Chapter 942: Mares
Proofread by Thomas F
The attacks from the five High-Mages came from five different directions.
Fire Lances to Lightning Arcs appeared around us while the ground became jagged, and metal spikes rose out of the ground.
Tempest neighed loudly, and lightning arcs shot out of him, clashing against the spells; he struck the ground with his hoofs, sending a wave of lightning across the ground.
Destroying the metal spikes as the wave hit them.
Our minds are linked with Monster Link, and I am using Rein Control, but other than that, I am not doing anything. I assisted in earlier sessions, but not anymore.
He now understands what he has to do without my directions.
That is what I want him to do: act powerfully and independently, but in sync with me, against one enemy or multiple of them.
More attacks came, but the lightning shot out to clash with them, destroying them.
He didn't just act to destroy.
No, he dodged those he could, avoiding the spending of his energy, which is a lot, but still finite. I observed everything in case I need to correct him.
He had become much better since my battle with the necromancer.
Now he understood his power well and its limits. If we were to fight that necromancer now, we would do far better than we did the last time we faced him.
Though I would rather it did not come to pass.
One undead kingdom is already giving me a lot of trouble; I don't want to add another one.
Minutes passed when, suddenly, three people appeared. Two in front and one in back; all of them are clad in rogue suits and holding daggers and short swords.
One moment, there was nothing, and the next, they appeared.
They timed the attack perfectly; they appeared at the same time and close to Tempest. So, he wouldn't have time to react fast enough to deal with them.
Their skills roared, and blades moved at light speed, all targeting his critical spots.
In an instant, their blades were only an inch away from him.
It was when delicate but thin arcs of lightning hit their blades before exploding outward and covering their blades before reaching their whole bodies. It was concentrated lightning that burst out with full power when it came in contact.
"Fuck!"
One of the rogues cursed, jumping back when he landed, before he collapsed on the ground.
The others are not in much better shape. They would have had a far worse state if Tempest hadn't controlled the power of the attack; some might have even died.
"I think it's enough," I said, and the mages lowered their staffs, while I dismounted from Tempest.
"Don't go anywhere," I said to Tempest.
Since I came back from Mirador Hold, I stopped keeping him in the stable. There are stables for him, and he stays there, but there are no restrictions on him.
Most of the time, he remains outside the stall in range, coming within minutes if he is called or needed, but he mostly enjoys his time outside.
I don't mind now that I can constantly track his location and call him. There are also only a few things that could threaten him with his level and power, which is slowly growing.
Still, he remains in range. If somebody tried something against him, I could help him immediately with the spells launched from the wall.
For now, I asked him to stay for a while; the ship had arrived. In half an hour, they will be here.
"That was incredible, Lord Silver. Never in my dreams had I thought you could tame that wild monster to such a degree," said Brigadier General Luskin. "I am surprised as well, General," I replied with a smile.
I truly am.
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to take in Tempest. I thought I would need years to tame him, even if I could ever do that.
Wild monsters are powerful, hard to tame, and dangerous. If they were not, every rider and trainer would have gone for the wild monsters.
"The new batch, how is it doing?" I asked. The new batch of horses had come from merchant states a week ago. "Amazing as always," he replied with a big smile appearing on his face.
"One can always trust the merchants to deliver the top quality as long as you pay them," I said, and the man smiled.
The size of the dominion's cavalry is growing. It is an important force, very well suited for the wasteland. It's such a regret that I started it late.
I wanted to start earlier, but cavalry is expensive.
Minutes passed when a considerable cart rolled onto the cavalry headquarters grounds and stopped. A few seconds later, the extensive door opened, and three large horses came out.
Not stallions, mares.
These three mares are ash-white with thick manes, but their hooves are black as coal, and when they run, they turn fiery red with intense heat coming off them.
These are Ashenmares, and they have come from Ishlynor Forest. These are among the fastest breeds of the merchant states.
Given only to the elites and the powerful.
Getting three wasn't easy; they are very protective of them. These beasts are magnificent; it's such a pity that I will have to return them after I am finished.
They are one of four mares that I have brought to the city to breed with Tempest.
Thundermane of Namdar, Raunus of Amberhold, Ironrush of Manris, and Ashenmares of Ishynor Forest.
