Chapter 25: 24 – Raids and Reveals

Coming back to the forest, I breathe out a sigh of relief. Keeping up a fucking front like that sucks, but I needed to be a powerful, mysterious, yet benevolent' presence to them.

"Good shot by the way, Ailine." I said.

"Thank you, Lia," she said, walking up to me out of the shadows. "I'm glad that Mr. Whitewater was smart enough to calm down his people. I wouldn't have forgiven that man if he pointed his sword at you."

"Well, I'm just glad it didn't come to that. Plus, we get to kill some church bastards now! Navi, you can even drop some rocks. Focus on if they have an officer tent first, or if there are any obvious mages. Once you drop on the main targets, could you take out any scouts that were away? We need a full clear."

Navi pumps her fist and spins around. "Yay! Sure thing, Lia. I'll watch their scout rotation and make sure nobody escapes. I assume you two will take a nap?"

"Yeah. Ailine, Elden is recalling all rear scouts. Let's go around his people and take a nap on the other side of them."

"Right with you, Lia."

After I created a simple and thin stone lean-to, we took a nap until close to midnight. Both of us were in dragon leathers with a shadow cloak. I had Seren and a dagger.

Approaching the camp, there were a pair of young guards walking the outer perimeter on patrol away from camp. With an arrow in the head and a simultaneously cut throat, we get into position watching the camp.

I reached out to our air support. (Alright, Navi. It's all you. Take out the fires if you can, too.)

(Yay!)

Looking out over the camp, it was a quiet night. Insects were buzzing about, and the typical forest creatures were making their nightly noise.

Then all hell broke loose.

With the darkness, there was no warning. One second all was calm, then five large boulders fell over as many seconds. Two landing on the longer and larger tent in the center of the camp. Two on the campfires and those night guards sitting around them enjoying their evening. A final one on a tent Navi saw an obvious mage go into.

With the fires now out and the camp bathed in darkness, screams and shouts can be heard through the area. Ailine stayed on the edge of the camp, slowly circling it as she released arrows at anyone unfortunate enough to catch her eye. Navi flew off after the scouts and patrols, as well as anyone trying to run.

I dove head first into the darkness of the camp, using my own dark magic on top of the cloak. Between our cloaks and skills, we were nearly invisible to this trash until we were right on top of someone. By then, it was too late.

Fluttering around in the chaos, Ailine and I danced a bloody, scream filled dance together. Even those trying to surrender weren't spared. 

Were there some people that were good people? Probably. Were there some that could have been forced into this? Probably. Could there be a person here that might become a lifelong friend or comrade? Maybe. Did we care? No. 

I'm not a warrior of justice. I don't see myself as a hero. I'm not going to listen to the stories of everyone I meet. I'm here on this world to eliminate a church and an emperor. But more than that, I'll protect my own. I'll protect Ailine, Navi, and our home. That way, one day, I can live fully how I please.

If I spare someone, they could betray that and come back with more force. If I let someone go, it's a risk I don't want. I don't have the time to hear out every person and decide if I trust them or not. They were here, on a different side than us. They were prepared to draw their swords against people I told Ailine I would take in.

Thus, they will die.

Underneath the stars and the moon, we danced through the night, until the song of screams faded. 

"Good job. How are you feeling, Ailine?" I asked.

"I'm fine, Lia. They were after those people, so they had to go," she said with a small smile.

"I'm back~!" the fairy bomber said.

"How'd it go?" I checked.

"Everyone is dead, and no others in the surroundings."

"Nice. Now let's loot this place."

Call me a hypocrite for hating to kill monsters acting like women and children, while easily killing humans. Call me a hypocrite for caring about some people's lives and not others. Maybe I am, but I'll live this life protecting who I choose and eliminating those who threaten them. These were soldiers, trained to fight. Not tortured women or children, and this was our first strike against the church.

As a fairy lands on my shoulder, I said, "Navi, I'm assuming the church is going to send a search party when this group doesn't check in or come back. Could you keep an eye on this area for a week or so after we all get back and eliminate anyone searching for them?"

