Dangerous Allies

{{Fiction
 * author=Laura Scott;
 * hasSetting=Larisnar
 * summary=News that Ar'tek and the Elite Guard have come to Baraxton in Krun's absence is not exactly what Sceth Hellbringer had been waiting for. With a barbarian army outside the gates, what he needs is a dependable ally.
 * storyBody====Baraxton, a few months ago===

"What do you mean Ar'tek is here?" Sceth growled at the messenger.

"Just that. Ar'tek and the Elite Hate Guard have cut a path through the western flank to gain access to the city. Your troops say he's here on Krun's orders." Varin replied to his commander.

Hellbringer ripped a stone bench from the floor and in the same swift movement, threw it into against wall of the hall in frustration. It shattered into a dozen chunks, each striking the floor with a loud thud or clunk. They bounced back towards Varin, causing him to jump out of the way, or risk being hit.

"Ar'tek is supposed to be anywhere BUT here. Krun left Baraxton in my care and no son of an overgrown goblin is going to take my post away from me."

Varin turned a sickly, pale shade of green. "Sceth..."

"Oh shut your trap. Even Ar'tek can't be that fast."

"Sorry to see me dear ally?" Ar'tek chuckled as he walked up into the room. The Elite Hate Guard leader just grinned as he stared up at the peeved giant.

Sceth glowered down at what he perceived to be an inferior officer. "Why are you here?" he bellowed. "Krun left Baraxton to me. He'd already sent you on 'important duties.'"

"Now, now giant. Be nice. Remember Krun said we must get along." Ar'tek braced himself for the "comment" he knew was coming next.

Sceth grunted, picked up Ar'tek by the shield, hefted him high in the air and dropped him to the ground just as Ar'tek tried to stab Sceth's hand with his sword. "Take a seat, warrior. You look like death."

"Why thank you Hellbringer. You're manners have improved while I've been away." Ar'tek pointed to Varin. "Leave. Don't come back unless it's with food and drink. We have much to discuss."

Just as Varin crossed the threshold, Sceth bent down and clamped his old friend on the arm. Hard. "Did ya have to cut through one of my flanks on the way back to the city? Take hours to clean up your mess. Why are you back so soon? Wasn't expecting to see you – 'cept maybe on the head of that 'queen's' pike."

"Krun only said to escort Arkon to Miseris. He didn't tell me to stay. Figured I should return swiftly."

"You just left him there with the VoTaurr?"

"The cow had left." Ar'tek took a quick look around for Krun. Insulting the VoTaurr wasn't something done in front of the Nothrog Leader.

"Don't worry. He's not here. Gone just after you left. Kenia walked out of his presence, then turned back to the room. She ran out to the command post mumbling, 'Father was here just a moment ago...'." The giant shook his head, not sure what to believe, and settled himself on the cold stone.

"So he's gone then?" Ar'tek sat in silence for the moment. "Do you know why?"

Sceth's face crinkled as he thought. "Krun doesn't take counsel from me. He seemed worried about something after you and Arkon left. Never said a word. I'm sure he's doing something important."

Ar'tek stretched, flexing his muscles, forcing them to relax. "A lot of strange things happened lately. First the barbarians, then the cow's show with the Ibis, now I hear rumors of Padrig returning, and not being quite right; I'm sure Krun has his reasons…"

"Or why would he insist we act like foes?"

Ar'tek nodded.

"Traitor." Sceth said in a calm tone.

"Exactly. But who?"

Sceth leaned back into the wall. "Well that's a question isn't it? Along with why did Krun leave? Who's the betrayer? What's really going on?"

Ar'tek tilted his head. "We'll just have to go on as planned. For now."

He snapped to attention as Varin crept back into the hall. "I told you…" he boomed at the now standing giant, "Leave the city. You spend too much time in luxury and not in battle. This is my final word: Hellbringer's Legion outside the gates. Defeat the barbarians, or don't return. Useless machines…"

The blood boiled in Sceth's veins, making his face deep crimson. "Second in command or not. You're no Krun. I'll defeat the tribes all right, but watch your back. Krun's gone. He can't protect you forever."

Varin laid down the tray with ale and meat as the giant stomped out of the castle. He didn't notice the wink directed at Ar'tek.

Outside Baraxton, also a few months ago
The hum of machinery was everywhere. Barbarians rode armored steeds towards the broken line. "Now, now's our chance brothers and sisters. Now we claim our home."

Sken stared at the oncoming rush of hooves and swords. "Fire!" he screeched to his troops. "Set the cannons off now."

Smoke covered the hole, allowing the nothrog to regroup. The attackers stopped dead in their tracks as battle rhinos reared back from the sound of the siege engines.

Faiza fumed. A perfect opportunity, just handed to her by the green-skins, was lost in a single moment. She ordered her troops back to the horizon, lest they all be easy targets once the haze cleared.

Sken never took his eyes off the field, even when nothing could be seen. He had spent enough time with Hellbringer's Legion to know every second counted when it came to using the big engines.

Wind pushed the obstruction away from line of sight. Darkness was falling slowly, but the shadows where already appearing.

Sken grabbed a glass tube, to examine a moving phantom more closely. "As if the damned Sarakians weren't bad enough," Sken rumbled. "Someone better tell Sceth that someone woke up something old... something bad..." }}