Chain the Infamous Chainmaid 13

“What is she thinking!?”

Highperch near barked out his surprise as the inhuman voice that spilled out from those that Corvina possessed echoed out across all of Highroot under the attack of Bright Rift’s Sentinels. He could do little more than ask however as the majority of his attention was on controlling the steam truck he drove wildly through the golden cobbled streets of the city. What additional focus he could divert was on spying Chain in the side view mirrors of the vehicle chasing him and the king of Highroot down on horseback. King Peregrine Stormflock VI had his own opinion on his daughter’s actions and offered Highperch some little reassurance.

“Do not forget that my daughter is a master tactician and manipulator Highperch. Having spoken so she has surely judged it best for the next step of her plan. All you should worry about is getting me to safety, and most importantly, away from the Chainmaid.”

“I’ll give it a shot but it’d be nice if your daughter lent us a hand based off of how much of Bright Rift’s military she seems to have control over.”

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel of the steam truck Highperch returned Stormflock’s assurance with a little bit of his own. With the chaos in the streets from the bandit army flooding into the city and Bright Rift’s from the sky however there was no doubt that Chain had the advantage in mobility from the back of the horse she rode. Knowing that Chain could be dislodged with ease by a simple concentrated barrage of cannon fire though Highperch could only wonder what it was that Corvina was planning. Whatever it was however the focus of the princess’ attention was currently standing before the Bandit King and staring at the army they thought they served with from their own eyes and that of the eight meter tall steel biped they commanded.

“Who…”

“One of the Heroes that the Chainmaid told me was running around under my nose obviously. And if that verse is anything to go by it’s no wonder I missed them. Hm, hm, hm, hmmmm. To think the Chainmaid knew of them before me. Now I find myself wanting to ask her a question or two personally.”

“Are you mad? A hero has taken control of this entire detachment and you want to go look for the Chainmaid now of all times.”

“Why not kid? This Hero seems more interested in you anyway so while you’re preoccupied with them what better chance to go collect my tribute.”

“And here I thought you were a merciless killer of Heroes, Usurper, yet you would let the child live.”

Roc’s toothy grin grew arrogant as the inhuman voice addressed him and he gained an idea of who he was speaking with.

“I took the time to make sure the kid was on the straight and narrow so why would I kill ‘em myself? And what’s this usurper business. Stormflock willingly bends the knee to me so this kingdom might as well be mine. Unless you think you have some claim to the throne. If you do that would mean you must be little Corvina. Who’d have thought you’d up and leave your kingdom behind only to return as so powerful a Hero? You have my applause princess…”

Holstering his hand cannon Roc began to clap slowly in a most agitating way.

“You know not your place Usurper. This kingdom is mine and I shall rid it of the sore that you are.”

“And how do you intend to do that princess? Do you think this fledgling can topple me when they’ve only just gained their wings because of me? Or maybe you think your army of cans can defeat me even though from your many vantage points and personal experience you should know better than that.”

“Eh, he, he, he, he. You do make me laugh Usurper~. I already know I can’t kill you directly. But I know you mean to be a champion to the bandits who would flood the streets of my city and I have an army at my command to slaughter them. Without them you are a failure and never again would such a tragic Hero be feared. As for you child, if you desire to protect what you hold most dear than bring me the southern maid. Bring me the Chainmaid and I shall exonerate you of your treasonous ways. And don’t worry, even if she tries to put up a fight you’re a Hero. But she won’t, why would she when I have what it is she’s after. Eh, he, he, he, he.”

“What it is she’s after?”

“Don’t kid.”

Finch looked surprised as Roc placed a commanding hand on her head. Looking up past the giant’s hand Finch saw that he had lost his toothy grin and wore instead an expression of solemnity.

“What do you know about it Bandit King? Tell me!”

“It doesn’t matter. You want to be a Hero in more than just ability then follow me.”

“Why would I follow you? You’re my enemy and the reason for my people relying on this dragon to keep them safe.”

