Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 34
With a shout and a flex of her arms, Gorma staggered. Her breathing came hard and fast. Despite this, her focus was centered on Millmor before her, her face locked in a snarl of hatred.
"Just how many foul beasts and creatures are you friends with? No offence to the honoured undead that also holds the war God in him." Gorma, ground her teeth in frustration. She still had her axe in her hand half raised to strike and was staring at the bearded man before her, waiting for the telltale sight of elongating facial features or the growing of claws.
"None taken." Mortis said evenly.
"The world has been cursed." Magna said loudly, strongly. "The old Gods fell and Darkness descended on the lands. Each land and nation that stood in the way of this Darkness was cursed in one way or another."
Magna dismounted and came to stand between Gorma and Millmor, opposite her brother.
"He is a Ghoul King! A Shapeshifter! You cannot trust him! He can change into a monster that can rip you limb from limb!" Gorma said, she moved forward and put a hand out as though to pull Maga away from the danger.
Magna swatted away the hand. "I know that." She said irritably. "Do I need to give you another headbutt for you to listen to me? This one is under Derric's parent's command during the time you all slept, he watched over the infant Derric. He took command of the cursed citizens of Loghaven and managed a sort of Kingdom on our borders."
Gorma looked between the Princess, the man shaped Ghoul King. "This Derric?"
Magna jutted a thumb at Derric who was hovering behind her. "He was in some sort of stasis, as a perpetual child, but when he joined our party. That means..."
Derric swooped in and put an arm around Magna's shoulder. "That means that I am way too old for you!" He laughed heartily.
Magna scoffed and shrugged his arm off her. "It means that he still has a lot of growing up to do! Where is your shirt?"
Derric shrugged and fell backwards, changing his shape as he flipped around to land on all fours and scampered onwards.
"Your Highness." Millmor said, bowing his head. "Do remind Derric that he can change into human form fully dressed. It is in the nature of his people's magic. I fear that it is still his time in the forest and his free spiritedness that causes him to be so... informal."
Magna sighed. "I suppose I shall need to break him into some manners."
Millmor looked then to Gorma. "How is it that you can see what I am? I have no marks of affliction, yet you knew me instantly."
Gorma's face softened, but she still looked angry and sullen. "Greenskins have fought the undead and those that make them for a long time. Our Clans have a history of warfare against them. The Crimson Hammer Clan more than some, fought Ghoul Kings, Flesh Golem and hordes of lesser undead. Our Shamen of my Clan in specific, gift their newborns to see your kind when they are in disguise... after..."
"After..."
Hatred twisted Gorma's face again. Her axe leapt up into the air again. She pushed past both twins. "After a Ghoul King killed my mother! Raaaaarrrgghh!" The axe came hurtling down in the Orc Warrior's hand.
Millmor did not look like he was going to do anything about the attack. He did not have a wish to die, but he did not wish to further inflame haterd. The magics that made him and the new curses and counter curses laid on him were fighting for control to dictate his actions.
In that those few seconds, there was not enough time to decide.
The axe struck something solid and sparks flew from the impact. The man that had been the smallest of the trio had stepped in just in time and had blocked the blow with his sword.
The two weapons locked together and it seemed to be a battle of strength when a keening shriek filled the air. It started as a sound that seemed to come from far away but not in any particular direction, but then grow louder within seconds to the point where most of the party threw their hands up to cover their ears and the horses bucked and neighed.
Gorma could not hear the horses or her own yells.
Magna could not hear the horses either. In her mind, there was just the endless, wordless shriek. But it sparked a flame inside her, one that had been long supressed and tamed by the link that she had shared with her Uncle.
Rage. Bloodshed. Anger.
You're up again @lex-zaiya!
Thank you for reading!
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Vetitum Nemus
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