“One hundred and thirteen days, my lord. If we continue at our current pace and do not encounter any greater resistance.” Said Owen, looking up to meet Liam’s eyes.
“We can safely round that estimate up to one hundred and twenty days.” Answered Liam,
Four months… Four months and I’ll see Nyota again.
He wanted to fly, to take that number and murder it, to drown four months of time in a tempest. Yet he knew that was beyond his capability. Time was one element that magic could not alter, at least not the sort of magic any in this world could wield.
Liam scooped up a rock from the dirt floor of the tent, then channeled dark affinity to open a micro portal. It was a short jaunt, barely a foot, just far enough so he could drop the pebble into one end of the portal and then catch it in his other hand. The stone passed through the portal as easily as air, to land in Liam’s palm. He frowned, already feeling a change, as if the stone had turned into a sponge, and it was no surprise when his fingers crushed the stone to dust.
“Your mastery of so many affinities was bound to cause issues sir.” Said Velena.
The woman sat at the table’s edge, her eyes glassy after their calculations and talk of logistics. She was educated, and intelligent, but Velena lived by the sword, in a way she reminded him of Arlet. Brutally competent, fiercely loyal, and more than capable of slaying a hundred men for their ideals.
“The capital isn’t too far out of the way, and surely the king would lend a Lightning Lord a few boats.” Said Owen, picking up an abacus and running a few numbers. “Would only add a month or two. But we would be traveling in great safety and reinforcing the ports on the way to Sintra.”
“Mhm, a bargain.” Said Liam. “No, I have no wish to return to Talocandel, twill cause problems for me to be seen publicly. Especially in the capital. I would be forced to meet with King Aldric, and I’m not sure I can do that without killing him. No. Nyota Green is our destination, and the less lords we interact with along the way the better. Especially those who would seek advantage through their connection to me. Besides, the grandmaster of shadow lived in Greenwood, why would I visit the college for secondhand knowledge when the source is at our destination? No, I can wait to master portals.” Said Liam, rising from his seat.
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“Very well m’lord. We shall depart on the morrow.” Said Owen.
The door to the home they were using as a headquarters opened, “Message from Thaddeus.” Said Faelan.
“How fare our reinforcements?” Asked Owen, cutting to the point.
Faelan swallowed, “Delayed sir. While the gorgons have aided Kheresh greatly, all remaining magi and paladins are busy walling the city and the nearest farms. It seems that the Argos’ shade allows portal creatures to survive the desert heat. Monster encounters have quintupled since your departure, though Thaddeus promised to send sixty knights templar with supplies to ease our journey. That band has already departed, and will construct a retaining wall along paladin avenue.” Reported Faelan.
“The increase in portals expands beyond Kheresh. Quetz has shifted his hunting habits from servals and gerbals to hellhounds and orcs. Without his hunting our journey northward would be hindered at every stage. Building a road is not enough, we must massacre the invaders and carve a path across the continent!” Snapped Liam, pounding on the table. “Ah, I trust Thaddeus, but I fear he might be fighting a war of attrition that’s already lost. Send a message back to him. He is ordered to triage Kheresh. If he plans to wall the city, then he ought to leave the outskirts unwalled, and create an inner sanctum. Walling the entirety of Khereshetal is foolish, even if he mobilized the entire city it would take years to accomplish. Such a task must be handled by the Duke, not us. Thaddeus must push his men beyond their limits, have him work with Calypso and perform the same mana transferring that has leveled all of you up.” Said Liam.
“Yes sir!” Said Faelan, already busy scribbling a reply.
“Oh, and order Thaddeus to cease wall construction by the end of the year. Assume the frequency of monsters will prevent additional fortifications being built after that timeframe. Taloc does not care if Khereshatal succeeds or fails, but he is deeply invested in Greenwood. As am I.” Said Liam. “Now, unless there is more, I’m going to meditate, goodnight, and see you all tomorrow.” Finished Liam, departing the tent and heading for bed.
Karnak shadowed him, always remaining nearby. Never straying out of Liam’s sight, and displaying a sincere loyalty that made Liam start to doubt Thaddeus’ intentions. A wall to protect the desert city was important, without it the sand dunes would shift, eventually swallowing up the outskirts and erasing Khereshetal, but it felt more like an excuse to explain why the reinforcements were late.
Thaddeus, what are you doing in Kheresh? You have less love for Aldric than I do, and I know you’re faithful to Taloc… Thought Liam, letting the question slip from his mind.
He could ponder it tomorrow. For now, it was bedtime. So he curled up in Quetz’s coils, finding the golden feathers a bit harsh, but surprisingly comforting.