The Rats Among Spires II (New)

With the arrival of the army, I can finally relax a bit. Rows of pikemen, guarded by dwarven shield bearers and covered by archers will easily hold off the monsters for now. Squires quickly set up the barricades and dig the shallow trenches all around our position.
Looks like the demi-human squad is in the reserve, waiting for the front line to get tired so they can switch out. This gives me a chance to talk with Ren.

Toross is the first to notice my approach being the tall bastard he is. Well, I guess he is the only one looking my direction because he's giving some speech for some reason. Bah! He doesn't deserve excuses. "Perfect timing ranger. I see you've had your share of combat. Care to tell us the dangers that lurk in these woods?"

I reach up to my face and wipe away dried black goo. I can't remember what this was from... The squad stares at me waiting for an answer. A quick inspection of their equipment would tell anyone they're under-prepared. Not a single metal plate for armour. Even their helmets are just padded coifs. Some of their weapons appear to just be iron. We couldn't even all get steel weapons? Wait. What about stoler weapons? "Do any of you have stoler?"

Turns out stoler weapons are even more expensive than well made steel. They'll be sharing stoler pikes with the main force. The princess must really trust us to give us each a stoler weapon. Except Naz. His weapon choice really didn't leave room for options.
As I discuss the various monsters I've encountered while fighting, I learn that Toross stole some of the ranger's strategies. His standard battle line is the dwarven shield bearers in front and elves with spears and pikes behind them. Then he has the saurians covering the flanks with clubs and maces. Apparently, none of them can get the edge alignment right on bladed weapons. Probably for the best. The muscle-bound lizards are dangerous enough as is.
The jarcoba sit in a strange spot because none of them are strong enough to make a bow lethal, and none of them can hold a line like the dwarves. So they mostly serve as order relays and war dogs.

After my briefings on the creatures of Lunatic's Spires, Toross finished his spiel with, "There you have it. The beasts of Lunatic's Spires are nothing more than that. Creatures. Protect your comrades and we'll all leave here alive! For our wives! For our children! For Solaris!"
He throws his fist into the air, preceded by a chorus of cheers. His hand opens and motions for the crowd to stop. "Prepare to trade places with the humans. I will join you after a few words with the ranger."
Toross makes his way through the crowd, mingling quickly and leaving them with wishes of luck before only Ren and I remain.

Despite none of the others wearing substantial armour, Toross dons a brigindine curaiss and actual helmet. His longbow dangles on one shoulder while he holds his quiver of arrows steady on his waist. After a through examination I look up at him. "I suppose the humans favour you, eh?"

He raises an eyebrow at me. "I suppose you could say that. Although that 'favour' was earned long before we arrived here. I've owned this armour for years now."
After reading the clear skepticism on my face, he sighs. He turns slightly to show off the symbol of crossed daggers on his back. "Elves may not be permitted to carry weapons in the city, but armour is acceptable."

I shake my head, "That's not what I'm confused about. How could you afford this?"

"Is it really so hard to believe that I possess wealth?"

"Yes, it is."

His faces twists in disgust. "I'll have you know, I sit on the council of the Artisan guild. I've spent decades ensuring all that I weave is highly sought after. Seldom a human can mach my level of craftsmanship."

What? That can't be possible. "And yet you're here?"

He scowls down at me. "I chose to be here, heretic. Not all were forced to grovel and beg for a chance to live."
Tsk. Why does he know about that? He waves his hand over his head. "Enough of this. I came to discuss, not explain myself to you."

Whatever. I don't want to talk with him any longer than I have to. "Right. What is it?"

He looks back at his squad, then to Ren who's been listening patiently beside us, before turning back to me. "What do you say our chances of success are here?"

A vague question. "With our numbers, I can't imagine anything I've faced so far will even scratch us. Although this forest can hardly be trusted to stay consistent. I've only seen a tiny amount of Aroura's magic abilities, so I can't say how that will go. And we can't afford to lose the city. So our chances have no choice but to be guaranteed."

He crosses his arms. "A fine sentiment, if rather foolish. Surprising, coming from you."

Ren finally chimes in. "Kar's always had a soft spot for people who don't piss him off. Oh, and his family too I guess."

Oh really Ren? And my family? "So where do you fall in that list, Ren?"

His eyes widen in shock. "Are you saying you have a soft spot for me? I didn't realize you swing that way."

I wrap my arm around his shoulder. "That's right. And I've had my eyes on you for a while you tiny tiny man."

"Oh! I'm so flattered! A filthy rancid pig-elf has taken interest in little ol' me!"

Toross cleared his throat. I ignored him. "You'll find I'm filthy in the hay as well."

He rolled his eyes. "Ugh, I know. You're not as subtle as you think when you 'sneak' off with Freala. It's disgusting."

I can't help but laugh. "You though I was trying to be subtle? Sometimes she wants an audience you know? You're welcome to watch."

Toross just sighed and walked away. "I've had enough of this. Klalen, ensure sure you're ready when it's time to fight."

"Yes, sir! Dude, who in their right mind wants an audience?"

"Who knows? But she's not in her right mind. And that's exactly what I love about her."

He rolls his eyes. "One day, your weird taste in girls is going to get you chopped up and assembled into a shine."

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid he wouldn't function if deceased. And 'tis doubtful he would have any effect on a shrine."

I look back to find a short human clad in armour slightly too big for her. "Oh. Hey Aroura."

Ren glances at me with an eyebrow raised before analyzing Aroura while she does the same to him. He says, "Thought that whole maid plan was a fluke. I didn't realize you went after human women too."

