Chapter 10: Gearing up for Battle

“My apologies tell me more on this force the kingdom is fighting… these Nox.”

My heart was beating wildly. My palms were sweaty and my knees weak, my arms heavy. If I wasn’t already sitting, I was sure I would have collapsed as the emotions from that time were present for me to reexperience. How could I have forgotten. I mean it’s been over sixteen years but how could I have forgotten the dream that once started this all.

“We know little of the Nox, only that the Last Kingdom has been fighting them for centuries and losing a bit ground here and there while regaining it at other periods.”

All eyes were still focused on me and I forced myself to calm down. The glow began to recede, and the calming wave washed over me.

“Tell me more of this Count Caccula. What are his motivations and goals. Why is he searching for this ‘meteor’.” By now I understood the fallen meteor was most likely the HH Heartfelt.

“We’re not certain but rumor has it that the Warrior Princess divined some sort of message about it. She has some sort of ability gifted to her by the god they worship named Arlo. The count was on a date with her at the time of the incident.”

“Tell us of this ‘Warrior Princess’,” Moriah said a fire sparkled in her eyes.

If I could palm my face I would. It was obvious she was a battle junkie.

“The Warrior Princess is the ruler of the Last Kingdom while her father is sick in bed. She has created a coalition that fights against the Nox with the two other kingdoms present on the continent.”

“What is her strength like?”

I knocked my knuckles on the table as we were getting away from the real subject.

“Tell us of this Count Caccula’s forces.”

“Roughly one thousand men. Number of mages unknown. They have around three hundred support personnel traveling with them and are geared to be stationed here for a few months by the number of wagons stationed at the base of the mountain range.”

“Has anyone gotten close enough to confirm their strength?” The sharp eye Bella questioned.

“From what we’ve gather his force is roughly composed of people around the strength of tier two to three closer to the latter. Commanders have been noted to be at least tier five and the count himself is unknown but from the information we gathered, the count was previously stationed on the frontlines only to take a break. His last known level of power would put him at a tier six on the verge of being a seven. That was five years ago.”

Instantly the stronger members of our force sat up and paid attention.

These would be hardened soldiers who already experienced battle. Moriah eyes turned to my direction, and I could feel them piercing into my left side.

“Continue to monitor the situation. Before they break past two mountains update me. This meeting is adjourned.”

I was not in a rush. From the looks of things, we were at a disadvantage, but I was almost certain the aspects could even out the playing field. Most of my soldiers were tier two now. The ones with the aspects experiencing a boost to themselves allowing them to breakthrough. How did I want my first impression to this new world to be and what exactly were the Nox. Questions I would need to answer in the little days I had left. My head turned towards the waiting eyes of my cousin, and I nodded at him. The war council began to break up into small groups each discussing their own agendas. Moriah’s eyes never left my body.

*

I took a slow, long deep breath that I let out just as slowly. We were sitting on the couches inside my office and Makanui had yet to stop nervously fidgeting.

“Murnia,” I called out. The maid opened the door and waited more me to speak.

“Could you bring us some strong refreshments?”

“Yes, Young Lord.”

A moment later she entered the room with a bottle of alcohol and two cups with chilled ice within them. I raised the cup to Makanui in a toast and together we downed the shot. It wasn’t until two more that he grew comfortable and began to speak.

“Please help me.”

I shook my head and looked at the bottle. This stuff was strong even with my reinforced body.

“Help you? I don’t understand.”

“Help me become like you. Help me become stronger. I don’t understand we are both magi humans and around the same age how are you so much powerful. The princess I can understand but how do you progress so fast?”

“Experience. I have seen more than you. Done more than you. Killed more than you,” I spoke not just talking about this life.

“I can help you but there is a price.”

“I expected to pay. Name it? Resources? I don’t think you need them, but it can be done. Women? Once again it can be done but I don’t believe you need them. Name your price.”

“You. I want you Makanui.” He gave me a startled look before inching back in his couch.

“I’m sorry I don’t swing that way. I’ll take my leave.”

I burst out laughing and Makanui paused before joining in. We took another shot before I continued.

“I can assure you I like women.”

“What I want is something beyond an Oath.”

Makanui looked at me sharply the drunken look fading from his eyes with my own following suit.

“A Geas then,” he said in more of a whisper.

“It’s what you’ve been doing with your soldiers.”

“You figured that out just from that sentence?”

“We’re Nobles Aegis. None of us is stupid and all of us are trained to hold onto power. Everyone here is some of the smartest next generation in their respective communities. I included, and we’ve all be observing you. It’s obvious you’re doing something to your soldiers. Once you said beyond an Oath there are only a few things that go beyond one. A Geas being the main category.”

“Well said. A geas. Will be re quired.”

