Chapter 225: Requbar Revival

Chapter 225: Requbar Revival

I was leading an army of several hundred men, women and monsters to take a city. I mean, okay, strictly speaking, I was being led like a kid on a pony ride, and Jenny was technically in charge of the army, but lets not get bogged down in details.

As we neared the city, I sent Flossie off to see if she could spot any stray dragons flying about. Id seen one when I first arrived so it stood to reason there might be a couple more. We could use as much firepower as we could get hold of. Even though we had the Queens eunuchs, I was sure there were other defences wed have to deal with.

A person who can create a stick to control hundreds of men at a time, or is able to brainwash someone into being their personal pawn, was bound to have a few other tricks up their sleeve. No point in being overconfident.

As evening drew close, we paused on a hill overlooking the city, which was a couple of hours away. It looked the same. Flowery. Another sign to be cautious. There were no walls and no towers to watch for approaching enemies. How did the city intend to defend against attack? They knew monsters were abroad, but apparently they werent worried. It didnt make sense. Unless they had a way of protecting themselves they were keeping a secret.

Flossie returned with three more dragons, which was impressive. They immediately set to grazing and gently mooing at each other, which took the shine off a bit. But since the vegetation was more fuel for their various noxious expulsions, it gave me confidence that we would be able to handle whatever was thrown at us.

Confidence is a slippery thing. It can be the difference between winning and losing, but it works in both directions.

We made camp on the hill with plans to enter the city in the morning. We looked like an army of eunuchs, led by Amazonians. Requbar friendly. I was hoping to avoid fighting altogether and make directly for the Queen, leaving the ogres and dragons in reserve. Once we were inside the palace, I would have to figure out a way to get the secrets of the spire from her. Or from him. Lots of things could go wrong and there was an excellent chance the Queen had ways of dealing with us that we werent aware of, but we had a range of specialists to help us.

And then wed run away as fast as we could. The ogres and dragons covering our retreat. Seemed like a good plan to me.nove(l)bi(n.)com

This plan of yours, said Gabor, the human calculator, will not work.

I thought you said nothings a hundred percent win or lose. We were sat around a fire eating some kind of antelope. It had four legs and horns. It could have been an athletic cow, or a goat that had been working out.

True, said Gabor, but theres a point at which youd be a fool to take the risk.

You dont understand how he operates, said Claire. Theres no such thing as foolproof when hes around.

The others murmured their agreement.

We will see, said Roland with a hearty laugh thrown in. I have yet to see Gabor proven wrong. I look forward to seeing it happen. He laughed again, nearly falling over backwards.

Jenny took out a knife and crawled behind where I was sitting. I dont like your hair this long. She began hacking bits off.

My hair had got quite long recently with all the healing Id done. My nails, I could chew down to the stub, but I quite liked the long locks Id developed. They didnt get in my way as long as I wore my green hat.

Maybe I want to keep it long, I said.

She didnt stop. I suppose I could braid it, if you really wanted.

Or you could just leave it. Would you be happy to change your appearance just to suit me?

Yes, said Jenny, kind of killing the argument. What would you like me to change?

On one level, it was an obvious trap, but she said it so openly that I didnt doubt she would agree to whatever I asked of her. She always did.

Nothing, I said with a sigh. Which wasnt me trying to butter her up (shed agree to that, too), I really couldnt think of anything Id change. Not because she was perfect or anything like that, just... whats the point? Different isnt better.

Thank you. She kissed the back of my neck and kept chopping off my hair.

Laney stood up, hands on hips, about to deliver a speech.

Sit down, Laney, I said before she could get into her stride.

Do you know who youre speaking to?

Yes, Your Highness. Im already having my hair forcibly removed, I dont need you twittering on about great victories and heroic heroes.

Laney didnt seem too flattered by my characterisation of her. Gabor, kill him. Her voice was very steady, her tone dark and purposeful. The words of someone born to command.

