The Wandering Inn

Book 8: Chapter 73: R

The war against the Dawn Concordat, as mentioned, was a gripping affair concerning the fate of now five nations, given Pheislants involvement, and continental repercussions in the short term at the least.

It got little billing abroad. Yes, updates were shared daily by Wistram News Network and the other burgeoning magic-television networks to fill air timea problem that they were all realizing theyd facebut by and large, no battles or speeches or singular events were shown.

For instance, an ordinary conversation abroad might be

Whats new about that Ailendamus thing?

Uhmstill at war, I think.

Ah. Pass the fried oats, will you?

The average cosmopolitan Centaur household did not care about the war or find it that interesting, especially in Baleros. Mind you, the average household did not fry oats. Some Centaurs were just weird.

When the Wind Runner of Reizmelt tried to kill the Archmage of Memory and then a [Princess] and [Lord] were exploded on-screen, that was when the war returned to the forefront of the news. The greatest betrayal everor possibly a sign she was mind-controlled? Corrupted? Or just an asshole?

It was fascinatingbut even someone like Lyonette du Marquin, who had been watching from the start as she prepared to go after her daughter, in her own center of attention in a worldwide eventeven she could not see what lay behind the scenes.

Everyone knew what Ryoka had done, but the why, the investigations into the attack on her life?

Thatwas ongoing.

The room was dark. Well, not just dark. It was a literal void into which magic, sound, and other sensations vanished.

The only things allowed in here were what the interrogators wanted. And that was the very essence of fire and darknessbut melded together.

The odor of the Lucifen was not brimstone, which smelled like bad eggs, but oil and metal. Like a nation which ran smoothly on crimson liquid as thick as blood. When they smiled, it was sharply. Like the swing of a headmans axe.

Someone tried to kill Ryoka Griffin. You may be aware of this fact.

The suspect said nothing but shook like a leaf as Viscount Visophecin himself sat down. There was a way to interrogate with kindness, guile, and whatnot.

He didnt bother. He placed a dagger, point-first, into the wooden desk to which the suspect was shackled, driving it into the wood. Two eyes followed the dark daggerthen met the Lucifens gaze. He was angry. Two pinpoints of searing crimson stared back.

You are a suspect. No verdict has been rendered. If you speak, you will be judged fairlyand treated far better than any otherconspiratorsfor honesty. If you have nothing to saywe will let you go and continue our investigation.

Faireven if this was not exactly a pleasant conversation. Almost, the suspect relaxed until Visophecin, turning away to one of the Lucifen, looked back.

If it is you, or we find you were involved in any way and do not inform usyou will suffer for eighteen years. In the interest of honesty, I will tell you what will occur over all eighteen years. Rest assuredyou will survive till the end.

Two eyes went wide, and the suspect struggled to get free. Visophecin began to speak, conjuring a rather vivid image from memory. It was rare that the Lucifen employed all of their knowledge in cruelty. But they did for the right crimes. He waited for a confession or clue

But all he got was panicked bleating. The Sariant Lamb claimed it knew nothing.

The other Lucifen watched as Visophecin tormented the lamb. Was it on the top of the suspect list?

Gadrea is going to object if she hears of this.

Igolze was recording the moment for posterity and the rest of the family. Azemith and Paxere, who was still adjusting to one less finger, both nodded. Azemith turned to her partner.

Are you suggesting we not interrogate all of the Sariant Lambs, Igolze?

Not at all.

He smiled. In truth, the Lucifen expected almost nothing out of this particular interrogation. They were hunting for the truthbut this was more akin to stress relief. Still

It is not an outside chance they know something, you know. They are intelligent. And they once poisoned a [Regent] to death.

Paxere and Azemith stopped eating popcorn and turned to Igolze. Paxere hesitated.

They actually did?

Yes.

The Lucifen turned back to watching the Sariant Lambs under interrogation. What was notable was that Visophecin was actually, genuinely, angry. He was one of the most controlled Lucifen, and that was saying a lot.

Did that mean he was truly searching for Ryokas assassin? Or pretending? Igolze carefully watched. He had his own opinion, but he glanced at his wife and got nothing but a smile in her stare. They were probably thinking the same thing, so Igolze smiled back.

Who had tried to kill Ryoka Griffin? Mortal? Immortal?

Andwhy? For rescuing Paxere alone, Igolze would give some good faith effort to the task. Besides which, this sudden suspicion among even the ranks of immortals? Sedition, the possibility of treason or a powerful actor that had eluded even Ailendamus security?

The Lucifen man smiled.

This was so much fun.

There were less fun things to watch, and thus less well-broadcasted, despite them being hugely topical to an anxious [Princess] watching the pivotal moment in the war. But all people could talk about was Ryoka, interviewing people who knew her, speculating on the assassination, what had happened.

All the while, the Great General of Ages was holding Krawlnmaks Pass against the Dawn Concordat. Nonot just them.

House Veltras, the Dawn Concordats armies, Archmage Eldavin, and his Terras faction were all engaging the greatest army Ailendamus had sent yet. Lest you think it was a boring battleit was not.

Mind you, it was not pleasant to watch. Nor did Rabbiteater, viewing it from the fortress of Kaliv in which they were besieged, get to see all of it. From the battlements, he had a view of Ailendamus rear forces.

Their main army had actually marched down the pass and left a smaller force encircling the keep. By far, enough to keep the defenders from dreaming of sallying forth. The Great General of Ailendamus had been far too cunning to waste time on a mere fort.

Krawlnmaks Pass, the Archmages Pass, was a famous place in Calanfers history. The Dawn Concordat had held off massive armies, and it was a symbolic place to win the war. It was also, frankly, a strategically sound location for a defensive army to hold.

The land sloped upwards after descending through a tiny valley, up to a much wider place to fight in. Any army had to climb to the very place where Perril Chandler had once stood and then descend once more. Then the pass narrowed, such that you could fight on open ground, push reinforcements downhill, or retreat and choke the opposition.

The pass itself was also tall but unhelpful, in that it didnt have high, flat spaces for the enemy to take. It was the most naturally annoying place for an attacker to fight in. As a Redfang, Rabbiteater understood all of this.

Which was why it was really regrettable that the Great General, Dionamella, had already taken the flat center of the pass. There, she camped her forces and dared the Dawn Concordat to advance.

Behind her lay three [Princesses] of Calanfer, who would be captives very shortly. If the Dawn Concordat still retreatedshe had the pass and could start rampaging into Calanfer, which had been hither-to free from conflict. And Calanfer was not Kaliv, who kept fighting as the lowlands were held. The Eternal Throne was no fortress-city. This was the pass to win or hold at all costs.

Ohand one more thing. The defenders could not wait in the narrower pass to hold the enemy and bleed their advance. They tried, and General Dionamella fired the Greatbows of Ailendamus and the famed Lance-Arrows into shield walls and unleashed spells from above.

Faced with only two real options, retreat or advance, the Lightherald, Calanfers great champion, elected to attack. House Veltras, wavering on retreat if their demands were met, joined them. As did the furious Archmage of Memory and every other warrior who could be spared.

Rabbiteater watched the fighting with the rest of the Order of Seasons. He saw Talia Kallinad, Markus, Meisa, Ilm, and the others standing on the battlements and coming to a conclusion the Goblin had long ago realized:

They were ants in this war.

It actually rattled the Humans, the Hobgoblin was amused to note. The [Knights] had never seen a foe like this, that was so overwhelming that there was no hope of them swaying the odds. That was because they had been raised as the Humans protectors and champions.

Rabbiteater had been raised as a Goblin. He looked at the battlefield and didnt have the wherewithal to talk about numbers or exact strategy. He didnt think it actually mattered, really.

The Great General didnt have that kind of weakness. He saw exactly four things that kept her from just rolling the Dawn Concordat on the first day.

In order of magnitude:

Eldavin, the Archmage of Memory.

Tyrion Veltras and three of the Five Families.

The Lightherald of Calanfer.

Andthe Griffin Prince of Kaliv.

The Order of Seasons was not present on this front, and even if Talia, Rabbiteater, and everyone else in the keep had been right in front of Dionamella, they would not have mattered.

Three thousand fresh [Soldiers] wouldnt have mattered. Rabbiteater saw Dionamella stop Kalivs army cold when they annoyed her. A charging wing of Kalivs tough infantry stopped, and then three volleys of arrows cut them down.

Time. However, the brave Level 30 [Shield Captain] leading a group immune to arrows!

Ate a beam of light that turned into a searing blast and engulfed hundreds of [Soldiers], sending them into oblivion.

Hence, four things were opposing the Great General. Rabbiteater watched.

First, the Archmage of Memory. He alone could match her, spell-for-spell. In fact, he did the most damage to Ailendamus massive army, such that they had to split apart.

He could not kill Dionamella. He tried on the first day, and that firefight was so blinding that Rabbiteater only saw him flying away. After thathe was cautious. The Lance-Arrows and the army could still possibly harm him, but he flew, using the Terras faction for long-range spells and as a second mana battery.

