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WHILE THE TROLLS STARED CURIOUSLY at the amulet, I took Lazybones out and observed their reaction. And I should note that it surprised me. Neither Farhas nor Erg nor the two other trolls even considered reacting properly to seeing the Heart of the Forest. In their eyes, I saw no respect or reverence. They are not elves or dryads, falling to their knees upon seeing the legendary relic. For trolls, it was just the big seed of a plant they’d never seen before.
Actually no... I got ahead of myself. One troll did in fact fall to his knees. His burning gaze was fixated on Lazybones. It was Dago.
The young troll’s behavior did not evade the attention of Farhas and the others. The shaman crouched down with concern over his relative and patted him on the shoulder.
“Yep,” I heard Ur’s contemplative voice. “You sure do have a knack for surprise... Is that what I think it is? The legendary Heart of the Forest?”
“That’s right,” I nodded.
“Now I see why you need a keeper,” he said, rubbing his chin.
“What is that?” Farhas mumbled. “And what is happening to Dago?”
“He’s just fine, old man,” Ur waved it off. “As a matter of fact, if the Heart accepts him, your grandson will be given unprecedented power!”
“The Heart of the Forest?” the shaman asked.
“The very same,” Ur sighed with a frown. “Its call is what Dago was hearing.”
“But why him?” the shaman asked, perplexed. The old man was clearly not too happy with this.
“Seemingly, the blood of our great forebearers flows in your grandson’s veins,” Ur smiled. “A great honor has been bestowed upon him. He has heard the voice of the future Great Forest.”
“But why can’t the rest of us hear it?” Erg grunted with envy.
“Well, for me it’s obvious,” Ur responded. “I dedicated my life to Great Chaos long ago. But as for you... Though you are forest dwellers, you lost contact with the Forest long ago.”
“So, it’s a living creature?” one of the trolls asked.
“Correct,” I nodded. “And quite a strong willed one. But without their help, I could not have taken down the Dark Spirit.”
Ur perked up his ears right away.
“Are you saying that this is not the only seed?”
“No,” I shook my head. “There were a whole three. One of them is currently on the Dark Continent. Beyond Narrow Lake, the first Great Forest in many centuries is again taking root. I still have the other two seeds with me. They have yet to find their Keepers.”
Ur chuckled in perplexity and scratched the back of his head.
“Never a dull moment with you. The world changes at breakneck pace around you. Ahem... And those changes are affecting everyone.”
“Even us?” one of the trolls asked.
“Us most of all,” Ur chuckled. “I’d say we’re at the very center of events.”
“What do you mean?” the shaman asked, concerned.
“Well, at this very second, everyone who heard the Call is hurrying this way. You think only your tribe has an heir to Great blood? Very soon, this place will be packed full of challengers. Ha-ha! Now that’s something I have to see!”
The whole time Ur was talking, something was happening to Dago. He was on his knees with his head bowed respectfully and whispering something to himself. Even while kneeling, he was much taller than me.
Thanks to my enhanced hearing, I could make out his muttering. He seemed to be having a chat with Lazybones. Or rather Lazybones was saying something to him, and Dago was meekly agreeing.
After that, he suddenly fell silent and raised his head. His calm fully determined gaze fixed on me.
“I am not worthy to be keeper!” he announced quite loudly.
So that’s how it’s gonna be! I frowned and looked down at the little seed in my hand. What had this jerk told the poor little troll?!
“I am not worthy to be keeper!” Dago repeated, standing decisively to his feet. “But because the Heart of the Forest itself wishes it I will safeguard the keeper. Such is Its will!”
It scared me to look at the shaman. Seemingly, today, the heir he had clearly pinned many hopes on, had set off down his own path.
We were not able to finish our conversation. Gorgie gave a short aggression-free growl to warn that a small party was approaching from the direction of Newtown.
A few moments later, a trio of foxfolk emerged from the woods.
The trolls got slightly on guard.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “Those are my warriors. They have come bearing news.”
Ur looked at my troops’ levels and equipment then gave a respectful nod.
“Powerful warriors,” he praised. “I hope you have many more like them.”
“Not all that many,” I responded. “But we’re getting up to a thousand.”
I heard Farhas clear his throat. Erg’s face stretched out in astonishment. The trolls traded looks. Only Dago stayed cool as a cucumber. He seemingly didn’t care about the number or levels of my warriors. I don’t know what Lazybones did to him but clearly, starting today, this troll will have a single-minded focus. I shuddered despite myself. I’m sure my will figures are the only thing that saved me from living the rest of my days as a puppet to these two gluttons.
“Great One,” the foxfolk commander nodded shortly at me.
“Speak,” I allowed.
“Our scouts have returned from the steppe,” the headman said and took a quick glance at the trolls.
“They’re friends,” I reassured him. “You may speak.”
The foxman nodded again and continued.
“A very large battalion is moving toward the ford.”
“Orcs?” I asked.
