Wild Wastes 6 -ch 18-

Situated some distance away from the capital city, Vince was watching as Ynes and Canae were looking Carlos over.

The man had made fewer and fewer noises as they’d gone along.

Eventually to the point that he’d simply collapsed and Crad had been forced to carry him. The Dragon hadn’t seemed bothered by any of it, though he had an odd look in his eyes whenever Vince met them.

“He’s dead,” Ynes said with a shake of her head and then stood up to look at Vince. “I have no idea why, but, you know, that thing in his head probably did way more than we thought.

“Even if we’d stopped to try and help him though I’m not sure we could have. This isn’t something casual magic and some well wishing can fix. This feels more like a Legion injury.”

“Yes. I would agree,” Canae declared and then sighed loudly. “Despite you blessing him repeatedly.

“That makes me wonder if… this was more than just a physical injury.”

Canae turned her head to one side, then faced away toward a bush that wasn’t too far off. Getting up she walked over to it and peered at it for a second or two.

Reaching into it she pulled out several branches with a crackling pop.

Moving back over to Carlos she’d worked the branches into a small loop. Wrapping it around the object still stuck in Carlos’ head she then jerked it out.

With a disgusting noise it popped clear of the man’s head and dangled there in the loop, before falling away into the grass. It didn’t seem out of the ordinary to him.

Canae however had taken a step backward, while Zathira and Johanna drew closer.

“That’s vile,” Johanna whispered, staring down at the item. She formed a rod of magic in her hand and reached out gingerly to prod at the decorative desk-top item in the grass.

“Yes, it is most… evil… in it’s design,” added Zathira. “I didn’t even notice it. It’s subtle to the point of it being the definition of underhanded.”

“Uh, is something wrong with it?” Vince asked.

“Bewitched,” Canae growled. “In a foul way. It’s beyond a curse. Beyond death magic.”

“Yes. I have no words to describe it,” agreed Johanna. “It drained his very soul from him I think. It did what even necromancy won’t.”

“Goodness me,” Harvey whispered, standing next to Crad.

Everyone that wasn’t staring at the magical item, was looking at Vince.

“Plan?” Ynes asked, putting voice to the question they all had.

“I mean, our primary course of action is kind of done,” Vince said with a shrug. “Seems like the Tri-Lliance isn’t very much the Tri-Lliance anymore. This is an internal matter to them. There’s nothing for us to do with them, is there?”

Everyone but Harvey and Crad shook their heads.

“Not really,” Safina stated, slowly walking over to Vince. The Blue eyed Dragon was watching him curiously. “It would seem exactly what my father thought was happening, is happening.”

“What’s that, Fina?” asked Renatta, coming over to stand next to Vince.

“Too many losses in the war with Yosemite. Then too many Dragons leaving to join Ferris,” Safina supplied, coming to a stop standing next to Vince. “The Tri-Lliance was built on all three sides being equal.

“The Lizard people didn’t… suffer… or leave… like the other two did. They were able to avoid most of it.

“Not to mention how normally combative they are. Father thought they would attack. I honestly didn’t believe it. I thought for sure they wouldn’t dare try it because even with their numbers, the Dragon race would cause far too many casualties for them.”

“Given that we saw them casually drop a Dragon through a wall, it would seem that isn’t that much of a concern,” Aliza stated with a sigh. “Given this little doodad here, the weapons they were using, and the magic I felt, I’d say they’ve found a new style of fighting, new weaponry, a new school of magic, or a new deity to pray to.”

“Definitely something,” Vince muttered with a grunt. Then he looked to Crad. “So, what are you going to do? One of your number is dead, the other has betrayed you. Your capital seems lost to the enemy.”

“Go to the seat of power of the Dragons, of course,” Crad answered as if it were an obvious thing to say. “I’ll assemble my forces, reach out to the Humans, and move to push back their forces.

“There’s no way I could do anything less, of course. This is my home.”

Uh huh.

Sounds more like you don’t want to give up on your power, but I don’t blame you for that. I’m not sure I could just walk away either if I’m being honest.

“Alright, well, best of luck with that,” Vince murmured and waved at the Dragon.

“We’ll join Legion,” Crad declared with a shake of his head. “Help us, help me, and we’ll join Legion. As a kingdom under the stated terms you gave us.”

Groaning, Vince leaned his head back and stared up at the sky above.

He knew that Yaris and Fes would tell him to take the agreement. To get back in there and do what he had to, to make it happen.

The problem was, he was short on troops.

Short on troops and without many resources.

Right now he was the proverbial pauper and there was no end to that in sight.

“I suppose it’s time for me to flex a bit, isn’t it?” Zathira asked in a warm tone.

“What?” Vince asked suddenly, turning and looking to the Lamia.

“I’m your personal necromancer,” Zathira holding her hands up at her sides. “I was picked specifically for you.

“And no… not in that way… before you… before you say something like that.

“I was picked for you specifically though. I’m what the Duke is tentatively calling a War Necromancer.

“In situations like what’s going on in Francia, I can’t do much. That magical… fart… of theirs just steals my magic out of my soldiers.

“Here though? Here I’m perfectly able to act. Count on your Necromancer. Cont on me.”

