A Bad Man In The Graylands

 

“Someone make him stop.” House groans.

“He only said it a couple of times.” Paige points out.

“A couple of times is one too many. He's scared. Of what, the Teletubby police?”

Furnatche yips at the ceiling.

“I’m only saying what everyone else is thinking.”

The group watches as Chester pulls at his restraints muttering about Excalibur and how nobody loves him.

“I hate to admit it but House may have a point.” Peter observes. “Lady Gray’s message said she suspected the attacker might be from Earth. What human could be so dangerous Excalibur would be needed to take him down? Who on Earth could possibly be more scary than the enchanted beings who live there?”

“Badman. Who? Is anyone with her? Does she have any weapons? It sounds like she won't be a problem. Call me if anything changes.” Richard Badman says before removing one hand from the tree's trunk and letting go of a leaf covered branch with the other. His combat booted feet step over the tree’s roots as he turns and surveys what is happening within the camp. His camp. His army of wild ogres. The first wave. The second wave of ninja-zombie soldiers further back in the forest await orders. Badman’s dressed for battle from his combat boots and camo pants all the way up to his sparkling white “There's no denyin’ I'm a bad man” t-shirt. “Never could have done this at home," he says surveying the scene in front of him. Badman watches as Captain Ugh! moves through the camp stepping on campfires and pushing over soldiers on the way. Wild ogres seem to have no manners, which is probably part of what makes them wild.

“Attack now!” Captain Ugh! says.

“Lady Gray has grown weaker but Captain Ozar’s still with her. We need to get him out of the way.”

“The sword!” The wild ogre counters.

“Even if Excalibur appears when she is alone, how can she wield it? We're sticking to my plan. Strike when Lady Gray is alone.”

Captain Ugh! grunts and leaves.

Richard Badman sighs as he watches Captain Ugh! throw a soldier into a wagon. The wild ogre bounces off the wagon’s side and falls into a nearby campfire. The ogre attacks his fellow soldiers as they pull him out of the flames. Badman turns and looks at the forest surrounding him. “Come on.” He lowers his voice, “Show yourself. That weapon's in here somewhere. I'm gonna find it.”

A soldier is thrown against the outside of a wagon, Tinkletoes watches as the wild ogre falls into the campfire and the fighting that ensues as a result.

“Are they always like this?” He asks.

“They are wild ogres. It's part of what defines them as wild.” The ogre Captain Ozar sent to assist Tinkletoes while he's working with Lady Gray's forces comments.

“Sergeant Memen reporting for duty Sir.”

“I only need a few questions answered.” Tinkletoes says. “How big is your army?” He asks without looking at the newcomer.

“There are 700 within the walls of Castle Gris, another 1200 are spread throughout the grounds. We have an additional 200,000 that can be called back if needed.”

Tinkletoes looks at Sergeant Memen. “Why so few on site?”

Lady Gray is one of the most powerful beings in Faerie. She’s never been in a situation where she could not take care of herself. Her ladyship has always been more concerned with the safety of those who live within The Graylands’ borders than her own.”

Tinkletoes looks at the enemy camp, “There are about 1500 wild ogres out there," he says. “If the 1200 you mentioned get called back in time it’ll be okay. If there's a second wave we’ll be screwed. And nobody with half a brain would try this without a second wave. Have any of the surrounding countries mobilized troops recently?”

“All is quiet.”

“Which means the second wave probably consists of mercenaries and other soldiers of fortune. You know of any?”

“No.”

“It's time to start looking. I'll need another report at 0800.”

“When?”

“8:00 a.m.”

Memen stares.

“In 3 hours?”

Nothing.

“Look at the sun.” Tinkletoes says pointing skyward. “I'll need an updated report when the sun is somewhere around there," he says pointing further up from the horizon.

“Of course.” The ogre says walking away.

“Good work.” Tinkletoes calls out. “Dismissed.”

“What do you think?” Dobby Cat asks approaching the self-proclaimed mercenary as Sergeant Memen disappears into the distance.

“We're okay for now. There's going to be a second wave. One Captain Ozar’s not ready for. Unless we think of something this war is going to be lost during the second half.” Tinkletoes looks at the ginger tabby. “I think I've got a plan.”

“He’s a capable fighter.” Writer Lady says attempting to step over something that scurries across her foot in the darkness. Startled, the heel of her boot gets caught in the hem of her gown, nearly tripping her over her own feet in the darkness. “The problem is this is a war against people who probably have plans. Good ones and Tinkletoes isn’t really much of a planner. Not that I've seen anyway.”

“I watched as you emptied your pack. He thought of everything, you were well supplied.” Captain Ozar says.

“For survival and weapons but there was no change of clothes. Which is my exact point. Tinkletoes does well with most things but there are gaps in his execution. Anything we can do to help win this will be to our advantage. What is this place?” She asks.

“These passageways were built not long after the time of the elves had ended.” Captain Ozar says.

Writer Lady listens as they walk past dusty stone walls and continue their exploration passing through cobweb covered archways.

 “A small group of budding scholars studied these passageways for years, their theory was they would lead to an entry to the elves’ abandoned shrine.”

“That’s not entirely correct.” Lady Gray says picking up where Captain Ozar left off. “These passageways appeared not long after the time of the elves had ended. No one knows who or what built them. Some, that group of budding scholars included, theorized Faerie herself created them. Early records say the elves left the shrine and instructions for protecting The Graylands behind for us to find. Scholars came to the conclusion the elves' time ended before a passageway to it could be completed.

“Faerie finished it herself?” Writer Lady asks.

“Faerie finished it herself," Lady Gray repeats.

“If Faerie finished the elves' project, why hasn't the shrine been located?” Writer Lady asks wiping away dust with her cloak before holding her torch up to study intricate carvings on the wall in front of them.

“Because her work was interrupted.”