Tenderfoot Part Twenty-one
War Council!
A thick white mist descended upon the Wundermarket the next morning.
It was not unusual for fog or haze to accompany the morning in the town sized magic marketplace in the sky. After all, the market was built upon a cloud.
Still, the merchants and spell casters who dwelled in the Wundermarket knew better this time.
The mist was unquestionably of magical nature. The white milky haze was impenetrable even with the use of the third eye. However, if one were to venture erratically into the mist, one would almost invariably arrive at one's destination.
It was no doubt powerful magic indeed. The more skilled spell casters recognized it as a spell to mask the arrival of someone important and at the same time keep the inhabitants of the Wundermarket conveniently out of the way. It was not unusual taking in account the fact that terrible rumors of a great evil arising in the Elfling Realm had been spreading like a wild fire throughout the multicolored tents and wagons.
The Wundermarket was neutral ''ground'' and it was not ruled by any lord or lady of any of the Realms. It was a fitting place to schedule a meeting for such proud and fickle personalities, since none of the rulers would be forced to set foot on territory ruled by a rival lord.
Alas, none of the merchants would ever attend or know of such a meeting. Whatever their race or their trade, most Wundermarket merchants were gossiping hens at heart.
So, as the day went on, they continued with their affairs, trading magic and speaking in hushed tones about how all this secrecy and talk of doom would be bad for business.
Little did they realize that more than simple business was at stake that morning. Their very souls were in peril and the decisions of a choice few would soon decide their fate.
* * * * *
Lady Ela tapped her long and sharp fingernails nervously on the wide arm of her seat.
She was representing the Animus Realm at the War Council that would decide what actions could be taken to halt the terrible advance of the Doom that Creeps.
The War Council was being held in Peter the Peddler's wagon. With proper spells, the interior of wagon could be shifted to host an audience hall that could easily seat two hundred persons. This day it was prepared for only six rulers of the Realms and their advisers. Scarcely three score persons at most, including the hosts, Peter the Peddler and Brunilda the Centaur.
Peter was chosen simply because he had never sworn allegiance at any time to any of the Rulers of the Realm. He was untrustworthy in that way to all the rulers and ironically that made his election comfortable for all.
The Dinosaur-headed peddler was more than pleased to host such event since it was in his nature as a merchant to later boast among his peers that he had prepared such a monumental event. With the magic business as competitive as it was, what better publicity could a merchant ask for?
So despite have had to prepare seating and refreshment on a moment's notice, Peter's dinosaur head grinned ear to ear as he wore and elegant tuxedo with a tall black top hat to preside the event.
A fool, thought Ela, but a necessary fool.
Shortly after taking control of the Animus she had removed the bounty on Peter the Peddler's head much to the dissatisfaction of her Avengers and Enforcers who were keen on seeing Peter pay for his machinations against the Animus.
Ela was not like her brother, though. She saw little benefit in maintaining the grudge and preferred to forgive and forget and move on. After all, Peter the Peddler, was an important supplier of magical goods to the Animus Realm. To not have him peddling his goods and wares would put the Animus at a disadvantage.
This was seen at weakness at the court, but it was still nothing compared to the humiliation of the former Lord Xavis. After having been held hostage by a multitude of slave girls, he had agreed to their humiliating and ridiculous terms that made all the elder Animus hang their heads in disgust and shame.
It was decided that Ela should take his place as Lady of the Realm but she still needed to prove that her less dominant ruling style and her lack of bravado were indeed an advantage and not a liability.
The lioness Avenger Lucil was at her side. She was one of Xavis's most staunch supporters and after herself one of his closest advisers. The lioness headed spell caster disliked Ela but she was willing to serve for the greater good of the Animus, and that was good enough for Ela.
Ela was a Truthsayer and not a tickle warrior or a spell caster of any renowned ability. She needed a skilled combat spell caster and Lucil was the best the Animus had to offer. She brought only Lucil which contrasted with the many bodyguards and advisors the other rulers brought, but Ela was confident that she needed no more protection and advice than that Lucil would provide.
Her brother Xavis had escaped the Palace in a sort of self declared exile before the Elders could decide his punishment. He would have probably been exiled anyway. The days he was tortured by Haydeen and the slave girls had driven him mad. He had no longer the will nor the ability to lead the Animus.
It was a shame actually, because even though Ela did not always agree with him, he had been a symbol of Animus superiority and hegemony for many years. The other lords of the Realms were used to Xavis representing the interests of the Animus and they might have objected to her presence had the situation not been so dire.
She turned her view to watch each of the rival lords.
First, standing stoically before a podium was Roland, King of the Centaur Realm. He had more grey in his braided hair and beard than Ela remembered since she had last seen him. He stood proud, bare-chested and wearing his silver helm of the Royal Cavalry. He was surrounded by a dozen of his finest warriors who were rumored to be the last of the Centaur Royal Cavalry. His daughter, the princess Laurannis, was not to be seen. Since he never attended public events without his daughter, one could only imagine the worst.
He was the most noble and trustworthy of the rulers. However, Ela knew that he disapproved most of her substituting Lord Xavis. The old and wise centaur preferred the loud and arrogant enemy he knew, as opposed to the potential friend he did not know.
Dashiel, Lord of the Demonus, sat next to King Roland’s group. The tall demon with his raven black hair and razor thin beard and mustaches had the longest horns of any of his kind. It was rumored that he had gored enemies on more than one occasion with those horns.
If he had, it was not for lack of weapons. At his belt he bore a huge black broadsword on his belt named Midnight. And behind him were three of his finest warriors. His son Dorian, and his twin nephews Derrik and Deiter.
He was more like Xavis in many ways. He was arrogant and stubborn and he was not keen on having to cooperate with any of the other rulers. He had his Realm and from the sweltering heat of the Pit from where he ruled. He need not ask for any favors from anyone and offered no favors. To see him here willing to talk was quite surprising and disturbing at the same time.
Next was Thornwall, King of the Giantus. The Giant came alone as usual. They rarely expected to fit the places they visited anyway. Thornwall was an older Giant and in many ways was not as rash and impulsive as his kind. Still he was a Giant and that meant he could be thick headed and difficult to persuade once he had made a decision. However, if he did make a decision, he would be a steadfast defender of it even if it meant death or worse. His resolve would be essential. Ela was convinced of that.
Next was the Commander of the Rainbow Company, Crimson. The pixie warlord had called the meeting of the rulers of the Realms and he represented the interests of the Fae and their queen, the Nymph Melca. The somber red pixie was in full battle gear and wore a deep frown on his face. He spoke in hushed tones to the leaders of each of his squadrons and received reports from scout pixies every few minutes. Whatever happened, the Rainbow Company was the kind of force you needed on your side and not against.
The last group of seats lay empty. It was the seats were the Elfling King would sit or any other representative of the Elflings if they so arrived. Reports of the Elfling King's demise and the destruction of the Realm reached Ela's ears promptly. Elfling refugees were scattered all over the Realms telling horrible stories of waste and destruction. None though had the rank or the desire to represent their brethren. Like always, the Elflings could find courage only in numbers. With their number so reduced, no Elfling would dare try and take the responsibility of leading their kind into extinction.
Peter the Peddler pounded a gavel calling for order and the attention of all the rulers.
"I, Peter the Peddler," he said from a podium he had set up, "hereby inaugurate this War Council in the interest of preserving the well being of the Realms and defeating the evil of the Doom that Creeps. I leave you with Commander Crimson who will speak on behalf of her Majesty Queen Melca of the Fae."
Crimson flew up to the podium and stood on the edge of it eyeing the rulers and assuring he had their full attention.
"As part of an undisclosed pact," the red pixie said with a voice that was heard loud and clear throughout the entire hall, "her Majesty Queen Melca has agreed to provide me with information that potentially might defeat the Doom that Creeps. That is the information that I shall provide at this moment."
All listened intently.
"Melca's Gem, also know as the Eye of Doom, is what allows the Doom that Creeps to advance at its incredible speed and absorb souls with mere touch. The souls are never enough to sate its thirst and it grows exponentially in both size and hunger. It will consume all and when it is finished it will consume itself until it falls back into its slumber. Some of you know this in part from lore or from first hand experience."
Roland nodded sadly.
"Removing the gem from its third eye is the way to stop its exponential advance,” Crimson stated. “It will not limit its ability to drain souls but it can limit the speed at which it can do so since it will no longer be able to move with the same agility. Removing the gem will also limit its ability to grow. Physical damage will affect it at this point; however it will continue to feed on souls with equal relish."
"How can anyone get close enough to rob the gem without getting his soul ripped from his body?" Dashiel asked.
"Patience," Crimson begged. "I have formulated a plan. The Doom that Creeps has ravaged most of the Elfling Realm. My scouts report that it is making a direct advance to the Centaur Realm’s capital and will be there before dusk today. My plan is to use to Rainbow Company to engage the Doom that Creeps and lure the beast away from the flat grasslands of the Centaur Realm to the rocky and more advantageous Demonus Realm where there is plenty of cover from where to launch attacks."
"Proposterous!" Lord Dashiel shouted. "I won't allow you to lead that mindless beast into our Realm."
"You can shut up and listen," Crimson shouted with a sneer, "or you can go back to the Demonus Realm and rot in your hot Pit while the Doom that Creeps takes one Realm at a time and leaves your precious Pit for dessert."
Lord Dashiel was shocked that someone so small has spoken to him in such a manner, his hand went to Midnight, but he did not draw. The pixie was right. Alone, none would withstand the advance of the Doom that Creeps.