Pillars of light exploded, summoned warriors fought Ailendamus at no cost to Eldavin, and he rained down magic on Ailendamus forces. The Great General had to keep maneuvering her people to stop him from simply erasing entire battalionsbut he couldnt kill her. Nor she him, but if she broke the Dawn Concordat, he would be one man versus an army.

The second problem, though, was Tyrion Veltras. He was no Eldavin, capable of vast spellcasting, but Dionamella struggled to kill him, too. The [Lord] dodged one of her railgun spells with ease; he rode like lightning across the battlefield, erasing his opponents in a single charge before peeling off. And he had [Lords] and [Ladies] and artifacts to boot.

The Banner of House Veltras was a relic-class artifact that one of his people carried. Rabbiteater saw a woman planting it just once as he glowered at Tyrion.

Get hit. Get hitdamn.

Talia gave Rabbiteater an odd look as the Goblin cheered for Ailendamus, just for a second. Just in this case! But no, that stupid [Lord] was quick.

Worse, he might be counter-levelling. It was rare that Tyrion would face a foe beyond him, but the Great General of Ailendamus was just that. And his stupid banner

Conjured two Earth Elementals.

Not big ones, not nearly like the ones Rabbiteater had seen on the scrying orb of Gaarh Marsh and the Gnolls. But they appeared and began fighting around the bannerbefore the Great General blew one to bits.

It seemed like it took two days for them to recharge.

Stupid banner.

Goblins didnt have banners. They didnt get shiny armor unless they looted it. All of this stank to Rabbiteater, but he had to admit the most surprising third element in the resistance to the Great General was

The Lightherald of Calanfer.

Rabbiteater had heard, throughout the entire war, the Order of Seasons ragging on the Thronebearers. Indeed, from what he saw, the [Knights] werent great. They lost to the Order of the Hydra. They lost to the few Drell Knights. They lost to the Order of the Thirsting Veil and to some regular [Soldier] groups en masse.

Yet the Lightherald fought.

To me, sons and daughters of Calanfer! By the Eternal Throne, give them not one inch!

His voice was so loud that Rabbiteater heard it from the fortress. He stood, sword and shield raised, his ancient armor shining like a second dawn, even by night. He did not ride upon any mount; the poor animal would have been dead from the light and probably the weight of that armor.

Tis the armor of no less than Queen Marquin herself. I have heard it is an entire relic-class set bequeathed to the champions of Calanfer.

Ser Ilm was familiar with the armor. Rabbiteater grunted as the [Knights] watched, fairly in awe of the most knightly, chivalrous sight in the world.

A single man, the Lightherald, standing in the fore of battle, daring any warrior, even Dionamella, to down him, day after day. It was the most glorious, most stupid thing ever, and Rabbiteateradmired it.

He also had a thought.

Marquin was a big lady.

Ilm hesitated, and Talia, Markus, and the other [Knights] all turned to him. Rabbiteater just looked back blankly.

What? It was true. That armor was huge.

Still, even a relic-class suit of armor was only armor. The man inside counted, and what surprised Rabbiteater, and probably everyone else, was that the Lightheraldrefused to die.

The Great General sent [Knights] against him, and he battered them down. She threw spells which his armor absorbed. He took Lance-Arrows to the shield and was surrounded by the enemy, and he refused to die.

His aura was bright and blinded Ailendamus forces. But more than his contributions as a warriorwhich were somewhat lacking compared to Tyrionwhere he stood, the Dawn Concordat held the line.

Elsewhere, they broke and fled Ailendamus forces, but they fought like lions around the Lightherald, from Thronebearers to common folk. The Great Generals frustration was evident as she tried to fight all three fronts, Archmage, Tyrion, and Lightherald at once.

The Griffin Prince was there too. He and his small wing of Griffin Riders couldnt do nearly as much, but the [Prince] himself was immortal. He literally dropped on a Greatbow, severing the siege weapon, and Dionamella cut him in half with a scythe of metal. Rabbiteater watched the [Prince]s body knit itself back together and leap back up, catching a Griffin, which dragged him to the next front.

A cursed [Prince] fights on our side. I cannot believe itthat chills my soul just to see it.

Markus remarked. Rabbiteater thought it was pretty cool as well. An invincible [Prince]? Kaliv had neat things.

That was the war Rabbiteater saw. For four days, the battle raged, and he watched it. Under siege, in the castle with three [Princesses].

Mind you, he didnt spend all that time watching and doing nothing. As the Great General considered her next moves, he got to know the inhabitants of the castle.

Including the [Princesses] of Calanfer. Rabbiteater had met a [Princess] of Calanfer, though he didnt realize it. But his conclusion after four days was

They were all weird.

In the first, panicked hour after their gallop away from the massive army into the keep, Rabbiteater just sat down and breathed.

That was a big damn army. He had never seen the like! Even Tyrion Veltras had not brought so many. And that aura!

It filled the world. Time, shifting, stoppinghe saw the waxy faces on the Order of Seasons and knew they had seen the true power of the Great General, just like he had.

She has an aura greater than the Knight-Commander himself. Ser Ilmsend word. No less than two of the Seasons leaders must stand against her. If they could even reach her amidst that army!

Talia Kallinad was giving orders as the [Knights], Pheislants leader, Marshal Huges, and the others all broke out into a babble. The [Fortress Keeper] pushed forwards, sweat on his face.

Honored [Knights]! Do I have the honor of addressing the Order of Seasons?

Sir Commander! We are grateful for you lowering the drawbridge! We might have perished or been taken captive, else. I am Dame Talia Kallinad of Summer, pledged to fight with the Dawn Concordat.

Talia instantly crossed the room to him and bowed. The [Fortress Keeper] wiped at his forehead under his helmet.

You are most well met, Dame Kallinad. A famous name! I fear that army will be upon us within the hour. We must discuss preparations immediately. Our gates and walls are strong and reinforced, but that army

Yes, Commander. Were at your disposal. Ser Ilmto me! We have a list of our forces

Rabbiteaters head rose, and he picked up Headscratchers axe. Shorthilts blood ran in the Cloak of Plenty around his shoulders.

Of course. A fight in the keep. Good, no arrows. They could last a long time there, before they died.

Dame Meisa and Markus, as less-senior [Knights], were free to talk with him. Meisa put her hand on Rabbiteaters shoulder.

That army is the largest Ive ever seen. Rabbitwe might make a stand here. But if it comes to it, we might surrender. You, though

I know.

If his helmet came off, he died. Markus clapped Rabbiteater on the shoulder.

On my honor, Ser Solstice, I will not let anyone remove it. The Order of the Hydra seems honorable; theyll not pry. But it may be a stand to the last, either way.

Yep.

Both Spring Knights waited for more, but Rabbiteater just rolled his shoulders. He was ready. He watched Talia for a hint of where hed be fighting. Battlements? His axe could do a lot of damage if they were coming up on the ladders.

Amid the babble of discussion, people greeting each other, panting, requesting news of where Calanfers forces were, and how the Order of Seasons and Pheislant had got there, a sudden bubble of silence emerged and swept the room. Rabbiteater saw everyone stop talking, turn, then kneel.

Meisa and Markus did likewise, and Markus tried to pull Rabbiteater down. The Goblin shook off his hand, and so he was the only one not kneeling as three figures entered the room.

Princess Aielef, Princess Vernoue, and Princess Seraphel of House Marquin, daughters of the Eternal Throne of Calanfer, looked around the room, saw Rabbiteater, and hesitated. But Princess Aielef, chin raised slightly, voice imperious, addressed Talia as the [Knight] rose.

Dame Knight of the Order of Seasons. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing? I am Princess Aielef of Calanfer. 3rd Princess to the Eternal Throne. I regret that we have not met under more auspicious circumstances, but I offer the safety and friendship of my keep to your forces.

Rabbiteater, kneel! Theyre [Princesses]!

Markus hissed up at Rabbiteater. The Goblin just folded his arms.

Dont want to.

His legs hurt from running alongside his horse. He saw all three [Princesses] eying himand Calanfers people with considerable angerbut he was busy scrutinizing the three.

The [Princesses] were interesting. Each one different. They all had red hairbut the shades were slightly different on each.

Princess Aielef had bright, brilliantly fiery red hair. Vernoues was far darker with strands of purple, and Seraphels a mix in between. Red hair was interesting to Rabbiteater because no Goblins had it, obviously, and he had only seen a few people with hair like that.

They sort of looked like Lyonette? Well, all were older, but Vernoue was the youngest by far. Aielef and Seraphel were in their thirties, but late, and early thirties respectively.

You could also probably categorize them by height. Seraphel was second-tallest to Aielef, who was close-ish to what Markus would have probably called willowy, and Rabbiteater, underfed. Vernoue was bookish, like Olesm, and Seraphel looked just sort of middle ground. None had much fat, which Rabbiteater put down to the [Princess] thing.

