Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (51 page)

“That sums it up, Sparky,” Runner agreed. He turned his head towards Faye’s voice to catch her with his eyes.

“You may have killed them all for bits of imagination?”

“Sure did. Ask Hanners about that sometime. That’s enough about this for now. Seems like everyone needs a job to do. Let’s get this show on the road,” Runner grumbled, getting to his feet. He walked off, trying to pick out a spot for the monument.

Finding the right spot took a few hours but he got what he wanted.

A vigil was held for the fallen. All three of the triumvirate of Vix made an appearance and blessed those who lived and those who’d died.

During their visit the monument was created. Brunhild summoned the marble plinth, Ernsta formed the bronze statues atop it, and Amelia made it indestructible.

The base spanned twenty feet in length and forty feet wide though only four feet tall. The names of the fallen were inscribed along the front and sides.

On the top of the plinth Ernsta had formed bronze statues of their forces: Sunless, Human, and Barbarian troops locked in combat with unseen foes. Defending, engaging, and avenging each other.

Because of the amount of space available, the figures further back were slightly elevated and enlarged in comparison to the ones in the front so that they could be seen. Casters and healers had been set in the middle as they worked to protect the front line.

At the very rear of it all, Ernsta had placed likenesses of Runner and his inner circle. So deep that it would go unremarked by most.

Truth be told, Runner wanted it that way. This wasn’t a monument for him, but for those who’d died.

At the feet of the front line rested the Triumvirate’s equilateral triangle.

When it was all said and done Runner could feel that his troops felt justified. Vindicated. They had triumphed in the face of adversity and accomplished it through mixed units and depending on each other.

Runner’s plan for Tirtius moved on.

Chapter 20 - Countdown -

5:04 am Sovereign Earth time

12/12/43

Runner stood out near the edge of the camp as he sulked in his own thoughts. He felt better alone as of late.

While the march on Faren had been uneventful and easy, it had taken a toll on him. Every town they encountered received an inquisition of sorts. If it had a church or temple dedicated to Lambart, the worshipers were converted or banished, the site claimed in the name of the Triumvirate.

Which left Runner with an ever increasing number of people he banished.

After having defeated both the country’s army and the army of faith, nothing barred their progress, which only made him feel worse about it. They had no defense.

The medical server had only terminated roughly four hundred people so far. Runner couldn’t tell if they’d been in a graveyard nearby or if they’d been normal crew members killed by his own hand when he dropped them from the server. The number grew daily as the server processed each person in turn.

Taking in that many people wouldn’t be a swift process. This morning alone it had terminated several more after having done nothing overnight.

“There you are, my lord.”

Runner glanced over his shoulder in the morning gloom to find Isabelle stalking towards him.

“Morning, Belle. Sorry, did I wake you when I left? I know you were against sleeping in the campsite but I didn’t like you sleeping outside of it. One of Grace’s guards can ping her if something’s up.”

“No, you didn’t. And yes, I do understand. Doesn’t feel right, though, my lord. I’m just hired help.”

Runner snorted at her and raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”

“Err, well. No. I don’t,” she admitted, coming to stand beside him.

“Good,” Runner said exasperatedly. Looking back to the scene before them, Runner’s eyes searched the road and trees for movement.

“Sorry. It’s…hard to believe at times, my lord. I’m an Elven mercenary captain. Far from home and without a home or family. I’m not…I’m nobody. Someone who tried to sell her band to a general and ended up selling herself to a lord.”

“How is your band by the way?” Runner said, deliberately forcing the topic a little.

“They’re happy. They’re leading companies of mercenaries of their own in your service. I arranged all the contracts if you’d—”

“No. I wouldn’t. I trust you, Belle. Though once this whole thing is over we’ll need to change your duties around. We’ll not need as many mercenaries and your talents would go to waste on that alone.”

“Is that why you bound me with a deity-enforced contract?” she asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

“A valid point. A very valid point,” Runner mused. Looking up a little, he addressed nothing. “Brighteyes, Angel, Minxy, I rescind my contract with Isabelle Malin and Faye Sennet. They’ve both proved themselves and I’ll not hold them to a contract when I have no need.”

“Witnessed,” the three echoed.

“Anything else, Belle?”

Runner watched as a deer picked its way across the road to the other side. He swore he’d seen Nibbles take out a raccoon earlier in the same area. His little pet monster was getting adventurous. Adventurous and hungry.

A minute passed before Isabelle finally responded. She was clearly shocked at his quick dismissal of her binding.

“No, my lord. You really don’t do things by half measures, do you?”

“Not really, no. You should have told me it was bothering you earlier. I care for your well-being.”

“You sure that’s all?” she asked, a curious tone coloring her question.

“Stop. Not a discussion we’re having.”

“Why? I feel like the conversation should be had. Seems like it was pretty obvious after you hit me with that spell. Nothing felt the same after that.”

“Stop, stop, stop. Not having this conversation,” Runner said, plugging his fingers into his ears. “La, la, la, la, la, la.”

An aggressive hand spun him around and he was forced to stare into a glaring Faye’s face.

Runner unplugged his ears and smiled at his general.

“Oh, what’s up, Sparky? Anything interesting?”

“Why? Why do this? Did I do something wrong? Did I anger you, Lord Runner? Did I d—”

“Wait, wait. Stop. Your contract, right? I didn’t want to hold that over your head. You did nothing wrong. I trust you. Didn’t need it. Don’t worry, I unbound Belle here at the same time,” he explained, throwing a thumb out at Isabelle beside him.

“Oh. Oh…alright then,” Faye mumbled. Taking a few steps forward, she flanked Runner’s left.

