Chapter Ashborn 385: Tejas’ Gambit

Vir gazed down upon the slow-moving, slovenly mass from his perch high atop a dark peak just inches away from the Ash Boundary. The wolves claimed the nearby peaks, surrounding Vir as they, too, eyed the convoy, silently salivating in anticipation.

“Another one…” Ashani muttered. “Is there no end to these?”

“I suspect they are having quite the time ridding themselves of their unwanteds, now that the Prana Gorger is gone,” Vir said. “In their eyes, less than half of the prisoners they receive are good for the sort of work they need them for. For them, the rest are merely dead weight. A drain upon their resources.”

“How utterly barbaric. Is slavery a common practice amongst your people?”

Vir winced when Ashani called them his people. Because they were, weren’t they? As much as Vir wished to deny it, Vir belonged to the same race that committed these heinous atrocities.

“Afraid so,” he admitted. “But not for long. Not if I ascend to power.”

Banishing the vile practice would be among the first things he did. First in his clan, as his father had, and then across the realm.

“They have to journey close to the Boundary now, hoping for an Ash Beast horde to come along and separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.”

It was ironic, really. After Vir’s liberation of the doomed slaves, the Chits had upped their security details, assigning many more troops to each expedition. It was why Vir decided against raiding the convoys. There would be far too many deaths to justify the cost. Both among his own demons, who were still weak at the time, and among the slaves they hoped to free.

The situation had shifted, however. The Chits simply weren’t losing as many slaves as they once did, and as such, there were far more expeditions.

Vir had received word that the Chits had started simply killing the prisoners, but that led to a mass revolt, resulting in the deaths of the whole batch of slaves and a handful of garrison guards. It seemed wanton slaughter was the straw that finally broke the slaves’ back.

Most of this information had reached them through Gunin, his faithful Chitran spy, who risked so much to bring them information. Vir couldn’t imagine what it must be like for the poor soul, operating on his own in the enemy’s den when Gargans were being put to death all around him.

He’d see to it that the kothi was handsomely rewarded for his service. To this day, Vir regretted not being there for them. For Gunin, and for all those who’d perished at the Chits’ brutality. As Cirayus was so quick to remind him, however, Vir wasn’t omnipotent. He couldn’t be everywhere at once.

The Chits quickly abandoned the practice after that disaster, favoring death by Ash Beast instead.

That meant more expeditions, which in turn spread the Chits thin, with barely a handful of Ash’va mounted guards policing the group.

Now, they were vulnerable, and there was little they could do against it. If Vir’s raid succeeded, he’d send his troops to raid the Chits. With luck, he could gain a few thousand soldiers before the main Chitran army mobilized.

It was underhanded guerrilla warfare, pure and simple. Were it against civilians, Vir would hesitate. Against the Chitran army, however, there was no limit to how far he’d stoop. They deserved every drop of karma they received.

“I’m heading down,” Vir announced. “Would you like to join me, or…”

“Or wait up here like a statue?” Ashani asked, raising an eyebrow. “I promised to aid you, and so I shall. My powers are at your disposal. Besides, Cirayus made it quite clear we were to stay together at all times.”

“Thanks,” Vir said with a small smile. “With your help, this should go smoothly. Now, here’s what we’ll do…”

“Back in line! Or would you sorry sods like another round of collar?” Tejas spat, whipping the nearest slave for good measure. The Gargan pigs had been falling over all day, whining about their thirst and hunger.

They thought he didn’t see the way they glared at him when they thought he wasn’t looking, but he did. Despite all the Chitran had done for them, despite the mercy… Did they think their meals grew on trees? Did they have any idea how much the Chitran sacrificed to feed their kind?

And what did they get for it? Halfhearted labor and hatred.

“Ingrates,” Tejas muttered, riding up to his colleagues.

“Nearly there, now,” Radhaman said as Tejas drew near. As leader of the convoy, Radhaman never slept. He couldn’t afford to, as thin-spread as they were. Tejas respected the kothi. He had a good head over his shoulders, and he looked after his own. Tejas only wished he spent more time caring for himself. At this rate, he’d drive himself to the ground.

“About Ash damned time,” Tejas replied. Even if their expedition had several more days left, the thought of only having to put up with half of the Gargan swine filled Tejas’ heart with glee. Fewer Gargans meant more food for him and the other guards. It meant half the stink of unwashed bodies, but it was the complaining that drew Tejas mad.

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Thankfully, it always got better after a culling. For whatever reason, the surviving Gargans were much quieter on the way back. Perhaps it was because they realized good behavior was rewarded. Or maybe it was the way the swine mourned for their fallen. If they were even capable of such feelings.

“Tejas, look sharp,” Radhaman said. “Ash Wolves spotted ahead!”

“About time we got a break,” Tejas said, grinning as he drew his sword. Not that he intended to use it. Ash Wolves were the best they could have hoped for. The ones who made it here were often ravenous, driven mad by the lack of prana and food. Without fault, they targeted the first living being they spotted.

Which was, of course, the Gargan filth. They’d have their chase to defend, but it’d end in a retreat. It always did. Tejas would allow them their fill as the convoy moved, ensuring the wolves had a steady stream of fresh demons to dine on. All the way back to Garrison Jatayu.

If only it were this easy every time, Tejas thought. Some of the beasts possessed a genuine threat to the entire expedition, and the guards were often the first to go. Of course, they had orders to abandon the Gargans should the situation become hopeless, but Tejas knew just how difficult it could be to get away from some of these creatures. Run, and they would follow, latching onto you like an excited bandy.

