Fowlhunter [GL]

After that, the Cockatrice no longer called for Ennanis.

Ennanis, herself, stayed on the first peak.

Instead of the Cockatrice, the Beasts came to attack. Presumably this was what happened on an average battlenight in the Graveyard Division. Swarms of clicking bugs, flocks of screeching harpies, men that were half-bull, women that were half-snake, and more that completely eluded categorisation. They pressed up to the first peak in waves, emerging from the rustling forest under the starlit night sky.

As it turned out, Ennanis found that these Beasts were often stronger than the Cockatrice had been—the lithe human woman hardly compared to the weight of a grizzly bear throwing itself against her. Many would’ve been faster than her were it not for their less powerful Lunaki. They were also simply more versatile; griffons swooped and shot arrows from above-air, serpents slithered under her feet, lizards camouflaged against stone and bark. Some were less intelligent than others, easily distracted by feints, cowed by loud noises, or resorted to the same few moves. But they made up the difference by teamwork. The soldiers of the lunar army made excellent use of their vastly varying strengths to cover their bases.

Even though the Cockatrice wasn’t currently in a place where Ennanis could see her, the angel had a feeling that the Princess had something to do with this level of organisation.

In return, Ennanis rallied her greybelt troops against the invaders. After Brigadier Rodwyn’s… departure, Ennanis was left in charge. There was still the other brigadier, but she didn’t step up, often hiding herself away early on in the fifth peak, and there was nothing Ennanis could do about it.

But the greybelts that fought here did so with determination. As they had smaller Soleki reserves than her, Ennanis had half-expected them to be paralysed by fear, run around shitless, or be otherwise impossible to corrall. But they responded readily to even her most half-hearted commands, springing forth with weapons primed when told to, holding the lines. It was just as Amanita Zoleil had once told her:

Even if they will never see Paradise, even when their efforts go unseen and unrewarded, they fight like hell to protect the kingdom that discarded them.

Among these soldiers was Kikko Apple. Tonight, not nearly as lucky as she had been on that first night, she was taking watch of first peak alongside Ennanis. The Beasts had yet to arrive.

Kikko was afraid. That much was obvious. She curled in on herself, tugging her light-green braids close to her cold-flushed face. But when she saw Ennanis, she managed a small smile.

Ennanis saw it. She couldn’t bring herself to smile back, but she nodded at her.

“Chin up, sergeant,” she said. “Any reports?”

Biting her lip, Kikko steeled herself. Remembering the green-white striped ribbon at her vestfront seemed to give her some confidence. She fluffed her wingfeathers, standing tall in the strong wind. “Some cadets spotted a herd of makara swimming in the rivers through the eastern forest. They’re likely being sent ahead of the larger pack animals to scout for weaknesses. Angels on the higher peaks reported some disturbance of the air currents that suggest a flock of avian Beasts surging from the south.”

Ennanis nodded, listening in on her own set of communication charms. “Some have been hearing screeches. They’re likely to be harpies. Remind everyone to target their beaks or lungs first when defending, to stop their destructive screams.” She paused. “Any rooster calls?”

“No, Commander,” Kikko said. “The princess hasn’t shown her face in a good while. Not sure why. She was always really consistent… well, let’s hope she stays away for longer.”

“......” Ennanis gazed out into the dark forest. “That’s not a good sign. She could be planning something.”

Kikko shivered. “Never mind then.”

Ennanis flexed her wings. “I think I’m gonna go look for her.”

“A-are you serious?” Kikko startled. “Why would you?”

“It’s certainly better than sitting and waiting for whatever it is to hit us.”

“But we need you here,” Kikko looked less certain. “Who will command the troops while you’re gone? And how are you even going to find her, anyway?”

“They already have their orders. We’ve been through this many nights now. There’s other capable soldiers helping keep things in line. And I can still monitor the situation through here,” Ennanis pointed to her own head. “Besides… I can’t let anyone else go to face the Cockatrice, can I? I’m the strongest of us. If anyone goes, it should be me.”

“There’s nothing I can say to change your mind, is there.”

Ennanis shook her head.

“Then, can I come along?”

Ennanis gave her a glance of surprise. “Really? But aren’t you-”

“-Scared?” Kikko laughed muffledly. “Yes, yes. I’m terrified. But not as afraid as I am of leaving my friend alone with the Medusa-damned Cockatrice.”

“.........I don’t know,” Ennanis murmured. “I think it’s best for you to stay here. If you go, you may die.”

“And if I stay, I may die to the other Beasts, too,” Kikko folded her arms. Then her voice grew softer. “Every night, Ennanis, I’ve been so scared all the time. But when I watched you fighting so bravely, stepping up to command so quickly, I was inspired. I felt like I had a purpose to fulfill, greater than any fear of mine.” She gazed at her. “How many times have you saved me in the past week alone? When you yanked me out of the path of that minotaur’s swinging fists. That time when you took a naga’s spear in the arm before it could pierce my skull.”

“I suppose I can’t change your mind either,” Ennanis said.

“Yep.”

Ennanis chuckled dryly. “You should really choose better people to have rub off on you.”

“I owe you so many times over,” Kikko beamed in return. “Let me help you, just this once.”

~~~