They looked rather like the picture book stories of a [Princess]; each one had a dress, albeit more practical, like a riding dress on Seraphel and a comfortable one on Vernoue you could lounge around in.

Indeed, the youngest [Princess] had a book under one arm. Aielef definitely seemed in charge though, and the most aggressively royal by far. She gave Rabbiteater another look, but was busy speaking.

I trust you will fight in defense of these walls, Dame Talia? We took a risk, but we could not let brave [Knights] and our own people die outside these walls like dogs.

The Dawn Concordat and Pheislants people looked up with deep gratitude at that. However, Princess Seraphel gave Aielef a look of deep incredulity. The [Fortress Keeper] himself hesitated. Rabbiteater instantly suspected that Aielef had not been the one to raise those gates.

However, Talias face was the image of respect as she bowed again to Aielef and kissed the proffered hand.

It would be our honor, Your Highness. I must beg forgiveness; there may be but minutes until Ailendamus attacks.

M-minutes?

Aielefs confident facade wavered noticeably. She glanced at the [Fortress Keeper].

But theyre quite far offwe are [Princesses] of Calanfer. They are no doubt here to take us prisoner for the war. I trust you all know we must be defended?

Absolutely, Your Highness. Howevertheir Lance-Arrows might reach the walls even at this range.

Theyll fire on us? But we could be killed!

Aielefs voice squeaked. However, the other [Princess], Seraphel, just made an impatient sound.

They are not about to hand out flowers and come knocking at our gates, Aielef. We have protections. Lets get out of the way of our defendersunless you want to stand on the battlements? Id wager your tiara could take one shot from a Lance-Arrow. Care to try?

The glare Seraphel got from Aielef was intense, but Rabbiteater grinned under his helmet. He knew which [Princess] he liked already.

Talia bowed until the three had retreated. Vernoue had not said much, but she had nodded to Ilm, who had bowed slightly; she must have been a spellcaster.

The rest of the hour was a blur of getting into position. Rabbiteater scarfed down some potage and wished he could have savored it, but it was just there to fill his stomach in case of battle.

For an hour, he sat as [Soldiers] filled the inner keep, hallways, and took up positions on the battlements. He was not in the courtyard open to the air; Ailendamus might hit it with spells.

He was inside, in the inner keep, ready to fight in close-quarters with Meisa, Markus, and Ilm. They waited as Ailendamus encircled the keepand waited

And then the first offer of surrender came. Rabbiteater got word of it; a runner came down the halls.

Ailendamus Great General has offered surrender and repatriation to our countries without harm or ransom for all if we surrender, save for the [Princesses]!

The others stirred. Rabbiteaters head rose.

Ooh. Good offer.

Markus elbowed him, but even Rabbiteater wasnt inclined to actually take it. The young man panted.

The [Fortress Keeper] replied that we will hold these walls until our deaths!

Ah. Less fun.

Rabbiteater! This is serious!

Meisa scolded him, but the Hobgoblin just grinned. What was wrong with joking in the face of death? Ilm was covering his visor to stifle his chuckles.

The runner went off, and Rabbiteater waited. He expected battering rams, those Lance-Arrows, siege spells, or just people warning about ladders incoming. He hadnt seen any siege towers, but maybe they could go in bags of holding?

Trebuchets?

He got nothing. No shouting, just periodic updates to say that the army was moving past the wallsthat the [Princesses] had praised the courage of the defendersthat His Majesty of Calanfer and the Griffin Queen were aware of their siege by now

Rabbiteater realized there was no attack coming an hour and a half after arriving at the fortress. He tossed down his axe and lay down, pulling out a ragged pillow.

Rabbit! Were on guard!

Theyre not coming. Its getting dark. Theyd come already if they were. Or started shooting arrows.

The Goblins words turned out to be prophetic. Indeed, Markus and Meisa decided to relax, and so did Ilm and the others. He was the most experienced warrior, they all realized, and Talia gave the order to relax thirty minutes after that.

Ailendamus had encircled the fort, but declined to attack. A token force was going to keep them boxed in while the rest of the army marched down the pass. Rabbiteater was relieved not to face death, in a sense, but he groaned as he realized something.

Were stuck here. Going to be really boring.

He supposed hed have plenty of time to work on his new auras. At least HearthBravery wasnt going to be used much unless he had to start eating bugs. In fact, after some debate, Talia and the Order of Seasons, Huges, and the [Fortress Keeper] came to the same conclusion.

Sallying out of the walls was idiotic; the enemy had their crossbows and a few Greatbows trained on the keep. They were effectively shut out until this Great General forced the issue or retreated, so they might as well settle in. Everyone resigned themselves to a protracted siege; at least there was lots of food in Aielefs personal keep.

Rabbiteater expected the days would drag, filled with aura training and maybe special time with Meisa. But he had made one miscalculation:

The Goblin Knight was not prepared for the shenanigans of [Princesses].

[Princesses] could not stop being [Princesses] even in a siege. And with three of them, their instincts made them do what they always did.

Which was squabble, vie for attention, and generally demand some kind of drama.

At least, that was how Talia put it.

They are still [Princesses] of Calanfer. Treat them with utmost respectand, ah, heed their invitations.

Invitations?

Rabbiteater was in her company, and she glanced at him. They had that wary not-quite-friendship that had lasted since she had come to his aid, but the road to reconciliation was long, and Rabbiteater was doing no jogging here.

Indeed, there was little training, just a bit of morning practice, even for the [Knights]. They devoted their time to watching scrying orbs, debating the war, and refining their aurasor memorizing spells, in Ilms case. Apparently, there were some high-level spells hed just been sent from the Falls Sentinel.

Rabbiteater had practiced making aura-pizza until his head felt like it was splitting. Any practice was good practice, although the Order of Seasons had a lot of training and tricks. Markus was still a bit upset that Rabbiteater could manifest his aura alreadyand that it was a pizza slice.

While he waited for his head to stop hurting, the Hobgoblin talked with Talia, and she was going around lecturing the Order of Seasons on how to behave.

I have already received a dining invitation from Princess Aielef and her closest circle. Ser Ilm, you are representing the Autumn.

Ahis this crucial, Dame Talia? I may well learn a Tier 5 spell.

Ser Ilm didnt seem happy about the invitation. Talia glowered at him.

You are representing your Season, Ser Ilm. And this is Calanfer. They would remember the slight; its a dinner with the 3rd Princess.

Argh. Oh, very well.

The Fall Knight threw up his hands, and Rabbiteater leaned over. They were having a rather fine meal of eggs. Not just eggssome kind of weird but delightfully hot and tasty baked eggs recipe. It was using a lot of the most perishable ingredients, and Rabbiteater had almost done a backflip when he realized that was what theyd be eating.

Unlike other sieges, it was the fortress that changed how the siege went. Aielefs fortress had a lot of faults that Rabbiteater would soon learnbut a lack of food was not one of them. The 3rd Princess had cuisine and ingredients from around the world, and because this was her home, it was preserved by magic.

The defenders would not be starved out of the keep any time soon, and Aielefs own [Chef] was making food for the [Knights].

Still, the prospect of good food in Aielefs company did not appeal to Ilm. Talia just turned to the others.

They are bored, cooped upand once this war ends, they will still be royalty, so it behooves us all to act on our best manners. I know you do not knowetiquette, Rabbiteater. But try to listen to whatever Markus says.

Meisa bristled at Talias tone.

Hes not an idiot, Talia.

He didnt bow to the [Princesses]. You must understand, Rabbiteater, this is notIzril. Ignoring manners has its consequences.

Only Ilm didnt understand Talias meaning since he didnt know Rabbiteaters nature. The Goblin just shrugged.

I dont kneel. Ill be nice.

Talia sighed audibly.

Id hoped they wouldnt notice you, but it seems theyve seen you on the scrying orb. Ser Solstices charge of Ailendamus is public knowledge. SoMarkus, Meisa. I will hold you two responsible for any slights. Justkeep him out of trouble.

Even Meisa eyed the Hobgoblin as Rabbiteater scratched at his arm.

Did that mean the [Princesses] were interested in him? He didnt know if he liked them that much.

For one thingthey had terrible taste in fortresses.

Dame Talia did an inspection of the keep to see just how well theyd hold if Ailendamus did attack. Shed done the obvious at the start, but she and Rabbiteater got some nasty surprises later that day as he joined her on a tour.

The keep was placed with its back to the very same pass; a nice, sturdy bastion of stone. It had decent, thirty-foot walls. Nearly Liscors height, and they were enchanted.

It was a better-than-average fort, Rabbiteater understood, and it was full-up since the peasants had been admitted inside the walls. The outer keep had a courtyard open to the sun, and the gates were not the greatest.

A portcullis as opposed to solid gates, and no moat. The approach was no winding path for archers to pick attackers off either; it was just a nice, gentle road.

Still, that was not the flaw. The inner keep was spacious and even had a catacomb, albeit tiny. There was a lot of richness inside, from carpets to Aielefs personal touches.