I dont think so, little lady, said Gabor, roasting a piece of meat on the end of a stick. I wish to see his plan in action. I will do it after that, if you wish.

A reprieve, I guess. Laney, at least, seemed to accept the compromise and sat down again.

Primus Lenda let out a low moan, like she had indigestion. You know that is not the correct procedure. You should not be here. You were all ordered to Fengarad.

This is a special circumstance, said Jenny. The Queen will want to see him. Now.

Lenda shook her head. Im sure I can take care of whatever is so urgent.

No, said Jenny. You will let us pass.

A mildly amused smile flickered across the Primus face. And how will you do that? You challenge me? She towered over Jenny.

No, said Jenny. She will.

Raviva, in the guise of Guardian Telma, stepped forward. Lenda seemed no less amused. Her eyes darted around, taking in the situation, working out what had happened. If she was worried, she didnt show it.

She removed her helmet and passed it to one of the women flanking her. Very well. I give you the first blow for free. Lets see if you have improved since the last time we fought.

Raviva punched her in the face. There was no amused smile left. There werent many teeth either. Lenda hit the deck, but surprisingly, she wasnt out. A tough bird. She was helped to her unsteady feet.

Shew arent Telma, she slurred through bloody, split lips. Who?

More female soldiers came running out from behind them. If a signal had been given, I hadnt seen or heard it.

The trolls planted their sticks in the ground; the arrows on top began spinning. Eunuchs, attack formation! ordered Jenny. The eunuchs had their game faces on. They outnumbered the home team five to one.

Lenda could see the writing on the wall, but she had a desperate look in her eyes. She yanked a chain from around her neck. There was a large, crystal pendant hanging from it. She held it over her head and there was a crack like thunder and wave of pressure knocked everyone off their feet, including Lenda and her soldiers.

The spinning arms on the sticks had been blown off, making them useless, but the eunuchs were all lying unconscious anyway. As were the women, of both sides.

I got to my knees and looked at Roland and Gabor, who shrugged. Maurice and Nyx were also okay, but Jenny was lying on the ground out cold, and Claire was draped over a female soldier.

The trolls hadnt been knocked over, but they seemed out of it. Holding their heads and staggering about. I didnt know how far the shock wave had reached, but hopefully not as far as the ogres.

Jenny was breathing but I couldnt tell if she was hurt or not. She didnt wake when I shook her, and I wasnt sure where to heal her.

She is unharmed, said Biadet, scaring the shit out of me. Trust her to choose this moment to pounce. The Queen is waiting for you. She was standing next to me. She hadnt been there a second ago.

You arent going to take me back to Dargot?

You always surprise me, Colin. You escaped from the Lord Administrator. You outwitted the man in the spire, if only temporarily. You survived a hundred attacks that should have killed you. And, maybe most surprising of all, you convinced this fully grown woman to have sex with you. She looked down at Jenny with a strange expression. Pity? You want to reach the Queen for some unfathomable reason. I wish to see what happens when you do.

Gabor and Roland were on their feet. I too, said Gabor.

No, said Biadet. Just us two. She does not like crowds.

She? Are you sure the Queen is a woman? I asked Biadet.

Quite sure. So much for that theory. Shall we?

Wait, screeched Laney. You arent going without me. She was on her feet and had a little blood dripping from her nose, but otherwise seemed fine.

Biadet locked eyes with her for a long moment. Neither blinked. So, its like that? She nodded and Laney stumbled over prone eunuchs towards us.

Why her and Biadet werent affected, I had no idea. I knew the Queen feared men, especially Visitorsdumping both me and Sonny in jail as soon as we arrived made that clearso it made sense her weapons were weak against us for some reason, but little girls, too?

I gave Maurice a look, which he returned. He would make sure Jenny and Claire were okay.

Me and two thirteen year old girls headed into the dark doorway. I paused by Gabor. How are my chances, now?

He took a sharp intake of breath. Better you dont ask.

With those comforting words in my ears, I entered the Palace of Requbar.