Chapter 30: Warlords

I looked back to the tall walls of the nearly empty city and the large hill-like mountain next to it where the HH. Heartfelt was stored. An indescribable feeling entered my chest.

Was it resolved? Resolve for the upcoming events I knew where to come. The familiarness of these mountains from the dreams of my past life and living here now. With the actual prospect of those events coming true.

Was it courage? The courage to face the known and unknown and the potential to change the current way of life. I became open with ‘new magic’ as my people called it. Changes had become apparent on every level. My farmers felt the strength in their bodies increase and productivity was increased by an estimated 25%. The Earth Mages and city planners suddenly had new ideas and insights on building stronger structures getting more out of what they currently had. The manor I would be leaving would be turning into a castle upon my return.

Was it hope? Hope for the future to come and the triumph of victory over my enemies? I did grow excited at the thought of battle and the days to come. I grew excited at the prospect of watching how the ‘new magic’ changed the very world I was in. hopefully, for the better. Hopefully, I would save a dying people from the terror known as Nox. The soul parasites would not overcome me.

Was it fear? Fear for the unknown outcome. Only a decades-old dream from a life I lived before warned me of these creatures. I didn’t know what stage the battle was at, but I did know that whatever happened I would end up back in these mountains facing off against what seemed like an endless horde.

I felt a pulse come from my spatial space. The only place I trusted to hold onto the World Seed next to the bracelet that I had come to loathe. After securing it with several strong binding and warding magic with the help of my cousin. In the end, I concluded that I was feeling all of those emotions. My crimson armor gleaned in the morning sun, ax in hand while a short sword similar to the ones my uncles and aunts used strapped to my spine covered by my shield. My helmet was off and strapped to the left of my waist. I breathe in the cool air deeply. Lately, it began to rain, and I could only assume the weather was growing colder. The farmers would move to greenhouse cultivation soon. Life was pleasant.

My thoughts drifted to my mother, my father, and the two siblings I left behind. I wondered how big Akash and Tara were getting now. With their accelerated growth spurts they’d probably be adults upon my return. I hoped my mother was doing well. Her gift ‘Aegis’s Shield’ was tightly wound around my neck just underneath my armor. Next to me stood my cousin, Amaya, and Princess Moriah. The latter had been surprisingly docile lately and no further trouble was presented my way. A silent Alexa stood by her side, but I could constantly feel her eyes on my back. A problem for when we returned to Nia perhaps.

“We march.”

Simple but effective as the army began to move.

“We march.”

“We march.”

“We march.”

“We march.”

“We march.”

A chorus of responses came, and the army began to move with our large number it would take us roughly a week to arrive at what was Count Caccula’s territory and from there we could arrive at one of the main roads and head directly for Artress the capital city of the Last Kingdom.

Behind me were five more monoliths all newly constructed from my personal blacksmiths. The quality of their work was improving day by day and even I could notice an improvement in their work. They would be coming along for the trip as well as several other professions. Chefs, earth mages, enchanters, ward masters, etc. The various profession would all be useful in the upcoming war. although they would stay far back from any battle.

Time passed and the days went by soon we were at the very first mountain that led into the range. Just before we exited the range I felt an almost violent tug and I moved the World Seed out of its hiding space and into my hand. The object was pulsing madly, and I was truly glad I was a bit ahead so the various people could not see what was happening, but they could feel it and I knew Moriah or one of her Watchers would come crawling out. Quickly, in my mind space, I began to build a construct the runes of Nia flashing through my mind as I worked. Completed I pulled the spell out and into reality pouring my mana into it and letting the world take care of the rest. Before tossing the seed through it and returning it to my spatial space. Just in time as Moriah and Amaya appeared by my side.

“What was that buildup of essence and mana?”

The question came from Moriah who looked at me curiously.

Just as I was about to hastily make up an excuse. A young scout ran up to us coming back into the mountain range. Since our departure, I made sure our front, back, sides, and even underneath were scanned and detected. I wouldn’t allow anyone to make it back to my city while I was away.

“Young Lord, messengers from Princess Karla have been waiting for you they’ve stressed we deliver you news at the possibility.”

The scout waited in silence, and I chose this opportunity to steer the conversation away from the outburst.

“Report.”

Only Amaya and Moriah were next to me, and they would be privileged to all information on the war.

The scout seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking.

“They’ve reported that the northern territory of the kingdom has been under assault and occupied by several giant size human beings. The warlords all range from tier 5-6. They have captured several territories and managed to hold several notable figures back by taking hold of their families and friends.”

“The great families.” It was Amaya who spoke up.

“Dismissed, go get yourself something to eat and make sure this news is kept to yourself and the scouts themselves.”

I groaned internally, so focused was I on properly integrating my aspects into a fully-fledged fighting style and the prospect of the upcoming war. That even after the discussion with Amaya about them I’d forgotten to properly look for my ship stowaways. Who would now be causing me trouble.

“We need to react fast before they cause more damage. Take a few hundred men and go after them. I’ll lead the Crimson Army to the capital and main battlefield. Most likely in a week’s time after we arrive, I’ll head to the main battlefield.”

