Verdan had been learning about some ingredients that Natalia had collected during their travelling, when the injured Kranjir scout had come racing down the path to meet them.

The scout had ridden his two horses to the point of exhaustion to bring them the news of the fighting at the river, and Silver had acted quickly from that point.

They’d already been making good time, but with this fresh urgency, they kicked it up a notch. Unfortunately, there was only so fast that the wagons could go, so instead, they would travel later into the day and start off earlier.

The real problem, though, was that if the Cyth were turning north, they would get to that second ridge before them. They were just far enough away that a few extra hours of travel wouldn’t be enough.

If they were going to stop the Cyth from passing right through and invalidating the entire plan, then they needed to take and hold one of the ridgelines.

When they eventually stopped that evening, Silver held a briefing to discuss their options.

“We should pull back to the closer ridgeline, ignore the other one,” one of the Stormlords said once Silver paused for suggestions.

“The valley is the only way across,” Elder Dun said, standing as he spoke. “But the western ridge has two exits, so even if we abandon the idea of controlling their path through the valley, we would be split between these two points. No, the eastern side is what we need.”

“And how do you intend for us to reach it before the Cyth?” Brenn asked, frowning at the Elder. “The Cyth seem to be ahead of the estimates we received. They may be present in strength already.”

“Disciple Nathir.” Silver turned to the Stormlord. “What are your thoughts on this?”

“I stand by the information my Sect has provided,” Nathir said, standing tall as he became the focus of everyone present. “If the Cyth are present, it is because they are forward raiding parties. The main Host that was sent this way has yet to arrive.”

“If that is the case, then a fast-moving force could reach the ridge first and hold it against the Cyth,” Kurgane said thoughtfully. “Once we have a presence there, we can prevent these raiders passing through and prepare for the fight to come.”

Silver nodded thoughtfully, considering the map for another few moments before answering. “I agree. We need to secure that eastern ridge as a priority. The problem is who to send.”

“I can lead the rest of my people, and link up with Zhalia,” Sylvie said, frowning heavily. “We are not front line fighters, though. Fighting in a set position takes away many of our advantages.”

“No one else is fast enough, though,” Kurgane said, giving Sylvie a wintry smile. “I’m afraid you’ll need to do it, for the good of all those innocents the Cyth will prey upon.”

Sylvie bared her teeth briefly in response before turning to Silver. “If you think that is necessary, we will leave at first light and move to rejoin the rest of the pack.”

“The Cyth must be denied,” Silver said, meeting Sylvie’s gaze with a grim expression. “I dislike asking this of you, but it must be done.”

“I can bring a group with them,” Verdan said, mentally reviewing how much Aether he had stored and what he’d need for his plans to deal with the Host.

The clash with the Automaton had driven home how Verdan needed to grow in strength and he’d been working hard on both his spiral and actively growing his reserves.

Moments like this would make that hard work worthwhile.

“We will be running as a pack,” Sylvie said, her brow furrowing as she looked over at Verdan. “You yourself struggled to keep pace with us on the Hunt. How will you bring a group as well?”

“I will empower the horses so that they can maintain the pace,” Verdan said, already planning the spell and working on the visualisation for it. “It won’t be good for them, but they’ll get us there quickly.”

“How large a group?” Silver asked thoughtfully.

“Less than fifty, any more than that, and I will struggle to maintain the spell. I was thinking of myself, my personal guard, and my apprentices. Perhaps a few of the Mhorgain as well.”

“Surely it would be a better use of the limited spaces to take Sorcerers rather than mundane guards?” Brenn asked with thinly veiled derision.

“All of those I’ll be bringing will have enchanted weapons and armour and will be well-trained and skilled fighters,” Verdan said, barely looking at her before focusing on Silver. “Between that group, the Airta and the rest of the scouts, we should be able to hold that area.”

“Very well. Go as soon as there is enough light, but if the ridge is untenable, fall back to the western side.”

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Verdan nodded, ignoring the glare that Brenn was giving him. He had enough worries without trying to pander to her bias.

Silver swiftly brought the briefing to a close, and Verdan went to head back to the wagon, only to be intercepted by Gruthka.

“A word, Wizard?” The Fwyn asked in low imperial.

“Of course, what do you need?” Verdan answered in the same language, drawing a few curious looks from those nearby.

“We have been welcomed well enough in this alliance, but we are here to help you specifically. Perhaps that is selfish, but both Hursk and I believe you are the key to our people prospering once more.”

“I’m aware of that, yes,” Verdan said, shifting uncomfortably. He didn’t like the idea of their hopes riding on just him, but he’d made his position clear.

“Then please allow us to travel with you. We can give the Brecan directions to the ridge, they can navigate by landmarks easily enough. Whatever you try to do there will only be bolstered by our presence.”

Verdan considered Gruthka’s offer carefully before nodding slightly. “Alright, we’ll see how the numbers look in the morning, but I’ll bring you along, even if it means leaving a few guards behind.”

“You won’t regret this,” Gruthka said, his needle-like teeth on full display as he gave him a broad smile. “We might not seek violence, but neither are we like the Brecan.”

