《Knights of Varinja》


 Chapter 1: A World Unwritten

    There was a somber tone at the garden center register as a moody man with an angry scowl and a deep tan walked by though the sliding doors, he was average height but thick muscled from years of hard work in his youth as well as a need to be tougher than the average street punk in his neighborhood growing up but those years were behind him now, his brown hair seamed to dance in the light coming through the glass as he walked by as his green eyes caught the last light of the setting sun


    Derreck sighed as he walked out of the Garden Center onto the sweltering patio as the heat hit him like a wave washing over him, covering him instantly with a layer of sweat. There was sounds of customers milling about, the hum of distant lawnmowers mowing grass across the street, and the faint scent of dirt surrounding him. Another day at Walmart in this oppressive heat wave and of course they wanted him to go out and fix shit at the hottest part of the day, and of course it was just another problem that wasn¡¯t his fault. He had just finished a frustrating conversation with his young store manager, Paul, a fresh-faced college graduate who seemed more concerned with keeping things smooth than actually fixing problems.


    Paul had found Derreck just as he was about to clock out for the day, a deep frown on his face. ¡°Derreck,¡± Paul had begun, his voice strained, ¡°I need you to fix the pallets of mulch out by the side of the building. It¡¯s a mess out there, and I¡¯ve already had two customers complain.¡±


    Derreck had resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He had specifically arranged all bags on the pallets the day before just like he did every day, he also knew between the overnight maintenance supervisor who Derreck believed may actually be mentally stupid because he can¡¯t stack anything straight and the online shoppers who ripped every bag they picked up the entire area looked like a war zone ¡°Paul, you know dam well that wasn¡¯t from my shift. The night crew must¡¯ve¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care who did it, Derreck,¡± Paul interrupted, his tone edged with impatience. ¡°Just fix it. We can¡¯t have the customers seeing that mess.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you overnight fix it before they left or the online shoppers, it was their dam fault to begin with. They¡¯re the ones who screwed it up. I¡¯m not here to fix everyone else¡¯s mistakes every day.¡±


    Paul¡¯s expression turned to a smile, clearly not wanting to make waves with the other teams. ¡°Look, just do it, okay? We got the market manager on the way in about an hour and you don¡¯t want me looking bad, and it¡¯s not like you had anything else to do when you get home.¡±


    Derreck stared at him for a moment, feeling the cheap shot of his ¡°joke¡± as frustration built up. It was always the same story. This guy who had no idea how the store actually operated was more interested in appeasing everyone rather than addressing the real issues. And what the hell just because his wife left didn¡¯t mean he had nothing to do but stay here and clean up this shit. He hated fixing fucking mulch especially when it was this hot out, the hell with Walmart.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Derreck finally said, his voice flat. ¡°But I¡¯m off the clock after this.¡±


    He stormed off knowing he should have said more to that little bitch.


    He walked off into the parking lot past his custom Honda rebel motorcycle parked in the space up front just where Paul had told him not to several times, the Ex took the car so this little early midlife crisis was the only vehicle he had so it didn¡¯t matter, rain, snow or shine you could see it parked at the store right up front in between the handicapped spaces. he made his way to the edge of the parking lot to the pallets of mulch, a sudden flash of pink light filled his vision. He stumbled, his stomach lurching as a wave of nausea hit him like a freight train. Around him, he heard the clattering of tools and supplies hitting the ground as others fell to their knees, clutching their stomachs. The world seemed to spin for a moment, then suddenly stopped.


    Derreck blinked, his vision slowly clearing. He pushed himself off the ground, steadying himself against a pallet of soil bags. His head throbbed as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± someone behind him muttered, their voice shaking.


    Ignoring the voice, Derreck turned to go out in the distance at something that seemed very different from the flatlands of eastern North Carolina as cool air slowly crept around his ankles at first then slowly enveloping the entire area. His breath caught in his throat as he looked out at the impossible. The familiar asphalt of the parking lot was still there, but beyond it¡­ nothing was the same. The highway, the rows of cars, the distant buildings¡ªall of it was gone. Instead, lush grasslands stretched out in every direction, leading to rolling hills and mountains in the distance, mountains there weren¡¯t any mountains anywhere close to here before. Where the hell was here.


    But what really made Derreck¡¯s heart race was what he saw in the sky. A herd of wyverns just as he imagined them, their massive wings flapping as they flew in formation across the sky carrying large, muscled bodies and a menacing tail with a poisonous barb at the end. They moved with a grace that was equal parts terrifying and mesmerizing, their blue/green scales gleaming in the sunlight.


    Derreck¡¯s mind raced. They were wyverns right, no mistaking it, wyverns and they were migrating exactly where they would into what had to be the Sardar mountains if that was the southwest ahead of them. He took out his keys to make sure grabbing for the small compass on it only to look away at the large pack again then back to the compass. Southwest is all he thought. His eyes moved to the west at when the setting sun was a moment ago only to be in the east now instead in the west Derreck saw what he feared confirming his suspicions, a green moon a little larger than the moon he was used to rising over the western mountain range and just barely visible trailing it a smaller red moon just where they would be if it were true.


    ¡°Varinja¡± Derreck said on hushed lips as if he didn¡¯t want to admit it.


    ¡°Derreck, what the hell is going on?¡± someone suddenly yelled, their voice rising up from behind him. Derreck turned to see Paul stumbling toward him looking pale and disoriented with blood coming from his nose and ears, a smear of vomit visible on his shirt. Derreck rubbed his own ear, seeing blood on his hand he knew it was the same for him, ¡°What the hell were those things, are they dangerous, and do you think they¡¯ll come back?¡± Paul said in a panic. Dereck only responded coldly ¡°wyverns¡± as he walked back to the garden center doors ¡°what the hell is a wyvern¡± Paul responded confused ¡°it¡¯s like a Dragon¡± was all that Derreck yelled back as he passed back through the doors he had to force open because there was now no electricity.


    The sounds of panic began to rise from inside the store. People were shouting, running around in confusion. Paul and the management staff, trying to regain their composure, stepped forward to calm the masses, Paul raised his voice. ¡°Everyone, calm down please! Whatever this is, we shouldn¡¯t panic and remain calm. Right now we have no idea where we are or how we got here. That¡¯s true but we should be preparing right now because I¡¯m sure whatever force brought us here, will eventually bring us back whenever the effects wear off, so if we just have to stay put and maintain order until that happens, all this should be just temporary! We¡¯ll be back to normal soon, so let¡¯s all just stay calm¡±


    ¡°Back to normal?¡± Derreck muttered under his breath. He knew better. If those were really wyverns flying southwest into what would have to be the Sardar mountains, then this wasn¡¯t something they could just wait out. The wyverns were likely migrating to mate, that was the formation they were in at least, and that meant we were north of the Sadar mountains and that there were only three monophases left until summer''s end., then there were far worse things to worry about than wyverns if it was summer in the north, the horde would also be raiding to prepare for winter and the thought of a full grown mountain orc riding through their nonexistent defenses and into the store on dire wolves terrified him, only night would tell for sure exactly where he was, he remembered enough of the constellations to tell. But none of that would matter if the horde marched on them.


    Paul continued to speak, trying to reassure everyone that they had enough food and water to last until everything went back to normal. Derreck knew that was a lie, they haven¡¯t even checked their supplies or did a head count to ration them correctly to say we have enough for winter. And what¡¯s worse, thieves and horders were probably already hiding what they could when they lost the tiny bit of authority over the crowd. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a cold pit in his stomach when he thought about trusting Paul of all people with his survival. They wouldn¡¯t last long under his absent minded leadership, was what he thought it was. This world was dangerous¡ªespecially for those unprepared for what was coming, after all if it was Varinja and it was in the time period he thought it was then one thing was very certain, war was coming to the north and it would come soon.


    As the management staff did their best to quell the rising panic, Derreck slipped away. He wasn¡¯t waiting here to see if some champion would save them or not, he didn¡¯t even know why the store was here in the first place let alone how it played into the war to come, but one thing was certain he would not die here. He knew where to begin and what he would need to get to survive. He had played the survival game in his head before, it was a pastime from his youth where he and his friends fueled by zombie and post-apocalyptic movies would come into a new place and look around to see what he would need to ¡°acquire¡± to survive and would talk about how they would use it, it wasn¡¯t exactly a normal attitude to have as a teenager but it passed the time for them. He played the game numerous times before while walking the store, what to take, what to hide, who to fight if he had to, playing out the same scenario in his head whatever area he went into just to pass the time. If they were really where he thought then this place would fall very soon. If the horde didn¡¯t take them then eventually the war would find them, he had figured out roughly where they were, if they were north of the Sardar mountains with mountains on three sides they must be somewhere up Begger¡¯s Gap, a mountain pass between the Sardar and Felrik mountain chains that led into a fertile valley. He was almost certain but nightfall would be his proof. Either way his only choice right now was prepare for escape. Things would go bad fast and he would need to leave before that happed. The smart choice was to escape to the Sardar mountains with supplies hidden in the forest and return later for more supplies when the danger was over it was the only way.


    He spent the next few hours methodically going through the store, the backpack he wore gave off little suspicion, he always wore one shopping in the store on his way home, he gathered supplies he knew would be essential. He filled multiple backpacks over and over with honey and canned meat and vegetables from the grocery section, medical supplies from pharmacy, camping and fishing equipment from sporting goods, tools and saw blades from hardware, even sharp cooking knives and sharpeners from housewares, selecting items carefully. Then, he with great stealth left the store making for the tress beyond the field behind the store and carefully sealed each of his backpacks with shrink wrap and buried them in various spots in the forest past the tree line.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    As night fell, Derreck finally saw what confirmed his suspicions the large constellation Elsbeth to the south and the green moon Tarsas in the sky with two tiny moons of its own moons now visible encircling it, Daragas the smaller red moon visible earlier had already set and wouldn¡¯t raise again until after midnight. Now there was no question about where they were.


    As the inhabitants of the store sat out in the parking lot staring at the strange stars or huddled together in groups throughout the store eating the simple meal the store management had prepared but Derreck had other thoughts he had shifted his focus to crafting a makeshift melee weapons, he had already ¡°acquired¡± several hunting knives and a couple hatchets but he needed something with more penetration and length. His solution was to attach machete blades to aluminum baseball bats, securing them with bolts and reinforcing the handles with grip tape then melting lead sinkers, pouring the molten metal into the bats only a pound or two would do but with the high carbon machete blades bolted on both side they were now bladed war clubs.


    His final touches were to strap hunting knives and his hatchet onto his belt and to a fishing vest he had repurposed to hold more knives as well as his new war clubs strapped to the back. He noticed his co-workers now watching him, murmuring to each other, clearly questioning his sanity as they motioned for management to come over.


    But Derreck didn¡¯t care. He wasn¡¯t taking any chances the horde would come sooner or later and eventually war. Despite some odd looks from Paul no one approached him about his ¡°collection¡± maybe they were too scared he didn¡¯t know.


    The following morning, Derreck was doing another sweep of the store a fresh backpack half filled with his ¡°acquired goods¡± he was actually amazed no one had approached him yet, didn¡¯t anyone notice. As he thought about again they were probably too busy trying to calm the rising animosity between the stores customers and employees that management had done a fantastic job of dividing since this whole incident started, the problem was simple things needed to get done to survive and management while they had asked several customers to complete tasks they were mostly refused outright so the bulk of the work fell on their obedient employees who were now realizing that the tiny bit of power management held over them in their world meant jack shit where they were now so factions were growing and the divide was widening as Paul and his management staff that was starting to splinter into the two groups like rats abandoning a sinking ship. The whole thing was coming to a head faster than Derreck anticipated, he always thought the horde would claim them first but they might just destroy themselves first.


    The sounds of arguing quieted suddenly catching Derreck¡¯s attention as he made his way to the growing crowd at the front registers. Apparently everyone was talking about how someone had spotted movement in the distance coming up the valley, people they looked like people. Derreck pushed his way passed the throng pushing through the sliding doors that hadn¡¯t slid since the day before when they were on an entirely different world. A crowd was now gathering out in front of the store to see the commotion. Derreck pushed his way through to the front, he squinted trying to make out the figures moving towards them, they appeared to be running. As they got closer, the sunlight glinted off metal¡ªarmor. Knights, fully armored knights, were sprinting towards the store at full speed.


    The sight left most of the people in the store in awe. Paul, ever the optimist, stepped forward. ¡°Knights¡­? Do you think they are here to greet us, maybe they can help us!¡± he said, though his voice wavered with uncertainty as the crowd didn¡¯t have any trust of his words.


    But Derreck¡¯s kept scanning the horizon. He wasn¡¯t looking at the knights; he was looking past them. In the distance, he could now see what they were running from in the dust cloud behind them¡ªa raiding party of mountain orcs, clad in full battle dress, some riding dire wolves as they charged after the knights, orcs of high rank no doubt.


    The knights were coming close to the parking lot now but the orcs were closing the gap on them, in the frantic route one brave soul turned and ran back to hold their ground against the raiding party to give their comrades time to escape, another knight shouted back at the knights advance and rushed to follow them only to be held back by their fellow knights as they cried out frantically. Derreck watched as the advancing knight met their foe skillfully swinging their sword, a shimmering trail of energy following each strike, their sword was an artifact, a powerful channeling tool to harness mana, that meant these knights were human. Elves would use magic directly without an artifact, but Elves also would travel this far north either. The orcs were momentarily driven back by the sheer power of the magic-infused blows as the lone knight carved sweeping arches of death at their enemy giving their fellow knights time to reach the parking lot that stretched out quite oddly before them.


    But the brave knight¡¯s efforts weren¡¯t enough. The knight was hit by a large orc spear, stumbling back as blood splattered across the grass but they didn¡¯t fall they stood ready to take whatever may come next as they pulled the spear from their side. They were still ready to cover their comrades retreat. Derreck wasted no time leaping into action, he was at his motorcycle and had it started before he knew what he was doing. He paused to take a breath as his mind screamed what the hell are you doing, are we really doing this. A moment was all he needed, he tore across the parking lot racing by the shocked knights as he jumped the small mound of crystalized dirt, the line that separated where the land around the store met this new land, a perfect circle around the store and its parking lot including the store¡¯s gas station, part of the highway connected to the store and the open field behind the store looked like it had been cut out of our world with laser like precision and somehow grafted into the landscape of this new world but where the gaps in elevation between the two lands differed a lair of crystallized dirt was visible.


    Derrek barreled across the open valley on his way to the knight who had now fallen to one knee but still looked ready to attack the few remaining orcs that hadn¡¯t fallen to their blade. Derreck pulled up between the knight and the orcs to the shock of both as he dismounted his motorcycle he instantly reached for his vest where he produce two small glass containers he threw at nearby orcs, one orc blocked with its shield shattering the glass while liquid sprayed all over him, the other orc simply let the glass shatter on his breastplate as he laughed at this pitiful attack, but Derreck soon followed up by pulling a flare gun from a pocket on his vest and firing setting both orcs on fire from the rubbing alcohol and oil mixture that was in his glass containers. That was two down, it looks like seven left. He dove into the mass his war clubs now in hand swinging wildly but with a precision the knight had never seen before it was like he was weaving the clubs together encircling them rapidly to confuse the angle of his strike which left the orcs dumbstruck as to how they would even defend. Three more now lay dead next to the smoldering bodies of the other two. Four left he could do this, Derreck dared to dream. He had taken kenpo karate as a young man not remembering much of it now except the Escrima sticks. His teacher engrained it into them never to let their sticks clack together or they would pay for it with 200 pushups. Derreck¡¯s memory flashed back to his high school days for a moment and those long evening training sessions where he at first got really good at pushups and then really good at stick practice. As yet another fell the riders now approached and dismounted. This was bad Derreck thought now there were easily 15 with more coming but he couldn¡¯t stop moving towards them swinging his clubs with a precision he didn¡¯t know he processed like his reflexes were much faster for some reason. Three more lay at his feet as he pressed the orcs back but more were coming. He needed to do something else or he wouldn¡¯t last. After a long sweep of his club that pushed the orcs back he shouted at them in their own tongue shocking them all and the wounded knight as he said, ¡°aren¡¯t there any of you tough enough, I tire of fighting the women where are your men.¡±


    The orcs in shock backed away from Derreck, he challenged them to fight better like they were no threat to him. It was the ultimate insult to them and demanded a response.


    More orcs now came up dismounting confused as to why a single warrior held back an entire raiding party. They argued and shoved each other as they all clamored about what to do about this insult.


    Finally a mighty roar echoed through the crowd as a huge orc emerged. Towering over the others at nine feet tall, he wielded a massive war club larger than him, this was there champion their chieftains right arm used to settle disputes to his honor.


    The champion swung his club in a circle, clearing a wide space as the orcs spread out. He charged at Derreck who stepped back to avoid the onslaught but he knew he couldn¡¯t lose any more ground or risk the knight¡¯s life, Derreck quickly formed a plan he believed he could pull off with his newfound reflexes, instead of meeting the attack head-on and likely being crushed by it, Derreck threw down his war clubs leaving the surrounding orcs in disbelief, he then sprinted headlong toward his foe. In one fluid motion, he dove past the orc¡¯s incoming swing, rolling under the massive weapon coming up near the mighty champion. He moved in driving a hunting knife into the orc¡¯s abdomen as the massive creature fell to one knee, Derreck then climbed up the creature¡¯s body, stabbing it again with a different blade under the armpit and again with yet another blade under the chin, slashing its throat.


