Ultimate Level 1
Chapter 501: Secret Plans

Chapter 501 - Secret Plans

Aerthen’s thrumming echoed through the cavern as she gazed upon Max, Rakonath, and the rest of the party.

“You realize that such an action will guarantee the king will come after you?”

Max nodded and shrugged.

“No matter what I do, her father will come for her and our child. They wouldn't be safe if I weren’t in the picture. Something feels off about the timing in all this, but a rare opportunity has been granted. I’ll ask again if you will join us in the coming battle.”

Slowly, the large-scaled head began to move up and down, and as it did, Rakonath began to trill.

“Do not think I will risk my life for anyone but you or him,” Aerthen said. “The life of your allies falls squarely upon your shoulders. When the time for battle comes, I shall engage from above and cause chaos but I will prefer to stay out of range. A king… a true king is not one to play with.”

Dagon’s words filled his mind as she spoke, reminding him that a king was given many things, and those gifts and abilities could change the course of a battle in moments.

“Any help you grant is appreciated,” Max replied. “Now then, are you willing to assist with the siege of Mylho Alora as well?”

Thrumming once more the red dragon began to shrink, transforming into her smaller humanoid version.

“What kind of dragon would I be to pass up raiding a capital?”

***

Tanila pointed to the section of the castle they would need to enter, and Max couldn’t help but smile as he gazed up at the city from above.

With dawn still four hours away they had the cover of night and flying from Athelia’s hideout to here had taken no time at all.

Tanila says we need to land over there. Where that garden and the spires are. Ask if she thinks there will be enough room for both of you.

You have no idea how horrible it is to relay messages between you two. Aerthen always has her idea of how things should go, yet I try to convince her to follow your plan.

So that’s a yes…

A silver eye stared at him as his dragon slowly nodded his head.

It is a good thing I have missed you or I would have gladly let you ride on her back.

That’s a lie and we both know it.

A small thrum came as Rakonath turned his attention back toward the castle.

“It looks incredible from up here!” Max shouted. “How far does the city go?”

“Dozens of miles,” Tanila replied. “You can see those lights off over there? They are the capital's official border, each stopping at a section of cleared lands before the trees are allowed to grow. I warned you there is only one safe spot for an army to come from, and it is on that main road.”

Nodding, he squeezed her a little tighter, feeling the growing bump of her belly and sensing their child kick slightly.

Knowing that Savantus had created a magical barrier of traps, spells, and other nasty surprises in the forest around his capital was a testament to the elf's power and planning.

She says no, but she will stay up here, letting me know if something comes and attacking anyone who bothers us.

Should I be concerned?

Those siege weapons are far enough away that we should be fine and if something comes, I have no doubt you can use a spell to stop it. She hasn’t detected any magical defenses that might be present and Tanila said there weren’t any she knew of.

Which is silly when you know there are dragons…

But we are also not foolish enough to anger a kingdom… Aerthen… she is siding with you. However this goes, let it be known that the only reason why she has come is because she feels obligated to repay what you did for her. No matter what you say, she will insist it is there and take care of it.

Grumbling to himself, Max hated that the dragon felt that way but was also grateful for any help she might give in the coming days.

That’s fine. Tell her thank you again, and we’ll hurry. I don’t want to waste too much time. I’ve got a meeting to attend back in Peltagow.

Rakonath thrummed and Max scratched a scale near where he sat, realizing how much he missed touching his dragon.

“Once we’re inside, it’s all you!”

Tanila nodded and squeezed his hand on her hip.

***

Shouts came as they moved along the edge of the garden. A pair of elves were dead on the grassy section, struck down by their princess when Tanila realized they could resist her orders.

“They’re weak!” she shouted as she led them upstairs. “None of these are that far in the tower.”

“You mean he pulled all the elite guards?” Cordellia yelled from the back. “Why?!”

Max waited for an answer that never came.

Like her shadow, he moved barely a step behind Tanila, ready for anything that might come as she led them through hallways.

Ornate pictures, carvings, metal sculptures, and more lined the walls, yet the wooden roots along the top of the white stones were the most beautiful.

Each one looked like a living picture, somehow forming shapes and scenes.

I’m guessing they have or had someone with a skill like mine.

Seeing what could be done with his Wood Mastery ability beyond just making weapons or attacking someone gave him hope that one day he might be thought of as more than just a warrior.

“Left!”

Everyone followed in step as their boots announced their movement.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Intruders!”

Four guards approached them, each with a red sash over their left arm.

Two raised bows while the others came at them with swords and shields.

He wanted to say that he solely acted out of care and love but the truth was, Max needed to satisfy an urge he felt.

Gone were the beautiful root carvings and scenes as he used his magic to tear them from the stone walls, stretching and reaching out until they dug into the flesh of the elf’s faces and necks.