“You flatter me kid, but I haven’t been around that long. Thurlix has been here since before the Fall of Automina and I’ve barely seen my sixth decade. Besides, if you knew your history any you’d know I didn’t begin my reign until after Raptoria attempted to invade the Western Kingdoms some fourteen springs past.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that the bandits that force Misthead to rely on that blasted creature are kept safe by your presence. You have to die if they are to know true freedom and make a place for themselves in the world.”

“There ain’t anything wrong with them living a life that relies on playing host to adventurers in training. It means they have nothing of value but food and the roofs over their heads and only a fool would steal more food than they need. But this isn’t the time kid. You want to kill me do so after we’ve saved the Stormroots.”

“Saved the Stormroots? What makes you think the Stormroots need saving?”

“Because I know the Bandit Eater’s reputation. I see the fear in the eyes of any bandit who hears her name. I know that Black Mast doesn’t exist anymore and that Thurlix acknowledges her power. And I know that she told me that she’s a hair’s width from releasing that destructive power and razing the Stormroot Mountains and everything around them.”

“Impossible. No one has that type of power.”

“HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM. IN EXCHANGE FOR SAVING MY LIFE CHILD OF MAN I WILL ASSURE YOU PERSONALLY THAT THE HATCHLING SURELY POSSESSES SUCH POWER. I HAVE SENSED IT AND YEARN TO SEE SUCH DESTRUCTION RELEASED UPON MY FORMER PRISON.”

“I won’t allow that to happen Thurlix. I’ll kill the Bandit Eater myself and any who would get in my way.”

“THEN I NEED ONLY TAKE HER FROM THIS PLACE THAN CROSS YOU BANDIT KING”

“Don’t get in my way Thurlix. I’m not above using your corpse to strengthen the Sacred Sword.”

“YET YOU WOULD HAVE TO BEST MY PROTECTOR FIRST BANDIT KING. HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM.”

With a mighty flap of its wings Thurlix took itself to the skies. Roc had no intention of allowing the dragon to have its way and drew his hand cannon intending to take aim on the dragon. While nothing prevented the Bandit King from taking aim Matches planted itself on the end of the hand cannon and surprised the giant with its survival.

“So that shot didn’t kill you. I wouldn’t have thought that you were so powerful a spirit as to be able to take a direct shot from Dragon’s Maw and survive.”

“Matches is more amazing than you give him credit for Bandit King. As for your fear of the Chainmaid; it’s unfounded. Even if she possesses the power you and the dragon claim I’ve already faced her before and silenced her power with but a single shot.”

“That so kid?”

Roc’s toothy grin returned to his face showing obvious strain and Finch actually smiled as she had in some way found a strange victory that day. While it was true that the army she fought with had been possessed and all that she held dear was being threatened she had achieved a victory over the Bandit King. Her smile was as much as she let herself gloat however as she was suddenly swept up by her sentinel and phased into the steel biped. Sprinting down the bridge the biped put as much distance as possible between itself and the Bandit King as Finch turned her attention to the voice that demanded her obedience.

“I don’t know who you are and I don’t like you interrupting me or what you’ve done to Bright Rift’s army but you have my word that I’ll bring you the Chainmaid. Since you have control of the army I’ll have to ask you point me in her direction though. So, where is she?”

Finch knew her brazen attitude would likely have repercussions but the lack of response from the voice drew her curiosity. Looking up she noticed there was a certain desperateness about the possessed Sentinels and was about to ask but the voice finally spoke up. It was not in rebuttal of Finch’s attitude however and there was a rage in that voice that betrayed a loss of patience.

“Where? Where did she go?”

The question confused Finch as well as anyone else in the city that was aware of what the voice spoke of. From his great height above Thurlix looked down on the war strewn city and could not spot Chain nor could the armies of Highroot or the Bandit King spy the maid’s location. Highperch in particular was bothered by the lack of Chain in the mirrors of the steam truck and gritted his teeth.

“So, is the Chainmaid’s disappearance still part of your daughter’s plans your majesty or should I start to grow worried now.”

“Do not be patronizing Highperch. My daughter will regain her composure before long and no matter what the Chainmaid tries she will be strung up in her web.”

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater