“What do you mean three days?!” Freckle asked incredulously. “You took one to get here. That means the attack starts in four days.”
Aisha shook her head. “Aeraza’s attack is in four days. Ours will be in three.”
“It isn’t too much extra time but will provide a very necessary edge,” Vofric said.
“Why do we not attack sooner if that is the case?” another captain asked.
“Is everyone you reached out to here?” Kargon asked.
A different captain held up their hand while sifting through papers with the other. “The remaining ones will arrive within a day. Considering the two day trip to reach the canyon, we are attacking as early as possible.”
Sariel let out a loud grunt that drew everyone’s attention. “Have you considered that a two day trek will put our troops at a deficit in terms of energy? Any mages who heal them will lose mana that will be necessary during battle.”
Aisha sighed and nodded. It was an obvious issue but she’d brushed it aside during planning. Upon seeing the number of new fighters it had dawned how problematic it would be. Hundreds of warriors had traveled to Jamoraz over the past couple days. Thousands more were arriving within the day. No one could guess what repercussions there would be if the majority were exhausted before ever engaging the enemy.
“It is possible for us to leave now and let the troops rest for a day upon arrival,” Vofric said, then shook his head. “That many people would easily draw undue attention and leave them vulnerable.”
The group looked at each other hoping someone knew a way to bypass the hurdle. For transparency they met with the meeting room door open. Truthfully it was so any leader from around the world could lend their aid. No one wanted to admit how out of depth they felt.
“May I suggest an alternative option?” a familiar voice said. From the halls of the building, guided by Barbatos troops, entered Master Avant. His usual robes were replaced with a tightly fitted ensemble. The staff that had beat down Kargon for months was strapped to the Owlminn’s back.
“Who are you?” Freckle asked with a raised eyebrow.
Vofric nodded to Kargon who replied, “This is Avant Qark. Master of the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion. He is an old ally of Vofric’s and my master.”
“I appreciate the strength but what does that have to do with the travel issues we’re facing.” someone said.
Master Avant let out a soft coo that sent a chill down Kargon’s spine. The old bird only did it when someone jumped to conclusions and aggravated him. Sure he looked calm but pushing the issue would have dire consequences.
“What’s your plan, Master Avant?” Aisha asked in a tone that made clear she trusted him.
He smiled at her, nodded in greeting, and answered. “The troops need not travel at all. My subordinates and I can arrive at the canyon and prepare it within two days.”
“What good does that do?” Freckle asked. Stress from the situation made her sound more annoyed than intended.
“We can teleport the troops to the battlefield. They can be fully rested and prepared to fight without expending a single modicum of energy before the fight. In fact, all of you can focus more on how to handle demons instead of worrying about travel plans. Spend time preparing your weapons and tools. Hone your skills.” Master Avant looked around the room as realization dawned on everyone’s faces. In wide eyes and furrowed brows was the distinct sign of nervousness that the teacher was all too familiar with. “Deal with your nerves as you see fit. Two days is plenty of time.”
The captains of Barbatos looked at each other in stunned silence. Even Aisha couldn’t hide the amazement at Master Avant’s offer.
“How would you do it?” she asked.
Master Avant retrieved a small pouch out from his hip pack. Onto his palm he poured a miniscule amount of silver powder. Anyone in the room who had experienced teleportation felt a familiar sensation from the mineral.
“Traveler’s Sand,” he said. “I have collected it in many forms over centuries and used it to gather students and mentors alike. A splash of dust is enough to create a portal for a single person’s traversal. With the amount I have… I can provide a portal that will withstand over 10,000 travelers.”
A pin drop could be heard as the number passed through Master Avant’s beak. Having that many troops would be a blessing. Getting them to the battlefield would have been nigh impossible without some means of travel. Tools would have been sacrificed for carriages and carts. Shields and ballistas may have been dismantled in order to provide protection from the elements. In a matter of minutes, all those plans were dismissed. The wise Owlminn was a guiding light for every warrior who heard his words and looked at him in awe.