"This will require sacrifice from us all," Crimson said continuing. "The first major casualties will be from the Rainbow Company as we lure it to the Pit. That is our part to play and we will play it out even if it means every last one of us must lose our souls to that beast. Once at the Pit, removing the gem will be up to the rest of you."
"Impossible," Roland said desperately. "I have never seen anything move so fast or take souls away with such ease. It is not possible to get close enough."
"I saw the Elfling King attack with the White Adder to no avail," a voice from the entrance to the wagon said. "He used the protective spells of the sword to ward off the Doom that Creeps, but the strain was too much and it killed him."
"Haydeen!" Roland said spitting in disgust at the sight of the Interrogator and the demon mistress who stood behind her. "You are the lackey of the Elfling King and responsible for this atrocity! All the deaths on the fields of Kilect Ratheet are on your head!"
"Danea," Dashiel said frowning at the Demon who had abandoned her Realm to serve the Academy. "Your service to Madame Jordanna has shamed us. I should cut you down where you stand."
"You're welcome to try," Danea said angrily pulling the White Adder free and pointing it at Lord Dashiel. The Demon swords were drawn as were Roland's lances.
"Stop this madness!" Haydeen demanded. "What is all this talk of swords and cutting? What ever happened to the good old fashioned tickle attack or merciless tickle torture?"
The rulers looked at each other uneasily wondering why the sword was substituting the feather.
"You have no place here," Roland said interrupting their thoughts. "Your King is dead."
"She wouldn't be here unless she was meant to be here," Peter mentioned opportunely. "The fog spell cast states clearly that only those meant to be here will find their way through the mist."
"I am technically the highest ranking Elfling alive," Haydeen said evenly. "I will represent the interests of the Elfling Realm."
"That must be recognized by the other rulers," Peter said. “It is a council where every Realm has one vote.”
"I will not allow it," Dashiel said.
"Nor I," Roland said harshly.
"Haydeen was my pupil and a more loyal friend I could not hope to have," Ela said energetically. "I say, yes."
"Haydeen lived among the Fae during her childhood. She is respected by my Queen as an excellent Interrogator and friend of the Fae. I also say, yes."
All eyes turned to Thornwall. The Giant stroked his red beard speckled with grey as he pondered the dilemma. He then spoke.
"I know not much of this Haydeen,” the Giant King spoke his voice booming in the hall, “but I knew the Elfling King well. Nothing could be more rotten than his soul. I also say yes."
“It is agreed then by a majority,” Peter said with his characteristic dinosaur smile. “Take your seat with your advisor.”
“Returning to the order of battle,” Crimson said as Haydeen sat on the Elfling seat with Haydeen behind her watching vigilantly, “someone must be able to get close enough to remove the gem without losing his or her soul. Queen Melca knows of no way to solve this issue. This problem I leave in your hands."
Suddenly there was a loud crash accompanied by vibrations that blast out the windows of the wagon and shook those inside violently. However big the inside of the wagon was, it was still a relatively small wagon.
"We are discovered!" shouted Peter the Peddler looking out the broken window and through the mist with a look that depicted raw horror.
"The Doom that Creeps is upon us!"
* * * * *
Laurannis, Patrisa and Esmeralda awoke at dawn.
Esmeralda was furious at Orion for having sacrificed all without even consulting first with her.
However, as her anger subsided she could see the logic of his thinking. There really was no hope unless the Realms banded together and pooled all their resources. And there was no other way to get Melca to agree to such a proposition.
Esmeralda had time to brood over what happened as she held on tight to Patrisa's waist as they both rode on Laurannis's back. The Centaur Princess had not enough magic to use her magical lance to go faster, but her mighty gallop was still quite impressive and Esmeralda was forced to hold her head down and hold on tightly.
They were headed for the Cloudy Tower which was another ancient structure that was guarded territory of the Centaur Realm. It was a simple tower that rose high into the clouds. By climbing its stairs it was possible to reach a doorway to would lead to the Wundermarket without using complex spells or searching for wormholes.
Orion probably knew of the option and that is why he counted on them being able to reach the tower in time for the War Council.
When Laurannis halted her backbreaking gallop abruptly, Esmeralda assumed that they had arrived at their destination.
"We're still off a ways," Patrisa mentioned looking around across the grassy plains. "Why have you stopped?"
"Look," Laurannis said pointing towards the horizon, her face pale and dotted with beads of sweat.
Esmeralda squinted in the morning light trying to see what she was pointing at. There was a tower on the horizon that effectively reached for the sky and disappeared into the clouds. There were wagons and people approaching the tower and in the distance there was a large monolith that jutted out of the flat plains of the normally flat Centaur Realm.
"Refugees?" Patrisa asked judging that they were coming from the Elfling Realm.
"That and worse," Laurannis said.
"What is that hill?" Esmeralda asked pointing to the dark shape on the horizon.
"That, my dear Esmeralda," Laurannis said bitterly, "is the Doom that Creeps."
The hill was moving and the wagons and people accelerated towards the tower trying to outrun it.
The hill became more visible as it approached and it was really the form of a giant humanoid. Its advance seemed to be slow, but then suddenly it disappeared into the ground.
The trio felt a loud rumble coming from underground and observed the Doom that Creeps reappearing among the refugees grasping and robbing souls as it advanced towards the tower.
The three watched in shock as the monster materialized before the tower and in all its fury it wrapped its mighty arms around the tower and pulled with all its might.
Magic or no magic, the tower was made of brick and mortar all the same. It could not resist the terrible strength of the Doom that Creeps and the Tower tumbled to the ground around the feet of the gigantic Doom that Creeps. Part of the tower that remained connected to the cloud remained hanging suspended in the air.
The Doom that Creeps lingered around reaping the souls it could still wrest away from the survivors and the dying and when the souls dwindled in quantity, it lost interest and turned north towards the Centaur Realm's capital, the Grand Vale, which was the only city in the Centaur's territory and it was home for over thirty thousand equine citizens.
"That my friends," the Centaur Princess said gravely, "is what we are up against."
"Not so nice odds," Patrisa said staring at the ruined tower and the dust and debris that still had to settle.
"No," Esmeralda admitted. "But we are going to reach the War Council even if I have to spout wings and fly there myself. There's no sense in waiting here. Let's go and see what is left of that tower."
Laurannis and Patrisa looked at each other and nodded.
The Tenderfoot was right.
Laurannis galloped towards the tower
* * * * *
"Ho!" came a cry from outside as the sound of metallic winds could be heard outside.
The Lord of the Realms scurried outside to see if it was truly the end.
"This is not the Doom that Creeps!" King Roland roared over the loud sound and wind that was being generated by the visitor.
It was a huge mechanical Roc. Its metallic wings were beating still and steam hissed out through the sides of the Roc's head making it an ominous figure to see. Especially when shrouded in the thick mist. A figure appeared from behind the Roc's back bearing a large and heavy package.
The visitor leapt to the ground with a boom. It was a Giantess and she wore some strange goggles and a scarf that hid her features.
"Hail King Thornwall! Hail rulers of the Realms." she said removing her goggles and scarf. A pair of pixies, blue and yellow, appeared on each of her shoulders and the three bowed down reverently.
"Ho, Loanna!" King Thornwall boomed recognizing one of his own. "I see the Maker has sent you. I pray he has sent more than a mechanical creature to aid our cause."
"I bring armor forged by the Maker that will protect its wearer's soul against the Doom that Creeps," Loanna said proudly. "I bear three full sets of armor ready to be used against our common enemy."
"Superb!" Crimson exclaimed. "This will give us an opportunity. We can continue with our War Council now."
The rulers and their advisors nodded among each other radiating the sense that there was still hope.
However slim, they now had a chance.
* * * * *
"There's a little catch," Loanna said as she unpacked the three armors displaying them in the center of the hall inside Peter the Peddler's wagon. A fourth armor in black was set to one side.
The armors were superb indeed. The coat of arms was a hammer crossing a sword with a golden feather above. The armor covered the entire body except for the face with white with gold accents. The magnificent helmets were plumed with white feathers. It was truly a magnificent set of armor.
She felt little embarrassed to mention something that would most certainly dampen their spirits. "The armors must choose who will wear them."
“How does the armor choose?” Crimson asked wrinkling his nose.
She removed a gauntlet from the bronze mannequin and handed it to Crimson. The glove shrank until it was the size of Crimson’s small pixie hand. The red pixie placed the gauntlet on his hand and was suddenly pulled to the ground by the heavy and impossible to lift gauntlet.
“You are not one of the three,” Loanna said disappointed.
“No matter,” Crimson said after having removed the gauntlet. “But this armor was meant for someone. Pass the gauntlet around and set us discover who the armor has chosen.”
The gauntlet was passed to the Centaurs and they too could not lift it from the ground. Then to the Demonus who likewise failed and reluctantly passed the gauntlet to King Thornwall who despite his enormous size and strength was also unable to lift the gauntlet. The squadron leaders of the Rainbow Company tired next and with long faces passed the Gauntlet over to Ela and Lucil.
Ela knew that she was not the chosen one and was not surprised to feel the heavy glove fall to the ground with a loud thud. Lucil showed more interest, but she was also disappointed after equally having had her fist pulled to the ground despite her best efforts.
Lastly, Haydeen took the gauntlet and was also not surprised that it could not be lifted from the ground. She handed it to Danea who had been spellbound by the armor since it had arrived. She took the glove and placed it gingerly on her hand, tugging to assure a proper fit. She raised her hand.
“You are one of the chosen, Danea,” Loanna said smiling and gesturing to the rest of the armor.
