Chapter Thirty-Two
"Problem?"
I sent, Hrudei's pussy on me. The aos si stared down at me, her brow furrowing in concern. Then she rose off me.
"There are a lot of soldiers combing the area,"
Vilkas said.
"The ones who we encountered the other day have raised the alarm. They're all over the place! Flooding the roads! And it's dense farmland. There are few places for us to hide. If we could just fight them..."
"No!"
I said strong.
"I don't want you killing soldiers."
"Then we're pinned down. We found a copse of dense poplar trees, but it's only a matter of time before they start exploring in here."
Frustration snarled from Vilkas.
"There's just no place for us to hide."
"Then come back,"
I told them.
"Return to home."
"Yes, my Lord,"
she sent.
"Dammit," I growled.
"My gracious Lord?" asked Zhinka. The aos si, pussy juices dripping down her chin, stared at me with a concerned look on her face.
"It's nothing," I muttered. "Just our scouts are in trouble. They didn't make it south enough. Shit."
"I am sorry that the mission was a failure, my Lord," Divochyy said. "Is there anything we can do?"
I shook my head. "There's..."
I trailed off as I felt Gwyllt die.
"What just happened?"
I shouted as Ci's presence faded.
"We're returning,"
Vilkas answered as Du died.
"You're killing yourselves?"
my stomach twisted as Hela perished. Cysgo was the last of the wildhounds to die.
"Soldiers are, technically,"
Vilkas answered, her words sounding strained by pain.
"We're surrounded. No other way if we can't--"
Vilkas died.
"Fuck," I growled and turned to the Void Crystal. I seized it and surged into the Lightning monster girl section and found Vilkas. "Appear now, Vilkas!"
My raiju spun out of the shadows in the form of a woman made of lightning. She stretched her back, her fingers reaching to the ceiling. She glanced at me then lowered her head, looking contrite like a dog that had just pissed on your floor.
"Sorry, Lord Leo," Vilkas said. "It's my fault. I stood out too much. The wildhounds could blend in better, but I'm this glowing blue creature of plasma. I should not have led it. When the soldiers saw me, it was all over. They have magic that lets them communicate. It's the only way to explain how word got ahead of us."
I sighed and moved to her. I hugged her and pressed my forehead against hers. "You didn't kill any soldiers?"
She shook her head.
"Then it's okay," I said. "No harm, no foul. We can send another scouting mission in a week. Once the heat dies down."
I kissed her. She relaxed into my arms, her lips soft on mine. I'd have to figure out who would lead the next mission
* * / *
"Lord Shorvin," the king said the next day after the privy meeting broke up. "I have been giving this matter some thought."
Lord Shorvin swallowed as he stood before the throne room. King Thanitis sat regally there, the dais raising him above the kneeling lord. Behind the king, the robed figure waited. A mystery. A rumor. A guardian, some said. Or an adviser. The real power of Myreman others claimed.
"My King?" Lord Shorvin asked as he rose.
"An hour ago, the monster girls were dispatched only a day from the city," the king growled. "A dozen marauders my brave soldiers fought valiantly against and put down with spears. Wildhounds and a raiju according to Virin."
"Lord Leo is known to have Lightning and Darkness glyphs," Lord Shorvin breathed.
"They were a
day
from here!" roared King Thanitis. He bolted to his feet. "A day on a scouting mission. It's clear where Lord Leo the False's gaze is falling."
Knight-General Arthemar, standing to the side, gave a subtle shake of his head, frustration tight about his brow. Beside him, Virin had a bleak expression on his aged face, his hands folded before him and hidden by the voluminous sleeves of his robe. Only High Priestess Lysila looked pleased as she sat on a chair to the left knitting, her needles clacking as she made socks.
"Lord Leo thinks to attack
me?"
King Thanitis snarled, his youthful face burning with anger. "I will not stand for it! The Royal Army will put down this dungeon builder! You are right, Lord Shorvin! Astovin is in