As his undead followed, the soldiers recoiled feeling fear as the dead walked among them. Even among the empire's troops, such magic made them feel uncomfortable. If he were to walk into Southwall's army, they would be attacked on sight since such spells were illegal and considered an offense to those who had passed on.
Finding the tent, Palose made the wraiths keep the others nearby, but away from the soldiers guarding the tents of the generals and lords involved with running this army. Only a moment to wait for a soldier to relay his arrival and return slowed his entry.
He found Lanquer and a small gathering of men, some of whom exuded almost as much magical power as the brother of the emperor, who was a vessel for much of Kolban's power.
The brother still looked young, but the teenage body was building into a fierce looking soldier as the campaign continued on Litsarin. Kolban's body had yet to grow and mature the way Lanquer had and Acheri looked as young and beautiful as she had from the day she had exited her birthing tank. The three were as unnatural as Palose and his resurrection men in their own way, he thought. He also wondered if the rapid growth inside the magical tanks had continued in Lanquer, who was an inferior being to his brother and sister.
"Good, you are here and appear to be unharmed," Lanquer greeted his former teacher. "I suppose that I shouldn't be so surprised. You are a survivor, even if you have died once before."
It wasn't a secret that Palose was what he was, a dead man returned to life; but few made mention of the fact since it was magic that most feared.
"Your messenger caught me as I returned to the ridge. I admit that I was surprised to see a retreat was being called. We could have destroyed their golems and pressed towards the defensive weapons on the far ridge if we had continued to try."
One of the men in black armor standing nearby with an aura almost as powerful as Lanquer spoke up with a frown, "We were losing men needlessly. These wizards of Sileoth surprised us with this tactic. We need only create some of our own or use the spells we have in mind to sweep them aside, but word has come from the north. The village we left in check to continue towards Helsen has suddenly shown new life.
"A request for help has made us halt our advance. We will send reinforcements to push the resistance into the sea and raze the village to the ground for daring to defy our emperor," the lord declared received nods from many of the men around them.
"Is this why I was called here?" Palose asked trying not to appear too curious. "I need to go back to clean up the mistakes of the general? We should have destroyed that village long ago."
"They have put up a surprisingly good defense," another armored man replied sharing without being asked. The man was a captain serving the lord, but his words received a frown from the first man for his effort.
Lanquer was starting to smile. The former bodyguard to the emperor interrupted them all without fear of reproach as he directed his words to Palose once more, "You can turn your talents on this village. Lord Liev will lead his company through the portal near the village. You get to assist or at least watch him bring his powerful magic to bear on this village.
"They won't have a chance to learn from this, but maybe those to the southwest will see that their resistance is useless."
The armored lord's eyes wrinkled slightly with a frown. Palose thought that he was annoyed by the young boy. Lord Liev might know of Lanquer's origins, but the fact that this brother to the emperor was really less than half a year old probably didn't sit well with the elven lord being ordered around so dismissively. Palose had heard stories that Liev and his elder brother Devolus had been alive since before the emperor had freed his people from the Silver Void. Over two hundred years of wisdom and experience didn't need a child telling him what to do.
Palose interjected, "If Lord Liev is going, then why send me? My men will need to be replaced before I can be of much to assist anyone."
"You have more than just the one talent," Lord Liev stated even as Lanquer had opened his mouth to answer in a similar way. The boy's mouth closed with a frown as Liev continued, "You have a battle mage's training and for some reason you also have a warlock's power. I am sure if needed, you can come up with something appropriate in a fight.
"You can bring whatever dead men you have left with you, but you will come either way."
Lanquer started to shake his head and added, "Lord Liev didn't even tell you the main reason they want you to go. Someone has been opening the northern gates. They believe it might be this odd battle mage we've heard rumors about.
"We know that someone has been able to disable your gates in the south. If it isn't him, it is probably someone you will wish to dispose of either way."
