Spire of Blood: A Cultivation Gamelit Adventure (Spellheart Book 7), page 9
The true mage pouted, but she knew when she was completely outmatched. Morosely, she put on the collar and sat down with the wizards without a fight. I took care of nearly half the true mages in the temple in this manner before they realized what was happening. Then the elves reorganized into a large group and attempted to break free of the orcs encircling the perimeter of the temple.
That was when Meldrik and the other Bronze realm elders of the Blackgorge Tribe got to have their fun, and they quickly defeated all the remaining true mages. Once that was done, the rest of the orc horde streamed forth to subdue the remaining populace in and around the temple.
When the two sorcerers from the Ancient Tree Temple next received news from home, they’d learn orcs were sleeping in their beds and eating their food. I wasn’t sure how strong a hold the Cult of the Unblinking Eye had on them, but if anything could draw them away from besieging the capital, this could.
Battle won! +8000 points.
Chapter 10
After defeating the Ancient Tree Temple, conquering the rest of the nation proved rather straightforward. I merely sent out groups of orcs to subjugate cities and towns, and they returned with loot and elves in tow. As chief, a large cut of that loot was mine, as were the new elves, if any caught my interest.
None did, to the relief of my horde. Many of them had feared I’d take every elf the horde captured for myself if my proclivities with the Whitewood Clan were anything to judge by. I wasn’t about to rob my warriors of their willing prizes, and they were grateful for that.
The festivities continued as the orcs convinced ever more elves that they’d be better off becoming thralls and joining them than eking out a continued existence in this lawless land. The orcs could make a persuasive argument to the elves, especially the weak among them. They promised any elf who swore themselves to thralldom would never be hurt or hungry and would be loved throughout their experience.
But I didn’t need to make any such promises myself to have elves throwing themselves at my feet. I lounged in what I knew had been the private chambers of one of the high priestesses as yet another elf presented herself to me, hoping I’d claim her.
“Now, tell me why you want to be my thrall,” I sighed.
“Well, I could serve you well! And I heard it can be temporary if you wish to leave after a few years, so I was thinking I could collect a little vitality and--“
“That’s about what I figured.” I waved my hand. “Sorry, I have my hands full as it is.” I jerked my thumb back to the far corner of the room. The prisoner we’d recovered from underneath the Sunspire Palace was still asleep and swaddled in blankets. But she looked far healthier than ever.
The mind-controlled Unblinking Eye Cultist was there too, staring at the wall, completely unmoving. I could have gotten rid of her, but I didn’t feel comfortable handing her over to anyone in her current state. Her male handler had long since escaped, and we'd found no sign of him anywhere.
I hadn’t heard her speak, and under the effects of mind magic, she couldn’t consent to anything. That meant the orcs couldn’t honorably make her into a thrall, so nobody was interested in her.
I also had the Priestess and Groundskeeper I captured. I’d promised to keep the two of them together, so I was hanging onto them for now. They were too powerful to leave behind in the Ancient Tree Temple, so I certainly couldn’t just let them go.
“But... I want to be a thrall!” The elf true mage pouted, shocked that I’d refused her offer.
“Chief Blackgorge’s favor is not easy to win,” Meldrik explained as he entered the room. “You must be the tenth captive to proposition him like this today. Now, please wait outside, as I have important things to discuss with the chief.”
The elf hung her head and walked out the bedroom door. The orc guards standing outside closed the doors behind her. Meldrik glanced at the pile of elves I had in the far corner, wondering how much he could say in their presence.
“Go ahead. None of them are leaving the horde anytime soon.” I waved him to continue.
“Very well then. We have nearly as much control over the region as the Ancient Tree Temple did when their two sorcerers were here. Perhaps more, considering all the most powerful matriarchs and leaders of every clan worth mentioning are still in Deania. As you said, there is no one to oppose us.” Meldrik explained. “The problem is, this land is vast, and many elves are living among the trees. We keep finding settlements in areas we were certain we’d already searched. It will take some time before the elves are truly subjugated. On top of that, we have several groups wishing to return to the Sunspire Kingdom. There were cities and towns we skipped over to make our way here so hastily. We are losing people that way, but other orcs join our horde by the day as well as they give up on fighting in Deania to follow the famous Chief Blackgorge...”
