her walk steady, not wanting to hint at the exhaustion that filled her from her use of the spirit evolution skill.

She arrived at her chair, and turned to the gathered people, all of whom watched her, waiting. 

She stood tall, removing her hand from Leaf-Watcher’s arm as she looked over every creature gathered. 

Her gaze landed on an Under Goblin, the poor thing looking lost in the group of monsters that surrounded it. Thankfully, it looked like Elder Oltak had taken them under his wing. 

Risha wasn’t sure how Elder Kulos kept the balance, but it seemed there were isolationists in every race of her Empire who followed his lead. 

Her gaze moved to the Shades, who watched from the corner, Grand Mother Cala herself was in attendance it seemed. 

The silence stretched as Risha’s gaze finally settled on the human whose people helped defend her borders this very moment.

“I…” The monsters of the room hung on her word, while Risha thought on what she said. “I promised all of you, that we would be stronger. Strong enough to not have to watch our people burn. That Risha, would be strong enough to protect all of her children.” Risha took a deep breath, her teeth showing as she growled, “Today, Risha’s children are killed. Your brothers and sisters die. Risha will not let them die for nothing. I do not know why they attack us, what masters pull their strings, but Risha promises you one thing. Risha will suffer as many cuts, bruises, and stabs as she needs to, to protect her people. They will learn to fear us. They will learn what it means to cut a Monster.”

The room burst with noise. Howls, shouts, growls, promises of death. Any who’d thought to hold back and wait to move, found themselves without support. There would be a march, and there would be war.

***

The city became alive with movement, people arming and readying themselves to face the threat coming to them. 

A defence had to be kept, to protect themselves from the dangers that waited in the forest, but the industry of war for a kingdom of monsters was no small thing.

In the depths, miners increased their search for iron and more esoteric materials. Craftsmen shifted their focus as Smiths honed their weapons, Fletchers made bows and arrows, and food was prepared for a long march. 

Glo had gone ahead to the front lines, bringing immediate reinforcements. Klaz’zks would lead the second group. 

Risha had chosen Klu and Leaf-Watcher to stay in the city, to watch the threat of the forest, while Sun-Chaser would organize the supply lines that were so desperately needed.

Risha herself would leave with Klaz’zks, but she had much to do before that.

Crimson whistled through the air, puncturing a tree. With a mental command to the spirit, Risha pulled the sword and sliced it through a bush before returning it to her hand. She sheathed the sword, the chain dangling from her arm.

It was crude, not to the level she’d hoped for. 

Still, the warriors who watched her practice stared in awe at the damage she did. 

“Scary. You wield them like a demon.” 

Risha turned to the speaker. Grand Mother Cala watched her with an unreadable gaze. There were five other shades guarding their Grand Mother, two of which she only knew about because the spirits said they were there. Risha couldn’t see them in the evening light, even knowing exactly where they were supposed to be standing.

Risha bowed to the other Grand Mother, “They terrified me. That’s why I use them.” 

Cala laughed, “They’re not scary. You are, young one.”

“I have to be.” Risha sat down in the grass, her legs out in front of her. 

“Yes, I think you do.” Cala sat down crosslegged next to Risha. “You have many dangers coming for you.” 

“I know.” Risha unwrapped the chains from her arms, and wrapped them around the handles of the swords. It felt good to have her arms free again.

“Maybe.” Cala motioned to one of the shades with her, and he poured a glass of liquid. She took a sip, then offered it to Risha. 

Risha took the cup, and enjoyed the taste of the strange liquid, much sweeter and softer than the alcohol she was used to.

“Before I leave, I should talk about Talo.” 

Risha focused on Cala, watching her with curiosity. The old Grand Mother emptied the cup, then held it up for the same shade to refill. Once it was full, she offered it to Risha again.

Not to be outdone, Risha took the cup and downed it, to Cala’s amusement. 

“He made an unforgivable mistake, costing the lives of many.”

“What did he do?”

“He let the children be slaughtered, when he was to be their guardian.” 

Risha looked up into the sky, watching the stars, “That must weigh on him.”

“It destroyed him.” 

The sky was huge, the stars a painting beyond anything Risha had ever seen. The moon was curved, just beginning to wax itself back to full. 

“Please, help him become the Shade he was.”

Risha looked over to Cala. Cala’s eyes watered, holding back tears as she sincerely asked this favor of Risha.

“He is Risha’s child now. Risha will always be there for him.” 

The shade bowed her head in thanks, then pushed herself up. “I wish you luck, Risha, Mother Of Monsters. If you need me, you can find me.” 

The shade turned around, and walked off towards the spider warren, returning to the depths. Her Shades fell into step behind her. 

Risha pushed herself up as well, then turned towards the tent where Elder Tya, Elder Kulos, and Elder Oltak waited. 

She entered the tent, into a tense atmosphere. Elder Kulos and Elder Oltak glared at each other, while Tya watched with half-lidded eyes in the corner. 

All three of them stood up as she entered, greeting her.

“You can sit.” Risha said, walking to the cushion at the back of the tent. She followed her own advice, and sunk into the cushion.

