Lind

A burning sensation rippled across Lind’s stomach until the jet of flame bursting from his hand died out. The draugr before him fell in a blackened heap. He panted to catch his breath. He was soaked from head to foot, a combination of both perspiration and precipitation.

It was the last of them.

The beach was cleared, though the daylight was a mere memory. Who knew what else lingered in the dark?

He looked to Captain Mikel who nodded back.

“It’s clear,” Mikel said, voice bellowing loud enough for their whole company to hear. The other Watchers nodded their confirmation. They would have been able to detect if any draugr remained.

Lind heaved a sigh of relief, letting his hands drop to his side where his axe still hung. He hadn’t had to draw the weapon at all. The fire was all he’d needed, but the magic left a burning sensation along his whole arm that caused him to sweat profusely, and his throat was painfully dry.

A massive, dark shadow grew closer through the fog over the sea, but the Watchers had no concern, leaving Lind’s mind at ease. He’d grown to trust the Watchers’ instincts. The air swirled as the dark shape came closer, becoming more distinct until the front of a massive ship appeared. A dozen Valtyra had grabbed onto it, pumping their wings to bring it to shore. Its large black sails fluttered in the wind, and its wooden surface was crusted with age.

Lind’s lips curled at the sight of it.

Beside him, Mikel sheathed his sword and shook his head. “An entire ship full of draugr,” Mikel grumbled so that just the two of them could hear. The scowl on the captain’s face communicated all Lind needed to know.

It shouldn’t have been possible. The ship itself looked like it came from a completely different era, back before Avskild had been separated from the rest of the world. Lind had only seen sketches of such monoliths. Even the few larger, seafaring ships that they’d kept on the docks from hundreds of years ago had practically withered away.

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This ship had to have come from the outside. There was no other explanation. It meant that the defenses of the portals had lapsed. And for how long had it been open?

Lind stepped closer to Mikel. “If an entire ship could slip through, it makes me worry if we’ve had other security breaches,” he said in a low voice.

Mikel nodded. “Let’s hope our discussion earlier today wasn’t too late. I’ve already informed the officers that we’ll need to send scouts to the portals. I’ll have them depart at first light, though the further portals might take a day or two before I have results.”

Lind grunted a response. “And I need to head to Vanalf first thing in the morning as well. Arenda will be in charge of Castle Vrodr in my absence.”

“That is well,” Mikel said. “Let us hope that this resolves easily without too much attention from King Knos.”

Lind understood completely. Involvement from the king was the last thing they needed. He’d spent more of his administration doing reconstruction on his own manor than he did with much else. His quick, uninformed decisions could very possibly create more issue than otherwise.

Arenda came towards them, along with Irena, the leader of the Grimnir Guard’s Vitugr squadron. “We’ve cleared the ship,” Arenda reported. “There was only a single draugr left aboard. The rest of them must have come ashore.”

“Burn it and bury it in the sea,” Mikel said, gesturing at the ship. “Lest any dark magic remains. I want nothing left but ashes.”

“Aye, sir,” Irena said. She ordered the Vitugrs to burn the ship, and a torrent of their combined magic warped into a blazing wave of fire that crashed into the ship.

Lind moved to join them, but Mikel grabbed his sleeve.

“Not you,” Mikel said. “You must check back in on those students of yours. Get some rest. You have a journey in the morning.”

Lind regarded the other Vitugrs. Thirteen of them. More than enough to incinerate a ship, even of such a size. He nodded to Mikel. “Peace, then, Captain Vigsen.”

“Peace.”

Lind strode up the beach. He never imagined that an entire ship of draugr was possible. Such a case was unheard of, and he was positive he’d read every record they had in the entire city. What kind of evil deed could have created so many?

It was possible of course, that the ship had been submerged for centuries, the draugr long dead. If that were the case, then the portals would still be in good condition and their defenses would not have been thwarted. Though that scenario seemed unlikely, unless the draugrs could have been lying dormant for so many years.

He rubbed his forehead. The condition of the portals would give him all the information he needed.

At least the threat had been stopped.

For now.