Chapter Five
I stayed with the rearguard as the caravan slowly moved out, but it would take the majority of the day just to get my army on the move. I had a sizable force, and getting them moving across the sands took some time. I wanted to make sure everyone headed out in a timely manner, but I also wanted to give Akina more time to say her goodbyes to the members of her tribe.
I had Corvis take the lead of the caravan, and the horse master held his chin high as he rode out in front of the procession. He seemed a little down without his buddy Jorgen by his side, but I knew he’d feel better once he returned to his stables and reunited with his horse pals in Bastianville.
It was around midday when I finally saw the camp begin to empty, and the remnants of the fires scorched the sand like blemishes on a teenager’s face. We’d left a lot of tracks in the dunes, but the wind would soon blow them clear, and then there would be no traces of our path across the desert.
“Bash, sir,” a voice said from behind me, and I turned to see Riondale approaching on horseback. “I’d hoped to make it before you left.”
“Ri-Guy!” I greeted with a broad smile. “That was fast!”
I hadn’t seen Riondale in weeks, since the general of my army had remained in the fortress on the peninsula to ensure none of the tribes tried to take control of the castle.
Riondale was the general of my army, but he was also my friend. We’d met in Castle Bullard during my quest to kill the fire-breather, Smiguel, and he’d more than proven himself to me since then. We’d faced many challenges together, and I knew I could count on him no matter what. His short, military-style hairdo was visible since he didn’t wear a helmet, but he had let his beard grow out some, so he looked older than he had the last time I’d seen him.
“I ran Dancer hard,” the former lieutenant said as he patted his horse’s neck. “But we could both use a drink now.”
I turned to signal to one of the soldiers to fetch some water for his horse, and then I crossed the distance to my general. We clasped arms as soon as he dismounted, and I pulled him into my arms for a brotherly hug.
“It’s good to see you again, my friend.” I couldn’t stop grinning. “Tell me everything that’s happened on the peninsula.”
“It’s been very quiet since you left to have all the fun without me,” Riondale teased. “I passed by Jorgen on my way. He seemed happy about his promotion.”
“Are you bothered by me passing you by for the position?” I frowned. I’d considered the possibility of Riondale feeling snubbed, but in the end, I’d counted on him understanding my reasoning.
“No, sir.” Riondale smirked. “You made the right choice. I am anxious to return home and get back to my normal life.”
“Well, we are on our way,” I said. “Did any men travel with you?”
“No, sir,” Riondale reported. “I came alone so I could travel more quickly. I left a platoon of guards at the fortress to serve Jorgen in his new role as Duke of Kotar.”
“That’s a good idea.” I nodded in agreement. “I’m glad you made that call. Now, let’s get the rest of these people back to Bastianville.”
“Sounds like a plan, sir,” Riondale said, and he saluted crisply before he led his horse toward the procession.
The only people left in camp were members of the three tribes who’d met us outside the oasis, but I didn’t want to rush them toward their territories any faster than they were willing to go. Traveling through the desert was hard enough as it was, so I went to the chiefs to say goodbye.
As I made my way over to the chiefs, voices singing in unison floated through the air to grace my ears. It took me a second to realize they were singing in Sorreyalian, but then I heard the words.
Deep in the heat of the south we trode.
Over sand dunes and through oases we rode.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
With scale and nail, fur and horn.
Long did the monsters roam.
Then the God of Time displayed his might.
He ordered us into the fight of our lives.
Deep in the southern lands we roam.
Far from our women, food, and home.
At the Great One’s demand we rode.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
Then the Great Hydra reared its head.
Filling the hearts of men with dread.
Many of us thought we were soon to be dead.
The Great One’s dragon triumphed instead.
Lightning flashed in brilliant light.
To signal an end to our long fight.
That was when we knew he was right.
The God of Time would win this fight.
We won the Battle of the Monsters that night.
We won the Battle of the Monsters that night.
My chest puffed out in pride as I listened to the words of the Ballad of the Battle of the Monsters, and I couldn’t be happier to hear the joy in the voices of my men. They were eager to return to their homes and their families back in Bastianville, so I knew we would keep a good, steady pace during our trek back to the north.
“When do you expect to be reaching your territory?” Chief Kuaki asked in his own dialect as he came up beside me. “How long of a journey do you have?”
“It will take us several weeks,” I explained. “The trek from the border to the peninsula took us a while, so I don’t expect to hit Sorreyal within the next two weeks.”
