After collecting all the supplies for Werg and himself, Gibb led his horse and cart as well as Werg back towards his woods to prepare for what was soon to come. The trip back to the small trail to Gibb’s cabin took several hours and was filled with Werg talking about the army that was on its way.
“General Mactar is leading the invasion force sweeping through the kingdom, and he is a merciless monster. He has several sorcerer squads in his ranks and a fair number of mercenary companies, including our old friends from what I have heard.” Werg said. “What about any other magic users or creatures in his ranks?” I asked.
“Just your typical army force with a few beastmen and a warlock and necromancer here and there. Nothing I haven’t seen before.” Werg said. “Sounds like a pretty weak force from your description,” Gibb replied.
“The make-up of their force isn’t the issue. The number is. There are 350 thousand in their force and no kingdom soldiers nearby to slow them down. The tyrant King Typhas attacked with no warning, breaking the treaty he had had with Ebaneria for decades, and King Jimsim had no idea it was coming. I have no idea how you plan to fend them off from coming straight through your home because no amount of forest will stop them with a force like that.” Werg said.
“I am hoping it doesn’t come to that. I plan to negotiate with the army just to pass me by, and I will leave them alone if they leave me alone. I do not like conflict, and I never have. If my sister were still here, she would be overjoyed with the chance to take on that army single-handedly. That would be more than they would want to deal with for certain.” I said with a pang of sadness, thinking of Min.
“What can a lone woman do against an entire army? They would overwhelm her with numbers and kill her in moments.” Werg said. “Werg, if they decide to attack and it looks like I will die, you need to run as fast and as far as you can. Leave me, and don’t come back until you see the death stop spreading from my magic. Once it stops spreading, it will be safe to return to me.” Gibb said firmly.
“I will not leave you behind to die, Master Gibb. I will fight to my last breath to try and make sure you survive the battle if I have to.” Werg retorted. “Werg, I need to tell you something about me that I haven’t told anyone except my sister in my many hundreds of years of life. I can’t die. No matter how hard they try, I will not die from the blade, fire, spell, or anything else they can throw at me. I MEANT IT when I said my sister would take on the whole army. She was the same as me, except she was battle crazed. Minda went looking for fights trying to find a way to die for hundreds of years to no avail. When she finally came to terms with the fact that we were truly unkillable, she started looking for battles to right wrongs and protect the innocent. I followed her out of necessity and have lived as a hermit since she disappeared, but I hate fighting. Unlike Min, my power requires the life force of others to heal me. She could drain and heal, but it was entirely a conscious effort. When I start to take damage or start dying, my power activates and begins siphoning the life force from those around me. Suppose they surround me with their entire army; that is their worst-case scenario. All it would take is for them to kill me in a way that I couldn’t completely heal, and it required me to siphon life endlessly. Eternal flames from a sorcerer, while I am shackled in place, would hurt like hell, but it would wipe out their entire force, and when the flame finally died with the sorcerer, I would come out unscathed. That is why I need you to run and do it as fast and as far as possible.” Gibb said.
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Visibly shaken, Werg said, “Master Gibb, you could rule the world if you chose to. There isn't anyone that could stand up to you.” Gibb responded, “We did that for a century about 800 years ago, and it gets really boring fast. Ruling means you are responsible for everything and everyone, and all you get out of it is corruption, plots, and boredom. So we decided to get out of politics and just travel the world and have fun doing whatever made us happy. Speaking of my sister, I made her an amulet that protected her mind from mind attacks. I am sure there are mind flayers in this army that is coming, and while I can block them if I am actively paying attention to you, it is much easier for me just to give you a necklace with protection.”
Gibb stuck his hand inside his shirt, pulled a necklace off from around his neck, and handed it to Werg. “I had this one in case Min needed it and kept it to remember her by after she disappeared. Put it around your neck and tuck it inside your armor, so it doesn’t get destroyed. No matter how powerful the mind flayer is, I don't know any mental magic that can penetrate mine.” They finally reached the path that led into the forest to Gibbs cabin, and Gibb told Werg, “Take the horse and cart ahead. I will take down some trees and block the path, so we have a barrier to give us some cover.”
Werg took the horse's reins and led her up the path while Gibb waited behind. Once Werg was almost out of sight, Gibb used telekinesis, fire, and ice magic to snap tree trunks and direct the fall across the path. After dropping a dozen large trees, Gibb continued up the trail after Werg. Once they reached the cottage, Werg helped Gibb unload all of the supplies and stow them away in the pantry, and then they sat down to eat and discuss the impending besieging army.
“So how soon can we expect this army to show up at our doorstep? I can sense them when they get within a couple of miles, but I am as in the dark as you for their location until then.” Gibb said. “I would say they will be here within the next 2 hours based on the rumors. I don't have an exact time, but that seemed to be the consensus from the scouts that came back to town. What do we need to do to finish preparing for them to get here?” Werg responded.
“The only reason the monsters and animals in the forest didn't attack us on our way in and that they stay away from my clearing is my mental repelling ability. Their army will not be able to affect the monsters like I can. Human mind flayers have no power over monsters and limited influence over beasts. I can even use the creatures around us to attack the army if I need to.” Gibb said, “I will try to sense them now and see if they are in range. Two hours march should be within my limits for an army that size.”
Gibb rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, preparing to push his sense out further than he had in years. Opening his mind to allow his power to flow out of him, he released the gift he was born with flood out into the land. His mind passed over the animals and monsters and unknown creatures. It passed over nearly sentient plants he could just tickle with his thoughts enough to know they were able to show some cognizance. It continued beyond the forest like a rolling wave into the hills and valleys and for several miles until it finally found the army he was looking for. Gibb could feel the minds of the soldiers and sorcerers, the officers and mind flayers, and all of the people in the force that was approaching and would be there within a few hours.
“We have about three hours until they get here if they maintain a steady march. We don't have much to do to prepare other than plan our approach to the emissary they send to speak to us.” Gibb said. “Should I go to the head of the trail and wait for them when they get closer and prepare for their arrival?” Werg asked. “Rest for a couple of hours and make sure you are full because we don't know what will happen after they arrive. Then, when they get close, I will tell you to start heading down to meet them.” Gibb replied. “As you say, master Gibb. I will be ready when you call on me. I will lie down and take a nap so that I will be well-rested.” Werg said.