Before the Storm: Act 4, Chapter 9

Before the Storm: Act 4, Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Xoc.

With a dissatisfied noise, Xoc stirred from her sleep in the dead of the night. She uncurled slightly, then curled up again when she felt the warmth of her bedding threatening to escape her.

Xoc.

She opened a sleepy eye, searching for the source of the familiar voice. It sounded like Saraca, but, as far as she knew, he was far to the west helping to fight the Undead.

Go away, she murmured as her eye closed again, I dont want any dreams about you.

Xoc!

Muhyah!

Xoc started at the shout, fur standing on end as she leapt out of her alcove.

T-Too close! Youre not a bad guy, but I dont see you like that!

what in the world are you talking about?

She looked around for Saraca. He was so huge that it should have been impossible not to notice him in the confines of her home.

I dont see you

Im not there with you. Im using a Skill to speak with you from a ship sailing on the Syrillian Way.

The Syrillian Way? Does that mean youve already driven the Undead all the way across the Draconic Kingdom?

It sounded like the counteroffensive against the Undead was going well. From what she could recall, Master Leeds and the other Humans in the clanhold lived over a hundred kilometres from the sea, so the Undead had been driven back over twice that distance.

If only that were the case. I must regretfully inform you that Rolengoreks coalition army was unable to stop the Undead advance. The surviving forces have likely retreated to form defensive lines along the border ranges.

Xoc rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, trying to make sense of his statement. The warrior clans had sent an army of hundreds of thousands, so how could it be that they were defeated at all, never mind so quickly?

What happened? She asked, You sounded so confident when you left the city.

We encountered something far more powerful than any Death Knight or Elder Lich. Additionally, there were certain alarming behaviours displayed by the Undead. Im afraid were witnessing the advent of one of the great calamities that occur every century.

W-Wait, you mean like the Demon Gods? What are we going to do?!

Xoc? Her fathers voice came from another chamber, Who are you speaking with?

No one! Xoc replied.

Her eyes widened when her father appeared in the entryway, holding a boulder the size of her head in his paws. He looked around suspiciously.

Is that so? He said, I heard some strange things. Chimali has made a few significant gains recently, so I thought he finally got it into his head that he could come after you.

Xoc threw her blanket in his face.

You dont have to speak aloud, you know

How could Saraca hear her if she didnt speak out loud? How was he even talking to her in the first place? He said it was a Skill, but she didnt know of any Skill that let people talk from however far away he was. What was the point of having runners if people could do that instead?

Xoc slipped out of her home, just in case she couldnt figure it out. The cool night wind washed over her as she made her way to the back of the pyramid.

Are you still there? She whispered.

Yes. The Demon Gods of your history may have been a Calamity, but the Calamities are varied in their manifestations. By and large, they seem to act as they appear.

What does that mean? Xoc asked.

For instance, we had a Calamity that brought powerful Elves many centuries ago. They acted as feral Humanoids tend to, revelling in their power and using it to overturn the worlds order. Countless civilisations around the world were left in ruins by their madness.

She didnt know what Elves were, but they sounded like horrible creatures.

So what does that mean for us? We cant possibly survive against something as powerful as the Demon Gods!

The Demon Gods of your history seemed monstrous by nature from what our research could uncover. This may sound strange, but you may be fortunate that this Calamity is Undead.

How can that be? The Undead are the enemies of all life, aren't they?

They are. However, they dwell in their own realm of existence and how they broadly behave is dictated by the rules of that existence. I believe that they will consume the Draconic Kingdom, but they wont advance on Rolengorek until theyve done so.

But they will attack us, right?

Eventually. But the Undead do not have the desires of the living and thus do not enact conquests for the same reasons. As a whole, they transform the realms of life into realms of undeath. Once the Draconic Kingdom becomes a new Undead kingdom, you can expect them to move again. This isnt a guarantee, however. To that end, I have some advice for the warrior clans.

What is it?

Do not provoke the Undead in the Draconic Kingdom if you can help it. Im on my way back to the Confederacy to report what has happened to my government. A Calamity is a threat that the entire world must face together. It may take years for us to muster the appropriate response, but, rest assured, I shall return.