“I wish you safe travels,” Chief Kuaki said. “I do regret that Akina has chosen to return with you, though. The Kanuakian Tribe is losing one of its fiercest warriors this day.”
“She made her own choice.” I shrugged. “I’m sorry that you’re losing a warrior, but with the alliance, you have a fighting chance, even with the God of the Plague possibly causing trouble. Though I have a feeling he’s after me, and not the tribes.”
The chief was silent, until over his shoulder I noticed the tail end of the army had begun to move out, and soon the only people left were desert dwellers. The remnants of my army staggered into a line at the end of the procession, and I spotted Riondale riding at the very back.
Always the rearguard.
I watched as my army moved out without me, but it would be easy enough to catch back up to them once I mounted Goliath. In the meantime, I went in search of my female companions.
I found Eva and Zenda with Akina and the rest of the Kanuakian Tribe. Chief Kuaki had rejoined them, and they looked to be deep in discussion about her leaving the desert.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I stood behind the three women.
“We just wanted to give them some space to say their goodbyes,” Eva explained. “I don’t know how long it will be before she sees them again, so we’re giving her all the time she needs.”
“Good idea.” I squeezed my wife’s shoulder affectionately. “Let’s get you three on that carriage heading north.”
“I wish I could ride,” Eva sighed.
“What’s keeping you from riding horseback?” Zenda tilted her head to the side in curiosity.
“I’m pregnant,” Eva reminded her as she cupped her belly. “It could be dangerous to the baby for us to bounce on a horse’s back.”
“Oh, yes, the baby’s health is the most important thing,” Zenda said. “You’re wise to ride in the carriage despite how boring it is.”
“Will we be going through Vallenwood?” Eva asked.
“No, I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “We will save some time if we head straight north, and then we can veer to the west once we cross the Sorreyalian border. Why, do you want to go to Vallenwood?”
“No, I was hoping you would say that,” Eva sighed. “I just want to get home.”
“Do you ever miss your father’s house?” I asked as the thought suddenly occurred to me.
“Not at all.” Eva laughed. “I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Not that my father was bad in any way, but he coddled me like a child. I much prefer being treated as an equal like I am with you. And I much prefer our own castle.”
I grinned at the mischievous twinkle in my wife’s gray eyes and recalled how we had christened our castle not very long ago.
“Let’s get to the carriage before it leaves without us,” Zenda teased as she tugged Eva away. “We’ll let Bash collect Akina.”
“Alright.” Eva smirked. “We’ll let them have their privacy. For now… But I want to hear details over the campfire tonight.”
“I’ll tell you all about it,” I promised with a wink. “Now, get going.”
“Yes, sir,” Eva chirped as she allowed herself to be pulled away, but she flashed me a mischievous grin over her shoulder.
Then I joined the rest of the Kanuakian Tribe as they gathered around the last campfire, and I stood beside Akina as she finished talking to the chief.
“You are always welcome in the Kotar Desert,” Chief Kuaki finished saying with a warm smile. “The southern lands will always be your home, no matter how far you roam.”
Mikino stepped forward next, and the stoic warrior bowed before Akina. His black turban and robes had to be hot in the desert sun, but he showed no signs of discomfort.
“Akina, we have been brother and sister-in-arms for as long as I can remember,” Mikino said in a grave voice. “I am sad to see you go, but I understand why you must.”
“This will not be the last time we meet,” Akina promised, and she clasped arms with the stoic warrior.
“Treat her well, Great One,” Mikino said as he turned toward me. “Do not let her feel sadness over our parting.”
“I won’t,” I said in a firm tone.
“Here, Akina, I want you to have this,” Mikino added as he bowed his head and removed his veil. “I earned it during my first blooding, but it will serve you better as a reminder of your tribe.”
“I will honor this gift with my life,” Akina swore in a vehement tone, and her voice cracked with emotion.
Then Rystuni lunged forward and launched himself into Akina’s arms, and the warrior woman stumbled back a step in order to keep her balance, but after a moment, she embraced the young fire mage warmly. The young man had tears in his eyes when they parted, and I noticed Akina blinking back emotion as well.
“Take good care of her, Great One,” Rystuni requested as he shook my hand. “She is like a sister to me.”
“I won’t let anything happen to her,” I promised. “You have my word.”
