-Steelheart Saga-

Chapter IX - When Honor Met Pride

The Immortal Leviathan sailed the endless sea for a week before cresting over the horizon of the Drogmir coast. Dawn broke over the fog shrouded isle, the crewmen yawning as they sailed the ship steady along her course. Krysté stood on the deck, arms folded, squinting through the beaming morning sun.
"Land!" A sailor shouted back to the crew.
"Land Ho!" The sailors cheered back.
Krysté rushed below decks to alert her companions, only to find them up and alert. "Oh, I didn't know you were all awake."
"Of course we are, love! This is the day the Captain said we'd be arriving, remember?" Vana asked.
Rynor snickered. "That's why she needs us. Imagine where she'd be without that sword of hers."
"I know what day it is, magician." Krysté snapped.
"Oh, lighten up, Krysté! Tis a glorious day, no?" Vana asked with a smile.
"If you say so. I'm going to wake the Captain." The Wo'enne Elf turned on her heel and marched down to the cabin her commanding officer had been staying in. She knocked, but there was no reply. Krysté sighed, barging through to find the Captain sound asleep, his snore like a slumbering dragon. "Unbelievable." Krysté muttered.
Vana skipped along, then peeked through the doorway. "Uh oh, the Captain's sleeping in..."
"Of course." Rynor said. "I'll be on the deck when you need me.
"We won't." Krysté grumbled, stepping into the Captain's cabin and studying him as he slept. "Get up!" She shouted, yanking the blanket off the half naked Knight Captain.
Vana giggled. "Hon, I believe he's a far heavier sleeper than that."
"Then what do you suggest?" Krysté asked.
"Well, a nice, warm tea usually does the trick, with Commander Grunth, at least." Vana answered. "He was your boss, yes? Don't you know something that will get his attention?"
"Hmm. I haven't thought about it." Krysté said.
"You've served with him longer, surely you have some idea." Vana added.
"Let me think." Krysté stared, scrambling to remember any helpful details on the spot. "Nothing in particular comes to mind. Although, there was this one time he mentioned his late wife. What was it, again? Something she'd always do in the mornings." The Wo'enne Elf paced idly, searching the recesses of her memory for a clue.
"Cook him breakfast, perhaps?" Vana guessed.
"No..." Krysté denied. "Oh, it was...a kiss. She'd wake him with a good morning kiss."
"Oh, how sweet!" Vana smiled. "Hold on, then you're suggesting we wake him with a kiss? How bold, Lady Krysté."
"What? No, I was only remembering!" Krysté protested. "Forget it, let's just think of something else."
"You sure? He might enjoy being reminded of his wife." Vana giggled.
"Then you kiss him!" Said Krysté.
"Oh, but you're the one who suggested it, no?" Vana teased.
"I wasn't suggesting anything!" Krysté snapped.
"Sure you were! You're the one talking about kissing your commanding officer, you cheeky girl!" Vana shot a playful glare at Krysté.
"Ugh, I am not—I wasn't—"
Vana laughed. "See, you can't even deny it! Wait until I tell everyone! Yoo-hoo, boys!" She called out to the ship.
Krysté grabbed the Lieutenant. "Vana, don't! They think I'm sleeping with the Captain!"
"Do they now? And how do we know you aren't?" Vana smirked.
"I'm serious! The last thing I need is to confirm their suspicions. Believe me, they were a nightmare at my previous post. You don't know what they're like." Krysté pleaded.
"Hmm, and what's in it for me to keep your little kissing fantasy a secret? Huh?" Vana giggled.
"It is not a fantasy!" Krysté insisted. "Please?"
Vana gasped. "Wow, a whole 'please.' This must mean a lot to you, Lady Krysté. It'll take more than that, I'm afraid."
"Ugh, I'll do you a favor. Name it." Krysté said.
"A favor? How enticing. I think I'll cash it in later. You better make good on it, too!" Vana flashed a mischievous grin.
Krysté placed a hand on her hip, shooting an irritated glance at Vana. "What's gotten into you today?"
"What can I say? Some things I do just to see you blush! Tis the cutest thing with you pale Elves. You turn the shade of the rose under all the pressure. If only you could see your face right now!" Vana laughed.