“In your estimation, how long would it take to take care of the two nations completely?”
“At least a month or two,” Meldrik said. “At that point, most of the elves will have made their choices and many of the orcs will wish to settle down for a while and begin training their new thralls.”
“That’s too long,” I said as I tapped my chin. “We haven’t even touched the Auqualian Trade Union yet, and I’m not sure how much longer the Circle of Necromancers can hold out against the Lifekeeper Sanctum and the Golden Sword Sect. Last I’d heard, the necromancers had lost several of their border fortresses.”
Meldrik shrugged. “I don’t pretend to understand or involve myself in elven politics, except to the extent that it tells me where and when to raid. Most orcs are the same. Your popularity is at an all-time high among orcs these days, thanks to the string of victories. But if you pull them away now, you might lose some of the favor you’ve gained.”
I suddenly had an idea. “I’ve heard you say that more orcs were showing up to join our merry band? Tell me, if I left, could you hold the horde together?”
Meldrik ran his fingers through his beard. “With your name and the other Blackgorge Tribe elders to support me? I suppose so. I’m managing most of the raids now already. So long as we don’t have to fight a big battle or attack anywhere new, I could keep things going the way they are.”
“Then that’s what you’ll have to do.” I stood up abruptly. “There’s no reason I can only have one horde. If I need to go somewhere else, I’ll just gather a second one and strike there. Send the word out that I’m rallying a second horde at Moonbow City. Any orc who wants glory, honor, and elves, should meet me there.”
“At once, chief. I wish I could be here and at your side at the same time. I think you’ll find keeping a horde in line on your own rather difficult.”
“I expect I would.” Meldrik was right. I was powerful and an excellent strategist, but when it came to keeping the orcs satisfied and in line, I’d been reliant on Meldrik. But luckily, he wasn’t the only orc I could depend on. “Yorik should be just north of here in the Rakaren Queendom. I’ll pick her up, then double back to Moonbow City.”
“Aye. A good choice, Chief.” Meldrik said at the mention of his granddaughter. “Yorik has a fiery spirit. She might be a woman, but she won the respect of plenty of men. Back when she raided at my side, she took as many elf thralls as I did! Alas, orc women don't have quite as many uses for elves as orc men, so she just traded her prizes off. But she’ll manage your horde as well as I would, and truth be told, I feel a bit better about leaving your side knowing she’ll replace me.”
Meldrik and I shared a few parting words. I promised I’d be taking the mind-controlled elf cultist and the prisoner we’d recovered north with me so I could drop them both off in the Hearthwood for medical treatment. Meldrik promised to take care of the Priestess and the Groundskeeper for me.
With no further farewells, Meldrik threw me a salute, and I returned it. Then I hopped on my flying sword and headed north to the Rakaren Queendom.
Chapter 11
This was the first time I’d gotten to see the Rakaren Queendom, either before or after its subjugation under the authority of the Hearthwood Clan. Since this country was technically mine, I figured I should at least fly over it once.
The dense forests of the Ancient Tree Temple turned into rugged mountainous, terrain as I crossed the border. The ground was hard and filled with sturdy trees. I detected the presence of several true mage monsters, though I didn’t have the time to harvest them for points. I had the unblinking eye cultist thrown over one shoulder and the bundled prisoner from beneath the palace over the other. With both my hands full, I wasn’t in the mood for battle.
This unwelcoming landscape was probably what Deania looked like before Sam and Dean rearranged the mountains, redirected the rivers, and made the country safe for the elves, who now called it home. It was no wonder the Rakaren Queen had been so hungry for a piece of Deania.