“Not only,” the foxman shook his head. “I don’t know the details, but several times our scouts avoided encounters with horror beasts that never tire or feel pain.”
“Necromorphs!” Ur barked out, unable to hold back. All the scars on his face went dark.
“We take any losses?” I asked, alarmed.
“No,” the foxman shook his head. “As you ordered, they did not engage.”
“That’s nice,” I said with relief.
After the portal had been sealed, we sent a party of scouts out to the steppe. The group was composed of five of our quickest troops with the highest endurance, observance, camouflage, senses and other things. They aren’t exactly easy to detect and, if they do get spotted, it’ll take a bit of luck to catch them. Beyond basic characteristics and abilities, their chosen Path added another unmistakable boost. As far as I know, they all have Eagle-Eyed Tracker at the ceiling.
I turned to the trolls and said:
“Friends, I must leave you. But before I go, I wanted to invite you to visit our city.”
The trolls traded looks. Ur answered for the rest.
“You have our gratitude, friend! But we must refuse. As I already said, my people will not be taking part in that battle. May the gods of this world be on your side!”
After saying that, the former Citadel of Chaos gatekeeper turned and walked off toward the forest. And the others followed. Honestly though, Erg was bursting to say something, but couldn’t find the courage to go against his leader.
Only Dago stayed behind. The young troll was clearly intending to accept my invitation.
Farhas didn’t notice right away while following Ur that his grandson was not at his side. The shaman shivered and turned his head. Seeing that Dago was not planning to leave, the old man shuddered and hurried back.
When I saw how scared he was, I decided to take pity on him.
“Dago,” I said firmly. “It would be best for you to go with your grandfather now. The enemy we are going to do battle against is strong. And you are still weak. I do not want you to die in the battle. You have another calling in life now and you must keep yourself safe for it. I am seriously counting on you. Don’t die!”
I added some Will pressure to the last few words. At the same time, I also put some on Lazybones to sway his adept. Overall, it worked.
“I understand, Great One,” Dago nodded, then turned and went over to his grandfather.
Farhas was listening. I could read gratitude in his eyes.
With a short nod to the old man, I commanded my pets to get up and we set off toward Newtown.
“Great One,” the headman was slightly coy as we walked down the path. “I didn’t want to say it around those...”
“I’m listening.”
“There were three tamers in the tracker squadron...”
Hm... Tamers. One of the magical paths the Great System offered to monster hunters. An interesting one, giving large boosts to wisdom and intellect. I remember liking that path, too. And I might have picked it if not for one troubling little factor. The role basically had one core element ― taming a pet then powering it up with two active abilities and one passive one. At the time, the path didn’t seem balanced enough for my purposes. Beyond that, I already had Gorgie.
“And?” I hurried the headman along.
“They brought three monsters back from the steppe,” he answered quickly.
“Is that so?” I chuckled. “And what’s wrong with that?”
“They’re very big!” said the headman. I saw the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end. “And highly dangerous. Gus didn’t allow them to enter the city. So, the tamers are still outside the walls.”
I just snorted. I thought back on what Ur said. There really was never a dull moment for us hunters.
* * *
“HM, THEY REALLY ARE quite large,” I said thoughtfully while looking at the three monsters the tamers had brought back with them.
No wonder the cheery group wasn’t allowed to enter the city. The tamers’ main problem was that they could not recall and summon their tamed creatures like I could. In other words, the Great System hadn’t given them amulets.
Keeping a pigeon or maybe large dog as pet is one thing. Pets like that don’t cause problems for those around them. Especially considering the fact that the tamers themselves had complete control over their pets. But the monsters I was seeing now could cause big problems in the city if they spun out of control.
The Great System called the bipedal creatures steppe raptors. Their wide mouths are packed full of sharp teeth. Long tails. Powerful arms and legs with big, huge sickle-shaped claws growing out of the backs of their feet. My imagination immediately painted a picture of this little beasty quickly catching up to a victim and slashing an artery with one swipe of those claws.
Noticing the newcomers, my pets ran straight over to greet them. Forming a ring around the lizards and their masters, the whipsnakes studied the unfamiliar animals closely. Gorgie, up on Coal’s back, was watching it all with an air of indifference. The harn must have seen lizards like them before during our travels through the Wastes.
They by the way were bunched up in the middle of the circle and, bristles up, were hissing furiously at the curious snakes. Because my pets were not acting hostile, the raptors were in no rush to attack, though.
Up on the city walls, I noticed some action. Seemingly, the whole garrison was now watching the show.
After a close inspection of the monsters, I settled down. Level twenty. Their stats aren’t even high enough for level ten. Overall, these beasties would require lots of investment.
The people who would have to undertake that difficult and fairly expensive task were now standing in front of their pets and blocking them with their bodies. From an outside perspective, it looked pretty funny. A rabbit would have about as much success blocking a cave bear. But on the other hand, the tamers were making it perfectly clear that they were prepared to take this to the end. I was struck with respect for the trio of foxes.