Danea stepped forward and reached for the plumed helm. She placed it on her head and despite its size it was as light as having nothing on at all. She tore off her black leather armor and as she replaced the pieces for the magical white armor, the pieces shifted and changed to accommodate her wings, her horns and her bosom. Having finished, she took the White Adder in her hands and placed it into a hidden sheathe on her back.
She was complete and she was beautiful. No one could deny it. Not even the Demonus who nodded reluctantly but approvingly at their prodigal daughter.
“Now, we have a chance,” Danea said with a voice that inspired confidence among all those present. “Let the War Council continue!”
* * * * *
Esmeralda looked up into the sky.
There was still a part of the tower hanging out of the sky; it was perhaps a third of the tower’s original size. She could make out the stairwell quite easily looking up at the torn tower, but it was still too far even if she used Silk to try and reach it.
“There’s not much chance to reach the suspended part of the tower unless one of us could fly,” Laurannis observed scanning the rubble of the destroyed tower trying to see if she could find any survivors.
“The War Council must be in full session by now,” Esmeralda said frustrated at the fact that there was no way up. “By the time we find a way there, the council will have ended without us.”
Nives worg staf, dolh meth staf! the words of a spell were being cast.
“I’ve heard that spell before,” Esmeralda said nervously pulling Silk free and preparing whatever defensive spell she could muster with the little magic she had left.
“As have I,” Laurannis said nervously.
“Scatter!” Patrisa shouted as a handful of small seeds was thrown over their heads.
The seeds began to grow into vines and the vines tried to wrap around them and trap them. Esmeralda cast a jump spell but the vines were so fast and so strong that she could not escape them. It was the same spell, she had seen used by the Elfling Serge, but this time it was just much more powerful.
Patrisa tried to pound her way through the vines and her fighting sticks struck and smashed through the vines at first, but they acted like the tentacles of a Tickle Beast capturing her sticks and quickly she too was fully bound and at the mercy of her captors.
Laurannis was vulnerable the first time she had faced the spell and the second time was no different. With no way to escape, she was instantly covered in the strong vines with no opportunity to defend herself.
“Where are those three little Elflings?” Laurannis asked angrily. “I should have skewered them in the Elfling Dungeon when I had the chance.”
“It’s not the Elflings,” Esmeralda said as she struggled to try and free Silk that was wrapped in vines inside her hands. “It’s a different intonation and different voice. Clearly a superior spell caster.”
“Quite astute,” said a voice as a figure approached followed by a group of warriors and spell casters. The figure was covered in a purple robe that hid its face.
The warriors and spell casters however were easily identifiable. They were Animus and they work the trappings of their trade. There were three females; a cheetah, a snake, a rabbit surrounding the hooded figure. Half a dozen males followed behind, but they were mostly boars, rhinos and hippos.
Patrisa swore under her breath. “Enforcers and Avengers,” she said sizing them up. “Some very good ones unfortunately.”
“What are Animus Elite doing here when they should be preparing for war?” the Centaur Princess asked.
The figure removed his hood revealing his identity.
“The war has started, my enemies,” the figure said. “I have chosen my side and I have chosen the winning side.”
“Lord Xavis!” Patrisa said shocked.
“None other,” the Red Panther said with a sneer.
“Nebai,” he said gesturing to the Cheetah headed female Avenger, “Let the fools sleep on it while I decide their fate.”
The Cheetah nodded and held up a ring Esmeralda recognized quite well.
Yese rea pyless, yese stum scole, eb slilt dan plees!
“Hold your breath!” Esmeralda warned. But instead of a small green wisp of sleeping gas, billowing clouds of green gas engulfed them all.
When the cloud cleared, they all lay fast asleep.
* * * * *
Something was amiss.
Queen Melca could not determine what was wrong.
It all appeared to be in order. Orion would obey her every command without question. She would tickle him senseless and then arouse him with ease. She'd then make ardent love with him until he would explode from her expert lovemaking.
Maybe she found it too easy. Orion had possessed such impressive willpower, that to see him reduced to a mindless drone who would obey her every whim, seem somewhat out of place.
However, while that was indeed her intention, she somehow felt that something was out of place.
She would from time to time use her third eye to watch the progress of the War Council. Crimson was a competent and loyal subject and he would do his best to try and save the Realms. His chances were slim, but she would keep an eye on him and the others. He was to abandon all of course if he should find the ring. That would be the true test of Crimson's loyalty. She had no doubt however that if he found the ring he would return it to her even if it meant sacrificing the Realms and his life and Soul.
Melca had also used her third eye to analyze Orion, to try and see what it was that she was missing. His magic was intact and somewhat potent although she had been draining him continuously. His legendary stamina was intact as well.
So why did she feel that something was not right?
She called for her powerful Dryads that came with their trees and used their power branches to lift him into the air and hold him suspended before her.
This was a favorite position from which to torment her victims. Bondage was hardly necessary, but it helped expose all those hard to reach spots and it helped her have a different perspective.
Orion did not try to fight it and his gaze stared glassily out in her direction. She raked his soles with her nails trying to vent a bit of her frustration and he laughed helplessly.
It was then that she realized what was wrong.
Her three eyes went wide in shock as she had missed the simplest and most obvious detail when she was looking for something more complex and elaborate.
She cursed herself for her naiveté and for lack of vision. She cursed herself for trusting the sly and deceiving Manling spell caster.
As the morning light poured into the Garden of Delights, the Dryads who held Orion suspended in the air could see plainly what was amiss.
Orion cast no shadow.
* * * * *
“We will review the plan then,” Crimson said as the War Council reached its ending.
“The Rainbow Company will fly out to intercept the Doom that Creeps and lead it towards the Pit. By dawn we will have led him as far as we can into the Pit. From afar, Giants and Demons will as our artillery and heavy air force in an effort to cause a distraction so Demon Mistress Danea may lay out a frontal attack to strike at the Eye of Doom. If successful, the remaining members of the Royal Cavalry will attack from behind in an effort to force the Doom that Creeps deeper in the Pit. The Animus will provide all the spell casters they can muster to act as support for the Demons and Giants.”
The rulers and advisors nodded in agreement.
“Peter the Peddler and Brunilda will gather the merchants of the Wundermarket and impose a levy of magic and magic items. All Realms are required to empty their treasuries and impose a tickling levy on all citizens who cannot fight. Haydeen and all the Elflings she can muster will supervise the levy. Remember that she is a Truthsayer; she will know who is withholding magic.”
The last part was sent out as a warning. The rulers looked at each other distrustfully, but they all nodded once more in approval.
“The two remaining armors will be taken to the Pit until those deemed worthy to don them arrive,” Crimson said. “That is all.”
“What of the black armor?” Loanna asked pointing to the last armor that lay forgotten in a corner of the hall.
“If the armor won’t come loose, it’s useless,” Crimson said waving his hand. “We’ll be encumbered anyway with other more useful magic items and the magic to power them.”
Loanna bit her lip as if she were going to argue but nodded in agreement after a moment’s thought.
“Any last questions?” Crimson asked.
All were silent.
“Very well. Then I declare this War Council adjourned,” the Rainbow Company Commander said. “Move out and fight for the Realms.”
A green pixie flew up to Crimson with a missive and whispered briefly to his ear.
Crimson frowned deeply.
“The Cloudy Tower has been destroyed by the Doom that Creeps,” he said for all to hear. “If you came that way, I suggest you find a different way back.”
The rulers frowned also, but Crimson would not allow them to dwell upon something that had no remedy.
“Good luck, Lords and Ladies,” Crimson said. “I hope that we shall one day meet again over more pleasant circumstances. If not in this world, than in the next.”
The Lords and Ladies left the room as did Peter and Brunilda. Soon the hall was empty except for Haydeen and Danea.
“That a lot of responsibility,” Danea said to Haydeen. “Ruling a Realm is no easy feat.”
Haydeen smiled. “The fate of all the Realms lies on your shoulders, Danea. That is far greater responsibility.”
Danea nodded affirmatively.
“Haydeen,” the former Keeper of the Academy said thoughtfully. “Would you give me a moment to myself? Here, alone?”
“Of course,” Haydeen said. “I will see what Elflings can be rounded up from here in the Wundermarket.”
The Interrogator left and Danea shut the door. She drew the White Adder and slid the blade through the door handles effectively barring the door. She then turned and strode into the empty hall.
“You can come out now,” Danea said loudly.
The black armor in the corner of the hall rustled and then moved as it struggled to stand up. The bronze mannequin inside was fully jointed and it walked cautiously towards Danea.
“The Maker is a genius,” the mannequin said. “It looks like a statue of some sort, but I can move every single joint as if it were my body.”
“Speaking of bodies,” Danea said softly and curiously, “where is yours, Orion?”
* * * * *
Esmeralda awoke to find herself in a seated position encased in a block of what appeared to be ice, but it was not cold to the touch and it did not melt. Only her head was free and her bare feet which protruded at the base of the block. She could not move a single muscle. She could feel a sort of iron ring around her head, crossing her forehead. She tried to shake it off, but it was somehow fixed into position.
To her right was Patrisa who was also in exactly the same position trapped in the same kind of solid block with the same band of iron on her head covering her third eye. Next to her mentor was Laurannis whose entire body except for her head was encased in a gigantic block of the same strange substance and with the same strange band of iron.
They were still at the base of the tower and it was already past noon.
“Finally awake,” Xavis said drawing their attention to him as he sat on a large stone that once belonged to the tower. “The Elfling who had wrongfully wielded the ring for so many years, ever understood the potential of such a powerful magic item when in the right hands. Nebai regrets not having evened the score before leaving the Elfling Dungeon; the little one in particular had tickled my Avengers and Enforcers frequently in the dungeon, humiliating them and robbing them of their magic. The Elfling paid with her soul before we could get to her.”
