Score Settling

DATE: IMMORTAL REIGN 1023 MONTH 5 DAY 28

The swaying lamp that accommodated Ruxian woke the wraith from his stasis. Immediately, he widened his visual cone. There was a fire, but this time, not at his urging north of Sothrend. Militia with tinder and torches led the foray into the Green Divide. Behind them, lancers flanked crossbowmen, moving in disciplined rectangles while the untrained villagers filled the forest with smoke.

Squinting at the glowing lamp, Susie released Ruxian before he could request it. Shuddering, he unfurled his body. Though he no longer had sore joints and muscles to stretch, the freedom to expand his magical mass was refreshing.

“Welcome back, Lord Ruxian,” said Susie between laboured breathing.

What’s happening? While transmitting his question, Ruxian passed out probes to the Dracons and Dramien. Are they smoking us out?

“How I wish I had your vision,” replied Naya. “Sorry to ask this of you, but can you do something about this?”

Ruxian formed a thumb-up emote. Unable to operate far from Naya inside the forest, he took to the sky, spread himself into a black sheet, and conjured a demonic visage. It wasn’t long before the advancing Targonians noticed the unnaturally large shadow. The militia, screaming in horror, broke rank and fled. The soldiers, too busy looking up, failed to stall the panic.

That should do it. Shaking like a laughing man, Ruxian compressed himself into the size of a basketball. I still haven’t thanked you guys for breaking me out.

Dramien gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry it took so long.”

Your deputy was sharp. Ruxian could still recall the chilling intensity with which Cabron inspected the lamp. Despite repeated assurances from the templars that the contraption could cage any demon, Cabron tapped the glass and scratched the frame like a snake eyeing a rodent snack. Had those hammers checked with equal care, I would not have control over their friends.

Dramien froze. “Wait, did I kill them?”

“Probably not all of them,” said Susie. “They rotated many times a day.”

I'm putting my scouts in position. Ruxian created a smiley face. Let’s catch up in the meantime.

“So…this Cabron,” said Naya, her fists trembling. “Vera wasn’t a ploy to snare Ruxian? He just wanted to get back at Dramien?”

Susie nodded. “Cabron is a…” she trailed off and stared into the distance. “I’m sure there’s a seat in the bottom of purgatory with his name on it.”

“Any reason he didn’t make captain?” asked Lyrica.

“He killed the magistrate’s son,” said Dramien. “Both were drunk, armed, and fighting over a barmaid.”

Having dotted the sky with eyes, Ruxian cycled through his magical cameras and found he had lost visuals on Sothrend. There was a black dome covering the town that reminded him of cloches in movies featuring fine dining. He settled for a view over the open fields, where farmers took to the thickets with scythes, mowing down the tall weeds with crunchy thwacks.

A lone rider heading their direction piqued Ruxian's curiosity. The humped posture made Ruxian glad he no longer had a spine to worry about. Indeed, approaching the forest was Cabron, firing an arrow into the trees before spinning his horse around.

“A letter,” muttered Dramien, plucking the arrow from the trunk. “Now he definitely knows we have eyes on him.”

Flattening the paper against a tree, Dramien pored over the letter, his forehead creasing deeper with every word. When he finished reading, the man groaned and lifted his scarlet spear.

“No pig hops to its slaughter,” protested Naya, tugging at Dramien’s sleeve. “Dramien, this is madness.”

Ruxian trailed after the knight. You really think Cabron will meet you in single combat?

“Suppose you win,” Lyrica joined in. “How would you stand down the 42nd?”

Dramien game his companions a firm nod. “Nothing more toxic than uncertain loyalties.”

The swirling nighttime gust dampened the heat. Rumours of demons in the forest was enough to keep the Sothrend citizenry cowering in their homes. With only Ruxian for company, Dramien hid himself within what remained of the thicket, his eyes trained on the one dirt road leaving town. If left long enough, Ruxian pondered whether he might eventually join the fearsome statues found on temple gates.

I’ll give you advance warning. Ruxian made a few of his probes up high flicker. You should be more concerned about that spear. As if protesting the accusation, the red weapon seemed to make a sound and glowed. I don’t know about you, but inanimate objects shouldn’t make noises.

