The next day everyone rose early and went to eat before they set out for the day. My inner circle and I were eating in silence when Pri and her companions showed up. We offered them sustenance and a place at the fire, and they sat down with us.

“Max, can you tell us about yourself?” Tukayme asked.

“What would you like to know?” I asked while munching on some fruit.

“Hmm…where you grew up, and what you did before this?” Tukayme questioned.

“I grew up in BlackCrest. What do you mean before this?”

“She means your exploits and your adventurous lifestyle,” Pri smiled as she answered his question.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just a farmer from a small town and don’t have an adventurous lifestyle.”

The amazons were caught off guard with that explanation. Gordon cackled while the others chuckled softly.

“Stop giving them shit. They know you’re trying to avert their questions. Ladies, forgive my knucklehead friend. He doesn’t like talking about his life and definitely not about the accomplishments he has, but we’ll answer your questions that you have.” Gordon gestured to my inner circle, the traitors.

I listened to the Q & A for a while, but eventually tuned them out until I was poked in the ribs. I looked up to see everyone waiting for something from me. I raised my eyebrow wanting to know what they wanted.

“You zoned out, what is the plan going forward?” Cass asked with a smirk on her beautiful face.

“How many villages do we need to check?”

“Five,” she replied. I thought about how many days that we would be traveling and come up with a solution.

“How many are joining us on this journey?”

“Around two hundred, we had more but couldn’t let anymore go due to the defense of the town,” Tukayme replied.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” I turned to my elven wife Sasha and asked, “Hon, do you and Leena feel like making the trip? I don’t want you to do anything stressful and I have a feeling that this will be a significant trial for us to overcome.”

She looked into my eyes while Leena came over behind her, “Why did you say that? Now, we will be worried.” The elf glanced at Leena and sighed as she turned back to me. She started rubbing her stomach before speaking again, “We… Dammit, we want to go with you, but it would be better if the two of us went back home.” Leena agreed.

I went over and pulled both of them into a hug and kissed them, we stood there for a minute or so before they reluctantly released me. I looked at my friend, “Gordon, I want you to take at least a third of ours back to SafeHaven. Leena and Sasha will accompany you. I’m not sure how long we will be gone, but there’s no one that can make any decisions there except your mother, Shea, and Estelle.”

“Will do, my friend," Gordon responded. "I will take some of the new recruits with me to get acquainted with our ways.”

“Sounds like a plan. We leave in thirty, pack it up people!”

“Yes, Alpha!”

I kissed my women as we said our goodbyes, then set out with over seven hundred strong towards the first village on our timeline. Lenbirn. It was about a fifteen mile trip and smoke could be seen from the horizon, so we hurried to see what was causing the fires. The scene we came upon was disturbing. Dead bodies were everywhere. We were told the residents living there numbered around three hundred. I sent out groups to check the whole town for any survivors and was advised they didn’t find any, but located a hundred dead. The amazon leads let us know that many were missing. We gathered up and left immediately.

I conversed with Herc and Reap about certain events as we were traveling to the next town. It was twelve miles north of our location. We talked about the possibilities why the dark ones were in Amenoa. Anything that we came up with was concerning. During this time, my chest started having this burning sensation. I didn't know what to think of it since it only lasted for a few moments.

The town came into view and looked to be on fire as well. Rushing to the town, we saw barrier walls had fallen, buildings burning and dead bodies all over the ground. We discovered the same situation as the previous town, missing amazons.

“Dammit! Those fuckers are gonna pay!!!” Pri screamed in a furious manner.

The girls and her companions were trying to calm her down, but to no avail, she was still distraught. Fifteen minutes later, Pri calmed down enough for us to regroup and plan. Finding no survivors and over a hundred dead, we set up camp for the night.

We set out early the next morning for the next town. Twenty miles later we caught a break, although the town was being attacked, we arrived before they took down the walls.

“Count?”

“Around five hundred total: goblins, ogres, trolls, draugrs, and wens. I only count fifteen wens though. Siege weapons and five robed fuckers in the back,” Sean replied.

“How long until they break through?”

“Not sure, no more than an hour boss,” Frank answered.

“Alright, Frank subdue those robed bastards and find out where they’ve taken the amazons. Everyone, get in position. Weres shift and wait for my signal.”

“YES, ALPHA!”