"Forget I said anything. I'll be on the deck, with the sailors. You wake the Captain!" Krysté stormed past Vana and marched up to the deck as the Immortal Leviathan sailed to the coastline of the Drogmir Isle.
The full team gathered on the deck as the Immortal Leviathan lowered its sails. The sailors stayed with the ship, although many of them stepped onto the shore to appreciate the scenery and bid safe travels to the legion of Knights. Krysté and her party traversed the island, entering a lush jungle buzzing with insects, flora rustling from the various native animals. Rynor marveled at the exotic birds as the Captain navigated the party to the Orc village with Vana at his side, his broadsword forward as he cut down the overgrown vines and bushes on their path. Sir Elnard kept his map in hand while his squad mates hung by Krysté, who had removed her outermost layer of armor and left it on board the Immortal Leviathan. The humidity and tropical heat were bothering the Wo'enne Elf, who'd grown up in a temperate woodland climate.
Krysté herself kept a hand clasped around the hilt of her Blod'ven, which was still mounted on her back, as she progressed through the thick jungles of Drogmir with the party. She was down to her under armor, a thin layer of sky blue mesh fabric with shoulder cutouts paired with matching shorts, her steel wrist braces and combat boots still equipped with her utility belt latched around her waist, item sack hanging from her side. She tugged on the high neckline of her top with a grimace stuck on her face. "It's sweltering here." She grumbled.
"Ahh, this is nothing!" Steinholm chuckled. "Have you ever holidayed in Santa Mensa? That's the real scorcher."
"If you say so." Krysté said. "I've never sweat so much in my life."
"I agree, it is rather blistering. Perhaps an anti-perspiration spell would do?" Rynor offered.
"Seriously, you can do that?" Krysté whipped her head back at the Mage, who trailed behind at a short distance away from the headstrong male Knights orbiting the Elven Lady.
"Indeed! I thought it a rather frivolous spell. Never quite had a use for it until now. One moment..." Rynor retrieved his staff, spun it once while uttering a magic enchantment, and summoned gentle white mists around the party, which spritzed onto their bodies, leaving them with a subtle glow.
"Ah, much better. Appreciated, Mage." Krysté nodded to Rynor, then refocused and pressed on just a few feet behind The Captain and Lieutenant Vana.
"Anytime, milady." Rynor grinned.
Sir Greyson knocked Rynor on the shoulder. "Oioi, looks like ye got yourself a little girlfriend, ha!"
"Oh no, you mustn't mistake my gesture for the romantic sort." Rynor shook his head. "Twas a simple courtesy. No more."
"Is that right?" The portly Knight laughed. "Look, mate, ye can dress it up with all the righteous shite ye please, but I wasn't born yesterday, was I? There's only one reason a lonely young bloke like you wanders knee deep into the shitpits with us in the Guard. It's about a woman."
Rynor sighed. "My good man, you have me deeply mistaken."
"That so?" Greyson scoffed. "Okay, lad, convince me."
Rynor stared on in brief silence before lifting his head. "There was someone else, I'm afraid. A Human girl back at the Academy, Isabel." The Mage paused, following the group as they took a left turn into a thick collection of trees. "I doubt she so much as noticed me during my apprenticeship. We'd hardly even spoken. Perhaps it's wrong of me to think on her as if she were awaiting my hand in hers, but I'm afraid I've always been a fool in love."
"What, you had a crush, then?" Greyson smirked. "Tell ye what, sharp ears, that's adorable, that is!"
Rynor frowned, stepping over a fallen branch as the group entered a section in the shade of the thick treetops above, the howls of native primates in the distance. "Her hair was this...vexing shade of midnight. A black so deep it reflected blue in the light—and her eyes! The most magnificent hazel behind those thick rimmed glasses, her jaw perfectly shaped, cheekbones and dimples that could raise any man's spirits! Oh, she could look at you as if she'd known you all your life. That girl..." He trailed off, idly grinning beneath his collar. "She was always lost to me. I fear I waited too long to tell her my feelings. I fear now..." The Mage choked. He inhaled, then recomposed himself. "It is likely she perished in Valkor. I couldn't save her. Oh, Isabel." He winced.
