77 Orc Banners
1511 Words
The next morning, they surveyed the area south of Lakeside with the Clanchief and some knights in tow, as well as all of the mages except Aiden, who was busy charting measurements in their newly erected studio by the edge of the lake.
"I've been struck with a new idea. I need to finish this off before I can do something else, or else I'll be haunted by nightmares consisting of lines and numbers."
Haruna shrugged. "That's true. I've heard him muttering equations during camp a few days ago."
Workers had already started creating a makeshift fence and an outpost for security around the perimeter. A large camp was erected for members of the Merrimen as well as members of the Mystic Flames with the sole purpose of making sure that the workers are safe and undisturbed from any untoward incident.
Wagons hauled supplies while woodcutters started marking down trees that had to be cleared. Makkie and her team of shamans started searching for ores and minerals in the area while scouring for anomalies in the rock and the soil, while the mages searched in other areas.
Janus himself set up a camp with all of his assistants near the border of their southern outpost. A lot of paperwork was in order now that they had a new population to take care of.
He also started drafting a plan for the Plague Rats underground ring. Gragosh had listed their skillset to him the night before. Their expertise lied in scheming, enticing riots, and fixing prices amongst noblemen. They were also expert thieves and could move quietly through cities through the night, as well as experts in digging and navigating underground systems in urban areas. These kills were of no practical use to the village of Wayward Home itself, but they could be of good use to their neighbors.
In order for Janus to know what was going on in the other Kingdoms, he must have an elite ring of informants serving him. The closest countries were of utmost importance, which includes Gaddi and the Barracks of the stingers were his top priority, as well as the small towns of Galedon's borders to the east.
The hope was to develop a black ops wing for the Mystic Flame Scouts. A supplement force that would deal first and foremost in information, and there was no better way for them to distribute these forces other than Master Roban. For their initial missions, operatives would join the merchant on his trades as part of his escort retinue.
Janus' hope was that he wouldn't be caught unaware by any movement in the other Kingdoms. Even surrounded by a dangerous forest and an uninhabitable landscape, they still should keep their eyes and ears open.
It was a good insurance policy. There was no better time for this than now when their trade routes were starting to get better. Gragosh and his clan came at an opportune moment.
The merchant had already left for Galedon by the time that Janus arrived at the village. He was planning to test the Plague Rats skills by the time he comes back.
While he was busy writing at his desk, a pair of eyes and pointy ears appeared at the corner of the table.
Janus was startled and almost flipped his rolls of parchment. He was previously alone with Otis sitting at his feet. He didn't hear the goblin approaching. It tilted his head and spoke with a surprising thick accent.
This was one of the new additions from Gaddi, but he couldn't recognize the face.
"Good morning your highness, Princey." Said the goblin, who stood slightly taller than the table. Janus could only see his eyes and ears.
"Wait, wh-- where did you come from? I didn't hear you approach."
"Clanchief Gragosh asked me to report to Princey. My name is Skeeter, leader of the Plague Rat Whiskers. Pleasure to be of service."
"You're the leader of the underground network?" Janus scanned the goblin from head to toe. He was wearing a leather doublet with pristine boots. This was the first time that he noticed this particular goblin. He had no striking features, save for his peering little eyes that seemed to scan the horizon.
Otis growled at his feet. Janus ruffled the dog's head and it calmed down.
"Me and my dog didn't hear you approach. How did you do it?" he asked.
The goblin shrugged. "I walk with the balls of my feet Princey. Whiskers don't make a sound. Whiskers don't get seen unless we want to. Dog smell is strong, but Skeeter moved against the wind. Skeeter got used to not getting caught. Skeeter needs quiet. Else the Plague Rats get thrown to jail or killed."
Janus nodded, impressed. "Makes sense. Pleased to finally meet you Skeeter. Now here's what I want you to do..."
After their discussion, Janus found the need to stretch his feet. He asked Skeeter where he last saw Gragosh and headed for that direction.
Janus was happy with the outpouring of support from the other tribes as he nodded to every goblin, I'reen, human, and dwarf he met along the way. It had been months since their last reclamation effort, and they had learned a lot of lessons and skills along the way. Things were progressing a lot smoother this time.
He spotted Clanchief Gragosh by himself in one of the few clearings. He was all alone and was staring at the top of Mount Brimstone. The mountain was always there, a stark figure drawing the eye for anyone below it. Even after all these months, Janus had never gotten used to its sight. They were at the volcano's mercy, Janus had seldom imagined what they would do if it were to erupt. Such thoughts only left him with a cold sweat.
"Marvelous isn't it?" Janus said. He meant that in a beautiful but terrifying way.
"Yes." Said the Chief. "It looks so great from afar, but even more intimidating when you're this close."
"I've spoken to Skeeter by the way. We've arranged preparations for our project. Everything should be in order. I must say, he moves like a ghost. He startled me."
"Aye that he tends to do." Said the Chief without looking at him.
"I hope you're finding the land to your liking. We've got a good turnout of workers today."
"Aye, there's nothing more that we could ask for Prince Janus. We are at your service."
The orc looked somber. Janus saw that the Chief's missing hand trembled slightly
"Is something the matter?" He asked.
"It's nothing. Just a little bit of nostalgia. Looks like we have other neighbors up there, and they seem to be eager to display their prowess."
Janus looked up to where the Chief pointed, but couldn't see anything.
"Mountain orcs' banner. Up there. By that patch of forest."
Janus tried to scan the location, but he still couldn't see it.
"Ahh forgive me. You see, I've been told that I have great vision. I could see better than any of my contemporaries, which is why I preferred to work at night."
"What do you see then?"
"Orc banners, a particular one. Skulls of mountain goats and wargs piled on top of one another, with a collection of human skeletons and orc tusks."
Janus attempted to use his arcane vision and swept across the mountain.
There, a small patch of rocks and bones.
"Red banner." He said.
"Aye, you see it then."
"What does it mean?"
"It means we should be ready for them. If their Clan is able to care for goats and wargs of that size, then they must be a formidable foe. I doubt they have the audacity to move down the mountain, given the dangers at its base. Nevertheless, we have to be ready."
"Agreed." Janus gulped. Mount Brimstone is not one to be underestimated.
After his paperwork was over Janus was invited by Haruna and Cornelia to drill his abilities. They had found a few targets at an underground cave underneath a hollowed-out tree.
"Concentrated fire? That sounds dangerous."
"Of course it is." Haruna said. "But considering that your aim is nonexistent at the moment, I figured a good dose of concentrated fire would be a good way for you to practice your flame spells in a relatively safe way."
"Won't I burn my face instead?"
"Not if you build a good barrier, and you're already decent at those. Now watch as I do it."
Janus observed as Haruna formed a small ball of fire atop her staff. She concentrated a barrier in front of her face and gently blew at the fireball, creating a concentrated force of sustained incineration that reached out at a target that was around ten feet away from her.
At that moment, she looked like a dragon breathing fire from her mouth.
"Got it? Now aim for the den, there's a large slime hiding underneath. It could spell trouble for the workers."
Janus formed a ball of fire on top of his palms and concentrated.
- Writer