"It couldn't be Sebastian. He doesn't have the strength to create a portal on his own, if he even knows how," Palose started. "After all, he is just a battle mage, even if he is a talented one."
The boy general frowned in response before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter who it is. You are one of our better portal magicians. If you can find the one behind these gates, you can prevent his escape.
"Kill whoever it is so we can end this threat. Southwall can't be allowed to learn our portals. It would shift the balance in a way unacceptable to our emperor."
"I saw the use of multiple gates at the battle for the Twins. Killing one wizard or mage is unlikely to put that genie back in its bottle," Palose replied thinking of the gates which he had seen while watching the attack on the North Wall.
Lord Liev stated in annoyance, "Just be ready to go in the morning. The enemy is unlikely to be able to do much to hurt our army holding them in check. We can hit them fresh in the morning."
Nodding to the lord, Palose listened to a few more words on the matter before leaving the tent. If he had until morning with the day's fighting likely over as well, the mage thought he could slip away to Ensolus to sleep in his bed with Sylvaine and return in the morning without being noticed.
If they were right and Sebastian was there, he wanted to be fresh and ready for a fight with his old rival.
Magnus looked at the rune covered blade dubiously. Handed to him by the mage, he wondered why Sebastian would trust such a thing to him. Their history wasn't one that lent itself to such acts of trust, so the wizard considered the sword with a little suspicion even though they had been working to mend their relationship since Magnus had learned to respect the battle mage over the last year.
"You've proved before that I am a novice swordsman compared to you," the fire wizard stated holding the weapon noting its perfect balance. A scabbard was held by his left as Magnus tested the feel of the Hollow Sword. "Why would you hand one of your swords to me? You are more likely to need it if the one you carry breaks while you're fighting.
"Falconi Martina should probably use it instead," he noted the mage officer standing with the remainder of the dragon mages.
Sebastian had arrived surprising them all. His last words before leaving the ship had implied that he would be too busy to return before they arrived at Helsen. The plan had been to watch over the fleet just in case the black ships should wish to try again. Over the centuries the emperor had proven his dogged determination to win, so even a complete rout was unlikely to deter him from trying to destroy the ships carrying men and supplies to Litsarin.
The mage had drawn out two swords on his return. One was buckled to Sebastian's waist, while Magnus held the second.
"Falconi Martina is certainly better with a sword, but the Hollow Swords are also talismans capable of wielding more magic than you can on your own," the owl mage said speaking quiet enough to be heard by Magnus, but few others on deck. "She could use it, but I think your power would translate better."
Magnus lifted the shiny, metal blade before his eyes and stated, "It is an attractive weapon, but how does it work? A wizard using it still seems a waste of a good weapon."
"Fireball," Sebastian called on the fire spell willing it into the sword. The runes glowed orange, but it was a dull color compared t
o a powerful spell's energy held inside the runes. "You call a spell into the Hollow Sword and it will hold the magic for you until you release it. It will increase the power of any spell you choose, but attack spells are the easiest to wield. A sword cuts, so you can only expect the spell to be directed by the direction it points.
"A defensive spell will add to its strength, but you can't fire a shield like a fire spell," he clarified quickly. The second part of what he planned to show Magnus made the owl leery, but if presented properly, Sebastian hoped that it wouldn't spark more dangerous thinking.
Placing the tip of the sword against the deck, the mage spoke of what could be done without channeling magic into the sword, "If you touch the sword to the ground, you can pull greater power into the weapon to further increase a spell's strength. Be careful not to draw too much power or the weapon will break. I have scars to prove that warning isn't given lightly.
"You are a wizard, so I would think that you will have a better feel for it than I do."
Magnus snorted in disbelief and shook his head replying, "Don't try to compliment me at the sake of putting your ability down. We both know that it isn't even true. You made this weapon, didn't you? That means you have a better feel for the metal's strength than anyone."