After getting their fear somewhat under control, one of them finally noticed me and boldly stepped forward. His fluffy gray tail was twitching nervously from side to side.
“Great One!” I heard a sonorous woman’s voice. “Don’t kill them! They’re nice. They’re little and very afraid. Their mother died on the steppe.”
If that’s what you call little! What would they be like when they grew up?
“Nothing to fear!” I reassured the tamer. “My beasts will not touch them. How is your control?”
“They’re completely at our command!” the gray fox smiled and patted the nearest raptor’s long neck fearlessly. “Bitey here won’t touch anyone without my say-so.”
I chuckled. They had already given them names.
Turning my head toward the wall, I found Gus’ gaze and waved a hand at him as if to say, “it’s all good, you can open the gates.”
Then I turned sternly to the smiling tamers:
“For the first while, never let them leave your side. If something goes wrong in the city, we’ll have to put them down. And you’ll be the only ones to blame. Got it?”
“Yes, Great One,” the lady tamer answered for the rest and bowed her head.
“Then take them inside,” I instructed, looking curiously at the lizards. “Give them some food and water. I’ll figure out the best place to grow an enclosure for them.”
Smiling and talking cheerfully, the foxes jumped gracefully onto the backs of their raptors and raced off toward the gates. I just shook my head. They’re already riding on their backs. I get the sense they’ll be doing some ass-kicking for us someday in the not-too-distant future. After all, it doesn’t end here. When they chose the path of tamer, they must have known it would mean having two pets. But on the other hand, we now had our own cavalry.
Gus and all the troop commanders were waiting for me in the city. Along with them was the scout commander, a short thin wiry foxman. I looked at his characteristics. Fast, very fast. With a large energy supply. Observation, camouflage, visual distraction ― pretty much the full set. Plus, light gear. Overall, everything a scout could possibly need to complete an assignment.
Staring at the riders as they raced past, Gus shook his head. He clearly didn’t like these changes but opted to keep quiet. And rightly so. Monster Hunters are free to choose their own path. The Order has no right to restrict their decision.
“Please enter the council hall,” I said to the troop commanders. “We can discuss everything in there.”
A few minutes later, we were sitting at a round table listening to a story from Chris, commander of the scouts.
“They’ll reach the Bridge of Bones in seven or eight days,” he said.
“What are their numbers?” I asked.
“Hard to say,” Chris answered. “At night on the steppe, we saw hundreds of bonfires.”
“It’s possible not all of them are warriors,” Gus said. “Probably most of them are slaves being led to be sacrificed.”
“Lots of orcs?” I asked.
“Around two hundred riders at least,” Chris answered. “We also saw a shaman. But they seem to be a distinct group. A trio of riders that use fell beasts as their mounts.”
“Necromancers,” I nodded. “I was told you spotted necromorphs. What did they look like?”
“There were different kinds,” the scout commander shrugged. “Some looked like lizards, others like huge wolves and some were indistinguishable from humans or orcs from a distance.”
“Did you see them up close?” I asked.
“Yes,” Chris responded. “A small pack of necromorphs attacked our tamers’ pets’ momma. She took them all down but paid with her life.”
“Did you get a look at their levels?”
“Twenty and up.”
The troop commanders started trading glances. They clearly relished the news of the enemies’ relatively low levels.
“But there were other beasts as well,” Chris brought them back down to earth. “A level ninety wraith. We spent two days running away from one. If we’d disobeyed orders and engaged with the monster, I don’t think we’d be here talking to you now.”
“You did exactly right,” I said. I was immediately supported by all the troop commanders.
“So, one week,” I said thoughtfully and added: “We have lots of work to do.”
“By then, Newtown will be level four,” Slick said.
“Yes! Then let them try!” Scowl supported him.
“We will not wait for them in the city,” I said, and silence fell over the council hall.
“But why...?” Whistle tried to object.
“I concur with the supreme magister!” the omnipresent Wheeze shot out unexpectedly. “You have forgotten about the portal. The supreme magister didn’t kill the spirit of the keeper and seal the portal so the necromancers could summon yet another almighty brute to our world. Were you planning to sit behind the walls of the city while those ugly bastards slit the throats of their sacrifices like rabbits?”
“No, but...” Whistle burbled out.
“We cannot let the necromancers get to the portal,” I cut off the fledgling argument before it got started. I also cast a fleeting but meaningful glance at Wheeze as if to say, “now is not the time for bickering.” The clever foxman immediately understood and fell silent. Although I did see him fill his lungs with air. That rapscallion doesn’t even need to eat. Just let him argue and he’ll be fine.
“Gus, transfer all trap masters to the portal,” I turned to the garrison commander. “They have one week to transform that part of the forest into a death strip.”
Then I got up from my seat and looked around at everyone in the hall.
“Brothers! Remember! This is our land! It belongs to us by blood right! So, let’s make sure not a single vile beast gets out of here alive!”
The troop commanders shot up from their seats and supported me with a unified cry.