Chapter 270: Chapter 269: At the Gates of Lireath
Some of the civilians dropped to their knees, tears streaming freely as they clutched one another. Mothers hugged their children tight, while little ones sobbed against their parents’ shoulders, their cries raw with exhaustion and release.
The remaining soldiers of Baron Roland leaned on their weapons, shoulders heaving, eyes closing as if the weight of weeks of fear had suddenly lifted from them. Some laughed weakly, others simply stared ahead, stunned that they had made it this far alive.
Baron Roland himself sat slumped in his saddle, exhaling a long, heavy breath. Captain Derrek, riding beside him, caught the look on his face and gave a tired smile.
"We’re finally here, my lord," Derrek said softly. "You can rest now. You’ve been anxious and haven’t slept properly this past week. Your body needs it."
Roland shook his head, though his eyes softened with gratitude. "I’m fine. Compared to those who’ve fought every step of the way, this is nothing." His gaze turned forward, landing on Lumberling and his strange band, still steady on their horses, armor stained and battered yet their backs straight.
Krivex squinted at the small villages they passed, smoke curling peacefully from chimneys, the fields untouched by war. "It doesn’t seem attacks have been frequent here," he said, his tone cautious.
"For how long, though?" Aren muttered, his eyes narrowing. "That’s the real question."
"I almost hope enemies do come for us," Skarn suddenly blurted out, making the others whip their heads toward him.
"What?" Skitz barked, half amused, and annoyed.
Skarn looked around, confused at their stares. "Think about it! The past two months have been brutal, but we’ve grown a lot stronger, haven’t we?" His words came earnest, though edged with that reckless spark he always carried.
The group went quiet, the truth of it settling between them.
Skitz chuckled, shaking his head. "You’ve got a twisted way of looking at things... but I’ll admit, you’re not entirely wrong." His grin faded slightly as his gaze drifted to the horizon. "Still, let’s just hope it’s not the strong ones who come knocking."
Lumberling raised his hand. "Enough. Gather our soldiers and let them rest. We’re close to Lireath’s hold. No more pushing until everyone’s ready."
At his words, the scattered band began to reorganize, soldiers and civilians alike straightening with the knowledge that, for the first time in months, they weren’t marching deeper into danger, they were walking toward shelter.
Moments later, they reached the towering iron gates of the fort. Relief flickered across tired faces, only for it to vanish in an instant.
The ground trembled. A deep vibration rattled up the walls, like the footsteps of some massive beast.
Gasps erupted among the civilians. Soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons. Baron Roland stiffened, and Captain Derrek’s knuckles whitened on his sword hilt.
Then, with a grinding screech, a giant spider the size of a mammoth crawled up the wall. Its armored legs dug into stone, its many eyes glinting in the light.
Panic broke. Screams tore through the caravan as civilians stumbled back, clutching children, some even collapsing to their knees.
Derrek’s face went pale. "Wh-What happened to the Viscount’s hold? Has it been overrun by monsters?" His voice trembled as his eyes locked on the hulking spider.
Baron Roland’s hands clenched on his reins, his jaw stiff with dread.
"Everyone, calm down." Lumberling’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. His presence anchored the chaos, pulling the panic back just enough for people to breathe.
Before fear could break the caravan apart, movement stirred atop the wall. A banner unfurled, its colors unmistakable even in the haze of dust.
Liraeth stood tall with his knights Gordon and Sorrin standing beside her. Rows of soldiers lined the battlements behind them.
Baron Roland’s eyes widened. "It’s the Viscount... she’s alive." His voice carried confusion.
But that wasn’t the end. More figures stepped into view. At first, some thought them misshapen men in crude mail. But no, iron armor glinted over green skin and scaled hides.
Hundreds of goblins and kobolds lined the battlements, their ranks straight, their weapons gleaming with the care of veterans.
Derrek blinked hard, his jaw dropping. "They... they look familiar."
Realization hit Baron Roland like a hammer. He turned toward Lumberling, his expression a mix of shock and dawning comprehension. "They’re your subordinates too, aren’t they?"
Lumberling didn’t answer with words. A faint smile curved his lips.
With a thunderous thud, the giant spider leapt down from the wall, shaking the ground as it landed. Dust billowed, forcing some of the civilians to stumble back.
The beast roared, the sound echoing like a horn of war. But instead of fear, it carried something else, a welcome.
Slowly, deliberately, the spider lowered its massive legs, bowing before Lumberling as if paying homage to its master.
"You’ve gotten a lot bigger," Lumberling said, resting his hand on the creature’s armored leg.
"It’s like he’s a walking fortress now," Gobo1 muttered, eyes wide in admiration.
"I want to ride him," Gobo2 blurted.
The others turned to him with flat stares.
"I mean... I want to be on top of him," he corrected quickly.
Their stares only grew sharper.
"...Not like that," Gobo2 added. "I mean, for battle."
Even Takkar grunted a laugh, shaking his head. "You really need to learn how to phrase things."
Before Gobo2 could defend himself, a sudden howl rang out from beyond the gates. Dozens of wolves emerged, their steps silent but powerful.
Jen, who had been quietly riding at the back, stiffened. Her ears twitched, then her eyes lit up.
"Lunira... you’re here too!"
With a burst of joy, she leapt from her horse, sprinting toward the largest wolf. The great beast bounded forward, lowering its head as Jen flung her arms around its neck. Giggling, she stumbled back as Lunira’s tongue covered her face in sloppy licks.
"Easy, easy!" Jen laughed, burying her face into its thick fur, her relief shining brighter than any words.
From the gates, Liraeth appeared with Gordon and Sorrin at her side, followed by her guards. The tension that had filled the air moments before seemed to dissolve as she descended the steps, her eyes fixed on Lumberling.
"Lumberling," she breathed, her voice warm, full of emotion. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and embraced him tightly, clinging to him like someone who had been holding back her worry for too long. "I’m glad you’re alright."