User blog:AloofComputer/Dark Winds: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Plans

The mess hall of the garrison had been emptied, with only two dullahan guarding its entrance. Lescatie’s head monsters sat along the long table, with Alatar and Pallanto at the far end. Everyone stood as Druella came in.

“Greetings, everyone. Sit down. My apologies for calling all of you here, but this is a matter of great importance.”

“Lady Druella, why is the human here?”

“You will see, Wilmaria. So, Mr Pallanto, care to repeat your story?”

Pallanto repeated his recounting of the recent events and developments. Everyone listened in silence. When he finished, Alatar took over.

“My estimation is that the fanatics are certain to hit at least two locations. The church and the palace. Probably the day after tomorrow, in the evening, when most people will be out. In the meantime they will try to thin out the city’s defenses, to be able to slip in easier.”

Pallanto continued. “We are talking about five devil gems full of holy energy, the very same I trapped at Alatar’s unsealing. The other four were used to enchanting weapons. A rather large amount of weapons. Our last reports claimed that a number of those weapons and shielded equipment was stolen. That means that the attackers will have the advantage of stealth, and lethal attacking power. But the most concerning thing are those gems. If three of them were released at the palace, the resulting reaction would be catastrophic for half the city. At least.”

“Why those two locations, specifically?” Princess Francisca asked.

“The palace, because it holds the highest concentration of monster mana. The released energy will react with it, causing a vast explosion. Besides destroying a large part of the city, it will eliminate the main source of mana and target the city’s leaders as well.” Alatar explained. “The temple… mostly because of their ideology, but it also is a place of mass gathering, a major source of mana… not to mention the effect on morale on the people.”

“You would know.” Primera snorted.

Alatar turned his eyes on her. It seemed the werewolf leader still held her grudge. “Yes, Miss Primera. I would know best.” He turned to the others. “These are probably trained Order soldiers and mages. You know what they are capable of. I know best. They probably haven’t gone through the procedure I went, but still they can be deadly.” He shot Primera a glare, as he continued. “They will kill. Without remorse, with every dirty trick in the book. Most of those tricks, I wrote myself. That means that you need to get ready. I can advise on many things, but” he turned his gaze to Druella, “I’ll need full freedom of movement. I may even get out of the city limits. And, if it comes down to it, I may even need to kill.”

Silence followed his words. He took a deep breath, and continued. “They will also try to target Pallanto. He is the only human with knowledge of the modified Seals of Nemesis procedure. They want that procedure. So they will try to kidnap either him, or me. I can’t say with certainty that they are aware of my existence in the city; they may as well think I was executed. But Pallanto is a certainty. They will come with full Shadow Order gear. You know what this means.”

Druella dragged her finger across the scar on her cheek. “We do.”

“While I doubt that there are many Shadow members in their ranks, we can safely assume there is at least one mage and one knight. And one is all it takes. If they enter the city, the damage will be immense. Those gems can be used by any foot soldier; he only has to break them. Dragging the energy out in a controlled manner is a mage’s specialty. That is another reason they will target Pallanto. He is the one who has developed a method of trapping holy energy inside.”

“Let’s stop beating around the bush, pal.” Pallanto intervened. Druella’s eyes turned on him. “I’ll say it like it is: people are going to get hurt. That is the best case scenario. What we developed over the time, isn’t nice. At best, we can instruct on how to avoid tricky situations, discourage them from attacking or render their attacks less effective. They may be lunatics, but they have a goal. And, before you propose that, Alatar, no, I will not be kept safely tucked away. You can’t hold everything on your own. I was the head of the mage’s branch, after all.” He turned to the others. “So, to you ladies, I’ll say this: they will attack with everything they have. They have exposed their presence, and the majority of the human world is opposed to them. They will try to act undercover on the attack, in order to provoke a breach of the treaty. That means they have limited time before the commander back at the capital roots them out. While capturing the foot soldiers is well, we need to capture the leaders that came here. They will have the information we need. If their disposition is anything like I assume it is, they are bound to try to do some even nastier shit. ”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Druella sighed. “Thank you, gentlemen. Now, please leave us if you would. We need to take some decisions.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Thank you for your audience, Lady.” Pallanto took a small bow and exited, with Alatar in tow.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Ever the suave guy, eh?” Alatar said, amused.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, can you blame me? Those were some hotties in there! If, of course, you ignore the horns. And claws. And monster mana-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“There you are, dear.” A woman’s voice called them from behind. They turned around, looking at a disheveled Veronica. “Who is your friend here?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh… right, Pallanto, I never got to introduce you to my wife, Veronica.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Charmed, my lady. Truly. Pardon me when I forgo the required kiss on the hand. You can under-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, Alatar spoke of you many times. Shame I don’t even get to see your face.” Veronica smiled awkwardly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, let’s get something to eat. I have a hunch that you have still things to say. Personal ones.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You are always sharp, pal. I hope you can get something human-friendly. I have some monster mana to get rid of."

