Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found here!
Part 92
Gorma sat on her warhorse somewhat stiffly under the watchful eyes of so many humans. Despite her trepidation, the humans appeared friendly. There were cheers from the small crowd that had assembled along the sides of the courtyard of the royal castle. She could tell that there were some of the guards, perhaps the older warriors, who were not happy.
She was no coward, but this was not battle and the odd sense that she would need to win the favour and respect of these people left her in an odd predicament: This was not a problem that she could resolve by swinging an axe at it.
Instead, she waited patiently, though she was eager to leave. They would be on the road soon and out of the city, out of the castle and on their quest.
Also in the saddle were the rest of the party: Adiran, Adrian and Tiberos. The former two were having a conversation with the Queen and the Princess. The latter mage was sitting in his saddle and sweating profusely. He seemed to be uncomfortable in the saddle, uncomfortable being outside with the sun overhead and uncomfortable with so many people looking at him.
Not for the first time did she have her reservations about bringing this human with them.
He was likely to panic when it came to a battle. He hardly seemed like the sort of person that they should be taking with them on this quest.
The head was in the bag, Gorma gathered that this was an insane and powerful mage who had sought out immortality without any constraints or moralities. That is why they had taken Innanna. That is why they had corrupted Vitex.
The time for quiet goodbyes were over. They did not leave under guard or with an announcement. Gorma merely bowed her head to the human Queen who also inclined her head to Gorma.
And then they were off. The wise and powerful Adiran in the lead. Tiberos followed closely. Adrian waited for Gorma to ride beside him. He grinned at her. She liked his confidence. The young man put two fingers into his mouth and inhaled sharply. He seemed to enjoy her momentary confusion.
This all cleared up when she heard the bass bark and turned to see a very large Warg pup.
Marrok came bounding up to them. The Warg was so big, far larger than Gorma would have believed if it were not the warg she had gifted the Prince herself. "By the Gods! What have you been feeding him?"
"Well Vitex came to me in the Stable..."
"Oh so the Goddess just decided to make him bigger!"
Adrian frowned. "No. That's not it. She came to me and told me that the warg that you had gifted me was an ancient beast of the land and told me all about what their best diets are. There are some animals that the warg eats that no longer exist. But I was able to collect substitutes for those gaps in his diet and... Well look at him!"
Adrian leaned forward in his saddle and rubbed the top of the warg's head. The creature yipped in response and licked his hand.
"Impressive! You know that Master Pattoq will probably want you to explain to him what you did!"
Adrian's smile faded. "Him? I don't know if he would like to be involved with Humans at all."
"Well, when speaking about his Wargs, you might find him far more approachable."
"Interesting. We'll see when we cross paths with him again."
She laughed. "Indeed and by that time Marrok would be even bigger!"
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!
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Vetitum Nemus
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