124: The Princess And The Ravager (Patreon)

NOTE: Now that the $10 tier is at 35 chapters ahead of RR, all tiers gain more chapters. The $5 tier goes up to 8 chapters, from 5, and the $10 tier goes up to 18, from 15. Enjoy!
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“Vason!” Tia cried, intercepting the nearest Hunter-Gatherer who’d swarmed upon them. The beasts raged like they’d gone mad. She suspected they might actually have. Their behavior seemed less like addled fury and more like they’d broken down, somehow. Without the Matron commanding them, Tia could see why.

That made things both easier and harder for Spear’s Edge. No longer did they have to worry about ambushes or even about Hunters grouping together to attack, but the Ash Beasts attacked them with reckless abandon. Seemingly with no regard for their own self preservation.

“On it!” Vason replied, bashing a Hunter with his shield before rushing to Vir’s position. Haymi and Tia joined him, forming an encirclement around their downed friend.

“Can you carry him?” Tia asked, firing an Ember spell into a Hunter’s face, which caused it to run around blindly and crash into its brothers.

“Sure, but we oughta grab those first,” he said, pointing to the Matron’s severed limbs. “Brotherhood will be wanting proof, yeah?”

Tia nodded. “Grab them. We’ll hold them off until you’re back.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Vason darted off to the Matron. Whether out of deference or fear, the Hunters maintained some distance from their fallen mother, allowing Vason to gather the bladed limbs and place them into his rucksack. He needed Bulwark for that act, due to how sharp the limbs were.

“Even in death, you’re still a threat to us, aren’t you?” Vason muttered as he did the deed and slung his rucksack across his back.

He lost no time in returning to Tia, bashing another Hunter from behind. Haymi used the opportunity to fire an Arc spell right into its maw, making it spasm.

Vason Leaped to the unconscious Vir, scooped him up and threw him on his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“Sorry, bud, but this is the best I can do,” he said.

“Alright! Combat retreat!” Tia ordered. “Haymi at the rear. Vason in the middle. I’ll take the front.”

Working efficiently, they took their positions, with Haymi firing Lightning and Water spells to keep their foes at bay while Tia hacked through foliage in search of their nearest base.

“You think we can lose them?” Vason asked.

“Think so,” Tia replied, furiously slashing shrubs and fronds with Empowered slashes. “Without the Matron, I doubt they’ll be able to mount an organized search. We’re already gaining on them.”

While the vegetation’s density slowed them, it slowed their large pursuers even more. The sounds of addled screeches slowly began to dissipate, and a terse half hour later, they found themselves once more in a silent forest.

“Let’s stop here,” Haymi said. “I need to treat Apramor. And you, too, princess.”

“We’re not that far away from our nearest encampment. I’d feel a lot better if we stopped there. And I told you not to call me that.”

The welcome sight of palisades came into view just moments later, and it was with a collective sigh that they each entered, locking the gate behind them. The wooden logs wouldn’t stop a horde of Hunters, but Tia doubted they’d have to worry about that now. They’d won.

Haymi checked Vir over the moment Vason laid him on the ground. She worked quickly to strip away his leg armor and clothing while Tia and Vason kept watch for incoming enemies. 

“How bad?“ Tia called from the entrance of the encampment.

“Not good. But nothing I can't handle,“ Haymi said, regarding the mutilated flesh with a concerned expression.

After probing various points along his leg, she set her B Grade Set Bone orb to work.

Once the bones were healed, she activated her Mend Skin orb…and gasped.

“What’s wrong? Is everything alright?” Tia called.

“N-No. It’s fine,”Haymi replied, turning pale as she witnessed skin reform before her very eyes. Gray skin.

Haymi gawked for a moment longer, before jolting herself into action. Before anyone could see, she hurriedly wrapped his skin with fresh bandages.

“You sure? Vason, I think something's wrong. Go take a look,“ she heard Tia say. “I'll keep watch.“ 

There was no time. Nothing she could do. She hadn't been fast enough.

The warrior walked in on the prone Vir, his eyes taking Ashborn skin. his eyes lingered a moment over Vir's body before flicking to Haymi.

“Vason, I-“ she began, but the warrior held up a palm, nodding once before turning around.

“Everything's fine,“ Vason called back to Tia. “She's almost done.“ He lowered his voice. “I'll make sure she doesn't see. But hurry it up.“ 

Haymi's mouth opened and closed several times before she nodded back, returning to her work once the warrior rejoined Tia.

“We should let her finish in peace. I hear some sounds from the forest. It's too early to relax.“

“I know,“ Tia replied, gazing intently for any sign of pursuers. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Haymi moved on to the back of his head, and finally his arms, which had taken the brunt of the damage.

In all cases, gray skin reformed instead of healthy tan.

Haymi's heart pounded, her thoughts rampant and chaotic. Her hands worked on their own, guided by her wealth of past experience.

“How’s it look?” Tia asked, finally returning once Haymi had finished.

The mejai gazed at Tia blankly before pursing her lips.

“Princess. Your arm. Now,” Haymi said, bringing out her B Grade Set Bone orb, along with her Mend Skin orbs. “He’s worse off than you, but he’ll come through.”

“Tch,” Tia clucked. “You really shouldn’t call me that. Maybe Apramor’s only pretending to be asleep?”

Haymi said nothing as she got to work, but Vason wasn’t so considerate. After gently placing Vir on the ground, he marched up to Tia.

“What is it, Vason?”

“Haymi’s right, Princess. I’d held my tongue in front of Apramor, but I can remain quiet no longer. Not only have you endangered your own life—a life that, need I remind you, is far more precious than all of ours combined—but you even put Apramor in danger! What were you thinking, accepting a quest like this?”

Tia averted her eyes. “I mean… it sounded lucrative?”

Haymi scowled, irritated at the princess' recklessness. “Tia, money never has been, nor ever will be, a concern for you. You did this purely for your own selfish enjoyment, the same as always. The same reason you invited a stranger to our party. I agree with Vason. As your bodyguards, we can only do so much. If you wish to commit suicide, I’m afraid even our lives will not be enough to save you.”

“Haymi, c’mon, that’s not fair. You know I care about you two! More than my own life, even!”

“Then please comport yourself as one befitting your position.”

Tia snorted. “That ship sailed a long time ago, don’t you think?”

“Princess Tiyana, you are royalty! And not some second or third princess, either!“

“Hey, it's me. When have I not done things this way?“

“Yes, your serial recklessness has caused no end of trouble for us. I am sure there are those who might find it charming. That is, until you get someone killed. What would your brother say if he saw what you’ve been up to? He’d lock you up in the castle, and for good reason!”

Tia’s expression soured, and only partly from the pain of having her crushed bones repaired. “What my brother doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Besides, look at me. I’m hardly princess material.”

“Nonetheless, you are royalty. And with your parents gone, you and your brother are all our country has left. Please think of us!”

“Fine,” Tia said, moping. “Fine! Badrak’s Balls! I’ll... I'll try to be more careful.”

“And mind your manner of speech, too.”

“Yes, yes. Sure,” Tia said with an enormous yawn. “Just… too tired right now.”

Haymi’s expression softened. “You need rest, princess. Vason and I will keep watch.”

“Just… heal Apramor…” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

“You ever regretted all this?” Vason asked.

“What, you mean guarding such a selfish brat?” Haymi grinned. “Never. But sometimes, I do feel like slapping her across the face.”

“A hard slap,” Vason said, nodding.

“Yes. Nothing but the hardest slaps for our dear princess.”

— —

“Please stop.”

Mejai of Realms were supposed to be near the apex of magical power. Respected, even revered wherever they went. And yet, this particular Mejai of Realms had suffered abuse after abuse at the hands of the four-armed half giant demon who was his charge.

It should have been the other way. He was the master here. The one with all the power. And yet, he felt more like a steward for a problem child. A problem child who would tear him limb from limb were it not for the subjugation collar around his neck. An invaluable Artifact from the Age of Gods, reserved for those who absolutely needed it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The demon Cirayus wore a black cloak that covered his body, hiding his four arms, but his head was exposed. The black tattoos that traced across his red skin gave him away as someone—something—not from this Realm. But there was no point hiding it. Even if they hid his face, who would ever believe such a giant was human?

Thump. Thump. Thump. Each step the giant took shook the ground, rattling windows and sending shivers down everyone’s spine.

“Do you have to do that?” the Mejai of Realms said, nodding at the villagers they passed, doing his best to dissuade a mass panic. Adinat save them if the giant ever showed off his four arms.

“Do what?” the giant replied, continuing to thump his way along Brij’s thoroughfare.

“That thumping! It’s some power of yours, isn’t it?”

“Now that is simply rude, mejai,” the demon boomed. “Among my tribe, I’m considered small, but as you can see, I am quite a bit more weighty than the average human.”

“And yet, you manage to walk around making no noise when you choose. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, demon!”

“Oh, that,” Cirayus replied, as if that answered the mejai. He continued walking, uncaring.

“Parading you around like this will only create unwanted attention! It goes against our interests!” the Mejai of Realms hissed.

“Against our interest, is it?” the demon boomed. “Tell me, mejai, how has your search been going, hmm? Located our errant gray demon yet? No? After all this time?”

The Mejai of Realms could only grind his teeth in frustration. From Parul to even Kin’jal, his agents had found no trace of Mina’s Ashborn assassin.

“Princess two-face sounded quite angry during your last report, you know? And as much as it irks me, I am in agreement with the little wench. You have pored over maps, you have searched far and wide, and yet, you are still no closer to locating him than you were weeks ago.”

“We know he is affiliated with the Brotherhood of Mercenaries. Lady Kamna confirmed as much while she spied on him. If only they’d talk… But they dare to deny our inquiries!”

“As they should. Tis’ only natural for them to protect their own,” the demon responded, eyeing the village buildings with keen interest. “There is something… familiar about this place.”

The demon took a great sniff at the air. “It’s the smell. It feels… nostalgic, though I am quite sure I have never been here.”

The mejai beside him grumbled. “I’m no urchin off the streets! I have a royal decree! A decree! And yet that Brotherhood scum thinks they can get away with it.”

“It seems to me that is exactly what is happening. Has your king punished them? No? Then they are above the law. They simply understand that fact. Perhaps your kingdom isn’t as great as you seem to think? Hm?”

The mejai beside him ground his teeth even harder. It was all he could do.

“These are the villagers you want to see,” the mejai said irritably. “We’ve rounded them up for interrogation, but they don’t know a thing.”

“Tell me about this ‘Guardian of Ash’, human.”

“Mere rumors and speculation. Her Highness the Princess believes this was the doing of our assassin. The timing of the rumor coincides, but I’ve yet to see any other evidence supporting that theory.”

“Hmm.”

Cirayus paced around the densely packed circle of villagers. They’d stood out here for over an hour, and though some showed signs of fatigue, there wasn’t a trace of defiance in any of them. Only confusion. Resignation.

And when they spotted the giant… fear.

All except for one.

Cirayus knelt down in front of a child. A scrawny boy, the type that might be bullied in a village such as this. Cirayus knew well the law of small societies such as these. After all, the vast majority of demonkind cloistered in small settlements not too different from human villages.

“You’re the one, are you not?” Cirayus asked in a low voice that couldn’t be overheard. His tone was unlike anything he’d ever used with the Mejai of Realms. Instead of a fearsome incarnation of war, he spoke like a kindly old uncle, full of warmth.

The boy shook his head.

“Please, a child?” The Mejai of Realms said, scoffing.

Cirayus turned and met the mejai’s gaze. It was all he needed to drive the man into silence. The mejai took an unconscious step back. “Do not interrupt me.”