Greyson's facetious smirk dropped into introspective sorrow. The large man placed a hand upon the mournful Mage's exposed shoulder. "Chin up, mate. Tis the end of days, innit? We've all lost somebody. Tis why we fight. No matter what, you've got to keep moving."
Rynor sniffled, wiped his nose, then adjusted his cap. "Quite right. You have my thanks."
Sir Greyson nodded as they trailed behind the rest of the group. Adlebert, Steinholm, and Elnard stuck by Krysté up ahead. The men snuck a glance at the Elven woman's backside as she climbed a short hill with a grunt. Krysté remained focused on the path, oblivious to the men's peeping as she followed her Lieutenant and Captain through the jungle.
By evening, the party arrived at a network of trees in the center of the island with high wooden walls protecting the village and a locked gate with two Orcs standing guard. Krysté raised an eyebrow, gazing up at the heights of the treetop homes. They resembled the layout of her home village back in Wo'enne. She glanced down, noticing Elven runes carved into the wood behind the towering, hulking village guards.
The guards held their battleaxes out towards the party. "Paraja!" The Orc ordered.
The party looked at him as if he'd spat at their feet. His partner spoke in Orcish tongue, and the abrasive guard relaxed.
"Halt, outsiders." He spoke in the Human language. "You arriving at the Gormog Village. This place haven for Orckind! We not allow outsider within walls of Gormog."
Captain Ulrich stepped forward. "We are Knights of the Kristenalian Guard. I've personally corresponded with your Chieftain, Gormog, about an alliance between our Kingdom and your village. We were invited to come in person and discuss the terms of our proposal."
The Orc guard stared blankly. The guard to his left whispered in Orcish, translating the Captain's words and intent. "Oh." Said the guard. He turned to the door with his partner, and forced the wooden gates apart. "You enter now."
"My thanks." The Captain saluted, then entered, the party following along. The Orcs inside shot alarmed, threatening, and confused glances at the band of Humes and Elves who wandered into their tropical village.
Krysté craned her neck over to Lieutenant Vana, who had hands clasped behind her back, idly humming while stepping gently forward. "Have you noticed anything strange about this village?" She whispered.
"Hmm? What exactly do you mean, darling?" Vana asked.
"I think I saw Elven runes at the gates..." Krysté whispered, glancing around to ensure the Orcs weren't eavesdropping. "And the homes. They look just like the ones in Wo'enne..."
"Oh? I thought there was something familiar about this place." Vana whispered back.
"I've not researched it, but I've never heard of Orcs being native to any islands." Krysté whispered.
"Then there must've been other natives, no? You suspect Elves?" Vana asked.
Krysté nodded.
Captain Ulrich broke a few steps away from the party to approach an Orc maiden. "Excuse me, miss. Can you tell me where your Chieftain resides?"
"Aforjar, Humeno!" The woman cried, gathering up her children and herding them inside her home. "Danto, danto!"
The party studied their surroundings and noticed the villagers ducking inside their homes one at a time. Soon, all but the guards were indoors, leaving the party in a silent, empty village, the buzzing of mosquitoes filling the air.
Sir Elnard stepped forward. "Well, Cap. It was worth a try, but I think it's clear these lot aren't big on us Humans. Perhaps the Elves are more their taste."
"I don't follow, Private." Said Captain Ulrich, turning to address the Knight.
"Surely, you've noticed the Elven decor strung up everywhere? Doesn't make much sense for an Orc village, does it?" Elnard pointed out.
"I was just telling Lieutenant Vana about this." Krysté stepped beside Elnard. "I noticed right away. This place reminds me of my own village, back in Wo'enne Forest."
The Captain stroked his chin, pacing around and checking his soldier's claims with his own eyes. "So this isn't an Orc village at all. It's an Elven village with Orcs living in it. Why?" He asked the party, turning back towards them.
"Bit obvious, really." Sir Adlebert cut in. "These Orcs are warriors, yeah? What do warriors do? Conquer, don't they?"
"So the Elves here were..." Vana dare not finish the thought.
"Raided." Steinholm said. "The men were likely executed. Goddess knows what they did with the women. Ugh, it's better that we don't think about it, really."