The fire wizard paused a moment looking at the sword before asking, "Is there anything else that I need to know?"
Sebastian shook his head. "When we get there, we'll spread out. Hopefully Ashleen is having success using her sword, so the three of us should be able to disrupt the enemy more spreading across the field of battle."
Grunting a little laugh, Magnus replied, "Whatever the mizard thinks... wait, they call you an owl now, don't they? Whatever the owl mage says, I will try to do then."
Wondering at the wizard's belief in him after years of bullying the lesser mages, Sebastian didn't argue the point. Instead, he motioned the others to come closer as he quickly ordered a new gate. Even as the ship moved, the golden doorway merely moved with the vessel. The deck was its binding point and could move with the vessel even though it was otherwise immovable from its place attached to the wood planks.
The other dragon mages stepped through the doorway one at a time. Katya exchanged a look with her brother making him wish to stop her. A battle field was dangerous for anyone and the girl was just a novice wizard. Only a single battle during training prepared her in any way. The sea warfare was the second, but he had to admit his little sister was more adept than one would think for a thirteen year old girl.
"Be careful," he said quietly to his sister wanting to be a big brother capable of keeping her out of harm's way; but they were soldiers of Southwall no matter what the names of their classes might be. Soldiers fought and sometimes died. Shying away from danger was more likely to cause their deaths than facing it head on, Sebastian thought before stepping through the shimmering portal.
The change from the peace of the sea and its waves was quickly replaced by the thunder of magic spells and the weapons of war. Screams and shouts carried to him on the wind as did the smell of things burning. The scent of blood was more subtle behind the wall of the village. Death and destruction concentrated on the outer defenses. It was why he had chosen to place his temporary gate here rather than outside in the shelter of a stone bunker.
As his mind oriented itself to his surroundings, Sebastian noted Magnus and his two friends had already disappeared from sight. Katya, Iris and Falconi Martina waited for the mage. As if the falconi needed his permission to enter the fray, Sebastian thought to himself with a slight smile that revealed nothing of humor.
More to his surprise, he noticed that an air wizard named Edwar remained at the falconi's side. The man had no affiliation with Magnus aside from having been in the dragon mage class. Instead he stood near Martina as if it had been decided that she should be the leader.
Closer to the wall Sebastian found the last dragon mage, the apprentice Arrimus. The fire wizard nearly cringed with each loud noise from behind the nearest stone walled house. Whatever arrogance he maintained in White Hall seemed to have dissipated in the face of a real war. He had been in the fighting with Katya this summer, but the explosions shaking the ground and air appeared to dishearten the young man.
Katya noticed the dark haired apprentice as well. Unlike the older boy, the thirteen year old novice looked very composed in spite of the threat to all of their lives. Without naming Arrimus, the young diplomat wizard suggested, "The people here look frightened and worn. I was taught a spell to help raise spirits. It is more like a song really.
"Instead of running into the main battle, maybe I should stay near the village and try to bring the soldiers and wizards a little magical courage."
She was so small, Sebastian thought, but her heart was that of a giant. He nodded, though Martina easily outranked him. Calling to Arrimus, the battle mage ordered the apprentice, "Arrimus, stay with Katya and keep her safe. She isn't just important to me. A diplomat wizard can help keep our defenders strong in the face of all this destruction."
The dark haired wizard jumped at his name, but hearing Sebastian's voice was like throwing oil into a fire. He had been one of the bullies beside Magnus when they were children. While the wizard continued to remain childish and sometimes malevolent to the young mages trying to learn their skills in the school; hearing a mage like Sebastian trying to order him, a wizard, around was enough to bring some anger into him. Anger strengthened the apprentice and he strode towards them proclaiming, "Well, if you are so worried over her, I suppose that I can protect a little girl for you. I should be out there showing them what a fire wizard can do, but I guess keeping your sister safe will do for now.
