>>5222971“The more, the merrier.” You announce with a smile that you hope serves to hide your trembling relief at how things played out. “They’re launching shortly, so if you three are ready, we can take everybody and head over there now.”
“Oh! I can fly everyone there!” Ziz exclaims, rounding on you and your allies as those that had previously been at the edges of the battlefield draw near.
“No offense bud, but we got a lot more than the usual suspects this time.” Rath replies, jerking a thumb towards the veritable army you’d brought to bear.
“Then I will PICK up the SLACK.” Behemoth rumbles—then, thrusting his snout towards the legion of Pyreants that start scrambling southward. “YOU there. Are YOU lot with the DEFIANT?”
“Y-yes…Sir?” The one at the forefront replies hesitantly, unsure of what honorific to grant the mountainous being.
“Then WHERE do you think you’re GOING? She extended an INVITATION.”
“We…we were not so bold as to assume our kind were-“
“We’re kin, remember?” You interrupt with a smile. “You’re absolutely invited.”
“KIN, eh?” Behemoth intones approvingly, before lowering himself closer to the ground by taking a knee...or three. “then as many of your KIN that can fit aboard are WELCOME to.”
“I don’t suppose you could do something about my associates’ caravan?” Francine asks, catching her breath after rejoining your side. Behemoth nods, and as the good doctor instructs Cassandra and their fellow researcher in how best to board the living mountain, you open a fresh channel to your artistically-inclined associates as the rest prepare to head out.
“Dorian, Rath, Julia? Do you read me?” You ask, waiting to receive a trio of affirmatives before continuing. “I’ll be giving you each a Rook-class swarmling of mine to work with, and I’d like you and anyone else you want to have join in collaborate on a FuzzBuzz for Behemoth.”
“Ha, I th-thought you might ask for that, so D-Dorian and I were just swapping ideas when you c-called!” Julia laughs, the sound nothing less than music to your ears.
“Leave it to us, Shu.” Rath chimes in with an audible smirk. “How ‘bout we hop a ride on big bird to work on that while you hitch a ride on one of the other two?”
“A good idea.” You admit. “I leave the project’s discretion to you three.”
“Over ‘n out, Cap.” Rath says, and you can imagine her giving you a sharp salute as your focus shifts to the hustle that’s happening around you, like a rushing river around an islet. You draw in a slow, steady breath, letting the relief of all those present wash over you. You came prepared for war, yet now you stand atop the shoulders of the giants…if not as friends, then as peaceable acquaintances.
An odd turn, but one you’re thankful for, regardless…
…because you know the path to the Cord won’t be nearly as forgiving.
(Continued)