Finally, the three tribesmen stepped back and bowed in unison, and then Akina stepped forward to give them each one more hug before they parted ways. The stoic warrior woman’s face was clouded with emotion as she turned to me, and I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay,” I said. “We can always come back to visit everyone later. I’ll be needed in the desert again, I can guarantee it.”
“You promise?” Akina’s lip quivered.
“I swear it to you,” I said in a firm voice.
Akina swiped at her eyes as she made her way to her black charger, and all the Kanuakians mounted their own horses as well. Then a soldier brought Goliath to me by the reins, and I flashed Akina an encouraging smile before we headed in the direction of the procession.
“Cheer up, buttercup,” I said. “You’re traveling with the God of Time, and I promise you will have fun.”
“I know,” Akina said in a low voice, and she sighed as she glanced over her shoulder at her tribespeople. “I just have never traveled outside of the Kanuakian territory before I met you, and now I’m leaving everything I’ve ever known behind. It is not an easy task, but I do not regret my choice.”
“Good.” I grinned. “I’ll make sure you don’t regret it later, either.”
“I have total faith in you, Bash,” Akina breathed.
We trotted to catch up to the army procession, but I spotted the Kanuakian Tribe riding their black chargers alongside us. They all summoned flame swords into their hands, and they waved them in a synchronized motion as they galloped past us. A few members of the tribe stood on their horses’ backs as they rode, and they received a loud round of applause from my soldiers for their antics.
Then the Kanuakian Tribe slowly disappeared into the sands, and I sighed as I watched the last of them vanish from sight. They were headed to their new territory, and soon, they would establish villages for the first time. The tribe had spent their days roaming the sands in search of Naga, but it seemed the monsters would no longer be a problem, so they’d have to come up with a new reason for their existence.
I had total faith in the tribe of fire mages, and I looked forward to seeing how they changed over time. It would be interesting to see what peace did to the Kotar Desert, and I hoped it would only bring good things.
I’d be back someday to make sure my rules were still being followed, but for now, I turned my focus on getting back to Bastianville with my army of followers.
A new day had dawned for the tribes of the south, and a bright future laid ahead of them, even though I had no idea what lay ahead for me.
Would the God of the Plague attack Bastianville?
Or was he focused on the Kotar Desert?
There were still too many unanswered questions for my liking, yet I could only take things one day at a time and hope for the best.
Getting my people back home was my highest priority, but I still had a lot of responsibilities to take care of. There were preparations for winter, babies on the way, and it had been a while since I’d visited my other holdings in my territory.
We rode for the rest of the day, and by the time the tail end of the procession had come to a halt, the front end had prepared a meal and set up the first rows of tents. We hadn’t traveled far, but we had all the time in the world.
We settled into a routine over the next few days, and I rode at different sections of the procession each day. Eva and Zenda rode in the carriage in the middle of the army, and I spent a good deal of time visiting with the two of them while Goliath walked alongside the carriage.
Akina stayed to herself a lot, and there did not seem to be an end to her sad feelings over the next few days no matter how much I tried to cheer her up. I hoped she would come out of her funk once we’d left the Kotar Desert and entered lands she was unfamiliar with, but she’d made her choice for a reason, and I just needed to remind her of that.
Nameless seemed happy about our new direction, and the little dragon performed acrobatic swirls and swoops in the air ahead of the procession. He ate voraciously each night, and we were starting to get low on rations.
I blipped back to Bastianville to check on things every now and then, but there was no sign of the God of the Plague anywhere near town, and everyone was going about their lives like normal.
I made a new save point each morning, but no threats loomed on the horizon, so I was soon lulled into complacency. I knew there would be threats when I least expected it, even though I’d conquered the southern desert and defeated all my known enemies, so it was difficult to maintain any sense of danger ahead.
Still, the God of the Plague remained at the forefront of my thoughts, and I racked my brain for ways to flush him out. There was no telling what other abilities or powers this supposed god had, but I was confident that my ability to reload to a save point would be enough to defeat him.
I’d yet to lose a fight, after all.
“Sir, I need to speak to you,” Corvis said several days into our journey, and his words broke through my thoughts.
I pulled Goliath alongside his dun mare, and the shaggy-haired horse master saluted, so I inclined my head.
“Rations are running low, sir,” Corvis reported as I expected. “We don’t have enough supplies to make it to the first town within the borders of Sorreyal. Are there any places we can restock along the way?”
