Galier awoke, two hours before sunrise. His heart beat powerfully within his chest, his mind full of apprehension. Carefully, he began to gather his equipment, forming neat piles across his bed. A hard wearing leather rucksack contained fresh clothes, enough food and drink for three days and the eleven scouting kit he had received the day before.
The kit contained the coveted scouting communication stone. This could be used once per day and act as a direct communication link with the city of Tehralain; a team would be monitoring the receiving stones around the clock and the transportation magic was being constantly kept live by the mages of the city. It was to be used as his primary source for relaying useful information and to check-in with the central team as ad when required. At minimum all scouts were to report back at least once per week, using the charges sparingly to help ease the burden on the handful of mages keeping the network alive.
If all scouts tried to utilise the communication stones at the same time, the surge would drain the mana reserves and take a significant amount of time to rebuild and get operational again. It was for this reason that each individual was allocated a time slot for communications, with the exceptions being emergencies. Galier’s optional daily check-in was the blue hour after sunset, his mandatory being every fifth day of his summoning.
Also in the scouting pack, was the summoning stone. A rare and powerful stone that had been hard linked with another geographic location. His location was to be the forest north of London, believed to have been transported from his home world. The stone also held an additional charge and would be able to return him to Tehralain; although the return journey would have to be prearranged and prepared for by the mages.
Finally, Galier began to assemble his scouting uniform, it comprised of gifts from his family and standard kit provisioned by Hito. It prioritised camouflage, agility and comfort. All of his gear was made of earthy tones of green, brown and grey tones to help with him blend into the forest. A light silken tunic that was more green than brown, over the top a darker brown leather vest that would provide added protection. The vest was enchanted to help the wearer better navigate different climates, from cold nights to tropical heat.
Tight fitting leggings made of similar material to his tunic held deep pockets and were banded at the ankles. Shoes were often optional in Elven culture, but were usually worn on the battlefield or for formal events. As his mission was non-combative, Galier opted to go barefoot. He loved the feel of nature between his long curling toes, the freedom of movement also meant he could more easily climb trees at pace should he need to.
Finally, his throwing knives were attached to a small brown belt and they rested gently across his lower back. The sling filled with potions ran across his right shoulder to left hip, with the leather strap at the back also providing a slot to attach his quiver which held 40 normal arrows and 20 tipped with a potent sleep-agent that could be used for non-lethal force should he need it. A short sword was then placed through his belt on his right hip, short in length it rested against his thigh and did not travel beyond the knee.
Despite the equipment, Galier was extremely mobile in his scouting attire and had spent much of his childhood learning to navigate the wilderness, hunt and experiencing nature in all of its beauty. Unlike his family however, he did not enjoy confrontation and was a pacifist at heart. The adventure and non-violent aspect of this mission suited him, as he prepared his apprehension transformed into excitement. There was a new world out there ready and waiting to be explored.
A soft tap of the bedroom door broke his trail of thoughts.
“I’ve made you a light breakfast son, come join us downstairs”
Galier opened the kitchen door to see his family sat around their dining table, significantly more subdued than the night before which was filled with victory songs, stories and ale. The genuine concern on his families eyes was clear, despite them doing their best to hide it.
They spent the next 45 minutes sharing heartfelt well wishes with a smattering of small talk to help ease the emotional burden. The family would be stoic in public, as would all of the others. War time was mobilising again, so soon after their last.
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It was now time. In his scouting gear, Galier left the family home and everything he had ever known, ready to do his duty. Slowly his family walked with him, his father and younger sister by his side, as the others trailed one pace behind.
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The streets were lined with friends and foreign faces, all wishing Galier well as he made the walk towards the central town square, thirty minutes ahead of sunrise.
As he approached, he saw most of the other scouting parties and individuals had also arrived. Silently he made his way next to Sentara, parting ways with his family who joined the rest of the onlookers.
“This is it Galier. Be safe out there and return to me”
“And the same to you”
They both looked at each other with sad eyes, sharing false smiles to reassure each other. Their moment was interrupted by Aleyth as he appeared at the centre of the pre-arranged summoning circle that had been carefully painted on the floor in the central square of their city.