I came across a sizable settlement filled with mage acolytes and heartwielders. They cowered in fear when I descended from above. I removed the intimidating set of bone armor I'd been wearing over my jade armor as Chief Blackgorge and donned more casual clothes that anyone from the Hearthwood would recognize me in.
“Please, no trouble!” One mage acolyte begged once she recognized the power of my cultivation. “We’ll give you food, money, whatever you wish for. Just know that this town is under the protection of the Hearthwood Clan before doing anything rash.”
“Don’t be so frightened.” I chided. “As it happens, I am a member of the Hearthwood Clan. Who’s in charge of this town?”
“That would be Lady Comela Songstone, of the Hearthwood Clan,” the mage acolyte said. “She’s a powerful warrior and the daughter of the Hearthwood Clan’s famous patriarch! If you speak with her, make sure you mind your manners!” Then she remembered how frightened of me she'd been mere moments ago. "...Please," she added before scampering away.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I chuckled as I flew in the direction the mage acolyte directed me. I soon came across a keep on a large hill in the center of the region. It was made out of living wood as many of the erected buildings in the Hearthwood were grown. This was clearly the work of a member of the Riverweed Tribe.
I flew overhead and was spotted. Several mage acolytes from the Hearthwood Clan who I didn’t recognize flew out to greet me, but leading them was my daughter.
“Comela!” I held my arms out in greetings. “Look at you, hard at work governing towns and cities!”
Comela blushed, especially when she had to duck below the swinging rears of the two elves I had over either of my shoulders. “Yes, father, I’m managing this region until we can put a trusted local in charge. My sisters Lyrela, Tanela, Aminel, and Jatese are all in the Rakaren Capital getting Jatese’s pet princess crowned queen.”
“I’m headed back home to drop these two off,” I explained as I hefted the two elves in either arm. “Both of them desperately need medical aid. I hope Illiel’s made some progress with Kysalian’s master Sharakan Sakaku.”
“You’ll have to ask Pelise. After that shipment of mind aspect spellhearts you sent back, she’s taken up mind magic. She thinks it will be a worthy addition to her spirit healing abilities.” Comela explained. “If anyone could fix what the Cult of the Unblinking Eye does to their victims, it’s her.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” I grinned as I wrapped my arm around my daughter. I flew us down to her keep as we talked, and Comela was grateful to speak with me in private. I didn’t want to embarrass her too much in front of her troops.
“As nice as it would be to catch up with you, Comela, you’ve got work to do and so do I. I need to know where Yorik is. I’ll need her help soon.” I said once I was seated in my daughter’s office.
“I can take you there.” Comela offered. “Things in these parts practically run themselves. Jatese’s training program has worked wonders, and all the local true mages are loyal to the Hearthwood. Soon I’ll be able to return home and prepare for my breakthrough to true mage.”
“You’ve contributed enough to the family for an aura fragment when the time comes,” I promised Comela. Her eyes lit up as my words guaranteed her hopes. “Don’t look too shocked. I’ve killed a lot of true mages and monsters at that level, and I only have so many children.”
“Thank you, father!” Comela gave me a warm embrace, and I passed her a few trinkets I’d picked up in my travels.
“Here’s a few pills and potions meant to help a mage acolyte prepare to bind an aura fragment,” I told my daughter. “I picked up a couple of aura fragments from wizards of the Sunspire Kingdom. They should be compatible with your spirit art. Look through the list and see what you like.”
The aura fragments from those wizards were the best of the best, meant for the Sunspire Queen and her most capable and well-connected wizards. Getting one of those fragments would put my daughter on the same level as heirs to royal families all over the continent.
Comela was practically jumping up and down giddy and excited as she looked over the list. Her eyes were glued to the piece of paper with such intensity I had to remind her to tell me where Yorik was. She gave me directions, and I took off again toward the Rakaren Capital.
The capital of the Rakaren Queendom reminded me of Moonbow City in size and scale. It wasn’t as impressive as the capital of Deania, but it was a sizable city. To most elves, it was no doubt an impressive settlement. After conquering the Ancient Tree Temple and the Sunspire, I was no longer so easily impressed.
