Rise (War Witch Book 1) (47 page)

The group of Blessed spent the remainder of the morning listening to Leto explain Ramora's history as Chara had explained it to him. She rarely interrupted, except to straighten out a detail or two her young friend had overstated in her retelling during their journey to Lansing.

She really kind of wished Chara would stop elaborating things so much. Still, she couldn't deny she found it endearing the way the young woman threw herself into recounting her best friend’s near-miraculous survival against a hoard of Demon Seed at such a tender age. In a way, listening to her tell the story made it all seem slightly less horrific.

With a soft sigh, Ramora lifted Izra's hand off her thigh and moved it for the hundredth time. It wasn't that she didn't find the woman very attractive, but there was a time and a place.

Here and now are a time and a place
, her Rabbit sang, making her groan internally.

The Deep Elf grinned and winked at her, to which Ramora smiled patiently. Adorable as she was, the Blessed of Hepheron was laying it on a bit thick, especially with Flick watching in such rapt attention.

Where had Untar found this bunch, anyway?

"So, as I said before, Ramora here is the only one who has ever seen Draco and lived to talk about it," Leto finished, then caught himself. "As it were."

"The scum," Sabra snarled. "What kind of man puts his hands upon a child?"

"The evil kind, my friend," Tanna intoned softly. "All the more reason to kill him."

"In slow, painful, bloody ways," Izra added, turning angry as she left off toying with Ramora's leg to grip her shoulder. "He'll pay, in pieces, I swear it to Hepheron."

"Aye," Bit nodded. "I knew he be a foul sort, but I never imagined him this black of heart. In pieces it is, say I, as well."

Startled by the obnoxious Halfling's sudden anger, Ramora nodded to him, offering her wordless thanks. He nodded back, fire in his eye, making her wonder what it was about her tale that enraged him so.

"I think Izra has spoken the desire of us all, then," Tanna murmured. "Sister, you have found allies who are eager to avenge your family, and the wrongs done to you."

Ramora nodded to her as well, receiving one in return. She wasn't sure how the blind Troll could know, but she was thankful. To her surprise, the Blessed of Neglis chuckled.

"I may not be able to see as you do, friend, but I can see auras, and that is all I need."

"You still be a creepy giant blue woman," Bit snickered.

"And you remain an odious little man," Tanna replied flatly. "Though I will be honored to stand in battle by your side."

"And I you," he told her with a wink.

By Ramora's side, Flick stared at the table, his fist curling inward steadily as the Dwarf’s rage built. "Pay, indeed. Not just for the crimes committed against Ramora, but for all his sins against Heaven."

"Including the sixty-eight of our brothers and sisters who lie dead by his hand," Sabra agreed. "For that, I will take those offending hands, and shove them up his ass!"

Rick bowed his head slightly, nodding his assent with them all. "First, we must formulate our plan of attack, as well as learn how to work as a team. Most of us are accustomed to working solo, though Bit and I have a good deal of experience in cooperative fighting."

"Aye, not to worry lasses," the Halfling smirked. "You be in good, strong, capable hands with me. I be molding you with the gentlest of touches, I assure you."

Flick snorted a laugh at that. "Seems to me the ladies are more interested in each other’s hands. Not that I blame them."

"Oy, now," Bit cried. "Give a lad a chance to show what he can do at least!"

"No," Tanna intoned.

"Never," Sabra glared.

"Not in this life," Izra smirked.

Ramora shrugged and shook her head, giving him a sad, and somewhat sisterly smile.

"Bloody Hells," the Halfling grumbled. "Shot down four straight. Isn't fair, is what it is."

Rick coughed slightly. "If we could put the sex talk away for a bit."

"Aw, and I was just working my way up her thigh again," Izra moaned, Ramora removing the Elf's hand once more. "This time felt lucky, too."

"You two can play later," Untar said as he swept into the room. "For now, we have much to discuss."

Leto and Rick rose quickly, the rest of them remaining where they were as the King of Lansing crossed to join them at the table. To both men’s surprise, it was them the Lord of House Fel looked at curiously. Slowly, they sat, unaccustomed to such manners from a King.

"Can I take it Lord Westerman has already informed you of Lady Descartes' plan to join us in Ricmar?" Untar asked.

"He has," Bit replied. "Though I must say, that's overpowering the pot with seed by more than a little, isn't it?"

