The Foolhardies 107 Isle of Dogs

Whichever path opened the way, the end result was me and Kallista strolling up to the rough-hewn steps leading up to the tower entrance with zero worries of getting attacked.

As an added intimidation measure, I'd asked Aura to ride behind us so that her summon could float above like some demonic honor guard ready to scorch the butt of any who challenged our entourage. Also, it was just easier having the dark spirit behind and not front and center where its shadowy form could give me goosebumps.

Our soldiers stood to the side and let us pass. They were mostly members of Ashley's Shield squad. Ashley herself, decked in her silver shieldmaiden armor and white robe, was in deep conversation with Azuma near the top of the steps.

I got off Myth Chaser and handed the reins to Jensen. Then I helped Aura down from Starlight, not because she couldn't do it herself, but just because I wanted to.

Varda and Kallista joined us at ground level, and together, we walked the few steps up to Azuma and Ashley's position.

Azuma glanced my way after he noticed us coming close. He waited for me to be a step below him before finally saying, "Do you know what this place reminds me of, Dean?"

I looked up at the white tower. The geometric leaf-like designs were similar to Ashley's former home, but they were worn-out to the point of disappearing. The other half of its façade was like naturally formed jagged grooves that streaked up to its domed peak.

"Definitely a mix of elven and dwarven design," I said out loud.

"Looks like—"

"—The tower of Orthanc!" I finished Azuma's thought. Then I glanced behind me to the ring of broken walls with similar architectural designs as the tower before me. "It's like… Isengard."

"What's Isengard?" Aura asked confused.

Anyone with a passing appreciation for classic western cinema or has a general love for high fantasy would know what Isengard was. And it kind of stung that Aura didn't.

I sighed, reminding myself in my head that it wasn't her fault she lacked the necessary pop-culture experience. Fairies just didn't get the good stuff.

The next two and a half minutes were spent with me and Azuma taking turns explaining the Lord of the Rings to Aura. And we would have gone through all three books too if Ashley hadn't ruined the fun and said, "Nerds!" in a really annoying tone.

I coughed embarrassedly and proceeded to change the topic before Ashley could embarrass me further.

"Ahem-ahem… So, where are the other squad leaders?" I asked.

Ashley jerked a thumb behind her. "Rounding up the bandits inside. We kept most of them alive like you asked."  

My eyebrow rose slightly. "Most of them?"

"Your new sidekick here," Ashley pointed at Azuma, "and Edo blew off some steam."

I turned my raised eyebrow on Azuma.

"They came at me… I showed them no mercy," he answered nonchalantly. "Would you have me do any less?"

I sighed again as the memory of me promising Azuma he could be as much of a warrior as he wanted in my unit was now biting me in the ass. Thinking that I should rethink promising the moon to potential recruits, I walked away from my new headache and proceeded through the open entryway.

"This place needs a door," I noted, thinking it was part of the reason my guys got in so easily.

"Indeed," Kallista nodded beside me. "I'll add it to the bill."

I stopped abruptly and glanced sideways at her. "Wh-what bill?"

"Renovations, my dear," she caressed me softly on the cheek with her long-nailed hand, "what else?"

I gulped. I did not like the sound of that, and I wondered if there was more to their agreement than Darah told me about.

We found Luca's and Edo's squads encircling a ring of forty thieves, most of whom had their hands tied behind their backs, all except for the thieves' leader. This fairy was still standing, his short sword extended and pointed toward Luca.

"What's going on?" I asked, worriedly, after I'd approached Edo from behind.

He glanced down at me.

"The kobold challenged Luca to a duel," he answered with a shrug. "Winner take all."

I face-palmed myself before I asked the question I already knew the answer to. "Let me guess… Luca said yes?"

There was a tiny ray of hope that my little brother did not just mess up my well-thought-out plan just so he could continue to be Superman, but that was a false hope. Edo confirmed as much after he shrugged a second time.

I covered my face with my hands to stifle the groan that escaped my lips.

"You should have more faith in Luca," Edo nodded toward Luca. "You're not the only one who's gotten stronger, Dean."

Hearing the reprimand in Edo's tone forced me to peek through the space between my fingers, and I spent the next few seconds observing the duellers.

Luca looked confident. More confident than I'd ever seen him be before. It wasn't just the easy smile or the intensity in his gaze, you could see it in the straightening of his back and the way he held his broadsword—its shadowblade tip touching the stone floor while both his hands rested lightly on his new round silver pommel.

His armor was a snug fit too. The chain mail wrapped around his arms like they were a wet suit. Even the new Foolhardies tabard fitted him well. And gone were his worn leather boots. Luca was sporting supple leather half-plate boots now like he'd traded in his old trainers for Jordans.

Observing my brother forced to realize an uncomfortable truth. He'd gotten taller again, possibly two inches taller than before.

Damn, this depressing thought pierced through the wailing of my frustrated mind. More and more I was losing the authority of the big brother.

To pull myself out of this sneaking depression, I set my gaze onto Luca's opponent and scrutinized the first kobold I'd ever seen up close.

He had a long wolf-like snout that was currently snarling in Luca's direction, showing off perfectly white and very sharp fangs. His face was covered in white fur but the fur on the upper part of his head was gray and fashioned like a devil's helmet. His eyes were the blue of the sky when the sun was up, and despite his intense glare, I could see a hint of warmth.

This, more than anything else, made me think I'd chosen my candidates right.

The kobold was about a head taller than me but shorter than the freak, Luca. It was muscular though, its thick white-furred arms sprouted out of the bronze breastplate it sported. Like all kobolds, the thieves' leader wore a cloth skirt, not unlike the popular Scottish kilts of Mudgard. In fact, I had it on good authority that this particular style was originally kobold in nature and was inherited by the Scotsmen who had a one time ran hand in hand with these particular fairies.

Soon enough, the duel for the tower began, and it started with the kobold howling its murderous howl at Luca. Then it pounced at him, short sword raised in what might have been a killer blow to some unprepared human boy, but this was Luca. He'd survived enough deathmatches to easily sidestep his opponent's attack.

Luca dodged to the side and in the same instant, raised his sword high with both hands, and immediately afterward, swung the flat of his broadsword down the back of the kobold's outstretched neck.

It wasn't much of a fight. More like an experienced fighter showing off his skills against a novice during an exhibition match.

The kobold fell to the floor unconscious. Luca, at least, was following my orders of non-lethal attacks to the letter.

"Way to go, little bro," I said as I walked over to him and patted him on the arm. I frowned afterward, realizing I could no longer reach his shoulder without effort.

Luca glanced back at me and grinned. "Luck. This guy was already tired from the battle."

I smiled. Luca may have gotten stronger. He may have gotten taller. He may even be unbeatable at sparring now without the help of Fool's Insight. But Luca would never be anything but the good kid I helped raise. At least, I hoped so.

I glanced down at the white-furred kobold then looked back to Aura who was standing beside Edo, her efreet still floating in the air above her.

"Mind waking this guy up for me?" I asked. "A tiny fireball erupting close to his tail should do."

Chapter end