Among them being the central tower and higher floors, which were her personal rooms and living space. She had taken over the entire top of the keep where she and her husband, the absent noble of Kaliv, stayed.

All fine. Totally understandable, right? [Princesses] needed their own space, and Aielef was free to remodel! She had her own rooms, including some balconies no one was going to use, obviously, but it was in the center of the keep, so it wouldnt be a huge strategic threat until the enemy took the walls, and even then, they could just seal the top floor off and retreat deeper.

Theflawwas probablyas Rabbiteater, a non-[Strategist] saw itthe giant glass ceiling with a view of the sky.

The 3rd Princess removed the roof and installed a glass ceiling. In a fortress.

The [Fortress Keeper] looked embarrassed as he defended it to Talia. Which wasnt that fair; Aielef had ordered it.

Her Highness insisted, Dame Talia. It is enchanted glass. Possibly as strong as stone! Ser Ilm, could you ratify the strength of the magic?

Why did sheshe knows this is a key fortress, surely?

Her Highness insisted, Dame Talia. I have naturally told her that if Ailendamus attacks, she cannot reside there, but she refuses to leave her quarters.

Talia pulled at her hair, and Rabbiteater got his second impression of Aielef. She was, uh

Stupid.

Not stupid, Rabbiteater. Dont say it in front of Calanfers people or theyll fight you.

Huh. Good idea. I could use a fight.

Meisa dragged Rabbiteater back and scolded him. Markus, Meisa, and Rabbiteater were talking about the [Princesses].

Why not? They were interesting, and Rabbiteater was curious. He had never met a [Princess]. He had expected more of someone who ruled a nation, honestly.

Each one is different, Rabbiteater. There are no less than How many are there now, Meisa?

I thinkseven? Three [Princes]? I dont know, Im no Thronebearer, but its common enough knowledge, Rabbit. Calanfer is fairly well-known, and their royal family is all unique. At least, Ive heard enough [Bards] extolling their virtues.

Ten children? All from the same father and mother?

Rabbiteater was impressed. Markus nodded.

The King of Calanfer hasnt remarried. And it would be scandalous to have a bastard in the family. Not that it doesnt happen

Politics and the intrigue of nations werent something Rabbiteater understood yet. But he did understand this. He whistled.

Lots of sex. Calanfers royal family sounds good.

Rabbit!

A Goblins perspective wasstraightforward. Meisa and Markus were scandalized, but Rabbiteater thought they were the odd ones. You didnt get ten kids without a lot of tries. Even Goblins would have respected that!

Lets justget back to the [Princesses]. There are seven. Unless Her Majestys expecting?

Markus coughed, red-eared. Meisa glowered at him as he turned to her.

Im not a Thronebearer, Markus. Lets find Ilm!

Ser Ilm was still reading his new spell, but he put it aside to talk. He rubbed at his head, and Rabbiteater suspected he too had study-headaches.

Let me see. You want them all in order? And their titles?

They have titles?

Rabbiteater was interested. Thus, he was introduced to the nicknames and virtues of each [Princess] and some of their personalities by Ilm, who did know what he was talking about.

Let me see. Shardele the Radiant. First in linemarried to a Calanferian noble. Radiant is a standard title for the 1st Princess, after Queen Marquin herself. She is a rather inspiring person, Ive heard. Echoes the Eternal Throne and can even grant wondrous visions.

I believe I once met the woman when she was on tour. She seemed rather removed from the rest of the court. Not aloofvisionary.

Markus offered. He had been in Pheislant at the time. Ilm shrugged. Neither [Knight] had the real context on Shardele, who was often aloof, and higher than the clouds overhead.

She may well rule after Their Majesties if no issue emerges. Next isMenisi the Watchful. Seldom seen and married to another nation. Im blanking on which one, but she is somewhat scandalous. I dont know much, but that is her reputation to me.

Rabbiteater didnt really care about the [Princesses] not here and said so. Ilm smiled.

Fair enough. Of the three here, Princess Aielef is 3rd in line, hence her marriage to a historical ally in Kaliv. Aielef the Fierce.

About as fierce as angry little dogs.

All three [Knights] slapped Rabbiteater on the shoulder, but Ilm just sighed as he rubbed his hand.

Kalivs reputation and their nicknamesdo not always align, Rabbiteater. I do knowand this is scandalous, but might be importantthat she, ah, has had trysts that are somewhat public. Then again, so has her husband. Her two daughters are of royal lineage, though.

Rabbiteater hadnt met either one, but he knew Aielefs daughters were here. His lips moved.

Whats tryst?

Meisa whispered, and this time Markus waited for Rabbiteaters take. He was starting to privately enjoy them, and sure enough, the Goblin brightened up.

Oh, sex with other people. Isnt that bad if married?

Ilm sighed.

Yes. Not to be spoken of, understand?

Rabbiteater dutifully nodded. Ilm went on.

Aielef is rather social, returning to the capital often; of the three here, shes the most outgoing. The most conventional. By contrast, her sister, Vernoue the Enchanting, is a [Mage]. She never attended Wistram, but I am told she is a competent spellcaster, and I think she sent me a request to meet. I have not checked my rooms.

They had been allotted rooms, and it surprised Rabbiteater that Ilm had gotten a written invitation. But it seemed one did not just walk up to ask someone to hang out as royalty. Ilm coughed and eyed Rabbiteater.

Is it, ah, that foreign to hear of nobility in the tribes, Rabbiteater?

Ilm!

The Autumn Knight looked slightly guilty as Meisa glared at him, but Rabbiteaters reply was bland.

Maybe. So Vernoue knows magic. [Fireball]?

Not combat magic, no. And she isnt marriedher engagement is likely to be soon, but her, ah, magical penchant has made it more difficult. I believe three [Princesses] are unwed. The youngest, Ellet, is far too young for anything but a later engagement. The other one, the 6th Princess, has been quite subdued. Now she is fairly interesting in the scandals shes produced

Wait. What about Seraphel?

Rabbiteater held up a hand, and Ilm blinked.

Oh, Seraphel. Im sorry, I got out of order. Princess Vernoue is a scholar, so she is by way of being somewhat normal like Aielef. But Princess Seraphelit doesnt do well to gossip, but everyone knows. She is Seraphel the Dutiful. Or, as some would have it, Seraphel the Cursed.

That was when Rabbiteater heard of Seraphels reputation and marriages.

First it was that old [Lord] who died in bed. Then the failed marriage to a [Baron]did he die?

No, the woman he ran off with. Then there was someone elseand now Noelictus. Thats, uh, three if you count the poor girl.

It could be coincidence.

The [Knights] gossiped, but lightly since they were mindful of where they were and of Seraphels reputation. Rabbiteater was intrigued. If Seraphel did have the ability to kill people with sex, or just in secret, she was far more interesting.

Ilm ended his lecture there.

I dont believe any will cause issuesaside from the remodeling of the fortress. But they will likely invite many of the Order of Seasons to meals or conversation. Tea, at the least.

Why?

Ilm raised his brows.

Theyre bored, Ser Solstice. And a bond made, even in siege and war, might endure. Calanfers [Princesses] play politics from the cradle, or so its said. Just take care not to get entangled; but they arent the worst sorts of individuals for a [Knight] to meet and make a good impression on.

Sure enough, the [Princesses] began to send invitations by the second day of the siege. It might not be a long siege, but they had nothing to do but talk and wait. And [Princesses] did what they did best, especially together, and especially because all three didnt like the others that much.

They vied for attention, favor, and whatever influence or entertainment they could get. And since the Order of Seasons was here, the most interesting people were the knights of Pheislant.

And the mysterious Ser Solstice. Rabbiteater got an invitation from all three over the next three days. He would have ignored them, but Meisa told him no sex unless he went.

Ser Markus was a common-born [Knight]. Because he was in the Order of Seasons, he had been able to rise to the class, and he was profoundly grateful for that.

He had learned politicsbut he was no Thronebearer. Still, Markus might have been obtuse in some ways, but he was canny enough, a good enough fighter, and not an idiot.

All of that meant that he was incredibly stressed-out on the evening of the second night. Hed wormed and tried to refuse, but Princess Aielef had insisted. She had requested his presence in a personal encounter and perhaps repast.

And yes, that was the exact wording. Markus had heard from Ilm about Aielef, and he was nervous.

Clandestine affairs were regular even among royalty and they could be denied or laughed off as lies, of course. But Markus did not want to get entangled in Calanferian politics.

Then againrefusing a [Princess] to her face if she bared all would also be a terrible move.

Excuse myself as fast as possible.

He kept muttering to himself. Maybe if he spilled wine or whatnot? He had gone in armor, lacking any kind of other clothing, and he had considered locking the pieces into place.

Ser Markus of the Season of Spring was nervous as he ascended the stairs and waited, a few minutes early, to meet with Princess Aielef in her personal, very private top floor of the keep. He wished he was imagining this, but the wording of the invitation had been unlike any regular teatime social or whatnot. She had not mentioned guests, and the hour waslate.

