13. Nikolai
13
NIKOLAI
“ Y ou have no structure,” I say to the wingless vrakken sitting before me. Ezra was one of Brinda’s longest bedmates, and I have a feeling that’s how this watery blooded weakling got to his position.
He props his feet up on the desk before him. What he needs a desk for in this office – that is clearly where he drinks and fucks and ignores his duties – I do not know. It’s not like he’s keeping up with correspondence or their influx of new humans and vrakken.
“We are vrakken, temple boy. We are supposed to indulge. You should know that after dedicating your life to Akeldama. I’m not going to impose more restraints on the vrakken here when they have been shoved underground for so long.”
I grit my teeth at the dig. “I’ve dedicated my life to carrying out our god and goddess’s wishes. And overruling the dark elves should come above all else.” My muscles are tense as I clasp my hands behind my back, my wings tucked in tight and high. “There needs to be structure, training, scouts, for that to happen.”
Turning on my heel, I stride from Ezra's office, nails digging into my palms in frustration. That incompetent fool is going to doom us all if he remains in charge.
As I move through the sprawling encampment, the disarray only becomes more evident. The training grounds are nearly deserted, weapons and gear strewn haphazardly. There are no sentries stationed at the perimeter, leaving us vulnerable to attacks.
In the courtyard, there are vrakken lounging lazily, day drinking rather than training. There’s no hunting parties to bring in replenishments for the scouts – probably because there are no scouts – and it seems that humans and Made vrakken are filtering into this base at an unknown rate with no proper structure to teach them about being a vrakken or our ways. It seems that they all have forgotten the reason that we were sent up here and all discipline has vanished.
At this rate, we stand no chance against the dark elves. Their forces outnumber and out prepare us at every turn. Ezra's negligence has left us absurdly vulnerable.
There have been four bases established so far, this one the latest, and I haven’t heard great reputations of two of the others. The only base that has any kind of respect was the first to be established, and even then it is led by a human.
Much needs to change.
I pass the human dormitories, wondering if Jessa has settled into her quarters. I hope Alina is keeping her company... No, I can't afford to worry about one insignificant human.
What happened between us was a momentary lapse of judgment, fueled by bloodlust and my weakened state. Vrakken and humans must remain separate – Priestess Adelina taught me that. In fact, it’s the whole reason I’m here, and yet, I’ve already forgotten. I cannot allow another such intimate encounter; it goes against our oldest traditions.
No matter how sweet her blood tasted, or how soft her skin felt beneath my hands, I must resist. It was folly to indulge such desires at all. From now on I will keep my distance from the tempting human girl.
I approach the ramshackle barracks building, its walls constructed from felled logs and crude mud plaster. The door hangs crookedly from two uneven leather hinges, swinging open enough for the stench of stale ale to waft out.
From within comes the raucous laughter and jeering of coarse male voices, interspersed with the occasional giggle of a feminine lilt. The lewd sounds raise the hair on the back of my neck.
I stride up to the entrance, the packed dirt soft under my boots. With a swift kick, I send the flimsy wooden door crashing violently against the interior wall. It splinters down the middle from the force.
Inside, the small space is crowded with at least ten vrakken warriors lounging arrogantly atop makeshift furniture. I note that none have wings as they lounge across piles of pelts serving as beds.
In their hands, they clutch overflowing tankards sloshing with ale, the bitter smell cloying. Their clothing is disheveled, armor pieces discarded haphazardly on the floor amidst empty bottles and the scent of blood taints the air.
At their feet kneel four human women, faces downturned demurely. They’re all naked, either stroking the vrakken closest to them or refilling tankards dutifully. Their body language screams submission.
The raucous laughter cuts off abruptly at my entrance, all eyes turning towards me with hostility. Their faces bear the red flush of inebriation.
"Why haven't you reported for duty or training?" I demand, unable to keep the bite of anger from my tone.
One of the vrakken, his unruly dark hair tied back in a short bun, sneers at me. "We don't take orders from the likes of you. Real vrakken take what they want, when they want."
The drunk vrakken's words make my blood boil. I take a step further into the room, wings flaring in dominance.
"You know nothing of being vrakken if you reject duty and discipline so foolishly," I spit back at him.
The brute leans forward with a mocking grin. "We didn't escape those dark elf bastards just to chain ourselves to new rules. We follow our own path."
The others grunt in agreement, grip tightening on their tankards. One trails a proprietary hand over the human female kneeling closest to him.
"Enjoy your debauchery while you can," I state coldly. "But you will submit to training and the chain of command here. That is not a request."
The first vrakken stands, swaying slightly. "Make me." He spits at my feet insolently.
In a flash I have him by the throat, slamming his back against the crude timber wall. The wood cracks under the impact. Fear flashes in his bloodshot eyes.
Good. They should have felt it when they saw my wings alone.
"You will show respect, or I will beat it into your worthless hide," I snarl, baring my fangs inches from his face.
The others shrink back warily. With disgust, I shove the drunkard away. He slumps to the floor, coughing and massaging his bruised neck.
I pin each vrakken with a piercing glare. "Consider this your first and only warning. The time for indulgence has passed. Battle is coming, and you will be ready."
I turn on my heel and stride angrily from the barracks, letting the splintered door slam shut behind me. The pitiful vrakken licking their wounds inside are not worth another moment of my time.
It's clear too many here flout the old rules and traditions, indulging in debauchery instead of honing their skills as warriors. And the Council seems content to ignore the decay spreading through our ranks, remaining isolated below ground.
Things cannot continue down this ruinous path. If the Council will not act, then it falls to me to whip this place into shape.
Starting immediately, I will instill discipline across the base through rigorous training and adherence to strict protocols. The time for indulgence and languor is over.
Those unwilling to fall in line will face severe punishments. We cannot afford weak links when the dark elves come for us. I will cut out this infection of hedonism by any means necessary.
The humans flocking here will finally serve a clear purpose as well. No longer mere playthings, they will take their place as vital support for our coming war.
As I think of the humans here serving a greater purpose, my traitorous thoughts turn to her - Jessa.
The feeling of her soft skin beneath my hands haunts me, the sweetness of her blood on my tongue. No matter how I try to silence my desires, they persist.
She stirs feelings in me I thought long dead, a flickering of light piercing my darkness. I crave the closeness we shared, the wholeness I felt however briefly.
But the temple has forbidden for vrakken and humans to intertwine so intimately. Humans weren’t meant to be our equal, though some clearly disregard those traditions today. I have always been loyal to our teachings.
Yet my very blood seems to call for her, my thoughts consumed with hazel eyes and curly hair. She could be my salvation, if only I would allow it.
I halt, shaking my head sharply. No, I cannot continue down that path. It will only lead to ruin for us both. I must purge this weakness from within me.
No matter how fiercely it claws inside my chest, demanding I go to her, make things right, I will resist. I must. The war must come first now.
My feet feel heavy as I force myself onward, leaving thoughts of Jessa behind. I need to keep my distance from her, even in my mind.
She’s a weakness that I struggle against. One I can’t give into.
Gods know that I might drown in her if I do again.