Kyran kept his face impassive and let no hint of doubt cloud his face. “I am. If we have enough time to prepare, and find the right creatures, it can be done.”
Talien waved aside this concern. “Finding the creatures will be no obstacle. My rangers know the lair and nest of every beast within a hundred miles of here.” He shot to his feet. “A map,” he said suddenly. “We need a map. Sithar must keep one somewhere around here.” Not waiting for Kyran’s acknowledgement, he ran out of the room.
Kyran sat back and smiled. He had misjudged Talien, it seemed. It looked like the two would be able to work together after all.
✽✽✽
Six hours later, the little room was nearly unrecognisable.
Open books were scattered all over the floor, while on the room’s only table a large map had been rolled out, its detailed geography of the Elder Forest buried beneath tiny scraps of papers. Not even Talien had dared to desecrate one of Sithar’s treasures by scribbling on them. Each scrawled note was carefully placed to denote the location of every suitable beast warren known to the ranger commander.
Kyran was impressed by Talien’s knowledge. Not once had the ranger hesitated in his description of the location and numbers of creatures they were likely to find at each den. As Talien meticulously expounded on the beasts in the vicinity, Kyran realised that their biggest challenge would be in selecting which creatures to befriend.
As a wild druid, Kyran was able to beast bond one additional creature per rank above the base limit of five, which meant that as an apprentice wild druid he was able to tame seven beasts. But which seven? That’s the question. He and Talien had been going around and around on the matter, and were still no closer to deciding. They were spoiled for choice, and really the best option hinged on the makeup of the enemy champion’s forces, of which they still did not know enough.
They were still arguing when Sithar, Lothar, and Mirien walked in. “Gods be damned! Free agent, what have you done here?” asked the head librarian with a horrified look around the room.
Kyran looked up, startled by the interruption. He followed Sithar’s slow gaze, only now realising the extent of the mess he and Talien had created. “Oh,” he said sheepishly, “we were… uhm, planning.”
“Planning?” echoed Sithar while Mirien and Lothar looked on inquisitively from behind.
Unexpectedly, Talien came to Kyran’s rescue. “Lord Lothar, is the dowager ready to see the free agent?”
Sithar, his brow crinkling, turned to stare at the ranger commander, only then seeming to recognise his presence. “Talien, what do you have to do with this?”
The ranger ignored the librarian’s question. “The dowager,” he repeated patiently to the protector looming over Sithar’s shoulder.
Lothar blinked. “Yes, she has recovered enough to see Kyran. But we best hurry if we want to catch her before she naps again,” he said with an apologetic look at the head librarian.
“Go, then,” said Sithar with a forlorn sigh as he waved them away. “I will have the pages clean up this mess.”
✽✽✽
The four made their escape from the library and were joined outside by Adra, Gaesin, and Aiken. Lothar and Talien immediately set off in the direction of Oak Briar Hall with the party following on their heels.
Kyran dropped into step beside Gaesin and Adra. “How did the shopping go?” he asked.
“Great!” said Gaesin. “I managed to buy some wonderful items from the mages. Here, have a look.”
Gaesin withdrew a handful of items from his knapsack and held them out for Kyran to inspect.
Found: 1 x mystical garments of the water mage (+12% water magic skill).
Found: 1 x assassin’s bracelet (+8% two weapon style skill).
Found: 1 x ring of archery (+12% archery skill).
Found: 5 x healing salves.
Found: 3 x magic shield scrolls.
Kyran gazed in admiration at the items. “Well done, Gaesin,” he said. The ring was obviously for Adra, and the shield scrolls and the bracelet for Mirien. He handed over the items to the women.
But Gaesin was not done yet. He pulled out one last item. “And this is for you,” he said, his face alight with eager anticipation.
Kyran took the item from Gaesin, a nondescript piece of leather, and inspected it curiously. It was a leather belt, but certainly no ordinary one.
Found: Tactician’s belt.
Type: Enchanted item. Rank: Masterful.
Special properties: +16% commander skill.
