Chapter 331: New Model Army

Chapter 331: New Model Army

How much scepticism is too much? Did I always have to assume everyone was against me?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: what the fuck is wrong with you, havent you been paying attention? Of course I have to prepare for the worst possible outcome. Now brace for impact.

But its very tiring constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, always looking for the worst in people. Especially when you keep finding it.

It wasnt like my paranoia was completely without evidence. My expectation that people would turn on me was based on my reality. Not just recent events, but throughout my life.

I didnt necessarily blame anyone. It wasnt like I offered very much in the way of a desirable alternative. I provided temporary accommodation while the permanent residence was being readied.

Whats your name? I asked the priestess of the shrine.

I am Richina. They call me the Fire Bird. Her voice was light and friendly. She had already offered me her services, with heavy sexual undertones.

Maybe that wasnt fair. Just because a girl is pleasant to a guy doesnt mean shes foaming at the gash.

Yes, Im putting it in vulgar terms, but thats the best way to think of it if you want to see things clearly. Dont pretend its something its not.

Maybe when she said, I am yours to do with as you wish, she did actually mean it sexually. Maybe she didnt. The truth was, I was heavily backed up and in desperate need of release, and it was easy to see everything in sexual terms under those conditions. Id spotted a well-endowed coconut tree on the way here. I was thinking about asking for its number later.

When you say youre mine to do with as I wish, could you be a little more specific?

A jokes not funny once you explain it, and flirting stops being sexy as soon as you ask for written consent.

I mean I will pleasure you in whatever fashion you choose.

Still felt a little ambiguous to me.

My womb is throbbing in anticipation.

Women, they just cant give a straight answer to a straight question.

Why do they call you the Fire Bird? I asked her, changing the subject.

The priestess of the shrine is the flame that protects this island.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Not exactly the most explicit explanation Id ever heard.

Can you fly?

No.

Can you set things on fire?

No.

I feel your name is misleading.

There was a pause. I dont recall asking for your opinion.

That was better. If youre going to find out if someone is to be trusted, first you have to piss them off. If you cant handle me at my irritating worst, you dont deserve me at my only slightly more tolerable best.

I took a moment to look around my surroundings. The interior of the shrine didnt have any other exits. No doors, no stairs. It was a big open square, with Fire Bird sitting in the middle. There were flowers and plants in pots along the walls, and some petals strewn around the priestess feet. That was about it.

If there were any magical amulets and wondrous gewgaws here, they were either well hidden or cunningly disguised.

When will you arrive? she asked. She almost sounded like she was looking forward to it. Very suspect.

Soon. Im just over the road. Got a few friends with me. Just wanted to check if it was cool to bring them with. Only, you know, theres the small problem of your people trying to eat us.

They wouldnt do that.

No? Could you have a word with them about it, to make sure? Maybe get it in writing?

Im sure it will be fine. Just tell them youre here to see me.

Richina, right? The Fire Bird.

Yes.

Damicar looked up at me from his notebook. Maurice 2.0? Can you get me this. He ripped out a page and handed it to me. It was a list of groceries. Those are all the herbs Ill need. Ive included descriptions. They should grow around here, its the right sort of climate.

Ill see what I can do. I folded up the paper, and put it in my pocket.

Young man, said the ships cook. Young man, come here.

I went over to Mrs Somya. She was clutching the doll of her son to her bosom. Her sightless eyes seemed to be looking right at me.

I leaned in. Im here.

She grabbed my collar, and jerked my face next to hers. I was being very popular with the ladies today.

I wanted to thank you. The doll it is more precious to me than you can possibly know.

Oh? Does it have magical powers?

A tremor of surprise flashed across her face. I could see it because she had my nose practically inside her ear. Smelled like lilacs.

Yes, it does. You knew, huh? Well, well. Lets keep it our secret. My boy, he is in the grip of powerful forces, but one day they will weaken, and I will reclaim him.

With the doll?

Yes. It is bound to his soul. They cannot have him, not while I have this, not completely.

Some kind of soul puppet? I didnt know what it was good for, but there was no harm in it. Well, actually there was a lot of potential harm playing with eldritch forces, tempting diabolical spirits to this realm, risking the eternal soul of someone you loved but nothing out of the ordinary.

Do you think you could make some more? I asked her. Just as a backup.

Mrs Somya cackled lightly. Ah, I see, I see. She was blind and I was fairly sure she had no idea what I had in mind, but the cackle helped made her sound like she knew everything.

I left her to her cackling and went over to the captain.

I need you and a few of your men to come with me. Were going to talk to the islanders. Should be safe. More or less.

As you wish, said Captain Somya, unfazed. Dead people were highly underrated as employees. I was learning a lot about the kind of people I wanted working for me.

I left instructions for everyone, mainly to carry on doing what they were doing, and led a party of the undead into the tunnel in the cliff.

My usual ambivalence towards leadership was beginning to wane. It was all about who you were leading, I was starting to realise. Imagine going into a fight with fearless walking dead on your left, and ravenous cannibals on your right. Lets see you find objections to that set up in your Geneva Conventions.

You wouldnt even need to bring supplies. The dead hardly ate anything, the cannibals ate the enemy. No need to take prisoners. If I could get my shit together and convince Richina to accept me as the interim leader, until Arthur returned, I could make this island my base. Maybe drag the two shipwrecks out of the bay and make one medium-sized ship out of them. The islanders had built all those huts, they were probably handy with tools. I could use the ship to go on supply runs to get Snickers and Pringles at two in the morning.

The idea of encountering my old party with an escort of cannibals made me smile. Talk about shock troops. My personal guards wouldnt need weapons, just some salt and pepper in holsters hanging off their belts. Maybe some chilli sauce strapped to an ankle for emergencies.

The tunnel led right to the village, so I had to assume the islanders knew about it. It was a lot more cobwebby than I remembered. I must have floated right through them without noticing, but it also meant it hadnt been used in a long time. Maybe theyd forgotten about it.

They hadnt. There was a group of islanders waiting for us as we emerged. Very white teeth, I noticed.

There were no words of welcome. But no threats, either. And no one licked their lips, which was the main thing. They stood in a group, maybe twenty or thirty of them, silently watching us.

The huts looked smaller this time. Small squat buildings crowded around the tunnel exit, making it hard to see where to run.

Were here to see Richina, I said, like I was talking to a receptionist. Shes expecting us.

There was no obvious sign they knew what I was talking about. A couple of them sniffed the crew, but didnt go any further. Bringing spoiled meat had been the right thing to do.

You know, Richina? Fire Bird? I said.

This time there was definite recognition in their eyes. They parted to let us through.

The village was much more lively this time. Kids and old people were present. They stopped to watch, many joining us on our march through the jungle. They walked alongside us, all the way to the shrine. They stopped at the entrance as I walked in. So far, so good.

In the middle of the shrine sat a skeleton. The bones were bleached white. The head had a few strands of curly brown hair still attached. Her modesty was covered by a frayed sarong. So far, not so good.

Hello? I called out. Richina? My words echoed around the room. There was no reply. Looked like I was a little late.

I left my body. This was how Id met her. She should be able to talk to me here. Hello? Richina? Are you there?

Hello, said a voice. Can you let me out? I seem to be stuck.

She was trapped in this place. She was a lot like me, I realised, looking for some kind of release.