Squad Games [Squad Building LitRPG] [Book One Complete]

Bletcher used the Staff of Hither-Thither to take them from Avolo to Eisenberg. What should have been a two-day hike became a simple matter of stepping through a portal from one place to the other.

Sharptooth needed a little encouragement to walk through the swirling lights and colours, resisting Wilson's attempts to pull him.

"Damned hound," Wilson muttered, though he could understand the warg's reluctance.

But once Hubert passed to the other side, Sharptooth gained the courage to follow him.

The young wizard made circular movements with the stave to close the portal. It looked awkward with one arm, and when it was done, he staggered, caught by the strong arm of The Harvester.

Still, Wilson was impressed that Bletcher had accomplished the task without incident. The boy's magic had always seemed instinctive, while this feat had demonstrated considerable control over his powers.

The gnome led the party straight to the Pig and Iron, where they could get caught up on the goings on out west.

Mayor Steben made a beeline for them as soon as they entered the lounge. "I was told to look out for you."

"By whom?" Wilson asked.

"Larik. And those dwarves. They came here to warn us of the approach of a Sargassian army. And they were right to. They appeared four days back, hundreds of them. Ready to storm the town. Only, before they attacked, something strange happened to the warriors. They seemed to change, from silent—"

"Yes, yes, we know what happened to them," Wilson said. Don't mayors love the sound of their own voices? "Where did Larik and the others go?"

For some reason, Steben looked offended. "They said the leaders of the force still needed to be dealt with. Headed northwest."

"Back to the Deepwood," Vixen suggested.

"We had a run in with the pair," Wilson told her. "A young man and woman, probably siblings." He nodded to the weapon at The Guvnah's belt. "Larik and the others won't get anywhere without that sword. Except killed, if they're not careful."

"Tyee and Olathe," Vixen said. "The son and younger daughter of Emperor Sahale. Though the impression I got was that they're not such a threat as Eyota."

"Probably not," Wilson agreed. "But they proved a handful for us, on account of being invincible. And both knew how to wield a sword, I might add."

"Then Bletcher can take us to the emperor's palace?" Vixen asked.

Bletcher gave her a nervous look. "I'm not sure I can use the staff again so soon. Also, I don't know where the palace is."

"We can give you directions," The Guvnah assured him. "But for now, we can walk." He turned to Wynter. "I hear you're leaving the Rotten Apples. If that's the case, might as well say goodbye here and now."

A silence suddenly settled on the group. Wilson could tell there was a tension between some of his crewmates, but he didn't have the first idea why. How am I supposed to lead the squad when Stiff keeps these kinds of details from me?

"It's true," Wynter said. "Rake and I were planning on leaving after this mission. Thought you might want to come with?"

"No," Alfie said.

"I see. Then it's like you say, might as well call it a day now." She screwed her mouth to one side, her skin stretching taut. "Good luck to you all. Anybody wants to change their mind, they know where we are."

She and Rake nodded to the rest of the group, then headed to the bar.

Wilson jabbed a thumb in their direction. "What in Gehenna is that about?"

The Guvnah looked at Vixen, who shook her head. "Stiff doesn't even know yet," she said. "We need to tell him first, before everyone else gets involved."

Wilson looked around their group, but no one else had anything to say. They were a taciturn lot. "Might as well get going then."

Wilson rode ahead on Sharptooth, scouting the way for the others to follow. It was a pleasure to ride alone, free of responsibility. There were times when it felt like their minds were linked, making decisions about where to go together, without the need for instruction.

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At other times, they still felt very separate.

"Not that way, you stupid beast," he complained. "Sharptooth!" He yanked on the reins, but the damned warg continued to ignore him. It skirted the hillock rather than riding over it, heading for the treeline to the west. "Who's in charge here?" the gnome demanded. The warg kept going, as if that was answer to the question.

Two figures emerged from the trees. One held a bow.

"Damn it, now we're in trouble." He pulled on the reins, but Sharptooth barked excitedly.

Wilson squinted at the pair. "Wait. Is that Jaelin and Mila?"

It was indeed, and Wilson was pleased to see them. When they met, he informed them of the goings on since he had ridden off on Sharptooth all those days ago. Then he realised that he should probably let them get a word in. "How about you?"

"We were stuck in the hillfort until the Silent Warriors left," Mila told him. "We trekked east and met up with Larik and the others. They were already trailing the two Sargassians. We all agreed Jaelin and I should wait for reinforcements who might bring Blueblade."

"We have Blueblade with us."

Jaelin smiled at him. "You've already told us."