“Lea?” Esmeralda asked thinking of the small red haired Elfling she had met when she stumbled into the Mushroom wood all those months ago.
Xavis shrugged indifferently. “Does it really matter? The other two put up a fight, but what are a few Elflings when they must fight on equal terms with Avengers? Nothing but cowards. Mema and Samma were able to tickle torture them before their souls were taken as well.”
“You left them to be taken by the Doom that Creeps?” Esmeralda asked incredulously.
“No,” Xavis said with a smile. “I GAVE them to the Doom that Creeps.”
“The Doom that Creeps makes no allies. Its hunger is for all,” Laurannis said.
“His hunger is for all,” Xavis conceded, “but he can choose his allies if he so decides to do so. He is not a mindless brute. What you do not know is that Melca’s Gem, which made for my terrible downfall, is actually part of the Doom that Creeps.”
The three prisoners looked at each other in confusion.
“I have no reason to lie,” Xavis said at their suspicious face. “I escaped the Animus Realm running away like a dog. I hated you and all my enemies, but most of all I wished revenge upon my own who had turned their back on me after one humiliating defeat. I had been loyal to the Animus cause for decades. I was willing to even join my worst enemy, the Elfling King, in order to avenge myself upon those who once called me their lord.
“To my great surprise, the Elfling King was not in the Elfling Realm. Nor were most of his warriors. I saw the dark form of the Doom that Creeps fall upon the Mushroom Wood. It plucked Elflings from the ground and robbed them of their souls before tossing them back to the ground lifeless.
“He saw me and initially thought to attack me, but Melca´s Gem glowed brightly remembering how I had used it to trap the lives and souls of so many during his slumber.”
“We spoke and after a while, we had an agreement. He’d get the souls, I’d get the magic and I would free my Avengers and Enforcers who were rotting in the depths of the Elfling King’s Dungeon. So now, I give him advice as to where to attack and I get the magic when it’s all over.”
“You fool,” Patrisa said. “He will eat your soul as well when you have finished serving your purpose.”
“Perhaps,” Xavis said shrugging. “But in the end, when all is destroyed and all is barren, I will literally have the last laugh.” He laughed a maniacal laugh that rung through out the ruins.
“You are demented!” Esmeralda said angrily.
“Thank you,” Xavis said off handedly setting his attention on Esmeralda. “I hear you are ticklish, little Tenderfoot. Samma, please give the Tenderfoot a reason to laugh.”
Samma was the serpent headed Avenger. She approached Esmeralda and began to stoke Esmeralda’s feet with her sharp nails.
“The restraints are courtesy of Samma,” Xavis said as Esmeralda struggled to hide her sweet spots on her soles from the Avenger. “The star tipped wand can paralyze an enemy in its most basic use, but in its advanced form it can easily freeze the very air into a solid and quite hard substance. Quite useful, don’t you think?”
“She’s a fighter,” Samma said staring at Esmeralda with lidless eyes as she skillfully looked for ticklish spot to make Esmeralda laugh.
“Allow me,” Xavis said kneeling down and facing Esmeralda’s feet. Esmeralda’s feet were beautiful and Xavis studied them intently.
“They say that I am a poor tickler because I chose only the most ticklish for my harem,” he said. “But I don’t know anyone who can resist this.”
He opened his mouth wide and clamped it shut on the sides of her sole. Esmeralda started to panic remembering what happened when Lucil had done so to her foot. The warm tongue was wet as it touched her arch and the moment it started to move up and down her sole, Esmeralda could not resist.
She began to laugh.
Samma took Esmeralda’s other foot in her mouth and with sharp and forked tongue she also tickled Esmeralda. She shook her head and wiggled her toes, but that was all she could move. She laughed hysterically at the tickling assault.
“Why don’t you try that on me?” Patrisa challenged.
“Don’t mind if I do, Tickle Scourge,” Xavis said. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
He caressed Patrisa’s smooth round toes before clamping his jaws on the sides of her soles and tickling her earnestly. However, much to his dismay he got absolutely no reaction. He tried with his whiskers, his tongue, and his teeth and got absolutely no reaction.
Patrisa had a smug look of self satisfaction.
“Now, I know someone who can resist,” Xavis said trying to control his anger. “You think you are clever, but the Animus know much technique.
“Mema,” he said to the Rabbit headed Avenger. “Elucidate for our Tickle Scourge friend.”
“With pleasure,” the Avenger said standing behind Patrisa. She reached out with her delicate fingers and gently tickled Patrisa’s ears.
“Hey!” Patrisa exclaimed feeling unexpectedly ticklish there.
“The ticklers of the Realms are so obsessed with feet and ribs and underarms that sometimes simple spots are neglected,” Xavis explained. “My Avengers are quite skilled in the art of tickling these neglected spots.”
Mema tickled Patrisa’s neck gently from the base up the nape. Patrisa laughed out loud and screamed.
“Nebai,” Xavis said to the cheetah headed Avenger. “Let us not neglect our other guest. I despise King Roland as much as I despise the Elfling King.
Tickling his daughter will infuriate him even more than him getting it himself.”
“No, don’t do it, please,” Laurannis pleaded shaking her head as the cheetah
headed Avenger deftly climbed the solid block the Centaur princess was encased in.
“Hush, pretty one,” Nebai said purring gently and stroking the Centaur’s long dark hair. Laurannis seemed to calm down slightly and when it seemed nothing was going to happen, Nebai took the princess’s head firmly in her hands and then proceeded to nibble on her vulnerable ear.
Laurannis screamed in desperation and shock before cracking out in a cacophony of hard and loud laughter.
All, including Patrisa and Esmeralda, turned in surprise to see the Centaur princess scream and laugh madly at the Avenger’s skilled tickling.
Xavis watched in satisfaction as his enemies laughed at his command.
“You might ask, what it is I intend to do with you,” Xavis said pacing thoughtfully in front of the three tickle tortured victims. They could not answer through their laughter.
”You are wearing an ‘iron crown’ as I call it,” Xavis explained. “This is used for tickling executions. My Realm, or former Realm as it is, is the only Realm that formally used the method. You see, when you are subdued, the magic is released through your third eye. If the third eye is obstructed, the magic has no where to go. The results can be…,” he paused, searching for an appropriate word, “… messy, to say the least.”
Xavis stepped closer to Esmeralda and leaned over near her ear so only she could hear.
“I take special pleasure in torturing you, Tenderfoot,” Xavis hissed into her ear. “Your friend, Orion, will suffer seeing what I have done to you. I will be sure to be thorough in tickling you and making this torture as prolonged and agonizing as possible. When I see him, I will be sure to rub it in.”
Esmeralda was struggling to control her laughter as well as she could as Samma tickled her toes near numbness. It did little to neutralize the tickling sensations. However, all control was lost as Xavis began to nibble on the same ear he had whispered into.
Esmeralda screamed.
* * * * *
“I saw your shadow lingering around the hall,” Danea said. “I don’t believe anyone else saw you. I know your shadow better than anyone.”
Orion was moving better in the armor now as he grew more accustomed to its movements. “My body is with Melca, Danea. I shifted my soul over to my shadow,” he explained a bit sadly.
Danea was shocked. “That is a suicide spell for a Shadow spell caster! You will surely die! Your body will weaken and when it dies, so will you.”
Orion nodded grimly. “I came to see if I could help. Crimson would report me to Melca and that would surely mean trouble; so I kept a low profile. I saw the armor lying abandoned on the ground and it sort of called out to me. I touched it and my shadow was somehow sucked inside. It was meant for me.”
“You are a very selfish person, Orion,” Danea said in a tone that simply stated a fact. “Why are you doing this? Not for the greater good of the Realms. Do not patronize me telling me so.”
There was an uncomfortable silence that lingered in the room for a moment.
“It’s for the Tenderfoot,” Orion said softly. “I made a promise to get her home. I mean to keep it.”
“I think it is more than that,” Danea said suspecting something else. “But I see you are different from when we parted ways and if Esmeralda has any doing in all of this, I am glad for her and for you.”
“She didn’t arrive,” Orion said worriedly. “Esmeralda, Patrisa and Laurannis were supposed to make it here for the War Council this morning. Something went wrong. They would have gone by way of the Cloudy Tower. I fear the worst has happened.”
“You are one of my dearest friends, Orion,” Danea said. “I can only advise that you go and find them. When you are done, bring them to the Pit and fight at my side as we used to so many years ago. There is still fight in you, I think.”
Orion nodded. “There is,” he said, “but I need magic to continue spell casting. I am almost fully drained.”
“I have none,” Danea said. “There will be a levy however—“
“There’s no time to wait,” Orion said clenching his gloved hand in frustration.
Danea sat down in the seat that had been reserved for Lord Dashiel. It was especially made to accommodate demon wings.
She thought things over for a moment and then lifted an armored boot. She placed it in Orion’s hands.
“Do what you must, Orion,” Danea said with a sad smile. “It’s a shame you must do so under such terrible circumstances.”
The bronze statue closed its hinged eyelids for a moment in hesitation and then opened them revealing determination.
“Thank you, Danea,” he said as he removed the boot revealing the Demon Mistresses beautiful white bare foot.
“Be swift and merciless, my dear friend,” Danea said grasping the arms of her chair tightly and biting her lip in anticipation.
Orion pulled off the gauntlet with his bronze teeth revealing a bronze hand. He flexed the fingers in preparation and then placed them against Danea’s bare sole.
“I will.”
To be concluded….