    The orc champion collapsed to the ground, and Derreck, breathing heavily, delivered the final blow. With one swift motion, he cleaved the orc¡¯s head clean off with his hatchet wedging it into the ground beneath the massive body, Derreck couldn¡¯t even pull it loose, The blow was so fierce. Derreck grabbed for his knife in the champion¡¯s throat, he needed a weapon he still had to be ready for anything, held up the severed head for the remaining orcs to see in his other hand was the hunting knife raised high. He screamed in a guttural tone as he beat the knife against his chest in a show of power and then said to the speechless group of orcs in their own tongue ¡°Is there anyone else.¡± At first not an orc would move then finally the high ranking orcs mounted their Dire wolves and barked orders to recover the bodies of their fallen they would retreat back to the horde, the highest in rank could only glare at Derreck with a mix of awe and contempt. This was a warrior that killed an orc champion with nothing but a knife, the story would spread across the Horde and would be retold again for generations to come around the campfires of orcs and men.


    Derreck in response simply cast the severed head aside like a discarded toy and turned his back on them without acknowledging them as a threat, he walked back toward the wounded knight without giving them a second glance.


    Derreck helped the knight onto his Motorcycle as the knight muttered something about it being impossible, Derreck was shocked for a second to hear a woman¡¯s voice but didn¡¯t let it bother him as he sped away towards the store.


    The weary knights had finally reached the store, shouting at the onlookers outside, their voices frantic as one large knight commanded. ¡°Retreat inside the walls close the portcullis! For the gods¡¯ sake they will return with more numbers, close the gate!¡±


    Paul, looking thoroughly confused, with the knights command. ¡°What¡­ what are you saying? What the hell is a portcullis!¡±


    Derreck had finally pulled up with the wounded knight clutching him tight while she bled all over him. As he helped her off his bike several other knights came to assist her as the large knight was still arguing with Paul about a gate that didn¡¯t exist then finally ¡°shut the fuck up you assholes¡± Derreck shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Paul, Get everyone inside, now!¡±


    Paul hesitated, but the urgency in Derreck¡¯s voice and the blood covered clothes snapped him out of his confusion. He quickly moved to usher people inside, while the knights frantically tried to explain the danger they were all in. The glass doors remained open, a far cry from the heavy, reinforced gates that should have been protecting them.

 Chapter 2: The Battle of Walmart

    Derreck barely registered the chaos around him as he guided the wounded and weary knights inside the store over to the corner of the apparel section where he threw the clothing on a nearby table to the floor to place the bleeding knight on it. The employees were still reeling from the surreal sight of knights, orcs and Derreck¡¯s amazing heroics, but Derreck didn¡¯t care about the stares, his sole focus was on the injured knight before him. Her armor, heavy and ornate, had been breached by a deep slash running along her side. Blood seeped through the cracks in the plate, staining the metal a dark crimson. He franticly stripped away layer by layer until finally pulling away the padded gambeson and removing her helmet he now saw that she was most definitely a woman.


    He leaned over her, his hands steady but his heart pounding. She had bright red hair, streaked with sweat and dirt, clinging to her forehead. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow. But what caught Derreck¡¯s breath were her eyes they were barely open at times but he saw they were a brilliant green with tiny flecks of gold that sparkled even in her pain. She was a warrior, unmistakably, but even in this moment, there was a fierceness to her beauty that captivated him completely.


    Shaking himself from the trance put pressure on the wound with one hand as he searched through his bag with the other for a solution. Derreck¡¯s gaze shifted for a moment to the red-haired knights armor now lying on the floor that¡¯s when he saw it¡ªthe rose insignia etched into her shoulder pauldron. His blood ran cold.


    The Order of the Rose¡­


    He stumbled backward, his mind whirling. This wasn¡¯t possible. The Order of the Rose. It couldn¡¯t be. He glanced back at her face, and the realization hit him like a punch to the gut.


    "Amelia," he said to himself, stunned.


    He came back to side keeping pressure on the wound


    One of the knights, a young healer with tired eyes clutching a holy talisman imbued with magical energy, knelt beside the table. She looked down, her face full of sorrow as she started sobbing. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t heal her,¡± the wizard murmured, her voice breaking. ¡°I¡¯ve exhausted all my mana. If Lady Amelia falls¡­ the Order of the Rose falls with her.¡±


    Derreck¡¯s mind raced. He knew what needed to be done¡ªwhat was possible and what wasn¡¯t. Grabbing a can of Monster energy drink from his bag, he handed it to the young healer. ¡°Drink this,¡± he said, urgency in his tone.


    The healer blinked, confused. ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an energy drink, I mean a powerful mana potion. The caffeine and sugar will replenish your mana enough for you to cast a spell but it¡¯ll take a minute to hit your system. She hesitated a moment until Derreck growled ¡°Just drink it¡±, in a stern commanding tone. The young healer, too desperate to question him, gulped it down.


    His coworkers, watching from the sidelines, exchanged bewildered glances. ¡°what the hell is Mana and how does he know anything about it?¡± one whispered.


    The red haired knight had regained consciousness now telling her knights ¡°try not to look so sad¡± all of them came to her side ready for orders or much to their regret final wishes. She turned her attention to Derreck still searching his bag of a first aid kit which he was now almost certain was in another bag buried somewhere past the tree line. She put her hand to his cheek as he shifted his attention to her she said, ¡°you are the knight who rescued me, boldly defeating a mountain orc champion with but a dagger and spoke in their own tongue words that stopped the others in their tracks¡±. Tension grew as the people around them began to talk. Did she say that right, with just a knife.


    The reality of Derreck¡¯s heroics was setting in as she continued ¡°you are an amazing warrior to defend and shelter helpless knights with no alliance or promise of reward¡± her voice now started to grow weaker ¡°you are a knight without peerage in morals and in action, I fear I do not have much time left but all I have left I pledge to you, I am yours in body and soul and all that I am and all that I possess is yours, take good care of my knights, I can tell by your actions you will lead them well¡± she drifted out of consciousness again as all her knights now looked to him. He glanced up at the group of knights surrounding her, noticing for the first time that they were all women, save for one¡ªan old knight with a grizzled beard talking urgently to Paul. Derreck felt a feeling of breathlessness as her hand dropped from his cheek, he looked back to her face now almost white. She was dying, No. Hell no. he thought as he reached into his bag pulling out another monster drink placing it in front of the young healer, this time he didn¡¯t need to say anything as she started to drink. He then produced a torch lighter from his vest and a hunting knife. He quickly lit the lighter much to the shock of the knights and applied the blade to it.


    Paul asked frantically ¡°hey Derreck, do you know what you¡¯re doing¡± ¡°shut up, you¡¯ll make me lose count¡± was Derreck¡¯s only response as he slowly counted watching the blade glow red then holding her in his arms he placed the heated blade to the wound in her side pressing deep as she regained consciousness with a painful scream as she tried to flail out but Derreck held her firmly. Finally the ordeal was over and the knife fell to the floor, he had stopped the bleeding but if there was internal damage he didn¡¯t know with his limited first aid skills. He shouted to the healer who was now finishing off her monster ¡°you need to prepare to do it now, you¡¯ll only get one shot before you¡¯ll be wiped out so don¡¯t bother with diagnosis magic just cast area high heal with a small cone of effect and it should be enough to stabilize her until you regain your strength¡±


    She looked at him confused, he seemed well versed in the healing arts but he didn¡¯t look like a healer. But she didn¡¯t question him, she gathered up all her mana centering it in her core as she grabbed her talisman of Elsbeth the goddess of mercy and held it in between her hands as she prayed to the goddess deeply then recited in the ancient tongue her spell area high heal as her hands lit up with a kind of electric green energy that filled a circle around the table the whole ordeal from start to finish took several minutes, the healer knew why this warrior had to stop the bleeding to save her, if he waited or had her use more mana to close the wound she would probably fail to heal the internal damage deeper inside, he must know a lot about the healing arts, but if that was true why didn¡¯t he simply cast healing on her himself. And then the ordeal was over as the healer completed the spell then collapsed to the floor as the knight came to her aid.


    Derreck checked the wound that no longer looked like a discolored purple, the scar of where he burnt her would stay but whatever internal injury was probably gone. She groaned in her sleep as reached to cling to him which made Derreck¡¯s sense go wild, it had been a while since he held a woman, and one so beautiful. He shook himself from his thoughts and finally broke free from her embrace as several knights came to check on their commander.


    As he walked away from the table he could see the shocked looks of the crowd except for the old knight with a grizzled beard who gave him a nod of respect for saving his commander, the employees that knew him didn¡¯t know what to make of all this, even tom the old man that worked in the sporting goods section that always tried to talk to Derreck on break even if he didn¡¯t want him to now had no words for him, he seemed to know things about what those things were out there and a lot more like how this magic stuff worked, but how and would he even answer if they asked, Derreck as the rumors said was a difficult person to talk to. there was a period after his wife left where Derreck didn¡¯t want to talk to anyone about it, which made everyone want to ask more so had taken to openly telling people to fuck off even on the sales floor, he even screamed at a cashier once who cornered him on break to ask in a nosy way why she hadn¡¯t seen his wife in a couple months. That little display landed him in the office but it wouldn¡¯t be the last time. Over time people stopped asking and filled in the blanks with rumors but Derreck also got a reputation for being an angry standoffish person who would probably just say something mean to you if you did talk to him.


    Derreck made his way to the grab and go drink section at the front of the store, he could feel the eyes on him as he grabbed more monster energy drinks to stuff in his bag. It was Paul who finally approached him, the last person he wanted to see as he started to crash from the adrenaline rush.


    Paul started instantly with questions ¡°Derreck what the hell is going on man, and don¡¯t give me that attitude you always do. You know something about what¡¯s going on I mean you have to. You knew what those dragon things were flying around out there, and the first thing you did was start making weapons like you knew something was coming and when it did according to her you spoke their language and killed them with just a knife, then this whole magic discussion. You weren¡¯t guessing at what to say you knew exactly what she had to do to save that woman¡¯s life. So you know something and you¡¯re going to tell us right now so help me.¡± Paul clenched his fists, his cool demeanor that he normally projected in the store was gone replaced with frustration that Derreck knew hid his fear of not being in control of anything about this. But Derreck knew Paul couldn¡¯t control anything that was coming.


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    Derreck laughed at Paul¡¯s Suttle threat, he had wished many times that Paul would try him just once but now it didn¡¯t seem very important. He casually grabbed a Redd¡¯s apple ale off the shelf and opened it in front of Paul as he took a sip, it was warm but satisfying. He grabbed another and walked past Paul without a care and said ¡°we¡¯re in Varinja, in the lands of the north where the orc hordes are gathering to raid settlements before winter comes. And we are all going to die here¡±. Paul looked shocked at Derreck¡¯s plain words as he walked by him with a smile as he was covered in the blood of several orcs and the knight he saved. Derreck started to walk away as the crowd gave him a wide berth. There was a clear silence until a voice from the crowd cried out ¡°what do you mean die. And when¡±. Derreck looked over his shoulder and replied casually ¡°in the morning¡¯ most likely. Those orcs have already returned to the horde and their chieftain will ride for vengeance on his fallen champion they may already be here, but they¡¯ll wait till morning. orcs prefer breakfast before slaughter¡±. A panic rose up as people tried to find a way to save their lives, Paul looked to the knights to protect them but the old knight with a grizzled beard looked towards Derreck unmoving. The old man had seen many battles and could tell the look of desperation and defeat on the faces of men but this man had none of that as he confidently walked off.


    Derreck had pugged up the sinks in the men¡¯s front restroom where he poured a gallon jug of water into each where he added soap as his phone set up on the edge of the sink nearby was playing AC/DC¡¯s you shook me all night long, he was thankful that he was old fashioned and still kept most of his music on his phone and didn¡¯t just stream it. Paul approached quietly with a small crowd of on lookers crowded into the bathroom¡¯s narrow entrance that were demanding answers from Derreck, if he knew something they of course had a right to know. Derreck sensed Paul¡¯s approach and knew what he would ask before he even started. ¡°hey Derreck, uh, you have a lot of people concerned about all this talk about everyone dying and I¡¯m not quite sure how you know about all this stuff but these people have a right to what the hell is going on.¡± Paul was cut by the sound of Derreck¡¯s many knives being dropped into the soapy water of one of the sinks, the blood of his recent kills still present turning the water pinkish red, the thought of him cleaving through those monsters with ease frightened Paul to the point where he calmly walked away to explain to the small contingent ¡°he¡¯s probably busy right now destressing from all the commotion lets give him some time¡± as Derreck stripped down to clean to clean off with a wash cloth. A large women with a deep voice was the first to speak up, she was very familiar to the girls at customer service as the pushiest customer they¡¯ve ever experienced, she came through the store about once a week to complain about something to the point where one manager up front who no longer works in the store told her she must need to hit her complain muscles today or she might lose her gains.


    She came forward to confront Paul instantly. ¡°oh, hell no he needs some time, he says we¡¯re all dead we might not have any time left to prevent that so if you wont get any answers from him I will¡±. The large woman stormed forward as Paul motioned almost half heartedly for her to stop. She thunder over to Derreck who paid her no attention as he finished scrubbing off the foulness of battle. ¡°You, I don¡¯t know who you think you are but we¡¯re not dying here. Your gonna put away your little toys there that don¡¯t scare me and tell us what the hell is going on, we have a right¡±. The large woman was interrupted by Derreck¡¯s war clubs slamming onto the sink still covered in blood and tissue, a small piece of intestine had fallen off of one of them to which Derreck simply brushed it off the sink towards the woman who backed up so she wouldn¡¯t be hit by it, reality was setting in for her to now that he used those weapons to kill those creatures without hesitation. Derreck simply chuckled at her for a moment then said ¡°you have a right yeah, you have no rights, not here. Here you have your wits and your two hands which wouldn¡¯t get your big ass to the front door before your dead if I wanted it and there¡¯s nothing in this shithole that would stop me. Being a whiney bitch gets you nothing here without something or someone to back it up for you remember that. As for what I know it¡¯s a lot about this place, more than any sane man ever should about a place that isn¡¯t supposed to exist. As for how, well you would never believe it, I have no way to prove it, and most importantly I just don¡¯t fucking care to explain. So when you stand there looking like your important demanding you have a right or a privilege or whatever the fuck special treatment you think your ever gonna get from anyone here just remember, we both know exactly how far you would get. Got it¡±.


    Derreck unplugged the sinks to let the water drain as finished cleaning his collection of weapons and dressing in his new clothes acquired from the apparel section as the large woman backed away when a group of knights came through the mass of people into the now overcrowded bathroom to speak with Derreck, at first puzzled by the noises coming from the little box near him. The old knight with a grizzled beard made his way through them to come to Derreck¡¯s side kneeling ¡°my lord, my lady Ameila begs an audience from you this evening as matter discussing her loyalties in this matter¡± Paul had snuck into the conversation. ¡°good, that¡¯s good we can have these knights defend us when these monsters come, that¡¯ll work fine. I mean they¡¯re used this kind of thing, right¡±.


    Derreck broke in ¡°over half of them are still waiting to receive treatment for their wounds while their healer is recovering from manna exhaustion, not to mention they almost fell to a raiding party, even if it was a Suprise attack it was just a raiding party what do you think a whole horde will do¡±


    ¡°this place is pretty sturdy we could keep them out¡± a customer added as the crowd grew bigger.


    ¡°This place is designed to invite people in not keep them out, to many entrances no gate no towers to reenforce the corners, no hills or mount to stop troops advancing, and most importantly no time to implement any of that or the people, all of you are too busy fight amongst yourselves to do anything while the leaders that no one elected over there¡±. He paused as he gestured to Paul and his remaining management staff ¡°they¡¯ve done nothing to really prepare for the threat, or the coming winter where we will run out of food and starve if we don¡¯t all die tonight or tomorrow or whenever they decide to end it. I mean we would have to really scare the shit out of them to halt that kind of advance I mean we would need¡±¡­  Derreck stopped short an idea came to him, it was a long shot but it might work especially since he knew what orcs feared in battle most, not knights or beasts not even other orcs. No what orcs feared most in battle were fire mages, fire terrified them. And if that trick would work it might be enough to draw out the warlord, without him they wouldn¡¯t fight. It might be enough. ¡°I¡¯ll see your Lady now¡± he told the old knight as he made his way back out into the sales floor, a sea of confused panicked faced looked back at him ready to break from the pressure. He met Paul¡¯s gaze, he seemed noticeably concerned at something none of them could explain they only knew that Derreck¡¯s words weren¡¯t wrong once since they first came here and many people started to look to him for some kind of hope in this nightmare. He gave Paul a smirk as he looked out across the crowd. ¡°I¡¯ll meet with their leader and work out a plan.¡± Paul looked at him confused, he was so certain they were all dead a moment ago and now he was making plans. But the look in Derreck¡¯s eyes was different then before, Paul had never seen that look before in the whole time he knew Derreck it was beyond confident, he had it before he rode out to face the orcs the first time.


    Derreck moved closer to pat Paul on the shoulder, a friendly gesture to ease the crowd¡¯s fears and nothing more as he said ¡°don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t let any die here as long as I¡¯m alive. I promise¡± Paul¡¯s eyes widened at Derreck¡¯s words, if he knew anything about Derreck it was that he was the only man Paul knew that still kept his word, if he promised then it was done. It was something Paul abused in the past to get Derreck to stay after his shift or complete any job Paul needed done, he knew if Derreck promised it was as good as done. And now with this smile and air of confidence he would promise that. Paul did his best to calm peoples fear as Derreck walked through the store, he could see the panic on everyone¡¯s face as they prepared for what could be their last night.


    He stopped at one point to direct one of the manager¡¯s to hand out blankets to everyone so they wouldn¡¯t have to sit on the floor then made his way to the back offices where he knew lady Ameila was recovering in the training room, it was an encounter he didn¡¯t want but he needed her knights for these people to survive the battle to come if he failed. He still wasn¡¯t sure why he didn¡¯t slip out the back receiving door and simply run off into the night, maybe it was the terrified faces of the children he saw as he passed, maybe it was the confident stares the knights gave him as he gave out orders. He didn¡¯t know exactly, he just knew as much as he was prepared to be a bastard and just leave now that push came to shove just to survive, instead he just naturally took command. And now he was willing to test his new found reflexes, his untested little toy he made that morning that would show these orcs what kind of fire mage he was and maybe make an impossible promise to Paul of all people come true.


