Darkborn, p.19
Darkborn, page 19
part #1 of The Unbinding Series
“With this, you can communicate with anyone you can see. Normally, that would be short range. With the crown, you will be able to communicate across the valley instantly. It will allow you to coordinate the defences much more efficiently. Now, find a place you can be comfortable, and help us.”
I focus on the new ability, using my senses to search out any nearby sentient creatures. The only ones I find are a circle of nodes in the elders pool and a body towards the bottom which I guess is the interlopers remains. Setting my thoughts to broadcast, I send my first message to the world.
“Testing, testing. Can anyone hear me?”
The world wallows in silence for long minutes before I get my reply. I can see clearly now that the transmission is coming from the elders pool.
“We are programmed to receive.”
Enjoying my new powers, I play around with it for a while. I send messages to random people around the city as I see them with my mindsense, enjoying the burst of confusion they experience. Then I gradually increase the volume of my broadcast, expending massive amounts of Mana, until the shrooms blast me with a shout of their own, telling me to be quiet. It makes me giggle a little. Then I notice the second layer of power when I use my mindsense. A constant link of thought between me and the elder pool. As I focus on it, I can feel it’s tendrils in my brain, digging around. Is this the way they keep reading my mind?
“Yes Shae, that is the manifestation of our ability to read your surface thoughts. Do not be alarmed, it’s simply a convenience for us. Now that you’re aware of it, you should be able to prevent it from happening.”
As if on cue, the strand snaps, retreating to the pool. Creepy.. I keep my mindsense up as I equip my new accessories, the amulet and the bracers. I notice the boots are so similar to the bracers, I’d be surprised if they weren’t part of some kind of set. I take my leave, trying to wrap my mind around these new developments. Am I supposed to treat this as an RTS now? Considering safehouses, I think the safest place would be either Loes or Perots. I decide to visit Perot first, for some advice and to check up on Loe in person.
The hut smells like death, but different from the death I’ve become familiar with. The sickly sweet smell of wounds trying to heal. I can see a few forms covered by sheets in one side of the room. On the other, the patients. I exchange greetings with Perot, and offer her the divine herbs I found earlier. She’s happy with the find, complimenting me on the curing work. We chat for a little while about what’s happened since we met last, and we get to the crown and what I need.
“I see what you mean. Communicating across such vast distances would be an impressive advantage for any army. I can offer you a place to leave your body while you send your mind out into the valley, but it wouldn’t be a good permanent solution. An army needs to see it’s leader to avoid morale dropping. You need to find a way to be present while still being able to direct troops.”
You have received a new quest: Throne of the Valley.
You got the bling, now you need the real estate. Find or make a worthy seat for the ruler of the valley. /tr] [tr] Rewards: Improved morale for the Weke village. Increased powers for the crown.
“But I’m not a leader! I’m hardly an adventurer. I’ve had a few fights go my way through luck more than planning, but I was the only one at risk. Now I have the entire village on my shoulders, the entire valley? I don’t think I can do this. And with the new mental ability, I’ll run out of mana quicker than ever.”
I look down, dejected. Perot smiles gently, taking my hand.
“Look, child, you’re missing the bigger picture. The luck you had winning your fights were only one part of the equation. Every step of the way, you found a way to take the next step. Often through pride, stubbornness or anger, but you got there. Wherever you’re going, you’ll get there. Whoever you face when you get there will regret pissing you off. Then you’ll find a way to take the next step. It’s not in your nature to give up.”
She leans over to a sack on the floor, pulling it towards her with a clinking sound. Out of the bag she pulls a bottle of blue liquid.
“As for the mana issue, I have a store of these little beauties. Mana potions. They’ll restore your pool when you need to. I can administer them while you’re on your mental travels. If you can watch over the children, they can harvest more herbs so we can make more.”
You have received a new quest: Herbal remedies.
Perot needs large amounts of herbs .
Rewards: Steady supply of potions. Type depends on herbs gathered.
I sit still for a while, thinking. As I reach my conclusion, I smile, accepting the potions.
“Okay, let’s make a deal then. I’ll handle the communications and leadership nonsense. You take care of my body and the patients. In addition, you will be in charge of letting me know what’s needed in the village. Morale, food, weapons and the like. Together, we’ll be much stronger.”
We shake hands, and she leads me to a comfortable heap of pillows in the corner. Laying town, I adjust my clothing, make sure my crown is in place, and soar into the heavens.
Chapter 16 - Onslaught
Taking a moment to enjoy the experience, I revelled in the breathtaking view. With a little experimentation, I found that I could control my movements just by willing it. Zooming in all the way to individuals on the streets. Zooming out so far that I could see the entirety of the valley. The parts of it that wasn’t completely covered in the dark fog, that is. It must be the areas I’d never seen. Grey trails were snailing their way across the landscape, indicating places where I’ve been, but no longer have eyes.
Far to the southeast, the river flowing under Lesiraxans tomb entered the valley. Snaking its way south, past the outskirts of the dryads forest, then turning lazily westwards to the plains of the fieldrunners. Finally, it vanished into the fog of war.