Oh jeez. "Aroura, this is Ren, my greatest friend. Ren, this is Aroura. My boss."

Ren looks back at me. "Your..."
The colour drains from his face and his eyes open wider than I've ever seen. He immediately falls to one knee and bows. "Forgive my insolence your highness! I hadn't recognized you!"

Despite her helmet only revealing her eyes, nose, and the very centre of her mouth, I can tell that she responded with a smile. She crouched down and looked over Ren. "Curious. 'Tis almost as if he were a separate breed."

She continued to point out the difference between Ren and I, complete with a hands-on inspection of his ears and face. I sigh. "Ren you can stand up. This means she likes you."

He reluctantly rises to his feet while asking, "You're sure?"

Once he makes it to his feet, Aroura takes a step back and courtesies as best she can in trousers. She offers her 'academic of all things mystical and scientific' greeting to which Ren can only look up at me for reassurance. "Just treat her like any other weirdo. Says hearing 'my liege' over and over annoys her."

He bows slightly to her. "This is an honour, princess Aroura."
Eh. Good enough.

Alright, now that that's over. "How are the magic circles?"

As usual, she immediately becomes giddy at the very mention of magic. "My hypothesis has gone precisely as predicted. By mid-day I may harvest enough mana for an act befitting of the Gods! Hyperbole of course."
Sounds like she'll be ready soon. I hope that's what hyperbole means anyway. She continues. "My rangers are scouring for any pine they might have missed and-"
She gasps as though she just remembered to breathe for the first time in hours. She rushes past me towards the front line and squats over an illuminous pile of goo that was once a ghost. She waves me over as though if I don't move immediately, she'll die. "Kar! Kar, come quick! This is ectoplasm!"

Ugh... Ren takes a step away. "I suppose this means you have to go?"
I only sigh again in response. He nods and takes a step away. "Right. I'll meet up with the others."

"Ren. Be careful. This forest has a way of messing with your head."
He nods and takes off. I already warned the demi-humans about the strange ghoul I encountered earlier. Not to mention the way that knight died, but I feel like Ren deserves an extra warning.

I don't even make it half way to Aroura before she shoves a heap of goop into my hands. "Store these in your pouches! With haste!"

"My... That's where I store my food!"

"There's plenty of food out there! I demand-!"
She gasps in realization before scrapping the dull goo out of my hands. "You... You drained it... Fascinating. You realize what this means, correct?"
How could I possibly know what this means? "This is resounding evidence against Gotthard's theory of spiritual creation! With the natural state of ectoplasm, a substance only produced by spirits, being purely physical, our souls truly are a product a of this world!"
Ah yes, of course. How could I have been so foolish. She proceeds to spout more names and theories all while I zone out and watch the front line. Looks like they're holding out fairly well. Even the giant spiders who manage to climb the trees and pounce from above are skewered and die long before they can become a threat.

Aroura shakes my shoulders, "Kar, are you listening to me? This discovery could shape research throughout all of Kalth! Oh, I could only imagine! Aroura Solaris abetted the mold of humanity's knowledge on the creation of our world! 'Tis a fantasy of mine, no longer."
She takes a few deep breaths before composing herself. "I must thank you. I once worried, I would contribute nothing in the fight against ignorance. Now I may lay that worry to rest."
She jolts as she gently takes my hand and smiles sweetly at me from under her helmet. "You have my eternal gratitude."

Ah... This feels a little too genuine for someone I'll eventually abandon. I simply smile. "Glad to be of service."
As if. I'll only serve a human if it benefits me more or if it's an accident.

She releases my hand and places her hands on her hips. "Now then. Relinquish your pouches to me. You may not touch any other valuable ingredients without my say so."

"I'm not letting you ruin my hard-earned food."

She holds out her hand then realizes what I said. "You... You're refusing a demand? My demand?"

Sometimes I forget she's the princess. I put my hands up defensibly. "Ah, what I mean is that... Wouldn't my stuff ruin more of your ingredients?"

She crosses her arms and glares at me. "I understand your tricks. You denied my orders! How rude!"
Refusing orders is rude? What about issuing orders? "We must correct this at once! Are you not indebted to me? Why would you refuse?"
Son of a bitch. What do I say here? I could throw her 'eternal gratitude' in her face. Maybe appeal to her emotions with a friendship claim. Yeah right! She doesn't have emotions! I have to hold back a laugh, which she notices. She gasps, offended. "I fail to see the humour in this matter! Explain yourself!"

A low growl from off to the side comes to my rescue. "Princess, I will gather these ingredients. I am curious as to what you can do with them."

After a moment of consideration she turns to walk with Wal, but keeps her glare on me. "Hmph! We will carry on with our discussion later."

Oh, I'm sure we will. Thanks Wal! Now what... Guess I'll go watch the fight. As I approach, Maheed and Naz join me. A few steps later and a blue light is filling the forest beyond the front line. What the...
The boom of thunder echos through the trees! The crackle of lightning crashes over the front lines and countless humans drop! What the fuck!? Something can command thunder!?

We draw our weapons and rush towards the others. A lone stag the size of a carriage prances through the trees, avoiding the hail of arrows. Small blips of thunder zipping through his antlers. The antlers gradually glow in a brilliant blue aura. Is he preparing another blast?
It looks like most of the front line are alive, but just barely. They twitch and cough, barely able to breathe. They won't survive another attack like that.
When I hear Wal's heavy footsteps march up behind me, I shout out. "Rangers! Lure that beast away from the others!"