Pri smiled and said, “That never gets old.”

“What doesn't?”

“The way you take command and the discipline they show from your leadership,” Pri purred, “that’s so fuckin hot!”

I laughed and responded, “Is it? That’s what gets you hot and bothered?”

“Oh yeah, I could watch your sexy ass all day long,” Pri replied with hunger in her eyes.

I winked and turned my attention back to the battle, “Pri get your people in position.”

“Yes, Alpha!” She responded and walked over to her companions to get ready. I walked to my killing duo and scratched behind their ears and they actually purred. I laughed and watched the dark ones pound the walls and gates. It was time to intervene and save these folks.

‘Same thing as last time guys. Time to go shadow on their asses.’

‘Let’s do it. Time to whoop some ass!’ Herc suggested.

‘Hell yeah,’ Reap said.

Stripping out of my clothes, I concentrated on my connection to them and we shifted before copying myself. We totaled twelve. I also made a change this time, fire was dripping off of us and our bodies were fading in and out of sight.

‘I got something new to try out.’

‘Let’s do it!’ Herc replied.

‘Frank, take out those machines and those robed fuckers.’

Spells rained down on the machines and the warlocks. I walked onto the battlefield with my crew, silently focusing on the wens at the back of the army. I connected with the earth and focused hard on what I wanted to achieve. Feeling the magic answer, I smiled and pushed the magic where I wanted it to go and waited. Still walking slowly and silently, I knew when the magic performed perfectly. Fifteen wens screeched when they found their legs trapped in about a foot of rock. They tried desperately to move, but the fuckers were trapped. The warlocks were subdued and the machines were taken care of, so I let death loose. We took off in a sprint towards our prey and were meters away when I gave the command.

‘Kill the motherfuckers!”

Roars, screams, howls, and screeches were heard all over the area as my peeps went to decimate the intruders. My crew passed through and cut the heads off of the wens. We turned around and walked to the trapped prey and started cutting the fuckers up, putting them in piles. When the slicing and dicing was done, we turned the bodies to ash.

I turned my attention back to the battle and found some injuries on the field, hopefully none were fatal. The invaders were taken care of and bodies were everywhere. Pri and her company marched up to the gates and were let in immediately. I let go of my copies and the magic holding us as shadows, but shifted into my human form. Finding my clothes, I quickly got dressed and sat my ass down close to a fallen log to lean against it. Moving around the past few days had taken a toll on me and probably everyone else. Herc and Reap came over and plopped down beside me, no one saying anything.

“Want some company?” I looked up to see my girls watching me carefully.

“Sure.”

They came over and piled on me, giving me kisses and words of love. As we sat there silently, I was thinking what needed to be done, but looked over to see camp was already being set up. Good, I’m hungry and tired. Resting for a while, they noticed the fires were lit, so we went to cook some of the meat the guys and I killed yesterday. We put the meat on the spit and cut up some veggies. Our group made small talk, no one bringing up the last couple of days, and I was thankful because I didn’t want to discuss anything.

Lots of footsteps were heard coming our way, but I ignored them and kept my eyes on the fire. Moments later, they stopped behind us. The others were looking at the ones behind me.

“Alpha?”

A feminine voice asked from behind me. I turned to see who wanted me and found a squad of amazons staring at me. Pri and Nasi in the front with two other ladies with blonde hair. I rose up to my full height while watching the amazons, they were startled and took a step back. I didn’t speak but bowed my head to them. The nervousness in their eyes was noticeable, but I didn’t care.

“This is Acace and Rionata. They have come to thank you and personally invite you with your mates to dine with them.”

I glanced at the girls and they nodded their consent. “We accept.” They smiled and got into formation around us. I guess they’re our honor guard. “Sean, Frank, Marie, make sure everyone is ready for early departure.

“Yes, Alpha!”

We walked into town with the ladies surrounding us and I noticed two things: amazons were everywhere we looked and the women were very healthy. Muscular fit bodies with nice tits and fabulous asses. Junior was waking up, so I started thinking of old naked chicks to calm him down.

Our group went up to a nice size building, they escorted us inside to a room where a long table stood with food piled on it. I helped the girls to their chairs and then sat down.

“Please eat,” Acace said.