“Be careful of errant attacks from the demons. Healing magics will be less effective,” Vofric said. “During the defense of Zeld’s Shell my spells were weaker. I wasn’t sure of the cause until we returned from our meeting with the demon king.”
“His aura’s like poison, isn’t it?” Aisha asked.
Vofric nodded. “It hinders healing arts regardless of their nature.”
“You need not worry about me, my friend. I do not plan to engage in combat until the true battle has begun,” Master Avant assured.
An affirmative hoot sounded from Avant the owlbear as he approached his namesake. Roars and growls flooded out as he bumped his head against the master’s palm. They both shared a similar smile that cemented for Kargon that he’d made the right decision in naming his familiar.
“I promised to take care of Kargon. That extends to the people he cares for. Including myself. And it does not end simply because he graduated from my monastery,” Master Avant said and petted the grown owlbear.
“What… do we do with a whole day? Once everyone hears they don’t need to prepare to travel, they’ll check their equipment. Most of it is ready.” Freckle said as she petted a nervous Spike. “A lot of them haven’t been part of a fight like this.”
Rusty sighed loudly and pressed two fingers against the bridge of his nose. “They’ll panic and spiral. Any and every possibility of the battle will run through their heads. Many will default to the idea of dying on the battlefield. It will fill them with regrets of things that never were.”
“We throw a feast,” Aisha said confidently.
Like a swivel, every head turned towards her. Only one seemed unsurprised by the declaration. It took three years but the woman who ran from her departure celebration understood why others wished to engage in it. It was the one thing they did that respected Aisha as a normal person. Someone who felt fear and anxiety and nerves at the idea of a grand journey. The unknown weighed heavy on the shoulders of soldiers regardless of experience. But this time it wasn’t just her who felt that consternation. Instead it was the thousands of troops gathering in Jamoraz. Sitting around for days waiting for a signal to fight would drive them insane. Mass panic would do nothing but weaken the Vethyea as a whole.
“All the food we stockpiled for travel can be used up. I’m sure there’s plenty of ale to go around,” Aisha continued. “There’s no decorations but as long as everyone’s distracted and joyous I don’t think they’ll care.”
“Hours will be spent celebrating. It will require them to rest. There will be no time to spiral into a panicked state,” Vofric added.
Sariel grunted. “Spending time frivolously may be the best course of action here. Master Avant, can you provide a clear signal to us before creating the portal?”
The master nodded and replied, “I will mark a portion of the city where it will open. When my subordinates and I arrive at the location, I will contact Kargon. I trust he can reach one of the Barbatos captains with ease.”
“It will be best if we have an expected time of the portal opening,” a captain suggested. “We will spread it to everyone in the next day so they are ready regardless of if they hear an announcement from us.”
“Noon,” Kargon responded. “It’s always noon with this kind of thing. Master and his people will have time to rest and prepare the other portal. And we’ll have plenty of light to work with.”
A brief smile passed Master Avant’s face before he nodded to the Barbatos captains. They looked at one another and slowly confirmed their agreement with the plans. The members of the group unrelated to leadership had little say in the situation but agreed regardless. Aisha was already thinking of what to do for the next few days before Freckle grabbed her attention.
“Aisha, are you listening? Master Avant says he needs to leave soon. We need to prepare the teleportation area and announce the plan,” she said with a concerned look on her face. “We’ve got a lot of troops. It’s great for the battle but I’m not sure how we can get the message to as many as possible.”
The Hero looked around the room and landed on Makani who was quietly deliberating something with Albert. As more eyes turned to them, they fell silent and looked up.
“Apologies, what is it?” the prince asked.
“Are you capable of amplifying my voice like your father does his own?” Aisha asked.
Makani nodded. “It’s simple, yes. With some effort I can spread it past the town limits.”
