Chapter 23: Chapter 23

“We are with the adventurer’s guild. Let us on the wall,” Voekeer said. “Where will the wounded be kept?” Barika asked. A man motioned her to follow, and they left. Anna started to pick up rocks. “What are those for?” Elaine asked. “I can throw them harder than a bow can shoot,” Anna replied. “Oh, nice,” Elaine replied. They rushed up the wall. They could hear the sounds of fighting. Lyreen had begun peppering the goblins with bolts. A few arrows crashed against a barrier of magic she had put up. It sparkled in Anna’s vision. Anna looked over the wall. The horde of the green monsters was vast. “Well, this is bad,” she thought. She started to throw the rocks, each one carving a path through the horde. “GET MORE ROCKS!” a man’s voice called. The next thing she knew, a huge basket was placed next to her full of rocks. “Oh fun,” she thought.  

A huge green flame shot out, consuming swaths of goblins who then rose again to attack their former companions, chewing them while spreading the flames. Anna heard a maniacal laughing. She turned to see Elaine, floating, her tattoos glowing brightly. She laughed at the sight of the carnage. “Lyreen, I found the villain of the book!” Anna yelled. “What are you...shit, your right!” Lyreen yelled back. “How am I the bad guy? I’m killing the goblins too!” Elaine yelled. “Your creepy tattoos are glowing while you float, laughing at the sight of your undead army eating the living!” Anna yelled back. “Well shit, I guess you’re right. I’m not stopping though!” Elaine replied. “By all means, continue you maniac! I think even the goblins have had enough for the day!” Voekeer yelled.  

“Thokri will be mad he missed this,” Anna thought. The dwarf had decided to help shore up the walls at the last minute. He didn’t like bows all that much and couldn’t toss stones like Anna. She spotted a goblin in the distance, riding a wolf of all things, and wearing some kind of stupid looking feather hat. She threw a stone at it. The stone removed the top half of his head. This caused the goblins to pause before redoubling their efforts. “I think I pissed them off!” Anna yelled. “No shit! You know what? I’ve had enough. Lyreen, I’m going to blow my mana on this spell. Make sure no one cops a feel!” Elaine yelled. “I got you, but Anna’s going to carry your heavy ass!” Lyreen yelled back. “My ass is not heavy, you scrawny elf!” Elaine replied. Before anyone could say anything else, a huge wave rolled over the battle.  

 All the zombies suddenly fell over and started to liquefy. The partially liquified goopy substance they created flowed towards a single seemly random spot where it started to form into something vaguely human. “More like a troll,” Anna thought, watching in wonder. The thing it formed was horrifying. It looked as if it was half inside out with muscles, bones, and organs visible. They all had a half rotten appearance. “I want one,” Anna thought as she watched with glee. It was tearing the goblins apart and eating them as it went. The sight of the thing broke the goblins, and they ran screaming into the local forest. The remaining wolf riders were chasing after trying to stop the rout. At first, the wall was silent at the sight, but seeing the goblins flee, it broke out into cheers. Anna turned to Elaine. She was laying on the ground. A group of men were looking at her. Anna gently pushed her way to the woman and picked her up in her arms, this time carrying her off the wall. “She’s actually light,” Anna said. “Says the woman who can toss trees, “Lyreen replied. “Fair point,” Anna replied.  

They returned to the inn, Lyreen telling her that Elaine just needed rest. Anna believed Lyreen but checked with the eye just to make sure. The woman was unharmed other than some scrapes and bruises. The only thing Anna could find wrong was her mana core. It was barely lit and almost as dim as Voekeer’s. She laid the woman in her bed and left her to rest. Anna, Voekeer, and Lyreen sat at a table and got some food and drink. The portions were smaller. The innkeeper was expecting a prolonged siege. Barika and Thokri arrived together hours later. He was covered in soot from head to toe, and she just looked exhausted. “Where is the lass at? I need to get her a drink or ten for summoning that stinky fucker out there,” Thokri said. “Manas drained. She’s out till morning at the earliest,” Lyreen said. “Is that all? Did anyone check to make sure there were not hidden injuries?” Barika asked. “I did, with the eye,” Anna replied. This was enough for Barika. She and the dwarf sat at the table. “I didn’t know necromancers were so powerful,” Voekeer said. “They aren’t. I’ve never seen one that can do what she did. Not even a tenth,” Barika said. “I wonder who taught her?” Lyreen said. “She learned all her necromancy from a spell book,” Anna answered. “What kind of fucking book was that?” Thokri asked. “The Grimoire of the Arch Lich Koloth. That’s what she told me when I asked her for the title. I want to get her a replacement. The Earl took her copy,” Anna said cheerfully. “WHAT!” Barika exclaimed.  

