Blackmill - 51052 Early Rain (Previous)
The rain has momentarily subsided in Blackmill, as the peaks of the granite mountains emerge from the dissipating fog. Talo Aldertree stands on a ledge just outside town, his focus squarely directed towards the soil.
“Arise my children.”
Talo Eldertree swings his curled wooden staff around, creating a huge dark green mist. Within it, the small trees near him on the ledge distort and reshape, turning gradually into primitive dragon forms about the size of a horse. Talo’s face begins to sweat visibly, and though he briefly stumbles, he keeps swinging around his staff, and holding on to it.
Moments later the wooden dragon forms begin to move. First slowly and gradually, but then all of a sudden they take off and a total of seven wooden dragons begin to circle above his head.
Talo collapses to the ground.
Officer Mirk’tanin, one of the few Sorx who has managed to rise in the ranks of the Kazamer armed forces, looks at the scene, and then at Phennon:
“This is most impressive. I have not seen this in my life.”
“I agree.”, replies Phennon as he turns to his compatriot in red armour, “It appears that Ser Eldertree is a valuable asset to our conquest!”
“When would you like to commence the assault, my lord?”, Mirk’tanin asks.
“It looks to me that Ser Eldertree needs a few days to recover. So it is up to you to train the riders, and equip the soldiers. I think we can handle this with two platoons of range-backed light infantry, supported by our squad of dragons of course. Are you capable of preparing such forces in the next three days?”
“Of course my liege. I trust your judgement. And my abilities.”
Arrowhold - 51052 RAIN
As Leora enters the tent, the witch looks at her with a intense gaze. Leora looks back at her, mesmerised. Her light green dress seems to have a perpetual glowing turbulence going around and even her hair seems to radiate. Leora finds it difficult to keep her eyes fixated on the Witch. She blinks, and realises that the turbulent green glow even remains partially visible even when her eyes are closed.
“Lady Leora Kytterak. We have kept you alive so that you can help us defend Arrowhold.”
Leora had previously read about this Witch in the Compilation.
“Are you the Witch Tanamarana from Timbridge by any chance?”
The witch grins broadly, exposing her clean, but remarkably widely spaced teeth.
“Tanamarana from Arrowhold it is today, Kytterak. My son runs Timbridge now.”
Leora nods.
“I see. But I do not understand why I should help you. Are you not strong enough to defend yourself?”
Tanamara hisses between her teeth.
“You should help me because you prefer life over death!”, she snarls suddenly, “And surely you want your friend to live too?”
She turns to a small table in the middle of the tent.
“Mystic.”
He nods, and places several pieces on the table.
“Our neighbours in Blackmill have been conquered by Kazamer. They are preparing now to strike us. They are coming with perhaps four hundred soldiers, while we have thirty archers, Tanamarana, you and myself. And the cliffs.”
“That sounds really dire.”, Leora says, “Surely we’re doomed?”
“Not so fast. Firstly, I realise Tanamarana is turning this into a bit of a death threat for you, but it matters not.”, Mystic continues.
“What do you mean?”, Leora responds slightly surprised.
“If they beat us, your town and families will be next. So we want you to help us. And you also want you to help us.”
“I see….”, Leora says, “...but when will they attack? Will Cyor be able to recover and help us out?”
The dark cloaked Mystic looks towards the outside of the tent.
“I think so.”, he answers, “but our scouts think they will strike in two days, so it will be close. You are our main hope.”
Leora looks up surprised: “Me?? But I barely have any fighting experience!”
Mystic grins: “I know. But when I scanned your brain, I did not only see some of your memories, you know? Sometimes I can also discern talents and affinities.”
“Oh?”, Leora feels emotionally exposed in a very peculiar way now, but very curious at the same time. “What talents do I have then?”
Mystic smiles. Tanamarana smiles too now.
“You, my lady, seem to have two particular talents. One is for aerial combat.”
Leora smiles as well now.
“That makes sense actually. My aunt was a Keeper, and she rode a flying mount.”
“And so will you.”, adds Tanamarana, “We have one waiting outside. Without it you’re not of much help to us. You can keep it as a reward if we all survive.”
Leora grins. “Is it a raven like my aunt?”
Mystic puts his finger in front of his mouth.
“No, but you will see it will be better than a raven. Though I can see you underestimating it.”
“What about the second talent though?”
Mystic smiles: “Leora. We have only two days left before the battle commences. Let us just train you in aerial combat for now. And if your second talent manifests along the way, all the better. But me sharing that with you now would only compromise your current essential training.”
Shortly after, Tanamarana brings out three spears with a green tip.
“Leora, these are the spears you will be fighting with.”
She then brings out a broomstick.
“And this is the stick that Mystic will train you with, so that you don’t haplessly poison him or the other soldiers. Good luck, and in the meantime I will do my best to get your friend back to health. Mystic said he could not scan his mind, but from your words we can tell that he would be of help. So we will do what we can.”
Leora nods. Two days of training, how useful could that possibly be?