Past dinner. Markus, then, was a man really considering his future. Aielef was not unattractive, which was the hard part. However, the consequences

The problem was he was no Winter Knight, or even Knight of Autumn. Spring was vibrancy and youth. Markus was worrieduntil he saw the second figure come up the stairs.

Rabbiteater stopped when he saw Markus.

Oh. Are you here too? I got a message. Said to come alone.

Markus wavered. For a second he was relievedthen he got more worried. Rabbiteater just bounced on his heels, clearly bored, but Markus hurried over.

You got an invitation? Let me see, Rabbit. Dead gods. Does Meisa know?

She told me to go to any invitations.

The Goblin sulked, but if Meisa had seen this invitationMarkus sniffed it. Yep, definitely perfume.

This is not good, Rabbiteater. I hope to gaze upon your face if you may be so willing. Rabbit! We might be in a lot of trouble here!

The Goblin looked blankly at Markus until the Spring Knight said it plainly enough for him to get. Then the Goblin chortled.

Oh. Oooh. Interesting. I wonder how many [Knights] are coming. Maybe Talia too?

Rabbiteater!

Scandalized, Markus leapt back. Rabbiteater just shrugged.

Ah, right. [Knights] are weird about sex. Not creative.

Are you considering doinganything?

Rabbiteater shook his head.

Nope. I have Meisa. Plus, she isnt nice.

That relieved Markus. Right up until Rabbiteater turned to him.

But its bad to offend her, right?

Yes. Hence my dilemma. If youre right

I sacrifice you. Have lots of fun.

Rabbiteater clapped Markus on the shoulder. The [Spring Knight] looked at Rabbiteater, aghast. The Hobgoblin gave him a huge thumbs-up.

I have your back. Not reallybut Ill be supportive.

I do not want support in this engagement!

The two bickering [Knights] were, by now, loud enough that their whispered argument was echoing down the hallway. But no one was here, and thenthe door opened.

Ah, Ser Knights. Gentlemen, thank you for being so prompt.

Markus and Rabbiteater turned and saw Princess Aielef, in a retiring evening dress, somewhat starry, sequins sewn onto dark fabric, standing in the doorway leading to her personal venue. It was a rather fetching dress, and Markus could see it at a more intimate ball setting.

His mind raced. A few facts were obviousAielef had not had a [Servant] open the door. Ergo, no [Servant] was present. This was definitely not a mixup in invitations.

Rabbiteater bowed, helmet still on, and Markus, helmetless, bowed too. Aielef looked keenly at Rabbiteater, then smiled.

Shall we adjourn to my parlor to begin with? And do I have the fascinating privilege of meetingthe renowned and mysterious Ser Solstice?

Maybe.

She laughed at that and then beckoned them in.

Uh oh, shes being informal. Markus tried to catch Rabbiteaters attention, but the Hobgoblin happily dragged Markus in, and he was strong.

Theyve smashed the enchanted gate.Well have to hold itbut Ailendamus looks to be making ready for an attack. Ladders are being drawn up.

But we cant even shoot them. Theyll have walls and gate.

Markus groaned. Rabbiteater was no [Architect], but he guessed that if the Dawn Concordat won this war, theyd be changing their fortresses to something less prone to this scenario.

Someone interrupted the discussion. Dame Talia strode over. She hesitated, glanced at Rabbiteater, but addressed everyone with a grim face.

They wont need the ladders. I just took a look at their invasion force. PleaseSer Ilm, where are the [Princesses]?

With the [Fortress Keeper]. Why?

Talia Kallinad hesitated, then bowed her head.

I am going to suggest to the [Princesses] that we surrender after thirty minutes of fighting. Or earlier, at their discretion. Ailendamus has just detached another six thousand troops. I counted over sixty [Battle Mages], and the [Knights] now number over five hundred.

There were less than a fifth that many of the Order of Seasons. Everyone went silent, and Rabbiteater stopped humming.

Ah.

He decided to look himself. No one stopped him; if he went onto the battlements or through the gates, he died. Some unlucky [Soldiers] had already gotten shots taken at them, and the Greatbows were manned by marksmen.

HoweverRabbiteater could see well enough.

Yep. Two thousand riders. Four thousand soldiers.

They didnt need much to take this fortress. Those [Riders] would storm the gates. Probably crash through the first wave. And so many?

Oh, I get it. Theyll use [Light Bridge] to get to the walls. Clever.

Rabbiteater was adjusting to a new way of using tactics. All he had to do was imagine what hed do if he had unlimited funds or magic. It would be an equal fight, defenders and attackers by number.

Not equal by classes or quality. Regular footsoldiers would be squaring up against the Order of the Hydra, one-to-one.

We can hold them in the passageways for a while. Unless the [Mages] gas us. Or use acid. Its what Id do.

Rabbiteater calculated that theyd have surrendered or be dead by nightfall. He eyed the setting sun and sat there.

Now. Now came the moment where he saw the Lightherald fighting in the distance. The champion of Calanfer probably saw the danger, but no one could intervene. The Archmage of Memory was furiously battling the Great General. The Griffin Prince

Could not stop six thousand on his own.

Neither could Rabbiteater. But he saw this moment as pivotal. A small battle. But the one he was at. So he asked himself one question.

What would Erin do?

No. More likewhat would she tell him to do? These were different things. Firstly, what would she say? What would that great [General] say?

The Goblin had no boon. He had no magic to bring that moment back and make it immortal. His aura was not that powerful and, perhaps, never would be.

All he could do was remember and guess. So he did. He could do anything. He might not be good at anything, but he could try to do anything.

Erin Solstice and Zel Shivertail sat at a table. This was not a fight with a single [General].

But it mattered.

This is not your war.

I know. But I have fought and killed. So it is mine. I can walk away, but what about the dignity of people Ive killed?

The Tidebreaker nodded. Or would he shrug? Rabbiteater was also more eloquent in his imagination. And he was more handsome.

I dont want you to die.

Erin Solstice offered him a cookie. Even in his imagination, it was only vanilla. Rabbiteater munched on it anyways.

Me neither. What can I do?

White flag.

Erin offered it to him, and the Goblin laughed. But yesthat was it.

He would not die without a reason. He had told Seraphel he would die in that cornerbut only if it mattered.

Only if I can matter. Was there any way to do that?

For some reasonRabbiteater thought there was. He checked his artifacts and wished he had the Bell of Really Painful Ringing. But he didnt. He had his brothers cloak and his other brothers axe and some armor. It would have to do.

But how did he stop all those damned fighters? Maybe if it was a no-[Mage], no-[Knight] situation, Rabbiteater would take these odds. They could win that, definitely.

But the [Knights] were tough. Stupidbut tough.

Unlike that [General], theyll fight you with everything they have. The Order of Seasons underestimated them, but you know better. Commonfolk. The Order of the Hydra are still true [Knights].

Zel was analyzing them. Rabbiteater nodded. As brave and good as Redfangs; there could be no higher compliment.

Yep. Their only weakness is they have stupid rules.

They were like Talia. Painfully good and straightforward and, perhaps, incapable of change. He hoped she would. But the idea stirred something in his head.

Hey, you want this flag or not? Its getting heavy. How did I carry it all battle?

Imaginary-Erin waved it at him. The Goblins head rose. Erin saw he had an idea and smiled, trusting him to run away if it got too bad.

Have an adventure. She turned the flag and offered the plain wooden haft to him, like a sword. Rabbiteater rose. He looked at her, her smileand wished and hoped theyd see each other again.

Then he walked through her without taking the flag. Imaginary Erin vanished with a sigh.

Aw. Rude.

But she sounded proud.

Ailendamus was coming, and Rabbiteater was nowhere to be found. Seraphel heard Talia, who was standing with them for their decision before heading to the fighting, discussing the issue.

She wondered if Ser Solstice had decided there was nothing for him here.

That was a cruel thought, but she was still upset by their conversation. And thinking. But as they watched the advance of Ailendamus, she knew that they werent going to last thirty minutes.

So many [Knights]. How can one nation field so many?

Aielef was pale as she saw the glittering forms in armor advancing. Seraphel resisted the urge to tell her that it was all about the size of the nation. But Aielef had a point; the Great General could send six hundred [Knights] to take this keep like Calanfer could sparesixcasually. Her escort into Noelictusfor a [Princess]had been two dozen.

The Greatbows of Ailendamus volleyedonce. Soldiers trying to take the battlements to loose arrows fled or died.

Thunder. Seraphel saw the last fight drain out of the [Fortress Keeper] with that. He had a Skill, a good one.

[Defenders: Resistance to Arrows]. It would have made them difficult to fell from any ordinary army. It did almost nothing to the giant Lance-Arrows.

[Princesses]. We will fight as long as we can. I willlet you know when there is no more time. I hope you will make the best decision. By the Eternal Throne and Kaliv. To arms!