    He laughed knowing that little troll was spinning it right now that Derreck knew what he was doing and if he promised then it would happen. It was true though call it a weakness or a curse but if he promised then he would do it somehow. He didn¡¯t know if his courage would hold long enough to keep his promise but he would find out. In front of him was the training room door and a bigger issue, the Lady Ameila Barzod Daughter of great king Thuragon princess of the Holforth kingdom a woman he knew very well. And if she did what he thought she would he would have to try and refuse with all he had or it may cost him the future.

 Chapter 3 Man of Valor

    Derreck knocked and was greeted by a dark haired knight with a scar on her left cheek who announced him before a voice inside said he may enter. Inside he saw though the dimly lit candle light the red hair of lady Ameila dancing in the flickering flame, the rest of presence now came into view as she sat on a cot in the corner of the room. He came to sit beside her as she greeted him but couldn¡¯t look him in the eye for some reason. ¡°Many thanks to you brave knight for my valiant rescue, it was incredible, unheard of even in the old sagas. But I fear in my brush with death I..¡± she paused as she looked around the room nervously ¡°I made oaths, that I fully intend to keep¡± Derreck raised his hand to stop her ¡°you were delirious and near death, I¡¯ll hold you to no such oath¡± he said it plainly so she would understand but it only seemed to anger her ¡°I am a knight sir, of the holy  Order of the Rose, princess of the kingdom of Holforth Lady Ameila Barzod, daughter of great king Thuragon. And I keep my oaths. In what I thought were my final moments on the battlefield I prayed to Elsbeth the goddess of mercy that a strong warrior would come to lead my knights and keep our holy order alive. And there you were in a flash, a knight without peerage who could push back a tide of orc savagery, even slay a champion with a dagger alone.


    I knew Elsbeth did answer my prayers and you would lead my knights well even if I had to repay Elsbeth for her great gift with my life. But Elsbeth is truly merciful giving me to you as well which I am..¡± again Derreck cut her off rising from his seat. ¡°I don¡¯t except any such oath¡± he said in an angry tone shocking Ameila and her knights ¡° I don¡¯t need to lead your order and I don¡¯t need you. I just need your knights fight when the horde comes that¡¯s all¡± Ameila had no words to save her wounded pride, she was not prepared to be refused outright by any man. While she put little vanity into her beauty she at least acknowledge it by the many number of suitors who had tried for her hand in the past. And this man, the kind of man she had hoped for, a man not interested in position or court gossip but a man of action and he denied her, why.


    Before she could plead her case there was a knock at the door, it was tom¡¯s voice ¡° hey Derreck you need to come see this it¡¯s bad¡±


    Derreck had made his way to the front of the store and out the double doors before he knew it. His eyes narrowed as he looked out into the darkness at the mass of torches. A sea of green-skinned orcs had gathered at the edge of the parking lot, snarling and shouting in their guttural tongue. The air was thick with anticipation, the calm before the storm.


    ¡°I thought you said they like breakfast before slaughter¡± Paul said nervously


    ¡°I guess they¡¯re on a diet¡± Derreck responded with a bad joke that didn¡¯t raise the mood as he intended.


    ¡°They¡¯ve bolstered their numbers,¡± Henrick, growled. ¡°Green bastards are preparing to besiege us and starve us out.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Derreck corrected, his voice grim. ¡°Their warlord has arrived. Now they¡¯ll march.¡±


    Paul, standing nearby, started to panic. He fumbled for words, trying to give directions to the employees and customers, but nothing he said made sense. Derreck stepped forward, taking charge.


    Derreck marched through the crowd like a man possessed barking orders. ¡°Paul get these people inside and in a safe place away from the external walls in case there are any siege weapons, Tom get a crew of guys to head over to garden center with a pallet, jack, and shrink wrap. Grab shovels, hoes, bush axes, and anything else over there that can be sharpened and has some reach. Wrap it all up and bring it to the front to the doors, have one of your crew go over to sporting goods and grab all the sharpeners, have somebody else line pallets up alongside each of the front doors to make a bottle neck. When your done tom I need you to put that old marine leadership to work and hand pick people to use as a wall of spears at least three rows deep at each bottleneck, you¡¯ll be our last line of defense so tell anyone you pick that if they get past you.. then everyone here is dead¡±. He turned the knights and shouted to Henrick.


    ¡°Henrick!¡±! Get your knights in formation across the doorways in the vestibules. Your our main line of defense don¡¯t let them past you, stop them cold. Use the doorways to make their numbers count for nothing!¡±


    Hendrick hesitated, stunned by how this stranger knew his name, he had giving it to no one here and he did not recall any of his subordinates speaking it either.


    Before he could ask, he heard a familiar voice behind him. ¡°Do it, Henrick.¡±


    He turned to see lady Ameila being held up by her healer as she limped her way to the door. She gave him a single determined look of authority and Henrick obeyed making his knights ready as Paul ushered people inside. Derreck remained outside in front of the store watching everyone moved into place around him as he retrieved something from his pack Henrick paused for a moment confused. ¡°but wait my lord, who will act as the vanguard to halt their advance¡±


    Derreck responded as he readied a blue device that looked something like a crossbow without its arms at least the way he cocked it. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it, it¡¯s not like we have enough warriors anyway.¡± Henrick stopped cold at Derreck¡¯s words, did he really mean to stop an entire horde by himself. Derreck slid a glass jar full of some liquid in place down the barrel of the weapon attaching a line to a pin at the end of the deep blue rifle looking weapon with the letters Nerf on the side which Henrick assumed were protective runes. In reality the weapon was designed to launch tennis balls for dogs up to 50 feet but he modified it with bungee cords to get about 75 feet, he also attached a fishing reel to it for the purpose of attaching a line that could be pulled back to release a pin on his makeshift glass jar grenade so he could time this bomb.


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    With the makeshift weapon ready, Derreck eyed the advancing horde of orcs. He had no way of knowing if this would work, but he had no choice. With a deep breath, he advanced across the parking lot to meet the oncoming horde. he launched the first jar toward the orcs. For a moment, nothing happened until the jar hit the end of the line and released the pin. Then, the jar exploded midair, raining fire down upon the horde. They halted, stunned by the sudden ball of fire.


    Henrick standing at the double doors alongside lady Ameila and Paul gasped. ¡°By the gods¡­ what fire magic is this?¡±


    Derreck reeled in his line amazed it actually exploded, he thought at best the mixture would catch fire and shatter against their shields but his bombs were performing better than expected. He readied another jar, this time he would try one loaded with drywall screws from the hardware section for shrapnel, he fired again watching for when it was over head of the orcs then he grabbed for the line unwinding off the end of the weapon pulling back sharply as he herd the pin release. The second explosion tore through the orc ranks, sending shards of metal into their flesh, stopping their advance cold this time as their ranks started to panic, there was a fire mage here.


    But then, a large orc stepped forward from the mass of bodies, his tusks gleaming in the firelight. He roared something in their guttural language, making wild gestures with his hands. This was their warlord, Derreck recognized him instantly and stepped forward, glaring at the orc, and shouted some taunt in the orc tongue. Then he flipped the orc off, his middle finger raised defiantly.


    Everyone, knights and employees alike, stared though the door glass in disbelief. ¡°He truly does speak the tongue of the green skins?¡± Henrick said still shocked.


    There was no time to dwell on it. The orc warlord in the front charged forward ready to combat this ¡°mage¡± even as his follow orcs cowered in fear, Derreck readied another round launching it at his new target but to his shock the warlord lept forward s smashing the glass jar to pieces with a mighty swing from his war club. Derreck cursed under his breath, but he was already moving reeling the line in and loading another round as the orcs regained their composure and started to form ranks again. Another round launched and again the warlord shattered it before Derreck could release the pin, ¡°fuck¡± he said as he cast aside his weapon. His trick wouldn¡¯t work anymore, there was no choice now but to trust in his new found reflexes.


    Derreck dropped his backpack, pulled out his makeshift war clubs, and mentally prepared himself with several deep breaths. Paul clinging to the door unable to move  shouted. ¡°Derreck do you¡­ do you know what you¡¯re doing?¡±, his voice trembling.


    Derreck didn¡¯t respond. His focus was solely on the advancing orcs. He gripped his weapons tightly, testing their weight, Henrick went to move his knights into position behind him to form a flying column but Derreck motioned for him to stay with the door, Henrick was truely ready to move into action and march against such impossible odds, but he obeyed, his lady commanded him to follow this knight¡¯s orders and this old soldier would do so even if it seemed like madness he would hold the door. Derreck shifted his weight and adjusted his stance almost calmly and finally, when everything felt right, he charged forward with a battle cry that echoed through the parking lot.


    The knights shuddered at his actions, to dive head first into danger alone, would he be able to slay the warlord and stop the advance, they didn¡¯t know but his bravery could not be ignored. Henrick quoted the book of warrior oaths young knights read in training ¡°in all the rest of my days will I ever be so valorous.¡± Lady Ameila thought the quote was fitting but did not acknowledge it, she kept her eyes glued to the scene in front of her.


    Derreck dove into the mass of orcs, his war clubs swinging with deadly precision. He moved like a man possessed, carving through the orcs with ruthless efficiency. Bodies fell around him, as his strikes swift and deliberate, created a circle of death around him.


    A familiar scent hit his nose, if was the scent of his makeshift grenades, it meant the warlord was close, the creature was still covered in the liquid from the glass jars he smashed. Derreck spotted him and acted fast moving in close, he wouldn¡¯t miss this time. He hacked and slashed his way right up to large orc until he was right outside of his club¡¯s range. The warlord growled in rage as he raised his warclub up high but Derreck just smiled and pulled his flare gun from his belt and fired, setting the orc ablaze along with several others nearby as the large orc flailed around into others caught in to the mass.


    But the battle raged on for some time after, Henrick, Lady Amelia, and Paul watched in horror from the doorway as the horde encircled Derreck. For a moment, he disappeared from sight, swallowed by the mass of orcs.


    ¡°Tis a shame,¡± Henrick murmured. ¡°He was a brave one.¡±


    But Lady Amelia¡¯s eyes never left the fight. ¡°Look!¡± she cried. ¡°They¡¯re pulling back!¡±


    Henrick squinted and saw it too. The orcs were retreating, backing away in fear as they cried out in their own tongue that the warlord has fallen. And in the center of a pile of bodies, Derreck still stood, bloodied and battered but alive.


    ¡°As I live and breathe¡­¡± Henrick muttered in disbelief.


    The orcs, now leaderless, began to disperse, with their morale shattered they scattered into the hill country wanting no more of a fight from this terrifying monster that fiery death on them and cleaved into their warriors like a knife through warm meat.

 Chapter 4: Fate of us All

    Derreck walked back to the store amidst the carnage of the parking lot battlefield, his breath ragged, his heart pounding in his chest as he bled from several minor wounds. The bodies of the orc horde lay sprawled at his feet, their lifeless eyes staring into the sky, blood pooling beneath them. His war clubs still in Derreck¡¯s hands was slick with orc  blood. He hadn¡¯t meant to kill with such ferocity, but desperation and instinct had taken over. The orcs would have slaughtered them all, and now, with their champion slain and their warlord gone, the rest of the horde had fled back to the mountains to perhaps find a new tribe or maybe this was only the beginning he didn¡¯t exactly know. A crowd of people now gathered outside to witness the aftermath of Derreck¡¯s savagery huddled by their lanterns and flash lights.


    Lady Amelia, still weak from her ordeal, tried to walk toward him under her own power, her healer close at hand. The lady¡¯s gaze was fixed on Derreck, her expression a mixture of awe and gratitude. She painfully knelt in front of him, lowering her head in a deep bow.


    "You are truly a knight without peerage," she said, her voice steady but soft. "To slay an orc warlord and conquer a horde alone... You have the eternal thanks of the royale order of the rose. And I owe you my life."


    Derreck, still panting from the exertion, shook his head. "It wasn¡¯t that impressive. I got lucky at best."


    Lady Amelia glanced out across the field of death in front of her. No sir knight, Your quick thinking to make such a weapon and your courage against impossible odds has saved everyone here."


    She hesitated for a moment, then, with a determined expression, she declared, "On the honor of the Royal Knight Order of the Rose, I again pledge myself to you, I am yours in body and soul and all that I am and all that I possess is yours. My sword, and those of my comrades, are yours to wield as you see fit."


    Derreck¡¯s face darkened at her words. This was the last thing he wanted.


    "No," he said, his voice firm. "I told you before I won¡¯t accept that."


    Lady Amelia blinked, clearly taken aback. "But... why? I have only offered you what you have earned by all rights and you throw it away, and quite rudely as well. Have I offended you in some way?"


    Paul, who had watched the battle in stunned silence from the relative safety of the entrance, stepped forward. "Derreck, think about it. We¡¯re in a completely different place and most of us have no clue what¡¯s going on, and we need defenders. If the orcs come back, we won¡¯t stand a chance without these knights, like you said you got lucky."


    Derreck turned to Paul, his eyes blazing. "I said no¡± he growled ¡°Not her."


    The sharpness in his voice made everyone freeze. Lady Amelia¡¯s face was a mix of confusion and hurt, as if she couldn¡¯t comprehend why he would single her out.


    Before anyone could say anything more, a strange, cold laugh echoed around them. It was a sound unlike any they had ever heard, neither human nor beast. Everyone turned, eyes scanning the battlefield for the source. Then, from the shadows of a nearby tree, a figure stepped forward.


    A large black cat, standing on its hind legs, walked toward them. It was about four feet tall, with sleek fur and eyes that gleamed with unnatural intelligence in the dim torch light. Its mouth was twisted into a grin that came close but didn¡¯t quite reach its eyes.


    "But it must be her, it has to be, isn¡¯t she the most important piece in this puzzle to come, regressor?" the cat said, its voice echoed unnaturally in a smooth and mocking tone.


    The knights immediately dropped to their knees, bowing their heads in reverence. Derreck¡¯s coworkers, however, just stared in shock, too bewildered to react.


    Derreck¡¯s grip on his makeshift weapon tightened, his knuckles white. "What the hell do you want, Cat Sith?" he spat, his voice filled with venom.


    Henrick looked up in horror. "My lord, the Cat Sith are messengers of the gods! You cannot speak to it so disrespectfully!"


    But the Cat Sith merely chuckled, its grin widening. "Such formalities are unnecessary. I¡¯ve been called worse, and I assure you, I¡¯ve heard far more creative rudeness."


    It turned its glowing eyes toward Derreck. "Greetings, regressor. I¡¯m sure you have many questions, but most of what you need to know should already be clear to you. After all, you¡¯ve experienced this before, in a sense."


    Derreck¡¯s anger boiled over. "None of this is real. It can¡¯t be, not at all. Not you, not her," he gestured to Lady Amelia, "none of this! What the hell is going on?"


    The knights remained bowed, their heads lowered as if they feared to look at the creature. But the Cat Sith seemed unbothered by Derreck¡¯s outburst. It sauntered closer, its movements fluid and graceful, as though it had all the time in the world.


    "Oh, it¡¯s very real," the Cat Sith purred. "As real as the blood that stains the ground beneath your feet. As real as the mountains in the distance, or the wyverns you saw earlier when you first arrived. This is no dream, regressor. You know it¡¯s not. This world, these people¡ªit¡¯s all real."


    Derreck¡¯s voice trembled with frustration. "It can¡¯t be dammit. It¡¯s some stupid fantasy. A novel I wrote when I was a young man. I was angry at the world after my father died, and I couldn¡¯t save him. I wrote about this world to escape, it was vivid and vibrant in my mind. That¡¯s all it is, just a story!"


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    The Cat Sith¡¯s grin faded, and its eyes glinted with something more serious. It stepped closer, its voice soft but echoed with insistence. "Ah, yes. In your pain. You channeled it into a tale¡ªan epic, one might say. But did you ever wonder why the world you created was so detailed? So vivid? And why of course did you never write another tale not even years later, not even once. Maybe because only one world has ever resonated with your soul. Almost as if it existed long before you put pen to paper. Because of course it did and somewhere in the back of your mind you always knew."


    Derreck was silent, his mind racing. He had always wondered why the world of his novel had come to him so easily, why the characters felt so real. Places so well thought out. Even the languages he came up with were so complete. But he had always dismissed it as coincidence, a product of his imagination, even though he could never write anything anywhere near as good so he never finished anything else he ever wrote.


    The Cat Sith¡¯s smile returned, though now it was more subdued as Derreck shouted back " but if it was all real then why call me your regressor, you don''t need me you need Darien Kane he is your regressor. He¡¯s the one who must have done this before."


    The Cat Sith¡¯s grin widened again, but this time it felt more sinister. "Ah, yes. Darien Kane, your brave protagonist. But here¡¯s the thing, regressor¡ªDarien Kane doesn¡¯t exist. He never did. He is a figment of your imagination. A character born from your pain, your anger, your desire for control. But the world you wrote about? The events you described. And the timeline of what is to come, those are very real."


    Derreck¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The weight of the creature¡¯s words settled heavily on him. He had created Darien Kane to be the hero of his story, the one who could fix everything, the one who could defeat the empire of Zion, the antagonists in his story and save the world. But if Darien wasn¡¯t real...


    "You," the Cat Sith continued, "are the regressor. You are the one who resonates with this world at this nexus in space and time. The one who has already seen the future play out in your mind. The one who knows what is to come."


    The knights remained bowed, too terrified to speak. The Walmart employees were frozen in place, unsure whether to believe what they were hearing. But Derreck wasn¡¯t ready to accept any of it.