"Just don't think I will want to remain behind while you and Magnus get to have all the fun!" Arrimus added with bravado. His cowering ways would humiliate the wizard in front of Katya or Martina, Sebastian thought, so he had to put on a stronger face than his heart might be able to support.
"It's because you are strong that I need you to make sure Katya doesn't get hurt. She's going to use her magic for support for now. I hope that is enough for you until we need you for more," Sebastian added continuing to play along. He knew the wizard was more of a coward than Arrimus wanted anyone to know. It seemed like those who yelled hardest that they were better than everyone else were just doing it to make themselves believe those words.
Before the others had walked through the wall, Katya began to sing her magical spell. Even though he hadn't truly been afraid for himself, Sebastian felt his resolve building beyond what had been there before.
He glanced back at Katya and thought that the wizard seemed to glow with her power. Soldiers and villagers left behind heard her voice. Their chests seemed to swell and their eyes held hope once more. A diplomat wizard's magic was powerful stuff, the mage thought with admiration for his little sister. She was a true wizard and her power made his own look insignificant, even so it made him proud.
"She's impressive," Martina stated into his ear as they moved through a battered archway. It had taken a few blows, but only had chips in the stone so far. "Not only for a novice, but for a wizard of any age; but her youth makes her appear all the more impressive."
Sebastian nodded even as he faced the chaos beyond the gate.
"Now we need to see if we can match, Katya," the brother said with a grim smile.
Chapter 34- Light in the Darkness
Lightning raged at the center of the front. Ashleen's lightning cage swirled as tendrils flicked out to strike at the black armored soldiers pressing in on the wizard and the lone soldier wielding the Hollow Sword. Her hand rested between the much taller man's shoulder blades serving to help keep the wilder standing as much as to add some of her strength to the soldier. They had been fighting for what seemed like forever.
Trying to pace herself, Ashleen would charge the sword with lightning and let Xarnov pick their targets. The soldier didn't flail away, however; he seemed to understand that, even using the sword, the w
izard's magic wasn't inexhaustible. He would hold the glowing weapon in his hand ready while watching the advance of the enemy. When a group prepared to charge, the sword would cut towards the black armored troops angling across the field striking both monsters and men. The swath of lightning was often mixed with a more basic light spell for better results.
When the black armor took the brunt of her lightning spells, they might crack; but the armor could also absorb the elemental magic behind it. Perhaps the fact that lightning was a combination of two elements, earth and air, made it possible for the magic to harm them as much as it did; but lightning wasn't nearly effective as a light spell. The magic of light did little to injure or otherwise harm the soldiers, but it was the counter spell to the darkness.
Armor broke and almost seemed to dissolve when caught by the direct assault of light. Soldiers from Sileoth could attack the vulnerable places with arrows and swords, which made the black army fall back in fear; but the spell required more energy and concentration to make for the wilder. Lightning required little thought. It was like breathing to Ashleen, but light was a spell outside of the main elements.
Using the power of the earth helped the girl remain strong even as her magic was used to power the sword. She marveled at its power. Ashleen had witnessed Sebastian use the sword, but the girl had never been able to equate how much power came from the weapon when he used it. The Hollow Sword made a mage cast with the power of a full wizard. A full wizard seemed like a god wielding the devastating power created between the two.
While just using the Hollow Sword was taxing, the two holding the center became the targets of the warlocks backing the black armored troops, which had become known as Wizard Hunters thanks to the properties of the armor which helped them defeat wizards. Night spells struck her lightning cage siphoning off more of her magic. Spears of darkness struck the swirling lightning creating brief holes, but those could be ignored as the lightning turned to fill the holes quickly. Other warlocks tried to cover the light with blankets of night. As if the night were trying to remove all traces of day, the spells would cover a portion of the cage drawing in the lighting until they either broke from overloading on the magic or were batted away by the strike of the Hollow Sword.
Battle Mage: Winds of Change (The High King: A Tale of Alus Book 11) Page 50