“What are you doing out here at this hour? Can’t see anything,” she said.

“Thinking. We can siege Faren, and win. I fear it would kill countless numbers of the citizens though. Maybe every one of them. Jacob would never surrender willingly. I would guarantee the city would be ashes before he gave himself up. Wondering if I can accomplish the same goal by sneaking in ahead of the army before the siege starts. Maybe end it before it begins.”

“Fucking stupid idea,” Hannah cursed. She walked over and took up a position beside Isabelle. “I mean, I could do it. Isabelle probably could. But you? You’re an idiot. You’d proposition a priestess or something while calling the mayor’s wife a donkey.”

“I love you, too. You say the sweetest things. Makes my heart race. I wonder what it’d be like if you talked dirty to me.”

“Shut up.”

“You’re not wrong though. I suppose it’ll be you, Belle, me, and maybe Rabbit. Merchant cover story.”

“You sound as if you’ve already decided, Lord Runner,” Faye complained.

“Mostly. To me it feels like the only reasonable recourse without getting a lot of people killed.”

“Idiot. Fucking idiot. Why do I care about a fucking idiot?”

“If one were to believe Minxy, it’s my ass.”

“And a damn fine ass it is. I can’t wait to see it again. I look forward to every night, you know?” said the goddess, appearing practically atop Runner, her hands reaching out for him.

“Thoughts, Minxy? It’ll be your city. Depopulating it through siege would be a bad way to start,” Runner said, lightly patting her hands to the side.

“It’d be a real fucked up way to start, for sure. I’d do it for you though, lovey,” Amelia said, batting her eyes at him. Using her left hand, she pulled down her tunic an inch or two, revealing her neckline and the red undershirt.

“Down, Minxy. Focus. Could it be done? I imagine the thieves’ guild is a city power right now. I’d want to make contact with the guild leader and see what could be done. He or she might be the best way to get at Jacob.”

Huffing, Amelia rolled her eyes, visibly forcing herself to concentrate.

“Right now the head guild thief is the next in line for the royal throne. So it’s not a terrible idea. Could probably make it work but you’d have to get to him without assistance. He’s rather paranoid.”

“Interesting. Hopefully that means the bounty on Hanners is gone. Couldn’t persuade him as a goddess then?” Runner asked.

“Not likely. Not with the way Jacob and his master have been carrying on.”

“Makes sense. Gives me an idea or two as well. Is there any others in line for the throne among the living?”

“I think there’s one other. Maybe two. One is in his middle age and the other in his early twenties. They’re both in hiding of course. No prayers to me, though I get the impression there isn’t a lot of praying going on in Faren anymore.”

“Suppose that’s my answer then. Belle, Hanners, prepare for a quiet insertion. I’ll get Rabbit and the others up to speed. Sparky? I leave everything to you, Kitten, and Lady Death. You’ll be acting as tri-captains since you all represent your race as well.”

“This is my domain, completely. Private time, private time.” Amelia laughed delightedly and clapped her hands together as she spun in a small circle.

“Fucking hell. Thana’s going to cut off your head and shit down your neck.”

“I don’t like this, my lord.”

“As you will, Lord Runner,” Faye said, saluting.

“Right, then.”

3:51 pm Sovereign Earth time

12/12/43

They hid Boxy in the trees beyond the limits of town. Camouflaging her as best as they were able, they felt safe that it wouldn’t be disturbed.

The group gathered to finalize plans.

Runner looked around at his infiltration team. Isabelle, Hannah, Nadine, and himself.

Two of those three were quite versed in the art of making themselves scarce and the third would provide them with a cover.

“Nothing has changed. Same plan. We go in through the front, find a place to stay, and case the city. We have three things to look for. Heirs, Jacob’s location, targets of opportunity.”

Nadine shook her head a little and chewed at her lip.

“I want to believe we can do this. But I…I really think Isabelle will stan-nd out though.”

Isabelle grimaced as if she wanted to deny it. Everyone knew she couldn’t. One of her hands slid up to her ear to trace the line of it. She’d be useful to them, but only in non-action ways. Where she wouldn’t be seen.

Runner had been chewing on the problem on the way over. Nadine had expressed her concern earlier during the trip.

Of everyone he could bring along, she had the best chance to not be recognized. At least on the merits of who she was. Her race really was a problem though. Runner hadn’t really considered it because her race didn’t define her.

Could always go all Frankenstein and start rebuilding them at a race level.

“I have a solution. I’m loathe to mention it,” Runner said, deciding. “I can change anyone’s race to whatever they want at any time.”

“Uh.”

“Huh?

“For fuck’s sake…so, what does that mean? I could turn into a Sunless or a Barbarian?”

“Or an Elf, Centaur, Goblin, Human, whatever.”

Hannah pressed her hands to her face and looked like she was going to explode.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to mention it because it never mattered to me. You’re all who you are. You define who you are, not your race. Hanners, you’ll probably never see it in yourself, but you’re beautiful.”

Hannah abruptly spun in place, putting her back to him. She shuddered violently but didn’t walk away.

Sighing, Runner pressed the palm of his hand to his temple.

“I’ll change your race now, Belle, and we’ll put you back to normal when we’re done,” Runner muttered. Targeting Isabelle, he activated
RaceReset.

Isabelle broke apart into blue motes. Turning his attention to Hannah, he felt helpless.

“Hanners, I really don’t care that you’re a hybrid. I don’t. Never did.”

“I fucking do. I do. Okay? I fucking do. Fuck you.”

“I’m sorry, Hanners.” Runner sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Deciding to give her some space, he put his hand on Nadine’s shoulder and led her off.