Chapter Five Hundred And Seventy Seven – 577
Theres an attack? Felix asked. All around him was chaos as warriors hustled to and fro, beckoned and dismissed by the various Witches. How the hell did his Hunger know?
It appears so, Kimaris said, and hissed when the horn ripped through the air again. Two blasts means theyve come with a significant force.
The orb in the center of the room burst to life, its murky insides suddenly animated as the elderly Sitri laid her hands upon it. It is a mighty host. It seems our sisters in Feldspear no longer wish to wait.
Of course not! Vepar exclaimed. Her pale blue skin was patchy with bright purple spots across the wrinkles. And theyve come with all their might, which easily outstrips us, thanks to you Kimaris! Sitri, how many?
I counttwo hundred Risi Warriorssixty Hoarhoundsfifty Berserkers
A screech emanated from the sky, far fainter than the horns, but it sent a cold thrill through Felix. He knew that sound. Brumalbats. He rushed to the windows overlooking the gates, blurring past dozens of Witches. They were specks in the sky, even to his vision, but they were coming toward Cold Rock at speed. I count over a hundred.
Ooh. They taste good, Pit said. A few Witches looked at him askance. What? They only burn a little. Like that leafy thing. Felix, whats that leafy thing called?
Mint?
Pit trilled, happy to remember the word. Mint! Yes. Their cores taste like mint. He clacked his beak. I would like some more.
Felix tapped his lips while the Witches scrambled, issuing orders to knots of warriors. The tread of giant feet was a counter rhythm to the distant beat of Feldspears drums. He could see them, just beyond the lip of Cold Rocks walls. Armored Risi Warriors lifted weapons into the air and shouted things in their language that drove their fellows to cheer. Hoarhounds snapped their jaws, eager to be released, big as horses and a thousand times meaner.
At the lead, a smaller selection of giants stood separate. They wore no armor, their blue skin totally bare save for the crimson-dyed furs wrapped around their shoulders and waists, and were unarmed but for their huge fists. Felixs Eye tagged them as the Berserkers, which made sense. He focused on their entry, ignoring everything but their name and lore.
Name: Risi Berserker
Lore: An Evolved form of the Risi Warrior, Berserkers have learned to draw strength from the beasts around them, and have chosen a Path of Cold Rage. They can draw upon their anger to power their magic, supplementing their natural born gifts of ice and granting them a short term boost in Strength, Endurance, and Vitality.
They charged as one.
The unarmed giants hit the spike pits well before the larger force, and they proved ineffective. Crimson ice flashed around them, matched to their strange pelts, and formed a set of brutal armor. They leaped over the pits, ramming through the ice spikes without slowing. Arrows and rocky projectiles flew from atop the walls, impacting the raging Berserkers with even less effect. Seconds later, they hit the walls of the fortress town. Ice tumbled off of it as crimson light splashed into the defenses. They held, for the moment.
Mother Vepar was deep in conversation with Sitri and some other ancient-looking giants while the charismatic Naberius moved around the room, directing the flow of Witches and Warriors. Mobilize everyone we can! Witches! To the walls! If Cold Rock falls, we will not survive the night!
Down below, the gate trembled.
Their orders grew increasingly shrill as ice cracked and fell off Cold Rocks walls. White-haired Frost Giants scurried out of the stave church, magic coiling about their hands and feet in equal measure.
Theyre panicking, Felix realized. Ideas blossomed and wilted in rapid succession in his Mind. His Perception fed him countless bits of information, all of it chaotic and piecemeal, but there was something there. A Path forward, he knew ithis Perception snagged on something. Oh. Interesting.
Kimaris, at nine feet tall, easily watched out of the same window as Felix. They wont last. Theyre too green. Vidar, can we bolster the defenders?
The Battlelord shook his head slowly. We can, but even we dont match up against the Berserkers, not at those numbers.
We have to try, Trond, his second-in-command, said. His Oathbound Frost Giants all watched with despairing expressions.
Harn drew close, his voice low. Felix. What do you wanna do?
Eat Them.
The Yttin Divers, ten in total, separated from the group and all bowed to the Chimera. Lead us to the End.
Uh, thatsdo they mean the end of the battle? Loquis asked her. He regarded the armored warriors with more than a little unease.
Sure. Maybe. Dont worry about it, Lightnin Boy. The sound of screeches grew louder, and magic flickered across the blue sky. Bats are closin in. Form up! The town aint too big! We can reach them from this ridge!
Mages and Henaari hustled forward, lining the promontory edge before the ice house. To the side, Vess bowed to Pit. Id be proud to have you fight with us.
Pit cooed. Thank you. I can help.
I know you can. Vess gestured to the Divers around him. Please take the Yttin to the forefront, where your harpoons and Skills can have clearer shots.
The lead Yttin saluted. As you wish, Captain.
Evie was barely listening. Leading was more boring than fighting, and her targets were coming into range now. She uncoiled her chain and felt the cold hands of her magic spreading outward around her like a cloak. She shivered.
Today was a good day.
The gates were bowing inward by the time Harn and his people got to them. He motioned furiously for the guards at the nearby winches. Open the gates!
Raktu las! No! Crazy Human! spat one of them. The rest just looked terrified; of him, and of the attacking army.
Open the gates, young Warrior, said a deeper voice behind him. Harn turned to find the looming form of Battlelord Vidar standing with his own warriors. The giant inclined his head toward Harn. We will fight for Cold Rock today.
The angry giant clenched his jaw several times before huffing a steaming breath. He kicked free the wedge holding the winch wheel in place, and dark metal chains started moving. At the same time, the gates themselves rocked as a crimson glint smashed into it from the other side.
Hold formation, Harn ordered.
The gates burst apart, and a twenty-foot tall red-armored giant marched through. Shouts rang out and ice-forged claws slashed out of the ground, while spears and throwing axes rained down from the young guards. The huge Berserker shrugged it all off, laughing viciously as he pushed into the townand met Harn.
Little Human with metal skin, the Risi leaned forward, a sneer distorting his bearded face. His armor was made of red-tinted ice, and a mantle of similar colored fur framed him against the now-broken gates. More of his warriors were moving inward, but they slowed, eager grins on their faces. Is this a treat for us, Cold Rock? Do you give us tribute to earn our mercy?
Blind gods, but youre ugly, Harn said.
What?
Stupid too.
The Berserker bellowed, and dropped an ice-coated fist atop of Harn. The stone around them cratered, deep fissures splitting in all directions before shards of rock were spat upward by the force of the blow. But there was no blood.
The giant goggled. How?
Harn still stood, one arm upraised and holding the Berserkers icy fist. He regarded it from beneath his visor. Thats it? Wrath of the Twin Fangs!
The giant stumbled back, his arm now fountaining a dark blue ichor onto the ground as he screamed. Harn clucked his tongue. Too easy. He pointed his sizzling axe forward, just as the other Berserkers started rushing the gate. Forward all Talons!
Kill em all.