She felt whatever it was that allowed them to communicate came to an end. Her chest rose as she took in a deep breath, staring up at the starry sky as she released a deep sigh.

He didnt even ask how I was doing.

It couldnt be helped, considering the magnitude of the threat that faced the world. The progress of a tiny clan in an unknown jungle on the fringes of the world was an insignificant concern by comparison.

Enxoc, is everything alright?

Her father appeared at the base of the pyramid, looking up at her with eyes full of concern. How much had he heard? Was there even any point in letting everyone know? For the first time, she thought she could sympathise with the way that the warrior clans did things.

It looks like well be sending that gift to nar Kira sooner rather than later, she replied. I need to send a message along with it.

A message? What happened?

Things in the Draconic Kingdom didnt go as well as everyone hoped, Xoc said. Honestly, Im not even sure if I should tell anyone.

Do the warrior clans know about it? Her father asked.

Its hard to imagine that they don't, Xoc said. An army that large cant just hunt as they go and I dont think they can eat the Undead, anyway so they need a constant stream of supplies fed to them from Rolengorek. The ships would have returned with the news or the Council would have noticed them never coming back.

If all you need is simple, temporary seating, he said, it would be good practice for our carpenters Apprentices. Theyll have to be paid for their labour and materials, of course.

Eh

Chimali turned a pleading look at Xoc.

The fighting pit is useful for the clan, right? Right?

If the clan builds the fighting pit, Xoc said, then its the clans operation.

A quiet sigh left Chimali. Xoc brought Master Leeds away from the court and back toward the Human section of the second terrace. Dozens of them were standing outside of their homes, but they returned to bed as soon as they learned what the noise had been all about.

Master Leeds, she asked, how long will it be until our shipment of equipment for nar Kira is ready?

I was under the impression that we werent in a hurry to get it done, the Guildmaster answered. Our Leatherworkers have been busy making equipment for Ocelo Pachans forces and weve been setting aside one in five for nar Kira. Did something happen that requires we send the shipment sooner?

Xoc examined the Human as he walked alongside her. Was it prudent to let him know about what happened in the Draconic Kingdom? The efforts of the Humans in her clanhold were mostly for the sake of their homeland, so how would their behaviour change in light of the new information? If her people were no longer trying to rid the Draconic Kingdom of the Undead, would the Humans stop putting so much effort into building up Ocelo Pachan?

No, I cant hide this from them. They made it clear that their loyalties still lie with their Queen. The longer I keep this from them, the worse the reaction will be when they finally find out.

She waited until they reached the privacy of the Merchant Guild office before speaking.

I spoke with Saraca a few hours ago, she said. He was using some sort of Skill that allows him to communicate over long distances. The Undead forces were stronger than anyone could imagine and he believes our surviving forces were pushed back to the jungle border. He said that another Calamity has come something like the Demon Gods, except this time the Undead. Saraca is on his way back to the Beastman Confederacy to form a new coalition army to fight them. IIm sorry. About your home, I mean.

The Guildmaster bit his lip, looking down at the stone floor as a profound silence fell upon them. As she had suspected, the fall of the Draconic Kingdom would affect her clans relationship with the Humans in their midst.

Did Saraca say that they were similar in power to the Demon Gods, or stronger than them?

UmI dont think he knows how strong the Demon Gods were. He didnt stress anything about their power compared to the Undead. Why?

It has something to do with the Dragon Lords, Master Leeds said. Specifically, they dont wield their power to influence events in any direct, significant way unless the action is deemed necessary for the protection of the World and the souls that dwell upon it. If that happens, our Queen wont hesitate to use Wild Magic to wipe out whatever it is that threatens the integrity of the World.

and the Demon Gods werent worthy of the Dragon Lords direct intervention? Xocs tail lashed back and forth behind her.

Apparently not. And they were right, though many may resent them for allowing events to play out as they did. The Demon Gods lay waste to much of the region including the Draconic Kingdom and Rolengorek but the Thirteen Heroes eventually rose up to defeat them.

