Risha Chapter 43

Risha woke to pain. The snow of the mountain had been placed against her skin, but she still burned with tormentous fire. 

Her vision went in and out, one second seeing Tya, the next a worried Glo. Her spiderlings never left her, always standing guard and brushing against her with their soft legs. 

Vaguely, she was aware that she’d leveled, just from escaping the fires of that angel. 

He’d only seen her for a moment, but that fire was so strong and unending. To think that such terrors existed in the world, even Klu, the dependable orc, had been near powerless. 

Risha grit her teeth, fighting against the pain to stay awake as they made their way deeper into the mountains, back to their home.

Could Risha have done something different? Yes. She could’ve just left as soon as Iris’s warning had arrived. She could’ve just left the humans, they would’ve been fine. But her greed had gotten the better of her. She’d seen the flying drakes, the power of their riders, and she’d wanted them for her people.

She’d foolishly thought that Klu would be strong enough, that the saints and angels were the same as the chieftains, within her power to reach.

She’d been wrong. Risha had made that mistake, and she was so glad that she was the only one paying for it, that her people hadn’t been burnt alive before her.

The burning pain didn’t leave her for days, and she knew that her skin twisted with the burns, terrible in their effect. Vaguely, she knew that Klu suffered much the same fate as she did, except being made of sturdier stuff than Risha, he was already on his feet by the time Risha woke up. Her spiderlings had escaped the long term damage of the fire, Tya’s healing being much more effective on them.

Still, her people made their way through the pass, a long line of monsters and humans, bundled against the melting snow.

It wasn’t until the third day that Risha could stay awake for long enough to speak. Many of the Elders visited her, not to discuss politics, but rather out of concern for her. Her people loved her, and she never felt that more than now as they all wished her well. Glo in particular, never seemed to never leave her side, constantly vigilant over her. Tya made regular visits, and when she did, Risha would see her own burnt flesh, and the skin where they’d been forced to cut her armor off of her. 

The sight brought sadness to Risha, as she knew that the burns covered her, and she dreaded to think what her face looked like.

The one boon of the experience, and the thing that Risha held onto were the levels she’d gained from the short confrontation. She now sat at level 47, a full five level gain just from surviving Raphael’s attack. 

On the fourth evening, Glo was called away by one of his lieutenants, leaving Risha alone except for her spiderlings.

She stared up at the leather of the top of her tent, bundled well in furs to protect from the cold of the pass. 

A soft noise made Risha look to the side of the tent. There, a small vine-child poked her head out from under the leathers. With a wiggle, she pushed herself the rest of the way under the side of the tent. 

Aliya stood up, brushed snow off of her pants, then looked up to catch Risha’s eyes. The vine-child froze, then wilted slightly, the vines on her ears twisting in embarrassment. 

“Hello, Aliya.” Risha’s voice came out raspy. When she’d opened her mouth to scream, the heat had invaded her lungs, and she felt the results of the action even now. 

The girl drooped further as she looked Risha over.

Risha patted the spot on the furs next to her. The girl slowly made her way over and sat down next to her. 

“You’re really hurt,” Aliya said.

“Risha will be fine. Risha is strong.” Risha flexed her arm to emphasize her words.

The girl reached up and placed her hand on Risha’s arm. Risha paused as the girl looked at her intently. 

“Can you keep a secret?” Aliya asked.

Risha tilted her head, studying the young child, then nodded. “I can.” 

Aliya stared at Risha’s arm for a long moment, then the vines on her arms twisted, slowly wrapping around Risha’s arm and traveling over her body. As the vines moved, leaves grew on their length, glowing with vitality. The vines then extended from her ankles, digging deep into the earth as a connection was made.

Flowers slowly bloomed over Aliya’s ears as her eyes glowed a soft green. The girl opened her mouth, and words came out in a language that Risha’s [Brood Mother] translated.

 “Mothers and fathers of the land, gift me with your love, bless your child so that the broken can be made whole. I am Aliyana, first of the Awakened Lin, daughter of the forests and guardian of nature. I ask for your kind and gentle magic.” 

