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

Chinara went down to the river to wash. It seemed like she would have the day to herself. The bulk of the Sargassian army had not yet reached Urlay. Meanwhile, Eyota had left with Clamor to scout the route south.

That didn't mean she was free. Stricken was a discreet distance away; but as he had told her last night, he wasn't taking his eyes from her for a moment.

She gazed across the river. Could I swim it, and escape?

Stricken would chase her, of course. She couldn't kill him, since he was already dead. And if I fail? Stricken's master, the sorcerer, would do to her what he had done to Vytenius. She shuddered. Fear stopped her from thinking clearly. Should she try anyway, in the hopes she could pass a warning to the rest of Gal'azu? What would waiting gain? Would she get a better chance than this?

As she looked across the river, something caught her eye in a small stand of trees. With everything she had experienced, it almost felt like her mind was playing tricks on her. But she had enough sense to stay still. She turned to look at Stricken. His ghoulish eyes were fixed on her. He hadn't noticed.

Think, Chinara.

"I need some privacy to do my business," she called over. "You know what I mean."

"I've already told you," Stricken shouted back. "I have no interest in your body."

"That's not the problem. I can't do it with you staring at me. Stay there and let me go upriver for a short while."

"Alright. But if you jump in this water, it will only carry you back to me, and I will fish you out."

Chinara walked a short distance upriver until she was opposite the stand of trees. She crouched down by the bank. No doubt Stricken was right about the river. But he didn't know she had seen someone.

"You're an elf, aren't you?" She hoped her voice would carry across the river.

"Yes." He didn't reveal himself. That was good. He must be aware that Stricken was watching. "You are a captive. One of Stiff's mercs, maybe?"

She frowned. Who exactly was she talking to? "Yes. Vixen. I was captured. Did the others get away?"

"They did. I am Valnor. I work for Stiff now. He sent me to scout the enemy."

Praise the gods. "You need to tell him Gal'azu is in trouble. They have an army."

"I've seen."

Of course, Wynter would have told them about the enchanted army. But there was more than that. She had to make this elf understand. "It's not just that. There is a sorcerer. He can raise people from the dead. He is here in Urlay."

The elf went quiet. Did he not believe her? "I need to get you out of here."

"You can't. Someone is watching me."

"I know. I'll kill him."

I wish you could. She choked down her frustration. She felt so close to freedom. "You can't. He isn't alive."

The elf went silent again. Chinara glanced across at Stricken. He was watching her, of course. She didn't have much time left. "Well?"

"I will return and report what you told me to my lord. And to Stiff. Hold on a few more days. We will find a way to get you out."

It was only when he told her he was leaving that she realised how much she'd been hoping he wouldn't. But it was only sensible. He needed to get his information back to the others, not get caught.

Maybe I would have done the same.

She struggled to speak. She wanted to ask for help. Never mind strategy and what was best for Gal'azu. I want to get the fuck out of here. "Good luck," she managed to get out, before she stood and left.

***

When their sea voyage ended in Avolo, Christoph's squad went straight to The Smashed Marbles. Expecting to find Stiff there, The Baron looked a little disconcerted to find no Stiff, or any of his crew.

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"Where did he go?" the thief asked Suzie.

"Didn't bother telling me," she answered. Usually so pleasant, she displayed more than a little hostility. "Went off with a couple of elves and a weird horned creature."

"What creature?"

"I don't know what in Gehenna it was! When are you bringing Murder back? I've been run off my feet on my own."

"I see. I'm terribly sorry. We will head straight to the Gerd farm, and I will have someone bring him back."

They took a river barge north. Christoph enjoyed telling Mei and Liena about this part of Gal'azu. Both took all he said very seriously, as if he was a professor delivering a lesson. At other times, he would speak alone with Liena, while Mei indulged in childish prattle with Eden.

"I always planned to learn the sword," he told her, as she cleaned and oiled the blade of her katana. "I had a good teacher; just never enough time."

"Still, you are proficient with the bow," she said. "General Fei once said a commander can never have enough archers." She gave him a shy look. "Maybe I can teach you the sword, and you can teach me the bow."

"I would like that very much."

Liena was beautiful, and had a gentleness about her, despite her prowess as a warrior. Christoph was keen to spend more time with her. But as they disembarked and walked across country to his family farm, reality slowly reared its head.

Auntie Femke put on an abundant welcoming dinner, as she always did. But she was in a worse mood than Suzie had been. She made sure that reality was well and truly hammered home.

