From the top of the plateau, as I look towards the south the breathtaking view of the sunset casting the valley in shades of orange and with the twin moons breaking the cloud cover all our problems seemed so insignificant. With the smaller moon Fulusmorn illuminating the Green Peak Mountains with a deep blue glow on the east, while Molfine the elder twin hovers over the Oceans Cliffs bathing the western edge of the field in crimson the world is bathed in color. Despite this, all I could feel was the mounting dread as the mass of armored forms crawled out of the sands beneath us. With the heat distorting their forms and the fading light, their features are concealed. However after seeing one up close by the Four knows how many times when a breach is made it’s almost a relief.
As the rushing footsteps get closer, I let out a sigh and hear. “Lieutenant Faldrin, enjoying the view I see, sadly I must inform you that General Yorick would like to brief yourself and the officers on the latest from the capital.” the paige exclaimed, as they stopped right behind me on the battlements.
Giving one last glance down towards the desert with the encroaching swarm revealing themselves with larger and more armored figures appearing by the moment, I turn away. I begin to make my way across the battlements watching as archers’ take posts while workhands drag carts out stacked with barrels of arrows for use tonight. The paige falling into step a few paces behind me giving nervous glances towards the swarm as they gather.
Entering one of the towers that has stairs descending into the ward the noise muffles enough for a private conversation. I finally speak up, “So another message thanking us for our sacrifice and a promise that the king will be sending more basic tier fodder as usual Richard?”
For a moment all that is heard is our steps down the stairs and the faint pounding of footsteps above and outside the walls as men rush to their posts. Then Richard softly speaks, “I do sadly believe that to be the case Lieutenant. Unfortunately however I cannot say as I was ushered out of the room to gather you before the General had begun to read the missive. Though the messenger was quite eager for a change. ”
Despite expecting that response it still weighs down upon us as we enter the ward and cross the field moving right to the keep with a measured pace. Looking around the battered armor of the veterans as they stare straight ahead, eyes locked on the cracks in the walls or the recently reinforced gate. Most have bandages poking out from beneath the gaps in their armor as healing injuries being a luxury as curing poison is taking most of the priest and clerics mana. In the distance the field medics can be seen leaving the medical tents with large shoulder bags stuffed with bandages, salves and what potions that could be made with our dwindling materials.
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Far too soon the damaged entrance to the keep is before us with scorch marks still prominent on the frame. Without a second glance toward where the carpenters are finishing a rudimentary barricade the two of us move inside. Taking a left we make our way to the open door to the council room and I step inside with the two guards sealing the door leaving Richard behind. In the center of the room sits a wide table with several torches placed in holders on it after we ran out of candles the other day. Around the table sit the other officers, Lieutenants Kalid and Florence on the right with a seat for me next to them. On the left Quartermaster Gerald sat next to Corporal Teresa as she gave me a slight nod upon taking my seat. At the head General Yorick stood solidly over the table despite being over seventy and serving for almost fifty years.
Settling into our seats General Yorick joins us sinking into his chair without a word, and steepling his fingers in front of his face. His brown eyes slid over us, this rag tag group that is all that remains of the officers. His skin tanned from years of the sun beating down upon him while defending this plateau. His grey mustache twitches down for just a moment as he gazes upon the empty seat across from himself where General Edgar used to sit until he met his end in the last siege. Taking a deep shuddering breath he lowers his hands and places the missive on the table before us.
He begins, “I will not bore you all with details you have heard before instead lets skip to the heart of things. This missive is from King Maxlan himself to inform us of what reinforcements that will be arriving in the next couple of days.” These words caused a small amount of confusion in myself as usually the King never writes the missives most come from the chamberlain and the house of nobles. “In short The King Unsealed the Arcane Obelisk eight years ago and has managed to train a thousand Mages up to Adept tier; they will arrive tomorrow with fifty thousand soldiers and a several thousand arcane constructs to reinforce us led by the King who managed to reach the Expert tier himself.”
For a moment despite the work outside constantly going and troops moving it seems to be silent. Despite arcane magic being declared heresy two hundred years ago the knowledge of its widespread destructive capabilities in battle are heavily documented. Slowly a smile begins to stretch across the General's aged face and spark lights in his eyes as the words truly sink in. Grim determination seeps into all of our faces and for the first time in the decade since I was stationed here it seems the wind is blowing a new direction.
