Shield of Fire
Schemes

The fortress seems abandoned in the dead of night. No signs of life could be seen from afar. Not even the flickering of a fire. Nothing. Dead, cold and empty. However, the third does not apply. The corridors are filled with the revived corpses of lizard-like animals - in various stages of decomposition - standing guard. There’s no life in them, just malice given to them by their creator. He gave them his breath, along with it the purity of his thirst for destruction.

Closed in his room, General Tolm paces up and down for long enough to make someone suffer from pain in his feet. His hair looks messy and ruffled. The uniform’s sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and a couple of buttons in his suit are undone. A light coat of sweat makes his forehead glisten when the moonlight hits his face.

Restless, he keeps roaming on the stone floor. First time he feels so much distress. His powers may not be as once were - when he took out the heart of Lefkos with bare hands. The best moment of his life. But the Ethnians were never so strong. No one could challenge him. Instead, the trick to handle them was scheming. A little this for little that. Bargains upon bargains and deals under the table were bread and butter on daily basis. And who else is best for this job than a demon?

However, now the tables are starting to turn. The spirits of the shadow realm have spoken and the oracle has been given. The human is a crucial part of that. And that stupid queen has sent her away guarding her precious son. If she knew…

Standing by a window, General Tolm lifts his right arm, reaching for the window frame to support himself. His powers were leaving him day by day and the time to replenish his vitae was getting shorter. He used the last dozen of young ones a few hours ago. Telepathy was extremely energy-draining making him feel like an empty shell at the end. It was a desperate move, but he never felt so desperate in his life. And his life was not a short one.

Taking his gaze from the snowy mountain his eyes landed on his reflection in the glass. The cracks on his face were more extensive, a neon purple substance flowing below the surface. He needed a new body and fast.

What if I get the human’s body? General Tolm shakes his head sideways shoving away that thought. But many come. If her flesh is more flexible than Ethnians, it could facilitate my transformations and will last longer.

Sardonic laughter escapes his lips, resonating through the fortress’s stone walls. The odds may be in his favour.

-*-*

Crini stands still, breath held in her chest, plastered by the side of one of the tents. The good thing about her position is that she’s lighter, making her move silently. Her shorter frame is perfect for hiding in a wider variety of places than them.

“We need to capture Crini as soon as we get out of the tunnels.” Tadal’s whisper sends shivers down her spine. “Don’t change your attitude, the time is near. We don’t need to raise any suspicion.”

Crini stretches her neck to take a glance at them. His usual grumpy face whenever he was facing at her, now had a sinister expression — a schemer in action. Ada and Ezpa however, were looking at him with full attention, almost hanging from his lips.

“But why do we need to split? I thought we will be together.” Ada niggles looking intently at Tadal. There’s a shine in her eyes, a whimsicality Crini hadn’t noticed.

“I know, but this way we increase our chances of not getting caught. If we are in three teams is better. I’ll take her with me while you and Ezpa are making sure the rest will not be able to follow us for a while. Then we meet at the place we agreed.” Tadal continues looking around sharply for any unwanted faces.

“Excuse me, sire,” Ezpa hesitates. “What about… what about the tournament?”

Tadal rolls up his eyes annoyed. “We don’t care about the fucking tournament!” he hisses. “This is nothing but ceremonial bullshit. These artefacts have never been found. My stupid father spent his life searching for them. Thinking he would gain the ultimate power. And he received only death.”

In a swift movement, Tadal takes a quick step in front and grabs Ezpa by the collar of his shirt. Ada’s eyes grow wide from shock and she puts her hand in front of her mouth to suppress a gasp. “Are you having second thoughts maybe?” Ezpa doesn’t move for a few seconds, looking frightened with his mouth dropped open at Tadal. His face has transformed into a mask of darkness. Without the power to say a word, Ezpa just shakes his head in denial. “Next time you’ll try to defy me, I’ll not be so kind.” Tadal blows in his face letting him out of his grasp.

Crini moves very slowly until the group is out of sight. When she replaces an opening she lifts the tent cloth, and gets inside. It’s empty. Allowing herself to breathe normally, she puffs the air held in her lungs as she slides down sitting on the ground.

Is this a dream? Hallucinations? Parallel universe maybe? She tries to reason for what had just happened. Why do they want me? I’m just a servant, nothing more. A cold shiver makes her body stretch awkwardly as the memory of Tadal’s face appears before her eyes. He looked like an asshole but not that much.

Settling in a corner, Crini brings her knees up to her chest circling her arms around them. She closes her eyes but unease is stirring inside her. Her ears fill with noises. Scummy gossips and little voices chatter in dark corners. Are there more involved in this? Suddenly, all appear as suspects in her eyes. For reasons unknown to her. The doubt was already there. If Tadal had some profit for planning against her, something there must be that the others want too.