Krysté clenched her fists, her eyes turning feral. "And these brutes are our allies!?" She snapped at the Captain.
"Stand down, Private." Ulrich ordered. Krysté closed her eyes, but composed herself in moments, standing at attention before her superior. "Gormog made no mention of this in the letters he sent to our informants. Even with what we know, I think it best to recruit this village to our cause."
"Are you serious!?" Krysté snapped again, drawing the eyes of the village guards, who clutched their weapons while watching the discussion play out.
"With the Magi out of the equation, we're at a massive disadvantage!" Ulrich barked, stepping into Krysté's personal space and shouting down at her. "Talks with King Alaistair of Zalana are going slow, the man is a coward! Our Kingdom is spread thin, barely holding itself together under the constant demon uprisings! We won't last unless we gather warriors, warriors like Gormog!"
Krysté backed down, staring at her boots as she felt her eyes water.
The party was silent as the Captain pushed back his hair, then took a deep breath. "I don't have to agree with the man's beliefs or his lifestyle, but we need him, dammit! Lieutenant Vana, Private Krysté, I am deeply sorry for this man's crimes against your people, but at this moment you are both Knights of the Kristenalian Guard. Your mission is the top priority, is that understood?"
"Yes sir." Said Vana.
"Yes...Yes, sir." Krysté relented, glancing up at the Captain.
"Then let's move out. Gormog is here, let's find him." Captain Ulrich turned his back, then pressed deeper into the village.
The party followed his lead, but Vana hung back with Krysté, throwing an arm around her back and escorting her along. "Are you alright, love?" Vana asked.
Krysté sniffled. "I'll be fine."
Vana wiped Krysté's tears. "Dear, you're crying."
"I know." Krysté said, whipping her hair out of her face and putting on a tough grimace, tears still streaming her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Vana asked.
"It's..." Krysté stammered. "Mm, he screamed at me. He's never yelled at me like that before, I—Not even my father has shouted at me quite like that."
"I'm sorry, hon. You know how much stress he's under." Said Vana. "I don't think he's really that mad at you, he's only trying to accomplish the mission."
"I'm fine, really, let's just keep moving." Krysté said, straightening her back and walking on her own. "Do you think there are any Elves still living here?"
Vana sighed. "I don't know. I'm not sure I'd want to find any."
"And if we do?" Krysté asked.
"What?" Vana said.
"If we find Elves here. What are we supposed to do then? If we rescue them, that'd anger the Orcs and, in all likelihood, ruin the negotiation." Krysté whipped her head aside, locking eyes with Vana. "Who are we, Éloria? Are we Kristenalian Knights or the last of the Elves?"
Vana halted on the spot, staring as she fished for an answer.
Krysté stopped, never breaking eye contact. "We may have to choose soon. If it comes down to it, could you honestly just leave them?"
Vana shook her head. "No. I couldn't."
"Nor I." Krysté flashed a bitter smile, then swiped Vana's hand, interlocking their fingers and catching up with the party.
As they climbed to the treetop level, an Orc intercepted them and guided them along the walkways. Eventually they came across the largest Orc in the village, a massive man with rippling muscles, battlescars, a bushy beard, and a toothy grin.
"Outsiders? It's been a long time since Humanfolk visited our island." Said the Orc Chieftain as he approached the legion of Knights. "I am Gormog the Conqueror. Your advisors tell me you are interested in an alliance, hmm?" He fixed his gaze upon Krysté, stomping over and cupping her chin with his massive hand. "You bring gifts? My good man, now you've got my attention." He smirked.
"I'm not your property, you brute! Get your hands off me!" Krysté snarled while Gormog forced her into unbreaking eye contact.
"Mighty Gormog, this here is my most faithful Knight, Dame Krysté, and that one is Lieutenant Vana." Captain Ulrich interrupted. "They're with my legion."
"Mm, yes, and they're pretty things at that." The Chieftain shoved Krysté's face aside, then stood tall over Captain Ulrich, looking down at the Human Knight. "I believe they'll fit in well. Not the male, though. He stays with you."
"I beg your pardon?" Rynor raised an eyebrow.