"Not once you hear what I have to say," Untar replied, holding out a hand, into which Leena dropped a stack of documents before sinking back from sight again.

Holding them up, Untar told them, "Nine Blessed died to bring us this information, including our dear friend, Collette Reisengard."

By the looks of shock and gasps that surrounded her, Ramora realized they hadn't heard yet. Saddened again, she stared at the table, remembering her dear friend, her easy smile, and the years of warrior training she'd gone through under her watchful eye.

"I don't believe it," Bit snapped, rising. "Colly would never be bested by a bastard like this!"

"So, it was her," Rick sighed, burying his face in his hand. "She was the sixty-eighth."

"Son of a whore," Flick growled.

Ramora shook her head, then lifted her fingers to confirm it, but was stopped as Tanna said softly, "Ramora has seen that it's true. We must accept that. Collette is fallen."

Bit staggered, then sagged back into his chair. Silence fell around the table for a moment as each of them struggled to come to terms with the loss of a friend, and a woman who'd been like a mentor to many of them.

"Her legacy will never be forgotten," Untar said quietly. "She gave her life so Marissa Outil could bring us this."

Izra's head snapped up. "Marissa? Is she safe?"

"She lives," Untar nodded. "But from what I understand, she was badly wounded in the flight from Draco's stronghold. It's unknown how long she'll survive, or what shape she'll be in should she pull through. The best healers in Isnar are tending her as we speak."

Izra grimaced before her face fell into sadness. Ramora slid a hand over, and squeezed her knee, getting a thin smile back from the Deep Elf. Marissa Outil, a legendary Deep Elf wizard and Blessed of Isel, had nearly fallen against Draco. This did not bode well.

"I know this is shocking, and grieves us all to hear it," Untar said after a minute. "But if we are to make this monster answer for his sins, we must focus our attentions on what so many suffered and died to bring us."

"And just what is it we paid with the likes of Collette for, if I may ask?" Bit got out, voice thick with bitterness.

Untar slid the documents out onto the table, letting them take a look. "A diagram of Draco's stronghold south of the Eastern Heights, a roster of how many units he had, and best of all, detailed notes on his troop movements all over the area."

As each of the Blessed pulled a bound stack of papers to them, reading over the information blood had been paid to obtain, they marveled at it more than a little. With this, they could formulate a plan.

"General Alimon will be in charge of organizing the attack plan," Untar declared. "I'm certain, knowing his reputation, he'll want to hear each of your opinions. When not working on that, you'll be training to work as a single unit, a perfectly cohesive team. You have three weeks, then you ship out to bring this Demon-loving son-of-a-bitch to justice. Any questions?"

"Just one," Bit said as he flipped through the documents. "Will there be wine served during all of this?"

Untar sighed heavily, but smiled all the same. "I'll see what I can do."

"Then I'm happy as a pig in shit, your great and mighty great and mightiest," the Halfling chuckled with a sloppy bow.

Izra folded Ramora's hand into her own, gripping it tightly as she leaned over to whisper, "We're gonna make him sorry he was ever born, sweetheart."

Despite the seriousness of their goal, she couldn't help but smile.

"WAIT,” ESTEBAN GASPED.
"You're a Blessed of the High Gods?"

Rayne looked at him with a smirk. "What? Did you think all of us were big, strong, hulking warriors with muscles for miles?"

The Werecat shuffled his feet a little. "Kind of."

"Oh," she said, cocking her head to the side. "Well, surprise! We aren't! Though, what I lack in physical prowess, I more than make up for in brains, technical skill, and if I don't mind saying so myself, which I completely don't, staggering beauty. Wouldn't you agree, sweet Chara?"

"Uh," she fumbled, still staring at the Half Elf in absolute disbelief. "Sure. Yeah. Okay."

"Chara!" Esteban exclaimed. "Don't encourage the crazy lady!"

"Hey!" Rayne yelped. "I'm not crazy! I'm eccentric! That's completely different! It's acceptable crazy!"

"Hold on," Chara said, putting a hand on Esteban’s arm to still him. "Why didn't you just tell us what you are right away?"

