Chapter 273 - The Slow Wait Before Battle

It is 4am but it is done! Fairly long one today. Hope you enjoy.

The quiet before war always felt too long. With the time Hump had left before he was required at his post, he returned to Vamir’s cabin to restock his supplies. With access to the great forests and dungeons of the Fallen Lands, potions were plentiful in Drakalyn, and their alchemists were greatly skilled. He had a few specialty healing potions they’d given him, though as of yet none were willing to share the recipe—another thing he aspired to add to the Book of Infinite Pages if given the chance before he left Drakalyn for good. Alongside them, he had a few of his own. Poison Stopper, some Essence Elixir’s created from water taken from the Temple of Moss’ essence well, Second Life, Crystal Light, and a vial of Wizardfire. It was a good stash. Enough to get him through most emergencies.

New to his arsenal were a couple of heartstone transmitters. After using them to bring down the tunnel through the mountain, he’d managed to convince Yunillia’s runeforger, Higri, to spare him a couple. While Hump didn’t have a specific purpose for them in mind, the ability to activate a formation from a distance was invaluable. He was certain he would find a use for them eventually.

With his pouch filled, he moved on to the rest of his gear. His battle robes felt like a second skin to him now after so many months of use. He would have to thank Sir Isaac again when he eventually returned to Sheercliff City. Beneath the black robes, he slipped the locator pendant given to him when he first joined Yunillia’s squad around his neck. Then he fixed his Springleaf Cloak around his shoulders, clipping it at his chest with a broach.

Of his gear, his bracers were in most need of an upgrade. Without a self-repair enchantment, it was only a matter of time before they failed. Not that he needed them much anymore. They helped to prevent essence loss but that was hardly a problem now that he was a Rank 4 wizard and dragon blooded. Even more so since he had learned to wield Spirit Sight. It was amazing just how much difference being able to properly see one’s essence made. To see exactly where the gaps in his mortal vessel were and seal them shut.

His boots were his true pride. He’d avoided wearing this pair as much as he could, saving them for a moment just like this. A month sitting around in Drakalyn was enough time to configure a set of enchantments far beyond his earlier attempts.

He picked up his spellbook, the page still open to the boots.

Item Index
Boots of the Wandering Wizard

Artifact | Universal | Bronze Rank

Description

A pair of expertly crafted leather boots designed for the light footed and stealthy, these boots have been enchanted to reduce sound and typical damage types.

Origin

Created with a boot from Drakalyn. Enchanted by Humphrey Woodrow. This is my first true enchantment entry and the perfect project for any wizard looking to dip their toes into the craft… no pun intended.

Abilities

Echoless Passage: Muffle sounds and prevent them from travelling.

Self-Repair: This item will repair itself from rudimentary damage using the residual essence of the holder. This process can be sped up through purposeful application of essence.

Acid, Water, and Fire Resistance: Minor resistance to the mentioned elements.

His first enchantment entry. He still grinned at seeing it, even if it was only bronze. This was just the beginning of what he was capable of, and he couldn’t be prouder of the entry. He’d needed a proper boot upgrade, and while these wouldn’t aid in his spellcasting, it was only his first attempt at a bronze enchantment. And this time, a bit of acid wouldn’t be enough to break it. He’d solved his previous exposed formation problem by inscribing the enchantment upon a piece of flat mental and having it inserted beneath the heal of the boot. Eventually, it would give, but he could always make another pair.

“Don’t look at me like that!” Hump said to Nisha. “I’ll still be in Drakalyn.”

She jumped off his bed and approached him, leaning against his leg but not raising her head. She stared at the floor, looking about as pitiful and dejected as he could imagine. It hurt to see her this way, but there was nothing he could do.

Hump went down on his knees, pulling the little dragon’s head to his shoulder and rubbing her back. “It won’t be long before you’re out there by my side. The mighty Nishari!”

Excitement stirred in her and she pulled back, staring into his eyes and tilting her head. A goofy tongue sticking out of her mouth.

Hump grinned. “For now, you’ll get to stay with Auntie Myra.”

She licked his face too fast for him to pull back and he laughed, wiping her saliva away with a sleeve and then standing.

He caught a look at himself in the mirror then, his red left eye shimmering with specks of essence, just like Celaine’s eye did sometimes. The sight of it was still odd to him, though perhaps stranger was his slit pupil. It just felt… inhuman.

I bey you’d hardly recognise me, Old Man, Hump thought, drawing in a deep breath and sighing. He hardly recognised himself. The weak boy hedge wizard was now donned in silver artifacts. Taking up his Staff of Damnation, he once more felt proud. He’d grown strong, and he would use that strength. Nishari, Celaine, his friends in Drakalyn—he would not allow anything to happen to them.

“Good luck today, kid,” Walt said from atop the table. “Don’t go handing me off to any liches, got it?”

Hump chuckled. “Of course not.” He took Walt’s soul stone, slipping it into a chest pocket. “Keep an eye out for me.”

“You got it! Walt’s on duty today, don’t you worry about a thing!”

Vamir was already in the main room when Hump and Nisha stepped out. He had his sword on his hip, a bow on his back, and a quiver full of arrows. In his leather gear and forest green cloak, he looked every bit a hunter of Drakalyn.

“Ready to go?” Vamir asked.

Hump nodded. “All set. You?”

“As ready as one can be for marching into the unknown.”

“I’m sorry I can’t go with you.”

Vamir shrugged. “Orders are orders.” Then he gave Hump a smug smile. “And don’t think you’re strong enough now that having you along is all that important! We’ll manage just fine without you, don’t you worry. I’ll be seeing you both soon.” He grinned at Nisha, who rushed over, scurrying around his legs in excitement.

“You better,” Hump said. “Don’t burn too brightly.”

“Now throwing my own saying back at me is just rude!” Vamir said. “Because of that, maybe I’ll burn extra bright, just to spite you.”

Hump laughed. It was good to see Vamir in high spirits despite the battle ahead.

***

From Camore Hill, Hump could see everything. It was a position on the southeast side of Drakalyn, overlooking the road that lead to the lake. Runeforged protections, wooden walls, and battlements had been built along its slopes in preparation for an attack just like this. If the undead came—even the lich herself—it would be no easy feat to break through these defences, especially with the power of Owalyn’s threshold for support.

Celaine had been assigned a position under Juk. A fifth circle Chosen of Owalyn that commanded the position. He was an unusually small man for one of Drakalyn’s hunters—frail even, with thin arms, stick legs, and about fifty years too many to be walking with a spear in hand, yet he held it well as he strode the battlements, his sharp eyes scrutinising the dark forest before them. While Hump hadn’t met the man previously, from the way the people of Drakalyn treated him there was no doubt much respect for him. They moved to his command like a well-oiled mechanism. Hump took that as a good sign. In his short life, he’d seen far too many people die because of poor leadership.

To Hump’s surprise, with Celaine as one of Juk’s captains, he was placed under her command. She’d told him of her squad previously—ten men and women that had fought side by side with her in the Charred Heights. For today, he was just another one of them.

It wasn’t long until Drakalyn’s army was ready to march. They headed off into the thick shadows of the forest, disappearing down the road as if consumed by the lich’s darkness. All Hump and Celaine could do was watch. Amongst them, he spotted Vamir’s hunters and gave the man a wave. A curt nod and a few dozen paces, and Vamir was gone too.

There was a roar, and Hump looked up as nine dragons flew out of the Temple of the Everflame, the great fire at its peak still burning bright red, its light reaching the very edges of Drakalyn. Ado was amongst them, leading from the front in his eagle form so that Keeper Yunillia could remain in Drakalyn to focus on healing. Other wolf dragons from amongst the non-bonded packs added to their number as they neared the forest, bringing their total closer to twenty. It was a fierce force.

“I don’t mind you taking over,” Celaine said.

“Taking over?” Hump asked.

“It makes sense, doesn’t it? You’ve always been the party leader.”

“This is your squad, Celaine. I think they’re all happy enough with the way things are without me meddling.”

“But you’re more experienced at this than me.”

Hump shook his head. “I’ll speak up where I think I’m needed, but you’re in command here. Forget making the right decision. Just make a decision and follow it through.”

She frowned, almost looking annoyed. “Are you sure?”

Hump smiled and nodded. “The last thing anyone here needs is an outsider stirring up confusion. You know your people, and your squad. I’ll find a place to slot in if it comes to fighting.”

“A wildcard,” she offered.

“I like the sound of that.” Hump smiled. “Just don’t be too bossy with me! I know what you’re like. A hint of power and you’ll go mad in the head.”

Celaine narrowed her eyes, trying to hide a smile. “Uh-huh. You better watch yourself.”

Time passed agonisingly slowly. The wait was always awful. Worse than awful—it was boring. Usually, he at least had a job to do, but waiting around and doing nothing while the fighting took place elsewhere was ridiculous. There were more effective ways for him to use his time—for all of them to use their time.

“We should be out there,” Hump said, gripping the wooden rail at the edge of the wall tightly.