I waited for the girls to get their food and not surprising Tia and Soph filled plates for me. They handed them to me with smiles and sat back down. We ate in silence for some reason, but I didn’t mind, it meant less thinking on my end. It didn’t last though, minutes later the discussion started.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I whipped my head up to look at Rionata, she smiled broadly. “Thank you for saving Zalfari and her warriors.”

“It wasn’t just me, our people did all the work with the help of your warriors.”

“Pri and Nasi told me you wouldn’t take any credit. I don’t know if your people told you, but Rionata and I visited your settlement after the battle at the Tetrand Crossing.” I looked over at Cass and remembered something about it, but didn’t care at the time to really pay attention.

I nodded and Acace continued, “What you’ve created is a wondrous thing, Max. The army you command is growing, and from what I hear it will continue that way. … We asked you here to discuss joining you. The next raid is supposed to be in Arkala and we would like to help our sisters.”

“If that is what you want, I won’t stop you. How far away is that?”

“It will take two days to get there. We’re upset that these creatures are kidnapping our people. The queen is furious and wants them found soon.” They looked at Pri when they said this, but she didn’t respond. Hmm…wonder what that’s about.

“How many are you sending with us?” Curious to see what their plans were.

“Sending? No, you misunderstand us. We’re going with you and leaving a select few who are staying to run our town. If we’re assuming correctly, our capital will be overrun with those creatures, and we will not leave them to get slaughtered.”

I sat back, going over the implications of what she said in my head for a couple minutes. “And how many are accompanying us?”

“Around three hundred of us, but if we find where our sisters are being kept, then we may split up to help.”

I nodded and replied, “Okay, anything else concerning our travels?” They shook their heads no, so I continued, “We leave at dawn ladies.”

They nodded and Rionata responded, “Please rest in one of our suites, Max. We’ve already set one up for you and your women.” I was wary of this hospitality, but that could be my stubbornness or paranoia. I glanced over at the girls and once again they nodded for me to accept.

“It seems that we’re staying here tonight. Thank you for your hospitality.” The amazons beamed and showed us to our suite. It was a nice setup, a huge bed with windows for a breeze to come through. Our escorts left us and I scanned the room for any danger or things out of sorts. I didn’t see anything and turned to see my girls all staring at me with hunger in their eyes.

I grinned at this predicament and spoke to them. “Something on your mind, girls?”

“A few long fuck sessions,” Val huskily advised.

“Ditto!” The rest stated.

“I don’t know, our host may not like the noise coming from our room.”

“Who gives a fuck? They can join in if they want,” Cass replied with gusto.

“I agree,” Tia answered.

“Me too, love. It’s been too long, now please,” Soph pleaded.

“Okay. Get naked.”

They squealed with delight and stripped quickly. I pulled my clothes off and threw them in the corner out of the way, knowing that things were about to get rough. I closed my eyes to calm myself down for a few moments, let some mana out, and copied myself. Ten males were leering at the beautiful ladies on our bed, and I commanded my copies to have fun, but respectful. I walked over to grab the hand of our newest member and pulled her to me.

“Is this still what you want?” I asked in her ear because of the moans and gasps in the room. It was getting heated up in our room and soon the screaming would start.

“With all my soul, my Alpha,” Rach purred, “I am ready for you to take me.”

I kissed her tenderly at first, but she wasn’t having it, and forced her tongue in my mouth. Mentally, I told my partner to wait for a few minutes while I have my way with this gorgeous specimen.

She let up with the kiss, and growled, “I told you my bitch wants you to take her hard.”

“Alright.”

I threw her down on some furs face down, she tried to get up, but I held her down, dodging fists coming at me. She got me a couple of times, but I grabbed her neck and pinned her. Damn alpha bitches, always doing things the hard way, so she was going to be punished. I flipped her over and slapped her naked ass. Slap… Slap… Slap, she screamed on every one. I didn’t let up on any of my strength, if the bitch wanted to be taken hard, well she was going to get hard. Slap… Slap, her ass turning a shade of red, but this time instead of screams, it was moans.