NEXT: Luctor et Emergo
War Council!
A thick white mist descended upon the Wundermarket the next morning.
It was not unusual for fog or haze to accompany the morning in the town sized magic marketplace in the sky. After all, the market was built upon a cloud.
Still, the merchants and spell casters who dwelled in the Wundermarket knew better this time.
The mist was unquestionably of magical nature. The white milky haze was impenetrable even with the use of the third eye. However, if one were to venture erratically into the mist, one would almost invariably arrive at one's destination.
It was no doubt powerful magic indeed. The more skilled spell casters recognized it as a spell to mask the arrival of someone important and at the same time keep the inhabitants of the Wundermarket conveniently out of the way. It was not unusual taking in account the fact that terrible rumors of a great evil arising in the Elfling Realm had been spreading like a wild fire throughout the multicolored tents and wagons.
The Wundermarket was neutral ''ground'' and it was not ruled by any lord or lady of any of the Realms. It was a fitting place to schedule a meeting for such proud and fickle personalities, since none of the rulers would be forced to set foot on territory ruled by a rival lord.
Alas, none of the merchants would ever attend or know of such a meeting. Whatever their race or their trade, most Wundermarket merchants were gossiping hens at heart.
So, as the day went on, they continued with their affairs, trading magic and speaking in hushed tones about how all this secrecy and talk of doom would be bad for business.
Little did they realize that more than simple business was at stake that morning. Their very souls were in peril and the decisions of a choice few would soon decide their fate.
* * * * *
Lady Ela tapped her long and sharp fingernails nervously on the wide arm of her seat.
She was representing the Animus Realm at the War Council that would decide what actions could be taken to halt the terrible advance of the Doom that Creeps.
The War Council was being held in Peter the Peddler's wagon. With proper spells, the interior of wagon could be shifted to host an audience hall that could easily seat two hundred persons. This day it was prepared for only six rulers of the Realms and their advisers. Scarcely three score persons at most, including the hosts, Peter the Peddler and Brunilda the Centaur.
Peter was chosen simply because he had never sworn allegiance at any time to any of the Rulers of the Realm. He was untrustworthy in that way to all the rulers and ironically that made his election comfortable for all.
The Dinosaur-headed peddler was more than pleased to host such event since it was in his nature as a merchant to later boast among his peers that he had prepared such a monumental event. With the magic business as competitive as it was, what better publicity could a merchant ask for?
So despite have had to prepare seating and refreshment on a moment's notice, Peter's dinosaur head grinned ear to ear as he wore and elegant tuxedo with a tall black top hat to preside the event.
A fool, thought Ela, but a necessary fool.
Shortly after taking control of the Animus she had removed the bounty on Peter the Peddler's head much to the dissatisfaction of her Avengers and Enforcers who were keen on seeing Peter pay for his machinations against the Animus.
Ela was not like her brother, though. She saw little benefit in maintaining the grudge and preferred to forgive and forget and move on. After all, Peter the Peddler, was an important supplier of magical goods to the Animus Realm. To not have him peddling his goods and wares would put the Animus at a disadvantage.
This was seen at weakness at the court, but it was still nothing compared to the humiliation of the former Lord Xavis. After having been held hostage by a multitude of slave girls, he had agreed to their humiliating and ridiculous terms that made all the elder Animus hang their heads in disgust and shame.
It was decided that Ela should take his place as Lady of the Realm but she still needed to prove that her less dominant ruling style and her lack of bravado were indeed an advantage and not a liability.
The lioness Avenger Lucil was at her side. She was one of Xavis's most staunch supporters and after herself one of his closest advisers. The lioness headed spell caster disliked Ela but she was willing to serve for the greater good of the Animus, and that was good enough for Ela.
Ela was a Truthsayer and not a tickle warrior or a spell caster of any renowned ability. She needed a skilled combat spell caster and Lucil was the best the Animus had to offer. She brought only Lucil which contrasted with the many bodyguards and advisors the other rulers brought, but Ela was confident that she needed no more protection and advice than that Lucil would provide.
Her brother Xavis had escaped the Palace in a sort of self declared exile before the Elders could decide his punishment. He would have probably been exiled anyway. The days he was tortured by Haydeen and the slave girls had driven him mad. He had no longer the will nor the ability to lead the Animus.
It was a shame actually, because even though Ela did not always agree with him, he had been a symbol of Animus superiority and hegemony for many years. The other lords of the Realms were used to Xavis representing the interests of the Animus and they might have objected to her presence had the situation not been so dire.
She turned her view to watch each of the rival lords.
First, standing stoically before a podium was Roland, King of the Centaur Realm. He had more grey in his braided hair and beard than Ela remembered since she had last seen him. He stood proud, bare-chested and wearing his silver helm of the Royal Cavalry. He was surrounded by a dozen of his finest warriors who were rumored to be the last of the Centaur Royal Cavalry. His daughter, the princess Laurannis, was not to be seen. Since he never attended public events without his daughter, one could only imagine the worst.
He was the most noble and trustworthy of the rulers. However, Ela knew that he disapproved most of her substituting Lord Xavis. The old and wise centaur preferred the loud and arrogant enemy he knew, as opposed to the potential friend he did not know.
Dashiel, Lord of the Demonus, sat next to King Roland’s group. The tall demon with his raven black hair and razor thin beard and mustaches had the longest horns of any of his kind. It was rumored that he had gored enemies on more than one occasion with those horns.
If he had, it was not for lack of weapons. At his belt he bore a huge black broadsword on his belt named Midnight. And behind him were three of his finest warriors. His son Dorian, and his twin nephews Derrik and Deiter.
He was more like Xavis in many ways. He was arrogant and stubborn and he was not keen on having to cooperate with any of the other rulers. He had his Realm and from the sweltering heat of the Pit from where he ruled. He need not ask for any favors from anyone and offered no favors. To see him here willing to talk was quite surprising and disturbing at the same time.
Next was Thornwall, King of the Giantus. The Giant came alone as usual. They rarely expected to fit the places they visited anyway. Thornwall was an older Giant and in many ways was not as rash and impulsive as his kind. Still he was a Giant and that meant he could be thick headed and difficult to persuade once he had made a decision. However, if he did make a decision, he would be a steadfast defender of it even if it meant death or worse. His resolve would be essential. Ela was convinced of that.
Next was the Commander of the Rainbow Company, Crimson. The pixie warlord had called the meeting of the rulers of the Realms and he represented the interests of the Fae and their queen, the Nymph Melca. The somber red pixie was in full battle gear and wore a deep frown on his face. He spoke in hushed tones to the leaders of each of his squadrons and received reports from scout pixies every few minutes. Whatever happened, the Rainbow Company was the kind of force you needed on your side and not against.
The last group of seats lay empty. It was the seats were the Elfling King would sit or any other representative of the Elflings if they so arrived. Reports of the Elfling King's demise and the destruction of the Realm reached Ela's ears promptly. Elfling refugees were scattered all over the Realms telling horrible stories of waste and destruction. None though had the rank or the desire to represent their brethren. Like always, the Elflings could find courage only in numbers. With their number so reduced, no Elfling would dare try and take the responsibility of leading their kind into extinction.
Peter the Peddler pounded a gavel calling for order and the attention of all the rulers.
"I, Peter the Peddler," he said from a podium he had set up, "hereby inaugurate this War Council in the interest of preserving the well being of the Realms and defeating the evil of the Doom that Creeps. I leave you with Commander Crimson who will speak on behalf of her Majesty Queen Melca of the Fae."
Crimson flew up to the podium and stood on the edge of it eyeing the rulers and assuring he had their full attention.
"As part of an undisclosed pact," the red pixie said with a voice that was heard loud and clear throughout the entire hall, "her Majesty Queen Melca has agreed to provide me with information that potentially might defeat the Doom that Creeps. That is the information that I shall provide at this moment."
All listened intently.
"Melca's Gem, also know as the Eye of Doom, is what allows the Doom that Creeps to advance at its incredible speed and absorb souls with mere touch. The souls are never enough to sate its thirst and it grows exponentially in both size and hunger. It will consume all and when it is finished it will consume itself until it falls back into its slumber. Some of you know this in part from lore or from first hand experience."
Roland nodded sadly.
"Removing the gem from its third eye is the way to stop its exponential advance,” Crimson stated. “It will not limit its ability to drain souls but it can limit the speed at which it can do so since it will no longer be able to move with the same agility. Removing the gem will also limit its ability to grow. Physical damage will affect it at this point; however it will continue to feed on souls with equal relish."
"How can anyone get close enough to rob the gem without getting his soul ripped from his body?" Dashiel asked.
"Patience," Crimson begged. "I have formulated a plan. The Doom that Creeps has ravaged most of the Elfling Realm. My scouts report that it is making a direct advance to the Centaur Realm’s capital and will be there before dusk today. My plan is to use to Rainbow Company to engage the Doom that Creeps and lure the beast away from the flat grasslands of the Centaur Realm to the rocky and more advantageous Demonus Realm where there is plenty of cover from where to launch attacks."
"Proposterous!" Lord Dashiel shouted. "I won't allow you to lead that mindless beast into our Realm."
"You can shut up and listen," Crimson shouted with a sneer, "or you can go back to the Demonus Realm and rot in your hot Pit while the Doom that Creeps takes one Realm at a time and leaves your precious Pit for dessert."
Lord Dashiel was shocked that someone so small has spoken to him in such a manner, his hand went to Midnight, but he did not draw. The pixie was right. Alone, none would withstand the advance of the Doom that Creeps.