Condition: Excellent.
Description: Crafted from wyvern scales, this belt has been infused by a master enchanter to increase the bearer’s commander skill.
Kyran whistled in silent appreciation as he studied the item’s details. “This is amazing, Gaesin.”
“I thought you would like it,” said the youth, with a pleased grin.
“If the Eldervale’s mages can create items of this quality, defeating Misteria’s champions will be easier than I thought,” he said, still marvelling at the belt.
But Gaesin shook his head. “Sorry, Kyran, but the town’s mages didn’t create it. This item is one of the few they managed to scavenge from Crotana’s ruins, and the only reason they were willing to trade the belt was that no one in the town can make use of it. As it was, Tehrilan demanded half the gems you gave me in exchange for it.”
Kyran winced at the cost. Regardless, it was a great trade. He equipped the belt and, turning his focus inwards, inspected the changes to his self.
You have equipped a tactician’s belt (+16% commander skill).
Your commander skill has increased to 17.6.
He nodded again approvingly at Gaesin before turning to Adra. “And how did your shopping go, Adra?”
“Nowhere near as spectacular as Gaesin’s,” she said with a wry grin. “But I managed to collect my new bow and armour, and found all the supplies we need.” She nodded to the heavy pack on her shoulder.
Kyran had already noticed Adra’s new gleaming scaled armour. “It looks good on you,” he said in admiration. Her previous armour and bow had been in dire need of replacing. Of all the party, she had been the most poorly equipped. No longer.
“Well done, both of you,” he said. Looking up, he saw that they had arrived at the Oak Briar Hall. “Let’s hope the rest of the day goes just as well and we can convince the dowager to let us stay and help the town.” With those words, he followed Lothar and Talien inside.
✽✽✽
Inside the hall, the dowager and the rest of the council awaited them. Kyran missed his step and nearly fell as he caught sight of Eldervale’s ruler. Lera looked noticeably worse than she had yesterday. Gone from her face were the unbending lines of strength. Today she looked haggard and worn down, her eyes dull and lifeless.
Seeing her now, he wondered how much of her distress stemmed from physical ailments and what part was due to mental anguish and despair at the fate that awaited her people.
“Why have you come to pester me again, free agent?” demanded the dowager.
“I have a plan,” Kyran replied, ignoring her combative tone.
“Bah! Don’t waste my time with this nonsense again. Begone, and let an old woman rest.”
“Not until you hear me out first,” said Kyran firmly.
“Lothar, escort this young idiot away!” rasped Lera.
“Wait,” said Talien, stepping forward and bowing before Lera. “Dowager, hear him out please. I believe his plan has merit.”
The dowager pinned Talien with her gaze. The ranger stiffened under her scrutiny, but did not back down. “So,” said Lera, releasing Talien from her stare as her eyes drifted back to Kyran. “It seems you have a sliver tongue if nothing else. Speak.”
Kyran stared steadily at the dowager. Now that the moment had arrived, he realised the time for half-measures was over. If he truly wished to save Eldervale, he had to put all his cards on the table. As much faith as he had in the strategy he and Tali
en had just concocted, he knew he could not gamble the fate of Eldervale’s five thousand people on it alone. He would need to reveal both his plans.
He coughed into his hand. “I have not told Talien everything.” The ranger commander’s head whipped around to stare at Kyran in betrayed surprise. Kyran shrugged apologetically. “There are elements in what I must share that I have told no one, not even my companions.”
“Stop being coy, child, and spit it out,” said the dowager. “What is this mysterious plan of yours?”
Kyran shook his head. “I will tell you, but not here,” he said, glancing around.
“The Oak Briar Hall is secure, free agent,” said Lothar, mistaking the direction of Kyran’s gaze. “None in town will betray the dowager’s trust.”
“No, Lothar,” Kyran said. “You misunderstand. It is not the residents of the town that I fear, but the gods themselves. Not even the wards of Eldervale are secure enough for what I have to share.”