“Is this power available only for me? Or can my followers experience it as well?”

“As many come as many as I will take. Bring your own close personnel first. Summon them immediately. We will begin the process now.”

***

Rouge closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Then at once she shot forward spear aimed for Alex’s throat. The magi human moved back while pulling his large blade in front as a makeshift shield. Alex used his weight and height to his advantage by shoving in towards the spear wielder. He stomped hard and the ground shifted turning from hard packed soil into a loose dirt farmers may use to plant. A burst of energy came from Rouge as she based into Alex sending him flying backwards.

They paused in their fighting as Ivy and Nick showed up with snacks.

“Don’t mind us,” Nick said, and Alex slowly stood up.

The day was bright, and Rouge looked up at the single sun in the sky and one of the moons of this new world. She returned her short spear and shield to her back and moved to join Ivy and Nick. Grabbing a plate and sitting down on the blanket roughly scooting Nick away from Ivy as she took her spot next to her.

Nick rolled his eyes before serving himself a plate. There was an assortment of fruits and nuts among other things and the small group enjoyed themselves for a bit before the questions Rouge knew they wanted to ask came out.

“So…,” Nick began.

“What happened with that noble and the Young Lord swooping in to save you?!?!” Ivy gushed excitedly.

“That was so awesome. I wish I was there to see it, but I’ve heard so much that its time I hear it from the source itself!”

Rouge laughed as one of her best friends was so excited.

“He grabbed my ass and thought he could get away with it.”

“Lucky guy,” Nick muttered.

Only to receive an elbow in the ribs that sent him softly groaning.

“Tell me how the Young Lord swooped into save you. OhmygodsI’msoexcited. It’s the talk of the base and wow I’ve been waiting to hear about it for such a long time.”

Rouge let out a soft smile at Ivy’s enthusiasm before she began to explain.

“So, I was unconscious when he first arrived but with all the loud voices around and Ronwick fat ass shaking me awake I managed to catch a good portion of it.

When I awoke the Young Lord had a soft green glow coming from his wrist and veins popped out of his neck and forehead. It was so hot.”

“You do know the Young Lord is younger than us, right?”

“Shut up Nick!” Both young ladies said in union.

Alex gave out a hearty laugh and Nick blushed but smiled too.

“Anyway, like I was saying. It was so hot. The ugly bastard was then released from the spell by Lady Amaya, and it was here that a turning point came and gods good and bad the things I would do for the Young Lord.”

A voice cleared their throat behind the group, and they turned their heads only to see Murnia and Ronwick appearing. Ronwick was giving his twin a look of disapproval.

“Rouge…,” Ronwick said, and she rolled her eyes in response.

The pair joined them with Murnia bringing out a bottle for the group to enjoy.

Ronwick took a long swig before coughing and sputtering.

“This is strong! Where did you get this?”

“Did you forget I’m the personal maid of the Young Lord? It’s my break time and Sara is taking over. The Young Lord is our benefactor. You can crush on him but treat him with respect,” Murnia said looking at Rouge and Ivy.

“Ok, ok, ok let her finish the story now.”

“His aura expanded, and it was so domineering. It was like there was a field of suppression around us and I felt locked in place. Then he spoke ‘I should have known you’d be testing my patience’ and that was something else.”

Ronwick began to speak at this point.

“I felt like I was under the suppression of some sort of top magical beast. Even Lady Amaya was wide eyed at the Young Lord’s display and that’s when the spell constructs appeared.”

“Five different circles,” Rouge continued.

“Five different circles appeared and that’s when I congratulated the Young Lord on breaking through,” This time Murnia spoke up.

“Ivy asked me to tell the story,” Rouge said with a pout.

“Alright everyone let her finish,” Alex said.

The group quiet down and Rouge took a drink before continuing.

“He then said ‘Let this be a demonstration of my power. Do not test me once again,’ Ivy you should have been there too bad you only arrived after to heal me. Thank you again by the way.”

“You’re welcome but continue the story.”

“Lady Amaya shouted and for a few minutes nothing happened. Then the shouting and pointing began as people watched as a meteor appeared and impacted into a mountain.”

“I felt that and thought we we’re under attack,” Ivy said.

“Shh, I’m at the best part. It was a few moments after the attack that the Young Lord said ‘I am Aegis Kan, Young Lord, and leader of this expedition. Let it be known that that is only a small taste of my power. Do not test me nor my men as you hold no jurisdiction here,’ Gods good and bad. The things I would do…,” she trailed off as Murnia and Ronwick gave her a hard look.

“That’s when he summoned for you, and you know the rest. It’s the talk of the town right now and on the free time it’s even acted out by the group the Young Lord brought.”

Rouge places her head in her hands and looked towards the sky dreamily a happy and content expression on her face.