"This will require sacrifice from us all," Crimson said continuing. "The first major casualties will be from the Rainbow Company as we lure it to the Pit. That is our part to play and we will play it out even if it means every last one of us must lose our souls to that beast. Once at the Pit, removing the gem will be up to the rest of you."
"Impossible," Roland said desperately. "I have never seen anything move so fast or take souls away with such ease. It is not possible to get close enough."
"I saw the Elfling King attack with the White Adder to no avail," a voice from the entrance to the wagon said. "He used the protective spells of the sword to ward off the Doom that Creeps, but the strain was too much and it killed him."
"Haydeen!" Roland said spitting in disgust at the sight of the Interrogator and the demon mistress who stood behind her. "You are the lackey of the Elfling King and responsible for this atrocity! All the deaths on the fields of Kilect Ratheet are on your head!"
"Danea," Dashiel said frowning at the Demon who had abandoned her Realm to serve the Academy. "Your service to Madame Jordanna has shamed us. I should cut you down where you stand."
"You're welcome to try," Danea said angrily pulling the White Adder free and pointing it at Lord Dashiel. The Demon swords were drawn as were Roland's lances.
"Stop this madness!" Haydeen demanded. "What is all this talk of swords and cutting? What ever happened to the good old fashioned tickle attack or merciless tickle torture?"
The rulers looked at each other uneasily wondering why the sword was substituting the feather.
"You have no place here," Roland said interrupting their thoughts. "Your King is dead."
"She wouldn't be here unless she was meant to be here," Peter mentioned opportunely. "The fog spell cast states clearly that only those meant to be here will find their way through the mist."
"I am technically the highest ranking Elfling alive," Haydeen said evenly. "I will represent the interests of the Elfling Realm."
"That must be recognized by the other rulers," Peter said. “It is a council where every Realm has one vote.”
"I will not allow it," Dashiel said.
"Nor I," Roland said harshly.
"Haydeen was my pupil and a more loyal friend I could not hope to have," Ela said energetically. "I say, yes."
"Haydeen lived among the Fae during her childhood. She is respected by my Queen as an excellent Interrogator and friend of the Fae. I also say, yes."
All eyes turned to Thornwall. The Giant stroked his red beard speckled with grey as he pondered the dilemma. He then spoke.
"I know not much of this Haydeen,” the Giant King spoke his voice booming in the hall, “but I knew the Elfling King well. Nothing could be more rotten than his soul. I also say yes."
“It is agreed then by a majority,” Peter said with his characteristic dinosaur smile. “Take your seat with your advisor.”
“Returning to the order of battle,” Crimson said as Haydeen sat on the Elfling seat with Haydeen behind her watching vigilantly, “someone must be able to get close enough to remove the gem without losing his or her soul. Queen Melca knows of no way to solve this issue. This problem I leave in your hands."
Suddenly there was a loud crash accompanied by vibrations that blast out the windows of the wagon and shook those inside violently. However big the inside of the wagon was, it was still a relatively small wagon.
"We are discovered!" shouted Peter the Peddler looking out the broken window and through the mist with a look that depicted raw horror.
"The Doom that Creeps is upon us!"
* * * * *
Laurannis, Patrisa and Esmeralda awoke at dawn.
Esmeralda was furious at Orion for having sacrificed all without even consulting first with her.
However, as her anger subsided she could see the logic of his thinking. There really was no hope unless the Realms banded together and pooled all their resources. And there was no other way to get Melca to agree to such a proposition.
Esmeralda had time to brood over what happened as she held on tight to Patrisa's waist as they both rode on Laurannis's back. The Centaur Princess had not enough magic to use her magical lance to go faster, but her mighty gallop was still quite impressive and Esmeralda was forced to hold her head down and hold on tightly.
They were headed for the Cloudy Tower which was another ancient structure that was guarded territory of the Centaur Realm. It was a simple tower that rose high into the clouds. By climbing its stairs it was possible to reach a doorway to would lead to the Wundermarket without using complex spells or searching for wormholes.
Orion probably knew of the option and that is why he counted on them being able to reach the tower in time for the War Council.
When Laurannis halted her backbreaking gallop abruptly, Esmeralda assumed that they had arrived at their destination.
"We're still off a ways," Patrisa mentioned looking around across the grassy plains. "Why have you stopped?"
"Look," Laurannis said pointing towards the horizon, her face pale and dotted with beads of sweat.
Esmeralda squinted in the morning light trying to see what she was pointing at. There was a tower on the horizon that effectively reached for the sky and disappeared into the clouds. There were wagons and people approaching the tower and in the distance there was a large monolith that jutted out of the flat plains of the normally flat Centaur Realm.
"Refugees?" Patrisa asked judging that they were coming from the Elfling Realm.
"That and worse," Laurannis said.
"What is that hill?" Esmeralda asked pointing to the dark shape on the horizon.
"That, my dear Esmeralda," Laurannis said bitterly, "is the Doom that Creeps."
The hill was moving and the wagons and people accelerated towards the tower trying to outrun it.
The hill became more visible as it approached and it was really the form of a giant humanoid. Its advance seemed to be slow, but then suddenly it disappeared into the ground.
The trio felt a loud rumble coming from underground and observed the Doom that Creeps reappearing among the refugees grasping and robbing souls as it advanced towards the tower.
The three watched in shock as the monster materialized before the tower and in all its fury it wrapped its mighty arms around the tower and pulled with all its might.
Magic or no magic, the tower was made of brick and mortar all the same. It could not resist the terrible strength of the Doom that Creeps and the Tower tumbled to the ground around the feet of the gigantic Doom that Creeps. Part of the tower that remained connected to the cloud remained hanging suspended in the air.
The Doom that Creeps lingered around reaping the souls it could still wrest away from the survivors and the dying and when the souls dwindled in quantity, it lost interest and turned north towards the Centaur Realm's capital, the Grand Vale, which was the only city in the Centaur's territory and it was home for over thirty thousand equine citizens.
"That my friends," the Centaur Princess said gravely, "is what we are up against."
"Not so nice odds," Patrisa said staring at the ruined tower and the dust and debris that still had to settle.
"No," Esmeralda admitted. "But we are going to reach the War Council even if I have to spout wings and fly there myself. There's no sense in waiting here. Let's go and see what is left of that tower."
Laurannis and Patrisa looked at each other and nodded.
The Tenderfoot was right.
Laurannis galloped towards the tower
* * * * *
"Ho!" came a cry from outside as the sound of metallic winds could be heard outside.
The Lord of the Realms scurried outside to see if it was truly the end.
"This is not the Doom that Creeps!" King Roland roared over the loud sound and wind that was being generated by the visitor.
It was a huge mechanical Roc. Its metallic wings were beating still and steam hissed out through the sides of the Roc's head making it an ominous figure to see. Especially when shrouded in the thick mist. A figure appeared from behind the Roc's back bearing a large and heavy package.
The visitor leapt to the ground with a boom. It was a Giantess and she wore some strange goggles and a scarf that hid her features.
"Hail King Thornwall! Hail rulers of the Realms." she said removing her goggles and scarf. A pair of pixies, blue and yellow, appeared on each of her shoulders and the three bowed down reverently.
"Ho, Loanna!" King Thornwall boomed recognizing one of his own. "I see the Maker has sent you. I pray he has sent more than a mechanical creature to aid our cause."
"I bring armor forged by the Maker that will protect its wearer's soul against the Doom that Creeps," Loanna said proudly. "I bear three full sets of armor ready to be used against our common enemy."
"Superb!" Crimson exclaimed. "This will give us an opportunity. We can continue with our War Council now."
The rulers and their advisors nodded among each other radiating the sense that there was still hope.
However slim, they now had a chance.
* * * * *
"There's a little catch," Loanna said as she unpacked the three armors displaying them in the center of the hall inside Peter the Peddler's wagon. A fourth armor in black was set to one side.
The armors were superb indeed. The coat of arms was a hammer crossing a sword with a golden feather above. The armor covered the entire body except for the face with white with gold accents. The magnificent helmets were plumed with white feathers. It was truly a magnificent set of armor.
She felt little embarrassed to mention something that would most certainly dampen their spirits. "The armors must choose who will wear them."
“How does the armor choose?” Crimson asked wrinkling his nose.
She removed a gauntlet from the bronze mannequin and handed it to Crimson. The glove shrank until it was the size of Crimson’s small pixie hand. The red pixie placed the gauntlet on his hand and was suddenly pulled to the ground by the heavy and impossible to lift gauntlet.
“You are not one of the three,” Loanna said disappointed.
“No matter,” Crimson said after having removed the gauntlet. “But this armor was meant for someone. Pass the gauntlet around and set us discover who the armor has chosen.”
The gauntlet was passed to the Centaurs and they too could not lift it from the ground. Then to the Demonus who likewise failed and reluctantly passed the gauntlet to King Thornwall who despite his enormous size and strength was also unable to lift the gauntlet. The squadron leaders of the Rainbow Company tired next and with long faces passed the Gauntlet over to Ela and Lucil.
Ela knew that she was not the chosen one and was not surprised to feel the heavy glove fall to the ground with a loud thud. Lucil showed more interest, but she was also disappointed after equally having had her fist pulled to the ground despite her best efforts.
Lastly, Haydeen took the gauntlet and was also not surprised that it could not be lifted from the ground. She handed it to Danea who had been spellbound by the armor since it had arrived. She took the glove and placed it gingerly on her hand, tugging to assure a proper fit. She raised her hand.
“You are one of the chosen, Danea,” Loanna said smiling and gesturing to the rest of the armor.