    "Then why this whole place?"


    Derreck demanded, his voice filled with anger and frustration.


    "Why bring us all here to die? Why not just me like Darien¡¯s crossing."


    The Cat Sith¡¯s eyes glimmered with something almost like sympathy, though its smile never wavered.


    "Because regressor, Darien Kane is a fantasy. But you¡ªyou are real. You are the key to everything and we had to be certain we had you even if all of this came with you."


    The crowd was silent, too overwhelmed to process what they were hearing. But Derreck wasn¡¯t done. He wasn¡¯t ready to believe that he was the answer to all of this.


    "Your too late Cat Sith, about six months too late for me to give a shit enough to want to save anything, now I¡¯m just ready to let it burn just like the end of the novel. I¡¯m no hero!" he shouted. "It¡¯s just what¡¯s left of me here. I¡¯m not some stoic warrior from some past era. And I sure as fuck don¡¯t give a shit about this place or these people so you chose wrong!"


    The Cat Sith¡¯s grin faded, and for a moment, it seemed unsure of how to respond. But then, with a soft, almost regretful voice, it spoke again.


    "Then why did you stay, you chose to save these people. The knights from the raiding party, all of these people from the horde. Why? You knew what path to take, had your escape planned, you were ready to leave at a moment¡¯s notice but refused when they needed you. You may not be Darien Kane, but you are not ready to forsake them yet. You also know well there will be nowhere to escape to. The gods have seen every possible future across the multitude of multitudes. In every one, the empire of Zion rises, and this world falls and if this world falls it will unravel all worlds until the very fabric of time and space comes undone"


    there was a hush from the crowd as no one knew just what to say to all of it until one employee said


    " so what the hell, why don''t the gods just kill this Zion"


    it seemed logical to everyone but the Cat Sith continued


    "such should be simple but if we kill the leader of their faith this world will still fall, if we kill all their generals this the world will still fall as to many fates are intertwined at this nexus point in time and space as the Regressor knows well and in all of them Zion will rise and this world will fall¡ªexcept in the one you wrote. In your novel, Zion was defeated not once, but thrice. The gods, even those of your world, agree. You are the only hope for us all."


    The words hung in the air, and the crowd looked on in shock. Derreck, however, was seething with anger. He knew he wasn¡¯t a hero, after his marriage crumbled and his life broke to pieces he knew he didn¡¯t have any control over his fate and certainly not any more than a god so he wasn¡¯t about to let one of their puppets tell him otherwise.


    Without warning, Derreck swung his war club, at the Cat Sith with a burst of fury. The knights screamed for him to stop, but he didn¡¯t listen. In one swift motion, he brought the club across the creature¡¯s neck, lopping off its head sending it flying to the ground.


    The Cat Sith¡¯s body lay still. The knights recoiled in horror, certain that the gods would strike them all down for the insult. But nothing happened. The air remained calm, eerily so.


    Then, a soft, radiant light filled the parking lot. A figure materialized before them, her form ethereal and glowing with divine power but still of flesh and blood. She was beautiful beyond words, her presence calming yet overwhelming at the same time.


    It was Elsbeth, the goddess of mercy.


    "I expected this reaction, regressor," she said softly, her voice like the wind. " But to appear in the mortal flesh is difficult for us gods to do and uses up a great deal of power just for you to be able to see us so I will keep this brief, you must understand, I know your hurting inside still and feel the world has already fallen away from you so you should have nothing else to lose but we have really placed everything in you. You are our last hope."


    Derreck stared at her, his anger slowly fading, replaced by a mixture of fear and resignation. He had always felt a connection to Elsbeth when writing his novel. Her story, like his, was one of pain and loss she also risked her very godhood to rescue Darien Kane from a tragic fate making him a regressor so he could have a chance to stop the war, but she was also the one Darien cursed the most at the end of the novel for letting him regress in the first place and think there was hope to change his fate.


    "You are not Darien Kane," she continued, her voice filled with kindness. "and you cannot change the fate the gods of your world have already placed on you. But you do have the power to change this fate, and save this world, these people, and of course there is her fate as well. And that is worth fighting for."


    She said as she glanced a lady Amelia then with a gentle touch, she leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. and, as quickly as she had appeared, she vanished, leaving the crowd stunned and silent.


    Derreck¡¯s heart raced as he stared at the spot where Elsbeth had stood. He wasn¡¯t a hero. But none of that mattered anymore. Whether he liked it or not, the fate of this world, all worlds really rested on his shoulders.

 Chapter 5: Noble Born

    The rising sun cast a reddish hue over the battlefield as Derreck, the knights, and a few Walmart employees fought their lack of sleep to gather the bodies of the orcs into a central pile to burn. The acrid stench of blood, sweat, and charred flesh permeated the air. It was an unpleasant task, but necessary to prevent disease or worse¡ªa scavenging horde of wyverns could be drawn to the fresh corpses. Derreck worked silently, his mind heavy with the implications of what had happened the night before. he had taken martial arts for several years dabbling in Kenpo Karate, then wing chun kung fu, then Fillipino martial arts, finally settling into MMA these last couple years but he was never that good even if his ego would let him believe it his heart wouldn¡¯t so how was he this strong and agile, also these warrior instincts they went beyond his training. Then he remembered the words of the goddess, ¡°we have really placed everything in you. You are our last hope.¡± He thought about the word carefully for a moment


    ¡°the blessings, the blessings of the gods, Darien Kane in his novel crossed over with the warrior¡¯s blessings the gods gave him, like buffs in a video game but Derreck didn¡¯t write them as a collection of skills he could level up, no they were more vague as the gods often are and much more real.¡±


    In this world blessings of the gods were as essential as magic they gave you boosts to your physical and mental traits placing them well above what is considered normal, he now thought just how strong am I now, or fast, or smart. He really didn¡¯t know just as Darien didn¡¯t.


    As he piled another orc body, a sharp voice cut through the din of the battlefield. "What is this filth, desecrating my lands. And what is this fortress it¡¯s not on my tax registry of this area?"


    Derreck turned to see a group of mounted men in shining armor riding across the parking lot. At the front was a young noble with a sneer plastered on his face. His silken clothes and well shined armor were far too pristine for someone who claimed to be assessing battle damage. The man looked down his nose at Derreck and the others with disdain.


    "Who are you that handles this rot of flesh like a common serf and knows not when to bow in the presence of a noble, are you a peasant or knight?¡± there was a long blank pause from Derreck ¡° I see so be it Peasant knights, the lot of you!" The noble spat, in his shrill voice. "Where is the lord of this manor?"


    Derreck glanced out at the pile of bodies as he thought of the man¡¯s stupidity, he sees all this and that¡¯s his first question, irritation flared in his chest as he wiped the sweat from his brow and fixed the noble with a cold stare. "There is no lord here, just survivors."


    The noble, Derreck now fully recognized from his novel as Rupert Vargas, second son of Count Anton Vargas, Rupert sniffed disdainfully. "Survivors, you say. You look more like scavengers picking over a battlefield. Where are your manners? You will address me properly, peasant."


    Before Derreck could retort, Lady Amelia, Henrick, and Paul approached, having heard the commotion. Rupert turned to face them, his sneer deepening as his gaze fell upon Lady Amelia.


    "Ah, Lady Amelia Barzod," he said with a mocking bow. "I see your mission to assess Zion¡¯s intentions in the north has failed spectacularly. There is no need now though, there''s an open declaration of war that has come to pass. Zion has attacked the nation of Drezil conquering it in a single day.¡± He paused before grinning wildly as he took it all in ¡°are you not excited there is war, for the first time since my father was a young man, and I will lead men into glorious battle at last. But first, I received a letter from my father this morning asking me to fetch you, if you had not already fallen prey to the fanatics of the north, you have been recalled to the kingdom of Holforth. Your father wishes you at his side at the Council of Kings."


    Lady Amelia stiffened, her face unreadable. "So there can be no peace, if only we had made it to the lands of Zion maybe none of this would have happened¡± she stopped suddenly. her mind flashed to the words of the Cat Sith that Zion always rises. She changed the subject quickly. ¡°on our way to the north we witnessed a great sky fall and moved in to investigate it. It led us into this encounter with the orc horde."


    Rupert scoffed. "Yes the Skyfall, I¡¯ve heard of such events happening especially in the north but saw no reason to ever pursue them at first, even if its rare minerals hold great value the risk in getting them in orc country can outweigh the benefits. I hate these lands, truly and would have sold them long ago if my father didn¡¯t order me to manage them or risk my inheritance, I honestly wish the old bastard would just die. I wouldn''t have bothered fetching you either but with my father begging me on behalf of the oath he swore to your father, I guess I was assessing my territories in the north anyway. And that is when I saw it when the large blinding light stretching across the sky, landing in the Sardar mountains in this region. I thought it surely was a sky fall larger than any recorded, a most valuable treasure to any that finds it, a path to my own inheritance out from under my father¡¯s thumb, and that is surely worth my time, but as we rode up Begger¡¯s Gap to where it must have fallen we instead, I find you fighting orcs in the wilderness."


    Lady Amelia''s expression darkened. " During that investigation we were attacked by a horde of orcs in a frenzy, I¡¯ve never heard of a horde in such a battle frenzy without being provoked. We at first tried to speak with them and lost four of my knights them the rest of us were overwhelmed by their numbers and had no choice but to flee, in the distance we saw this place and moved to seek shelter and this man, Derreck, rode out to saved us."


    Rupert turned his gaze to Derreck, sizing him up with a sneer. "This peasant? Saved you? How quaint. What did he do, trip over an orc and accidentally stab it?"


    Amelia¡¯s eyes flashed with anger. "He killed an orc champion with nothing but a dagger and charged down a horde by himself and lived to tell the tale, and more importantly his actions were committed in defense of all of us, which is more knightly than most men could dream of being in a single life and deserves respect. He was also visited by the goddess of mercy herself in mortal form and gave him a solemn vision much like Beltram of Theris in book of warrior oaths, it may sound impossible but it is all true."


    Rupert let out a bark of laughter. "This peasant killing an orc champion by himself? I think you''ve been out in the wilds too long, Lady Amelia. Perhaps you¡¯ve caught some green fever from these wretched beasts. And to speak of the goddess in such a way could be called heresy if it were brought before the church. That is of course if you even come back at all, anything can happen in the wilderness, and I also am well within my rights to deal with heretics after all"


    Derreck''s hand tightened around the orc helmet he had been holding, he had enough of this, he knew who this brat was, and what he would do to Varinja if he was left unchecked. Without warning, Derreck hurled the helmet at Rupert''s head. The helmet struck with a dull thud, knocking Rupert clean off his horse. Before anyone could react, Derreck pounced on him like a predator, fists flying, ground and pound they called it back home but here it looked like carnage.


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    Rupert barely had time to scream before Derreck''s fists pummeled his face and chest. Blood spurted from Rupert''s nose, and his eyes swelled shut. His soldiers watched in stunned silence as their entitled lord who had ordered them to instill fear and terror in the people of this land many times was now reduced to a bloodied mess beneath Derreck¡¯s onslaught. Before they could react, Derreck drew his hunting knife, the cold steel glinting in the light of the morning sun, the very knife he used on the orc champion, and pressed it against Rupert''s throat.


    "You wouldn''t kill me," Rupert gasped,


    hoarse with fear. "I''m a count''s son. My father will¡ª"


    "Your father isn¡¯t here, and anything can happen in the wilderness like you said" Derreck growled. "You would left Amelia to die in that same wilderness because saving her was beneath you or maybe just a waste of time instead you want to chase down a sky fall to get out from under your father¡¯s shadow, but now it¡¯s easier to kill her and all these people and claim her as a heretic as you claim to be doing the goddess¡¯s work while you sell off whatever you gain from raiding this place for a hefty profit, either way your duty is fulfilled. There¡¯s nothing noble about you. You¡¯re a lazy, entitled, coward, and now I¡¯m gonna make you choke on that fucking silver spoon."


    Rupert trembled beneath Derreck''s weight, his voice cracking. "Please¡­ don¡¯t kill me. I¡¯ll give you anything¡ªanything you want."


    Derreck paused for a moment then smiled coldly, a plan had now formed. "Anything?"


    "Yes," Rupert whispered. "Anything."


    "Fine," Derreck said. "I''ll take everything. Your money, your titles, your soldiers, your lands. Everything."


    Rupert nodded frantically, his face was pale with terror as a pool of urine spread out beneath him. "Anything you want. Just let me live."


    Derreck looked up at Rupert¡¯s scribe, who stood nearby, paralyzed with fear. "Write it down," Derreck commanded. "From this day forward, Rupert Vargas renounces all he has to me."


    ¡°your¡­ your name sir¡± the scribe responded in a cracking high voice


    ¡°Derreck Langston¡± Derreck paused for a moment as he searched for the right words then they came to him as well as a plane to explain all this later when he would eventually come before the Council of Kings. ¡°Derreck Langston of Atalantha.¡±


    All of the surrounding knights gasped at his words as Paul stood there just confused but he was following Derreck¡¯s lead on this, by now he knew to just go with it and Derreck would steer them out of trouble, maybe he could use Derreck like when he was just a garden associate before all this happened. Only the scribe was still moving, he was shaking but his hand kept writing out of fear. Rupert groaned in pain as the scribe finished, he handed the decree to Rupert, who fumbled for a wax nub to use his signet ring. Before he could find it, Derreck had a better way, he grabbed Rupert¡¯s left hand cutting his palm, he then smeared the blood into the crevices of Rupert¡¯s ring and pressed it onto the document.


    "This will do," Derreck said.


    Derreck stood up inspecting the document as a shaky Rupert finally got to his feet, after finally gained his composure, he yelled at his men. "Shackle him! Place this peasant in chains!"


    But the soldiers didn¡¯t move. They merely looked at their captain, who shook his head.


    Rupert screamed again, his voice cracking with desperation. "I am your lord! Obey me, or you¡¯ll all be flogged!"


    The captain of Rupert¡¯s knights, a young but determined man with a scar running down his cheek and long flowing blonde hair, stepped forward. "You have no honor, Lord Rupert. And I followed long enough serving a man with no honor, I served the house of Vargus until my lord gave you my commission, and oh the great horrors you did have me commit in your name, then you foolishly signed over that commission in a moment of cowardness and fear, by what right do you order me now. you have no rights, your just a peasant son of a count now."


    The rest of Rupert¡¯s soldiers stood silent, falling in line behind their captain. Rupert looked around, panic gripping his heart. His authority had slipped away, his command crumbled before his eyes.


    "Fine!" Rupert spat, his voice trembling with impotent rage. "keep this treacherous rabble, I shall leave this cursed place with my retainers and when I return I shall see you all hanged."


    "My retainers, and my everything else too" Derreck corrected, his voice sharp as a blade.


    Rupert¡¯s face turned pale as he realized his situation. He had nothing left¡ªno soldiers, no wealth, not even a horse. In a last act of compliance, he removed his armor and tossed it at Derreck¡¯s feet.


    "You¡¯ll regret this," Rupert muttered, storming off on foot, his torn and bloodied clothes hanging off his body like rags.


    Derreck watched him leave, his anger slowly dissipating. He knew Rupert well from his novel. He was a man who lived off the achievements of his father, using his name and wealth to manipulate others. In the novel, Rupert would have eventually betrayed the nations of Virinja leading his father¡¯s army into an ambush as he switched sides to Zion during a pivotal battle which lost the north of the peninsula. Darien Kane had killed him in two separate regressions because of his treachery. Derreck didn¡¯t know why he spared him now he guessed because he hadn¡¯t done anything yet, but at least Rupert''s power was neutralized before it could become a problem.


    Lady Amelia, still reeling from the events, stepped forward. "That was¡­"


    She paused, searching for the right words. "You fought for my honor. And yet, you still refuse my pledge. Why?"


    Derreck didn¡¯t answer. His heart felt heavy with the weight of everything that had transpired. It wasn¡¯t just about honor or survival. He was walking a tightrope between what he knew from his novel and his present reality, one filled with dangers he could only partially predict based on what he knew, Lady Ameila never went to the north in all three regressions and certainly was never attacked by a horde of orcs, even Rupert Vargas¡¯s presence was a mystery, what was going on here. It was like this was a separate regression wholly different from the three he knew.


    As the group resumed their grim task of burning the orc bodies the captain of Rupert¡¯s knights broke the obvious tension between Ameila and Derreck. He approached Derreck and saluted. "Captain Clyde Lassiter of the Free Companies, now at your service. My men and I are under contract for another three years to the lord of these lands, and by my honor, that is you."


    Derreck nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Clyde and his soldiers were now another variable addition in the ever-expanding equation of this world. He needed to keep them alive, all of them somehow.


    Lady Amelia and her knights had also finished their prayers, and as they regrouped, Lady Ameila¡¯s healer Lady Ashley Raznik began chanting protection spells over the burning corpses to keep them from becoming wandering spirits while she held her talisman of Elsbeth firmly. As the flames flickered and crackled, a hush fell over the group, broken only by the sound of crackling fire.


    Finally, Lady Amelia turned to Derreck. "This place¡­ it''s unlike any fortress I¡¯ve ever seen. Is this place really Atalantha? And just who are all of you, really?"


    Paul at first tried to explain by then Derreck finally said.


    "This is the Floating Fortress of Atalantha you may have heard of it."


    Gasps rippled through the knights. The legend of Atalantha, a mythical fortress said to have disappeared in the golden age of Virinja, was well known. It was said to be filled with wondrous items crafted by gnomes that could be found nowhere else, a place so rich and powerful that the nations around it had banded together to conquer it. In the legend, the wizard king Argos had cast a spell so powerful that it cost him his life to save his people. It transported the fortress away to a safe place but the spell worked to well and now the fortress travels from place to place leaving behind only legends.