"Do you know how hard it's been without the three of you?" she demanded. She smiled sweetly at Mei. "I do apologise."

Mei bowed, then gave a mischievous smile. "Please, Auntie Femke. Continue."

"I've had to ask everyone to work extra hours to fill in for you. We're all exhausted."

"Mada," Murder agreed.

She pointed a finger at The Baron. "I'll hear no more talk of Lothar and his damned missions."

"I humbly beg pardon. I would dearly like to leave them all with you. It's just that—"

"Just that what?" Auntie's eyes narrowed in a steely gaze.

"I must ensure that Mei is safely delivered to her father. It involves a return trip to Jiezhou. Also, Suzie was most keen to have Murder back."

"Mada," Murder complained.

"And he who must not be named has left Avolo in strange company. I really ought to get to the bottom of it. He could be in trouble. Smoke and I may be needed."

"No way," Auntie said.

"I could take Mei to Jiezhou," Christoph offered. "I would have Liena to help me. That would free The Baron and Smoke to go back to Avolo with Murder; while Wade and Eden can stay at the farm."

Femke and The Baron both gave him calculating looks, weighing up the suggested compromise.

"Sounds good to me," said Wade. "Having had a reminder of the mercenary life, I am quite happy to stay put."

***

The Squished Plums in Mer Khazer was closed. Inside, the Order of the Rotten Apples held a meeting.

At last, Lothar had most of his crew in one place; and thanks to Valnor, some solid intelligence on the enemy.

A rough map of Gal'azu was spread out on the table before them as the elf shared his information.

"The main force is at the bend in the Auster here. It numbers around two thousand. They are travelling slow, since they are carrying siege equipment by hand."

"The direction and equipment indicate they are most likely marching on Avolo," Tree said.

Lothar agreed. "They have planned this campaign and appear well organised. Avolo is the only logical destination. You said siege equipment?"

"Mostly wooden ladders. More than enough to scale the walls of the city."

"The Council needs to be warned," Rosalind said.

Lothar nodded, pleased she had recovered from her earlier exertions enough to take part. "They do. But they can't stop this army, I fear. The second force?"

"Heading due south," Valnor said.

"For Mer Khazer?" Larik asked.

"Current destination is a few miles east of our location. This force is much smaller, about five hundred."

Lothar considered this. "The first army has been sent to lay siege to Avolo as quickly as possible. The second will take a longer route, raiding farms and villages and sending supplies to the main force. Our priority is stopping the main army, but we can't ignore the other one. We need to disrupt their efforts."

"We don't have the manpower to deal with either," Fortune noted.

Lothar nodded. "This is true. Seregin?"

The elf lord raised Blueblade for all to see, before handing it to Eddie, who held the weapon close. "This sword gives us a chance. It can kill the necromancer's undead warriors. It's the only weapon we have that can."

"What do you mean?" Ashlyn asked. "We could kill skeletons with our regular weapons before."

"This necromancer has moved on from skeletons. I don't pretend to have all the facts, but this is what I have pieced together. The barrows you found were his work but from a long time ago. His power has grown since then. Valnor spoke with a captive, Vixen—"

"—What?" Wynter interrupted. "She lives?"

Seregin nodded at the elven scout.

"She lives," Valnor said, "and for some reason has not been enslaved like the Sargassians' other prisoners. But they watch her carefully. There was a man with her. Dead, she told me. But he was no skeleton. Looked much like any human."

"Much like?" Ashlyn asked.

"There was a strangeness to him. Emaciated looking." He shrugged. "When you are told someone is dead, maybe you notice things you wouldn't otherwise."

"Maybe," Seregin agreed. "But the main point is, this necromancer has lived for hundreds of years. He has raised men from the dead to do his bidding. Such creatures cannot be killed by normal methods. This sword can harm our enemies. Our strategy must be to kill this necromancer. For that, we must use magic. His army is too numerous to destroy. And we know where he is. Vixen told Valnor he is with the main force. That could be priceless information if we use it well."

"We must target this main force," Lothar agreed. "To protect Avolo, but also to kill this necromancer. I don't expect it to be easy. It may not be quick. I agree that killing the necromancer is our main mission, but he won't make it easy for us.

"Most of us will head east. A few will remain. Their mission will be to hinder this second force and make life difficult for the enemy. Don't lose sight that most of our opponents are ordinary humans. They need to be fed just like any other army. They can be starved like any army.

"If possible, I will send Rosalind back and forth to communicate between the two forces." He sighed, trying not to make his final point sound like a criticism. "We've used up our potions of healing. So be careful."