“Oh? You going to win me a war just by yourself Zathira?” Vince asked with a grin.

“I most definitely am,” whispered the Lamia, her eyes going fully black. Her head slowly rolled back and she looked up at the sky.

Unable to look away, Vince found his eyes moving down the slim figure of the Lamia. He was now rather curious just exactly what her body was like under her clothes.

He couldn’t deny he thought she was pretty in her looks, that she was rather unique, and that as of late, she’d had a sense of humor.

“I’ll milk you after this if it’s impressive,” Vince offered. He hadn’t actually helped the Lamia with her need to poison something in a bit.

“Ah? Johanna? A favor if you don’t mind? I need a portal to two locations,” Zathira said suddenly. “Standard?”

“Of course, of course. My pleasure,” Johanna replied moving over to the Necromancer. She put a hand to Zathira’s shoulder and two portals immediately opened up.

No sooner than they did, an endless horde of undead creatures began to pour through. Walking endlessly through and to the other side.

“By the way, the Duke sends his regards,” Zathira remarked quietly. “It seems prayers to him as the god of death for Yosemite have begun to reach him.”

“Of course they have,” Ynes said with a chuckle. “The Dryad information network spread it far and wide, then began teaching everyone how to pray.

“We are the priests of Yosemite right now. All of us are. We help guide all the prayers.”

Skeletons, zombies, ghouls, creatures Vince had no name for, meandered through the portals.

“Definitely going to milk you,” confirmed Vince. Then he looked to Crad. “Seems you have a deal Councilor. Though I’m not sure you’ll be the Tri-Lliance after this. Maybe just the Alliance?”

Crad gave Vince a mirthless smile, though his eyes looked pleased.

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something suitable,” he replied.

In less than thirty minutes, Vince was indeed very impressed with Zathira’s actions. That she’d been building up this army and keeping in check at all times for a moment like this.

Zathira moaned happily, practically perched on Vince’s arm. Her jaw flexing as she gnawed at his arm.

Unlike Petra, Zathira needed to bite to feel better.

She allowed him to drain her venom sacs into a jar so he could use it later, but then demanded to bite him. Just as he’d allow her to the first time.

“You’re not going to die?” Crad asked, eying the Lamia as she continued to bite at him. “Even if you did empty the venom, she makes more. Does she not? It only takes a few drops to kill I’ve heard.”

“That’s all true. It just won’t effect him,” Johanna remarked then snorted. “He’s also been stung by a Soldier-Ant and a number of other things. None of it lingers long.”

Ynes turned away from the undead army that’d been pulled to the location and turned toward Vince.

“Something close to fifteen-thousand, I think,” said the Dryad. “More than enough to be a problem. Though, what’s our next move?”

Vince nodded at that, then looked to Crad.

“You mentioned a city that you needed to get to. How do we get there? How far is it?” Vince asked.

“Fly. It’s the fastest way,” Crad admitted. “We’ll just stay far away from any city that could be a problem.”

“Alright,” Vince allowed then itched at his nose with a finger. “I suppose that means I’ll stay here. See if I can’t make anything happen. No sense in leaving my army.

“Ynes, send a few people with Crad just so we can keep in touch.”

“Safina, Johanna, Aliza, Canae,” Ynes listed out quickly.

Crad was shifting into his Dragon form now.

Safina did so in a blur and then moved over to the others. Johanna, Aliza, and Canae quickly got up onto her back.

Once Crad had finished his transformation he picked up Harvey in one hand and the corpse of Carlos with the other.

The councilor looked to Safina who tilted her head to one side.

“I know where we’re going, you don’t need to worry about me,” proclaimed the Blue Dragon. “Let’s make this quick so I can return to my lord’s side quickly.

“It isn’t as if he needs me there, but I wish to be there. I state this on my Dragons word, that if you waste my time, force me to be away from my lord, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Safina,” Vince began. He needed to correct her behavior as it wasn’t appropriate.

The Blue Dragon looked at Vince, chuffed, then leaned forward and pushed the top of her head against Vince’s chest. It was an unexpected move to say nothing at all for a Dragon’s normal attitude.

It left him feeling odd about trying to rebuke her.

You changing things Ferris?

I give blessings to Ferris, my dear wife.

Ferris, are you prodding at the Dragons in Yosemite?

They’re becoming more and more passive.

“Blessings to Vince, my husband. That’s rather fun that we can chat like this though it does tax me a bit,” came the response from Ferris. “And yes, yet no. I’m just answering their prayers and questions earnestly. That Black Dragons like Taylor are less likely to gain favor with you, and Yosemite as a whole, but that Orange Dragon’s like Renatta are.

“After hearing that, most of them are trying to understand Humans. Many of them have sought out Elizabeth who is the current ‘Human expert’. The Dragons are making the changes on their own. Both male and female.

“I’m just providing them a reason to do make those changes, without any material, moral, or religious reasoning

“Just as I know you’d want it to be done. I know Dea and Johanna are doing similar things.

“Oh! By the way, Gerard is already performing his role in a wonderful way. We’ve already established a number of rituals and holidays around the dead and their spirits.”