    "That explains your courage and how you would sacrifice all for your people," Lady Amelia said softly. "The knights of Atalantha, living legends."


    Derreck looked to Paul, who had stepped forward but said nothing knowing that whatever Derreck was talking about would be to their benefit, Paul thought that Derreck played this diplomatic game well and if what that cat creature said was true his for-knowledge of events would keep them all alive at least.


    Derreck¡¯s mind raced as he considered the path ahead. Rupert Vargas¡¯s betrayal was neutralized at least, but it was clear now the war was starting Zion was on the march now and His foreknowledge as different this regression now was, it was their best advantage and he needed to use it wisely.

 Chapter 6: Lord of Walmart

    The Walmart store was abuzz with tension as the impromptu meeting began. A crude stage had been set in the center of the apparel section, and a large crowd of store associates, customers, and even a few curious knights had gathered. Lady Amelia and her Order of the Rose stood near the back, watching with interest, actually surprised that Derreck wasn¡¯t in charge of this place. In her world, ruling was a matter of nobility or proving yourself in battle. Yet, these strange people seemed intent on having a debate to prove who¡¯s intentions were more noble, and why was there not already a lord in charge of this fortress, did they die some time before she arrived?


    Paul, ever eager to assert himself, strode to the front, a confident smile plastered on his face. ¡°I think we can all agree that the need to establish a leadership structure here in this situation is very important¡± he said, his voice firm. ¡°And since I¡¯ve been running this store for about a year before all this happened and my management structure is already in place, I¡¯m more than qualified to continue leading this store. there¡¯s no need to change it.¡±


    There were murmurs of agreement, mostly from a few managers close to Paul, but the crowd wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. Several customers shouted their protests.


    ¡°Qualified? You haven¡¯t done a damn thing!¡± one customer yelled. ¡°We¡¯re only alive because of that guy has saved us so far!¡± pointing to Derreck.


    A gruff voice broke through the murmurs. ¡°Yeah! What¡¯s this idiot done besides bark orders?¡± The man who spoke was a customer named Jacob, a towering figure with a deep voice and commanding presence. He stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest. ¡°We need real leadership in a crisis like this. I say we build a wall around this place, to keep out the orcs the knights and everything else. We ration the food, wait this whole thing out. Might just reverse itself.¡±


    ¡°Build a wall?¡± another voice piped up, and Gary the flamboyant associate from the electronics department stood, waving his hand dismissively. ¡°What we really need is to tax this territory. Get these farmers to grow food for us. We¡¯ll be kings here with a little modern technology hell maybe even gods!¡±


    The crowd erupted into chaos as various groups argued, voices rising over each other in a cacophony of complaints and misguided suggestions. The knights, standing stoically in the back, exchanged glances of bewilderment. This was not how leadership was chosen in their world. Lady Amelia folded her arms, eyes flicking between the loud, bickering crowd and Derreck, who sat quietly, observing with increasing frustration.


    Derreck, sitting on a crate, massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He listened to the squabbling for as long as he could, this wasn¡¯t going to go anywhere and no one was confident in anyone¡¯s leadership, they had to move past it and agree on something, maybe he should have left after all. That was it, his mind now formed a plan to spark them into moving and electing someone, as long as it wasn¡¯t him or even worse Paul he could deal with any problems as they came up and there were a lot of those of course. he finally stood up and began to walk away.


    ¡°Hey, where are you going?¡± a customer shouted.


    Derreck stopped, turned back, and in a low, measured voice, he said, ¡°At this point I¡¯m leaving, and you should too. If any of us stayed here for this nonsense to play out, we¡¯d all be dead within thirty days. If you want you can come with me and head south to lower Varinja because walling ourselves up in here will only while the world outside turns to ash will only end in us starving or in a siege and either one will kill us, and our modern technology is half crippled without the internet anyway and the rest will run out long before these people decide to worship us.¡±


    A ripple of shock passed through the crowd. Lady Amelia¡¯s knights shifted, watching Derreck closely, while Captain Clyde rose from his seat and signaled to his men to follow. The Order of the Rose was soon after them, their eyes fixed on Derreck. They respected him and had come to admire his courage, and if he was leaving, so were they.


    Paul, noticing the exodus, hurried after Derreck, stepping in front of him with a nervous laugh. ¡°Whoa, hold on there, buddy. You can¡¯t just leave. Not all of you! Who¡¯s going to defend us?¡±


    Captain Clyde¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade. ¡°we of the Free Companies don¡¯t serve you or any of your people, by the time this rabble decides on anything that won¡¯t get you killed the next horde will be at the gates or worse those fanatics from Zion¡± he said flatly. ¡°I pledged my loyalty to him.¡± He nodded toward Derreck. ¡°And he¡¯s right. None of you know the first thing about leading or keeping your people safe.¡±


    Lady Amelia added, ¡°The Order of the Rose holds no ties to this place either. Our loyalty lies with that knight. If he leaves, so do we.¡±


    The crowd was stunned. The knights they had assumed would protect them in all this were ready to walk away. Panic began to set in.


    Paul, his hand trembling slightly, placed it on Derreck¡¯s chest, trying to block his path. ¡°Look, I know you don¡¯t give a shit about this place anymore¡ªnot since you got demoted¡ªbut these are people you¡¯re leaving behind, the least you could do is order the knights to stay. Don¡¯t let your divorce¡ª¡±


    Paul didn¡¯t get to finish. Derreck¡¯s fist slammed into his stomach, cutting him off mid-sentence. Paul doubled over, collapsing to the floor in pain. The crowd gasped, but no one intervened.


    Derreck leaned down, grabbing Paul by the back of his neck and violently jerking him back up to meet his eyes, his voice dangerously calm. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever bring up my personal life again, we¡¯re not friends, not even coworkers anymore, don¡¯t assume you know anything about who I am or what I¡¯m willing to do to survive what¡¯s coming. And you have no idea what¡¯s going on here. All these people will die here if you don¡¯t start solving real problems right now you fuck head!¡ªwhere our running water, sanitation and planning for sewage so we don¡¯t spread cholera or worse plague, what¡¯s your solution to housing all these people or do we all just sleep on the floor in a huddled mass,  what about our food rationing and inventorying of our resources, how about a plan to establishing trade routes with locals for supplies we don¡¯t have but desperately need, or a plan for our defenses and reinforcing this place against a battle or worse a siege. Not to mention what we do when the orcs choose a new warlord on the new moon, or the worst possible thing, if old Tarrack Nor the great warlord of all orcs comes to claim vengeance for the burning bodies that aren¡¯t even cold yet. Unless you make hard decisions like yesterday, you¡¯re all screwed.¡±


    The room was silent as Derreck let Paul fall back to the ground. Even Lady Amelia looked at Derreck with a mix of respect and admiration for the depth and complexity at which he thought about each issue his people were facing, this was leadership. It was what this place needed. she could also tell by the look in his eyes that he had already considered solutions for most of these problems at least as many of his people were now realizing. The other key players in this little debate were clearly out of their depth.


    ¡°But... we have plenty of food,¡± Paul managed to choke out.


    Derreck¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You idiot. Do you think people haven¡¯t started hoarding and hiding food already? It¡¯s the first thing I did and I¡¯m not that smart. How long did you think it would take before the rest of you caught on? And what about the rest of the fresh produce and meat that¡¯s rotting away right now because no one¡¯s organizing people and making it a priority to can it or smoke it, what did you think plastic would keep it from rotting?¡±


    A sobering realization washed over the crowd that their little political factions that formed after being thrust into this world had just created laziness and an unequally divided labor system that wasn¡¯t getting anything done. In the realization of all this the crowd went over Derreck¡¯s words finding the painful truth in all this.


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    Finally, one customer spoke up in a confused but impressed tone, ¡°Wait, you came up with like a plan for all that this in just a couple days?¡±


    Derreck didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°That was in my first thirty seconds you idiot, if we¡¯re all going to survive we have to consider all of our basic survival issues as a whole and work to fix them all at the same time because if any of those issues fail it¡¯s all interconnected, so it all falls apart. some of our comfort issues will take a little time to work out but for right now we should consider some basic ground rules we should all live by until a new government makes a constitution or we subjugate to another kingdom and live under their rule as a province, then we can worry about who has the bigger dick in this little pillow fight and let them be in charge.¡±


    Everyone, even Paul was silent waiting for Derreck to continue, he sighed heavy. He had no aspirations to be in charge of any of this, he didn¡¯t think it was a good fit, but he also didn¡¯t want it to go this far. His plan was to get them to pull their heads out of their asses long enough to see the bigger picture and agree on some of their base issues and find the strongest voice to carry it all out but now no one else was talking, no strong voice to carry them through just him. Oh well he thought, he would push it a little further until he found his candidate. After a moment Derreck began to speak, he played the survival game before many times but this was the master class edition what did he need to let them all survive and more importantly what they would have to do to get it.


    ¡°So if no one wants to start I will. So ground rules, alright so first off starting now everyone works no excerptions no excuses, if you don¡¯t work, you don¡¯t eat, you¡¯re not hungry enough to need to eat plain and simple. I know not everyone especially some of our older cashiers can lift stones to build walls outside so not every job is equal I¡¯ll admit that and those of you who can do more physically will complain, I get that too just don¡¯t think it will get you any more than anyone else, I¡¯m sorry in advance, but there is so much to do we can find something productive for everyone, and when I say productive I mean hard. I¡¯m tired of people standing around talking or watching while they do the least amount possible and let the rest of us pick up the slack and any of us that have worked here long enough knows exactly who that is, it¡¯s not just the managers we¡¯re all bitching about so don¡¯t think your good at hiding it. Fuck you Gary, you lazy bitch.¡± The crowd stopped cold at Derreck¡¯s last words as Gary¡¯s normally flamboyant nature was absent, he nervously looked around as several eyes were now on him as he ran his fingers through his blonde puffy hair as he wondered why now that he took so many smoke breaks outside.


    ¡°Also everyone able bodied man needs to be trained as part of the standing army to defend this place, and I don¡¯t want to hear any sexist shit if any of you ladies want to complain then sign up and shut up, I won¡¯t turn away any extra help if you can handle the training because there¡¯s no ladies program, you do the same training as everyone else. I know these knights are skilled but there aren¡¯t enough of them to fight off every threat we are going to face living where we got dropped in this world, and more importantly why should they go off and die while everyone sits inside bitching that the war should be over by now, hell no this is your home now and if your able to you will fight for it, if you don¡¯t feel you should or you don¡¯t have the courage to defend this place and the people here that can¡¯t defend themselves then leave, I¡¯ve already fought for this place and I¡¯ll keep fighting, and so will you. Also if your curious what able bodied means, basically unless the new government deems you unfit for service as a special circumstance just assume that if you can hold a weapon you¡¯ll be learning how to use it.


    And lastly we have to realize that all of our modern technology will go to shit sooner than you think and we can¡¯t reproduce any of it so we have to ration and preserve it, none of us knows how to make cell phones, the gasoline in our cars and in the pumps at the fuel station, guns at the sporting goods counter or personal weapons some of us have on us or in our vehicles, definitely ammunition considering our store only has rifle and shot gun ammo so if you own a pistol your fucked. Even if you know how to reload ammo we don¡¯t have the equipment or gunpowder itself so we¡¯re limited to what we have until we can manufacture weapons and maybe produce black powder, eventually. But that¡¯s sometime after our current crisis, even things we take for granted like plastic and the steel that builds our aisle uprights and our shelves that hook into them those are all resources. We can¡¯t make any of that shit right now so we need to ration everything, which means whatever government we decide on today owns it not any one individual. Which I know rubs some of you the wrong way but dammit do you want to survive or be stubborn about your rights because the second option get us all killed I can promise you that. All this stuff is now a precious resource and if we don¡¯t act right this second and give up our shit for the common good we may lose something for tomorrow we can¡¯t get back. We have to stop thinking about ourselves and share everything, not just food. I promise you that moving forward we will need to do everything we can so ALL OF US, can survive the coming winter and this war and right now no one is doing enough, not even me.¡±


    Laughter erupted from a corner of the room, followed by clapping as an old man sitting in a wheelchair said. ¡°that¡¯s the best campaign speech I ever heard. Hell, he¡¯s got my vote!¡±.


    The sentiment quickly spread, and soon the crowd began chanting Derreck¡¯s name. some people  tried to downplay his moving words that offered hope if they just had the courage to follow it. The people had seen the truth: Derreck not only had knowledge of this world, but he was already planning long-term about the survival of everyone here. He also had an army at his disposal, which was more than any of the other contenders could say. He demonstrated was the only one capable of leading them.


    It wasn¡¯t long before a vote was called, and even though Derreck stated he wanted no part of being their leader but his words were seen as being modest, and in a landslide, Derreck was elected to lead the store¡¯s new "kingdom" as their king, because as Ameila explained to the people no king in all of Varinja would except the authority of an elected official and because he held the title of Rupert Vargas already made him the lord of these lands. The people agreed But in an act of open defiance to this Derreck¡¯s first official decree instituted a council of leaders, a group of freely elected representatives tasked with ensuring Atalantha¡¯s prosperity, the council itself would work with Derreck to establish a constitution, institute plans for everything from trade agreements to housing arrangements, they would also make judgements in legal matters like a high court who¡¯s judgement only Derreck could overrule, and most importantly they could vote to remove Derreck from power if their vote was unanimous. Derreck specifically added that last part as an open check to his authority, so his people would never suffer a tyrant, even if it was him.


    In the days that followed, Walmart underwent a grand transformation, Derreck led a massive redesign of the store. most of the merchandise in the store was moved to its backroom to be crammed in tightly but neatly to secure it from theft while most of the entrances were blocked off to limit access, a handpicked team kept it under guard and managed bringing out items to sell also counting their stock daily The large sales floor became a bustling market, with goods from the backroom brought out to trade. A residential area of individual houses was constructed by rearranging aisles and blocking them off to make rows of little apartments and avenues between them, giving the residents modest but secure living quarters. Workshops and an armory took over the back section of the store by the sporting goods section, where weapons and equipment were made, while the auto care center became the hub for maintaining their fleet of vehicles now that all vehicles became property of the kingdom. And in the front of the store by the produce and deli area was a converted to a large food court to service residents and travelers alike. the store now functioned as a trade fort inviting travelers to come in and rest also to trade for goods some of which were real wonders like pens that held their own ink as well as fine writing paper, some of the finest dyed fabric and multitudes of thread, clothing fit for a king, as well as all manner of goods for the home from cooking pots to the softest blankets. And of course an abundant supply of spices, sugar, and salt more pure than any seen before and worth a fortune on the open market. While on the outside the knights constructed towers on the four corners of the building from mud clay hardened with white wood ash and branches making a durable stone block almost as strong as modern concrete and much needed gatehouses were erected on each of the front doors putting Henrick¡¯s fears at ease as the other entrances like the back truck bays and the garden center door were walled up on the outside with stone blocks and barricaded with cardboard bales on the inside, both sides covered in the same mud clay and wood ash mixture. The store was now a self-sufficient fortress, with associates managing inventory, trade, and Knights handling security.


    And so, Atalantha was born¡ªa floating fortress of commerce.


    But as the new moon approached, Derreck¡¯s thoughts were drawn elsewhere.

 Chapter 7: The Warlord of the North

    As Tarsas the larger of the two moons shone in the distance, an aurora of green light around the darkness of the new moon. movement was seen in the distance as the militia was called, Derreck and his men raised the newly made gate and walked across the parking lot to see a horde of orcs larger than any of them had ever seen before but Derreck knew exactly what it was, he feared it as a worst case scenario but prepared for it all the same. The mighty Tarrack Nor, orc of orcs, the great warlord of the orc lands was here, he had not been seen in a hundred years by outsiders but the old man must still be alive Derreck thought as he and his small party made up of Lady Ameila, Captain Clyde and a group of handpicked knights made their way into the mass of orcs shouting insults at them. lady Amelia at his side seemed noticeably fearful and started to cling to Derreck until she realized it and straightened showing the resolve of a royale knight while Clyde gripped his sword ready for anything as orcs threw sticks and rocks at him to provoke an attack. Finally they came to an opening in the mass of orcs where a large throne of wood and stone was being carried by 12 orcs and on top was Tarrack Nor himself, he was an old fat wrinkled carcass of an orc but with eyes that could cut through steel, the throne came crashing down with a thud and the old orc rose to step down off it, guttural shouts of praise in the orc tongue rang out as he passed by until he finally came up to Derreck and his party and said in human words with his big growling voice,


    ¡°I hear you speak my tongue this good but I will have no misunderstanding between us, you with the dark hair, you killed a warlord of my kind as I hear, my people say you killed him good with only a knife. This I do not believe but he is dead and you are here maybe there is some truth to it. No matter, all that is true is now there is a warlord lost to my horde, and lands of my people left undefended all by your hand, so in retribution blood must be paid. But I but like the smell of this place. war here would be, different. You fight with fire and traps, and target my champions first, this is not how orcs fight. But also your eyes are fierce and you smell deep of orc blood, no doubt you would kill many more before you finally fall, but still a blood price must be paid or my seat may be questioned.¡±


    He called for a mighty orc, who came up from the crowd hollering like a mad man as he drew up a mighty war club and swung it inches from Derreck¡¯s head. Derreck didn¡¯t pay any attention to the weapon his eyes were fixed on Tarrack Nor as he waited for him to speak.


    ¡°Now you choose your champion and we will settle this like orcs in a test of strength, choose well for it may cost you your life.¡±


    Derreck smiled as he pulled out a large hunting knife from his belt and told his party to back up. The orcs roared at the insult of thinking that would be all he needed to kill their champion. But old Tarrack Nor simply eyed Derreck up and down as he played the same game Derreck was, assessing all he could from this tiny human as he held back a grin.


