After witnessing the blood drinker’s oath, Saer dedicated himself to long mornings on the sparring field with Runeak’s warriors.She joined him on occasion, to assess what he learned and offer brusque, but invaluable corrections.He focused on close and long-range weapons usage, though fine-tuned his hand-to-hand ability as well.Saer’s combat reflexes were innate, his strength indomitable, but lacked finesse, especially with the human armaments.While his skills did improve, he remained below Wrath’s level of expertise—though he’d never admit as much.
He could punch harder than her, anyway.
Runeak’s vampires spied by night.Her captains led troops to scout and skirmish during the day.Each side of the conflict prepared for a greater battle.With each subsequent sunrise and sunset, tension built, an escalating and dense hum of energy about the war camp.
After a grueling morning on the practice meadow, Saer stepped into Runeak’s tent to find her muttering with a handful of her leads over the central table.Despite the persistent coolness of morning, he always went armorless—and shirtless.The tent flap settled behind him, and Runeak made a simple gesture, dismissing the soldiers.Each gave her a bowing nod as they made hasty exits.
Saer wiped the back of his neck with a cloth and watched the officers depart.He waited until he and Runeak stood alone before turning his focus back on the demoness leaned over her war table.“Has something changed?”
“We attack tonight.”
Saer blinked.“What moved up your timeline?”
A smoldering noise rumbled in Runeak’s chest, her gaze fixed on the figurines upon her war table.“Complications.”
“What kinds of complications?”
Runeak’s eyes darted to Saer, though not a single muscle moved on her sinewy body.The effect proved dramatic, if unsettling.“They have reinforcements.”
“Troops orDraconic?”
The demoness shook her head.“Humans but…” Runeak paused to find the right word.“Elevated.”
“Elevated.”Saer repeated the word, hoping it made more sense coming from his mouth than hers.
Runeak nodded.
Saer fought to control his irritation.“Elevated how?”
Wrath dropped her gaze to the table with a frown.“They have means of attacking and defending without weapons or armor.”She paused again, and just when Saer was about to harass her to get on with it, Runeak continued, “Invisible shields against our fire and blood, made with words and writing.”
“Words and writing?”
“You ask too many questions.”
“You’re a horrible conversationalist.”
She released a subdued snarl.“We attack tonight.It will keep them from having more time to build up their weapons and protections.”Regarding Saer for a heartbeat, she dipper her voice lower.“You should fight with us, partake in the harvest.”
Did she mean it as an olive branch?Or a test?
“You know my answer.”
Runeak nodded, giving nothing away.“Then come and witness the battlefield before you leave.”
Because curiosity overtook him, he found himself nodding in return.“That, Runeakael, I can do.”
The officers received their orders and carried them out to Runeak’s precise specifications.With the rest of the day, the encampment readied to march, saddling horses, reinforcing armor, and sharpening blades.Torches were gathered by the hundreds to provide their leader with the strength she required for slaughter.
The blood drinkers rose from their shaded dwellings after the sun exhaled its last breath of light.Runeak’s army numbered in the thousands, but her vampiric cohort made up barely one hundred of the count.They would follow along the outsides of the marching army, away from the fire which held the potential to immolate them like so much kindling.Tasked with blending into the shadows, they would attack the opposition, eliminating any of their enemy’s scouts.
The moon hung as a sliver in the sky, the night dark and forgiving of their movements.
Runeak’s soldiers began their march after dusk with instructions to refrain from uttering a single word to one another, even a whisper, while carrying unlit torches.Through the dusk and well into dark, they traveled with their leader near the front next to Saer, each astride their respective mounts.
The war band circumnavigated the opposition’s encampment hours later to a vantage point on an overlooking hill.Half the troops were commanded to stay back amongst the foliage while Runeak and Saer went forth to scout and confirm the state of the base.Captains directed the other half to slink to the opposite side of the encampment for a flanked attack, if they could make it without being discovered.
TheDaemoenicagazed upon the temporary dwelling from high above, covered in shadows and perched on their horses.Fires flickered between the tents.The opposition’s guards scouted the perimeter.