Tehrilan chuckled. “The free agent barks at shadows. Dowager, get rid of him. He—”
Lera flung up her hand, cutting of the mage. “If not here,” she said, her eyes flashing with some of her old fire, “then where?”
Kyran answered her obliquely. “Yesterday you claimed you acted in concert with Crota’s undead. Is that true? Have you met Aveyad?”
“What do Zarr and his minions have to do with this?” Saven burst out, but the dowager only smiled, seeming to realise where Kyran was going with this.
“I have met the vampire lord,” she said, then added. “Face to face.”
“How?” Kyran asked, leaning forward intently.
“Dowager, I don’t think we should—” began Tehrilan.
“Eldervale is within range of a travelling spell cast from Crota,” said the dowager, speaking over the mage again. “Zarr’s portal master opened a gate to this area.”
“Ah,” said Kyran. He had thought it might be something like that. “Then I will tell you everything—but only under Zarr’s wards in Crota.”
The dowager gazed at him with stony eyes. “You ask a lot, boy,” she said eventually. “Gates are detectable in the ether. Opening a portal between Eldervale and Crota will put the entire town in grave danger. Are you sure your secret warrants all this?”
Kyran swallowed. He hadn’t been aware of that. But it was unavoidable. It was risk that would have to be borne. “I am,” he answered steadily. “We will need to take the settlement stone as well.”
“This is madness!” spat out Saven. “You can’t possibly be considering this, Dowager.”
Tehrilan also shook his head. “Dowager, I advise against this as well.”
The dowager stiffened at their words, but before she could reply, a messenger burst into the hall. “Commander Talien! Commander Talien, you must come quickly!”
The ranger swung to face the young elf, who had stopped before him, hands on his knees as he gulped for breath. “What is it?” demanded Talien.
“It’s one of the scouting parties!” cried the messenger. “Their entire company has been slaughtered!”
Chapter 28
09 Novo 2603 AB
Settlement stones are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they allow a domain to expand its area of influence. On the other, they are extremely costly to create and once employed in a settlement’s founding, cannot be removed. And while the stones are not indestructible, they are not easily destroyed either. All of that makes establishing settlements a risky endeavour that should be carefully considered. —Jostfyler Graldvir, Game scholar.
The meeting was abandoned as the entire council went to get a first-hand account of the scouts’ news.
Standing next to the dowager, who leaned heavily on Talien for support, Kyran studied the grim scene in the rangers’ barracks. Five bloodied elves, all sporting numerous minor cuts and with bloodshot and sunken eyes, were being tended by the towns’ healers.
Kyran leaned towards Lothar, who was on his right. “How many rangers are there in a company?” he asked in a whisper.
“Twenty,” replied the protector grimly.
So, the messenger’s news is an exaggeration, but not by much. Less than a quarter of the ranger company had survived.
“Report, Lieutenant” said Talien, his voice harsh and unyielding.
A female elf laboriously lifted herself off her bed and tottered forward towards the ranger commander. The healer by her side glared at the unapologetic Talien, but did not object to his treatment of her ward.
The lieutenant saluted, though the motion was tired. “Sir, it was the champion. He found us.”
“How?” asked Talien.
“I’m not sure, sir. As you ordered, our captain withdrew the scouts from around the saurian camp. But somehow, five days ago, the champion tracked us down. We were ambushed at night. The captain…” The ranger paused and licked her lips nervously before continuing. “The captain ordered us to flee.” The lieutenant lowered her head, her face burning with shame. “I’m sorry, sir! But we abandoned our fellows to die.”
Talien’s face paled, but he remained silent.
“You did the right thing,” whispered the dowager, her tone gentle. “It was your duty to warn the town.”
The lieutenant bobbed her head in acknowledgement, but looked no less disheartened by having to desert her company.
“What was the enemy’s composition, Lieutenant?” asked Talien.
The elf straightened at the snap of command in Tailen’s voice.
“Sir, Misteria’s champion appeared to be a divine-mage hybrid and had at least three vassals with him: a heavy infantry soldier, an archer, and a priest. Accompanying them were at least five companies of saurian heavy infantry and scouts.”