I put my hand down near her pussy and found it dripping. Lining up my cock to her entrance, I thrust in. She screamed out in pain and passion, I just let go as we were rutting like some rabbits. Rach was saying things, but I wasn’t paying attention to her at all. I concentrated on pounding her pussy until I felt something wet on my balls, I glanced down to find she started squirting on me, but her guttural moans kept me going through her orgasm. I pulled her hair back and she gasped, “Open your mouth wide.” She complied and I moved my partner in position, “Suck his dick.” I commanded and pushed her head towards my copy. He forced it into her mouth and started fuckin her mouth relentlessly, while I pulled her ass cheeks apart to find her puckered star. Pulling out of her well fucked pussy, my cock was definitely lubricated and I forced myself into her ass. She tried to scream but with a mouth of cock it wasn’t real loud. For at least ten minutes we stayed in that position as I took her ass, so I scanned the room and noticed the girls with euphoria on their faces. I finally let go of my load up in her ass and mouth at the same time. She fell over on her side, panting and breathing hard, but had a big smile on her face. I guess she's into some domination shit, BDSM? That might be fun.

“That was so good. When can we continue, my mate?” Rach asked out of breath.

I chuckled knowing it was going to be a long night. Grunts, moans, and screams were the only things heard for most of the night.

I was awoken by light coming through the window, but I couldn’t move since I had naked flesh all around me. I grunted and gently pushed them out of the way so I could go drain the main vein. Walking down the hall, I really wasn’t awake enough to remember that numerous ladies were living here. At this point, I had one mission on my mind and got it done quickly. I never noticed the gasps until on my way back when I caught sight of Pri and Acace in their night clothes with a big smile on their faces.

“Well, that answers a couple of questions that we had,”Pri purred while staring at my lower body.

“Yeah, with that log between his legs, it’s no wonder they were screaming your name. Although, it sounded like all of them were, we’re assuming you copied yourself?” Nasi commented while staring in the same place.

At that point my feeble brain looked down to where they were staring and forgot I was naked. I shrugged and winked at them, then walked back to our suite hearing whistles and catcalls all the way back. I got back to our suite and found the girls were awake discussing something. They looked up when I came in and were quiet for a few moments while I got dressed.

“Give them a show, hon?” Soph laughed and the others joined in.

“Yep, had to take a piss.” I got dressed and walked over to them, giving them a kiss. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning!” They all replied.

“Alright, I’ll leave to let you get dressed. See ya in the dining hall. We need to leave soon.” They got up to do as I asked, so I left to get some grub. Loud voices were heard coming from the room, but as I walked in everyone stopped, and stared hungrily at me. I smiled to myself thinking that these ladies got hot and bothered last night. Hell, they might strap me down on a table to keep me from leaving. I shrugged and walked to the table that hosted Acace, Pri, and Rionata.

“Hey there stud, sleep well?” Rionata asked with a smile.

“Like a rock, you?” I kept a straight face to see her response.

She shrugged and went back to eating with others. I piled my plate with food and started eating so we could leave, but was interrupted with clapping and whistling. I glanced up to see my girls walking my way with huge smiles on their faces. They gave me a kiss on the cheek as they sat down by me.

“Ladies, are you well? It sounded like you were enjoying yourselves.” Pri questioned.

“Oh, you have no idea. The things he did for us…” Soph couldn’t finish her sentence since she was thinking of last night.

“We have some of an idea since we each took a peak to see what the screaming was all about,” Acace responded with a far off look too.

“Hell, we almost joined you, but didn’t know how you would’ve reacted,” Rionata suggested with some concern.

They all looked at me, but I was still eating in silence. I wasn’t going to answer that and get in trouble so I just shrugged it off and kept eating. The girls laughed at me and replied for me.

“That’s up to him, we wouldn’t mind, but let me just say it will change forever how you view sex,” Cass said.

“Yes, my ass and pussy are still sore,” Tia replied.

“Ditto!” The rest advised.

I could feel the amazons staring at me while I was munching on some fruit, but didn’t react. I decided to put a stop to this conversation. “We leave in thirty, I’m going to go check with the others.” They nodded and I left the hall to head toward the camp. I got to the camp to find my inner circle waiting for me.

“Everyone we leave in thirty, it’ll take a couple of days to travel to the next site on our list. Break camp.”

“Yes, Alpha!”

Over a thousand of us met up in the field outside of the gates. “Alright leads, keep everyone together. No telling if they have scouts, or an ambush waiting for us. Tight formations until we camp, it will be a long day, but hopefully the trip will be uneventful. Let’s go.”