"Sure can!"

"Thanks. I still want our home to be as unknown as possible. I'm going to take some precautions with the other group as well. Now, let's get out of here."

After piling the bodies on the remains of the crushed tents, we lit it on fire. Then a quick cleaning magic to freshen up, and we're set.

"Navi, can we take and use the cores from people?" I ask, having never thought of it before.

"Nah, unlike monsters, when the races die their cores dissolve as their soul leaves their body. That's the difference between the races and humanoid monsters with no souls."

With our bag now filled with tents, clothes, armor, weapons, carts with rations, and even some human minted money, we head back to where we rested.

"Ailine, could you head home first? I want you to get some stuff ready. If we're going to introduce these people to us, it needs to be in a way that they know that we're in charge inside our walls, and that they are there by our will," I said. "Could you get the castle big-bag and take out that old, gaudy throne for the rebuilt audience chamber, and fancy that room up? 

"We have those fancy clothes you altered a couple years ago. Navi should also have a chair. Unless you want to sit on the arm or back of the gaudy one?"

"I'll just sit on the back or float!" Navi said. "Fairies fly, we don't need chairs."

"Sounds good. I assume you have a set of fancy clothes in all your cosplay?"

"You know it! I also have the crown my darling Lala made for me! I finally finished that enchantment, even though it only works on things this size. Still! The legendary flower crown of the fairies!"

"Sounds good." I turn back to Ailine. "Oh, some torches too for the castle. I'll give you more details when we get closer."

"Ok. Love you, Lia, be safe. Bye, Navi." Ailine jogged off to get back home.

"Navi, while the people are making their way to our home, keep an eye on them. Especially this first day. If one slinks away back the way they came, assume him a church spy and kill them."

"Dang, Lia. You really don't trust these people."

"Of course I don't. We know nothing about them except what Elden said. I honestly don't want to take the risk with them, but saying 'fuck off and die' is hard too. However, if bandits attacked them, they probably had a mole placed to make sure Elden and his knights were all gone," I said.

"Yeah." She nods with arms crossed. "All we can do is watch them for a while. Leave it to me!"

We spend the next few hours going through loot more closely. I kept the church plate mail and tabards in case we ever needed to infiltrate them for whatever reason. Once the sun came up, we watched as their scouts went off cautiously towards the church camp. Once they saw the blood covering the area and the burnt remains, they rushed back to inform Elden. Once he knew, I walked out of the forest with my standard. I really like the standard too. It looks fucking cool and sleek.

"Good morning, Elden Whitewater." I greeted.

"Good morning, Lady Midnight. As you said, my scouts confirmed the destruction of the church's camp. Are your people all alright?"

"Of course. Thank you for asking. You and your people all decided to come live at my home?"

"We have. I informed them of the situation last evening and we all discussed it. We have no place to return to in the Empire. The second they turned on the church was when there was no going back. You do have someplace where they can live safely here?"

"That I do. Within my home, there are no monsters and plenty of land for everyone. When we get there, I will explain the few simple rules everyone must follow. Be sure that they know there isn't any turning back. They can live safely at my home, return to the Empire, or wander these lands. Is everyone ready to go?"

"With a word, we can be in a few minutes." He gave a small bow.

"Good. It should be about a two day trip," I explained. "For this first part, I'm going to store all of the wagons and we will walk on foot due north for an hour, then I'll take the wagons out. I'm assuming when the church realizes they lost contact with their group, they will send a search party. Would you agree?"

"Yes, most likely knights on horseback."

I reach out to my fairy. (He said potentially knights on horseback. Navi, try not to kill the horses. They could be good to have around.)

(Okie dokie!)

"When they come through, we will eliminate them," I assured him. "For this hour, I'll cover our trail a bit. By the time they realize the search party is gone, we should be fully lost to them."

"I would have to agree." He nods "If you have the ability to store these carts so they don't leave ruts, then please do."