“Not really,” I sighed. “But Nameless is also getting low on meat, so we will have to figure something out.”
“What’s the closest oasis to our current location?” Corvis asked. “Isn’t it the Chunga Oasis?”
Goliath chomped on his bit and tossed his head impatiently at our slow pace, and I knew the warhorse wanted to be in the front of the procession.
“That’s right.” I nodded as I reached down to pat Goliath’s neck encouragingly. “Maybe we should veer slightly off-track in order to send out some hunting parties.”
“That may be our only option, sir.” Corvis pushed his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes. “I will lead the hunt if you’d like.”
“Don’t take all the fun for yourself,” I chuckled, and the horse master flashed me a sheepish grin. “We’ll send out numerous groups. We have a lot of mouths to feed and a long trek ahead of us before we hit Edinburg Manor.”
“Are we resting at the manor once we cross the border?” Corvis’ tone was curious and optimistic.
“Aye.” I laughed. “We could all use a hot shower after this much time in the desert sands.”
“It gets literally everywhere, sir,” Corvis said in a serious voice. “Everywhere.”
“Don’t I know it.” I shook my head in amusement. “I’ll have Zenda chart us a new course with the Chunga Oasis as the destination. I’ll meet you at the front to help redirect the caravan.”
“Yes, sir,” Corvis chirped, and he saluted crisply before he trotted away.
Then I made my way to the carriage where the women rode, and I tied Goliath to the outside before I climbed inside.
“Hello there, beautiful ladies,” I greeted with a broad smile. “How’s the ride?”
“Bouncy,” Eva complained with a hand on her growing stomach. “I’m nauseous.”
“I’ll walk with you if you need a break,” I offered.
“You have that look on your face,” Zenda interjected. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”
“Astute observation.” I chuckled and flashed her a mischievous smile. “You’re exactly right, though.”
“Oh, really?” Eva laughed. “What aren’t you telling us, then?”
“We need to make a detour, and I need Zenda’s help.” I grinned innocently. “Nothing too crazy, but our stores are almost depleted, and we need to go hunting at the Chunga Oasis, or we won’t reach the border of Sorreyal.”
“It’s just to our east a day or so,” Zenda said as she unraveled the map she’d made of the Kotar Desert, and I watched as she traced a line between the dot marking the Chunga Oasis and a point in the middle of the desert. “Two days at our current pace.”
“We can make it in one.” I smirked. “This is the Sorreyalian army we’re talking about here, they’re eager enough to get home to march at double pace for a day.”
“This is going to be fun to watch,” Zenda said.
“But probably bouncier,” Eva groaned, but then she exchanged a smile with the blue-skinned beauty to her left.
“Let’s do it,” they said in unison.
“Alright,” I chuckled. “Zenda, can you ride up front and help me redirect the caravan in the right direction?”
“Absolutely,” Zenda breathed, and then she turned to Eva with a sympathetic smile. “Try to enjoy the extra space. Maybe stretch out some and try to nap the day away.”
“This baby is going to be the death of me,” Eva teased. “But that doesn’t mean you two shouldn’t have your fun. Go. I’ll be fine here, if a little grumpy.”
Zenda hugged the duke’s daughter, and then we both hopped out of the moving carriage. I mounted Goliath, and it was a simple enough task to pull the lightweight Zaborian up onto his rump behind me.
The blue-skinned goddess wrapped her slender arms around my waist, and she laid her head on my shoulder, so I was confident she was content enough. I nudged my heels into Goliath’s flanks, and the white stallion kicked up sand in his wake as he charged toward the front of the line.
We arrived at the front of the procession, and Zenda pointed to the east as Goliath rode alongside the first row of horses. The army veered to the right, and we adjusted our trajectory a small degree to the east. Too strong of a curve could have the carriages tipping over as they tried to follow the motions of the horses, but everyone angled just right as they rode beside us.
Once we were heading in the right direction, Zenda and I rode along the side of the procession in the opposite direction, and I left Corvis alone at the front of the caravan. Then I went in search of Akina, and I found the warrior woman near the tail end.
“Why are we changing direction?” she asked immediately. “Did something happen?”
“Everything’s okay,” I assured her. “We just need to make a pit stop to fill up our tanks. In and out, a couple days extra of traveling, no big deal.”
“Pit stop? Tanks?” Akina frowned.