Setting out for the day, we sent scouts ahead to make sure we weren’t blindsided. It was thankfully a clear and breezy day. I talked with the amazon leaders for some time, learning some of their culture, and thought it was like ours in many ways. I talked with Frank and Sean that night when we camped off to the side where no one could hear.

“Alpha, we learned last night where they are taking the amazons. It’s an abandoned city called Brinegulch.”

My chest started hurting again, I put my hand on it and groaned.

“What’s wrong, boss?” Sean asked with concern.

“It’s nothing, just indigestion. I’ll need to tell the ladies what you found out.”

Both of them glanced at each other, but didn’t say anything. “It gets worse, boss. They’ve hit most of the towns and cities in the amazon kingdom. No telling how many they are holding,” Jacob reluctantly advised.

“Fuck, they won’t like that. Hmm…okay, we might have to split up before this is over. I’ve got a feeling that when they hit the capital, it will be more than we’ve ever faced.” They nodded and we finished our discussions about our strategies. I went back to the fire and blended into the background, making sure no one saw me.

The next day was much the same, talking about each other’s daily lives, and somehow they got on the subject of our home. The one’s that saw our home were trying to relay what it looked like and how strong the fortifications were. The girls gave them details of the inside and what we stood for. The amazons were all curious to hear about SafeHaven, and my girls were all about relaying how the days living there were. At the end of the stories were non stop giggling, I looked over at them, and noticed conspiratorial whispering going on. I shook my head, not paying attention to them, but I had to bring up some disturbing news to them.

“Ladies, I hate to stop the giggling for a moment, but I have news that needs to be told.”

“Don’t worry about it stud, we’ll forgive you, and continue with the giggling afterward,” Pri stated. They kept giggling and whispering under their breath.

“Where is Brinegulch?” That made them stop with the playful manner and listen.

“Where did you hear that name?” Acace softly asked.

“That’s not important at the moment, how far is it from here?”

“It’s about a hundred miles south, near the border of the Depraved Wastelands. How do you know that name? It is never spoken of by anyone,” Rionata questioned with a hint of anger.

“Tell me about this place.”

“No, not until you tell us how the fuck you know of a place that has been centuries forgotten!” Acace demanded with fire in her eyes.

“Look, you ladies need to calm down. Evidently, this place has brought up bad memories or something worse, but I need to know why you abandoned that place.”

“It was known as a place of glorious riches and architecture. The first capital city of our people, until it was taken over by the evil ones and their wyverns. They ambushed us and killed half the city before we escaped in the forests beyond. We see wyverns every now and then, but they usually stay down in that area,” Pri explained with a morose attitude.

“Shit, wyverns? Damn, where’s a dragon when you need one?”

“They are around, but only come out for food, or so we’ve heard.”

I nodded and spoke the words I’m sure they didn’t want to hear. “Ladies, I’m sorry to tell you this, but that’s where your people are being held.” They looked at each other for a moment and then started shouting in their language at each other. After a couple of minutes of that, they turned to me and asked with a low voice, “How do you know this Max?”

“Our mages subdued those overlords during the battle and got the information from them.”

“Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Acace asked in a low voice.

“I only learned this last night, and I knew this would be your reaction. For right now, I know this will be hard, but you need to let this go, and concentrate on saving this next city.”

They didn’t like that statement and grumbled something in their language. I ignored them for now and concentrated on what’s about to happen. The day went on with little conversation and them huffing about not going after them. Thinking over that situation, I wasn’t keen on going, but knew they would ask us. Wyverns, shit that’s going to suck donkey balls. How the hell am I going to fight a damn wyvern? I’ll just have to figure it out when the time comes, but for now, hopefully there won’t be any of those bastards around.

Coming over the horizon, smoke was seen, and the amazons were anxious to get to our destination. As we got closer, fires were everywhere and buildings destroyed. We hustled over near the city, but stopped in the foliage of the forest where we couldn’t be seen. The city gates and walls were smashed in, but it looked like the city was abandoned as we walked through them. Bodies were strewn over the streets, and it looked like another place had fallen to the dark ones. The amazons were frantically trying to find any survivors or any indications of how long ago the battle was fought. They found one of their sisters barely alive, but got the information that was needed before she passed on.

“They left going south about four hours ago,” Acace advised in a low voice, almost a whisper.