Afterwards, they started the hour walk north before I brought the carts back out. I also gave them the supplies from the church. As we walked, I used earth magic to gently loosen the soil that was compacted by the many people walking over, and used wind magic to stir up the leaves. Would it fool a professional? Doubtful. However, by the time a professional arrives we should be long gone and the trail erased by the weather.

By now, I was getting tired. I told them to keep heading north and that I would see them in the morning. I ran off and made another shelter to nap while Navi watched over them for any suspicious activity. She didn't notice any, and nobody left yet, so that's good. After this, I met up with them the next morning and we did the cart and trail clearing gig again  and they walked west this time for an hour. 

I told them to go west another two hours, then north until they got to my home. When asked what to look for I laughed a bit and just said, 'you'll know.' Then I ran off to finish preparations and take a nap before the play could begin.

(I'm so excited!) Navi said.

I shake my head. (Well, you are getting to cosplay a queen.)

(Hey! I am a queen, you know!)

(Yes, yes. I'm not one to talk, either. Fairies will soon outnumber vampires when your baby...grows?)

(Yup! Fairies FTW!)

=====

POV - Elden

It's late afternoon and we still haven't seen anything. Lady Midnight said that we, 'would know it when we see it.' I have no reason to doubt her words. She has provided for all of the people on this trip, and the way she so casually wrote off that contingent from the church still frightens me just a bit.

This strange but powerful woman that arrives out of nowhere and disappears into nothingness. Realyn seems to think she is trustworthy. She said that she can't feel any ill intent from Lady Midnight, and her intuition is much better than mine. I just don't want to offend her or whoever her people are.

"My Lord! Report from forward scouts!" James called.

"Did they find whatever we are looking for?" I asked.

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"They said they saw a solid fifty-foot stone wall. In front of the gate is Lady Midnight with her standard...but, she's standing and petting a hippogryph."

"...And they didn't mistake a horse for a hippogryph, correct?"

"Correct, My Lord. They even said it stretched its wings… My Lord, who do believe Lady Midnight and her people are? There are just too many questions surrounding her…"

"I agree wholeheartedly, James. But it is a fact that we are alive because of her. I suspect that after we arrive, some of those questions may be answered."

"Or there might be even more, My Lord."

"Ha! Quite right, James. Quite right."

We kept walking, and soon enough we arrived at a 50' stone wall. With Lady Midnight and a large hippogryph at the gate. Even the citizens that had been so thankful to her before seemed frightened at seeing such a beast. I knew that only James and I could calm them by being steadfast. I clenched my slightly trembling fist in an tempt to calm myself first.

"Let us go, James."

"Yes, My Lord."

Walking up to the gate, we greet our host.

"Greetings, Lady Midnight. Thank you again for letting us come to your home."

"Greetings, Elden Whitewater, James Remmington. Let me introduce you to a friend. This is Talon. She lives here, just like you all will. She is very intelligent and can pick up on people's intentions quite easily. Show her kindness, be met with kindness. Show her hostility, be met with hostility. She will be around at times, so I wanted to make sure there weren't any misunderstandings about her being some common monster," she said. 

"We understand. Nobody here will ever harm her." I turn to the hippogryph. "Well met Talon."

"Pii!"

Did a hippogryph just reply and nod its head? I am still a bit wary, but it really does seem to show no hostility.

Lady Midnight spread her arms wide. "Well then. Welcome to my home. Behind these walls, there are no monsters. We have a basic area cleared out, so let's go there first."

With little effort, the massive doors swing open and we all continue past the walls. On the other side of the walls was more forest, but what took me by surprise was the castle in the distance. When we were about midway to the castle, we reached a recently cleared area. 

"We cleared a spot for everyone here," she said. "Feel free to use it as you would like while setting up camp. Rest for tonight. Elden Whitewater, James Remmington, please follow me to the castle. There are things we must discuss."

Slightly chilled at these ominous words, we have no choice but to follow. What will this mystery woman ask of us? We did offer her our lives. No matter what she asks, I have no choice in the matter anymore.