Vince cleared his throat and patted Safina on the head. Then pushed his hands hard against the base of her horns.

“Go on, my big Blue. Get moving. Play nice. Keep everyone safe,” he commanded and then thumped her between the horns with a pat of his palm. He had to do it with a bit of force so she’d actually feel it.

“Yes, I’m going,” Safina reported, then turned to face Crad again.

“See you soon,” Johanna said with a smile for him atop the Blue’s back.

Aliza and Canae both waved a hand at Vince.

Safina didn’t wait for Crad any longer but instead leapt into the air and began beating her wings. Flying away to the south-east.

Crad watched her go, then looked to Vince.

“Until next time, your highness,” stated the Dragon with a formal dip of his head. Then he launched into the air, still holding onto Harvey and the dead Carlos.

Zathira grunted, watching the Dragon fly away.

He realized he’d stopped rubbing at her jaws when Safina bumped him.

Reaching around, he began to push, stroke, and kneed again at Zathira.

“Dear me, I’ve seem to become venomous. I’ll need help,” Renata lamented and then collapsed to the ground next to Vince on the grass. “Oh me, oh my. Whatever shall I do?

“A poor, young, not-so-innocent Orange Dragon looking for the kindness of a man? Her man specifically?”

Grinning, Vince chuckled, rubbing away at Zathira.

This was an unexpected break and he was trying to enjoy it.

“You’re such a dork,” Dalia said with a laugh. Followed by Claudia laughing as well.

“Yeah, but it gets her laid,” Ynes countered with a pleasant tone to her words. “I look forward to being there. I’m the only Dryad here, after all. That means I officiate for the deities, and especially, Johanna.”

Claudia and Dalia weren’t laughing anymore.

They were instead watching the squirming and moaning Orange Dragon that’d wriggled her way into Vince’s lap. Her head was resting against Zathira’s stomach with her horns passing by either side of her waist, but neither the Lamia or Vince seemed to mind the Dragon.

Even as she cuddled closer to both of them.

Then her hand vanished between herself and Vince, and slid down between his legs.

***

They couldn’t just throw Zathira’s army against the capital.

While Vince had a number’s advantage, they were outgunned.

Outgunned and the quality of the enemy troops were better in a simple and unarguable way.

Undead were great in a rush and as a mob to quickly punch through certain targets. An army that was entrenched and in defensive positions would cause far more casualties than they’d take.

Instead, they’d swung down to the south and moved onto a training camp.

Ynes had been able to coax a location out of a nearby tree that could chat with others. It’d only taken a few minutes to figure out which way to go, to build their army further.

They’d also informed her of a large unmarked mass grave.

A battle that’d occurred long in the past that held several hundred bodies that could be reanimated to fight.

Standing outside the military encampment in the dead of night, Vince took in a slow breath and listened. Focusing his senses on the world around him to hear what he could hear in this deadly-still night.

“There’s at least two-thousand people in there,” Ynes remarked quietly. “Their numbers… that’s a lot of people for a single training camp.”

“From the records I read, the war with the Tri-Llliance was significant when it came to the number of soldiers involved,” said Renata, wrapping an arm around Vince’s shoulders and putting her horned head under his chin. She somehow always managed to do it in a way that didn’t seem to be uncomfortable for either of them. “They outnumbered the entirety of of Yosemite, the Emperor, and the kingdoms in the East.

“It became somewhat of a continental war with everyone battling the Tri-Lliance.”

“That’s about right,” confirmed Vince. “I wouldn’t want to repeat it. It felt like we were drowning in soldiers.”

“Then that’s what we should do, isn’t it?” asked Ynes. “Camp to camp. Fight them, take them, convert them. We can slowly increase our numbers and take from their own numbers.”

“Assuming they’re traitors,” Vince put in quickly.

They couldn’t just slaughter everyone.

There would be those who didn’t wish to rebel after all.

“Not this camp,” Ynes countered quickly. “This is a Lizard camp. I’m betting every single one in there will be working for the enemy.

“After all… this isn’t like normal training camps. Or so the trees told me. Normal camps have all three races and others. Not just… one race.”

“Ah… in other words… this really was long in coming. They were ready for this and then some,” Vince summarized.

“They weren’t going to do a physical take-over unless they had to,” Renatta offered after a pause. “Their goal was to take over in a blood-less coup.

“Where they had such an overwhelming amount of force, that resisting wasn’t even considered. Or so, that’s what I gathered as we were leaving.

“It didn’t seem relevant at the time so I didn’t bother to bring it up. Who cares what their motivations were. They rebelled and that’s the end of it with that action.”

“I’m going in,” reported Zathira. “I’ll use the new troops to offer them a chance to surrender. Then we’ll have our beautiful Orange Dragon poke at their heads real quick to see if they mean it or not.”

“Aren’t you sweet,” purred Renatta. “I’d be glad to. That’ll be more interesting than laying around naked and trying to coax Vince on top of me. He’s far too serious right now to ever actually do it.”

That’s… not incorrect.

I’d love to get at you Renatta, in case you’re listening, but the idea of doing that while people are dying not that far away… yeah, I don’t think I could pull that off.