“How far away is the enemy, Lieutenant?”
“After they overran our outpost, we shadowed the champion only long enough to ascertain their numbers and direction. After a day, the direction of the enemy’s march was clear.” The lieutenant expelled a troubled breath. “The saurians are advancing steadily east, at about half the pace a ranger company could manage. Their main force should be here in eight days. Maybe less.”
Eight days, thought Kyran, unhappily. That was less time than he and Talien had planned for. The ranger captain’s face tightened as he exchanged a look with Kyran.
“We can still do it,” said Kyran, answering Talien’s unspoken question. “But we will have to accelerate our plans.” He swung to face the dowager. “Lera, we must contact Zarr immediately.”
The dowager’s shoulders had sagged during the lieutenant’s tale. “You still think you can save Eldervale, free agent?” she asked, her eyes heavy with defeat.
“I do, but we must act quickly,” he replied.
Her eyes jumped from him to Talien, who nodded curtly. “Very well. Tehrilan, contact Aveyad,” she said. “Inform him that we must meet.”
“Are you sure, Dowager?” asked the mage.
“Do it,” she snapped. “Tell him we will be ready in two hours.”
With her decision made, some of the dowager’s lost resolve returned to buoy her spirit once more. “The portal to Crota cannot be opened within the town’s boundaries, not without disrupting Eldervale’s concealment ward,” she explained to Kyran. “The undead will open the gate in a clearing a few miles south of here. We will have to hurry if we want to get there in time.”
The dowager turned to Talien. “Commander, assemble an escort,” she ordered. “We will leave immediately.” Swinging back to Kyran, she continued, “To reduce the magical signature left in the ether, Zarr’s portal master will open the smallest portal possible, one with only enough energy to teleport four. Talien and I will both go. You must select one of your companions to accompany you.”
Kyran looked over the listening party. Who did he take? He hesitated before resting his gaze on Adra, but the wolven shook her head. “I would prefer not to revisit the undead, Kyran,” she said. Her voice trembled slightly as she appeared to recall her i
ncarceration at Crota keep.
His face pale, Gaesin swallowed nervously. “Me neither,” said the half-elf.
Kyran nodded in understanding. The two still seemed traumatised by their treatment at the undead’s hands. That left only Aiken and Mirien. He glanced between the pair. Aiken had no fear of the undead, but the great bear already knew the secret of the Thirteenth Well. There was no reason to take him along. Well, other than as an excuse not to reveal all his secrets to Mirien.
Do I trust her enough? he wondered, his gaze lingering on the whiesper. Of course. And the time for half-measures had passed. “Mirien?” he asked.
“I’ll go,” she said simply, but her eyes betrayed her surprise.
“That’s settled, then,” said the dowager. “Let’s head out.”
✽✽✽
The four did not venture out of Eldervale alone. A full company of Talien’s rangers, Lothar’s protectors, and the rest of the party accompanied them.
The dowager, much to her scathing disgust, was placed in a litter and borne on the backs of Lothar’s protectors. Despite the dowager’s vocal unhappiness, the company made swift progress through the forest and reached their destination in time.
Kyran glanced around at the clearing at which they had stopped. There was nothing notable about it, its appearance hardly different from the many forest groves he had seen in the forest thus far. “Now what?” he asked.
“Now, we wait,” said Lothar, striding up to his side. “The portal should open any minute now.” The protector turned towards Mirien, and without missing a beat continued the argument he had been pursuing the entire journey south. “Milady, I beg you, please reconsider.”
Mirien sighed. “For the last time, no. I will not stay behind.”
“But I the portal’s size will not allow me to send any protectors with you. Who will keep you safe?”
Mirien’s eyes glinted dangerously. “Lothar, I am no child. And if you persist in treating me like one, we will have a problem. I will accompany Kyran to Crota. The matter is closed and not up for further discussion. Do we understand one another, Protector?”
Sovereign (The Gods' Game, Volume IV) Page 39