Danea stepped forward and reached for the plumed helm. She placed it on her head and despite its size it was as light as having nothing on at all. She tore off her black leather armor and as she replaced the pieces for the magical white armor, the pieces shifted and changed to accommodate her wings, her horns and her bosom. Having finished, she took the White Adder in her hands and placed it into a hidden sheathe on her back.
She was complete and she was beautiful. No one could deny it. Not even the Demonus who nodded reluctantly but approvingly at their prodigal daughter.
“Now, we have a chance,” Danea said with a voice that inspired confidence among all those present. “Let the War Council continue!”
* * * * *
Esmeralda looked up into the sky.
There was still a part of the tower hanging out of the sky; it was perhaps a third of the tower’s original size. She could make out the stairwell quite easily looking up at the torn tower, but it was still too far even if she used Silk to try and reach it.
“There’s not much chance to reach the suspended part of the tower unless one of us could fly,” Laurannis observed scanning the rubble of the destroyed tower trying to see if she could find any survivors.
“The War Council must be in full session by now,” Esmeralda said frustrated at the fact that there was no way up. “By the time we find a way there, the council will have ended without us.”
Nives worg staf, dolh meth staf! the words of a spell were being cast.
“I’ve heard that spell before,” Esmeralda said nervously pulling Silk free and preparing whatever defensive spell she could muster with the little magic she had left.
“As have I,” Laurannis said nervously.
“Scatter!” Patrisa shouted as a handful of small seeds was thrown over their heads.
The seeds began to grow into vines and the vines tried to wrap around them and trap them. Esmeralda cast a jump spell but the vines were so fast and so strong that she could not escape them. It was the same spell, she had seen used by the Elfling Serge, but this time it was just much more powerful.
Patrisa tried to pound her way through the vines and her fighting sticks struck and smashed through the vines at first, but they acted like the tentacles of a Tickle Beast capturing her sticks and quickly she too was fully bound and at the mercy of her captors.
Laurannis was vulnerable the first time she had faced the spell and the second time was no different. With no way to escape, she was instantly covered in the strong vines with no opportunity to defend herself.
“Where are those three little Elflings?” Laurannis asked angrily. “I should have skewered them in the Elfling Dungeon when I had the chance.”
“It’s not the Elflings,” Esmeralda said as she struggled to try and free Silk that was wrapped in vines inside her hands. “It’s a different intonation and different voice. Clearly a superior spell caster.”
“Quite astute,” said a voice as a figure approached followed by a group of warriors and spell casters. The figure was covered in a purple robe that hid its face.
The warriors and spell casters however were easily identifiable. They were Animus and they work the trappings of their trade. There were three females; a cheetah, a snake, a rabbit surrounding the hooded figure. Half a dozen males followed behind, but they were mostly boars, rhinos and hippos.
Patrisa swore under her breath. “Enforcers and Avengers,” she said sizing them up. “Some very good ones unfortunately.”
“What are Animus Elite doing here when they should be preparing for war?” the Centaur Princess asked.
The figure removed his hood revealing his identity.
“The war has started, my enemies,” the figure said. “I have chosen my side and I have chosen the winning side.”
“Lord Xavis!” Patrisa said shocked.
“None other,” the Red Panther said with a sneer.
“Nebai,” he said gesturing to the Cheetah headed female Avenger, “Let the fools sleep on it while I decide their fate.”
The Cheetah nodded and held up a ring Esmeralda recognized quite well.
Yese rea pyless, yese stum scole, eb slilt dan plees!
“Hold your breath!” Esmeralda warned. But instead of a small green wisp of sleeping gas, billowing clouds of green gas engulfed them all.
When the cloud cleared, they all lay fast asleep.
* * * * *
Something was amiss.
Queen Melca could not determine what was wrong.
It all appeared to be in order. Orion would obey her every command without question. She would tickle him senseless and then arouse him with ease. She'd then make ardent love with him until he would explode from her expert lovemaking.
Maybe she found it too easy. Orion had possessed such impressive willpower, that to see him reduced to a mindless drone who would obey her every whim, seem somewhat out of place.
However, while that was indeed her intention, she somehow felt that something was out of place.
She would from time to time use her third eye to watch the progress of the War Council. Crimson was a competent and loyal subject and he would do his best to try and save the Realms. His chances were slim, but she would keep an eye on him and the others. He was to abandon all of course if he should find the ring. That would be the true test of Crimson's loyalty. She had no doubt however that if he found the ring he would return it to her even if it meant sacrificing the Realms and his life and Soul.
Melca had also used her third eye to analyze Orion, to try and see what it was that she was missing. His magic was intact and somewhat potent although she had been draining him continuously. His legendary stamina was intact as well.
So why did she feel that something was not right?
She called for her powerful Dryads that came with their trees and used their power branches to lift him into the air and hold him suspended before her.
This was a favorite position from which to torment her victims. Bondage was hardly necessary, but it helped expose all those hard to reach spots and it helped her have a different perspective.
Orion did not try to fight it and his gaze stared glassily out in her direction. She raked his soles with her nails trying to vent a bit of her frustration and he laughed helplessly.
It was then that she realized what was wrong.
Her three eyes went wide in shock as she had missed the simplest and most obvious detail when she was looking for something more complex and elaborate.
She cursed herself for her naiveté and for lack of vision. She cursed herself for trusting the sly and deceiving Manling spell caster.
As the morning light poured into the Garden of Delights, the Dryads who held Orion suspended in the air could see plainly what was amiss.
Orion cast no shadow.
* * * * *
“We will review the plan then,” Crimson said as the War Council reached its ending.
“The Rainbow Company will fly out to intercept the Doom that Creeps and lead it towards the Pit. By dawn we will have led him as far as we can into the Pit. From afar, Giants and Demons will as our artillery and heavy air force in an effort to cause a distraction so Demon Mistress Danea may lay out a frontal attack to strike at the Eye of Doom. If successful, the remaining members of the Royal Cavalry will attack from behind in an effort to force the Doom that Creeps deeper in the Pit. The Animus will provide all the spell casters they can muster to act as support for the Demons and Giants.”
The rulers and advisors nodded in agreement.
“Peter the Peddler and Brunilda will gather the merchants of the Wundermarket and impose a levy of magic and magic items. All Realms are required to empty their treasuries and impose a tickling levy on all citizens who cannot fight. Haydeen and all the Elflings she can muster will supervise the levy. Remember that she is a Truthsayer; she will know who is withholding magic.”
The last part was sent out as a warning. The rulers looked at each other distrustfully, but they all nodded once more in approval.
“The two remaining armors will be taken to the Pit until those deemed worthy to don them arrive,” Crimson said. “That is all.”
“What of the black armor?” Loanna asked pointing to the last armor that lay forgotten in a corner of the hall.
“If the armor won’t come loose, it’s useless,” Crimson said waving his hand. “We’ll be encumbered anyway with other more useful magic items and the magic to power them.”
Loanna bit her lip as if she were going to argue but nodded in agreement after a moment’s thought.
“Any last questions?” Crimson asked.
All were silent.
“Very well. Then I declare this War Council adjourned,” the Rainbow Company Commander said. “Move out and fight for the Realms.”
A green pixie flew up to Crimson with a missive and whispered briefly to his ear.
Crimson frowned deeply.
“The Cloudy Tower has been destroyed by the Doom that Creeps,” he said for all to hear. “If you came that way, I suggest you find a different way back.”
The rulers frowned also, but Crimson would not allow them to dwell upon something that had no remedy.
“Good luck, Lords and Ladies,” Crimson said. “I hope that we shall one day meet again over more pleasant circumstances. If not in this world, than in the next.”
The Lords and Ladies left the room as did Peter and Brunilda. Soon the hall was empty except for Haydeen and Danea.
“That a lot of responsibility,” Danea said to Haydeen. “Ruling a Realm is no easy feat.”
Haydeen smiled. “The fate of all the Realms lies on your shoulders, Danea. That is far greater responsibility.”
Danea nodded affirmatively.
“Haydeen,” the former Keeper of the Academy said thoughtfully. “Would you give me a moment to myself? Here, alone?”
“Of course,” Haydeen said. “I will see what Elflings can be rounded up from here in the Wundermarket.”
The Interrogator left and Danea shut the door. She drew the White Adder and slid the blade through the door handles effectively barring the door. She then turned and strode into the empty hall.
“You can come out now,” Danea said loudly.
The black armor in the corner of the hall rustled and then moved as it struggled to stand up. The bronze mannequin inside was fully jointed and it walked cautiously towards Danea.
“The Maker is a genius,” the mannequin said. “It looks like a statue of some sort, but I can move every single joint as if it were my body.”
“Speaking of bodies,” Danea said softly and curiously, “where is yours, Orion?”
* * * * *
Esmeralda awoke to find herself in a seated position encased in a block of what appeared to be ice, but it was not cold to the touch and it did not melt. Only her head was free and her bare feet which protruded at the base of the block. She could not move a single muscle. She could feel a sort of iron ring around her head, crossing her forehead. She tried to shake it off, but it was somehow fixed into position.
To her right was Patrisa who was also in exactly the same position trapped in the same kind of solid block with the same band of iron on her head covering her third eye. Next to her mentor was Laurannis whose entire body except for her head was encased in a gigantic block of the same strange substance and with the same strange band of iron.
They were still at the base of the tower and it was already past noon.
“Finally awake,” Xavis said drawing their attention to him as he sat on a large stone that once belonged to the tower. “The Elfling who had wrongfully wielded the ring for so many years, ever understood the potential of such a powerful magic item when in the right hands. Nebai regrets not having evened the score before leaving the Elfling Dungeon; the little one in particular had tickled my Avengers and Enforcers frequently in the dungeon, humiliating them and robbing them of their magic. The Elfling paid with her soul before we could get to her.”