    ¡°You insult our honor as warriors choose again or die as you stand.¡± The orc champion roared as the crowd roared back for what they thought was an added effect of fear but Derreck remained calm as he removed his makeshift armor as was the custom in a champion¡¯s duel.


    Derreck still smiling responded only looking at Tarrack Nor. ¡°I like my choice it¡¯s already killed one champion why not more.¡±


    The crowd of orcs grew silent as Tarrack Nor studied Derreck¡¯s eyes looking for a bluff behind his boast. Then a booming laugh erupted from Tarrack Nor as he came forward to pat Derreck on the back and said.


    ¡°You are bold warrior, orc bold I will say, to stand against a horde as fierce as mine, and my champion, by the gods even against me with only a knife you must have balls of solid rock. You will make a fine warlord.¡±


    The crowd of orcs and Derreck¡¯s party all seemed stunned at this but Tarrack Nor explained.


    ¡°True a warlord is dead and a price of blood must be paid but how many of my kind would fall to such a savage creature as you before I finally taste my vengeance. I will lose much even if I win, I can tell as much from the words of my people that warn me you are not a man of boasts but of action, I also hear from my people that you chased away the noble¡¯s son not even leaving him armor or horse after your raid which is good now these pink bellies will trouble you no more and leave this place for you, this is also good for the horde who will hunt free in these lands again without the armored pink bellies that kill our children while we are on the hunt.¡±


    The realization stunned lady Ameila that¡¯s why they attacked without warning they thought she was going to kill their children while they were away on the hunt, that is the great evils Rupert Vargas did in his lands that Captain Clyde had mentioned, it was appalling she thought.


    Derreck added. ¡°I find no quarrel with the horde hunting these lands as long as meat is shared among my tribe as well.¡±


    Some orcs roared and grunted now but Tarrack Nor calmed them with a wave and said.


    ¡°I am normally the one to speak of tribute what am I to be paid by my warlord for I rule over all the steppes before the great desert to the north.¡±


    Derreck thought for a moment then said. ¡°But my noble Tarrack Nor your tribute is plain to see have you not become part of my clan as well, with fair and equal rights, to trade your goods freely in these lands, to share in our harvest and be able to settle any lands your people are willing to work for the greater good of our horde.¡±


    It was an unthinkable tribute to be paid by any pink belly to the horde, Derreck knew well that the orcs had been a scattered group since the before the golden age when the human church decreed that Capitos the god of judgement said that they were lesser creatures that were no better than dogs. This was a plot designed to steal orc lands in the fertile south in a kind of manifest destiny doctrine as new human kingdoms rose up from the wars of the dark ages. Since then orcs had wandered the north lands with no real home of their own and kept being forced out by ever encroaching waves of new human invaders. To have a land to call their own, fair and equal rights to live and trade., to build homes of stone instead of tents of hide, plant roots like the mighty tress of the forest so their people could blossom without the threat of war, It was more than even Tarrack Nor had dreamed of in his life but if this pink belly spoke true it was a grand bargain indeed for a share of the hunt. Tarrack Nor pulled a knife from his belt and cut a deep gash in his palm. Derreck did the same with his blade and then the two interlaced fingers and gripped each other¡¯s hand tight as their blood mixed together and dropped to ground in their new shared land as Tarrack Nor said


    ¡°blood of my blood, sword of my sword we are kin now.¡±


    When the ritual was over the orcs took to celebrating holding a grand feast in the parking lot. The night air was thick with the pungent aroma of roasting meat and the sharp tang of orcish mead. Flames flickered across the parking lot, casting long, erratic shadows that danced between the hulking figures of orcs and the humans who cautiously mingled with them.


    Derreck stood at the center of the gathering, he didn¡¯t really have a plan when he walked across the parking lot, Tarrack Nor never appeared in his novel, there were only rumors of his presence and tales of his cunning which meant there was no way of knowing how he would react to a bid for peace but Derreck also took it as he could be reasoned with to at least minimize the bloodshed, but in the end he never dreamed Tarrack Nor would have his own plan to end the conflict. Maybe he was more cunning than even Derreck took him for.


    Derreck was now feeling the weight of his new title¡ªWarlord of the North¡ªsettling on his shoulders, he was now one of Tarrack Nor¡¯s four great warlords, one to each direction that he used to rule over his vast territory. Derreck hadn''t sought power in this world , in fact he openly avoided it partially because he didn¡¯t know if keep anyone else alive through all this and also because Darien Kane never had any official titles or an army to command instead he dove head first into the action when a cause seemed worthy while the troops fell in line behind him, but now he was a warlord, a king of a legendary fortress, even a noble lord in the eyes of the kings of Varinja. It seems like the gods had other plans for him past what was in his novel, and all of it felt like was a reluctant burden too say the least.


    Tarrack Nor, the towering orc warlord, approached with a sloshing goblet of the mead. His eyes, still sharp despite his years, glimmered with amusement and respect. "Drink, my new warlord," he grunted in his now sloshing human tongue. "This night is ours. Blood of my blood. Our victories are one, and our bonds the same."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Derreck hesitated, glancing at Lady Amelia and Captain Clyde. Amelia¡¯s face was slowly reddening with the aid of the strong orc mead. Clyde¡¯s hand remained close to the hilt of his sword even as he drank, though he kept a more stoic demeanor than Ameila.


    "He''s right," Clyde muttered, stepping closer to Derreck. "You¡¯ve got to show strength tonight, especially in front of the other warlords. A toast now means they''ll fight with us tomorrow."


    Derreck gave a reluctant nod and took the goblet from Tarrack Nor¡¯s massive hand. Before his incident with the Redds apple ale when he figured fuck it he was going to die anyway He hadn¡¯t touched a drop since right after his ex left and he didn¡¯t know if he wanted that habit again, it was a bad time for him after she was gone as he went down a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol which almost killed him, he took a second to remember the morning he woke up after trying to end it all with a handful of pills and finishing off his large bottle of Smirnoff vodka because what self-respecting alcoholic would leave behind a bottle. As he woke up to his alarm going off he crawled out of bed and looked into the mirror as he gave himself a slap to determine if he was still alive, then the worst feeling came over him he as realized he had to go to work, so he got dressed and went in not talking to anyone about what happened even long after. Shortly after that he left the drink by the wayside along with the drugs and anything else that wasn¡¯t productive anymore.


    The mead smelled overpowering, like fermented apples left too long in the sun, but he raised it high, catching the attention of the crowd.


    ¡°To my new orc brothers we are now kin!¡± Derreck bellowed in the orc tongue, his voice cutting through the noise. ¡°To peace between clans!¡±


    The orcs roared in approval, their guttural cheers echoing through the night. Tarrack Nor slammed his fist into his chest and raised his own goblet, his booming laughter joining the celebration. "To Derreck of Atalantha , Warlord of the North!"


    The night was a strange contrast¡ªhumans and orcs celebrating together as if ancient grudges could be set aside so easily. Lady Amelia stood close to Derreck, her eyes scanning the crowd. She leaned in, her voice soft but urgent. "Do you really think this can last? The orcs¡ªthey¡¯re not like us. They¡¯re unpredictable."


    Derreck¡¯s gaze swept over the crowd as the strength of the mead began to warp the edges of his vision. He knew from the novel that this alliance with Tarrack Nor was solid because it came from the orc of orc¡¯s himself. The orcs respected his strength, and orc loyalty was until death but that was hard to explain to someone from this crazy world who was taught her whole life to fear them. ¡°It has to,¡± he muttered. ¡°For now.¡± That was a good enough explanation for the moment.


    As the feast continued, Derreck found himself seated near Tarrack Nor and the other orc warlords. They were older, scarred veterans of countless battles, their leathery skin marked with the stories of victories and defeats. One of them, a grizzled orc missing an eye, leaned forward and growled in the orc tongue, ¡°You fight good. And you fight smart. You will make a fine warlord but can we really thrive as equals in your lands, how would such a thing even happen.¡±


    Derreck met his gaze, unflinching. ¡°if you want more than to just survive on the steppes. Then we must make trade routes. Secure roads. Sell your orc crafts they are of as fine a make as can be had, all of this will make humans less fearful to trade with you and except you. But more than that, you need a home¡ª a home one no one can take from you and this will be that place to any orc that wishes to stay here to work and defend the land.¡±


    The orc warlords exchanged glances. Tarrack Nor nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he grunted. ¡°orcs have been without peaceful land to actually call a home since before I was born. But human lands always come with a price. Your people¡ªwill they truly allow us to live as equals?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s up to them,¡± Derreck said, sipping the strong mead. ¡°But I¡¯ll lead those who do. And those who don¡¯t will not have the protection of the mighty horde of Tarrack Nor, the strongest force in all Varinja, which is what my people need most.¡± A roar of orc approval rose up as Tarrack Nor grinned from ear to ear, maybe it was the mead but he really liked the sound of it, the mighty horde of Tarrack Nor which in the orc tongue sounded even more impressive. Derreck glanced toward the dim lights of the trade fortress, Atalantha the legend was now made real.


    The celebration roared on in a blur of mead and dancing, Lady Amelia, now more at ease, mostly from the orcish mead which was much stronger then the wine she was used to, she pulled Derreck aside. Her voice was soft but firm,


    ¡°You sir knight don¡¯t seem to like me very much,¡± she said slurring her words as she wobbled back and forth. ¡° I don¡¯t know what offense I could have caused you but I solemnly apologies for it and humbly request you except my pledge to be by your side. I did not take it lightly nor do I find it unappealing and more importantly I cannot take it back, a knights word is their bond so where you go I will follow even you bid me not to I will go anyway, also if it is your intention to attend the council of kings I will accompany you to introduce you to the lords in attendance, but I do fear we will arrive late as it over 230 leagues away which would take us almost one month¡¯s ride at full gallop¡±


    Derreck finally looking her in the eyes for the first time since treating her injuries said


    ¡°My lady I assured you that with our trucks it should take two to three days at the most depending on the roads¡±


    The thought of all of it seemed impossible to her but with all the wonders she had seen so far she decided to believe him and nodded in acceptance.


    Ameila moved forward to say something else but stumbled momentarily, Derreck caught her before she could fall then realized how close he was. As he looked into her eyes he was flooded with emotion, beautiful green with tiny flecks of gold that sparkled in the torch light, his emotions for her were getting the better of him as she leaned in more to rest her head on his shoulder.


    Derreck tried to break the tension by saying. ¡°We¡¯ll leave soon enough. This alliance will give us the protection in this region making it more stable. The orcs will guard the north, and I¡¯ll take you south to Holforth, there we will make alliances at the council of kings."


    But it was no use she was already falling asleep. Derreck scooped her up meaning only to place her down next to her knights to rest but she effortlessly wrapped her arms around him asking in a fatigued voice ¡°can you please escort me to bed.¡±


    Derreck sighed as he started to carry Ameila through the crowd back to the store, Tarrack Nor suddenly approached Derreck, interrupting his thoughts that he tried his best not to entertain. The old orc slapped a heavy hand on Derreck''s shoulder nearly knocking him over as he laughed. "When you leave for this council, warlord, make sure to take some of our kin with you to make a strong show of force to these pink belly kings that we are a land that is orc strong. The rest of the horde will keep the northern lands safe. we will guard what you leave behind for we are all one people now."


    Derreck met the orc''s gaze as he recovered his balance. "the pink bellies will not take kindly to your people in the south."


    Tarrack Nor just laughed liking how Derreck had called them pink bellies too then he said ¡°these pink bellies with be pissing themselves when they see our horde of pink and green march through their gates.¡±


    With the night deepening and the feast winding down Derreck made his way through the avenues of row apartments until he came to Ameila¡¯s apartment in the knight quarter where the pets department used to be, Derreck pushed past the door to lay her down on her bed, Lady Ashley who slept across from her shot up startled at first to see a man their apartment then slightly embarrassed as she covered herself with her blanket as not to reveal her scant undergarments she seemed so proud of when she bought them the other day but Derreck never seemed to glance her way, he only spoke once to her in a very calming voice ¡° sorry to wake you, she had a bit too much mead. If she wakes up get her to drink some water and don¡¯t let her throw up in the bed.¡± Derreck slowly removed Amelia¡¯s armor as she casually groaned from being turned and picked up but Derreck didn¡¯t mind as he almost let out a laugh at the royal knight¡¯s defenseless state but it was over before long and Derreck apologized to Lady Ashley again for disturbing her and left as Ashley pondered why he didn¡¯t just command her to remove Lady Ameila¡¯s armor, then suddenly there was another rush of embarrassment as she imagined Lord Derreck undressing Lady Ameila. She buried her head in the pillow and let out a nervous scream as she tried to push the thought out of her head and rolled over trying desperately to get back to sleep as thoughts flooded her mind.


    Derreck walked through the store in the calm of night waiting for his buzz to die. This strange new world felt more familiar with each passing day especially the feeling of being around her, which he wasn¡¯t sure he should stop even though his mind wouldn¡¯t let him forget her fate.


    In his novel Darien Kane fought side by side with Lady Ameila, the two of them falling madly in love, which Derreck knew was partially a reflection of his own feelings about her, even though he believed he made her up. As Darien conquered the forces of Zion Lady Ameilia was killed in the battle of Holforth as Zion retreated which caused Darien to push forward cutting a path of death all the way to Cathartica, Zion¡¯s mountain of power itself after the battle he is poisoned by an assassin and regresses to the beginning of the war where he defeats Zion again but at the cost of Ameila¡¯s life so after Zion is defeated he commits suicide by jumping from summit of the great mountain of power at Cathartica and regresses again to the start of the war only to win against Zion again at the cost of her life. The novel ends with Darien regressing yet again but cursing the gods for forcing him to watch her die again and again so he sails into the western sea never meeting Lady Ameila or fighting Zion as he waits for the world to end at Zion¡¯s hands.


    It was the reason Derreck tried to keep his distance from her and why he was so determined to run from store and it¡¯s failing political struggle at the start. It was all to ensure she would stay alive, even if he had to force her away from him. But now his feelings wouldn¡¯t let him push her out any more and there was also the weight of growing responsibility only getting heavier too. Tomorrow, he would set out for Holforth in the southern tip of the peninsula the mightiest kingdom in all of Varinja and there he would set forth events that would change the course of this war, that is if he could ally himself with the only man who might possibly sway the nobles of the peninsula to fight with him. King Thuragon, Lady Ameila¡¯s father.

 Chapter 8: The Road to Holforth

    The sound of roaring engines filled the crisp morning air as Derreck fought down his mild headache, it would have been worse if he hadn¡¯t drank plenty of water and waited for his buzz to go any before finally getting some sleep. He inspected his convoy of knights and orcs as he sipped his coffee, one last check before heading out, he shot Lady Ameila a glance once or twice as she seemed to be actively avoiding him. Maybe it was the embarrassment of being carried to her apartment in front of her knights he didn¡¯t know but he did notice her looking at him quite a bit as she talked to her knights, in fact all of her knights were giving him odd glances he didn¡¯t seem to understand. Lady Ashley in particular was also staring at him quite a bit and when he returned her glance with a friendly smile she looked away in almost a panic. What the hell did I do to her I wonder, he wondered as he made his final checks.


    As the first lights of the sun came into the valley a small fleet of trucks tore across the rugged terrain of the northern steppes. They kicked up clouds of dust that followed in their wake, blending into the overcast sky. In the lead truck loaded down with a collection of knights and orcs crowded into the pickup bed, inside Derreck sat behind the wheel, his eyes scanning the landscape ahead with a sense of grim determination. To his right sat Clyde who would act as his navigator, in the back seat sat Henrick and Lady Amelia, her armor gleaming faintly in the dim light, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she kept watch out the passenger side window or at least that¡¯s what she told herself to keep from staring to much at Derreck, she couldn¡¯t overcome her embarrassment over how she behaved last night, like some common barmaid with a crush instead of a princess of Holforth and more so what Lady Ashley had told her about how Derreck had put her to bed, removing her armor for her. It was a scene portrayed many times normally by lovers written in the court romances in the castle library, the mere mention of it caused Ashley to blush uncontrollably, but she had no trouble repeating the story to most of the other knights who were now looking at Derreck with their ideas of him undressing them, making him the number one topic of gossip among them.


    "We should reach Thornhold before dusk, if the roads hold," Derreck said, his voice steady, trying to break the silent tension. "But if Zion has really started the war, we should expect trouble long before then."


    Derreck knew trouble loomed if Zion was on the march Thornhold was always one of the first cities attacked in each regression in the novel if war was coming that fast there wasn¡¯t much time. Lady Amelia glanced at him still a little embarrassed but she felt the need to respond. ¡°Thornhold is the gateway to the northlands along the trail at the edge of the Sadar mountains opening up to the plains, if it¡¯s fallen, it will cut the north in half ¡­¡±


    She trailed off, her gaze darkening. Thornhold had been a crucial fortress, a bulwark against the deserts of the north and the Empire of Zion¡¯s creeping influence. Its fall would be a blow to the morale of all he nations of the north. its towering walls standing firm against centuries of invasions. But what of it Now.


    Derreck let the silence be. His mind was focused on what lay ahead, but he couldn¡¯t help but feel they were already too late. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as the terrain began to shift, becoming more uneven and rocky as they left Begger¡¯s Gap and moved onto the open plains of the northern steppes, Derreck saw first-hand why Beggar¡¯s Gap was so isolated, it was a narrow gap between two mountain ranges that shielded the valley on three sides, it was a hidden corner of the map that Darien Kane used in his first regression to narrow Zion¡¯s numbers and finally defeat them. The valley opened up to the great plains of northern Varinja where much of the crops of the peninsula were grown for the city states of the south. In the distance, plumes of smoke were visible, darkening the horizon like a scar on the landscape.


    Amelia tensed beside him. "Do you see that? Smoke."


