Mark of the fated 3 a li.., p.74
Mark of the Fated 3: A LitRPG Adventure, page 74
I grabbed his robes and lifted him from the ground. “How did you tell them where we were? Tell me, you traitorous fuck!” I yelled, shaking him like a ragdoll.
“I… don’t know… what you mean!” Lucien babbled as his head rocked back and forth.
“Put him down, lad. Tell us what has you so riled,” said Agnor.
The high king gave a signal to his personal guard and they took the mage from me, axes at the ready.
It had clicked as soon as I’d seen the Stonevale herald. Caroline had been looking straight at us, because she knew from her vampire lover that we were flying outside. They had watched our path to Twilshawl and took their chance to intercept. “Broderick’s people were waiting for us on the coast. The only way he could know we were there is if someone told him. The only people capable of that are Cris, and that wanker there.” I jabbed a finger at Lucien.
“I’m lost,” admitted Edward.
“Aye, me too,” grumbled Agnor.
“We have auras that certain people can see,” I explained. “Mine’s like a blazing torch in the darkness. He must’ve given his master the head’s up on our scouting mission.”
Lucien gaped at me. “Master? What master?”
“Broderick,” I replied, my certainty rapidly fading at his shocked expression. Vampires and their thralls were supposed to be expert manipulators, but I’d have bet my left nut that his confusion was genuine.
“Mark, he’s not a thrall,” said Abby, calmly.
I already knew that, but it still didn’t answer the question. “Then how did they know we were there?” I demanded.
“I don’t know, Mark, but I swear to the gods that it wasn’t by my hand,” Lucien protested.
Everyone waited for my order. Even with the mage arguing his innocence, Agnor wouldn’t allow his guard to release the man. All I wanted to do was tear the place apart, smash the table and chairs to kindling. Rip the canvas to shreds. Or storm off into the night, filled with embarrassment for my unfounded accusations.
Instead, I dragged out a chair with more force than necessary and slumped down, seething with hate. “Let him go,” I muttered.
“Well that certainly got the blood pumping,” said Agnor, joining me at the table.
Lucien shrugged out of the guard’s grip and I felt his offended gaze. Tough. It was still a legitimate question. He was the only one I could suspect except for my doomed friend.
Gregor entered the tent with two of his captains. “The dock’s completely secured, High King. The last of the supplies should reach the camp in the next half day.”
That put us even closer to Cris’s inevitable awakening. The math was not on our side. We couldn’t take the bastion and reach the monastery in time to stop it. The thought of driving a stake through her heart made my blood run cold. What would be left of our burgeoning love after her body had turned to ashes?
“When do we begin the attack?” asked Edward, interrupting my melancholy.
Agnor pointed at the charcoal-drawn map on the table. “We need to fill in the first four layers of trench and then the howitzers will be in range of the outer wall. We’ve diverted the sappers to the job, though they prefer to be the ones doing the digging.”
I noticed Edward looked upset at the mention of the coming bombardment, but there really wasn’t a choice. Walls could be rebuilt. Lives couldn’t. Storming walls manned by normal soldiers was often suicidal. The fact that they were manned by powerful vampires made death a certainty. That the dwarves were here at all meant the loss of lives would be reduced, and I think the king realised too because he didn’t press the point.
“What about the soldiers?” I asked.
“We’ve divided them out between the remaining heads of the dwarf holds. Once the troops from Twilshawl are included, they will number almost two and a half thousand souls per regiment. I’m going to send four groups to cut off the mountain path to the monastery. Two will remain in the dock along with the sailors to guard the fleet. The other eight will remain here and lay waste to the vampire legions.”
“We also have our young friend’s wolves,” said Edward.
“Aye, a fearsome foe indeed,” agreed the high king.
“I’ve also ordered the bone renders to join us. Most of the noble houses have been surrounded or taken now,” said Abby.
Cody smiled enthusiastically. “I’d love for them to try and suck some blood out of those monsters. Christ, they were awful.”