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

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ So, what is your opinion?” Druella asked vaguely.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ It’s not like we have much choice…” Koyoi said, her tails wagging slowly. “He does know better than any of us what we are up against. All their tricks, all their equipment.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Is the mage reliable? He could be one of them, for all we know. I know that Lady Lucella knows him, but in the end, he is human, and part of the Order, on top of that .” Wilmaria said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ If he is pretending, it would be a really elaborate scheme.” Druella said, thoughtfully. “But the possibility exists. Lucella, you will be escorting him. His warning is not something we can ignore, though. And that means we need their knowledge. Pallanto has knowledge of the magical devices we will be up against. That means that you and Mimil need to squeeze every drop of information you can. And no, not in the fun way. That can wait for later, Lucella.” She turned to the military leaders. “Alatar is of great importance too. He knows how to get into to city unseen. He has already done so. Wilmaria, Koyoi, you need to learn of the means he used. And, regarding the patrols...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Druella looked at Primera. “I know you still haven’t forgiven him, but you know what is the price, if you ignore him. I don’t want any more lives lost. Remember that, and swallow your pride. For now, at least.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Yes, my Lady. For you.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Good. Let’s hope we don’t mourn any more lives. Who knows, maybe some unmarried monsters will find their fated one after all this calms down.” she said with a smile that spread across the table.

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

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“How is it?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Great! My goodness, I had forgotten how hungry I was.” Pallanto teared through a piece of meat. “What is it?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Demon realm boar.” Alatar said, and laughed at the terrified expression of his friend. “Don’t worry, it won’t change you. It is highly nutritious, so eat up. You’ll need it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ You sure have some interesting things, here...” Pallanto mused.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Why, looking to settle?” Alatar threw jokingly, but his friend’s somber expression cut his laugh short. “...I see.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. To cover for Frederic, I had to scorch his ass, ironically enough. So, if you also take into account my… history, then you’ll see that I cannot go back.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Cheer up there, big boy. It’s not that bad here. And you will be more than welcome among all the unmarried ladies.” Alatar’s words made Pallanto chuckle.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yea, I get it, there is also one lady that has already set her sights on me… isn’t that her? With that brat Mimil? God, her face can sour fresh milk.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“There you are. Pallanto, you come with us. Alatar, you have been granted permission by Lady Druella for free movement. Don’t abuse it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I won’t. Thanks, Mimil.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica’s face betrayed her nervousness, as she served another portion. “Still trying to save the world, honey?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Don’t get too nervous, or too cozy, Veronica. You are going with him. Let’s eat up, all of us.” Mimil said, as she opened a box containing a large parfait. “We will need it. These are going to be two long days.”

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

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The cursed city glowed purple in the distance. The group of ten men moved, cloaked in black, making no sound. Their leader motioned to a cave, and the rest followed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">One man entered the cave, and after a while came out, waving at them. “All clear. Get in there.” The leader ordered. He looked at the night sky. No flying monster was about. Taking a last look at Lescatie, he entered to meet his team.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Listen up. Our mission is vital to our cause. You can say, our very cause rests on our shoulders. So, no mistakes. If you do just as you were told and trained to do, you will come out alive and unturned. Fear nothing; Her favor is with us. Don’t hesitate, because they won’t. Show no mercy, because they won’t. You know what do do?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, sir.” came the reply from the men.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Good. Let’s rest here for the night. The next night, we will strike. They will be on alert. That heretic has probably notified them. Be careful, and be vigilant. And if it comes down to it, I expect you to do what it takes. Take with you as many as you can. Our Goddess will reward your bravery, and punish your cowardice. Dismissed.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The men spread through the cave. They ate in silence, and after offering prayers, they laid to the ground on an uneasy sleep. The leader motioned to two of them, who still remained awake. They came to him near the cave entrance, where he whispered his own instructions.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Listen up. You, Briar, will go for the church. You, Morte, will go for the palace. You have your gems? Good. I’ll go for the heretic. Don’t even bother stopping to help those sods. Let’s just hope that cannon fodder will be able to keep the monsters occupied for you to take a clear way out. You reach your location, then break all the gems at once. Hit them hard, they are resilient buggers. Then you get out.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Got it, Alfred. Are you going to be all right? The mage isn’t someone easy to take on.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Of course I’ll be fine. I am a mage myself. Now go get some sleep.” Alfred watched them as they went to their sleeping places.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''Idiots. They think they will make it out alive. Shame I didn’t tell them what would happen if they broke the gems.''

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

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A/N: Chapter 3 is out. Criticism welcome.