The first wolf fell into the mob, and Tejas laughed. “That’s right! Fight them off!” he shouted. “Those who prove themselves get to return!”

His words were no lie. Those who pulled their weight were rewarded. Even filthy Gargans. The Chitran would clothe, feed, and shelter anyone, so long as they were useful. A policy far too generous, in Tejas’ opinion. For centuries, hadn’t the Garga done worse? Hadn’t they fed them to the wolves on the border, happy to pretend they didn’t exist?

Fury built in Tejas’ blood. He needed a release. Spotting a lagging Gargan, he drew up alongside and kicked the filth back in line.

“Break rank, and you will be punished!” Tejas shouted, ordering his Ash’va to rear up on her hind legs.

“Please, sir,” the demon said. “I am old. I cannot fight.”

“Then do your friends a favor and die, instead,” Tejas said, spitting at the filth’s feet.

Selfish, the lot of them. If they cannot fight, the least they could do was give their food and water to others who needed it.

Tejas shook off the thought, instead watching as the wolves made their way through the mob.

The screams rang out as usual. They were loudest in the beginning. More voices. Odd. The cries weren’t as loud as Tejas remembered. Was this lot perhaps hardier than the rest? Good. A chance to impress the garrison commander.

“Tejas!” Radhaman called. “Ride out! Defeat the wolves!”

Tejas’s brow furrowed. “But why? Are they not—”

“Stop questioning my orders and go!”

Tejas turned in time to see an Ash Wolf surge from the mob. It sailed through the air, hung at the apex of its jump… and pounced.

It all happened so fast, Tejas hardly had time to see the guard ripped off his mount.

“What?” he blurted, unable to make sense of the sight. Yes, guards sometimes fell to the wolves, but never like this. In fact…

Tejas hurriedly scanned the mob. No. It couldn’t be!

Where were the dead bodies? Where were the cries of the dying? The Gargans were unharmed. Then…

Tejas turned just in time to see a wolf jump out of the mob. Headed for him.

Tejas was no fool. Abandoning any thought of fighting back, he jumped off his mount, drawing his talwar and rolling deftly into a sprint in one smooth motion.

He did not run from the mob, though. An open field? Endless space for the wolves to run? That would be suicide. No, he blended into the mob, ducking to avoid notice. He’d simply tell Radhaman later he was attacked. He would understand.

If he survives, Tejas thought. Dealing with the Gargans alone would be troublesome, but he had a collar controller. While not ideal, he could wrest the mob into order if he had to. Getting them back to the garrison was another question, but he’d deal with that particular problem later.

Tejas stealthily slunk through the panicked mob, using the chaos to his advantage. No one noticed. No one saw. And no one bothered him.

Until he slipped past two Gargans and came face to face with a wolf that sat on its haunches.

Tejas froze. This was no ordinary Ash Wolf. It sat patiently, regarding him with intelligent eyes. Judging eyes.

Slowly, Tejas backed away. No sudden movements. Not until…

There. A warmth on his back. Tejas spun, grabbing the Gargan filth behind him and throwing him to the wolf.

That would distract the creature. Tejas tore into a sprint in the opposite direction, shoving Gargans out of his way until he reached the other end of the mob. Only then did he catch his breath.

He was safe now. All he needed was to ride out the massacre. The wolves would leave. They always did. And then…

“Going somewhere?” a voice said.

Tejas spun, and seeing no one, let out a breath. With so much chaos, the words could have been addressed to anyone. Only then did he recognize the stress he’d been under.

Calm thoughts, Tejas. You will survive this, as you always have.

It helped. Tejas regained his breath. His wits about him, he decided to change location.

At least, he tried. His leg would not move.

Strange. Looking down, he saw nothing binding him. Yet try as he might, he couldn’t move.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” a voice said. The same voice from before. “Just trying out a new technique I learned. Hmm, but focusing Balancer on body parts is harder than I thought.”

“Who are you?” Tejas cried out. “Show yourself!”

There was a pause, and then a single word.

“No.”

Searing pain shot through Tejas feet. He screamed, crumpling to ground. Except, instead of hitting the ground, he continued to fall. Into his own shadow.

“Iksana,” he whispered, the word itself a curse.

Dread chilled Tejas’ veins. If there was an Iksana among them…

All light disappeared from the world. Sounds muted. His body froze in a world of shadow, unable to move even a hair’s breadth. It was the terrifying world of the Iksana, and he’d just been drowned in it.

Powerless to resist. Unable to breathe.

What have I ever done to the Iksana? He thought, panicking.

And then, just as Tejas felt he was about to suffocate, it began.

The pain. Though his body remained perfectly still, searing pain wracked his left leg. Then the right. Then his belly. His arms… Soon, his body was drowned in pain. Pain he could not explain.

Then the shadows shifted, spitting him out into the world, and the pain he’d felt multiplied a hundredfold. He convulsed on the ground, writhing helplessly as his bones snapped one by one.

“Interesting,” someone said. “I did not think that would work.”

“You monster!” Tejas spat, his mind consumed by delirium and pain.

The sound of boots grew louder. The demon kneeled.

“Monster?” he said. “Tell me. Is it monstrous to feed demons to Ash Wolves? Is it monstrous to take pride in watching them be ripped to shreds? Is it monstrous to kick an old demon too tired to walk? No, Tejas. I’m afraid the only monster here is you. Atone with your life.”

“Who are you?” Tejas wheezed.

“Someone who hunts monsters.”

They were the last words Tejas heard before the light in his eyes dimmed and the pain faded, and all turned to darkness. And somehow, he knew.

They were the last words he would ever hear.