"Excuse me, Lady Midnight," Realyn chimed in. "May I be allowed to come with my husband as well?"

"Of course, Realyn Whitewater. Come along as well."

Walking up to the castle, I notice something odd. There are no windows to be seen. Pushing open the doors, Lady Midnight walks and we follow into the dark castle, lit only with sparse torch light. We enter into an audience chamber, and she goes immediately to the throne on the dais. 

"First of all. Let me reintroduce myself."

With a single pull of her arm, the cloak flies off of her with practiced ease and disappears. Now standing in front of us was a stunningly beautiful woman with long silver hair, elongated ears with points at the tip, and blood red eyes. 

On her head rests a crown. She is wearing a sleek black dress. With the dress having an asymmetrical design, there is only a shoulder and sleeve to the dress on the left side. There is a slit on the left side up to mid-thigh, exposing a hint of her bare, snow white leg. On her feet are odd but elegant black shoes that show her toes, only cover the front of her foot, and have a pointed, long heel on the back. 

Sprinkled sparingly and tastefully throughout the dress, are red gemstones that seem to somehow shine brightly, even while only reflecting the dim torchlight. They remind me of red stars shining in the black of night. These match her silver necklace with red gemstone proudly embedded in it. On her waist is an ornate sword belt, with a beautiful sword hilt at her hip. Her overall appearance can only be described as absolutely stunning.

"I am Dalia Midnight, Queen of the Vampires."

Saying that, she sits down gracefully on her throne. As if our strings were cut, we all came to our senses from her sudden reveal and dropped to one knee with our heads lowered.

Vampire? The mythic race only read about in stories? The race that the church forced to extinction? So many more questions. James was correct. And their queen? It's no wonder she calls these lands hers.

"Raise your heads. There is another introduction that must be made."

At this, a small person only a foot tall flies from behind the dais to float in the air over the shoulder of Lady—no—Queen Midnight. Matching her bright red wings and long red hair is her sleek red dress. 

"Greetings, Elden Whitewater, Realyn Whitewater, James Remmington. I am Navi Nikita, Queen of the Fairies. The fifth mortal race."

Even more questions!

"Now then. I am certain you two have many questions," Queen Midnight said as she leaned slightly back on her throne. "Please start."

Where do I even begin? I guess from general information about their races. The last thing we want to do is anger them with a false assumption.

"Well, Your Majesties. First, I would like to ask for a brief description of your races. Vampires were thought to be extinct, and the only knowledge about them comes from the church, which I have learned does not always hold to the truth. Also, I must admit that in my ignorance, I have no information on the fairies, or that there was a fifth race."

"Certainly. First, almost all information the church tells about vampires is wrong. Yes, we drink blood, but it's monster blood. We don't enjoy human blood, and someone can't turn into a vampire unless they choose to with a [system] prompt. 

"We are immortal and have higher stats than a human at the same level. However, we are just another race with unique diets, and that happens to be nocturnal. By no means do we attack indiscriminately, or are in any way related to monsters. Queen Navi, could you please describe the fairies?"

"Certainly, Queen Dalia. For fairies, we can obviously fly. We are experts at magic and controlling it. Even with our smaller stature, one would be unwise to ever underestimate our power. The Goddess of Chaos and the God of Order created us within only the last decade. Currently, we fairies and the vampires are residing here together."

"Does that answer some of your questions about our races?" said the Vampire Queen.

There are still so many more, but I must first get to the heart of the matter here.

"It does, thank you. My largest question is how the people outside could come to live within your walls? If there are no monsters here, then it is a sanctuary unlike any I have seen or heard of in these lands."

"Yes, that brings us to the main discussion. It also involves all of you. In the future, we do not wish to remain isolationist and want to interact with all of the other races. We believe that there is no reason that all five races can't find harmony together. To that end, we would like to take you and yours as our first human citizens, under our joint rule." She raises her arms with both palms up as if weighing something.

