《Countdown to Inferno》Chapter 15: Excalator Strikes
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Pratuzga could have not been more correct. Instead of going straight for Telo, the Order of Cashera decided to have their avatar visit some of the Triskaide isles prior to facing the Oracle. This raised a concern for the avatar herself, who decided to talk it over with the Great Priest.
She opened, “Excuse me, but are we there yet?”
The old cleric laughed, “There’s no rush, Lady Cashera. We’re going around Triskaide first to increase interest for your visit to Telo. Besides, you haven’t been travelling since you got to Deiroc, correct? And also, there are two other things in our list…”
“Which is?”
“Your temple, my lady.”
She distanced a bit, “Wait, wait, wait. I have a temple and it’s not in Deiroc?!”
“Why, yes! In each of the thirteen islands. But during the reign of Crespos Milios, he had all these religious places destroyed, save one. The Temple of Cashera at Baros was spared, and it’s a miracle, if I may say so myself.”
The avatar is still struggling to grasp some details of this world's history, but at the least, she does well in not making it too obvious.
“A miracle, you say?”
“Indeed. For a long time, Baros has been viewed unfavorably by the rest of Triskaide because it’s named after a Dalreidan magistrate. But this very anomaly saved your temple, and I believe this is going to help you in connecting with your past lives, my lady.”
“I certainly hope so, because I’m still in the dark all this time… And the other one?”
“Piso’s campaign in Bereta is another, my lady. Whether or not he returns victorious, it’s going to be big news. We’ve to assure that you’re the only talk of the world when you arrive at Telo.”
“Ugh. Do we have to wait that long? I get that this Piso guy’s some larger than life figure, but Sw… 72 is waiting for us in Telo!”
The Great Priest looked to the sea and rubbed his chin, “I find it strange. He’s not reported since a few days ago. Are the Teloi after him…?”
Her worry of Sweet Mask spiked.
She demanded, “That’s why we must go to Telo now!”
“No, my lady. The temple comes first. Please understand, I can’t risk it for one man.”
“But…”
“Besides, are you ready to face the Oracle now? Even if she’s a fake, you have to come prepared. Remember, you still can’t access your powers on your own accord!”
“I… Sorry. It’s just that…”
“Oh, forgive me, Lady Cashera. I’ve stepped out of bounds there.”
“No offense taken, Great Priest. But how long would it take to meet all those requirements?”
While the Order of Cashera embarks with its own propagation, the Bereta campaign further north has been proceeding with incredible rapidity. Dalreida struck when it was still winter, which caused shock among Bereta’s commanders, and the transition to warmer climate as time passes helped the Dalreidan cause. Within weeks, Beretans have surrendered in huge numbers to avoid being slaughtered by the Dalreidan war machine, and their king, Kabalenus, presented himself as the kingdom’s overall representative for Bereta’s eventual integration in Dalreida.
However, Piso was dissatisfied with the outcome thus far. The surrender of Kabalenus was not received well in his country, owing mainly to his dismal popularity during his rule. Points of resistance remained, especially in the mining areas which comprise much of Bereta’s economy, but no longer are they maintained by Kabalenus’s troops nor the locally raised militia. The people hired skilled mercenaries to protect their interests, the greatest of which was led by the fearsome Excalator.
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Convening with his commanders not far from Excalator’s alleged headquarters, Piso started, “You know it when I said the Bereta campaign won’t be easy, even with myself at the front. Mopping operations? You can’t even sweep! I believe you already know why I’m still here.”
The commanders remained silent, but one of them, General Frid, stood up for his fellows.
“Lord Piso, we’ve every advantage available to us. We used their peculiar schedule of fighting only eight hours a day, their two-hour naps in the afternoon, their insatiable demand for coffee, all their traditions against their favor,” the general answered with unnecessary eloquence, “The same goes here. Excalator’s nothing more than a folk heroine. A local thug who plunders on Beretans by giving them protection. I assured you his defeat. Kabalenus’s act is all that matters, my lord.”
“Frid, that’s what Horden told me when he’s handling Aramathi. Look what happened there. Rabka’s no warrior. He’s a merchant. Excalator’s a warrior. We can’t take her for granted. You heard Kabalenus. Had we been late in our advance, Excalator would’ve removed him as king sooner than later.”