“Perfect. Master Avant, mind sharing the plan with everyone?”
“Of course.”
“Good,” Aisha stated and rose from her seat.
Others followed in kind as she led her party out of the room. Upon returning from her meeting it was understood she had the highest authority during this battle. Others were entering a fight they just heard about. But Aisha was ending a war that cursed her for nearly two decades. All that time gave her experience with how people reacted to her presence. Every moment of it annoyed her during training. Yet it was, in it of itself, training of sorts. As the large group stepped out of the town hall, they were met by a large crowd meandering about. With each step a Barbatos leader took onto the outside platform, more heads turned to face them.
The streets were packed with fighters of every race and creed. Faces marked with years of struggle looked to Barbatos for guidance. Aged warriors returned to the fray to provide a world for future generations. Doubt sat like a stone on the mind of every person joining the Vethyean army. Temporary structures built rapidly over the previous days nearly doubled the town’s size. More continued to appear even while Aisha prepared to speak to the masses. Waiting for everyone wasn’t an option as people would arrive for many more hours.
She looked at Makani and nodded. The young adventurer stood in front of Master Avant and put out his hands. As wind flowed between them, he turned both palms upward. A torrent of wind quickly flowed through Jamoraz. A brief second of shock passed through the town until Master Avant spoke. After a quick introduction he explained the plan to travel and teleport the troops. Bags of sand would be given to leaders which would in turn be sprinkled around the town walls to create a massive teleportation circle. The army listened intently, not daring to miss any important notes. Once Master Avant stepped away, everyone looked to Aisha.
The stunned expression on her face was humanizing for many. Yet they still needed her guidance. Before Kargon could step in, Rusty approached Makani.
“Some of you know me as Captain Rowen Telos of the Dawncaster Kingsguard. Others know me as Captain Rusty of Barbatos. I am not as powerful as many of the people standing here.” The heaviness in his voice amplified his words. “We have lost many comrades and friends due to the demon king’s return. I’m sure you know we will lose more. Some of us will fall.”
“But that is no reason not to live!” Kargon said and smacked Rusty’s back hard. “Let us celebrate the lives we’ve led. Prove they are worth fighting for with a night we’ll never forget. Let’s eat and drink like there’s no tomorrow. Spend time with friends and comrades. Share stories of your experiences.”
Rusty nodded and continued, “I will never forget the adventures of Captain Julian Stormclaw. I will not allow my own stories to be forgotten either.”
“Today is not for battle. Prepare all you like but that will not change who you are in two days. Instead, come to trust the people standing next to you. Learn who they are and what it is they fight for. Come together in celebration to bolster each other. That is how we grow stronger for the coming battle.”
As the crowd remained silent, Freckle stepped forward. She laughed heartily and did her best not to trip over her words.
“I realize none of you know who Kargon is. This is the Hero’s most trusted ally. Trust in his words. Eat, drink, be merry. It may be your last chance.” She took a deep breath and shouted even though Makani was still amplifying her voice. “Do so with no regrets!”
Cheers erupted from the surging crowd as they made for the food stores. Drinks were poured with abandon for anyone wishing to partake. The many hardened leaders of the collective army shed their hardened facades to meet with their allies at an equal level. Fear and panic was drowned out by groups sharing stories of their own adventures. Embellished victories had never been more welcome than from drunken celebrants. Clearly some had begun the party long before the announcement but no one cared to complain. The Hero’s party was immediately beset upon to join the festivities. Kargon was held back by Master Avant.
“Well said,” he complimented as he passed over a pouch of sand. “I have passed out the others and who better from the Hero’s party to carry this than you.”
“Thanks, Master. Stay safe out there,” his disciple replied.
Master Avant chirped, “I could say the same to you. I’ll see you soon, my boy.”
He took flight with his subordinates close behind. Some had wings while others used magic to begin their pilgrimage. Kargon stepped into the crowd and was immediately lost within.
