The Drowlenth Valley one of four passages that lead through the dead mountains. Coming to its end at the Neltrovyn pass and the border with the neighbouring Corleraith kingdom. The entire area was dead nothing grew, save scrub and some grass. In these lands had been the final battles of many of the empire's wars with corleraith.
It was this place far to the west that Isaetal had been sent. Standing atop one of the many peaks overlooking the valley. She could see how useful if would be to cross the mountains here to get to the other side. With no obstructions of any kind, passing through here would be no problem for a small enough group.
"I have little time, the valley will work to my advantage if used correctly." [Isaetal]
Scrutinising the valley looking for a place in which she could set up an ambush to catch the kidnappers off guard. Isaetal found what she was looking for. Deep in the heart of the valley lay a great stone. From this central point, one could see the entire interior of the valley.
Making her way to this central point she could see how best to use this ground. Putting her hands together Isaetal weaves a series of hands signs. Unlike human magic that required incantations and circles in order to be used. Demi-human magic only needed hand signs in order to be used. Making for incredibly fast magic deployment.
"May my masters will be done." [Isaetal]
As she said this the ground around her began to shake fiercely. Standing her ground as if not affected by the changes around her Isaetal watched as the valley changed around her.
'Brother will have made preparations it is unlikely things will go well for these men once we get to the valley.'
Still being carried by Hoalte Syrelia had found the journey tiresome having not stopped once since the night before even to eat. She hoped that they would soon stop. Looking over her carriers shoulder so to get a better look at where they were. Looking to the south, she could see mount Gretalrosfar off in the distance.
'Home is so close yet so far away.'
"Halt!"
Suddenly without warning the group stopped. For what purpose Syrelia could not tell. In front of the group Rezeim stood looking towards the dead mountains.
"What is wrong Rezeim were we not to stop once we reached the valley?"
One man in the group stepped forward from his position. Face unseen due to the cloak he wore this younger individual came up beside the much older man in front of them all.
"There is something not right, True while we wear these bracelets we can neither be sensed or sense anything ourselves. However, there is something out there. We should stop and rest for a moment before moving on." [Rezeim]
Having given instruction for the group to rest Syrelia was placed in the center of the group so she could not run away.
"Once we enter the Corleraith kingdom it will only be three weeks to reach the homeland." [Hoalte]
"Our mistress will be pleased with our success Lets hope she is in a good mood."
The mood amongst her captors seemed more relaxed once they had all had some time to rest. having traveled so far in only a single night, Syrelia knew that these people were likely not humans. Nor were they any of her brothers students.
"Girl earlier you said something about a valley of tear the only place know by that distinction is the Drowlenth valley to which we are currently headed." [Rezeim]
Standing gazing towards the dead mountains the older man looked concerned even more than when he had stopped everyone.
"My brother has many means at his disposal in which to bring me home. He will not suffer those who could be a potential threat to him in the future life." [Syrelia]
"It is your older brother's response that my mistress wishes to observe. For what purpose I know not all that is required of us is to get you to our homeland." [Rezeim]
Haldrathin these people were that other second order race that had only ever been read about. Since the time of the fourth breaking the Haldrathin had closed themselves off from the rest of the world. Destroying any and all ships that would come close to their homeland.
"I am afraid your purpose here has no meaning. You are simply second order, you are no match for what awaits us in the valley." [Syrelia]
A tear rolled down her face as she slipped into a viewing.
"Your blood will mingle with that of the many who have threatened this land and it's people. There will be no mercy given you. If you leave me here and proceed alone you will still be hunted and killed. No matter the circumstance you will die. The moment you kidnapped me you through away your lives." [Syrelia]
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All stood in silence as Syrelia still sat on the ground. There was no fear in their eye just expressions of confusion as to what they had just seen and heard.
"We shall get moving all of you keep your eyes open and don't stray from the group we will be stronger together." [Rezeim]
Quickly collecting Syrelia the party move on towards the valley at frightening speed. Watching as the trees and mountains sped past at an alarming pace, she realized what they were trying to do. Either try to overwhelm any enemy in from of them or just charge through the valley before any ambush could be set.
Coming to the mouth of the valley Rezeim signaled for an immediate stop to which all complied.
"No this is impossible! Where did all of these trees come from?" [Hoalte]
The wonder of a Master ranked mage was clear for all to see. Having changed the entire ecology to suit her purpose Isaetal had created a great forest within the valley that had earlier that day been completely dead.
"We have no choice but to advance Hoalte in the center the rest keep him completely surrounded let nothing through." [Rezeim]
Having not been too concerned with the likelihood of a response that could break through their formation. the party remained in a very loose formation upon leaving the capital. Until now when the possibility of outright destruction stared them right in the face.
Moving into the forest, the trees were incredibly massive standing far over a hundred yards high with trunks that even if the entire party was to grasp and they would still need another four people to completely encircle the trunk.
Speeding through the branches of these trees with their thick strong branches made the distance needed to be traveled much less. Racing as fast as they could to the other side of the valley again they stopped.
Looking out from the branches they saw something deathly frightening.
The forest suddenly ended into a large open expanse that they could not jump over without being noticed. Five hundred yards across was the expanse of grass and shrub that looked like the valley should have.
On the other side, the forest continued leading to the Neltrovyn pass and freedom. Surveying the open expanse, a giant stone rose in the center upon which a woman sat looking out towards where they currently hid observing her.
Thinking of what could be done the sound of something impacting metal with great force could be heard from Syrelia's left. However, she did not look as the lifeless body of one of her captors fell towards the ground.
Isaetal struck first if anything her demi-human senses had alerted her to the arrival of her quarry. Manipulating the earth around her, the eleven-foot long blade that had struck her target should have inflicted substantial damage.
Watching for more movement she had another piece of imminent death prepared to strike. As Isaetal waited the party came out of the base of the trees. In a much tighter formation than before. Now there being only six of them the odds began to slip out of their favor.
"I am Isaetal Hidmetryl my master has sent me to retrieve the girl you have taken give her to me and you may go without trouble." [Isaetal]
While not a lie her only purpose here was to get Syralia home to safety what happened when they both left would be up to the Templar that would most definitely kill all of them without question.
"While I thank you for giving me your name it is not a custom of our people to do likewise you being first order and therefore, below us, we have no purpose in giving our names." [Rezeim]
"I see does that also mean you will not return the lady Syrelia Frenost to me without conflict?" [Isaetal]
Grasping her spear Isaetal jumped down from atop the rock she had situated herself. Taking no stance in preparation for a fight she seemed more bored with the situation than anything else.
"You have no chance of defeating all six of us demi-human go back to your master their....." [Rezeim]
Before he could finish Rezeim's head was separated from his body with one fluid strike from Isaetal's spear. The mood of the others changed as quickly as his head hit the ground. Two fell back grabbing Syrelia trying to create distance while the remaining three attacked.
This action was meaningless as the three came to withing striking distance Isaetal disappeared before them. Only to appear airborne above the two that had retreated with the girl. With Isaetal's devastating speed and power both were struck down by one blow of her spear.
Grabbing Syrelia in that instant both disappeared. To where the remaining three did not know. For in that same moment twenty unknown men arrived with swords drawn.