The man turned to them, and Seraphel was the only one of the three who nodded. Talia also moved to leave and fight with her people. Ailendamus war drums were sounding, growing louder as they cheered, as if they had already won. Only silence in the keep.

Then Seraphel saw Ser Solstice. He walked out of wherever he had been waiting, and that mysterious [Knight] who had met Lyonette appeared.

Like a figure from stories, he passed through the lines of the infantry in the courtyard, braced for the first push. They parted, and Seraphel saw them exclaiming. When some saw what he was doing, they almost tried to stop him.

Is he taking his place at the vanguard?

Vernoue was confused. But Seraphels eyes widened.

He had changed nothing about his armor. A cloak of red billowed behind him, blood. He had said it was the blood of his brother.

He carried a single, golden axe with jade-green edges, and the shield that Vernoue had enchanted. The armor of a [Champion] gleamed on his body. Not all one color and scratched in places.

The Goblin Slayer of Izril.

Even Ailendamus knew his name. He had defeated three [Generals], or so Seraphel heard.

But was the man mad? Surely he was, because he did not stop at the head of the courtyard. He walked through the shattered gates still steaming with the heat of the magic that had ripped them aside, over broken stone, and out of the gates.

There was only one thing he could be doing. Seraphels lips moved. Aielef got there first.

Hes surrendering. Of course! An Izrilian [Knight] can do it without loss of honor! I could kiss him.

She put a hand over her breast and sighed in relief. Seraphel looked at her older sister. Then she stomped on Aielefs toes.

You idiot.

There was only one thing any reasonable person could think he was doing. The Goblin Slayer stood in the broken gate as Ailendamus caught sight of him. He had even put a feather on his helmet. He raised the axe high overheadand then cast it down. He planted the blade in the ground, lifted his shield, and faced the army of Ailendamus.

Then he gave them the middle finger.

The advancing warriors of Ailendamus saw the Goblin [Knight] standing in the open gates. The [General of the Line] calmly spotted the officer-killer and identified the threat. He halted the advance of Ailendamus forces a second and raised a hand.

Greatbow One. Loose.

A Greatbow fired like thunder.

Rabbiteater!

Meisa shouted, and Markus voice joined hers. The rest of the Order of Seasons had been fighting to get to him, but the Dawn Concordat and Pheislants forces were stopping them from dying with him.

The Greatbow of Ailendamus loosed a bolt, a solid chunk of metal possibly onlywhat? Fifteen pounds?

At a velocity sufficient to punch a hole in plate armor with [Unerring Aim]. A low-level Skill. Even an [Innkeeper] had that kind of Skill.

It flew towards the gates and the open figure as [Soldiers] stood aside from the opening even as they readied for attackers. It could punch through six of them lined up, and it would knock even more flat if they didnt evade it.

The [Knight] never moved. He saw the flash and the dark iron bolt flying at him.

Its slower than I th

Then it hit him. The impact was the heaviest thing that Rabbiteater had ever felt. He had never, truly, felt Greydath hit him. But it was the only thing that Rabbiteater could imagine that was

The [Knight] reeled. His friends screamed his name, and the [Princesses] covered their mouths. Vernoue covered her eyesthen peeked.

The gore as the bolt went through his body and pinned him to the ground like a metal butterfly, red viscera seeping from

Huh? Hes not dead?

What they had expected to see didnt happen. The [Knight] went stumbling backwards, slamming into one gate. But he was not dead.

He was swearing as loud as they had ever heard. In a mix of regular language and that strange, chittering tongue as the Lance-Arrow, bent, dropped from his shield and he kicked it away.

Did he justblock a Lance-Arrow?

Seraphel couldnt believe her eyes. She hadnt considered that was possible. Or, even if she thought you could gain the Skills for thatwho would try it?

But yes, Vernoue squeaked as her shield and a [Champion]s Skills revealed a dent.

Just a single pockmark in the center. Rabbiteater was waving his arm around so it wasnt brokenbut hed possibly cracked the bone? Yet he hadnt died.

The sight of anyone standing after taking a Lance-Arrow was one thing. Everyone expected him to retreatbut the [Knight] didnt. He set himself.

And another Greatbow fired.

The [General of the Line] might have been as surprised as anyone by the [Knight] surviving, but if you couldnt kill him with one, try again. Everyone knew that.

Another arrow flew at the [Knight], and he reacted.

Rabbiteater was really regretting his life choices. He hadnt expected that to hurt so badly. And he was convinced he wasnt going to survive more than a few more shots.

So he changed tactics.

He had walked out there trusting to a few Skills. [Reinforced Armor (Steel)]. [Champions Gear]. [Improved Block]. Vernoues magic.

But most importantlythe one Skill that he could activate.

[Aspect of the Champion: Greater Endurance].

It had let him take the impact. But after feeling it onceRabbiteater wasnt going to do it again. So he did the only thing he could. Defense? Gone.

[Aspect of the Champion: Greater Speed].

The world slowed. Rabbiteater saw the bolt coming at him fast. So he raised his shield, but didnt move to block. He surged, throwing his weight, angling his body. He threw his entire force behind the shield

And parried the Lance-Arrow.

Okay, he deflected it. He hit the tip mid-trajectory with all of his weight and sent it glancing into the wall. The explosion and ringing impact in his arm and shield made everyone duck.

When they looked up, there he was. Rabbiteater checked himself.

That feels a lot better. He swung his left arm, shaking out the tingling, raised his shield

Then he heard the cheering.

It came up from behind him. [Soldiers] shouting, as much to give awe at the mad display as anything. Mixed with it were other voices, telling him to come back.

But Rabbiteater didnt move. He looked up. The mad cheering kept going before they realized what was happening.

You seethe Hobgoblin was not an idiot. He was a veteran warrior and, unlike Ryoka Griffin, knew the value of stabbing an apparent corpse. Because he knew that, he saw the other two Greatbows fire simultaneously.

Two Lance-Arrows, targeting him. Rabbiteater didnt blink. He pivoted, stepped left

Knocked one aside. The other plowed through the open gates as it missed him and nearly took Markus out at the legs. He leapt back as the Goblin turned, setting himself. A third Lance-Arrow missed him by inches. He leaned out of the way.

Rabbiteater! Theyre not stopping! Get back!

Princess Seraphel heard Talias shout and started. What did they call him? Rabbiteater? What kind of Gnollish name was that?

Everyone knew he was a Gnoll. He had survived four shots, but the fifth came from the same four Greatbows. Becausethey could reload. And fastprobably with a Skill.

He dodged it! But he

He cant keep doing that forever! What is he trying to do, exhaust their ammunition?

No one understood Ser Solstices apparent madness. No one could follow the logic at first, but he stayed there.

Again, he knocked a Lance-Arrow aside, but this time staggered. He nearly lost his arm and clutched at it as he misjudged the timing.

He could not do it forever. He drank a potion with one hand, diving left and coming upright. The fact that he was facing the Greatbows was saving his life; he could see the arrows coming and dodge them. They were, after all, arrows; if you dodged them you were safe.

It was just insane anyone would try.

Even the Goblins watching the [Knight] werent sure what the hell he was doing. They sat on the tops of the pass, and more watched from the scrying orb, knowing who he was. Wondering what he was doing.

Becauseof course you knew the scrying orbs were showing this. Roses were red, violets were blue, and Drassi would take Octavias club and bash in Noasss and Sir Relzs heads if they didnt show this.

Theyd do it themselves if they missed it. This was television.

But what. Was. He. Up. To? The [Commentators] jabbering away, Rabbiteaters friends and people and Lyonettehad no clue.

Perhaps it was his companions of the Order of Seasons, who knew Rabbiteaters view on the class he had. Perhaps they had the first inkling.

The Goblin staggered upright. The figure-in-armors cloak swished as he raised one fist to the sky. The other held the shield at the ready. Then he whirled and dodged the eighth shot.

The Greatbows were firing, but now the [General] ordered them to synchronize their shots. Four at once. Enchanted munitions.

They nearly killed him. The [Knight] saw the bolts coming, saw the glowing tips, and dove. He came up in a roll, and the explosion as all four hit the ground nearly kicked him off his feet.

But he caught himself, and his head rose. This timehe lifted two arms.

Battered metal gleaming to the sky. The [Knight] looked like he was celebrating. The [General] wondered if he was taunting them. Did he know the Greatbows had, each, two hundred and thirteen shots left?

[Instantaneous Reload]. Greatbows One and Two, fire, one second delay, then the other two.

The [General] spoke crisply through his speaking stone. But he hesitated on giving the order to fire as something happened within his ranks. What the mysterious [Knight] of Izril had been waiting for.

Ariot?

Of all the things that the [General] was ready for, a mutiny in the ranks was not it. Yet that was what happened. The neat lines of warriors ready to charge devolved. He hesitated, saw arguing, fighting

[General] Rel, what is taking so long?

Great General Dionamella was impatient. Somehow, in the midst of commanding, she had noticed them slow.

Possibly confusion spells. Or airborne alchemy. I am seeingfighting?

