Death Dealers

Lifting a Siege

“You could have died.” She said as she kissed the bruise on his back.

They were in the bathhouse, situated over a natural hot spring. The water felt good and Mari simply felt right. He leaned into her. Resting his head between her breasts. Would it be so wrong to give in? No one would judge him. For a moment he considered the fight. What had he been thinking?

He grunted. “It shattered my armor, we struck a big rock or a chimney and its weight combined with the force of its movement shattered the armor. The only thing that saved me was the fact that it drove me deeper into it.”

She caressed his shoulders. “Don’t take risks like that again. No one doubts your skill. Your wisdom is suspect, however.”

“I distracted it. The property it destroyed was accidental. It was trying to get me out of it.”

“Foolish creature. I’ve been trying to get you into me for months.” She said.

He rolled over and looked at her. Her hair was still wet from the bath, but their skin had dried and oil glistened on her light bronze skin. His eyes traveled over her. She was a beautiful woman, but she wasn’t his wife. He knew he was playing with fire. His society might expect him to take a paramour, but Esrea expected the opposite. “That kiss…”

“Was wonderful, and more than I expected.” She touched her finger to his lips.

“I do this for both of us. You need to know someone else cares and I am safe with you. Don’t take this from me.”

He nodded. “We need to dress. I’ve given the forces enough rest. We need to reach Elgrond before dark.”

“The force is tired from the fight and you sent half of them back for the camp supplies.”

She cut off as he raised his hand. “I have a mission to accomplish. Get dressed.” He said softly.

She nodded and walked over to the pile of clothes in the corner. He watched her go, wanting to call her back, it wouldn’t be wrong, how could it be wrong? He owed her so much but denied her the one thing she really wanted.

They dressed in silence. When they were finished he brushed her hair for her. It was another ritual. They had too many rituals that kept them in close proximity. Should he distance himself from her? It would be the wise thing, but if truth be told he needed this.

She turned to him before they left the room. “Be careful, you’re not immortal. The world needs you.”

***

“She’s a good woman. You should take her as a paramour. If your wife doesn’t understand this, replace her.” Hyrima said as she rode up beside him. “Listen a moment, ser. Our society has rules for a reason and you are still young. It’s sweet that you are in love...it is. But your love is over a thousand miles away. Mari is here and we all see that you desire her.”

“I don’t see that it is any of your business.” He observed calmly.

“The Ice wyrm was you working off s****l tension, it could have left you dead. The team could have handled the beast with less property damage. We are sworn to you, sworn to the vault, let us advise you. We have experience that you don’t.”

He was silent for a moment. He turned and looked at the subject of the conversation. She smiled at him. Had she put Hyrma up to this? “I will take this under advisement…” He trailed off as one of his outriders approached. The man saluted. “We reached the screens of the northern army. They have started breaking the siege.”

He nodded and looked at the rest of the party. “Raise our battle banner. Charge.”

A banner made of the elements materialized in the air above them and they kicked their mounts into motion. A horse could run a long time if you fed it energy; they had the energy to spare. The ground sped past them as the horses moved into a magic-enhanced gallop. There were distinct advantages to all your party having access to the vault. They covered the three miles to the city in less than five minutes.

Once at the city, he signaled a halt. It would be reckless to charge in blindly. The command tent was easy enough to find and the guards surrounding it didn't even challenge his approach. Gareth stepped into the pavilion followed by his squad.

The talking ceased as he entered and the Kilmora sigil on his spirit armor earned him slight bows. As a leader of a death squad, he would outrank a general if he wished, but that wouldn't get him bows, simply obedience. "Report," He ordered as he approached the model of the city set in the middle of the tent.

"The southern walls are breached in two places. We are awaiting reserves to capitalize on the breach. The city has twenty wizards, give or take. For the moment all is quiet."

The roar of a cannon answered the last statement and Gareth smiled. "Reminding them not to fix the wall." He said.

The young war wizard nodded.

"What is our magical strength?" Gareth asked.

"We had seven war wizards and six magi on this front. In all, we match the defender's strength. We've been at a stalemate on magic." The man paused. "Ser, your lapel and shoulder bear the symbol of the vault, as does every member of your team. I was taught that the vault was lost."

"Of all the lies we are taught, that is a rare truth. The vault found me when I was nine. It has recently been expanded." Gareth replied. "Let's lift this siege." He added