“And now they’ll strike fear into the vampires,” agreed Sun.
I was getting antsy. Inactivity gave my mind far too much freedom to think of Cris and her circumstances. “I don’t feel like just sitting here,” I said, turning to Hamon. “What’s the range on your spells?”
“I can’t reach the bastion from here, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. How do you fancy a little sneak attack? We get close, rain some shit down on them, and then fall back? Sucker punch them while they watch the dwarves work?”
Hamon smiled. “I like the sound of that. With the king’s permission, of course.”
Edward gave his assent with a nod.
Abby reached under the table and gave my hand a squeeze. She knew my ruse was an effort to further prove Hamon’s worth. If she wasn’t such an integral part of our group, as well as a friend, I might not have cared. But she was, so I did.
“May I come too? If you trust me, that is?” asked Lucien.
I ignored the sulk and looked to Edward for permission. He nodded again.
“Might this trigger a response we’re not ready for, my king? Our supply lines are currently vulnerable on the roads,” cautioned Gregor.
Agnor shrugged. “They’re vulnerable without the attack, my friend. We’re fighting a foe we’ve never faced before. This is all uncharted territory for all of us.”
“They know how powerful your weapons are, mate,” I said to Gregor. “They were crushed at the ambush. I’m no expert, but that must give them something to worry about, right?”
“Perhaps, lad. I don’t know the mind of a strigoi,” replied Agnor.
I climbed to my feet. “Let’s go and give them another reason to fear us then, eh? There’s someone I’d like them to meet.”
Chapter 95
Hamon and Lucien had donned the offered Silkweb armour and shadowed our patient footsteps. Both men were aware of our ability to speak telepathically. Our communication with them was a series of hand gestures basically comprising; this way, stop, and go. It was enough.
The vampires hadn’t only dug the trenches, but pitfalls too. The lack of time between the excavation, combined with my Night Eyes, allowed me to find the ones on our route. Cody had used his advanced stealth techniques to rapidly double back to inform the dwarves of the danger. He rejoined us two rows from our destination.
I’m going to drop and cover you from here. If I get much closer, I’ll lose my angles.
Ok, mate. Be careful. We’re just going to give them a bit of a fright and then fall back. Hopefully they won’t see anything to fire their mortars at. If worst comes to worst, I’ll holy shield it and run back with everyone like our arses are on fire.
Happy hunting.
Cody laid down and got comfortable, aiming his rifle at the ramparts. Only thralls could be killed by the ammunition, but the vampires would still be severely damaged by the explosive rounds. Our reduced group moved slowly toward the massive walls. Hamon reached forward and tapped me on the shoulder, indicating the vampires were now in range. I guided us to a small, well-trodden slope that gave access to the deadly trench. Using the steep wall for further cover, we cautiously pushed some of the wooden pikes aside and looked over the defences.
A wide moat separated the surrounding land from the curved, hundred-foot wall. The drawbridge separating the two was gigantic, testament to the size of the fortress beyond. The gatehouse would accommodate even the biggest of Agnor’s war machines if we needed to move the attack inside. From our position, we could just about see past the hefty bridge. It was all we needed.
Sun, you’re up.
She pulled out the warcleaver, stared at the patch of stone, and cast the spell. Concealed by the fortification above, the vampires were unaware of the monstrous demon lord dragging itself from Hell below. Several scowled and sniffed the air with their bat-like noses as the stench of sulphur flowed over them.
You know what to do, I said, and the barbarian issued the order.
Sar’Ozan took a couple of lumbering steps back, then charged the raised drawbridge. His bulky form hit so hard, the soldiers on watch staggered from the tremors. Chunks of stone broke away from the chain housings.
Again! she yelled in our minds, and the demon waddled back.
It thundered forward and shoulder charged the barrier. The face of the tower exploded outward as the pulleys, counterweights, and everything else was torn free. Sar’Ozan flopped down on the drawbridge as stone and metal splashed down into the water. The support mechanisms holding up the portcullis were also destroyed, causing the steel to go into freefall. The tines sparked when they struck the stone.