“How many were taken?”

“Considering we found over two hundred dead, I would estimate over four hundred,” Rionata advised.

“Well, that would make them slow then. We can follow the tracks and free them.” The ladies had hope in their eyes and I looked away trying to find my trackers.

“Sean, Marie, Sam, get our best trackers and find their path. Everyone, let’s go!”

They yelled out their assent and we left in a quick manner. Rushing to find the trail seemed a good idea but didn’t find it at first. It was covered which means they had some warlocks. Finally getting on the right trail, we made good time and it took us all day, but we found their camp at dusk. Coming up from behind, we found them hiding under the cover of the forest, and fires were seen that staged where the fuckers were talking and laughing. Scanning the area, we found the amazons were being held in cages off to the side with guards surrounding them.

“Count?”

Sean advised me, “Five warlocks by the middle fire, ogres, trolls, and draugrs all around, can’t get a firm count. Not seeing any wens though. Maybe in hiding?”

“Okay, everyone be on alert for wens. Girls take Pri, Acace, Nasi, and Rionata down to those cages and free those women. Wait for my signal, you’ll know when, and be careful.” My girls looked at me with love and adoration, kissed me, then set out to achieve their mission.

“Archers, front and center. Mages as well.”

They came up and waited for me while I was figuring where to take our shots from. I counted at least thirty archers, so we would dwindle them down and let the women get free before we slaughter them. “Alright boys and girls, let’s see if they have their shields up. We take the warlocks out first, then start taking anyone else that has a heartbeat.” They nodded and got into their positions.

‘Weres shift silently and get into positions.’

‘Yes, Alpha!’

I watched the rescue squad take out the sentries and then inch toward the cages. Then the squad started taking out the guards around the cages, so I walked over to my archers and mages. I grabbed my bow and struck five of my arrows into the ground in front of me. Knocking the first arrow, I took a deep breath, made sure my aim was good, and let it fly. Whistles flowed through the air. Our arrows flew true, over thirty arrows sunk into the five warlocks, and chaos erupted all over the camp. Well, guess they thought they were safe and didn’t have their shields up.

“Let em fly, boys and girls!”

‘Wait till the women get out of those cages, then kill em all!’

Everyone listened and waited as we took down as many with arrows as we could. Looking over to my squad in the middle of the enemy, I was concerned, and was watching every move they made. A group of trolls saw them and made their way over to them.

‘Ladies, you’ve got company from the west.’

They snapped their heads around and got the amazons involved with defense. The trolls never had a chance against the pissed off females. I ran out of arrows and scanned the campsite to find bodies everywhere. Still no signs of wens though, maybe since they had them in cages they didn’t need them here. I shrugged that thought off and got my head back into the game. The women were still handling their business, but I let my peeps out.

‘Kill em!’ Howls and roars filled the sky, when the weres sprinted to get into the fight.

“Frank, Jacob?”

“Yes, boss?”

“Take the healers over to those amazons and see if they have any injuries.”

“Yes, sir!”

I watched the skirmish come to a close after about ten minutes, my weres took care of business as usual, and the archers got some target practice, so that’s good. The amazons were all huddled together, hugging and crying, but none looked injured enough they couldn’t walk.

‘Max, we need to talk,’ Reap said.

‘What’s up?’

‘We need to have a conversation with you about Brinegulch,’ Herc said and at the mention of that fuckin name, my chest started burning again. Looking down in my tunic, I didn’t see anything that would do that. What the fuck is going on?

‘You alright, Max?’ Reap asked, interrupting my thoughts and pain.

‘Yeah, just have this burning sensation in my chest every so often.’

‘Do you need a healer?’

‘No, I’m okay. What about Brinegulch?’

‘You need to get in there and liberate those captives. Reap and I think it’s not just amazons they are holding, but other races too just like the two that we freed,’ Herc suggested.

‘How quickly do you think we should go there then?’

‘Now, or we may be too late. We spoke with Nicas about it after listening to the amazons explain about its current hosts,’ Reap replied.

‘And who would we take on this adventure?’

‘A hundred at the most, we will have to move quickly and silently. Take some amazons that know where it is and maybe how to get into the city,’ Herc answered after thinking it over for a few minutes.

‘Well, this will go over well when I send most of them to Ebondale,’ I responded sarcastically.