At first, General Rel did not know what he was seeing. The front ranks were turning, and he wondered if it were an [Insanity] spell by the Archmage. But noit wasnt bloody. Yet even as he watched, a group of riders broke for him.

Halt!

His bodyguard raised their weapons, but the [Knights] dismounted.

General! Please halt your advance!

Three [Knights] all advanced past their comrades. All six hundred had suddenly turned. A representative of the Order of the Hydra, the Order of the Thirsting Veil, and the Order of Drell all strode to the [General].

Explain.

It is a disgrace, sir! One [Knight] stands at the gates and takes on our Greatbows! He is challenging us.

The Order of the Drells representative gave the most coherent answer. The [General] looked at the [Knight] and now saw the mysterious Ser Solstice gesticulating again.

He was slamming his bare hand against the shield as he waited for another volley. He hadnt picked up the axe he had dropped; there was no point. The meaning was as obvious as could be.

Come on. Hit me!

Now the [General] saw what he was doing and gritted his teeth. The [Knights] were riding down on the confused Greatbow archers, blocking the way.

General, we demand to fight this brave [Knight] alone! He is the same one who has defeated three [Generals]. Ser Solstice, the Goblin Slayer of Izril. I have heard his name from the Order of the Hydra. Sir, we petition you for the right to duel him as honor demands.

Absolutely not! This is a ruse to buy time!

Even so! Our class demands it!

General Rel was not ignorant of honor. He himself had felt a twinge at ordering the Greatbows to rain fire down on the helpless defenders, but this was a war. And he saw what Ser Solstice was doing.

But thenso did the [Knights]. The Order of Drells highest-level warrior was Level 41. He drew closer.

General, I will go myself. But we must answer honor with honor. The eyes of the world are upon us.

The scrying spells. There was no help for it. General Rel reported to the Great General, frustrated, as the first [Knight] rode up the hill towards the gates.

There he met the Goblin Slayer. The [Knight] picked up his axe as the Drell Knight asked if he preferred mounted combat.

He was a Level 41 [Knight], exact class unknown. He did not know Rabbiteaters class, and could not know he faced a Level 30+ [Champion] and [Knight] below Level 20.

But he did not take his opponent lightly, and he was armed in the Order of Drells Cinterglass Plate. Enchanted gear.

He did offer Rabbiteater a potion to heal his wounds and a stamina potion, but the [Knight] declined. He was tired from dodging and parrying the Lance-Arrows, but he was ready for a fight.

Level 30 vs Level 40, though. It wouldnt matter if Rabbiteater were Level 39; a single capstone Skill made all the difference in the world.

Markus fingers were in his mouth, and he was biting his gauntlets. Meisa just watched, hands clenched.

Rabbiteater had to know that his opponents might be higher-level than him. The Drell Knight had an untrained aura by sheer virtue of his level. Andhe had an axe.

An axe that wavered in and out of existence. Some kind of phase-weapon? That was a Skill or enchantment so dangerous that Meisa couldnt gauge it. Noa Skill, because she saw the enchantment on the axe was a dripping trail of water that gleamed faintly.

Yet Rabbiteater faced the Drell Knight, just as he wanted. Just as the clever Goblin planned. There was only one way for him to even have a chance of slowing the attack. Meisa knew and admired it in him.

But how callous. How silly of the [Spring Knight]. She was already realizing they could duel the other [Knights] once Rabbiteater fell. They would inevitably lose; there were six hundred [Knights], but they could do it with honor and buy a day, two, perhaps, and see if this battle would turn.

In short, Meisa did Rabbiteater the largest disservice since she had known him, because she thought that was all he had planned. The Redfang, the [Champion], the [Knight], hated losing. Losing was death to him, and it might well be.

He would have only stood here, in front of these gates, if he could beat them all.

The Drell Knight had dismounted when the Goblin Slayer of Izril lifted his axe. The Drell Knight didnt flinch; if he were attacked while preparing, his opponent lost all honor and the Drell Knights order would champion him.

What he was not prepared for was what Rabbiteater did next. The Goblin saluted his foe, who was as strong as could be. Then he lifted Headscratchers axe

And tossed it to the side. The shield followed suit as the Drell Knight wavered.

Ser Solstice. What are you doing?

A [Knight] without armaments spread his arms wide as those within and without the keep gasped. They stared at his armored formas Ser Solstice raised his fists and gestured.

Come on, put up your dukes.

Dukes, being an archaic word for fists appropriate in this setting. The Drell Knight stared as voices of outrage rose behind him.

And every Goblin in existence watching laughed themselves sick. The live feed of this scene saw the Drell Knight, inaudible at a remove, arguing fiercely. Pointingthey even put probable subtitles under him.

Pick up your weapons, Ser! I demand a fair match!

Up yours. Fight me with your fists!

Ser Solstice brandished his fists, taunting, mocking the [Knight] as the Orders of Ailendamus booed and jeered. Yetthe Drell Knight was stuck.

He could not strike an unarmed opponent, and this was a legitimate form of combat. Even genteel in the sense that neither one would likely die.

Even so, no honorable [Knight] would ever dream of doing it. Noneexcept perhaps a Goblin who wanted to win. And it was still a Level 41, now fairly angry, [Drell Knight of Shifting] versus a Level 34 [Champion].

Alsothe first punch the Drell Knight threw turned into a feint as he vanished, reappeared on Rabbiteaters left, and threw a full-body punch. Rabbiteaters elbow hit him full-force in the face, and then the Goblin grabbed the arm and threw him. Then he mounted the Drell Knight and began to punch, hammering the mans face into the ground.

A Redfang warrior, trained in hand-to-hand combat along with every other weapon under the sun. Unlike [Knights] who almost never trained in fisticuffs since theyd always have a weapon, and, besides, could fight well enough on their own, Redfangs were prepared to have no weapon at all.

Erin Solstice used to wake up to the sight of five Redfang Hobs kicking the hell out of each other in four-on-one fights sometimes.

For forty agonizing seconds, the Drell Knight was unable to throw Rabbiteater, and the [Knight] punched him in the helmet with his armored gauntlets, putting his full weight behind each blow. When he did finally manage to shift out of the pin, he ate a flying kick from Rabbiteater.

The Goblin was as good on the ground as he was at striking. [Knights] were not [Grapplers]. They had no concept of joint locks; the best they could do was restrain an opponent. Climbing all over your enemy was not to be done unless it was a Giant.

Rabbiteater took the Drell Knight down and then broke his arm. The armor, which could withstand arrows and magic, still contained mortal flesh and bones that snapped if you twisted it up, up

That was hard enough to watch, but the Drell Knight kept fighting. He was a brave warrior, and with one arm, he kept fighting for seven more minutes. When he finally went down, Rabbiteater had dented his helmet into a twisted shape, broken one arm, and an ankle.

Then he pointed down the hill and challenged the next [Knight]. By now, he was facing the outraged [Knights] of Ailendamus, who saw the trick and disapproved. They hadnt minded him standing there, but hand-to-hand fighting? Pins? Grapples?

Even the Order of Seasons were aghast. But [Knights]

They came up the hill and challenged him. The next was a Thirsting Veil Knight, who spent fifteen minutes demanding he pick up the blade she offered him. At last, enraged, she dropped the sword, and he kicked the crap out of her.

Third was the Knight of the Hydra, and they traded punches and kicks the longest, the [Knight] being most familiar with fighting.

Three [Knights] downed, Rabbiteater looked up and a Drell Knight dismounted.

I challenge you, Ser.

Seraphel, in the audience, saw a [Knight]s logic and honor at play. Rabbiteater straightened as the Drell Knight dismounted. There was no arguing this time. Nor did they give him a chance to recover, just gulp down a stamina potion.

They were [Knights]. He had picked a dishonorable way of doing this, keeping them from attacking and trapping them by their logic.

Well, you could almost admire that; the [Strategists], dishonorable folk, and [Martial Artists] certainly enjoyed Rabbiteaters fighting. But the [Knights] were simply willing to call that bluff.

Very well.If you will fight usyou fight all of us.

Three [Knights] before four [Knights]. And they began lining up. If you bring us down, ten, or even twenty, we will challenge you until you fall.

Sound, knightly logic. It looked stupid to Seraphel as anything. Not Rabbiteater; she had to admit the [Knight] was a genius. But she would have simply ordered him taken down.

But not in front of the world, and not if you were a [Knight].

Ser Solstice began struggling on the sixth [Knight]. By now, the [Knights] had realized he was possibly the greatest hand-to-hand specialist in the entire keep. So they didnt send the highest-level or most senior members against him, but [Knights] who could fight and had the Skills.

Order of the Hydra, mostly. And Rabbiteater might have been a veteran Goblin and [Champion]but he was still fighting people until one of them was unconscious or unable to rise.

A [Knight] knocked him flat three times, and Rabbiteaters arms shook as he got up. He took a flurry of punches and reeled.

Ser Solstice! Give!

