Chapter 6

Hello my wonderful patrons!  

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And if everything you just read was a needless delay between you and Chapter 6, lo siento lol

Well here it is!  

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CHAPTER 6 – Day 141 – Kuborn 31, 0 AoC

Thankfully nothing else leaped out of the woods to attack them. Both Richter and Caulder were in strung out shape. The chaos seed could feel his reaction time diminishing, and a Tired debuff appeared on his interface. Even the guards that hadn’t been part of the goblin raid were flagging after a eight-mile hump over unbroken wilderness. It was with profound relief that Richter finally heard Alma’s voice in his mind. At their current Psi Bond rank, their maximum communication rank was fifteen hundred yards, almost a mile, but at least he knew an end was in sight.  

Richter had been getting concerned as they got closer to the edge of his domain. The question “Where were they?” kept shooting through his mind, along with other, darker musing. He had reminded himself that the army was slowed down with wounded, but he couldn’t help worrying and thinking that they should have come across them by now. The dragonling’s voice was a balm on his troubled mind. As soon as she was in range, Alma sent visual information. His map updated and he knew the returning army’s exact position. Richter adjusted his warband’s course to angle north slightly and told his men they would be reunited with the army soon. 

*Master, are you alright?* Alma’s tone was thick with concern. 

Richter’s response was tired, but reassuring. *I’m fine, love. Is the army okay?*

*Some of the prisoners are hurt badly from their captivity. No one has died though.*

*Were there any attacks since the army left the valley?*

*No master.* 

At her response, Richter breathed a sigh of relief, but it begged another question. *Then why aren’t you closer?* 

Her answer made him curse loudly. Sion and Caulder looked at him, but he just firmed his lips and shook his head. The warband picked up the pace while he berated himself. The reason the army wasn’t closer was because he was a damn moron! He had forgotten to give the freed captives immunity to the mists! 

Even after seeing how distressed the prisoners that had been transported with him had been, Richter hadn’t put two and two together. Honestly, he’d been completely distracted by the emergence of the Dungeon. His error was inexcusable. Richter just started thinking about these abused and battered people having to stumble through the enchantment. They wouldn’t have been able to see more than five feet in front of their faces! 

Even worse, the magic of the mist would intentionally lead them off course. The only way they could have made it through was if each prisoner was paired with a soldier that had immunity to the village’s defensive magic. That of course meant that it would be nigh impossible for his fighting men and women to form a cohesive defense against possible monster attack. Richter’s grimace deepened. The prisoners must be scared shitless. The fact that they had even made it two miles through the mist over rough terrain was actually impressive.

*I’m on my way, love,* he promised her. *I will give them all immunity as soon as I get there.*

*Oh. There is no need, master. I gave all of the prisoners immunity.*

Richter blinked in surprise. *You can do that?* 

She thought back smugly, *I can do many things, master. Our bond has deepened.*

Richter exhaled in relief. Alma explained that while it had taken a significant amount of time to give everyone immunity, it was the prisoners’ overall poor health after captivity that had slowed their pace. The chaos seed thought about just how lucky he was to have such great support. Rather than slow down, he told the warband that their goal was only a mile away, and that they should pick up the pace. There were a few groans, but everyone did as he commanded. The one or two that lagged quickly caught up when Caulder started barking at them. 

It took another ten minutes, but soon he was standing in front of both Damien and Terrod. Now reunited, the warband and the returning armies took the opportunity to rest and heal. The biomancers Richter had brought with him spread out among the freed prisoners. They cast Weak Cure Disease and Weak Slow Heal on the recent captives. Some Life magi were already with the returning army, but they had been pulling double duty as guardsmen, so hadn’t been able to do more than heal the worst cases. 

Richter looked at his casters with pride. Even though it had only been a few months, the tutelage the biomancers received under Sumiko had made them legitimate magicians. They cast spells much more efficiently than they had before . Some had even reached initiate rank in Life magic and so enjoyed a bonus to their spell power. 

While they were waiting, Terrod filled them in. The troll mercenaries had left as they’d agreed. Once they exited the valley, the mercs had turned east towards the Azergoth Swamp. Richter was relieved to hear that there had been no treachery. The trolls were apparently true to their profession. Willing to kill someone for money and just as happy to walk away if that was where the profit lay. Seeing as how the alternative was being set on fire by Richter, they’d made the right fiscal move.  

The sprite and village armies had moved west towards the forest as quickly as possible. Hisako had cast a mass heal spell on the prisoners before journeying back into the valley which had greatly improved their mobility. Unfortunately, it had not been enough to fix all of their ills, but it had still gotten them moving. The prisoners with the worst injuries had had to be carried by soldiers. That was another reason they hadn’t made good time. 

The soldiers also reported that some of the prisoners had struck out on their own. Approximately two dozen had left. Most of the former captives were in no hurry to be alone. That wasn’t unexpected. Richter had left instructions that they could leave if they so desired. They had been in captivity long enough.  

Once they had reached the mist, it had taken even more time to convince the prisoners to enter. At that point, another ten had decided to leave, but then they ran out of time. Goblins had sighted to the east. When faced with the unknown mists or the known hell of being captured again, all of the remaining prisoners had decided to enter. Alma had then started giving the prisoners immunity, but it was slow going until it was done. After the dragonling was done though, their speed had picked up. She had also periodically summoned mist workers to help share the load. Damien had left some sprites at the edge of the mists as a rearguard, but thankfully, no goblins entered Richter’s domain to follow.

The fighters and magi had traveled on the edges of the column and the prisoners on the inside. They were accompanied there by the soldiers carrying the wounded… and the dead. Richter’s heart fell to see how many the battle had claimed. Hisako’s Master spell had resurrected a great many who had died due to one of the Druid’s curses. It had only worked on the freshly dead though. Hundreds of sprites and villagers would never live to see another sunrise. Richter’s lip quivered with suppressed emotion and his fist clenched. He pushed his emotions down. It was not yet the time to grieve. That would come soon.

Richter took the time to welcome the prisoners to his realm. He promised them food, water and shelter, but also made it clear that they must travel as quickly as possible. Though they were weary and heartsore, they still rose to their feet. Soon everyone was moving. The chaos seed patted his familiar where she rested on his shoulders and sent her aloft again. Leading the way once more, they set off for home. 

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