“All unfounded rumors, my lord. That rebel Excalator’s potency is bloated by hearsay. At most, we estimate her forces to number a thousand. Lord Piso, we engaged a larger force of a hundred thousand under Kabalenus, and we prevailed.”
“If what you say is true, can you affirm to me how Excalator fought against Kabalenus all this time? Frid, it’s not all about sizes and numbers. You of all people should know this.”
“She’s a coward, that’s what she is. But now we’ve pinned her down like a bird in a cage!”
“No, you didn’t pin her down. Your search tactics are wasting us valuable time and energy. I made this move, gentlemen. I requested an audience with her to know their location.”
The commanders were startled and they began talking with themselves.
Frid slammed his fist, “We shouldn’t feed the rebels, my lord! They’re in no position to…!”
“Negotiate? Frid, excellence in the field isn’t always about destroying the enemy physically,” Piso interrupted as he pointed to his head and his heart, “You can also win against them here.”
One of Piso’s elite guard appeared behind him and whispered, “Excalator’s here.”
The dictator nodded, and then firmly addressed his commanders, “Get ready, men. We’re going to win.”
As Piso headed out of their tent, the commanders look confused, but they still followed him outside. When they saw who their visitor was, the commanders all drew out their weapons. It was Excalator, accompanied by some of her top mercenaries, all of whom had stylish metal helmets and leather armor. Their helmets do not cover the any part of the face’s front side.
When she saw how Piso’s commanders reacted, she removes her helmet and spits, “So, this is how you treat guests of honor around here?! And you tell us Beretans we’re uncivilized!”
Piso motioned forward to shake hands, “Please, Lady Excalator, forgive their behavior. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much, I want to know if it’s true.”
Excalator looked at him from top to bottom. The aging dictator does wear a similar scale armor as his commanders, but she did not expect the overall appearance of the ruler of Dalreida. Piso even holds a cane in his other hand, which impresses on her a contrast with a powerful figure.
With a smug look, she held her short brown hair before Piso’s wrinkled hand, “I guess, it’s a pleasure, Piso… No offense grandpa, but you look older than I thought!”
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“How dare you little…!”, Frid exclaimed as he pointed his sword against Excalator.
Piso turned sharply at his generals, who was about to make a distasteful remark about Excalator’s body. She is an adult of small stature, easily shorter than an average Beretan or Dalreidan, but she commands much influence in the land with the legend built around her.
“Watch it,” the dictator gently warned, “Now, all of you, be a good host and serve them.”
Piso’s troops withdrew their weapons and prepared tables and chairs on neutral ground, which was basically a few steps outside the two camps. The servings were quite lavish, albeit Piso himself preferred a simple one. The flags of Dalreida and Bereta flew on the background, while Excalator’s troops carried the insignia of their mercenary group. Their insignia was a serpent twisted around and clutching a rock with its small claws. Looking up, the serpent spews from its mouth a blade.
After the formal introductions, Piso allowed the mercenaries to sit first before himself and his commanders.
“Piso, grandpa, poisoning us won’t work, alright? So don’t even try,” Excalator said after drinking some wine, “Now, let’s get to brass tacks here. We’re mercenaries, but we’ve also ideals. Money or no money, we don’t fight for what we know is wrong, you get my drift?”
The general scoffed at that statement, but the rest of the people also present just ignored him.
Piso clasped his hands together and replied, “I understand this, Lady Excalator.”
“Good, we’re getting somewhere,” she continued, “Honestly though, I still believe I can take your army, Piso. I heard of your big battle with that crackpot Kabalenus in the capital. Whew! Now that’s something. I’ve always wanted to take Kalashokran and have him scrub my feet!”
“Your rivalry with Kabalenus is well documented, if I may say so myself.”
“Yeah! Unfortunately, you came swooping in and threatening everything I’ve ever fought for! I don’t care about getting the benefits you gave Kabalenus. All I say is, hands off my Bereta!”
Frid threw his cup, spilling the wine in it, and shouted, “Bah! So that’s what you’re after, mercenary trash! Isn’t controlling the metal trade up north enough for you?! Now you’re…!”
“Frid, that’s enough!”, Piso pulled him back to sit, “Dalreida’s better than this!”
“Oh, you say this and that, but your men are the worst! Even animals can follow orders!”