"Come, now." Gormog ordered. "Let us speak somewhere more discreet. Follow me." The Chieftain led the Knights to his home within the treetop village, which formerly belonged to the village matriarch. Gormog sat in his makeshift wooden throne, where a harem of enslaved Elven women sat at his feet, chains bound around their necks, wrists, and ankles. Their ragged attire left little to the imagination.
Krysté winced at the sight of the slaves, scowling at Gormog and grinding her teeth. Even Vana gasped at the sight of her Eleven sisters bound in chains and collars. Orc guards blocked the exit behind the legion of Knights while Gormog wove his fingers together, his slaves stroking his body.
"I am a reasonable man, Captain, but my Orcs cannot simply lend their manpower to an army of foreigners." Gormog began. "That is why I require a show of good faith. An offering, if you will."
"Mighty Gormog, we understand your hesitance." Captain Ulrich said. "I must inform you that our Kingdom is spread quite thin, with the ongoing war of demons, and the relief efforts in Valkor, there is not much we can offer you at this time."
"Oh, but I think there is." The Orc Chieftain sat back, resting his cheek against his fist while tapping his fingers against his armrest. "You see, I've become quite fond of Elven women, but they've become so difficult to come by these days. I consider myself a collector, and I can't help but notice you've brought one of the rarest breeds into my home. It's ever so convenient, is it not?"
"What are you suggesting?" Ulrich asked.
"He's talking about me and Vana!" Krysté blurted. "This creep has had his eyes on us since we arrived!"
"Oho, typical Wo'enne Red." Gormog smirked. "I like these girls, Captain. Let me take them off your hands, and you'll have your alliance."
"What!? That's absurd!" Vana blurted, only to be grabbed by a hulking Orc guard, who locked his bicep around her throat. Another snatched Krysté's Blod'ven, then squeezed his bicep around her waist.
"What'll it be, Captain?" Gormog asked.
Ulrich glanced between his Lady Knights and Gormog, sweat beading on his forehead as he calculated a solution.
Krysté struggled in the arms of an Orc triple her size. "I'm not a piece of meat, dammit! Release me!"
"I'm afraid I cannot honor these terms, mighty Gormog." The Captain said. "Surely, you'll take something else in exchange? There must be something you want."
"Hmm..." Gormog's eyes narrowed as he studied the armored Elven women in his men's grasp. "There is one other thing I can think of."
"Name it." Said Captain Ulrich.
"Atop the mountains to the north sleeps a Wyvern, one that's terrorized our village for some time." Said Gormog. "I suppose if your Knights can slay this beast, that too would be sufficient. You'd get to keep your Elf girls and everything."
"Consider it done." Ulrich kneeled.
"But." Gormog smirked. "If you fail to bring me the Wyvern's head by morning, consider the deal canceled. Unless, of course, failing all else, you should trade your lovely Elven pets to gain our favor?"
Vana shuddered beneath the tight hold of the Orc guard, glimpsing the broken, empty stares of the slave women. She flinched at the thought of sharing such a fate.
"We'll do it!" Krysté barked, still rustling in the grasp of a burly Orc. "Tis a simple task! Unhand me, and I shall slay the monster myself!"
Gormog puffed his nostrils, rising from his shanty throne and storming up to the defiant Elf. He forced his thumb into her mouth, pulling her face back to examine her teeth. "Such a mouth on this one." He reeled his arm back, then cracked Krysté across the face with a smack. "I'll enjoy breaking it in. Now get them out of my sight! Don't bother me unless you're holding the head of that Wyvern, or you wish to bargain for the Elf girls. Begone!"
Gormog's men ushered the Kristenalian Knights out of his home, throwing Krysté and Vana to their fellow Knights and tossing the Blod'ven across the wooden walkway before slamming the door. Krysté retrieved her greatsword while cursing beneath her breath, clicking it to her back and scowling at the legion. "Thanks for the help back there, Rynor!"
"Me? What did I do!?" The Mage asked.
"Exactly! You did nothing as we were nearly carted off into slavery to that creep!" She barked. "I should strangle you, I swear it!"
"Enough!" Vana interrupted. "Please, let us focus on the Wyvern."
"Agreed." Said Captain Ulrich. "I'm not letting that prick get his hands on either of you. Come on, ladies and gentlemen. We've got a Wyvern to slay."