I almost laughed at some of the looks on the Legion’s faces as they peered over the ramparts at our summon. I only wished we had Khad to add to the melee, but he was with Cris in the monastery.
Now get through and break the gate! ordered Sun.
The disgruntled demon climbed to his feet and turned back to the bastion. Clashing his arm-blades together, he ran at the portcullis and jammed them underneath the thick latticework. Inhuman strength hoisted it back up into the roof and Sar’Ozan slipped beneath before letting it fall again. The secondary impact twisted the frame, snapping some of the joints. A hundred gallons of boiling water poured from the defensive chutes, drenching the monster. It achieved nothing except to wash the mortar dust from his bloated, red body. He disappeared from sight, tearing at the next layer with resounding crashes.
I pulled Hamon down out of sight and whispered, “Throw whatever you want at them. Give us a show.”
Lucien leaned in close. “We should join forces and multiply our power.”
They both looked to me. “Go for it. I want to see what a pair of powerful pyromancers can really do.”
Thankfully, the demon had drawn the attention of a large swath of the vampires. Hamon stood tightly beside Lucien, and I felt the air around me begin to hum. The armour’s effect was still keeping them hidden as they raised their arms, palms up. I was expecting a gigantic fireball. When the sky above the bastion started to churn and spark fiercely, I changed my opinion of their power.
A burning cloud appeared, swirling like a vortex. The eye of the magical storm began spitting hellfire. Dozens of tiny comets hammered the moat, walls, and buildings beyond. They hissed when hitting the water or exploded when hitting something solid. Great pillars of flame rose from the impacts, incinerating any vampire unlucky enough to be stood in the vicinity. Dozens fell screaming from the ramparts, using the water to quench the engulfing flames. Others took flight, their bodies steaming through the armour. Some had wings that were too badly damaged and they crashed down with resounding clangs inside the bastion.
Cries broke out from inside for buckets. Black smoke started to spew into the air from the burning buildings. One of the cannon towers was struck, and the minimal amount of powder within was enough to shatter the battlements. Chunks of the stone impacted nearby, with one almost braining Sun on its path. She was too quick and dodged to the side, letting it break a few of the stakes at our back.
The mages ran out of mana and lowered their arms. I slipped them each a mana potion and had them drink it so they could repeat the devastating spell.
Meanwhile, Sar’Ozan had made it inside. He attacked the vampires, rending them with his claws. I could only see the red icons as the Legion swarmed him. Many blinked out when the abyssal guardians reopened the portal to drag him back to the infernal prison. Any that could, quickly backed away from the deadly trap.
“Edwin!” Lucien gasped.
I redirected my vision to see what he was looking at. A bedraggled thrall was being held by the back of the neck between the merlons. The claws of the vampire captain were dug in so deeply that blood flowed, staining his neck and shoulders red. The prisoner was in a terrible state, sobbing under the torture. My gut twisted when his finger raised and pointed straight at us.
“How?” I groaned as a series of crossbows were aimed over the wall.
Activating my Holy Shield, the darkness vanished from my golden glow. “Stick to me like glue and run!” I roared, dragging Lucien and Hamon after me. Sun and Abby were both gifted with enhanced stats, but the men would’ve never kept up. The quarrels chimed as they bounced off my protective sphere.
Cody dropped his turret and the machine fired off a stream of rockets at the largest grouping of vampires. They were blown to pieces, along with the section of wall on which they were standing. He jumped up and sighted the enemy in his scope, popping off single shots that swatted them from the wall walk.
“Cody, take out the thrall!” I yelled, tagging Edwin.
“No!” Lucien cried, trying to dive at the ranger.
I yanked him back into position, but it was out of our hands anyway. The vampire captain had already dragged him from view and their markers moved back into the bastion.