Piso’s commanders were taken aback by the mercenaries’ jeering. Frid gave an angry look at the mercenaries, and then to Piso. However, the dictaor is not letting himself be moved by the pace of any side.
“The war has been long and hard for my people, if you’d understand. Now, I can see why you don’t want Dalreida taking over your homeland. Believe me, I experienced that.”
Sensing some sarcasm with that remark, she took another swig at her drink, “You do?”
“Yes, Lady Excalator, but that’s all in the past. We’re dealing with the future, and I sure have a deal for you.”
“If you’re planning to bribe us, forget it. We’re not for sale to the highest bidder.”
Some of the mercenaries looked at each other, wondering at their leader’s present behavior. It is common knowledge that they work for the reward, a major reason why many joined anyway.
“We’re all warriors here, aren’t we? I’m sure you’d like to have a good fight.”
“Isn’t that obvious, grandpa? Of course!”
“Alright, here’s the deal. I don’t want to see the lives of good people being wasted for some protracted fighting. If you’d be willing to fight in a one-on-one battle with me, here are the terms. If you win, you keep the parts of Bereta you already control. We’re leaving your people to you. If I win, you’ll have to meet the same fate as Kabalenus, while the entirety of Bereta is ours.”
“Hey, are you sure about this? The offer’s not bad, but I’m not beating up some old guy to…”
“Oh, the stakes are not high enough for you, Lady Excalator?”
“No, listen, it’s not that!”
“If you win, you’ll be Queen of Bereta, and Dalreida’s the first nation to recognize your rule.”
All the people present jumped to their feet. All except Piso.
Frid kicked his table out of disgust, “Lord Piso, you can’t be serious! You’re handing her the kingdom of Bereta on a silver platter?!”
Excalator followed up, “I hate to say it, but I agree with grumpy Frid here! I sure want to be the ruler of this land someday. Yeah, it crossed my mind. But it’s like handing a fruit to a child!”
Piso looked to Frid, “Hear me out. If you’re so interested to add to your stars, why not be our champion facing Lady Excalator? If you win, I’d recommend you as the governor of Bereta.”
The huge general's ambition flared at that moment. He recalled Piso’s pledge to step down and hand over the dictatorship. If he becomes one of Dalreida’s governors, he would become a step closer.
Feigning a calm demeanor, he asked, “But Lord Piso, will you also fight the mercenary?”
“If I have to. What do you think, Lady Excalator? Would that be a good enough fight for you?”
She smiled and kicked her table, “I wonder if you did this with Kabalenus, too, but I like how you play, Piso. Thrilling, risky, and I like it. Sure, I’d fight you both here and now!”
The rest of the commanders pleaded Piso to reconsider, but the dictator has decided. The fight takes place at that same day. Soldiers, mercenaries, and the local townsfolk residing near their camps are the witnesses for a duel that would determine who rules Bereta in the time to come. Some of the top mercenaries approached their leader as she prepared for battle in her corner.
“Lady Excalator,” her armor bearer expressed with great anxiety, “Are you sure about this? Dalreidans are crafty. There may be strings attached. We should fight them fair and square in the battlefield, not in this…!”
“Shut up, Karl!”, Excalator snapped as she changes her boots, “Don’t you know this Piso? His legend’s probably the largest there is! He’s the one whom they called Benefactor of the Republic because of his relentless campaigns from Carga in the west to Bayan in the east!”
“But my lady,” Karl protested, “It’s not just Piso. You’re also fighting that burly Frid. Two against one! Is that what you call a fair fight?! What if they don’t keep their word even if you win?”
The rest of the mercenaries were uncertain of what to feel as Karl voiced his intentions, but they do not seem enthusiastic about their leader’s recent decision.
She grabbed Karl by the armor, “Listen closely! We’ve been fighting Kabalenus for years, and Piso’s got him wetting himself in a couple of weeks! Face it, Karl. This is the best and fairest shot we have against Dalreida, and I’d take the risk than not at all. Besides, if I don’t succeed…”
“What do you mean, Lady Excalator?!”
“I’m retiring the business…,” she admitted after wearing her gloves.
The mercenaries were visibly dismayed of Excalator’s contingency plan, and so was Karl.
“What?! No! Nah-uh! We’re all in this together. You can’t quit on us now.”