    "I see it," Derreck replied, his voice low. "that¡¯s Thornhold in the distance, the whole city must be ash by now. there¡¯s also so smoke closer to us, it doesn¡¯t look like Zion¡¯s army. It¡¯s too scattered, too small. Bandits."


    As if on cue, Grond, the massive orc commander in charge of the pack of orcs in the back of the truck, lumbered forward and leaned in through the window speaking in orc to Derreck. "It¡¯s a Battle ahead my Warlord," he growled, his voice a booming like thunder in Derreck¡¯s ear. "I can smell the blood in the air. We are ready lord, we will fight?"


    Derreck didn¡¯t answer immediately, his mind racing. Thornhold¡¯s has collapsed he thought and now it had sent waves of instability through the region. Former soldiers who had once sworn oaths to defend the fortress had deserted when it fell, and now in the chaos, they had turned to banditry. They preyed on the weak, on refugees who had fled the city in desperation. It was no surprise they¡¯d wait to pick off the stragglers hiding from Zion¡¯s patrols.


    "We will fight," Derreck finally said, his voice firm. "Prepare the men. Knights and orcs together."


    Grond grunted in approval and clambered back to the rear to rally his kin. Within moments, the orcs were growling and preparing their weapons as Grond signaled the other trucks to do the same, the knights¡ªmore disciplined but no less fierce¡ªreadied themselves for battle as well. Clyde leaped out to survey the scene as Derreck¡¯s vehicle as they slowed to a stop.


    "We¡¯re not far from Thornhold," Clyde said. " By the gods if the city has truely fallen, They must be refugees."


    "They are," Derreck confirmed. "And we¡¯ll deal with the bandits before they can do any more damage."


    Clyde nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "your knights are ready lord. But¡­ do you think we can trust the orcs in this fight?"


    Derreck shot him a sharp glance. "I¡¯ve pledged my loyalty to Tarrack Nor. The orcs fight with us. That¡¯s all there is to it."


    Clyde gave a short nod, now there was doubt in his eyes. Lady Amelia, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, her voice measured but resolute. "Derreck¡¯s right. This will prove the orcs worth. In the dark times to come, we¡¯ll need all the allies we can muster."


    The rest of convoy came to a halt, and Derreck gazed out over the landscape, he could see the ragged line of refugees¡ªmen, women, and children¡ªfleeing in terror from a group of mounted bandits who were closing in on them from all sides. The refugees, many of them Thornhold¡¯s last survivors, were defenseless, their only protection being a few hastily armed townspeople who had no chance against the former soldiers who now attacked them.


    Derreck¡¯s blood boiled at the sight as he lept up on the hood of the truck so his words would carry. His voice thundered over the din of engines and clanking armor. "Knights of the north! For Atalantha!


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    The group understood the profoundness of his words, not orc or men but knights one and all, there was a ring of equality in that. All his knights both orc and men roared in approval that echoed across the plains. Derreck jumped down from the truck, drawing twin swords made especially for him from the steel of his home world forged in the fires of his newly constructed smithy. he strode forward. Without another word, he led the charge, and his army followed.


    The bandits were initially caught off guard by the surge of force coming down the hill at them, they quickly scrambled to regroup, trying to form a phalanx as they realized they were about to be engaged by a much larger force. But it was too late. The knights, united under Derreck¡¯s command, descended upon them like a storm.


    Derreck¡¯s swords flashed as he cut down the first bandit in his path, his blades were moving with a speed and precision that left his foes reeling. He was relentless, each swing driven by a fierce determination to protect the refugees now behind him. As the bandits tried to form a line, they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of Derreck¡¯s army.


    Grond and the orcs were a force of nature, their weapons crashing through shields and armor with terrifying force. Grond himself was a whirlwind of destruction, his massive blade carving through the ranks of bandits like they were nothing more than kindling. The other orcs fought with similar brutality, their savage strength making quick work of the deserting soldiers.


    Clyde, always close to Derreck¡¯s side, fought with a determined grace, his great sword flashing as he parried and struck with deadly precision. Lady Amelia, her armor gleaming, fought with the discipline and skill of a seasoned knight not even needing to channel her mana into her blade, cutting through the chaos with an almost effortless efficiency. But even she, in the heat of battle, couldn¡¯t help but glance at Derreck in awe. His presence on the battlefield was unlike any other commander she had seen the true vision of a knight¡ªhe fought not for himself, but for the lives of those who had no other hope.


    The bandits, seeing their numbers dwindle, began to retreat, but Derreck would have none of it. "No mercy for deserters!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the clamor of battle


    The knights pushed forward, cutting down the fleeing bandits one by one. Some tried to surrender, throwing down their weapons in desperation, but there was no forgiveness for those who had betrayed their oaths. In the end, the battlefield was littered with the bodies of the bandits, their blood soaking into the dry earth.


    Derreck stood over the last fallen foe, his chest heaving from exertion, but his mind still focused. He turned to the refugees, many of whom had been huddling together in fear during the battle. Now, they looked up at him with a mixture of awe and fear, surely a commander so savage in battle would now turn to them to pillage their spoils. Slowly, one by one, they began to rise, ready to except their fate.


    "You''re safe now," Derreck said, his voice quieter but no less commanding. "Gather your people. We¡¯ll escort you to safety."


    They couldn¡¯t believe their ears, they who had nothing were truly saved by a force as divine as the goddess of mercy herself who could this commander be who demanded no tribute for his efforts.


    A woman, carrying a small child in her arms, approached him hesitantly. "Thank you¡­ we thought we were going to die but then you rode in like a divine wind, where is it that you come from my lord."


    Derreck responded simply. "we are the knights of Atalantha.¡± There was a shocked confusion on the refugee¡¯s faces, could the legend be true ¡°We¡¯ll take you north, where you¡¯ll be safe."


    The refugees murmured. Only Zion and the Orc lands lay to the north? Many of them had lived in fear of the orcs their entire lives, told stories of their savagery and brutality. But now, as they looked at the orcs who had fought to protect them, some of that fear began to dissipate.


    Grond approached, his blood-stained blade resting on his shoulder. "my men will take them north my lord, and on our lives we will see them to our homeland, to Atalantha."


    Now talk of the old legends came up, of the mighty floating fortress. It must be the same place. But did orcs and men really live side by side in peace there. They must they even had orc knights


    Derreck nodded and turned back to the refugees. " These knight of Atalantha will see you all safe to our homelands if you wish it, where my knights and the mighty orc horde of Tarrack Nor will protect those under our banner. You¡¯ll be treated as kin in the north. The city of Atalantha will welcome you, and you¡¯ll be free to live and trade in peace."


    One of the older men among the refugees, a former merchant by the look of him, stepped forward. "What about the Empire of Zion? Will we be safe from them?"


    Derreck met the man¡¯s gaze. "Zion¡¯s reach won¡¯t extend into the northwest territories until they conquered the south. And even if they try, they¡¯ll have to go through us first. My orc knights are the fiercest things this side of a wyvern¡¯s tail, You have my word¡ªyou¡¯ll be safe."


    The refugees began to murmur in agreement, their fear slowly turning into hope, the legends may be true these men really did appear to be the knights of Atalantha, they might yet be saved. Derreck turned to Grond. "Have your men prepare some trucks. We¡¯ll send the refugees north with a few of the knights to guard them."


    Grond grunted in approval and began barking orders to his kin, who quickly moved to help the refugees onto the trucks. Derreck watched for a moment, then turned to Clyde and Amelia.


    "We can¡¯t take them with us to Holforth," he said. "And this area is now a warzone that¡¯s no place for unarmed civilians, and Zion¡¯s forces will be all over the borderlands."


    Clyde nodded. "You¡¯re right. Holforth is a long march, and it¡¯ll be dangerous. You were wise to send them north to the orc lands and continue on to Holforth ourselves."


    As the refugees were loaded onto the trucks, Derreck walked over to Grond, who had been overseeing the loading of supplies. One of the orcs had found several chests filled with the bandits¡¯ ill-gotten gains¡ªgold, silver, jewels, and other valuables. Grond opened one, revealing the treasure inside.


    "look my lord there is a boon for our efforts?" Grond asked, his eyes gleaming with interest.


    Derreck shook his head. "No. This treasure doesn¡¯t belong to us."


    Grond grunted in confusion, his brow furrowing. "We fought to take this lord. That is the orc way."


    Derreck turned to the refugees, who were watching the exchange with a mix of curiosity and fear, that was blood money that the people of thornhold paid dearly for. Derreck stepped forward, raising his voice so they could all hear. "This treasure was stolen from the people of Thornhold. It¡¯s not ours to keep."


    He gestured to the refugees. "Take it. Use it to rebuild your lives. With this, you can start over, build homes, and trade in Atalantha. It belongs to you now."


    A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Even Derreck¡¯s own knights seemed taken aback by his words. Lady Amelia, in particular, stared at him in disbelief.


    "You¡¯re giving away the spoils of war?" she asked, her voice filled with incredulity. "After all your men fought for?"


    Derreck turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "What good is treasure if we lose our humanity in the process? These people have nothing left. They¡¯ve lost everything. We¡¯re not fighting this war for wealth, but for everyone¡¯s lives."


    Amelia¡¯s eyes softened as she regarded him, her initial shock fading into something else admiration, perhaps. She had served under many commanders in her time, but none had ever given away the spoils of war so freely, so selflessly. It was just like the legends of Atalantha, knights of great chivalry who would fight to the last man for their people never seeking reward.


    "You¡¯re different, knight of Atalantha to give out hope like candy to babes" she said quietly, almost to herself.


    Derreck smiled faintly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know what it¡¯s like to lose everything, and besides they¡¯ll be plenty of time to make and lose fortunes in this war."


    As the refugees gathered the treasure, their expressions filled with gratitude, Derreck turned back to his companions.


    "Let¡¯s move out," he said, his voice firm. "We¡¯ve still got a long way to go."


    With the refugees safely on their way to the orc lands, Derreck and his remaining forces turned their attention back to the road ahead. Holforth awaited them, and beyond that, the looming war with the Empire of Zion. But for now they had saved lives and had given hope to those who had none.


    And that, Derreck thought as he climbed back into his truck, was worth more than some treasure.

 Chapter 9: A Matter of Nobility

    The convoy of trucks rumbled down the winding path across the rolling hills to the great city state of Holforth, it had been a long trying three days over some of the worst roads Dereck had every driven over but their pace was what he had figured. As they approached, Derreck could finally see their destination up close¡ªHolforth. The city stretched out before him, a shimmering sea of white marble that stretched along the tip of the southern coast, its grand towers and spires rising proudly against the deep blue sky and a shimmering ocean backdrop. The architecture was breathtaking, a testament to the wealth and power of the king who ruled this land. Walls of polished stone gleamed in the sunlight, and wide cobblestone streets lined with columns and statues led up to the heart of the city, and the massive domed council hall off the main palace that served as the seat of the council of kings of Varinja where kings of Varinja came each month to air differences and foster a lasting peace throughout the peninsula.


    "It¡¯s magnificent," Lady Amelia said quietly, her eyes filled with wonder as she gazed upon the city. "I haven¡¯t seen my city in some time, but it¡¯s more beautiful than I remember." She said as her face seemed to glow in a way Derreck couldn¡¯t ignore.


    he nodded, he couldn¡¯t ignore Ameila¡¯s excitement though he had to refocus. His thoughts were elsewhere. They had come to Holforth not just to marvel at its grandeur, but to meet with the council of kings. Lady Amelia had insisted on escorting him personally, hoping her presence would give him credibility among the nobility. But Derreck knew that the council would be no easy audience to impress even with tales of his glory and his terrifying orc knights. He was an outsider, a foreigner, and despite his growing reputation in the north, there were many who might rather see him fail then gain favor at the council.


    As the convoy approached the city gates, they were greeted by a contingent of royal guards, their silver armor gleaming in the afternoon sun. They guided the convoy through the gates and up the main avenue, the people of Holforth gathering on either side of the street to catch a glimpse of the new arrivals and their strange carriages. Derreck could feel their eyes on him, could hear the murmurs as they recognized Lady Amelia.


    The trucks came to a halt in front of the council hall, and Derreck, Lady Amelia, Clyde, and the rest of their party dismounted. Knights and orcs stood together, an unusual sight in a city as formal and dignified as Holforth. The orcs dressed in knights armor stood out the most in the odd grouping but their demeanor was serious though and their loyalty to Derreck unquestionable.


    "Stay sharp," Derreck said quietly to Clyde as they approached the grand doors of the council hall. "We don¡¯t exactly know what we¡¯re walking into."


    Clyde nodded, his hand resting in a familiar fashion as of late on the hilt of his sword as they made their way inside.


    The interior of the council hall was just as grand as its exterior. Massive columns lined the walls, and the domed ceiling was adorned with intricate mosaics depicting the history of Holforth and its kings. At the far end of the hall, a long table had been set up, where the council of kings awaited them. There were seven of them in total, each representing a different region of Virinja, their crowns resting on their heads as they watched Derreck and his party approach.


    Lady Amelia stepped forward, her head held high. "My lords, I present to you Derreck Langston, Lord of the floating fortress of Atalantha, viscount of the north lands of the Sadar mountains, and orc chieftain and Warlord of the North under the mighty Tarrack Nor orc of orc¡¯s, and his company. He has come to Holforth to discuss matters of great importance regarding the Empire of Zion."


    The kings were shocked at the mixed accomplishments of this stranger who had carved out a territory in the north under their noses, they regarded Derreck with cold, calculating eyes. The air in the hall was thick with tension, the weight of their judgment pressing down on him. But before any of them could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hall, and a figure emerged from a side entrance, his shining new armor clanking as he strode toward the council.


    Rupert Vargas.


    He had arrived ahead of them at the council, and by the look of him, he had been eagerly waiting for this moment. His face was twisted in a sneer as he came to stand before the kings, his voice ringing out with authority.


    "My lords, I demand that this man be arrested at once!" Rupert¡¯s voice was filled with indignation, and his gaze locked onto Derreck with a venomous hatred. "He is no noble! He is a criminal and a traitor, and he has no right to stand before you!"


    Derreck¡¯s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, but he didn¡¯t draw it. His knights were already bristling at the insult, and it was clear that they were ready to fight their way free if necessary. The orcs, especially, growled low in their throats, their eyes fixed on Rupert knowing the hatred of their old enemy well.


    Lady Amelia stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you, Rupert Vargas! Was it not you who abandoned me to die in orc lands while your men begged you to spur you to action as you questionably investigated the sky fall, and now you dare to accuse lord Derreck of treason? Isn¡¯t it also true you¡¯ve been inciting the orcs to raid in your lands while you engage in the deplorable act of killing their women and children while their warriors were away on hunts. It is you who is the true traitor to Holforth here, not Lord Derreck!"


    Rupert¡¯s sneer deepened, and he turned to the kings. "These claims are false, my lords! She¡¯s only trying to cover for her pet savage. I demand satisfaction for these crimes against my honor."


    Derreck finally spoke, his voice calm but cold. "You don¡¯t have the right to demand anything, Rupert. You¡¯re not even a noble, anymore."


    With a swift motion, Derreck produced a rolled-up document from inside his coat and handed it to a Paige to be read aloud. The expressions of everyone in attendance shifted as the words were read. The document made its way through the lords in attendance until it rested in front of king Thuragon himself who confirmed that it was Rupert¡¯s signet and seal at the bottom.


    "Does this document bears your signet, Rupert," great  king Thuragon said, his voice heavy with accusation. "Signed in your own blood, no less. It strips you of your title and all your lands."


    Rupert¡¯s face turned red with rage. "That document was forced out of me! It¡¯s not binding! I was under duress!"


    Derreck shook his head. "You signed it willingly in front of witnesses, your own force captain will testify to that. You were afraid, Rupert. And now you¡¯re trying to weasel your way out of it. But it doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re done."


    Stolen story; please report.


    The kings exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. King Thuragon, the lord of Holforth and the eldest of the council, finally spoke. "This is a grave matter. A dispute between nobles cannot be resolved so easily especially while this council is in attendance. There are claims on both sides, and the truth must be revealed. Therefore, I decree and I¡¯m sure my follow kings would agree that this matter be settled in the old way¡ªthrough a battle of champions. The winner will decide who holds the title of lord of the Northlands of the Vargas family."


    The hall fell silent. Rupert¡¯s sneer returned, and he glanced at Derreck with malicious glee, he fully expected this to happen, his father warned him that old king Thuragon was nostalgic for the past when kings rode at the head of their army and settled differences with shows of strength like this. "Very well, my lord. I will choose my champion, and this Derreck may choose his."


    Rupert gestured to the far side of the hall, and from the shadows emerged a hulking figure, his arms and legs bound in heavy iron shackles. The man was enormous, easily seven feet tall and built like a mountain. His face was scarred, and his eyes burned with a savage intensity. He was clearly a prisoner, likely one of Rupert¡¯s most dangerous assets.


    As the shackles were removed, Rupert smiled. "Choose your champion well and your weapon wisely, Derreck."


    Derreck stood still for a moment, his gaze locking onto the hulking man as the crowd in the hall began to murmur. His knights shifted uneasily at the sight of this monster of a man, even Lady Amelia seemed concerned.  Only the orcs remained ready for action, they had taken to puffing up their chests and looking more aggressive so their lord would pick them to battle in his honor. Derreck stopped for a moment sizing up his opponenet then looking to the kings in attendance watching their faces of mixed concern and contempt for Rupert in using a criminal to settle a matter of honor. But then, a slow smile crept across Derreck¡¯s face, and he glanced at Rupert with a glint of amusement in his eyes, a plan of action had formed.


    "we choose lopping, my lords in attendance. Lopping," Derreck said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.


