The Heartstone Saga by Archibald Bradford (short novels in english .TXT) 📕

which the gathered Aegis and monster girl forces were waiting on the order to move.

They were only a few miles away from Wayfelt, the entirety of their forces having mobilized quickly at Volka’s order; from grim-faced Aegis members to naked Dryads under the watchful protection of their Spriggin cousins.

A variety of warrior breeds had heeded Volka’s call, Griffons, Amazons, Wolfen, and of course the backbone of their forces: the Antlion legionnaires.

Even Xalanth and Sadie Essig were there, the Dragon refusing to part with her bond-mate in the final stages of the hunt for the Chimera.

It wasn’t easy for them, Tora especially, but Volka had asked the Ogres from Garland to stay and protect the city, just in case.

In truth, she felt that it would be too cruel for them to be forced to battle the very thing that they themselves were, mere days before.

They would have needed to kill Kriss to keep her from coming along though, the Chameleon joining the mixed bag of monsters that Tiana had led against the Tenebrae in the city.

Nameless had already begged the Amazons to keep his sister safe, without telling her of course, the young man still determined to forge some kind of a relationship with her.

Once the world wasn’t ending anyways.

The scout’s massive eagle wings folding behind her as she knelt before Volka on her cat-like legs.

“My Dominar. I have found them, right where we expected.”

She had blood trailing from a number of scratches, and a nasty injury on her thigh that had another monster girl’s broken claw sticking out of it, so a medic set to work on her immediately, but the Griffon was stoic and continued with her report.

“The town suffered much damage, and it is swarming with Tenebrae even as we speak. A number of Harpies set upon me and I had to withdraw. But they gave up the pursuit not long after, returning to the town. They are just… waiting.”

“For us. I suspect.” Volka pronounced; “As Miranda surmised, Evadne knows we are coming.”

The hybrid monster girl bowed her head again.

“There is more though. As you directed I flew a circuitous route so as not to lead them to our position, and discovered a downed Ogre to the west of here, she looks injured.”

The Valkyrie’s eyes widened and she looked to the gathered Aegis council, likewise waiting on the scout’s return.

“She was alone?” Booker asked.

In just a few days since his injury he’d gotten quite adept at using his crutch and had refused to be left behind, though he’d taken Theo Holbrook off of his feet just to show him that the older man was still better in a fight, even hampered with his injury.

“Yes, languishing in a field several miles away.”

Dawn Morrow bit her lip.

“Can we afford the detour necessary to check this out?”

Queen Julia was there as well, with her silly bond-mate and his silly uniform still at her side; somehow the man managed not to look superfluous, very rarely dropping his regal bearing, especially when his queen spoke up.

“We cannot. It could very well be a ploy to pull us out of position so that they can slip away.”

“We can’t just leave her though.” Miranda objected; “She could be bleeding out as we speak.”

“Or she could just have collapsed from exhaustion. Ready to wake up and rampage again.”

“If that’s the case I’ll stop her.” Nina shrugged; “If she’s a Tenebrae than she will need my man to fix her anyways. So there you go. Look at me, solving everyone’s problems.”

Several people were ready to object, but the Dominar was in agreement with Nina.

Again Volka spread her wings and her aura to cease the discussion, a tactic some would argue that she was overusing.

Not out loud though: silently argue. Safer that way.

“I would rather you were there at the start of this. But I suppose Xalanth is mighty enough. The Aegis and the Longinus forces will head towards Wayfelt to ensure the Tenebrae do not slip away.” She declared before looking to Nameless; “But perhaps we should send additional forces with you just in case?”

“No need.” Nina sniffed; “I can handle one Ogre.”

“Yes, and by all accounts you’re going to need everybody you can get once you arrive in Wayfelt.” Nameless agreed.

Volka smiled sadly.

“Go. But catch up to us as quickly as you can, my husband, for we will need every ounce of your strength before this day is through.”

While Nameless left with all of his bond-mates but his Valkyrie, Miranda ran her hand through her hair.

“Hate to say it, but it’s probably better this way. Get the kid out of harm’s way until we have a handle on the situation in Wayfelt. Then bring him back into it.”

Paul took a long draw on his pipe and shrugged.

“Kinda figured that was the whole point. I love that boy like he were my own son, but he’s got more heart than sense.” He shot a speculative look at the Griffon.

“I didn’t lie.” The winged monster protested with some indignation; “Not even an order from my Dominar would permit me to show such disgrace.”

Commander Morrow stepped beside Volka as the Valkyrie watched her husband leave.

“We should get moving, ma’am. Every second we delay-”

“You’re right.” The angel cut her off; “Of course, you are right. Queen Julia! Take the van, if you will. I will be in the air.”

She stretched out her wings and gave a powerful flap to soar into the sky, her focus already shifting away from her bond-mates and towards finding Evadne and fulfilling her duty.

__________

In one of the few houses still standing in Wayfelt, Evadne was eating placidly while sitting at the same table that Jonathan had bent her over after the attack on Garland.

She took no pleasure from the