465 The Ice Queen Cometh (1/2)
/Family: Ducky: Yes. Shall we start questioning him?
/Family: Nix: No, stick a Blackhand on him and stow him at the Nether Fortress. I want a cleric present when you question him.
/Family: Ducky: Okay, we'll be back in position in a few minutes.
/Family: Nix: Be careful, and thanks for the hard work.
Ashobel Nix trotted back toward the east entrance of the hub, shaking his head slightly when he spotted an Ashobel bounding across the snow like a kangaroo. ”Having fun, Morti?”
”Yep!” Without stopping, the Ashobel continued his progress.
The Ashobel puppets of Wind and Semmi were both standing at the entrance. Since puppets were all the same, Nix couldn't tell one from the other.
”That Domain is impressive.” Ashobel Semmi watched the frozen landscape while she spoke. ”How long until they try again?”
Nix shrugged slightly. ”If I had to guess, I'd say less than a day. We have everyone on standby, this time they'll be facing the 12 Pillars.”
*******************
Gideon sat comfortably on Nix's couch while he waited for word of the Battle at Gladis Hub. ”Damn, this is a nice place.”
”Can I get you something?” Hyai smiled at him from the kitchen; the smell of baked bread filled the house.
Gideon shook his head; he spent the morning with the Inn Keeper and was half-tempted to never leave. ”I'm getting spoiled.”
Hyai smiled. ”Nix did say that I should take care of you.”
A life-sized image of Nix appeared directly in front of Gideon a moment later. ”Check now.”
Gideon nodded and inhabited the mud encased puppet on his lap.
***********************
”No contact? You are saying that they are all dead?” Khione's cold voice cut through the room. She leaned forward on her throne; a single barefoot was visible under the long pale-blue gown.
The Su'Dhassi leader who had recommended attacking Loki nodded slightly. It was Sazo who picked the Colonial target, a fact that caused the Su'Dhassi to breathe a sigh of relief. ”We have to assume that Sazo is either dead or captured.”
The Ice Goddess closed her eyes for a moment; her slender fingers traced a complicated pattern in the air. A long Ice Sceptor appeared in her grasp a moment before her ice colored eyes blinked open. ”I cannon reach him, either he is dead, or an artifact is preventing my contact. Nix must have been there somehow; it's the only explanation. Time for this person to die.”
Gideon's eyes opened suddenly, and he jumped to his feet. ”We have to contact Nix!”
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Nix placed the Ashobel puppet back in the storage room; he decided after this battle he would recraft all of his armor. The Eidengal Armorer could reset the base stats and salvage the puppets he had altered them with.
/Alpha: Semmi: My least favorite part of this.
/Alpha: Nix: Grab something to eat, there's a...
Nix's words trailed off when a life-sized holo of Tai'Qui appeared in front of him. ”Tai? What's the matter?”
”She's coming to Colonial Nix. Khione is coming to kill you.” Tai'Qui brown eyes had none of their usual warmth.
Nix stared at the holo for a moment. ”She coming by herself? Or with an army?”
”By herself, it sounds like, but she has the ability to open gates if she needs too. I will contact Deidra and Sinfaya.”
Nix shook his head. ”I invited you to Haven to safeguard your offspring, not so that you could be slain in a minor altercation. Do nothing.”
”Minor altercation?” Tai glanced over her shoulder; Hyai's voice could be heard in the background. ”The Ice Goddess is not a minor altercation.”
/Alliance Command: Tharaka: Eastern fields, she's here.
”Stay in Haven.” Nix closed the communication and headed toward the exit.
/Alliance Command: Nix: On my way.
Nix exited the Gladis Hub and stepped out onto the ice. It crunched under his feet as he made his way to the edge of the field where Tharaka was standing.
The Ashobel Chief carried a long spear in one hand. ”It's an Ice Dome.”
Nix summoned Nightmare and then swung easily into the saddle.
[Battle Aura: Emerald Fury]
Tharaka took several steps back, shielding his face from the intense heat. ”A Battle aura?”