“Lea?” Esmeralda asked thinking of the small red haired Elfling she had met when she stumbled into the Mushroom wood all those months ago.
Xavis shrugged indifferently. “Does it really matter? The other two put up a fight, but what are a few Elflings when they must fight on equal terms with Avengers? Nothing but cowards. Mema and Samma were able to tickle torture them before their souls were taken as well.”
“You left them to be taken by the Doom that Creeps?” Esmeralda asked incredulously.
“No,” Xavis said with a smile. “I GAVE them to the Doom that Creeps.”
“The Doom that Creeps makes no allies. Its hunger is for all,” Laurannis said.
“His hunger is for all,” Xavis conceded, “but he can choose his allies if he so decides to do so. He is not a mindless brute. What you do not know is that Melca’s Gem, which made for my terrible downfall, is actually part of the Doom that Creeps.”
The three prisoners looked at each other in confusion.
“I have no reason to lie,” Xavis said at their suspicious face. “I escaped the Animus Realm running away like a dog. I hated you and all my enemies, but most of all I wished revenge upon my own who had turned their back on me after one humiliating defeat. I had been loyal to the Animus cause for decades. I was willing to even join my worst enemy, the Elfling King, in order to avenge myself upon those who once called me their lord.
“To my great surprise, the Elfling King was not in the Elfling Realm. Nor were most of his warriors. I saw the dark form of the Doom that Creeps fall upon the Mushroom Wood. It plucked Elflings from the ground and robbed them of their souls before tossing them back to the ground lifeless.
“He saw me and initially thought to attack me, but Melca´s Gem glowed brightly remembering how I had used it to trap the lives and souls of so many during his slumber.”
“We spoke and after a while, we had an agreement. He’d get the souls, I’d get the magic and I would free my Avengers and Enforcers who were rotting in the depths of the Elfling King’s Dungeon. So now, I give him advice as to where to attack and I get the magic when it’s all over.”
“You fool,” Patrisa said. “He will eat your soul as well when you have finished serving your purpose.”
“Perhaps,” Xavis said shrugging. “But in the end, when all is destroyed and all is barren, I will literally have the last laugh.” He laughed a maniacal laugh that rung through out the ruins.
“You are demented!” Esmeralda said angrily.
“Thank you,” Xavis said off handedly setting his attention on Esmeralda. “I hear you are ticklish, little Tenderfoot. Samma, please give the Tenderfoot a reason to laugh.”
Samma was the serpent headed Avenger. She approached Esmeralda and began to stoke Esmeralda’s feet with her sharp nails.
“The restraints are courtesy of Samma,” Xavis said as Esmeralda struggled to hide her sweet spots on her soles from the Avenger. “The star tipped wand can paralyze an enemy in its most basic use, but in its advanced form it can easily freeze the very air into a solid and quite hard substance. Quite useful, don’t you think?”
“She’s a fighter,” Samma said staring at Esmeralda with lidless eyes as she skillfully looked for ticklish spot to make Esmeralda laugh.
“Allow me,” Xavis said kneeling down and facing Esmeralda’s feet. Esmeralda’s feet were beautiful and Xavis studied them intently.
“They say that I am a poor tickler because I chose only the most ticklish for my harem,” he said. “But I don’t know anyone who can resist this.”
He opened his mouth wide and clamped it shut on the sides of her sole. Esmeralda started to panic remembering what happened when Lucil had done so to her foot. The warm tongue was wet as it touched her arch and the moment it started to move up and down her sole, Esmeralda could not resist.
She began to laugh.
Samma took Esmeralda’s other foot in her mouth and with sharp and forked tongue she also tickled Esmeralda. She shook her head and wiggled her toes, but that was all she could move. She laughed hysterically at the tickling assault.
“Why don’t you try that on me?” Patrisa challenged.
“Don’t mind if I do, Tickle Scourge,” Xavis said. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
He caressed Patrisa’s smooth round toes before clamping his jaws on the sides of her soles and tickling her earnestly. However, much to his dismay he got absolutely no reaction. He tried with his whiskers, his tongue, and his teeth and got absolutely no reaction.
Patrisa had a smug look of self satisfaction.
“Now, I know someone who can resist,” Xavis said trying to control his anger. “You think you are clever, but the Animus know much technique.
“Mema,” he said to the Rabbit headed Avenger. “Elucidate for our Tickle Scourge friend.”
“With pleasure,” the Avenger said standing behind Patrisa. She reached out with her delicate fingers and gently tickled Patrisa’s ears.
“Hey!” Patrisa exclaimed feeling unexpectedly ticklish there.
“The ticklers of the Realms are so obsessed with feet and ribs and underarms that sometimes simple spots are neglected,” Xavis explained. “My Avengers are quite skilled in the art of tickling these neglected spots.”
Mema tickled Patrisa’s neck gently from the base up the nape. Patrisa laughed out loud and screamed.
“Nebai,” Xavis said to the cheetah headed Avenger. “Let us not neglect our other guest. I despise King Roland as much as I despise the Elfling King.
Tickling his daughter will infuriate him even more than him getting it himself.”
“No, don’t do it, please,” Laurannis pleaded shaking her head as the cheetah
headed Avenger deftly climbed the solid block the Centaur princess was encased in.
“Hush, pretty one,” Nebai said purring gently and stroking the Centaur’s long dark hair. Laurannis seemed to calm down slightly and when it seemed nothing was going to happen, Nebai took the princess’s head firmly in her hands and then proceeded to nibble on her vulnerable ear.
Laurannis screamed in desperation and shock before cracking out in a cacophony of hard and loud laughter.
All, including Patrisa and Esmeralda, turned in surprise to see the Centaur princess scream and laugh madly at the Avenger’s skilled tickling.
Xavis watched in satisfaction as his enemies laughed at his command.
“You might ask, what it is I intend to do with you,” Xavis said pacing thoughtfully in front of the three tickle tortured victims. They could not answer through their laughter.
”You are wearing an ‘iron crown’ as I call it,” Xavis explained. “This is used for tickling executions. My Realm, or former Realm as it is, is the only Realm that formally used the method. You see, when you are subdued, the magic is released through your third eye. If the third eye is obstructed, the magic has no where to go. The results can be…,” he paused, searching for an appropriate word, “… messy, to say the least.”
Xavis stepped closer to Esmeralda and leaned over near her ear so only she could hear.
“I take special pleasure in torturing you, Tenderfoot,” Xavis hissed into her ear. “Your friend, Orion, will suffer seeing what I have done to you. I will be sure to be thorough in tickling you and making this torture as prolonged and agonizing as possible. When I see him, I will be sure to rub it in.”
Esmeralda was struggling to control her laughter as well as she could as Samma tickled her toes near numbness. It did little to neutralize the tickling sensations. However, all control was lost as Xavis began to nibble on the same ear he had whispered into.
Esmeralda screamed.
* * * * *
“I saw your shadow lingering around the hall,” Danea said. “I don’t believe anyone else saw you. I know your shadow better than anyone.”
Orion was moving better in the armor now as he grew more accustomed to its movements. “My body is with Melca, Danea. I shifted my soul over to my shadow,” he explained a bit sadly.
Danea was shocked. “That is a suicide spell for a Shadow spell caster! You will surely die! Your body will weaken and when it dies, so will you.”
Orion nodded grimly. “I came to see if I could help. Crimson would report me to Melca and that would surely mean trouble; so I kept a low profile. I saw the armor lying abandoned on the ground and it sort of called out to me. I touched it and my shadow was somehow sucked inside. It was meant for me.”
“You are a very selfish person, Orion,” Danea said in a tone that simply stated a fact. “Why are you doing this? Not for the greater good of the Realms. Do not patronize me telling me so.”
There was an uncomfortable silence that lingered in the room for a moment.
“It’s for the Tenderfoot,” Orion said softly. “I made a promise to get her home. I mean to keep it.”
“I think it is more than that,” Danea said suspecting something else. “But I see you are different from when we parted ways and if Esmeralda has any doing in all of this, I am glad for her and for you.”
“She didn’t arrive,” Orion said worriedly. “Esmeralda, Patrisa and Laurannis were supposed to make it here for the War Council this morning. Something went wrong. They would have gone by way of the Cloudy Tower. I fear the worst has happened.”
“You are one of my dearest friends, Orion,” Danea said. “I can only advise that you go and find them. When you are done, bring them to the Pit and fight at my side as we used to so many years ago. There is still fight in you, I think.”
Orion nodded. “There is,” he said, “but I need magic to continue spell casting. I am almost fully drained.”
“I have none,” Danea said. “There will be a levy however—“
“There’s no time to wait,” Orion said clenching his gloved hand in frustration.
Danea sat down in the seat that had been reserved for Lord Dashiel. It was especially made to accommodate demon wings.
She thought things over for a moment and then lifted an armored boot. She placed it in Orion’s hands.
“Do what you must, Orion,” Danea said with a sad smile. “It’s a shame you must do so under such terrible circumstances.”
The bronze statue closed its hinged eyelids for a moment in hesitation and then opened them revealing determination.
“Thank you, Danea,” he said as he removed the boot revealing the Demon Mistresses beautiful white bare foot.
“Be swift and merciless, my dear friend,” Danea said grasping the arms of her chair tightly and biting her lip in anticipation.
Orion pulled off the gauntlet with his bronze teeth revealing a bronze hand. He flexed the fingers in preparation and then placed them against Danea’s bare sole.
“I will.”
To be concluded….
NEXT: Luctor et Emergo