‘Yeah, get ready for arguments,’ Reap cackled.

‘Take some mages as well, maybe two or three of each affinity,’ Herc recommended. I nodded, closed my eyes, and squeezed the bridge of my nose with my hand.

“Alpha?”

I turned around to find a crowd of women watching me carefully. I felt nervous energy throughout the crowd, which was surprising to see these muscled up women like this. I smiled to take some tension away from the ordeal.

“What’s wrong, ladies?” They sagged in relief for some reason, but I didn’t question them on it.

“Our sisters are secure and the threat neutralized, but we have some news to share,” Pri replied

“Okay, I have something to discuss as well. What is your news?”

They looked at each other concerned and reluctantly spoke out. “We have learned from our sisters that they’re taking Ebondale in twelve days.” Gasps were heard from all over the area. I nodded and bid them to continue, “The dark ones are bringing wyverns and cyclops, Max.” Acace explained and the area went silent, waiting for my rebuttal. I took a deep breath and exhaled, but I felt fire come out. Oops, I didn’t realize some mana seeped out. Shouts and gasps came out when they saw I had done this, dammit I needed to calm down or this area was about to be lit up.

I held my hand up and tried to take deep, calming breaths, but it didn’t come until a few minutes later. A deep raspy sound left my lips when I spoke, “Sorry, please calm down, I didn’t mean to do that. To the statement you just said, it is disheartening to say the least. My new will not go over well either. It has come to my attention that I need to leave for Brinegulch immediately.”

You would think I grew three heads from the looks and silence I received from everyone. After the shock wore off from what was said, they waylaid into me with shouts and arguments, saying there was no way in hell I was going by myself without everyone there.

I waited until all was silent to say anything more, “I need my inner circle, Gurak, Pri, Acace and your seconds to follow me. Everyone else take some time to rest, you’re going to need it.”

Those that I called were huffing and puffing as they were following me. We made it a private clearing away from the others so we could get the yelling started. They all started in at once, saying this was bullshit, you’re out of your fucking mind if you think to be going alone, and some other nonsense. Even the damn amazons were in on it, I just stood there until their ranting was over.

“Is everybody finished with their ranting? I would like to talk now.”

“Max, we’re just fuckin worried, okay? You can’t just lay that on us knowing what’s there and us to not say anything,” Cass pleaded her case.

“I agree Max, you can’t lay that shit out there and us not freak out. We can’t lose you nor do this without you. Why all of a sudden do you need to go to that horrid place?” Pri questioned with worry in her tone.

I glanced around and responded, “Well, it was relayed to me to get there quickly, so I will comply.”

“Who told you that love?” Tia asked.

“Reaper advised me after talking with Nicas.”

All of my women cursed.

“Now you see why I must go there.”

They numbly nodded and agreed. “Who is Nicas?” Acace and Pri asked at the same time. The girls looked at me for permission to tell them. I nodded once and then they explained who Nicas is. When they were done, the amazons were stunned to say the least, but were stoic when they asked questions.

“You’re saying that Max has a guardian of Giseria helping him and he’s here with us now?” Acace asked in a low voice.

“Yes, he is here.”

“Shit, you just can’t do anything small can you? The more we learn about you the less we can fathom. What’s your plan, Alpha?” Pri smiled as she commented casually.

I chuckled softly and told them my plan, “I will be taking a select few with me, probably around a hundred. My girls, some mages, and the rest will be amazons who know how to get in and out of the city. Everyone else will go to Ebondale to defend them, and when we free the captives we’ll come help. Sean, you and your leaders will take the army and the amazons who aren’t going with us to let her majesty know we’re there to help. Frank, Jacob, I need at least two mages from each affinity to go with us. I will leave it to you to select them. Gurak, take your team as well. Everyone knows there duty, so no problems should arise before you get to Ebondale. Pri, Acace, you pick from your sisters who have an intimate knowledge of that city and meet us over by the clearing where we came in. Everyone understand? Okay, we leave in thirty.” They nodded in agreement but most weren’t happy with my decisions, but I didn’t care at the moment.

We met up in the place I deemed to leave from, Pri and Acace were out front of the amazons waiting for me. I nodded to them and advised we needed to leave. As we set out, I looked behind me to the backs of the marching army headed to a city that hopefully would hold till we got there.