“What do you mean three days?!” Freckle asked incredulously. “You took one to get here. That means the attack starts in four days.”
Aisha shook her head. “Aeraza’s attack is in four days. Ours will be in three.”
“It isn’t too much extra time but will provide a very necessary edge,” Vofric said.
“Why do we not attack sooner if that is the case?” another captain asked.
“Is everyone you reached out to here?” Kargon asked.
A different captain held up their hand while sifting through papers with the other. “The remaining ones will arrive within a day. Considering the two day trip to reach the canyon, we are attacking as early as possible.”
Sariel let out a loud grunt that drew everyone’s attention. “Have you considered that a two day trek will put our troops at a deficit in terms of energy? Any mages who heal them will lose mana that will be necessary during battle.”
Aisha sighed and nodded. It was an obvious issue but she’d brushed it aside during planning. Upon seeing the number of new fighters it had dawned how problematic it would be. Hundreds of warriors had traveled to Jamoraz over the past couple days. Thousands more were arriving within the day. No one could guess what repercussions there would be if the majority were exhausted before ever engaging the enemy.
“It is possible for us to leave now and let the troops rest for a day upon arrival,” Vofric said, then shook his head. “That many people would easily draw undue attention and leave them vulnerable.”
The group looked at each other hoping someone knew a way to bypass the hurdle. For transparency they met with the meeting room door open. Truthfully it was so any leader from around the world could lend their aid. No one wanted to admit how out of depth they felt.
“May I suggest an alternative option?” a familiar voice said. From the halls of the building, guided by Barbatos troops, entered Master Avant. His usual robes were replaced with a tightly fitted ensemble. The staff that had beat down Kargon for months was strapped to the Owlminn’s back.
“Who are you?” Freckle asked with a raised eyebrow.
Vofric nodded to Kargon who replied, “This is Avant Qark. Master of the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion. He is an old ally of Vofric’s and my master.”
“I appreciate the strength but what does that have to do with the travel issues we’re facing.” someone said.
Master Avant let out a soft coo that sent a chill down Kargon’s spine. The old bird only did it when someone jumped to conclusions and aggravated him. Sure he looked calm but pushing the issue would have dire consequences.
“What’s your plan, Master Avant?” Aisha asked in a tone that made clear she trusted him.
He smiled at her, nodded in greeting, and answered. “The troops need not travel at all. My subordinates and I can arrive at the canyon and prepare it within two days.”
“What good does that do?” Freckle asked. Stress from the situation made her sound more annoyed than intended.
“We can teleport the troops to the battlefield. They can be fully rested and prepared to fight without expending a single modicum of energy before the fight. In fact, all of you can focus more on how to handle demons instead of worrying about travel plans. Spend time preparing your weapons and tools. Hone your skills.” Master Avant looked around the room as realization dawned on everyone’s faces. In wide eyes and furrowed brows was the distinct sign of nervousness that the teacher was all too familiar with. “Deal with your nerves as you see fit. Two days is plenty of time.”
The captains of Barbatos looked at each other in stunned silence. Even Aisha couldn’t hide the amazement at Master Avant’s offer.
“How would you do it?” she asked.
Master Avant retrieved a small pouch out from his hip pack. Onto his palm he poured a miniscule amount of silver powder. Anyone in the room who had experienced teleportation felt a familiar sensation from the mineral.
“Traveler’s Sand,” he said. “I have collected it in many forms over centuries and used it to gather students and mentors alike. A splash of dust is enough to create a portal for a single person’s traversal. With the amount I have… I can provide a portal that will withstand over 10,000 travelers.”
A pin drop could be heard as the number passed through Master Avant’s beak. Having that many troops would be a blessing. Getting them to the battlefield would have been nigh impossible without some means of travel. Tools would have been sacrificed for carriages and carts. Shields and ballistas may have been dismantled in order to provide protection from the elements. In a matter of minutes, all those plans were dismissed. The wise Owlminn was a guiding light for every warrior who heard his words and looked at him in awe.
