User blog:AloofComputer/Dark Winds: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Fight or flight

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

The knight-commander and the mage strolled down the road, the main gate their destination. Three figures followed them from the shadows.

A small grunt from the commander earned a nod from Pallanto. They acted fast. They picked up their pace, following the main road.

“So, care to explain where you wanted to go so urgently? I have to escort you everywhere, you know.” the commander asked in a loud voice, turning a few heads along the road.

“Just a stroll down the inn, commander. You know that the wine if the inn by the gate is great. If not, now you do.”

Why all these theatrics… well, I don’t complain, since it is the commander that will get it.

At the sight of the main gate and its garrison, his heart began beating fast. The three figures behind them left the shadows and closed in on them. It wouldn’t be long, now…

“Good evening, commander.”

The commander and turned around. Pallanto stopped a few steps behind the commander. Looking around, he saw that only few bystanders and the garrison were about. Perfect.

“Good evening.”

“I see you got to parade the blasphemer around.”

“It is my duty.” the commander answered gruffly.

Quite the actor, Frederic.

“Do you mind if we join you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I do.” Pallanto answered. “More than one people get me nervous.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I asked the commander, not you, heretic.” the middle figure insisted. Their hooded cloaks covered their faces, but Pallanto could feel the irritation of the leader.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Why don’t you show your faces, gentlemen? It is hard talking to a hood.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''All right, let’s get this show on the road. Sorry, Frederic.''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“There is no need for that. I already know that these are monster lovers.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What?!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You take me for a fool Frederic? Well, I fooled you first! I didn’t seal the Forgotten one just to get killed by monster lovers! I’ll break the treaty myself, if I have to!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Have you lost your mind, Pallanto? What are you talking about?” the commander yelled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“The order will rise and kill the monsters! As it should! As it must!” Pallanto shouted.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Careful, he is doing something!” the hooded leader shouted.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Oh fire, oh wind, join in unison, blaze, rage, destroy, OBEY!” fire and wind mana rode down Pallanto’s arms, spiraling into a flame tornado. He launched it at the commander and the three figures, as the commander and the leader’s lackeys drew their swords.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The hooded leader, however, had other ideas. “Oh water, come forth, shield, protect!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Mana burst forth from his arms, forming a wall that turned into water. The fire tornado clashed with it, hissing violently, dissipating. Pallanto ran for the gate.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Stop that madman!” Frederic yelled, as he gave chase. The garrison was already on the move, swords flashing in the afternoon sun.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Oh wind, come forth, join the light, obey my command, smite the evil!” Pallanto yelled. Not too much mana to this spell, no need to kill. The lightning from his fingertips hit the metal armor of the foot soldiers, bringing them to their knees.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh wind, come forth, wrap my legs in your embrace, carry me in your wings, obey my command!” he chanted the wind rider spell. Streaks of wind mana covered his feet, his speed increasing, riding past the fallen men who were twitching from the aftereffects of his spell.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Archers! Take aim!” he heard the commander growling, his steps thundering behind him. Not pulling any punches, eh, Frederic?

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh wind, come forth, rage in torrent, protect, obey!” a strong wind surrounded him, forming a wall, the arrows screeching for him got deflected, as he rushed towards the stables out of the city. A horse was conveniently prepared and singled out. Preparation is key.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Give me that!” he heard the voice of the leader, and a surprised yelp. He jumped on the horse, not daring to even try to look back. He shook the reigns, urging his horse.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh wind, join the light, circle within, guide my hand, obey!” Pallanto’s blood froze. A shadow mage. A spell of Alatar. A guided arrow.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Hiya! Go!” he urged his horse, that stood on its two back legs before rushing forward. A screeching, shining arrow got past his shield, shattering it, hitting him in the left shoulder. He let out a pained groan, as he leaned on the horse’s mane. The animal shot forward, galloping at full speed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Damn that madman! You, archer! Get a medic for the garrison, and call the first patrol you come across! Secure the area!” Frederic started barking commands at the garrison’s dumbfounded soldiers. “Get me a messenger! That madman must not cross the border! Inform the Order! GET MOVING!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Y-yes sir!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He looked at the small cloud of dust, where Pallanto was a few moments ago. With the corner of his eye, he caught the three figures slipping away. “Godspeed, Pallanto.” he murmured.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“So, he got away...” the priest said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The mage and his two escorts were silent. Finally, the mage spoke.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. He put on quite a show. I hit him with an arrow, but I couldn’t stop him.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“A minor setback. No doubt he will go to the fallen city, which is convenient. That means we can kill two birds with one stone.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What about the commander?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I’ll deal with him. Get everyone ready. The hour of Her glory is nigh.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto galloped at full speed, casting the wind rider spell on his horse. He almost forgot about the arrow on his shoulder, until a sharp pain reminded him that he was bleeding. I have to treat this now.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He stopped his horse by the side of the road, taking a few moments to get down; the pain was kicking in. Gritting his teeth, he broke the arrow’s shaft. He ripped his robe, making a makeshift bandage. He put on the shielded cloak and mask that he had stored in his expansion pouch. Drinking a mana potion, he pondered his next moves.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''No doubt the commander has already sent word to the border garrisons. And the fanatics must have sent their own messengers as well. The good thing is, it is getting dark, fast. I may be able to sneak past them, or just burst through with the horse and keep riding.''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> He looked at his horse. The animal showed signs of fatigue, after an hour of enchanted galloping. He had made good way, but he wouldn’t be able to keep this pace. His boots could get him past the guards with a bit of luck; their enchantment proved very useful. The problem was, how was he going to cover the distance from the border to Lescatie? Stealing a horse from the garrison would solve his predicament. Maybe he’d leave his own there as a gift. Or even a distraction…