"Oh yeah. Well then, let's take it north and get this mission done."

Jaelin and Mila joined their squad. Wilson considered them good replacements for Wynter and Rake. He liked and trusted the pair; while The Explorer helped him get the squad back on track. It turned out that Sharptooth hadn't been taking them in exactly the right direction.

***

Chinara told The Explorer everything she knew about the location of the Sargassian palace. Her party had entered the Deepwood from the east, while they were approaching from the south. It made it difficult to describe.

The fact that Mila sent her daggers for talking so long with her man didn't help. Though Vixen did find it quite amusing. She could have calmed the girl's fears by telling her that Alfie was her current lay. But that wouldn't have been half as much fun.

Somehow, Jaelin was able to collate her information with what he already knew and tell Bletcher where to transport them.

The young wizard was recovered enough to open another portal. The circle of lights and pale colours revealed the thick, brooding Deepwood. It was not a place Chinara wished to see again. But The Guvnah stood by her side, and they crossed through together.

It was Sharptooth and Hubert who took the lead. All Vixen could see was endless forest, but the warg and bear must have detected a familiar scent. They led the humans through the trees, and in the distance the marble walls of the palace complex came into view.

Before they reached the building they came upon four members of the Rotten Apples. Jaelin began the introductions. Larik, Chinara barely knew. The others were new members she had never met before. The two dwarves were standoffish. The little halfling was the opposite.

Of all the people, she decided to approach Chinara. "You have a sling," she said, pointing at the weapon in Chinara's belt.

"Yes," Chinara agreed, a little taken aback.

"Me too. What's your skill level?"

"Err, expert."

"Expert? Oh wow. I'm proficient. Bet I could learn a thing or two from you. I could teach you anything I know, as well. I'm Rilie. Rilie Rumblewind. Stiff gave me this." She held up her own sling. "It's a Sling of Accuracy. Gives me +4 to hit. What's your name?"

Chinara smiled. She was a whirlwind. But she liked her. "My name is Chinara. But everyone calls me Vixen."

Randall loudly cleared his throat. "May we get on with business now?"

"You may," Rilie allowed.

"You followed the two here?" Jaelin asked him.

"Aye. But a spanner has been thrown in the works."

"How so?"

"The two Sargassians arrived to find their palace overrun. Goblins have made it their home. And I can smell trolls as well. Won't be long before orcs turn up, I'd wager."

Jaelin frowned, turning to Bletcher. "Is it possible the sorcerer's magic kept the greenskins out while he was alive?"

Bletcher had a blank look. He shrugged. "Could be."

"Our two targets?" asked The Guvnah.

"We know where they are," said Larik. "But listen. This may sound strange. We spoke with the general. His name is Tyee. He told us that his father had his treasury inside the palace. If we can agree terms with him, we could help them get inside, grab the treasure, and split it."

"That is not our mission," said The Harvester.

Larik held up his hands. "Alright. But it's worth considering, don't you think?"

The Guvnah sighed. "Bring us to the targets. We'll take it from there."

Larik and Randall shared a look, then nodded their consent. They led the squad around to one side of the palace, keeping a safe distance from the marble walls. They came upon a small guard post, where they found a sorry looking pair.

If not for her experiences with the Sargassians, Chinara might have had some sympathy. The siblings were young—at least, in one way of looking at them. They had been woken in a changed world, and their people's attempt to regain their position in it had failed.

They now looked out at the squad of Rotten Apples, clearly fearing the worst.

Alfie smiled at them. "Trouble getting into your own palace?"

"It is overrun by goblins," said Tyee. "I—"

That was as far as he got.

The Guvnah had drawn Blueblade.

ACTION ROUND

Alfie's thrust was accurate, and Tyee failed to stop it. The bonus from the sword made it a clean kill.

"No!" shrieked Olathe.

The Guvnah didn't hesitate, striking her down with his second action.

The encounter had been brutally efficient. Everyone stared at The Guvnah, as the blue light in the pommel stone faded.

He eyed Larik and Randall, gesturing at his kills with the tip of his blade. "Our mission was to kill them. We can't do deals with the undead. We'll tell Stiff about this place. Maybe he'll send a crew in to explore it."

Neither of them looked happy.

"We'll be coming back for the treasure," Randall told him. "Whether Stiff likes it or not."

MISSION COMPLETE

SUCCESS: Tyee and Olathe were killed

Some of your mercs improved their stats:

Sharptooth:

Might +1

Hit Points +1

The Guvnah:

Agility +1

No mercs levelled up