Th summoning circle was slightly raised in the middle of their town square, made of stones that were heavily imbued with magic to amply the power of summoning rituals. The stones were well kept, cleaned and polished on a weekly basis; these circles helped move troops of the Elven army across their home world at pace and were decisive in their victories against the Stone Men and the most recent civil war across their home world.
As the mages surrounded the summoning circle, the painted stripes began to glow a faint purple.
“All. Today, we walk into the unknown. These brave souls have volunteered to support our city. They will venture, as Scouts for the Intelligence Association of Tehralain”
Aleyth paused for breath, his words considered and calm.
“Each individual will go forth into this new world with one key objective. To find out if any of our allies, any of our families or any other cities of the House of Eternal Sun have been transported here with us.”
“Over the last five days, our handful of scouts that have not been training our young recruits have not yet identified any. We do know, that the Stone Men have started to dominate a local territory known as Wales; Mount Verakis seems to have been transported to its northern location.”
“As we know, Mount Verakis was a key military stronghold for them. I imagine it will not be long until they venture out from beneath their rocks”
Aleyth’s voice now started to rise, gripping the onlookers and inspiring confidence amongst all who listened.
“Our plan is simple. WE are the mighty city of Tehralain. WE held the in the great wars. WE fight for hope. WE will never relent.”
“As our scouts explore this land, WE will continue to fortify this city, defend our land and repel every attack”
“WE shall not sit for long. If a peace is not brokered soon… WE will show this world just what WE are capable of.”
The crowd erupted with cheers, fear replaced with pride and belonging. Their cities fighting prowess, the rich history of success and defending those in need permeated throughout.
As the applause continued, the mages began their ritual; feeding the summoning circle with all of their arcane magic. As their mana reserves began to deplete, the cities Spirit Dancer, a rare class that was often pivitol in battle; offering recharge of mana, stamina and in some instances even specific resets of crucial abilities to their teammates. Tehralain was lucky enough to house two spirit dancers. In war time, one would support their legion of magic whilst the other would hover around Braxton, turning him into an unstoppable and near-invulnerable juggernaut.
Whilst the summoning circle continued to charge, Aleyth commanded his griffin riders to clear the skies above them and Hito had enacted his own ritual, surrounding the Town Square in a dome of smoke.
The actions turned the crowds to silence, they looked to Aleyth.
“A screen impervious to spies. They have their metal birds many thousands of feet above us. They will not see through this. Our Griffin riders will ensure our skies remain clear.”
“Now. The Summoning Circle is complete. As Hito calls up your names and, or squad numbers, please say your final goodbyes and make your way to the central platform. Our mages will then complete the final elements of the ritual to transport you to your target locations.”
As each individual or group was called up, they were offered the opportunity to say a line to the crowd - as was tradition.
“For honour”
“For freedom”
“For the House of Eternal Sun”
It was Sentara’s turn, she was called to her group ready to explore Ireland. As she stepped onto the central platform, her shoulder length lavender hair flowed elegantly across her shoulders. She turned and locked eyes with Galier.
“For all of those that I love”
Galier’s heart stopped in his chest. Their friendship had been growing closer and closer over the years and he had always secretly hoped she had felt the same way he had. He just never had the confidence to tell her.
His introspection was interrupted as Aleyth announced “May the gods guide you safely” and with that the mages completed their ritual, in unison they whispered arcane magic; finalising their complex spell.
Purple wisps of magic rose up from the lines beneath the scouting party, slowly they were full enshrouded by the purple mist and then, quite simply… they were gone. Fully transported to the adjoining location in Ireland that had been paired by Hito and his team.
Galier’s eyes glazed with tears and he silently thought a prayer of safety for Sentara and her team.
“Galier” called Hito “to the Forest North of here, the closest to home but travelling alone”
With confidence he walked to the centre of the circle, looked towards his family and called out to all “For a brighter future”.
A brief popping noise filled Galier’s mind. A quick blink and all of a sudden, all he could see was a forest, alive with sound and rich in colour. He was home.