“Well, maybe not retire, but settle down somewhere and try some non-combative stuff… Yeah, the point is, if Dalreida brings peace and prosperity to Bereta that Kabalenus never got to do, there’d be no need for us darn mercenaries! Dalreida’s a different world, kid. Trust me.”
“You know what happened in Aramathi, Lady Excalator! If Rabka can do it, so can you.”
She shook her head, “Once a mercenary, always a mercenary. You can’t expect me to be a soldier in a newfangled army, or a mayor of some newfound town, or a peddler of slightly used arms. I don’t know about you, boys and girls, but it’s life. If you want me to stay, then hope for my victory! A little song and dance after would be nice to pass down in my legend, won’t they?”
“I don’t understand. Are you saying we’re a spent force? That we can’t win in any other way?”
“Nonsense! But Piso’s got a point. Soldiers or mercenaries, we don’t want to see our comrades die. For whatever reason. He’s willing to sacrifice himself for his people as he’s probably done many times. I can curse the Benefactor all day, but still, that’s the epitome of a true warrior. I’ve got to do the same, and exceed it. If I don’t, all damned Beretans would forever be looked down as cowards who don’t know the meaning of self-sacrifice.”
Her mercenaries looked down as they digest her words, while the armor bearer himself began to cry.
“Please! Please don’t die, Lady Excalator!”
She slapped him at the back, “Who says I’m going to die?! As long as I have the Excalator, never!”
Excalator raised the sword bearing her name, and it lifted the spirits of the mercenaries. It was a rapier having a black blade that shines even with the slightest beam of light reaching it. Myths say that the Excalator was formed from a celestial rock bearing metals not yet known at the time. Supposedly originating from the heavens, most likely a meteorite, the sword’s creator named Excalator as such because the source material was said to be excavated from above. Another story is that the sword has come out of an immortal yet dangerous serpent, who was forced by heaven to swallow it for protection from those deemed unworthy.
Whether or not it had heavenly or earthly origin, the Excalator had great power because of its secret metal alloy composition, the only one made of its kind, so much so that it had cut through the best blades Bereta has to offer. Kabalenus was frustrated to know that it fell in the hands of a mercenary leader, who by herself has grown into a national legend as well, but even he was unable to overcome its ferocious wielder in their many battles.
“Ready when you are, losers,” the mercenary leader declared as she comes out to the dueling place.
“Very well, mercenary trash,” Frid responded as he cracked some bones in his fists before grasping his all metal mace, “I’ll teach you how it’s done.”
“What's this?! You’re not heading out, Piso?! That’s not part of the deal!”
The seated Piso waved his hands before shouting back, “The deal says a one-on-one fight! I don’t want to be unfair to you, Lady Excalator! Besides, my back’s killing me just now!”
“You disappoint me! But no matter. I’d force you to come out by making easy work of this Frid!”
Frid was irked, “Say that again you scum and I’ll flatten your sorry little…!”
Before the general was able to finish his trash talk, Excalator rushed towards him and made nine quick thrusts with her rapier. Three of them was blocked by Frid’s mace, causing sharp sounds of clashing metal, but six got through Frid’s armor.
Despite the proven sturdiness of the Dalreidan scale armor, Excalator was able to hit him at points where the armor can be pierced with less difficulty. Frid swings the mace but the mercenary is no longer there to feel his power. She has already pulled back while he hits the ground, leaving a sizeable hole in its aftermath.
“No fair,” the frustrated general said, “but yes, what can I expect from a mercenary?”
“Fair? Fair?! Big words, grumpy,” Excalator replied, “While you enjoy your hot bath, Beretans are tortured and slaughtered in the most unfair methods possible by your men!”
Excalator grabbed sand hidden in her armor and threw it against the charging general. He closed his eyes while spinning the mace around him. However, he was not hitting anybody. Frid figured that while recovering his sight, it would be best to cover all his bases. When he began to open his eyes again, he stopped spinning the mace as it greatly depletes his stamina, but upon looking around, Excalator was nowhere to be seen.
He then heard a shout from above. She has jumped to make a headlong attack. Frid was not agile enough to step away, but his response was quick. He twisted the mace, and up appeared a blade that resembles that of a spear. Concentrating all power on his legs, Frid leaped to meet Excalator in midair.
The arrogant general smiled, signifying that he was confident of triumph, “Got you!”