Aliya glowed with vitality, energy traveling through her vines in the earth, and flowing through her into Risha. 

Risha’s eyes widened as her body filled with energy. Her skin rippled, the scars of her many battles closing, and the burns across her body smoothing into her normal purple skin. 

The pain, her constant companion for the last few days, disappeared, gone without a trace. 

Slowly, the glow disappeared, and Aliya’s vines returned to her, the flowers over her ears closing and disappearing into leaves as her vines twisted around her.

Aliya let out a breath, then smiled wide, “You’re healed!” 

Risha held up her arm, looking over the smooth skin. “Risha is.” 

Risha looked up to the young Lin child, her mind racing as she pondered the power that had flooded her for those few moments. Could that be why Talo asked for Risha’s protection? That power was different from any that Risha had ever experienced, the very vitality of the earth filling her. Risha could understand how greed could fill lesser creatures. Even Risha’s love of shiny things wanted her to keep Aliya to herself. 

Risha placed her hand on top of the girl’s head. 

Risha was a mother first and foremost, and this little girl was taking the place of a daughter in her heart. She would not let greed rule any of her decisions.

Risha brushed some of Aliya’s hair back, “Thank you. Your secret is safe with me.” 

The girl showed her bright white teeth in a large smile, then she gently moved some of Risha’s spiderlings and snuggled in under the furs, closer to Risha. 

Risha held her, and pet her hair until the girl fell asleep. 

“Kliks,” Risha called. 

The little spiderling poked her head out from Risha’s shoulder.

“Make sure no one other than Glo comes in here.” Risha’s hand paused in her brushing of the girl’s hair, “And make sure that Leaf-Watcher knows the girl is safe.” 

The spiderling tapped her legs, then skittered out of the tent. 

A girl who’s healing was more powerful than Tya’s. Risha got the sense that the girl hadn’t evolved, and didn’t yet have a class like the humans. If that was true, then the potential of the girl was incredible. 

There hadn’t been another assassination attempt since the last one, but if the power of the girl was realized, there would be more. 

“Kla,” The spiderling woke up from his snoozing, and crawled down her arm onto her palm. “I want you to help Leaf-Watcher keep an eye on this little one. Keep her safe.”

The spiderling tapped his legs in agreement. 

He skittered over to the little girl, then crawled around a little bit to make a resting spot on her head. He tapped his legs in contentment, and lowered himself to rest. 

Risha laughed softly to herself at the spiderlings antics, careful not to wake the sleeping vine-child. 

Risha layed down, then pulled the girl closer before falling asleep.

***

Risha stepped out of her tent, drawing the gazes of every nearby monster. Those who had seen her burns stared in shock. 

She looked over the nearby warriors, then smiled, “Tya works miracles.”

With that said, Risha continued towards the main tent. Monsters of all kinds worked hard to pack up their supplies to continue their journey. This was their last day in the pass, and everyone was eager to return to the familiar trees of their homeland. 

Everyone stopped and stared, many of them bowing as Risha passed. Risha caught sight of her first humans, a group of five men and women who watched her with wary eyes. They didn’t know what to expect from her, and she understood that.

As she approached the main tent, Saya, the drake, rose from where she rested. The drake bowed her head to Risha. 

Risha remembered that there had been two drakes with the humans. She wondered where the second one was. 

A goblin and an orc warrior opened the flaps of the tent as Risha stepped inside. Elders turned to her, their faces mirroring the expressions of the warriors she’d passed on her way here.

Tya herself sat in the corner, her eyes widening in shock. Risha turned to her, and inclined her head slightly, “You work miracles, Tya.” 

The old healer caught on a second later, and bowed low. “Of course, Grand Mother.”

Risha glanced at Klu, who stood from where he rested. His red skin hid the burn marks on his body, but Risha could still see the way the skin had deformed. 

He bowed to her, his hand on his sword, “I’m glad to see you well, Grand Mother.” 