“Grand Mother, are you planning to just wait for the enemy on our doorstep?” Elder Oltak asked, “We should strike fast, while we have the advantage of surprise. We can’t fight two enemies at once.”

“Exactly,” Elder Kulos glared at the other goblin, “You would have us start a second war when we’re still marching to the first.”

“Better to hit them now, than wait for them to crush us from behind.” Elder Oltak folded his arms.

“We don’t know that they are our enemies.” Elder Kulos leaned towards Risha, “Grand Mother, we can’t afford another war.” 

“They struck us first, their blades cutting our people. Grand Mother, you saw the state Leaf-Watcher and the girl were left in. I know that this decision is not made lightly, but if we underestimate them here, it could cost us everything we’ve achieved.”

Risha looked away from the two, towards Elder Tya, “How is Aliya?”

“She woke up before I left. The Shade watches over her.” 

Risha let out a breath. Despite Tya’s earlier words, Risha had still been worrying about the Lin child. She turned to the two Elders, “We need more information before I’ll decide to start another war. Have a group sent to see if they’re willing to talk.”

“If they plan to fight us, you could be sending that group to their death,” Elder Oltak said.

Risha let out a breath, her eyes lowering, “More will die from war. If they’re willing to speak, I will personally see them.” 

Elder Oltak sighed, but bowed his head, “Yes, Grand Mother.” 

“Thank you, Grand Mother.” Elder Kulos bowed his head as well.

Risha turned to the second elder, “Elder Oltak is right, they have struck us. They are not forgiven, I want to know how many warriors they have, and where their strength lies. Prepare plans to turn against them. I’m trusting the both of you to do what is best for our people.”

They both nodded, then left the tent.

“I’m surprised to see Elder Oltak arguing for war.” Risha said.

“He is a man of action, not one to wait.” Tya stood up and stretched, “Do not mistake his kindness for anything less than the will of an old oak. If the plant creatures ask for forgiveness, he will give it. Until then, they have positioned themselves as our enemy.” 

“What do you think?” Risha stared at the flap the two elders had left through.

“I think that we know nothing, and rash decisions will be our downfall. We will want to be ready for them if they do come.”

Risha sighed, then turned to the old goblin, “Did you need me?”

Tya nodded, “She wants to see you.” 

Risha smiled, then followed the Elder to the healing tents. 

A small vinechild jumped up in excitement as Risha walked into the room. She ran up to Risha, embracing her in a tight hug. She looked up with stars in her eyes, “You saved me?”

Risha picked up the small child, “I came running. They didn’t stand a chance.”

Aliya placed her head in Risha’s shoulder, snuggling closer.

Risha looked up to Talo and Leaf-Watcher, both of whom had smiles on their faces. The Shade was still on edge, but it seemed to have calmed since Risha last saw him.

“What was it like? Did you go Sha! Sha?” The little girl made a cutting motion with her hands.

Risha laughed, then set the child down on one of the beds. She wrapped the chain of Crimson around her arm, then drew the beautiful blade. “I used this,” She sliced with her blade while Aliya looked at her with wide eyes. 

Another slice, then a small throw before pulling the blade back to her hand. Risha enjoyed showing off, and Aliya was appropriately awed at every movement, gasping and covering her mouth at the deadly dance Risha showed her a glimpse of.

Risha sheathed the sword, and rewrapped the chains around its handle. 

Aliya clapped her hands, “I want to be like you!”

Risha preened under the praise, then paused as she realized everyone in the building was watching her. She cleared her throat, and picked the little one off of the bed. “You can be as cool as Risha someday. Especially if you listen to Talo and Leaf-Watcher.” 

The girl nodded seriously.

Risha walked over to the two protectors, and the four of them spent some time together before she spotted a familiar coyote in goblin form. 

She excused herself, ready to speak with Mist-Prowler. It was time to decide what to do with the demons.

***

Epigraphs on Royal Road (I'm a little behind on getting these to you guys :D)

Chapter 37:

This is my first lesson to you, young Mystic. Spirits give us power, and they could take it away from us just as easily. You see your strength, that no orc pig dares stand against you, but you do not see that such power comes with a price. Do not offend our ancestors, or the spirits who you call upon, or you will find yourself dead, your family skewered by the spear you carry so proudly. Even the least of them carry the strength of their souls.

-Mystic Itok to his apprentice.

Chapter 40:

What’s the oldest monster? Oh, you’re going to laugh. So, before kobolds, before lizards, before spiders, there are records of a small servant that the Sparks created. Can you guess what the classless pitiful creature was? No? I’ll tell you. Their name starts with “g” and ends with “oblin”

-Mirkel, Human Historian

Chapter 42:

There are days, upon which your gaze finds the faintest memories of their passing. They who walked the earth long before our people. Greater than the Seraphim, older than the Elves, Craftier than the Shades, how do such mighty creatures fall so far? Pride.

The Sparks fell because of their pride.

-Unknown Author

Also, I'm realizing that the length of the chains on her swords might be changing, I have an answer for this, being: It's a magic weapon. Her spirit lengthens and shortens the chains depending on her desire.