“You don’t need to remind me of that,” Verdan said, shivering slightly as he remembered the many times he’d seen hands of stone drag the enemies of the Fwyn below ground to a slow death.

Leaving the Fwyn to pass on the directions to the Brecan, who would no doubt leave within the hour, Verdan took some time to give out orders to Nikau and everyone else he’d be bringing along with him.

That done, he went to break the news to Natalia, only to pause as a figure stepped out of the shadows to stand in Verdan’s path.

“You seem to have made few friends among the Sorcerers, Wizard,” Kurgane Skarv said with a smile that didn’t touch his eyes.

“Oh, what makes you say that?” Verdan asked casually.

“The Steel Custodians have been a shield over your precious city. Is it wise to antagonise your protector like that?”

Verdan chuckled despite himself. “You think Brenn is my protector?”

“Is she not?”

“No, so you need not worry on my behalf.”

Kurgane’s eyes narrowed but his face smoothed into a slight smile as he stepped aside. “Well, in that case, I’m sure you have nothing to be concerned about.”

The Sorcerer had stepped just far enough aside to make the meaning clear, but not so much that Verdan could pass by him easily.

Deciding that he was in no mood to play whatever these games were, Verdan walked straight past the Sorcerer, passing right by him and not paying him the slightest attention.

Internally, Verdan had a shield spell at the ready and was primed for a fight, but Kurgane simply stood there, mere inches away.

Verdan glanced back once he reached the edge of the firelight from their camp, but the Sorcerer was gone.

“Verdan, is everything alright?” Natalia asked, looking up from where she was sitting on the far side of the fire. “Who was that you were talking to? He looked familiar.”

“Yes, that’s been bothering me as well,” Verdan said softly as he took a seat next to her. “More importantly, though, we’ve had word back from the scouts…”

-**-

Verdan spent as much time with Natalia as he could, but he was forced to leave their warm tent for the cold morning air all too soon.

She hadn’t liked him going ahead like this, and he liked leaving her alone even less.

Taking a deep breath of the cold air, Verdan let himself wallow in regret for a moment longer before getting moving.

“Morning, Boss,” Nikau said, coming over to meet Verdan with a hot flask of coffee. “I got the night watch to brew some of this up for us.”

“Showing off like this will get you a bonus, Nikau,” Verdan said, sipping at the scoldingly hot coffee before glancing around at the assembling guard. “Let’s get everyone together at the northern side of the camp. A horse for everyone, but the three smallest guards will have a Fwyn riding with them.”

“Understood. Ruan will grab the horses and meet you there.”

Reassured by Nikau’s competent efficiency, Verdan set off for the edge of camp, preparing the visualisation he’d need for this.

Verdan’s initial plan was a haste spell and then an energising spell, to make the horses faster and help them keep going for longer.

Now, though, it didn’t feel quite right. If there were fifty horses, he’d be casting two spells on them, multiple times across the day, and that just felt inefficient.

Frowning, Verdan turned over the Words and the visualisation in his mind, trying to think about what he could change to make it better.

Sipping his coffee, Verdan finally put his finger on what he disliked about it. It was a brute force approach to the problem, and was more how a Sorcerer would do it.

Verdan liked to think that he held himself to a higher standard of magic, but in this, he was restricted by the Words he knew.

Something stirred in the back of his mind as Verdan tried to think of what he could do as a better alternative. If he could just find the Word he needed, even if it was one he didn’t know that well, he could save time.

“Verdan,” Kai’s voice broke Verdan from his thoughts and he turned to see the Sorcerer walking over with a serious expression.

“Kai, is everything okay?” Verdan asked, his mind immediately going to Kai’s arm.

“Yes, and no,” Kai said, taking a breath before letting it out slowly. “I need you to make sure Gwen is okay for me.”

“She’s a powerful Witch, Kai,” Verdan said softly, realising what conversation this was. “She’s fine.”

“I know, but it’s killing me that I can’t be out there with her. I made a promise, though, and I won’t break it.” Kai paused to take a deep breath. “I need you to promise me that you’ll look after her, and make sure she comes back safely.”

“I’ll do everything I can, Kai,” Verdan said, reaching over to grasp Kai’s shoulder. “You have my word on it.”

“Thank you,” Kai said, his voice little more than a whisper. Clearing his throat, Kai straightened and gave Verdan a nod. “Don’t let any of the Cyth through. The folk in these lands have endured enough as it is.

Verdan nodded, Kai’s words echoing through his head as the Sorcerer left.

Ruan arrived a few moments later with Dirk, Magnus and a small herd of horses that were already saddled. “Ready when you are, Boss. Hope you’ve got something to help keep them going.”

It came to Verdan then, in a flash of abrupt clarity, the Word echoing in his mind.

Endurance. That was the answer.

“Get everyone mounted,” Verdan called out, picking a horse out for himself and swinging up onto its back as his mind feverishly put together the new visualisation that had come to him.

It took a few more minutes for everyone to arrive and mount up, but eventually they were in motion.

Summoning his Aether, Verdan poured it into the Words he spoke as he shaped the spell. “Gward amwyld nercreth.”