The architecture of the city was mostly stone. They were fond of earth magic here in the Rakaren Queendom, which won them some credit in my book. The buildings had pointed roofs to shed snow at these higher altitudes, and the city itself was nestled in a valley created by several nearby mountains.
At first glance, I saw the streets were packed with people, and I didn’t realize why until I heard my daughters were coronating that princess I captured into the new queen of the land. Truthfully, the queen would just be a puppet my daughter Jatese controlled, but this would be far easier than an armed conquest or occupation. The fact was that nearly every true mage in the country had either been killed, imprisoned, or been subject to the same strict training regimen Jatese had put their new queen through. That meant that the nation’s remaining nobility were as good as ours.
That last fact became obvious when I landed my flying sword. Jatese held a crown on a pillow, and the princess she was crowning knelt at her feet as Jatese stroked her head like petting a cat. The Rakaren princess wore a fine dress worthy of a royal, though she also had an ornate golden choker around her throat that reminded me of the collars the orcs liked to place on their elven thralls.
I spotted Yorik among the guests of honor, and I descended on my flying sword to land next to her.
My entrance caught a fair bit of attention. Yorik was very close to the stage upon which the princess was being crowned, most of the people of the capital watched me touch down.
“Don’t let me interrupt anything,” I said when Jatese shot me a beaming smile. I waved her to continue, but Jatese beckoned me forward onto the stage.
“What an honor this is for the Rakaren people! My father, the Patriarch of the Hearthwood Clan himself, is here to give your new queen her crown!” Jatese said as she stood to the side of the princess and held up the crown.
“I see you’ve made quite a bit of progress here,” I said softly to Jatese. “The credit is yours though, are you sure you want me to do the crowning?”
“Don’t be silly, daddy!” Jatese said. “I’m only a mage acolyte. Your name is the one I remind everyone of to keep them in line.” Then she turned to the kneeling princess. “Tell my daddy how grateful you are that he spared your life and gave it to me.”
“Thank you for giving me to mistress Jatese!” The Rakaren princess said. “She’s been very good to me. She’s uncovered parts of me I never knew existed, and I’ve become a better person and a better queen because of her.”
Jatese flashed the princess a beaming smile. “Now tell him how grateful you are that he’s letting you wear this crown.”
“Thank you, Patriarch Theo, for letting me rule over the Rakaren Queendom!” The princess said, loud enough for the entire crowd to hear.
Seeing how earnest Jatese and the princess were, I knew I had to play my part as well. I handed the two elves I was carrying off to Yorik, who accepted them with a raised eyebrow. Then I approached the kneeling princess once again and plucked the crown off the pillow in Jatese’s hands.
I raised my voice so I could be heard throughout the entire city. “Are you prepared for the burdens of queenship?”
Jatese patted the Rakaren Princess on the shoulder and nodded.
“I am.” The Rakaren Princess answered.
“Do you swear to govern justly, upholding the law with integrity?” I asked.
“I swear.” The Rakaren Princess agreed, this time without prompting.
“Will you deal with other nations in good faith, and heed the excellent advice of my daughter, me, and the rest of my family?” I asked.
“I will!” The Rakaren Princess swore.
“Then I now crown you the Queen of Rakaren,” I said as I placed the crown on the princess’ head. She rose to her feet, and Jatese wrapped her hand around the new queen’s waist as they both waved to the crowd.
Applause rang throughout the streets, especially when members of the Hearthwood Clan started distributing food. It doubled in volume when the Queen declared this day a holiday and tripled when Jatese and my other daughters nearby announced several public works projects, funded by Hearthwood, which would provide clean water, food, and labor for the capital’s populace.
I returned to Yorik’s side, and she handed the two elves back to me with a grin. “Taking thralls?” She asked.
“I’m merely taking two unfortunate elves back to the Hearthwood for healing!” I protested. “No thralls for me. Well... a few elves built a house and help me out from time to time as assistants, but that hardly counts.”