“Interesting, I’ll take my men and go with you.”

I looked over to Moriah in surprise. What was she planning this time?

As I turned back to my cousin she was already gone. Most likely to pick the company that would be going with me. Turning back to Moriah only to see that she to disappeared. Already off to get her troops.

“The ten great families…”

This would be annoying, but I couldn’t have my new vassal attacked by my own side. A side that had caused nothing but trouble since we arrived.

***

Karla paced around the meeting room Gloria was scheduled to meet her at. Her mind was occupied with the news of the giant humans who appeared and attacked several cities in the north. At such an important time when her people were running a full mobilization. With the opportunity to end the threat of the Nox once and for all. She strongly shook her head.

The Warrior Princess would not be cowed. Already she was making plans to dispatch Gloria to the problem. The problem could only stem from the Young Lord and his people. It was clear from how Princess Moriah spoke to him that he was not the only one with weight amongst the people brought and there were clearly others who held weight. Hopefully, the Young Lord would send a response to this problem or Gloria would act behind her authority to take care of it. Any repercussions could be dealt with later.

Karla wanted the troops of the kingdom to be concentrated so she could have several of her soldiers inducted into the system allowing their souls to be protected. It was only a matter of time until the hordes of the Nox were at their front doorstep. Already the daemons and beast people were requesting aid. Her allies were aware of her kingdom's mobilization, but it would not be in time and Karla had to worry about her own border as well.

Gloria walked in and Karla finally stopped pacing.

“At a moment’s notice, I can depart with your troops to quell whatever is going on in the north. Could our new lords have betrayed us?”

“I doubt it Gloria or they wouldn’t have given us access to the magic they use. I think this is more of an off-shoot power that came with the Young Lord similar to Princess Moriah. Perhaps they left before we finalized talks with General Amaya and the Young Lord. In any case, you have already sent word that should have been received by now. I expect you to hear about our new lords as you head to the north.”

Gloria nodded in response before coming over to Karla and hugging her. A building weight that she could sense on the young woman’s shoulders was dispersed with that single action. When Gloria pulled away she could see the firm resolve in Karla’s features once again. She smiled happy that her lady was turning back to the fierce warrior she knew she was.

“Thank you… thank you, Gloria. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“You’d be fine, you’re the Warrior Princess. The one who gave hope to the country after your father fell against the Nox queen. I will always support you in any decision you make.”

With those words said Gloria left and Karla looked outside the large windows of what was once her father’s office. It was now hers and although the young woman had tried to keep it the way it was before her father’s accident the years deemed it necessary for her to change it in a way suited to today’s current matters.

Karla sat at her desk and for the first time in months put her hands together to form a prayer to Arlo.

“He who shows lost lambs their way home. I plead to you. He who finds what was thought forever gone. I plead to you. He who light guides us in the darkest of nights. I plead to you. My God Arlo show me the way for I have stumbled upon my path.”

Karla waited in silence. Ten minutes passed by quickly. Then an hour. Then two and yet there was no response. No words from her creator and Karla sighed. She would not allow herself to feel despair not after what Gloria just said and done. The Warrior Princess rose her mindset on the actions of the future. The Last Kingdom would not fall. This last chance set by Arlo before he lost contact with them would show them the way. Karla whispered the word to activate and read the magic that gave her hope. The blue screen appeared only for her vision alone.

“Aspects.”

Aspect: Warrior Princess

(15) %

Effect: Increase in strength, vitality, speed and both mental and physical endurance. Grants the skill A Day of Recompense. Pull the vitality from enemies and return it to any allies that have a belief in ‘Warrior Princess’.

Perks:

Truth of Arlo (Tier 2): When activated show false from truth. Peer into the soul of your target and show any corruption that may lay there.

Alter Ego (Tier 1): When activated limit your emotions and analyze every detail in an unbiased perspective.

Child of Light (Passive) (Tier 1): Ambient light regenerates any damage taken.

Aspect: The Champion

(10) %

Effect: Increase in all stats which include but are not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength.

Perks:

Champions Aura (Tier I): When this perk is activated the user projects an aura around them. This aura provides suppression against all who find themselves against the user.

Steel Reign (Tier 1): A Champion is not beholden to the limits of mortals. When activating this perk user has increase control on any weapon they wield.

Champion’s Mobility (Passive) (Tier 1): A Champion’s mobility is not to be hindered and they go where they please. General movement and movement abilities cost no extra stamina or mana.

Karla did not know the details behind the working of this magic, but she was fascinated with its effects and the results it produced so far. To see the truth of someone’s soul was a powerful ability for a ruler and Karla was willing to partake in its use to root out any of the suspected Nox within her troops. With only a chant and the activation of her perk, she could now see the parasites attached to the souls of her people.

Already she’d taken advantage of this power in rooting out several figures from her troops and clearing Count Caccula’s and his highest level of troops once she allowed the count within city limits.

Surprisingly the count wanted to check on her to make sure she was all right after seeing the results of the damage to her men once they returned close to his territory. He even presented her with a gift from his wine collection.