To the West were the massive swamps, most of which I’d not seen yet. I’d barely made it a fifth of the way in before falling into the serpent’s lair. I briefly wondered what else could be hiding in the desolate wastes.
To the northeast the colours were brighter, with fields of light shifting, cutting through the darkness. Focusing on the area allows me to move towards it, and in moments I have a birds eye view of the front lines against the outside world. Less than a hundred Weke were on my side of the chokepoint, a narrow pass leading into the valley. I looked around for the person in charge, finding her in the middle of the camp. With a little effort I flex my mind, reaching out with my thoughts.
“Hello?”
She gasps in alarm, looking around, drawing her sword.
“No, please, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Shae, do you know who I am?”
She speaks out loud, her thoughts muted.
“Focus on my voice, and think your replies to me as clearly as you can. I think that will let me hear you.”
“I .. Yeah, I’ve heard about you. I’ve been told you were trying to craft the crown of the valley. I guess you succeeded? Are the legends true? Can you really see everything?”
“I can see everything that you or any other Weke are looking at. Anyone allied with us, actually. I’m sorry to be so curt, but I need to know. Will you accept my command?”
She considered it for a moment. My fingers crossed, I was hoping the reputation I’d built up over time was enough to convince her.
“Yes. Scragh has spoken to me about you already. He thinks you’re overly sensitive, and prone to tantrums if you don’t get your way. Personally, I think he’s a manchild who prefers ranging in the wild to interacting with other people. I believe you’ve proven your worth. Commander Meknet, at your service.”
A trumpet signals the end of our peaceful chat. A flurry of hairy soldiers start milling about like chickens, creating chaos and disarray in the camp. Without wasting any time, Meknet starts shouting, forging order out of the raw materials available to her. Taking the initiative, I order scouts to move to high positions that are hard to reach, giving them a safe view of the battlefield and the enemy forces. It takes several moments for them to react, having to confirm my orders with their commander first. When they finally obey, I get a live feed of the battlefield.
From the other end of the pass, six figures come into view. Heavily armoured in shiny breastplates, large helmets, greaves, bracers, boots and gauntlets. Large kite shields covering them from enemy fire and vision. Marching in lockstep, they were clearly well disciplined. As I inspect our own forces, I feel pretty confident. In the front, we have light infantry, armed with shortswords. Behind them, scouts with slings. I can see some elites with long spears and thicker armour walking amidst the troops. Relying on my information superiority, I begin arraying the light troops in a double line, ready to meet the attack. Behind them I place the ranged troops, ready to rain stones and debris on our attackers. The elites I hold in reserve, ready to come in and tackle any unforeseen problems.
When the enemies are halfway to our line, they break formation. Half of them plant their shields in the ground, drawing vicious looking flanged maces. The other half take cover behind the large kiteshields, using them to steady heavy crossbows they draw from their backs. Before I can warn my troops, they launch a volley into my ranks. The bolts, travelling right between their comrades, fell three of my infantry as the rest look on in horror. Sensing their trepidation, I call the attack. Slings first, then mass the light troops.
Dozens of bullets fly through the air. They arch gracefully against the sky, perfect parabolic arcs, smacking right into the enemies armour, harmlessly bouncing off. One of my slingmen manage to hit them right between the helmets opening, but it pissed him off more than hurt him. Soon, the enemy reaches our line, and the real carnage begins. With each measured strike they slaughter one of my troops. The type of armour my side is wearing is useless against the heavy maces these soldiers are wielding. Worse than that, the shortswords they’re carrying are next to useless against the steel plates. This is all wrong, I’m not doing enough damage. I’m not doing any! In the welling panic, I can hear Commander Meknet calling out to me.
“Shae, where are you? We need orders, they’re killing us!”
I locate her, standing nearby.
“I don’t know what to do! I thought this would work, but they’re so much better equipped than us.”
I can see in her mind how hard it is for her to resist rolling her eyes at me.
“Don’t blame your tools. They’re stronger than us, but we’re faster, and we have numbers. For now at least. Draw them out. Hide from them in the grass, surround them! The battle line isn’t fixed, so move it. When they’re weak and separated, overwhelm them with our troops. The elites can keep them at bay if necessary. Just do something!”
I swallow, turning around to see the massacre. I’ve lost more than ten Weke so far, and each minute increases the tally. Rousing myself from the pit I’m in, I order my troops to flee into the grass. The enemies look on this new development with a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. After a quick huddle, they decide to follow the largest concentration of fleeing Weke. I have the scouts focus fire on the one furthest back, pelting him with a storm of rocks, drawing his attention away. Lumbering around, he charges at the scouts just as the three crossbowmen fire into them, killing two. The two soldiers together swing wildly into the grass, but with my extended vision, the Weke are able to avoid the swings. Soon, the troops are playing whack a mole with the two remaining infantrymen. The solo soldier finishes off another scout, turning around to search for another target just as two dozen weke come rushing towards him, screaming bloody murder. He stands fast for a moment before losing his balance, overwhelmed by the sheer number. I lose four, three to the crossbowmen, one to the enemy heavy, but I can finally bag a win.