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sitting up with a grunt, he mounted his horse, gritting his teeth to bear the stabbing pain in his shoulder.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Let’s go, buddy… You’ll rest soon.” he muttered to his ride.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">[Later…]

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Replacing his horse was easier than he feared. Having the garrison soldiers chase his old ride around brought a smile to his face, soon replaced by a wince, as his new ride galloped along the road.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The purple glow of Lescatie showed him that he was close. Let’s hope I made it in time.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar ran through the empty streets, his two dullahan escorts struggling to keep up with him. He went through the library’s entrance and up the stairs without slowing down, stopping only at the enchanted door, which he opened wide. “Pallanto! What happened?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Good to see you too, pal.” Came the pained reply of the cloaked figure. Alatar turned to see the other occupants of the room.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Lady Druella. Miss Mimil, Miss Lucella.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The lilim sat on a chair, her legs crossed, her two baphomet counselors standing behind her. “Welcome, Alatar. Your friend here insisted you join us.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar sat besides Pallanto, at a distance; he felt the barrier’s push. “What is it? You sound injured-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ It happened, Alatar.” Pallanto’s flat tone cut through the room. “They stole the gems. They are coming here next.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar felt his blood freeze. “So soon?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Why don’t you fill us in, gentlemen.” Druella said. “I hate being left out.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto took a deep breath, and started explaining. He told the lilim about the fanatical faction, their goal and motives, the break-in in his house, his flight from the capital. Druella listened in silence. When Pallanto stopped, she turned to Mimil.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Raise an alert to all garrisons. Set werewolf patrols in the forest. Any human in monster territory is to be neutralized and detained. No fun moments until we interrogate them.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Mimil left the room briskly. Pallanto’s breath was short; Alatar noticed the dark stain expanding on his left shoulder. “What’s this?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“A nice parting gift from those lunatics. No matter, I can-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You need healing. And fast. You must have lost a lot of blood already.” Alatar cut him off.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“We need to prepare. Any ideas to where those lunatics will strike?” Druella said impatiently.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I have an educated guess.” Alatar said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ That is better than nothing.” Druella turned to Lucella. “Patch him up. Then summon an emergency council. This is so irritating. I swear, every time it has something to do with...” she took a deep breath. “Anyway. Summon everyone. Out of their beds, in necessary. Alatar, Pallanto, you must also participate. You have more knowledge of this menace than we do.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Thanks, Lady.” Pallanto said. “But can I request somewhere out of the palace? With your presence, even my cloak and a barrier are barely holding up, nevermind the mana at the palace itself.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Fine, have it your way. I need to be closer to the city’s walls, anyway.” She left, nodding at Lucella.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What a mess… “ Pallanto groaned in pain. “I should have destroyed those gems the first chance I got.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You can self-reflect all you want later. Now, drop the barrier and take off your cloak and mask.” Lucella said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Not too much monster mana, if you please. I like being human.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Be quiet, and be grateful.” the baphomet scowled. Looking at the wound, she whistled. “You got lucky there. Any lower, and you’d be dead.” She placed her hand, covered in fur, on his wound, murmuring an incantation. Pallanto paled and grit his teeth, as the arrowhead pulled itself out under the spell, and the wound closed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Thanks.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You are welcome. You owe me.” she smiled. She exited the room, wagging her tail.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“She will hold on to that one, won’t she?” Pallanto mused, putting his cloak on.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“She will.” Alatar said with a smile. “So, what are we up to?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“At lest a mage, some knights, maybe some priests. The mage that attacked me was of the Order of Shadows, you know. He hit me with a guided arrow.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Damn it.” Alatar cursed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ More than you know. If they detonate the gems in the city, it will be a disaster.” He stood up and stretched. “Ahhhhh, much better. Well, the monster mana sure feels good. Oh well, I’ll live. I’ll get rid of it later. Come, let’s go to this council. ”

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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> A/N: Chapter 2 is out. Criticism welcome.