Rayne gave her a slightly maniacal grin. "The old Divine Gift works better if I get your auras all stirred up a bit. Let's me see more than the casual conversation normally would. Don't take it personally, I just wanted to get a bead on the two of you, and let me tell you, what I saw, woo wee! You two are quite valuable, let me say, not that you could stop me, since I already said it, but you get the picture, which reminds me, either of you guys interested in buying a magic picture taker? I invented it a while ago, but lost it somewhere in here, but if I can find it, I'd totally sell it to you, so long as you promise to only use it for the most vulgar of means, if you get my drift, which Mr. Cat there doesn't, I can tell, but not to worry, it'll be a girl secret, am I right?"

Chara held a finger up, realized she had no idea what the Half Elf had just said, and slowly let it drop. "Uh huh."

Invisible to the mortals, Rakiss was panicking. A Blessed of Agrid, one powerful enough to read the value of a person’s life from their aura, and worst of all, it was
her
! He didn't need this, and after pacing frantically for a minute, trying to figure out what to do, finally accepted there was only one way to get the two out of this shop, and as far from the devious little Half Elf as possible.

"Dint," he bellowed. "Get down here! Now!"

A few minutes passed as Rakiss scanned the Heavens for any sign of Rayne's Ascended. After a moment, the demigod appeared, yawning as his Cow tail swished erratically. Looking over the other Ascended in boredom, he yawned again and scratched his butt.

"Dint," Rakiss growled. "Tell her to shut up!"

The Ascended of Agrid stared at him for a minute, then at Rayne, then back at him before asking in a sleepy tone. "Why?"

Rakiss fumbled about with that for a moment. "Because I said so!" he finally declared.

"Ummmmm," Dint drawled out slowly. "Yeah, no."

Startled, Rakiss closed in on the other demigod. "Listen to me, Dint. I want her to stop talking, right now, while I figure out how to get these two out of her shop. Understand?"

"Sucks to be you," Dint shrugged. "I dunno if you noticed or not, brother, but Rayne never stops talking. She talks to herself while she works, she talks while she's eating, and man, trust me on this, she talks in her sleep."

Fuming Rakiss stared at the laconic Ascended for a moment. "Just find a way, or I'll take it up with Agrid."

Dint laughed at that. "Go for it, buddy. Don't ask me why, but Agrid loves listening to Rayne ramble. Never did get that myself, but you know how it is. Different strokes for different folks."

"Dammit to all the Hells," Rakiss snarled.

Dint gave him a lazy-eyed look. "You should probably take it easy, dude. All that stress, it's bad for your aura, ya know?"

"What's bad for my aura is having that blabbermouth Blessed of yours risk upsetting everything I've been working towards for years with that girl!" Rakiss shouted.

Looking over Chara and Esteban, the other demigod shrugged. "What's so special about her anyway? Looks like an average person to me."

"Never mind that, you slow-witted buffoon," the other Ascended growled. "Just get her away from them!"

Dint gave him a sad look. "Aw, man, that really hurt my feelings, ya know? Here I am being all friendly, and expressing interest in your pet project, and you gotta go say something mean like that. Just ain't right, buddy."

"Do I look like I care?" Rakiss raged.

Dint smiled at him warmly. "Not really, which is why I think maybe you need some fresh air."

"I don't..." Rakiss trailed off, staring around at the street. Staggered, he made for the store, only to be repulsed.

"What the Hells?" he stammered out as it dawned on him Dint had expelled him from Rayne's shop, and forbidden him reentry. "How can he do that?"

"Like I just did," Dint said as he stuck his head through the wall. "Why don't you try meditating for a while, buddy? I find it does wonders to balance my chi and keep my aura clean. I'll bring you some tea, too, if you like."

"What I'd like," the other Ascended snapped, only to be cut off as Dint shook his head and vanished back inside.

"Gods damn it," Rakiss grumbled.

Unaware of the battle of wills taking place between the demigods, Chara, Esteban and Rayne had continued talking, with Rayne doing the bulk of the heavy lifting on that front. Despite their best efforts, the other two could hardly get a word in edgewise with the motor-mouthed Blessed.

"Wait, back up," Chara said, finally managing to interrupt the Half Elf's rambling monologue. "What was that about our auras?"

"Hmm?" she asked. "Oh, that, yeah, never mind that. Let's talk about the pretty, pretty, shiny, toys you've brought me."

Nonplussed, Chara handed the two mystic weapons over to her. Rayne oohed and aahed at them, holding them up to the light as she did. Esteban maintained his uncertainty about the wisdom of this, but Chara had been raised to always trust in the Blessed, even if you weren't sure why you did it.