I have the infantry scatter again. My ranks are looking thinner by the moment. 45 light infantry, 8 elites, 20 scouts, dozens dead. I have them focus on the two remaining soldiers in the tall grass. They seem to have caught on to the ruse, rushing to get back to the clearing. I set my elites in their way, six on one, two on the other. I instruct them to interfere without taking any serious risk. Once separated, I focus on taking down one after the other.
I instruct my soldiers to kill one, leaving the other alive and screaming. They make sure he’s unable to warn the others of what’s happening by gagging him with whatever cloth they have at hand. The crossbowmen wait for a moment before they decide to retreat, picking up the secondary shields on their way. I begin cheering to myself, not realising how downbeat everyone else is.
I approach Meknet, hesitating when I see the look on her face. Distress, anger, sadness. I’ve seen it in the mirror often enough.
“We won..”
I begin, tentatively.
“Yes.”
The reply felt like a slap more than an acknowledgement. She continued.
“And we lost nearly 40 good men and women in the process. What were you thinking? I thought you knew what you were doing!”
Her voice rose in volume towards the end of the sentence.
“I.. I tried my best. I’ve never commanded an army before. Normally in situations like these, I just mass troops until I can overwhelm the opponent and..”
She snorts in derision.
“Clearly. I’ll let the families involved know about your masterful strategies, shall I? Maybe it’ll make losing their providers and protectors easier, knowing they died for such an excellent strategy. It’ll be a real morale boost.”
“Then what do you want me to do? I’m the only one who can see the entire field and the only one who can communicate over distances. If I don’t give the orders, we’ll be overwhelmed as soon as they get ready with their second wave.”
She closes her eyes, rubbing the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger.
“If you can see all that, and talk to so many, why were you focusing on one and one soldier? Wouldn’t it be a much better idea to instruct your officers? The officers could then apply their training and experience when confronting the enemy. Instead of keeping them back as some sort of shock troop I mean?”
I blink twice.
“Wait, the elites are officers?”
I suffer a reasonable amount of verbal abuse.
After a long and boring conversation about our relationship, we both agree I won’t command troops directly anymore. I’ll help with battlefield intel, communications and any magical power I can provide. My reputation took a hit, but at least they’re still on my side. I coach some of the scouts on how to get my attention when needed, and leave them to their job. Back at Perot’s hut, I can’t help but think about how much I love the fast travel aspect of my new abilities. Just a thought, and whoosh, there I am. As I arrive, I see that most of the patients have been checked out, ready for duty. That reminds me, I have another quest to take care of. I gather a bunch of people to do my bidding. Nine guards, three scouts and a large pack of children answer my call, giving me three well balanced teams to go out into the forest in search of the herbs we need.
As I do my work, I notice my mana levels dropping low, just to shoot up right afterwards. Perot is crouching next to my body with an empty bottle in her hand, having just refilled my reserves. If that’s the rate at which we’re burning through potions, I need to accelerate the crafting process somehow.
I’m distracted by Perot trying to grab my attention. I zoom in, focusing my mind on her.
“How can I help you?”
She points to Scragh standing next to her. They’re both hanging out near my body.
“Scragh? What’s up?”
He looks uncomfortable at the thought of having me in his head like this.
“Uh, well, I was talking to Perot, and she thought I should let you know about some special locations around the valley.”
He brings out a rough map of the area, depicting points of interest.
“What do you mean, special locations?”
He flattens the map against the floor, weighing the edges with various items he finds around the room.
“This valley is ancient, and we Weke have been here for a lot of that time. In our expeditions exploring the unknown regions, we’ve often come across areas where the enemies are larger than usual, more aggressively. Each time we tried to explore closer, we’ve been driven back by the monsters. We’ve hypothesized that these are locations of great power. While I don’t know what kind of power it is, I can’t imagine they’d hurt our cause.”
As I look at the map, I feel a change in my interface.
[/table]
Points of interest have been discovered.
You have discovered an old map.
Your map has been updated.
“Wait, am I supposed to go to these things now? I have to be ready to assist with the defence of the valley. If I enter the overview state while I’m in the field, I’ll be completely defenceless.”
He considers this for a moment, then looks at Perot who nods back.
“We’ll come with you.”
“Wait, what?”
I’m unable to keep the incredulity out of my voice.
“We’ll come with you. Scragh is damaged and I’m not a great fighter, but I can take care of you both when necessary. It’ll be an adventure. Now wake up from your nap and lets get going. No time like the present.”
Zooming out, I have a look at these new locations. I notice most of them are question marks, complete unknowns. There’s one in Reneas forest, around the spot I set fire to. I can also see the forest being a smoldering ruin where I’ve been. The fieldrunner nest and swamp serpents lair were marked as well. Beyond that, there are a couple of ‘Groves’, a ‘pit’, some ‘ruins’, and a ‘mausoleum’ further south. Come to think of it, I like gravesites. The loot I’ve found in those have been good so far, so I decide to go for it. I let the front line know I’ll be harder to reach for a little while, promising to check in every 10 minutes or so, then cut the connection before Meknet has a chance to argue back, releasing the crown interface.