“Be careful of errant attacks from the demons. Healing magics will be less effective,” Vofric said. “During the defense of Zeld’s Shell my spells were weaker. I wasn’t sure of the cause until we returned from our meeting with the demon king.”
“His aura’s like poison, isn’t it?” Aisha asked.
Vofric nodded. “It hinders healing arts regardless of their nature.”
“You need not worry about me, my friend. I do not plan to engage in combat until the true battle has begun,” Master Avant assured.
An affirmative hoot sounded from Avant the owlbear as he approached his namesake. Roars and growls flooded out as he bumped his head against the master’s palm. They both shared a similar smile that cemented for Kargon that he’d made the right decision in naming his familiar.
“I promised to take care of Kargon. That extends to the people he cares for. Including myself. And it does not end simply because he graduated from my monastery,” Master Avant said and petted the grown owlbear.
“What… do we do with a whole day? Once everyone hears they don’t need to prepare to travel, they’ll check their equipment. Most of it is ready.” Freckle said as she petted a nervous Spike. “A lot of them haven’t been part of a fight like this.”
Rusty sighed loudly and pressed two fingers against the bridge of his nose. “They’ll panic and spiral. Any and every possibility of the battle will run through their heads. Many will default to the idea of dying on the battlefield. It will fill them with regrets of things that never were.”
“We throw a feast,” Aisha said confidently.
Like a swivel, every head turned towards her. Only one seemed unsurprised by the declaration. It took three years but the woman who ran from her departure celebration understood why others wished to engage in it. It was the one thing they did that respected Aisha as a normal person. Someone who felt fear and anxiety and nerves at the idea of a grand journey. The unknown weighed heavy on the shoulders of soldiers regardless of experience. But this time it wasn’t just her who felt that consternation. Instead it was the thousands of troops gathering in Jamoraz. Sitting around for days waiting for a signal to fight would drive them insane. Mass panic would do nothing but weaken the Vethyea as a whole.
“All the food we stockpiled for travel can be used up. I’m sure there’s plenty of ale to go around,” Aisha continued. “There’s no decorations but as long as everyone’s distracted and joyous I don’t think they’ll care.”
“Hours will be spent celebrating. It will require them to rest. There will be no time to spiral into a panicked state,” Vofric added.
Sariel grunted. “Spending time frivolously may be the best course of action here. Master Avant, can you provide a clear signal to us before creating the portal?”
The master nodded and replied, “I will mark a portion of the city where it will open. When my subordinates and I arrive at the location, I will contact Kargon. I trust he can reach one of the Barbatos captains with ease.”
“It will be best if we have an expected time of the portal opening,” a captain suggested. “We will spread it to everyone in the next day so they are ready regardless of if they hear an announcement from us.”
“Noon,” Kargon responded. “It’s always noon with this kind of thing. Master and his people will have time to rest and prepare the other portal. And we’ll have plenty of light to work with.”
A brief smile passed Master Avant’s face before he nodded to the Barbatos captains. They looked at one another and slowly confirmed their agreement with the plans. The members of the group unrelated to leadership had little say in the situation but agreed regardless. Aisha was already thinking of what to do for the next few days before Freckle grabbed her attention.
“Aisha, are you listening? Master Avant says he needs to leave soon. We need to prepare the teleportation area and announce the plan,” she said with a concerned look on her face. “We’ve got a lot of troops. It’s great for the battle but I’m not sure how we can get the message to as many as possible.”
The Hero looked around the room and landed on Makani who was quietly deliberating something with Albert. As more eyes turned to them, they fell silent and looked up.
“Apologies, what is it?” the prince asked.
“Are you capable of amplifying my voice like your father does his own?” Aisha asked.
Makani nodded. “It’s simple, yes. With some effort I can spread it past the town limits.”