With a shout, she started to shake. “What did I say?” Anna asked. “The Arch Lich Koloth was one of the mage kings in the war of the mages. He commanded legions of the undead and nearly wiped out all life in the region,” Barika said softly, still shaking. “And now that jackass earl has the book,” Lyreen said. “It’s ok. Elaine memorized the whole thing. She just wanted the book because she paid so much for it.” “She memorized it...by the goddess...that woman is the most dangerous person in the region,” Barika said. “I doubt that,” Anna replied. Barika looked at her. “How did I end up surrounded by powerful people like this?” Barika asked. Anna put her hand on the woman’s arm.  

“Because your nice,” she said and smiled. Barika just stared for a moment. “Goddess preserve me. I hope I can live up to your vision of me child,” Barika replied. “I’m going to let the tenacles play tomorrow,” Anna said. “Are you sure that’s wise?” Voekeer asked. “I’ll stand next to Elaine. They will just assume it’s her,” Anna replied. “That would work lass. I may join you on the wall to see what the two of you can do together,” Thokri said, a murderous glint in his eyes. “Goddess forgive us,” Barika said. “What’s a Lich anyway?” Anna asked. “An evil necromancer who can turn themselves into a horrible form of undead that can still use magic. We don’t know how they are made. Just that you have to sacrifice tens of thousands to do it,” Barika said. “Why does everything involve that?” Anna sighed. “I don’t know child,” Barika replied.  

The next morning, they ate a breakfast of bread and cheese. Wood was being preserved for dinner and to warm the place. Thokri and Barika left after they ate, having work to do. The rest just kind of sat at the table and looked at each other, conversation dying after a few words. Elaine shuffled to the table mid-morning looking like an undead herself. “Coffee,” she muttered to the barmaid who had dashed over upon seeing her. The coffee and a full breakfast with bacon, eggs, and toast. The toast was even buttered. “I think they like you,” Voekeer said. Elaine just grunted as she shoveled food into her mouth, downing cup after cup of coffee like a dwarf with mugs of ale.  

“Gods, stop the dwarves from hammering in my head, and who let a troll piss in my mouth?” Elaine said. “Try this,” Anna said, handing her a tiny bottle. “What is it?” Elaine asked, eyeing the bottle. “Dwarven hangover cure,” Anna replied. Thokri had given her the recipe when she asked what a hangover was. Elaine downed the whole bottle. Her eyes went wide, she sneezed several times, and hiccupped a few more. “The fuck was that?” Elaine replied, looking much better. “You don’t want to know. Oh, and Thokri said it’ll put hair on your chest, so sorry if it does,” Anna replied. Elaine looked down the front of her dress. “All good,” she replied. “Ready for more?” Anna asked. “No. I think I need another day to let my mana come back,” Elaine answered. “I have a plan. I’ll let the tentacles play, and you just wave your arms around like you’re controlling them,” Anna said, whispering in her ear. Elaine had her own evil grin. “Oh, I like that,” she replied. They walked to the wall. The town had been transformed. Gone were the market stalls and children running in the streets, replaced by hard eyed men armed with new looking weapons, and women swarming with buckets, making sure they were full, ready for the fires the goblins would inevitably start.  

They arrived at the wall to find a huge pile of stones waiting for her, and a cheer when Elaine walked up. “I guess I am the hero,” she said. “Looks like,” Anna replied. “Don’t let it go to your head,” Lyreen said. “Someone is jealous,” Elaine said. “She gets that way,” Anna replied. Hours passed before the goblins showed up in earnest. Anna summoned all the tentacles she could. They lashed about, tearing any goblin that got near them to pieces, and moving from place to place so they couldn’t be avoided completely. Lyreen stood nearby, protecting Elaine with a shield. The woman was the target of many arrows. There were even more goblins today, as if the day before had been but a precursor to the main event. They swarmed to the wall again and again, being driven back over and over.  

Arrows flew. Rock smashing spells sizzled in the air. All the while, the tentacles lashed hungrily, seeking their next prey. The Goblins paused. Men cheered, thinking it was the start of a rout. It wasn’t. A huge number of unseen archers had snuck just within range, hiding amongst the rabble. A cloud of arrows fell on the wall. It smelled of blood and shit. Screams filled the air and the goblins began to scale the wall. Lyreen was screaming and crying. She ran past Anna to Voekeer, who had an arrow sticking out of his chest. She pulled something from her pouch and crushed it. A warm golded light surrounded her hand, and she pulled the arrow out, placing her hands on his chest. He began to scream as the light faded. “I need to get him to Barika. Help me please!” Lyreen said crying.  

Anna lifted them both with a tentacle and placed them on the ground behind the wall. She then took Elaine and placed her next to them. Both women carried him off to the infirmary. Anna drew her club and began to smash goblins up and down the wall. She ran, obliterating every one that she came across. Her club cracked when she hit a shield, and then she started to tear them apart. She punched one in the stomach, pulling out roping intestines and wrapping them around another’s neck before yanking and breaking it. She then kicked them into the oncoming horde. She backhanded another, removing the front of its skull, leaving a faceless corpse to cartwheel into the distance. She started to pick up random weapons, swords, clubs, axes, anything, and she swung them till they broke. Still, the goblins came. Men were shooting arrows up at the wall from below, killing any she missed.  