Tanila was right; what would have simply been a hindrance for most killed the four in a second.

She missed a step, and he saw her slightly turn her head to look at him.

“Don’t wait, we need to go,” Max said as the cold power rushed through him.

[ Consume is Locked ]

One notification came, and he wondered why or how a guard might have something he could use.

As they strode past the first pair, he frowned, gazing upon them and noticing their build. The armor didn’t fit right, and when they reached the ones with bows, he grabbed onto Tanila’s robes, stopping her.

“Wait! Something’s wrong.”

She looked at him and frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Look at them. Their hands. How many archers or guards do you know who have burn marks like that on the top of them?

Bending down, Tanila looked over the dead bodies, inspecting the hands and then slowly reaching out to touch the red sash on their arms.

She screamed as she touched it and yanked her hand back, her entire arm twitching violently.

“Batr–”

“On it!” their healer called out as she caused a glow to surround their mage.

“What is it?” Max asked.

“These… are normal workers… from the palace. No one special but with jobs that are… common. And those sashes are warded. I think…” She frowned and turned to look at him. “I think he might have thought we’d attempt to come here.”

“So a trap is set?”

Chewing on her lip she nodded slowly.

“What kind… that’s the real question. I mean… he has access to more spells than I can imagine. If he’s done this then…”

Standing, Tanila pointed at the door.

“Do me a favor and see if you can detect anything on it.”

“Like a trap?

“Exactly like a trap,” she replied.

Motioning for everyone to back up a little bit, he took a deep breath and summoned an air wall before them.

Slowly he moved to where the door was, trying to sense anything that might be off. His trap detection skill didn’t reveal anything.

Holding his hand out until it was a few inches from the wood, he waited, closing his eyes and trying to focus on anything that felt off.

“I’ve got nothing, “ Max said after about ten seconds. “No traps, nothing.”

“Back up then, we’ll do this my way.”

He could feel his face scrunching, but he didn’t argue. He moved to stand beside her as she formed a stone spear and sent it crashing through the door.

As the wood ripped from the hinges, a blast of fire ripped through the doorway.

Two stone and ice walls rose as Max and Tanila summoned them, fighting against the flames that raced down the hallway toward them.

His wind magic rushed at the incoming flames and Max used his Stone Mastery to pull free the walls and form a barrier.

Heat washed over them all as he stood before them, shield out.

A boulder slammed into the doorway and cut off the inferno, leaving jets of fire that still shot out from the edges and cracks that weren’t sealed.

Thirty seconds later the flames ended, and Max slowly relaxed, sensing whatever power had been there was gone.

“What in the gods was that?” Fowl asked. “Did the damn king booby trap his own home?”

“It appears so,” Tanila replied as she dismissed the boulder. “I guess he is smarter than we gave him credit for.”

“Uh… we got incoming,” Cordellia said as the sound of metal boots on stone came from behind.

Turning his attention to the hallway behind them, Max saw six guards appear, all wearing red armor.

“Princess… I mean Tanila… are those the real ones?”

Max could tell these new opponents differed from those they had seen so far. They moved with a grace that spoke of battle.

“They are.. Yes…”

“Fowl, keep them safe,” Max said as he moved to face the six.

“You’re not going to fight them all are you?” their warrior asked.

“I am… I… I think Bob needs me to.”

His sonar told him every one of his friends looked at him after he had spoken.

“Bob? Needs you to kill… elves?” Batrire asked.

“Not just elves… something other than creatures… I’ll tell you later but for now, let me handle this. Please.”

“Go,” Tanila said as she stood at the back of the line, her gold hair and eyes glowing as she considered the trap her father had left most likely for her.

Without waiting another moment, Max sprang forward, his weapon transforming into a double-bladed staff.

Like a thresher in the field, he moved through the hallway, the six of them forming up, shields and weapons prepared to defend, but unprepared for what he did next.

Wind came from behind, pushing the group forward. Stone rose from the floor, catching their feet and driving shields upward.

It seemed like a good place to fight in a hallway wide enough for four people to walk side by side and tall enough for Aerthen to be in her humanoid form.

Unfortunately for them, Max wasn’t going to fight fair. He just needed to kill them.

The first fell, their shield out of position, his blade cutting through their neck.

As the one beside them tried to recover from both the speed of his attack and the sudden change in landscape, Max kicked them, sending them flying backward and into an ally.

He laughed as the first wave of cold hit him.

Inside was a thread and it began to pulse.

The craving he had felt roared inside him.

It yearned for an escape.

And these elves had provided him with the opportunity to satisfy that craving.

Like a thirsty man, Max drank deep from the well of life.

Slaughtering them all like sheep.

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