“I thought you’d appreciate the easy job,” Celaine said.

“Sure, when we can see what’s coming. It’s not nice when this is the bloody view.” He gestured toward the darkness.”

“No need to fear.” It was one of Celaine’s squad members that spoke. A woman called Ana. She gave him a mocking grin. “We’ll protect you, wizard.”

That got some chuckles out of the rest of the group nearby.

Hump forced a smile, though he wasn’t in much of a mood for jokes.

“This is the worst kind of war, isn’t it,” a man said. Hump turned to his right, surprised to find Juk had snuck up on them.

Hump nodded. “Ever battle we face feels pointless until we attack the lich directly,” Hump said. “We need to take the fight to her.”

“She’s the puppet master,” Juk said, nodding. “And a challenging one at that, but do not underestimate the sight of the Huntress. Nowhere in this world is safe while Owalyn hunts you.”

There was a feral glint to the man’s eyes as he said the words. Hump saw the same fanatism in him as he did in Bud sometimes. The pure, undoubting belief in an infallible power greater than oneself. He wished he could find that same confidence.

***

The trouble with lookout jobs was remaining alert. Doing nothing had never been one of Hump’s strong points. Doing nothing while being expected to remain at attention was even worse. It felt like it had been about two hours when a stir went up along the walls. Hump followed everyone’s gazes, looking up into the sky as a single dragon and its bonded emerged from the shadow beyond.

“Can you make out the rider?” Hump asked.

Celaine squinted at his side. “That’s Finn.”

“Something’s happened then,” Hump said.

“It could just be an update on the situation.”

Hump shook his head. “I can’t imagine Ado sending a dragon keeper for that. This must be urgent.”

A moment later, a second dragon emerged, this one with no rider, following Finn back to the Temple of the Everflame.

“A supply run, maybe?” Celaine offered.

Hump sighed. “Whatever it is, it’s not our business. We’re on guard—”

Hump stopped. He sensed something strange from Nisha—doubt, suspicion, fear. It surged through their bond and sent a shudder through his soul.

“What’s wrong?” Celaine asked.

“Something’s happened to Nisha,” Hump said quickly, already moving to the rear of the wall to descend.

What is it Nisha? Hump reached out to the hatchling, trying to comprehend what it was she was sensing. Show me.

A moment later and Hump saw the shadowy sky and a dragon emerging from it. Yet the sight of it instilled a fear in Nisha he didn’t understand. He searched for it in the sky just in time to see it land in the temple.

Hump’s gut twisted into a knot. He knew Nisha’s inexplicable fear had to come from somewhere, but what was it about that dragon? From a distance, it just looked like any other wolf dragon. Had the lich tampered with it, twisting it or casting some spell upon it? A thousand questions raced through his mind but he couldn’t afford to wait for answers.

Turning to Celaine, his voice was laced with urgency as he said, “Celaine, we need to get to the temple. Nisha sensed something off about that second dragon.”

Celaine hesitated, nodding toward her squad and their assigned position. “I’m sure the temple staff can handle it.” Her voice was tinged with uncertainty. “We have our own role to play here.”

“I’ve never felt her that way,” Hump said. “Something was very wrong with that dragon, and I’m willing ti bet the lich had something to do with it. What would the Irila want with the temple. The essence stones?”

Celaine’s eyes widened as realisation dawned. “The eggs. Shit! Ana, Hold your position with the others. If Juk asks, inform him that we’ve gone to the temple on an urgent matter.”

Without waiting for confirmation, they raced back toward Drakalyn. When they reached the summit of the steps, they were met by Finnian, his dragon Aurora, and a group of temple guards. Finnian’s brows knitted with concern as he noticed their hurried approach.

“Celaine, what are you doing here? Are you alright?”

Hump didn’t waste a moment. “Did you notice anything wrong with that dragon that followed you back?”

“The dragon?” Finnian looked around, frowning as if he’d said something stupid. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, wizard, but we have a war to fight.”

“We need to get inside and check,” Celaine said. “Nisha sensed something. I fear the lich is trying to reach the nests.”

“I have an urgent message to deliver to Keeper Yunillia,” Finnian said.

“Forget the war!” Hump snapped; his voice laced with anger. “You must check the eggs. Go! Or get out of our way!”

Finnian clenched his jaw but turned to a guard, handing him a note. “Take this to Yunillia. Tell her the nest is under attack. Keep slamming on her door until you get an answer.” He turned, looking between Hump and Celaine. “You better be right about this or we’ll all be in trouble.”