She fought and fought, never tiring. The tentacles were still lashing. Hours went by before they relented. She looked around and realized that she was the only living thing in sight. The goblins had started to run. She waited till they were in the forest before she put the tentacles away to sleep. They had their fun and would most likely be needed tomorrow. She smelled smoke and looked around, not seeing any fire. She looked down. Her dress was starting to smoke near her dreamer’s core. She patted it out, but then realized just how much gore she was covered in, so she gave up. Men on the ground began to cheer, started up the wall, and began to push the goblins off the side. She just walked away, the crowd parting as she went. She went to the infirmary only to be told that her companions had left. The good news was that Voekeer had made it, but they didn’t know more, and Barika had to be carried out. She had drained herself as well. She walked back to the inn alone, wondering how this happened.  

The inn was full but eerily quiet. Men cheered when she walked in, and she was led to a table where Thokri and Elaine sat. They were stuffing themselves as if they had never eaten. She was handed a towel and basin to wash herself the best she could, then she sat with her friends. “You look like you swam in goblin entrails,” Thokri said. “I did,” she replied and began to eat and drink herself. “So, what did I miss?” Anna asked. “We rushed over to the infirmary. Barika patched him up quick, but he took it to the lung and will be out a few days. He’s lucky she had that miracle stone with her. He wouldn’t have made it without it,” Elaine said. “I’ve never heard of one,” Anna replied. “They hold one high tier healing spell. She probably got it from the elders in her village. That boy better marry her now. I’ll kill him myself if he doesn’t,” Elaine said. “They are planning on it when they get older,” Thokri said. “How do you know?” Elaine asked. “The lad asked me for advice. I’m the only other man here,” Thokri replied. It did make sense. “How’s Barika?” Anna asked, worried for the woman. “Mana drain. The goddess will fix her up better than that cure you gave me though. Nothing to worry about there.  

You can say what you want about the gods, but they take care of their own,” Elaine answered. “How are you holding up? I know your tough, but your still mostly human. It’s not easy killing so many,” Elaine asked. “They are just pests, and they hurt all of you now, so I’ll kill them all,” Anna replied. “I know, but how are you really?” Elaine asked again. “I want to leave. I want to go back to teasing Lyreen and listening to Thokri’s stories. And I broke my club, and I miss it. But I feel silly because so many people died, and I’m just fine, but I don’t feel fine,” Anna said, covering her face. “I burned my dress too,” she finished before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “Oh, lass. I’ll make you a new club. and I’ll tell you about the time we shaved an elder and left the razer with some orcs,” Thokri said. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I don’t want to be the only one that survives this,” Anna said. “I’m back to full power. We will show them tomorrow,” Elaine said, a fierce look in her eyes. “You won’t be alone,” she continued.  

“Aye lass. I’ll be at the wall tomorrow in full dwarven plate. No goblin arrow made could pierce it,” Thokri said. Anna felt better. “How did you burn your dress?” Elaine asked. “Dreamer’s core gets hot when I use it,” Anna said, not caring who heard. “Dreamer’s core? Oh, the black core. So that’s what you call it,” Elaine said. “Lass, I’ll get you a breastplate as soon as this is over. You won’t burn through that, and you don’t need padded armor, so it will just get hot,” Thokri said. “Can I have some black ale?" Anna asked. She wanted to taste something familiar. “Aye,” Thokri said, handing her the flask. She drank deeply, more than a person should, then handed it back. He drank some, offered it to Elaine who refused, then he put it away. She asked for a large basin to clean herself, and one was brought to her room. Thokri and Elaine helped her get the gore off. She put a dress on, not wanted to deal with the attention, and sat on the bed. Afterwards, some men collected the basin and hurried away, not wanting to bother the heroes of the town.  

“Elaine, I can’t kill the big force, but I can keep them off the walls if you deal with the crowds. I’ll keep us safe,” Anna said. “I can do that. What about arrows? Do you have a shield?” Elaine asked. “Sort of. I can wrap you in tentacles and make them see through,” Anna replied. Elaine hesitated. “You’re the tentacles, right?” Elaine asked. “Yes, they are like my heart or stomach. I can’t directly control them, but they sort of listen. They would never hurt you,” Anna replied. Elaine sighed. “Okay, we will do that,” She replied. “I’ll call out any leaders I see. Neither of you lasses have seen as many battles as me, so I’ll help guide you. It’s all I can do to help when mages fight,” Thokri said. “Well, let’s get some sleep. The men are on the walls again, and with the beating those bastards got, they won’t be back tonight,” he continued. Elaine and Thokri went to their respective rooms, and Anna laid in bed. “Was this what you wanted?” she asked the dreamer, not getting a response. She soon fell asleep. The tentacles were happy to see her. 

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