Xoc couldnt wrap her head around that. If someone had the power to help, then they should help. Instead, the Dragon Lords seemed content to see entire civilisations burn and countless millions die.

Anyway, Master Leeds said. If you want us to get that shipment ready faster, just give us the word.

Really? Xoc blinked, So nothings changed even with the fall of the Draconic Kingdom?

Im not convinced that its the end of the Draconic Kingdom yet, the Guildmaster said. But, since you framed it that wayI have a request for the Council.

The Council? What is it?

Since theyre fighting the Undead, the warrior clans may have brought some of the Draconic Kingdoms citizens back with them during their retreat. Id like for them to be delivered to us. Weve made a comfortable place for our countryfolk here and Im sure theyll appreciate being back with their fellow citizens.

I cant promise that theyd agree to that, Xoc said, but I can include it in the message.

Thats all I ask, Enxoc.

When dawn arrived, Xoc called the elders together to discuss what she had learned and what they could do about it. Her court, however, took the news with far less fortitude than she expected.

Were doomed, one of them moaned, holding her head in her paws. The council sent hundreds of thousands of warriors, and they were still defeated! What can we do against that?

Have all of the strides weve made for the clan in vain? Another asked.

Whats the point in trying to build a civilisation if unfeeling monsters can just come around every century to ruin everything?

Xoc wanted to whimper as the wave of negativity washed over her. Would all of her people react the same way?

Undead in the west, another elder said, Dragons in the east! Savage tribes taking over the north! Even our great mother, Vla, has unleashed her wrath upon us!

The world itself has abandoned Rolengorek!

No heroes to save them; no legends to adore. Born from the ashes of a people forlorn.

Mitras haunting, sorrowful strain echoed from the recesses of Xoc's mind. Was this to be their fate? To be cursed to isolation and subjected to the savage whims of the world?

Xocs gaze went past the panicking figures of the elders to the freshly refurbished terraces beyond. The restoration of her clanhold wasnt solely due to the work of her clan. Her eyes went back to the mass of self-pity littering her court.

SHUT UP!!! She roared.

The elders shut up.

Whats the point in making all of that useless noise? Xoc told them, Are you going to just wither and die on the spot now? Actually, please go ahead and do that right away if youre going to Im already sick of your wailing.

Butbut what can we do?

We live! Xoc replied, You speak as if our lives have already ended, but that couldnt be further from the truth. Rolengorek has been tasked to hold back a great calamity while the world rallies to our cause. We fight the Undead, which means we are fighting for life itself! What will the armies of the world say if they arrive and see that we fell to despair and self-pity?

Silence answered her, but it wasnt the only answer. Something in her court had stirred at her words. Was it shame, or was it indignation? Either way, she had no more words to waste on the topic.

Master Leeds.

Yes, Enxoc?

We can no longer afford to be slow and methodical. Open up recruitment for apprentice artisans and labourers to the parts of the city that we gain control over. Finish the new shipyard as quickly as possible and rebuild the harbour to account for the floodwaters. I want the river trade redirected to ocelo Pachan as quickly as possible.

What about the rest of the city?

Our clan will redistribute supplies to Ghrkhorstorofhekheralhr. Ill speak with the gangs while we get everything done hopefully, theyll see reason and submit to me as their new lord.

And if they dont? Patli asked.

Then theyll be starved and crushed, Xoc answered. Rolengorek cannot afford their kind running free, bleeding their own people dry. To that end, every trading post will also serve as a recruitment and training centre for new warriors. Ghrkhorstorofhekheralhr must transform into a city that can stand against those who would bring ruin to our jungle.

Things are about to get crazy, I guess, Master Leeds said. Do you have any other orders for us, Enxoc?

Xoc looked up to the brightening morning skies. There was one other thing that she was unsure about, but they had to try.

We need messengers, she said. We need to warn the world of the advent of this Calamity. The Jorgulans; the Great Lut; the Red Dragons of the southwest and even the savage tribes of the Worldspine. Rolengorek must hold against the coming darkness, but we do not have to do it alone. So long as I can help it, we will never be alone again.