"What we will provide," she continues, "is an area safe from monsters inside these walls. Tools and lumber for the civilians to start a life here. Weapons and armor for hunters and soldiers. And provisions to give them time to start a life.

"What we require from them is their loyalty as our subjects, the denouncement of the Empire, their church, and the fake God Sol, and acceptance of the God of Order and Goddess of Chaos as the gods of this world." She claps her hands together after metaphorically weighing our gains and their cost.

"If we have those," she goes on, "then they are free to build a new life here as they wish. If not, they know where the gate is. 

"Now for the three of you. We want you to be the liaisons between us and the people. Should they need things, they go to you, and if you deem it fit, request it of us. Be it materials, wells, tools, or whatnot. If we are to be their rulers, then we need to be able to provide what they need to build their lives. Is this arrangement agreeable?"

Thinking about it, asking for blind loyalty and to denounce all that they grew up with is a lot. Although, in reality, it is nothing. They have no home anymore. The Empire and church are after them. And added to that is a safe place here with the chance to start a life. There really isn't any other answer we could give.

I bow my head again before saying, "Your Majesties, that is more than agreeable, and we thank you for all you are providing."

"Excellent. Queen Navi, if you would."

The fairy queen flutters over to us and then touches our foreheads. 

The Queen of the Fairies smiles brightly. "Now then! I have given you access to our fairy communication. Think about talking to us in your mind, and then think about what you want to say."

I have never heard of such a thing, but as was made clear to me today, there is much I don't know. Thus, I do as the queens ask.

(Hello? Is this how I do it?) I say in my mind, half feeling like a fool.

(Excellent!) Queen Midnight's voice sounds inside of my head, even though her lips didn't move. (This is a form of communication to use if there is ever an urgent matter. You can also specify who you want to talk to, so you both can be in better contact with each other.)

Incredible! Domestically or militarily, instant communication like this could change so much!

"That is amazing. Thank you for giving us this, Queen Nikita." I bow towards her as well.

Queen Midnight smiles "Now, let us chat about a few specifics.—"

The talks boiled down to not entering the courtyard, unless going to the castle for a reason. Do not enter Talon's territory inside a wall attached to the castle. No overhunting of any animals inside of the walls. Additionally, hunters going outside the wall need to always keep the gates shut and locked, needing to have someone there to let them in.

"Then let us make two more introductions." Queen Midnight said.

From a side room, a beautiful fairy and gorgeous vampire walked in.

"This is my daughter, Princess Lala." Queen Nikita flew over to stand by her daughter.

The princess was wearing a green and white ombré sundress that went from a green top down to white at the mid-calf hem. With a pair of white slippers on, it paired well with her green tinted, nearly transparent wings.

"Hello!" the princess said in a cheerful tone and did a small curtsey mid air.

Queen Midnight then said, "And this is… The Queen Consort, Ailine."

The vampire queen was wearing an elegant white dress. It is backless, with a halter top and plunging neckline with asymmetrical hem. Wearing a pair of the odd heeled shoes, but in white, a red sash around her waist ties it nicely with her smooth and almost shining blonde hair and red eyes. She looks slightly flustered from her introduction for some reason, but does an elegant curtsey.

"Nice to meet you." 

"Alright then." Queen Midnight pulls our attention back to her. "For tonight, you should get some rest and inform the people of what we talked about. We will come by in the morning to bring tools, supplies, and provisions. You are dismissed.

With a bow after standing, We leave the throne room and the castle.

"Realyn… Did all of this really just happen?" I asked my wife when the castle doors shut behind us.

"Do you mean being accepted and introduced to two queens from an extinct race and a new race?" she asks cheekily. "Or that they are providing safe land, resources, and assistance to complete strangers for no compensation besides things the people would do regardless?

"Or that these people that took us in have a hippogryph with them, and erased a contingent of the church like they were insects? Honestly, El, I'm trying to come to terms with all that just happened, myself."

We walked back to the makeshift camp in a slight daze at the multitude of revelations that just occurred. 

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