“It’s alive,” muttered Dramien. “I think it resented my neglect.”

Ruxian projected a frowning hologram. I can see magic, Dramien. You must sense its evil.

“Bloodthirst has no moral dimension,” replied the knight. “When the situation calls for lethal violence, this spear ensures I don’t hesitate.”

Another time. Ruxian flicked through his probes. That snake brought two friends. The darkness, silence, and tall grass provided the men with little cover from his vision. You want me to take care of them?

Shaking his head, Dramien emerged with a wry smile. The moonlight on his raven cloak and scarlet spear made a silhouette that would cow even granite statues. Cabron swallowed and dismounted. Even his skulking assassins appeared to balk at the unholy shimmer. Ruxian kept his distance. The macabre rancour was nauseating.

“Hello, captain,” probed Cabron as he inched forward. “It’s been a while.”

Dramien braced himself and levelled his spear at Cabron. “Why Vera?”

“It’s a reminder, good captain,” hissed Cabron, fiddling his belt of small arms. “Your moral crusade is putting the entire town at risk and –”

“I always loved the mongrel in you,” Dramien scoffed. “Don’t get righteous with me now.”

The two men roared with laughter before Cabron struck. His arms but a blur, the hunchback sent throwing knives whistling towards Dramien. Without even a flinch, Dramien whirled his spear, conjuring a wall of red steel, batting aside the projectiles with two crisp clangs.

Cabron drew his rapier and charged just as his assassins fired their crossbows. Again, the spear deflected the bolts and returned in time to deliver a hefty thrust. Pivoting, Cabron parried the counter with an elegant arc before dancing away, unleashing another throwing knife that swished past Dramien’s ear.

“I’m insulted!” cried Dramien. “You should’ve brought more men!”

Darting into the thicket, Dramien skewered the lurker before circling around, killing the other man with equal efficiency. Kicking at the corpse with a dismissive snort, Dramien turned his spear on Cabron again.

“I never liked you, Gilverman,” Cabron snarled. “Good soldier, natural leader, moral compass, irresistible to women, centre of attention. You already had everything and yet you would steal the unit command from me!”

Dramien darkened. “And Vera had to suffer your petty jealousy?”

“It was quite optional,” Cabron cackled and dangled the golden Targonian ring. “Did you come to talk, or to get this?”

Dramien locked his eyes on the article, the very symbol that would put the cavalry at his beck and call. Closing the distance in a red flash, Dramien unleashed a blistering assault, striking from every angle with equal power. The din of battle only grew louder as he pressed on, driving Cabron back.

Stepping with a grace that shamed dancers, Cabron fended off the attacks with his arcing parries. While he continued to elude the spear with his clever wrist and nimble footwork, he refrained from hasty ripostes. Dramien had a nasty habit of leaving false gaps in his offence. After several bruising exchanges in quick succession, Cabron stumbled back, gasping for air while sweat drenched him from head to toe.

“Excellent,” mocked Dramien. “I was actually trying to kill you.”

Cabron punctuated his wheezing with laughter. “Don’t try too hard, captain.”

Ignoring an awkward feint, Dramien charged again, this time even faster than before. Cabron ducked low, hunched in a bestial posture, swiping at the legs. Having driven back his captain, Cabron hurled another dagger point-blank. His triumphant grin faded fast when Dramien swatted away the throwing knife.

“Damn,” rasped Cabron. “I was trying to kill you.”

Dramien remained stone-faced. “I didn’t notice.”

With a knowing smile, Cabron threw a salvo to cover his retreat and raced for his horse. Cursing, Dramien tailed the fleeing foe, his spear finally tasting success, licking Cabron’s elbow, torso, and knees. Limping onto his mount, Cabron rode straight for Sothrend when Ruxian intervened.

Large, pale, and monstrous, the hypnotist unleashed an ear-piercing screech that made the horse rear, tossing Cabron to the ground. Groaning, he tried to sit up only to find a spear pressed against his throat. The crimson threat prickling his jugular took Cabron out of his stunned confusion.

“You brought a friend too?” Cabron moaned. “Always thought you the better man, captain.”

Dramien smirked and kicked away his sword. “You thought wrong.”