“Perfect. Master Avant, mind sharing the plan with everyone?”
“Of course.”
“Good,” Aisha stated and rose from her seat.
Others followed in kind as she led her party out of the room. Upon returning from her meeting it was understood she had the highest authority during this battle. Others were entering a fight they just heard about. But Aisha was ending a war that cursed her for nearly two decades. All that time gave her experience with how people reacted to her presence. Every moment of it annoyed her during training. Yet it was, in it of itself, training of sorts. As the large group stepped out of the town hall, they were met by a large crowd meandering about. With each step a Barbatos leader took onto the outside platform, more heads turned to face them.
The streets were packed with fighters of every race and creed. Faces marked with years of struggle looked to Barbatos for guidance. Aged warriors returned to the fray to provide a world for future generations. Doubt sat like a stone on the mind of every person joining the Vethyean army. Temporary structures built rapidly over the previous days nearly doubled the town’s size. More continued to appear even while Aisha prepared to speak to the masses. Waiting for everyone wasn’t an option as people would arrive for many more hours.
She looked at Makani and nodded. The young adventurer stood in front of Master Avant and put out his hands. As wind flowed between them, he turned both palms upward. A torrent of wind quickly flowed through Jamoraz. A brief second of shock passed through the town until Master Avant spoke. After a quick introduction he explained the plan to travel and teleport the troops. Bags of sand would be given to leaders which would in turn be sprinkled around the town walls to create a massive teleportation circle. The army listened intently, not daring to miss any important notes. Once Master Avant stepped away, everyone looked to Aisha.
The stunned expression on her face was humanizing for many. Yet they still needed her guidance. Before Kargon could step in, Rusty approached Makani.
“Some of you know me as Captain Rowen Telos of the Dawncaster Kingsguard. Others know me as Captain Rusty of Barbatos. I am not as powerful as many of the people standing here.” The heaviness in his voice amplified his words. “We have lost many comrades and friends due to the demon king’s return. I’m sure you know we will lose more. Some of us will fall.”
“But that is no reason not to live!” Kargon said and smacked Rusty’s back hard. “Let us celebrate the lives we’ve led. Prove they are worth fighting for with a night we’ll never forget. Let’s eat and drink like there’s no tomorrow. Spend time with friends and comrades. Share stories of your experiences.”
Rusty nodded and continued, “I will never forget the adventures of Captain Julian Stormclaw. I will not allow my own stories to be forgotten either.”
“Today is not for battle. Prepare all you like but that will not change who you are in two days. Instead, come to trust the people standing next to you. Learn who they are and what it is they fight for. Come together in celebration to bolster each other. That is how we grow stronger for the coming battle.”
As the crowd remained silent, Freckle stepped forward. She laughed heartily and did her best not to trip over her words.
“I realize none of you know who Kargon is. This is the Hero’s most trusted ally. Trust in his words. Eat, drink, be merry. It may be your last chance.” She took a deep breath and shouted even though Makani was still amplifying her voice. “Do so with no regrets!”
Cheers erupted from the surging crowd as they made for the food stores. Drinks were poured with abandon for anyone wishing to partake. The many hardened leaders of the collective army shed their hardened facades to meet with their allies at an equal level. Fear and panic was drowned out by groups sharing stories of their own adventures. Embellished victories had never been more welcome than from drunken celebrants. Clearly some had begun the party long before the announcement but no one cared to complain. The Hero’s party was immediately beset upon to join the festivities. Kargon was held back by Master Avant.
“Well said,” he complimented as he passed over a pouch of sand. “I have passed out the others and who better from the Hero’s party to carry this than you.”
“Thanks, Master. Stay safe out there,” his disciple replied.
Master Avant chirped, “I could say the same to you. I’ll see you soon, my boy.”
He took flight with his subordinates close behind. Some had wings while others used magic to begin their pilgrimage. Kargon stepped into the crowd and was immediately lost within.