    The room fell into stunned silence. Lopping was a brutal, almost barbaric form of bare-knuckle boxing, with few rules and a high likelihood of fatalities. It was considered a crude sport, one that only the most desperate or reckless would engage in and only the lowest of men would watch as sport. The nobles of Holforth stared at Derreck in disbelief, wondering if he had lost his mind.


    ¡°And for my champion I choose myself¡± Derreck added as gasps of disapproval rose up from many lords but not king Thuragon an old king who remembered his youth when a mans kingdom rested on the back of his horse and was kept by his the strength of his army. A single nod of approval was all Derrck received from the great king but to many no greater compliment existed from the great king.


    The grand commotion grew as all those in attendance now rightly knew this man must be mad to pit himself this titan of an opponent.


    Rupert Vargas blinked, taken aback for a moment, before he regained his composure. "Lopping? Are you mad? You can¡¯t possibly think you¡¯ll survive this."


    Derreck¡¯s smile widened. "I think I¡¯ll manage."


    Clyde stepped up to Derreck¡¯s side as he was removing his shirt, his face pale with concern. "Are you sure about this, lord Derreck? I know That man, he¡¯s killed twenty men with his bare hands for the Vargas family. This is suicide."


    Derreck chuckled as he handed Clyde his wristwatch. "Hold onto this for me. When the timer hits two minutes, call out to me."


    Clyde looked down at the watch, then back up at Derreck, his brows furrowed in confusion. "You think you¡¯ll last that long?"


    Derreck¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter thinking of his heightened abilities. "Just do it."


    The crowd began to move toward the arena¡ªa private space within the council hall, reserved for such duels. The nobles followed in eager anticipation, their curiosity piqued by this Derreck¡¯s unusual choice to settle this dispute. Rupert¡¯s champion, the hulking man, was already warming up, cracking his knuckles and grinning savagely. He looked like a force of nature, ready to tear Derreck apart.


    Derreck¡¯s revealing his lean, muscular frame, and stepped into the arena. His eyes were calm, focused, as if he were already preparing for the inevitable onslaught. Lady Amelia, watching from a riser reserved for the kings on the sidelines, seemed visibly distressed, though she kept her composure.


    "Derreck," she called out softly as he passed by. "Are you sure about this?"


    He turned to her, his expression softening for a moment. "Trust me." But in truth this would be a huge leap of faith that his blessings would give him the edge.


    The contest began, and the hulking man wasted no time. He charged at Derreck like a bull, swinging massive fists that could have shattered stone. Derreck raised his arms moved into his opponents strike, blocking the blows with his arms bent at an angle, each punch sent him reeling, knocking him back and forth across the arena like a rag doll but somehow he was still standing. The crowd laughed, and Rupert smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle.


    A particularly hard blow sent Derreck crashing to the ground. For a moment, it seemed as if the fight was over. Lady Amelia turned her face away, unable to watch as her father held her hand to comfort her, while Rupert chuckled darkly from the stands. But then, slowly, Derreck pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from a cut above his right eye.


    Clyde, who had been watching the watch intently, cried out, "Two minutes, Derreck!"


    The crowd fell silent, their laughter dying on their lips replaced by confusion, why did he need to know the time at a moment like this. Even the hulking man, confused by Derreck¡¯s sudden rise, hesitated for a moment. Derreck¡¯s entire demeanor changed. He moved with a newfound grace and speed, dodging the man¡¯s blows with ease or taking them with no visible signs of damage. The crowd gasped as he began landing precise strikes to the nerve clusters on the man¡¯s arms, causing him to bellow in pain and frustration as Derreck moved in to of balance the man and throw him to the ground in a way that looked like the large man weighed nothing.


    Derreck ducked under a wild swing and darted forward, slamming his elbow into the man¡¯s solar plexus. The man doubled over, gasping for breath, and Derreck seized the opportunity. He grabbed the man around the waist, executing a flawless hip throw that sent the giant crashing to the ground yet again. Without missing a beat, Derreck locked in a rear naked choke, his arms tightening around the man¡¯s thick neck.


    The hulking man struggled, his massive hands clawing at Derreck¡¯s arms, but it was no use. Within minutes, his struggles ceased, and he lay motionless on the ground dead.


    The arena was silent, the nobles staring in disbelief. Rupert¡¯s face had turned an ashen shade of white, his smug grin completely wiped away.


    King Thuragon rose to his feet, his voice booming across the arena in an excited tone he couldn¡¯t hide. "The contest is over. Lord Derreck of Atalantha Viscount of the northlands of Varinja, warlord of the north is the victor."


    Rupert, now trembling with rage and fear, tried to protest, but the king¡¯s guards were already moving toward him. "Rupert Vargas," King Thuragon said coldly, "you are hereby stripped of your title and lands, and you will answer for your crimes against the orcs and the people of the Northlands."


    As Rupert was led away in shackles, Derreck rose to his feet, wiping the blood from his brow. The kings looked at him with a mixture of fear and awe he couldn¡¯t quite understand, it was almost as if they¡¯ve seen that kind of fighting before and it terrified them, even Lady Amelia, who had feared for him just moments before was now regarded him with a new sense of astonishment.


    "Your title of viscount of the northlands as well as your kingship of the floating fortress of Atalantha  is now recognized," King Thuragon said. "You¡¯ve proven your worth, lord Derreck of Atalantha."


    The delegation retired for the evening agreeing to discuss lord Derreck¡¯s new business first thing in the morning, this leaving the open crowd around the arena buzzing with talk of the strange and powerful fighting style of the knights of Atalantha and how similar but different it was from that of the soldiers of Zion. As Derreck walked back to his quarters, Clyde handed him his watch, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "I don¡¯t know exactly how you pulled that off that trick, but I need to learn that."


    Derreck smiled, slipping the watch back onto his wrist. "It¡¯s all about timing."

 Chapter 10: Midnight Council

    The corridors of King Thuragon¡¯s palace were eerily quiet this late at night as Derreck was led through a series of winding halls, lit only by the dim glow of torches. His escort, a young servant with nervous eyes, moved quickly and quietly, stopping before an ancient-looking wooden door reinforced with iron bands. The servant gave Derreck a quick, nervous glance, gesturing for him to enter.


    ¡°The Kings are waiting my lord,¡± he whispered before quickly disappearing down the corridor.


    Derreck took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Beyond was a large chamber with a vaulted ceiling, its stone walls adorned with tapestries of battles and the sigils of the many noble houses of Virinja. At the center of the room stood a circular table, around which sat the most powerful rulers of the peninsula: King Thuragon of Holforth and the other kings many of them old and grey their  titles were as old as the stones beneath their feet. They all turned their eyes to Derreck as he entered.


    King Thuragon, a towering man with a broad chest and silver-streaked beard who¡¯s body still possessed a hardness from years of battle first as a mercenary then as a barbarian king who rose up to make his kingdom the largest and most powerful in the peninsula first with war then with alliances and pacts of peace that saw a two generations without war in all the kingdoms of Varinja. The king rose from his seat. His eyes, stern but warm, regarded Derreck with a mixture of respect and curiosity.


    ¡°Lord Derreck of Atalantha,¡± Thuragon greeted him, his voice deep and authoritative. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the late hour but we¡¯ve called you here to discuss matters that cannot be spoken of in the light of day.¡±


    Derreck gave a respectful nod, stepping forward. He could sense the weight of the moment, the air thick with tension. The Kings of Virinja were not accustomed to secrecy, but Zion¡¯s invasion and the looming war had changed everything. Derreck knew this meeting was far more than a mere council of strategy.


    King Balric of Theris, a grizzled veteran of many wars, leaned forward, his weathered face showing lines of wear and battle fatigue. ¡°We saw how you delt with your opponent in the arena today,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°Your skill¡­ it¡¯s unlike anything we¡¯ve ever seen even those zealots of Zion with their bewitched fighting style couldn¡¯t stand against you. That man Rupert threw at you was a beast, a killing machine only kept alive to kill for his masters, yet you dispatched him with your bare hands.¡±


    King Randar, regal and sharp-eyed, added, ¡°Tell us, lord Derreck, is this some divine gift? A blessing from the gods? Or is it something¡­ more human?¡±


    The room fell silent as the council awaited his answer. Derreck glanced at their faces, seeing a mixture of awe and fear. His fighting style, honed through years of discipline and training in multiple arts that he cherry picked movements and strategies from to suit him best, was unlike the standard sword-and-shield tactics of the knights schools they were accustomed to and certainly not the brutality of Lopping which was the hand fighting style the peninsula was used to, consisting mostly of wide swinging roundhouse punches and crude blocks that sometimes did as much harm to the defender as it did to the attacker. His style was something else entirely¡ªsomething the rulers of Virinja didn¡¯t fully understand but had seen something like before in the armies of Zion where every soldier fights this way from the lowliest squire to the commanders of their forces, all of them well versed in these fighting arts.


    Derreck cleared his throat. ¡°though the gods did bless me with divine gifts, Your Majesties. The skills I use are not granted by any god, they are the result of years of training and discipline. In my homeland of Atalantha, masters of these arts have developed techniques that focus on using one¡¯s body as a weapon¡ªstriking, grappling, and incapacitating opponents with precision and efficiency. What you saw today was not a miracle, just training, and while my blessings played a part in my opponent¡¯s defeat I believe even without them the result would be the same.¡±


    The council members exchanged glances, absorbing his words. There was a palpable sense of relief but also concern.


    ¡°Then,¡± King Thuragon began, his tone cautious, ¡°this is something that can be taught? To our armies? Can they learn to fight as you and your Knights do?¡±


    Derreck hesitated, knowing the truth would be disappointing. ¡°Yes and no, Your Majesty. It takes years¡ªsometimes decades¡ªto master some of these techniques to the level you saw today. Most soldiers would not have the time or the patience to achieve that level of skill.¡±


    A collective sigh seemed to ripple through the room, a wave of disappointment. The kings, faced with the daunting task of stopping Zion¡¯s forces, had hoped for a miracle¡ªa way to level the playing field against an enemy that seemed almost invincible so far the way they took the nation of Drezil in a single day was shocking and the tales of the survivors were more so, how the moved as if the were one each man having a different purpose but all related to the actions of the group, and how each of them fought in a strange style of combat that rivaled even the magic weapons of the famed knights of Drezil.


    But then, Derreck sensing their disappointment continued, ¡°However, not all hope is lost. While mastery takes years, there are many basic techniques can be taught quickly and used quite effectively. Soldiers from my homeland have learned to use these methods of defense and hand-to-hand combat as a collective so each man works together giving them a significant advantage on the battlefield. It won¡¯t make them unbeatable, but it will give them all the tools to survive and combat even seasoned fighters.¡±


    The council visibly brightened at his words. King Balric nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Zion¡¯s forces have proven to be ferocious, but if we can give our men something to even the odds, it will make all the difference.¡±


    King Thuragon¡¯s expression softened, and he gave Derreck a nod of gratitude. ¡°You¡¯ve given us hope this night, Lord Derreck. That is more than we expected before today.¡±


    The conversation shifted as the kings began to discuss plans for integrating Derreck¡¯s techniques into their training regimens by having smaller regiments learn the techniques and train other regiments spreading the knowledge quickly, but Thuragon remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on Derreck. Finally, the king spoke again, his voice quieter, more contemplative.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°After witnessing your actions here I have seen much about what kind of man you are, you prefer to lead your men not follow from the back like most of these young lord today, and you carefully show your enemy only what you must, you could have defeated that man with ease at any time but you chose to see the full measure of our strength before acting being careful not to show us all your tricks which is also good. But after speaking with my daughter, Lady Amelia, I¡¯ve learned much more about you than just your skill in battle.¡± Thuragon¡¯s eyes were searching, probing, as if trying to fully understand the intentions of the man standing before him. ¡°She speaks of you with great admiration and affection I would say. You¡¯ve done more than simply fight for glory; you¡¯ve shown mercy, kindness, and a willingness to do what no other knight in all of Varinja would for the good of not just your people but for all people.¡±


    Derreck shifted uneasily under the king¡¯s gaze, unsure of where the conversation was leading. Thuragon¡¯s words carried a weight beyond simple praise.


    ¡°Amazing tales of bravery and triumph like your defeat of the orc warlords with nothing but a dagger and fighting off a horde single handed, I could not believe at first these tales of this knight of Atalantha, kissed by the goddess of mercy in mortal form, a man who makes knights of orcs and peasants who fight more fiercely than a pack of dire wolves, protects those without even a home to call fealty to and gives away the spoils of his hard fought victories to those in need simply because it is the right thing. All of it sounds impossible but knowing Amelia her word is without question so what now must I make of this knight without peerage,¡± Thuragon continued. ¡°These are the actions of a man who values something greater than power or riches. When I was but a boy in the free armies of the northern steppes we herd tales of Atalantha where knights were men of deeds not words, and we tried in our youth as mercenaries in the free kingdoms to embody that to the point that when I served the tyrant king Morsaris and learned of his misdeeds against the people of Holforth I confronted him not for me but in defense of the men in my command, men of his country fighting under his flag, in the end I did slay him for his crimes, not for the crown but for the greater good of the land. It was only later that I was crowned king by the lords of this land, probably because the people would have rebelled if it was not the slayer of Morsaris the bringer of freedom leading them.¡±


    The other kings had quieted, their attention now focused solely on the conversation between Derreck and King Thuragon.


    ¡°I have now been king these 35 years,¡± Thuragon said, his voice low and serious. ¡°and I have made Holforth the strongest kingdom in all of Virinja, and it must remain strong if we are to stand against Zion and whatever heresy they have planned for us. But strength alone is not enough. We need allies we can trust¡ªmen of honor and principle who will do what is needed not just what will increase their holdings. Men like you. An alliance with men like these knights of Atalantha is the only way to bring us victory in this war and the challenges that will come next. And as we all know well, these alliances are forged not just in battle, but in blood.¡±


    Derreck¡¯s heart began to race as he realized what Thuragon was leading to.


    ¡°I must secure your loyalty, Derreck of Atalantha,¡± Thuragon said. ¡°And there is only one way to do that. I ask ¡ªno, I offer you¡ªmy daughter¡¯s hand in marriage. Lady Amelia is quite taken with you and as I am told she has already pledged herself to you and will not relinquish that vow. I have come to believe that with you by her side, my kingdom will remain strong. Together, you will rule Holforth, and I will know that my legacy is in safe hands.¡±


    The room went silent. The offer hung in the air like a heavy cloud, its implications far-reaching. Marriage to Lady Amelia would make him the heir to the throne of the most powerful kingdom in Virinja a prize many a man had tried to achieve in the past only to be rejected by Thuragon¡¯s shrewd negotiating skills as well as his daughter¡¯s unapparelled beauty.


    Derreck¡¯s mind raced. He had never expected this. The truth was he had fallen in love with her long before he knew her, back when he wrote his novel. The one detail he had tried to change over and over was her impending death which he could never stop. At the end of the war he wrote Darien going back to the beginning of the war in some vain attempt to save her but he wrote himself into a corner and had to have him go back again to fix it but again the words flowed out almost automatically without his conscious thought causing her death. In the end he couldn¡¯t keep writing it over and over and ended the novel with Darein cursing the gods for not letting him save her just to save everything else and he chose to let the world destroy itself. And yet, now, here she was being offered to him as a way to cement his place in the kingdom¡¯s future. But with that offer came the weight of responsibility¡ªresponsibility for Amelia¡¯s life, for Holforth, for the war that loomed on the horizon that may have him choose between them.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Derreck began, struggling to find the words. ¡°My lord, I cannot accept. Lady Amelia is¡­ a wonderful woman and of course I would be honored to have her in my life and I feel as though I have grown deep feelings for her, but¡­¡±


    King Thuragon¡¯s expression hardened slightly, but he allowed Derreck to speak.


    ¡°But if the gods chose me to stop Zion, it¡¯s because I¡¯ve seen visions of this war. I know much of what¡¯s to come, and I fear that if Amelia follows me into this war, she will die. I don¡¯t know if I could stop that even with several lives to see it through but I also know I can¡¯t bear to see it¡ªor to lose her.¡±


    A soft, feminine voice interrupted the tense silence. ¡°I think I should have something to say about how I die, Derreck.¡±


    All eyes turned to the doorway, where Lady Amelia stood, her arms crossed, her face a mixture of frustration and affection. She stepped forward, her boots echoing softly against the stone floor.


    ¡°If Zion comes, I will answer the call of my people,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I will fight, with or without you by my side. That is my duty as a soldier of Holforth. But I know now that the safest place for me is by your side. I¡¯ve pledged myself to you as a knight and as a woman, and I will not go back on that now.¡±


    Derreck stood frozen, unsure how to respond. His heart swelled with emotions he hadn¡¯t expected to feel, and for a moment, he was lost for words. Amelia stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his with a fierce determination.


    ¡°All I needed to hear,¡± she whispered, ¡°was that you would be happy to have me in your life because you have grown deep feelings for me. And that¡¯s all I could have ever wanted.¡±


    Before he could reply, Amelia closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce embrace, she didn¡¯t need the words just knowing he loved her was enough. Derreck, stunned but overwhelmed with a sense of relief, he returned the hug as the small crowd in the room began to clap softly, the moment of tension dissipating.


    King Thuragon, his stern demeanor softened by the sight of his daughter¡¯s happiness, nodded approvingly. ¡°Then it is settled,¡± he said. ¡°You will marry, and together, you will lead Holforth to victory.¡±


    As the applause faded, the real business of the council resumed. The kings gathered around the table, and the mood shifted from celebration to determination. Maps were unfurled, and strategies were discussed. The war against Zion was far from over, and now that Derreck was tied to the fate of Holforth as well as his store in the wilderness, but he also knew of all the battles ahead there were events that never wavered in each regression and those would be what he would now have to prepare for next. They would test everything he had ever known about Varinja.


    But for now, as Amelia stood by his side, he felt ready to face whatever came next.