He heard someone shouting at him to stop from behind. Worried for him? The Goblin touched at some blood leaking from his helmet and looked up. Through his visor, he saw the Hydra Knight waiting for him.

He leapt at his opponent and tackled them down the hill. Rabbiteater got lucky and grabbed a leg, broke it

A seventh [Knight] dismounted and waited for him.

The Goblins breath wheezed in his lungs. Then it whistled when his ribs cracked. His eighth opponent allowed him a potion.

The ninth waited as he got up; his opponent was being dragged from the field. The Thirsting Veil [Knight] spoke.

There is no shame in surrendering, Ser. You have bested eight of our number, however trickily.

She waited as the dented helmet slowly rose. A rasping voice replied from behind the dark visor.

Ten is a good number.

The [Knight]s eyes narrowed, and she slapped her visor down.

If it could ever be reached.

The tenth [Knight] saw Rabbiteater kneeling there. Not to him, but just tired. Yet when the [Champion] looked up, the [Knight] hesitated. He raised his fists and waited for Rabbiteater to move.

The eleventh [Knight] realized something was wrong too late. It was too late when Ser Yoriven, the very same Hydra Knight that had met the Wind Runner at the capital, stepped forwards.

He was a former [Fistfighter], a tough on the streets of Ailendamus who had impressed a [Knight] hed punched and been given another chance.

This was not how he expected to fight this war, but he was exasperated and even a bit impressed by this crazed [Knight].

Yet he had seen the [Knight] growing weaker after ten opponents. Yoriven had heard the others speculating Yoriven would take him down; ten was a good, honorable number. It proved he was not just a desperate fool.

This was not how Yoriven wanted to fight, and he asked the same question.

Will you heal, Ser? I regret that I cannot offer you a potion. Adjust your armor? Remove your helmet?

The helmet was dentedbadly. Yet the strange [Knight] shook his head. He took another moment, panting. Then he rose.

Lets fight.

Yoriven felt a chill run over him, sudden goosebumps. He looked aroundand realized the strange [Knight] had an aura. It was not threatening, or the other [Knights] now watching would have intervened.

Yet he heard it. Cheering voices. Shouting for Rabbiteater to get up.

Bravery.

And at the same time? Yorivens eyes widened.

What do I see?

Confusion. Two ideas mixing at once. Bravery and home. Yoriven felt like he was home, in his mothers kitchen. He also saw the [Knight]s resolve.

What did that look like to you? What it looked like, perhaps to this [Knight]

A flicker of fur. An anxious little ball of white fur, a dog? Noa little girl offering him a towel? Someone clapping him on the shoulder, a pointed grin. Yoriven could almost see green

Then he saw the [Knight]s head rise. No

The [Champion]s. Heavy chains of exhaustion weighed down his limbs. Yet they rose. And his gaze seemed to burn behind that helmet. And Yoriven realized they had made one mistake.

They had assumed that this [Knight] thought he would ever lose. Yoriven said it, gasping, as his friends picked him up. Whispered through a broken tooth as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Hescounter-levelling.

[Champion Level 36!]

[Champion Level 37!]

[Skill I Burned Brighter Ere I Fell obtained!]

[Aura Knight Level 17!]

[Skill Second Wind obtained!]

First his hands felt like they were on fire. He threw every punch with the last ounces of his strength and they hit his opponents like avalanches. Then he heard that Skill and howled.

A Goblin stood at the gates, an army in front of him. They realized what he was doing. Twenty [Knights] fell. And then they realized he would not fall.

Honor chained them. They could have broken it, but the [Knights] refused. He stood there, blazing like the sun. As they drew back, called on the Order of Seasons to remember their honor, he punched at the air.

Shadowboxing. Taunting them. When they jeered at him, demanded he surrender, he stood there and raised his arms to the sky.

That was when Dame Talia Kallinad realized the truth. She saw the Goblin raising his arms to the sky as each opponent fell.

Like the [Boxer]. Like a [Warrior] on every battlefield as he looked up, breathed in, and knew he lived.

A Goblins [Knight], with peculiar honor. A monster

But look at him.

She had always assumed he didnt deserve his class, [Knight], when she had realized the truth. Then she had asked why he was allowed to have it. She had treated him as someone who had to work for the right he had been granted and assumed that was how he saw the world.

That was a Humans bias. She looked up at him, as his auras flickered and twined and merged, and saw him.

A Hobgoblin, bellowing at the sky. Catching a potion Markus tossed him. Surrounded by his brothers. By memory and glory and

Proud.

He was the proudest, the most confident, the genuinely, truly, overwhelmingly satisfied [Knight] on the field. It was not vainglory. He stood in the middle of his valor and dared the [Knights] of Ailendamus to break themselves against him.

The [Knights] looked up at him and stopped the [General] from firing. Their classes stood in that gateway. And if they broke the faith he placed in them, they would lose it all.

So they waited, as the 30th [Knight] stepped back. Thentheir army withdrew.

It was a mark that Rabbiteater was still a Goblin that as he stepped into the cheering keep, amid the people who looked at the legend of Ser Solstice, a hundred thousand times larger, as his friends embraced him and held him up and found him food, that he still had time to point at Seraphel.

See? Told you.

Goblin pettiness knew no limit. [Princesses] had no idea. The Goblin stood and breathed in.

An [Indomitable Champion].

But not Level 40.

If it could have ended there, it would have been the perfect tale. The journey of Ser Solstice through Ailendamus war. The next day, in such a story, Ailendamus fell back as the Great General was defeated, and she did something like salute him as she left, a rueful nod and a wink.

Or she was defeated or

That was it.

Stories like that were not stories ever told for Goblins. Rabbiteater had never expected it. Perhaps the others had.

The keep stood. The [Princesses] all had invitations for Ser Solstice as he stood at the gates, if he cared to meet them afterwards.

But no army came. They held back, and even the forces of Ailendamus and the Dawn Concordat didnt meet.

The Lightherald strode forwards to bring battle to the Great General, but then stopped. Great General Dionamella had not attacked this morning at first day, not because she was considering retreat or even defeat.

Only because this moment required it. The honor of a Great General, the respect of the General of Ages, warranted no less.

Horns blew, drums beat, and voices roared as Ailendamus ranks pulled aside. But they did not need to step aside to show the figure who walked this ground.

She towered over everyone. The Lightherald looked up, and Rabbiteater watched from the battlements as a woman wearing armor, a [Knight], just of a different kind, raised her sword to the sky.

Again, he saw the Dame of the Hills, The Hill-Knight. The Great Knight, Merila. And Seraphel saw the half-Giant point her blade at the Lightherald.

No.

He could have refused. He could have run. But like Ailendamusthe Lightherald advanced, ignoring the warnings of the [Lord] who rode forwards. His ancient armor rose, and he returned her salute.

Tell him to stop. I have seen the Dame of the Hills before!

Seraphel pleaded with the others, and Vernoue cast spells and sent [Messages] streaking through the heavens. Seraphels voice cracked.

I was there. At Ovela! She has bested greater [Knights]! Even the ghost of a knight from the days of myths could not beat her!

Rabbiteater looked at Seraphel. Then he gazed ahead.

The cheering died down quickly thereafter. Rabbiteater and the Order of Seasons, the [Princesses], and the soldiers watched.

Ser Markus was the first to turn away. Princess Vernoue hid her eyes and looked and then retched with sudden despair.

Princess Aielef? She produced a wine bottle after stepping into the pantry, filled a glass, downed it, and filled it again in moments. As she waited for oblivion, she watched, a glassy smile on her face.

Seraphel looked on as the Lightherald lifted his head. Talia Kallinad whispered.

Yield. Yield!

He cannot. He might win. And if he does, he will no longer take the field.

Ilms voice trailed off. Meisa whispered.

He will not take this field again.

In dead silence, they watched. Rabbiteater gazed at the Lightherald. The Goblin spoke into the silence.

He is a true warrior to his end.

The Dame of the Hills dripped with blood, her own and another mans, as it ended. The half-Giant was still mortal. And a mortal had challenged her. A brave man without end.

But mortal.

She saluted the Great General of Ailendamus, then stepped back. The battle began, and the Dame of the Hills took no part, but walked to the small army besieging a fortress.

She had already taken the only life needed. As she rested, as her wounds healed and the last battle began, her helmeted head rose.

She pointed her finger at Rabbiteater, and the Goblin [Knight] saluted her.

[Knight] to [Knight].

Authors Note: Day 5.

Im pushing. But this chapterassuming I push it as I have just finished after about seven hours of writingis right where I want to be for this chapter at least. Id still like to be a chapter ahead.

But Im on Day 5 and just wondering if I can do the last two days. They are not any less ambitiousthan this chapter.

I think you know whats coming next, but well find out what happens tomorrow. Wish me luck. pirateaba out.

Ser Solstice by /peekay

Femithain, Rose, Persua, and more by Tomeo!

Stained Glass Erin, the entire process, by /user/TheMrMomo/posts