These four have the qualities I need for my project, according to the experts I had hired. There are three more in the empire and a few more in other countries, but I am going to start with this group from the four regions.
I want to create a breed that is unique to Greltheaven, with Tempest as the main seed and template.
It will take years and a lot of effort and resources, but the project will be worth it, witnessing the amazing bloodline Tempest is.
Speaking of which, I turned toward the mares, but didn't approach them. Learning a lesson from last time, when his sudden approach spooked those mares.
In two weeks, the breeding season will start.
We could have started before with the aid of skills and alchemy, but the project is hard as it is, and I will need all the natural advantages I can to succeed.
"It will be a challenge to produce a unique breed. If we manage that, it will be the envy of all," said General Luskin.
Yes, it would be a challenge.
For the thing, I want to create a new breed, and that is going to make things very difficult. The stronger the monster is and the more powerful its bloodline, the harder it is for it to conceive.
These mares are not weak; each of them is Grade IV. It is minimum, while Tempest is Grade V.
I looked at the three mares and walked toward them. They noticed me immediately and became alert. So, I slowed down and activated Soothing Presence.
It's a powerful skill, and it affects them as I slowly approach, keeping my form non-threatening.
Soon, I reached them, but didn't touch them. Instead, I took out apples and used my aura to move them toward each one. They looked at them hesitantly before moving to eat them.
As they did, I petted them gently, which they allowed me to do after some hesitation.
"Good girl," I said as I petted.
"I am taking one for a ride," I informed, alarming the elf. "My lord, it is dangerous," he replied in panic.
"It will be fine," I said and mounted the closest one to me. She is well-trained and didn't react violently, but I could feel she was close to it. So, I pushed Soothing Presence, this time with my aura.
It calmed her, not completely, but enough.
Seeing that, I clicked my tongue, and she moved. It reminded me of the first time I had ridden Tempest. I didn't use a saddle or anything; it was not the most comfortable ride.
In a minute, I was out of the cavalry compound and moved toward the gate.
It was afternoon, and things weren't crowded as they are in the morning or evening; it took me only a few minutes to reach the gate before getting out of it, just as we did.
"Run as fast as you can," I said to the mare, and a moment later, its speed began to increase.
I activated Rein Control for a smoother ride.
Speaking of which, riding this mare feels smoother than Tempest. He is wild, explosive, while the mare is as smooth as a smooth jet. It is the natural ability of Ashenmare.
It is one of the qualities that make them so desirable.
It galloped faster and faster across the wasteland, with its charcoal-black hooves turning fiery red.
Minutes passed, and I rode through wasteland and soon reached a caravan of merchants moving toward Brimbale. The agreements we signed were already increasing trade between the cities.
They turned toward me, but I barely looked at them and kept riding.
I rode for forty minutes before turning back toward the city and activating Lightning Gallop, and immediately the speed of the mare increased.
It neighed excitedly while the fire blazed across its hooves as it galloped toward the city.
Seeing that, a smile couldn't help but appear on my face.
Its speed couldn't be compared to Tempest when he was Grade IV, but it was far greater than any beast or monster I had ridden before. It is no wonder that these horses are so precious.
I felt every movement of the mare, the power it contains. It's incredible.
I was a little disappointed when the city came back into view. A few minutes later, I deactivated Lightning Gallop and rode into the city.
…
"My lord, you shouldn't have done that; it was not safe," said General Luskin. "I couldn't resist this beautiful creature," I replied, feeding the mare an apple that she chomped on happily.
These apples came from Nova Alyra. Tempest loved them, and it seemed like other horses did as well.
"Have you discussed everything, General?" I asked the man while looking back at the group of elves. The mares didn't come alone; the elves came with them and will stay until I am done with them.
"Yes," he replied.
"Good, we only have a few weeks before the season starts. I want the mares to be ready for it," I stated. "It will be done, my lord," he replied. I nodded and walked toward my carriage.
It is an important project that the cavalry would benefit from the most.
So, I let them head it; besides, Luskin has experience in it, he spent a few years in the breeding hall of the imperial cavalry.
Step deeper into the world—read 50+ chapters ahead and unlock exclusive artwork, character cards, and detailed maps that bring the story’s lore to life on Patreon.