Silver Eyes Chronicles: The Journey Begins Trilogy: Book One: The Reunion

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Nameless City

Nayuna

Standing in front of a tribe of mountain trolls, Nayuna speaks in their native language, provided by a clever and simple translation spell.

The trolls look like blocks of roughly hewn gray stone, but reeking. Their yellow eyes pierce with a cruel intelligence.

"Know this that you and your people will be rewarded greatly when we win this war," Nayuna says with confident and persuasive words.

"If what you are saying is true, my people and I will follow you," the troll leader says in a grunting, grating voice that sounds like rocks tumbling down a mountain. "If not, then you shall pay with your life."

"As it should be," the Dark Sorceress says, smirking inwardly at the predictable words.

Trolls are not known for cleverness. But they are so very useful when it comes to be the muscle and carriers on the battlefield.

They should be of great use for the heavy lifting, she thinks. She visualizes the brutes lifting heavy boulders and throwing them at unfortunate enemy soldiers.

"When is to be the battle?" the troll asks. His huge rocklike arms fold across his massive chest as soon as it asks the question.

"That is my concern, not yours," Nayuna says, completely unconcerned by the threatening posture. Indeed, she restrains herself from looking bored or glazing her eyes at the posture itself.

The troll let his protest go past, bristling but he asks, his dark gray teeth grating together. "Where are we to go until then?"

"To the field outside Orkdurun. There is a mountain pass through the Seriok Mountains. Follow it and you will arrive," Nayuna instructs, in that same tone. One hand comes onto her hip, tracing down to her sheathed sword, lovingly caressing the handle, her threat multiplying. "And you and your tribe will stay there until I say otherwise."

She casually draws her sword out, but halfway out. She gazes at the gleaming blade with the ruby and onyx pommel stones. She looks over at the corner of her eyes, her smirk widening.

The troll eyes the sword, gulps visibly, nods.

"One last thing, at any time that you and your people are in my presence, you will address me as 'Lady Nayuna' or 'my Lady'. Do I make myself clear?" she says, tilting her head to one side. Her ebony hair falls to one side, hiding one side of her face in an alluring manner.

She looks down at the sword as if considering. Or to make a point.

"Yes, my Lady," the troll says.

To her intense satisfaction, she hears fear in the wretch's voice.

"Now go," she says, her voice now a clear threat.

The troll then backs away, rather quickly, she notes but she dismisses it with a bright and cold grin. She snickers softly at the creature's fast retreat.

She's gathered four tribes of trolls, goblins, ogres and orcs, all in the space of a few weeks. Some needed convincing but not much. Others were all too willing to join up with the infamous promises she made. Threats too, like the poisoned blade she carries, were put into effect.
Soon, she will exit the mountains and her campaign shall continue.

She prudently reminds herself that Naria will be gathering allies of her own. Or at least, whoever is allied with her.

However, Naria doesn't know how to fight. Not yet anyway. So, most likely, she will have an instructor and a well-trained one to train her in how to fight.