Cody stopped shooting and joined our huddled party in our race to escape. The undamaged cannons fired along the lower wall. My shield deflected the rare heavy shot that managed to hit. The others churned up the mud at our sides. I heard the hollow cracks of the artillery from deeper within the fortress. The mortar rounds whined as they fell, exploding one by one, showering us with shrapnel and earth.
I expected the gunfire to continue harrying us as we slipped around the trenches and pitfalls. After the first barrage, it quickly stopped. Edward’s admission of their lack of stocks seemed to be correct.
Over the roar of raging fires, I heard the beat of many wings. Casting a glance over my shoulder, at least a hundred of the vampires had jumped from the wall and pursued us. We weaved back and forth, following the previous impressions of our boots. As much as I wanted to, we couldn’t use our flyers. It would steal the protection of my shield for everyone except myself. Poor Pterry was a trooper, but even he couldn’t cope with six passengers.
Agnor’s war horns blew long and loud. The armies quickly moved away from the half-filled trenches and the war wagons trundled into position. As soon as the brakes locked, the humans and dwarves moved between the machines and raised their muskets.
“Down!” cried Gregor.
I pulled everyone to the ground, just as the vampires closed in for the death-dives. The scatterguns boomed, filling the air with silver shot. On bended knee, the marksmen opened fire, the newly rifled muskets having far better accuracy. Hit by a wall of gunfire, the enemy was battered into submission. Many lost wings and fell into the mud, or if they were really unlucky, the trenches. Stakes designed for our army pierced their bodies between the layers of plate. A handful were struck in the heart, their blazing forms writhing on the pikes. Those that could, turned and fled. Our gunners picked them off one by one until the remaining warriors cleared the weapon’s range. Across the once empty battlefield, fires burned and vampires squirmed.
We jumped to our feet and raced through the last excavations to safety.
Agnor held back the eager stake-boys. The vampires were down, but still lethal. I joined him between two of the massive machines and cast Smite on the nearest creature. The energy burned through armour and flesh both, incinerating the vampire.
“Let’s try our latest addition. An idea your friend gave me when we were deep in our cups after the battle for my home,” said Agnor with a grin.
Cody frowned and shrugged at me. He had no idea what had been shared while drunk.
One of the wagons further down the line had a narrower barrel attached to a turret on its roof. I heard a whine of building pressure and the increase in the thundering pistons. A stream of black liquid sprayed out, coating the nearest vampires. The operator redirected it like a garden hose, drenching anything that they could reach.
I joined Agnor’s dark smile when the torrent was cut off and a hatch flipped open beside the nozzle. The gunner who climbed into view fired a single shot from his musket. The ball wasn’t silver. It ignited as soon as it left the barrel like phosphorous, a miniature version of Lucien’s pyro spell. The fizzing projectile hit the oil and it went up with a dull crump. Dirty yellow flames traced their way across the thick fuel, burning the wounded vampires.
“There’s something glorious about watching a fanger melt, lad,” Agnor said with a chuckle, nudging me with his elbow.
At one point I might’ve pitied the men they once were. That was no longer the case. These creatures were evil personified. I couldn’t get the image of the woman’s hunger in the Andrews’ estate out of my head. Her casual draining of the farmhand, surrounded by vomited blood. “Yeah. Only thousands more of them to go.”
“It’s a good start though,” he replied as the undead flesh sizzled inside the cans of armour.
“I wanted to compliment our mages too. They did a fantastic job,” said Edward.
Agnor nodded and clapped Lucien on the back. “Aye, that display was quite remarkable. I’ve never seen the skies burn before.”
“And I’ve never seen a creature such as the one that tore down the drawbridge,” admitted Edward, regarding us with a healthy dose of fear.
I hoped the vampires felt just as terrified by our pet demon’s rampage. “He’s our own thrall. Taken from another world.”
Our audience of soldiers and kings could only gape at us.
“Thanks be to the forge gods that you’re on our side,” muttered Agnor.
“Indeed,” said Edward, suppressing a shudder.
“I’m sure the tax you’ll give us after this is done will be enough thanks. Half of the kingdom’s gold each year should just about do it.”