The giant then reached a hand out to the boy, who closed his eyes and quaked in fear. But Cirayus did not fail to notice his balled fists, or the defiant expression on his face.

Extending his enormous hand, he ruffled the boy’s head gently and smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’m on your side,” Cirayus whispered with a wink. “I know your friend. Likely better than you do. He wielded strange powers, did he not? Strange, scary powers?”

The boy nodded. “Can you tell me where my friend went? I wish to know that he is safe.”

“I-I dunno, sir. I really don’t,” the boy whispered back. “But maybe the Godshollow? Just a hunch, sir, nothing more. Perfect place to hide.”

“The Godshollow?” Cirayus asked gently.

“The Forest, sir. The one west of the city. With the big huge trees!”

“Big.. trees, you saw?”

Cirayus’s laughter thundered through the plaza, stunning everyone present.

“I see. I see! You’ve done well, child. Thank you. Truly,” he said, wiping away tears that welled up in his eyes. The smile the demon wore could not be bought with any price in the world.

The giant stood back up and thumped to one of the lesser Mejai’s accompanying him.

“Kneel,” Cirayus thundered, and the mejai kneeled. In fact, he fell all the way to the ground, flattened as his weight multiplied several-fold.

“What do you think you’re doing!?” The Mejai of Realms shouted. “Cease this immediately! Else, I’ll activate your collar!”

Cirayus ignored the man and rifled through the hapless mejai’s belongings until he found what he was looking for.

Retrieving the sack, he returned to the boy and gently placed it in his hands. The boy’s eyes went wide as he realized just how much coin was inside. Likely more than he’d ever even seen in his life.

“Take this, boy. And spread the word of this Guardian of the Ash, you hear? Tell his tale to all.”

The boy nodded vigorously, too shocked to reply.

Cirayus ruffled his head once again, then returned to the Mejai of Realms.

“Was that truly necessary,” the man said, eyeing his subordinate who was just now recovering from his ordeal.

The demon cracked his neck. “Show me a map.”

With no reason to deny the demon, the mejai obliged, and some minutes later, they gathered in Brij’s plaza around a table with a detailed map of the Known World placed upon it.

“We’ve searched here,” Cirayus said, pointing to Parul, on Rani’s northern border. “We’ve searched here and even here,” gesturing to Kin’jal and the northern parts of Hiranya.

“But let us trace this demon’s actions, shall we? He fled from Daha after failing to assassinate princess two-face.”

“She has a name! I’ll not allow you to—”

“Then he came north, here to Brij. Why? To resupply. To stock up on supplies. The armorer and the baker both spoke of of their wares mysteriously disappearing that night, did they not?”

“They did, yes. We know he planned for a journey. This is not new information.”

“But, having gone north, you expected him to either double back to Parul, or continue north. What if, instead, he went west? To here?”

Cirayus pointed to the stretch of land west of the North Legion Mountains.

“There? There is nothing there! He’d have to travel far to the south. To Zorin, before he found his first town.”

“And what better route than for someone on the run?”

The Mejai’s eyes went wide. “Do you think…”

“We’ve been anticipated, mejai. This assassin of yours. He’s a smart one. So is your princess. I’m surprised she never called this out.”

“The princess, she… she’s not quite in the right of mind these days, I’m afraid. She seems obsessed with catching her old nemesis, General Savar, even failing to sleep or eat. Or so I hear.”

“Well then. I suppose we’d best get to it, mejai.”

The Mejai of Realms went silent for a moment. “You helped us. Why?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a good fight, mejai,” the demon replied, cracking his neck. “I find myself wanting a distraction.”

“Gatik. Call me Gatik.”

“Very well, Gatik. I am Cirayus. Centuries ago, I was called Cirayus the Ravager, but most who knew that name have long passed. For now, I am simply Cirayus, of Baira.”

Gatik regarded the giant with new measure of respect. “Cirayus, then. Let us pray for a good hunt. For both our sakes.”