“I just mean we need to stop and restock our provisions,” I laughed.
“Oh.” The frown creasing Akina’s brow disappeared. “Where are we going?”
“Chunga,” I explained. “It’s the only oasis north of us still, but it’s slightly to the east as well. We will lose a few days as we hunt the forest, otherwise we wouldn’t make it to the border.”
“Sign me up for the hunting parties,” Akina volunteered. “I know those woods well. We’ve stopped at the Chunga Oasis many times over my life.”
“Awesome.” I grinned. “That’s really helpful of you. Me and you will go together.”
“Perfect,” Akina purred, and the sound caused an instant reaction in my pants.
“What of me and Eva?” Zenda asked in a teasing tone and squeezed her arms around my midsection. “Do we get to join you on your adventure?”
“If you want.” I shrugged, but then I shot Zenda a sly smile over my shoulder. “I’d love the company.”
“Then it’s a deal,” the Zaborian said with a crisp nod.
“Deal,” Akina agreed as she mirrored the motion.
“Alright,” I chuckled. “You’re on.”
We reached the Chunga Oasis at dusk the following day, and my army staggered into the clearing on tired legs and exhausted horses. That didn’t stop them from quickly pitching their tents, though, and soon fires were burning between the temporary dwellings. A quick, but hot evening meal was prepared as the hunting parties gathered together, and Zenda smiled as she pressed the bowl of stew and a buttery roll into my hands.
“Eat,” she insisted. “You’ll need your energy after the day’s ride.”
“You’re not leaving without me, either,” Eva said as she joined us. The duke’s daughter crossed her arms over her chest, and she gave me a determined look. “I haven’t forgotten how to hunt just because I’m pregnant, you know.”
“The thought never crossed my mind,” I assured her.
“So, we’re all ready?” Akina asked.
The warrior woman had changed out of her black robes and turban, but she still wore the white veil that Mikino had given her. She also wore simple leather armor, and a bow was slung over one shoulder.
“Give me five minutes,” Eva requested, and she quickly disappeared from the light of the campfire.
“Sir,” Corvis said as he crossed the distance between us. “The teams are ready.”
“Good, bring them all here,” I instructed. “I want to speak to everyone together before we head out in different directions.”
“Yes, sir,” Corvis replied with a bob of his head.
A few moments later, the campfire was crowded with the hunting volunteers. Eva was dressed in her black leather armor, but I noticed some of the straps around her abdomen were a little looser than the others. Zenda remained in her turquoise robes since the slits up each leg allowed for agile movement. Akina nodded at the other women in greeting, and she opened her mouth to say something, but then she promptly snapped her jaw shut once more.
I’d have to encourage her to speak up more later, since it seemed like some of her shyness was still sticking around. She’d adapt, and so would the others, but I would do what I could to help it along.
“Greetings, hunters,” I said in a voice loud enough to be heard by all. “We have a fun night ahead of us and an army to feed. If you want to make it back home in one piece, then I suggest every single one of you return with a kill.”
“I’ll come back with two!” a voice from the crowd shouted.
“I will kill three beasts,” another said.
“We don’t want to completely eradicate the game in these woods,” I warned. “We must leave some behind to replenish the supply for the desert dwellers. We are still guests in this land, after all.”
“Yes, Great One,” came the unanimous reply.
“Now, let’s get some food in our supplies!” I dismissed the teams with a wave of my hands, and everyone rushed into the shadows of the forest that surrounded us.
“Let’s give the woods a moment to calm down before we head out,” I suggested as I heard the trampling of feet through dried leaves all around me. “Everyone will get into a good position soon, and then we can cruise through the gaps.”
“They’ll drive the game directly to us,” Akina pointed out in a pleased tone. “That’s a great plan, Bash.”
“Thanks,” I said, but I couldn’t help the flush that spread up my neck.
A few moments later, the sounds in the forest subsided, and I could only hear the occasional snapping of a twig. Then the three of us headed toward the northernmost corner of the oasis to start our rounds.
Akina and Zenda took the lead, and I cast a worried glance at Evangeline as I took my place at her side. I made a new save point before I spoke up, and then I cleared my throat.
“You sure you’re up for this?” I asked in a low voice. “There’s no shame in staying behind, and there will be plenty of work to be done when we return with our kills.”
“I’m sure.” Eva lifted her chin, so I shrugged off my concern.
Let the hunt begin.