He thought his power had the advantage because he jumped later, and thus, he can direct his attacks against the falling Excalator. This was not to be. The mercenary turns while in midair, slimly evading the mace in the process. Almost simultaneously, she launches eight slashes, striking his head, shoulders, arms, and chest. They fall on the ground with a booming sound, and when the dust cleared, the victor was determined.
Emerging was Excalator, who can be seen stepping on Frid’s belly. As for the general himself, he was visibly unconscious, albeit his eyes were open and his smile was wide. He lost hold of the mace, which can be seen as firmly planted on the ground.
She then laughs and kicks him hard in the groin, “Aw, that’s too bad. Gotten limp all of a sudden?! I guess that’s what happens from too much pleasure, isn’t it? Okay, who’s next?!”
The mercenaries and the locals roared upon seeing their leader victorious, even though she was slightly grazed on the arm by Frid’s blade, causing the leather armor on that part to eventually fall off. Meanwhile, the soldiers had confused looks as they murmur with each other.
Their commanders, who served as spectators with Piso, did not share their uncertainty. While none of them were willing to follow Frid’s example, they figured that as long as the dictator remains, there is nothing to fear. Besides, his crushing defeat in the hands of Excalator sealed his career. With yet another candidate to Piso’s position taken out, they can at least welcome this development. More so, the seemingly impressed dictator was clapping at the victorious mercenary, a gesture that gained surprise from his own soldiers.
Ignoring the audience, Excalator pointed her sword at Piso, “Let’s go! Get your old butt here!”
“Don’t be hasty, Lady Excalator,” the dictator calmly answered while slowly standing up with his cane, “I just… Ach! You know, warm up. Please, take a rest while I do some exercises.”
“Woah, what?! No!”, the mercenary leader growled as she swings her sword above Frid’s body, “Give it to me, grandpa! I’ll bring you down, Benefactor of the Republic!”
Piso chuckled, “Oh! Even that title’s reached Bereta? What power the mainstream media has… But please, Lady Excalator. Would a few minutes be good enough for you?”
Excalator’s teeth grinded when she began watching the old dictator struggle with some stretching and jumping.
“Whatever,” she said after some observation of his movements, “I’m not waiting long, okay?!”
Returning to her corner, the mercenaries were ecstatic for her win, while some are laughing at Piso as he proceeded with his simple exercises.
“Something’s not right, I know it,” Excalator muttered before drinking some coffee and sheathing her sword.
Karl greeted her with no trace of his earlier anxiety, “Congratulations! It’s been a walk in the park! Simply amazing, Lady Excalator! That has-been’s going to be no match for you!”
The mercenary leader snapped while she changes her armor, “Zip it! I’m thinking!”
Her subordinate's jubilation vanished, “Wha-?! You don’t always think! Are you hurt?! Poisoned?!”
“Frid’s nothing! He’s not the problem. It’s Piso. Like, look at him!”
“I think he’s going down even if a soft breeze pushes him. What’s wrong…?”
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?! He’s been giving me perks all day! Now I don’t know if he’s just having me on or if his legend’s nothing more than media spin! Is this what they call psychological warfare? Because honestly, I’m cringing! Hrr!”
Karl saw the mercenary leader more irritated than ever before, even more than when she fights Kabalenus.
“Don’t worry, Lady Excalator. I’m sure they’re just rattled and wants to get some breather. You took down their general, a feat that isn’t equaled by Kabalenus. I say, you can do it!”
She hits him in the chest with a fist, “Flatterer.”
After motioning her hand, the mercenaries gather around her.
“Mercenaries,” Excalator proclaimed, “today a new legend and song shall be born. But in exchange, an old one would be crushed. You’ll be witnesses to history in the making. Huzzah!”
The mercenaries raised their arms, “Huzzah! Blaze on, Great Excalator!”
Looking at her next adversary, Excalator knew that it was her rendezvous with destiny. The war with Kabalenus is one thing. That carried on for years, and even that did not have a satisfying closure. This time, she faces in battle the leader of a major world power, a contender to rule the world. With the eventual future of Bereta hanging into balance, the sword of her name will undergo the mightiest crucible yet that is Dictator Piso.
Why did the dictator choose to deal with Excalator as such? How did she obtain the mythical sword in the first place? What was Kabalenus doing all this time?
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