She smiled softly, “Thank you Klu. I can never repay my debts to you.” 

“You owe me nothing.” 

Risha shook her head, then looked over to the woman who stood out from the monsters in the tent. 

Alexandra met her gaze for a moment before bowing, “Grand Mother Risha.” 

“Alexandra. I’m glad you and your people made it to us safely.”

Alexandra frowned, “I’m not sure exactly how we made it. The general had tried to stop us, but the Saint, he, well he ensured that we could leave.”

“It seems we both owe Soul,” Risha said with a sharp nod. “Is there anything else I should know?”

Elder Oltak stepped forward with a small bow, “We are ready to leave within the hour. From here it is a couple hours for us to leave the mountains and return to Orctown.”

“Good. Let’s move then.” 

The gathered monsters bowed to her, and then dispersed.

True to Elder Oltak’s words, the camp was packed quickly and they set off. 

Risha watched her people from on top of Kliks. There was still division among the different tribes, but it wasn’t as stark as it had once been. Surprisingly, Kobolds seemed to be much of the glue keeping the different forces together. They intermingled with every group, including the humans, running through the marching army and talking with everyone. 

Risha rode with the injured and young, using her [Mother’s Care] to ease any suffering from the many day march.

Hours later, Risha caught sight of Orctown, the fortified town at the bottom of the mountain that she’d liberated just before leaving on her journey. With sight of the city, came the view of the hills and forest of her empire. The trees stood tall and wide, older than the other side of the mountains. The smell, it too was different, a breath of fresh air after weeks of being away from home.

Monsters left the city walls to meet them, and the fields outside of the town became a buzz of activity as the newcomers were welcomed. 

Thankfully, the town had been preparing for weeks to receive the many refugees. Food was provided and refugees were quickly placed with leaders who could guide them into the burgeoning empire. 

It hit Risha only as she was dismounting Kliks at the gate to the town.

Risha was home.

A fox looking kobold ran through the grass. Goblins, kobolds, and orcs moved aside from her as she threw herself at Risha. 

Risha caught the excited Red Vulpine as she was crushed in a strong hug.

“You’re back!” Sun-Chaser let out her excitement, unable to help herself. Suddenly, she froze and pulled away, her ears lowering in embarrassment. “I’m glad to see you.”

Risha stepped forward and embraced her in another hug. “It’s good to see you too!” 

“You have no idea how rough it's been with you and so many of the elders gone.” Sun-Chaser’s red tail swayed in excitement. “There’s so many things I need to share with you.”

Risha laughed, “Let Risha rest first! Risha just fought humans, orcs and elves for weeks!”

Sun-Chaser grabbed the tip of her tail, trying to stop it from waving. It moved despite her efforts, “Of course. Your home is ready for you, and there's a group of pups who want to see you.”

“Pups?” 

Answering her question was a horde of eighteen little goblins bowling into Risha, their Mother watching with exhaustion from a little ways away.

Risha laughed as she was tackled to the floor and the little goblin children asked her a million single-word questions while pulling her in multiple directions.

Risha spotted Glo walking up and extricated herself from the horde. She ran behind Glo and shouted at the children, “Behold! My general, Glo! He wants to answer all of your questions.”

She saw as the stalwart goblin paled, but felt no regret as she left him to his fate.

Risha slipped away to watch the reunions of her people. Young kobolds yipped excitedly, while orc children ran to their family and welcomed the newcomers. Goblins hugged and cheered as they saw each other, their voices rising in many different songs. Even the humans were dragged into the excitement as they were greeted and fed by the monsters of the city. Risha suspected there would be parties all through the night.

She was amazed at how far her people had come.

Risha hadn’t been ready for any of this. She hadn’t been ready to be a leader, a mother, or an empress. 

But she was.

And now as she looked over her people, she knew.

The world wouldn’t be ready for her.

• End Of Book 1

A/N posts should continue as normal, but I felt this was a good spot to end the first book.