370 days until the Arkon Shield falls

Chief Zel Foghorn,

Something strange is going on in Sanctuary. Shaman Jhaven is not responding to my communication requests, and with the scrying ward he has placed about the valley, I can’t see into the village. I advise sending a patrol to find out what is amiss.

—Shaman Blackspear.

As we raced through the village, I noticed that the sky had begun to lighten. The day was almost upon us. It was strange to think it had been less than twelve hours since we’d entered Sanctuary. So much had happened since then, much of it unexpected, but matters were finally drawing to a close, and we were so near to achieving what we set out to do after leaving Sierra.

Let’s not mess it up now, eh Jamie?

When we reached the eastern wall, we found all one hundred and fifty rebels and scouts inside the closed gate, including the reanimated broodworm.

The shaman stopped short when he caught sight of the broodworm, almost causing the sergeants restraining him to stumble and fall. “Yours, I presume?” Jhaven asked, raising one brow.

I didn’t deign to respond and instead hurried to join the others who were already in a huddled conference with Daryl and John. The spearmen lieutenant glanced at me and nodded in greeting.

“Report,” I heard Thursten order.

“The orcs have drawn up in a line twelve yards from the gate,” Daryl said.

Arneson frowned. “What are they doing?”

“Nothing,” Daryl said. “As far as I can tell, they are waiting for Gorkin to appear.”

John tapped the armor he still wore. “Should I pretend to be him?”

Tara shook her head. “They won’t fall for that ruse now that their suspicions have been raised. Has Petrov reported in?”

“He has,” John said. “The expedition forces are in place and ready to begin the assault once we give the signal.”

“What about the valley passes?” Tara asked.

“Petrov has dispatched squads to block all of them just as you ordered,” John replied. “No one is getting in or out of the valley,” he finished confidently.

I nodded in relief. A large part of why we had embarked on this gambit was to prevent the orcs from getting word out about what we’d done here, and that at least seemed to be going according to plan so far.

“Did Petrov have anything else to report?” Tara asked.

John hesitated. “Yes. He says he can’t be certain, but he thinks the orcs might be aware of his presence at their rear.”

“And they haven’t reacted?” Thursten asked disbelievingly.

John shook his head. “Petrov could be wrong.” He paused. “Or maybe the orcs simply don’t care.”

“It can’t be helped either way,” Tara said.

“We should begin our attack,” Arneson said abruptly. “While we retain some element of surprise.”

“I agree,” Thursten said. “I don’t know what the orc commander is thinking, but he has played into our hands by venturing out of the fort. We have to hit them before they can retreat back to it, or we’re going to have a hard time digging them out.”

I could see from Tara’s expression that her own thinking ran in the same direction. In our initial planning, finding a way to overcome the fort’s defenses had been our biggest obstacle. But that was before we had captured Jhaven.

“No,” I said before Tara could add her voice to the others.

Five sets of eyes turned my way.

“We should talk to them first,” I added.

“What is it with you and talking!” Arneson exploded. “Thanks to you and your talk, we have lost the opportunity to turn the orcs’ shaman upon his people!”

That was a skewed view of what had happened in the village hall, but I let the upset rebel’s words pass uncontested and kept my gaze fixed on Thursten. “It would be better to wait before attacking.”

Strictly speaking, I didn’t need either rebel leader’s permission. The decision to attack or not would be the Sierra captains alone, but despite Arenson’s discontent, I intended on maintaining cordial relationships with Sanctuary. “Let me talk to them.”

“This is ridiculous!” Daryl protested. “We will be forgoing—”

“Enough,” Tara interjected. “Don’t forget it is only because of Jamie’s plan that we’ve gotten this far.” Her gaze slid my way. “I’m sure he has something in mind.”

“I do,” I said. But it was not a plan I wanted to enact until I heard what the orcs had to say.

Thursten’s brows drew down. “Very well,” he said, likely realizing that without Tara’s support, there was little the one hundred Sanctuary rebels could do on their own. “We will trust you.”

Arneson’s mouth twisted sourly. “It is not as if you’re leaving us much choice in the matter,” he added less diplomatically. “Go speak to them.”

✽✽✽

After a quick exchange with Tara, I headed towards the closed gates, escorted only by John. “That Arenson is a mite touchy,” the lieutenant remarked.

“Careful,” I murmured. “They’re our allies now.” But despite the admonishment, I was smiling.

John laughed. “No one cares what a lowly lieutenant says.” His humor faded, and he jerked his head towards the shaman. “What is he doing here?” he asked in a low voice as he slid the gate back a touch.

“I’m playing a hunch,” I whispered back.

“That is good enough for me,” John said. He glanced out at the waiting orcs. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Thanks, but no,” I replied. “I’m not sure I will be able to protect you out there.”

“Okay. Good luck,” John said and clasped my arm before backing away.

Before venturing out, I took a moment to see to my defenses. The settlement’s boundaries extended maybe two yards beyond the actual walls, but I didn’t discount what Jhaven had said. The orcs could bombard the village from outside its boundaries. Without a mage to help them, the damage they inflicted would not be catastrophic, but it was to stop such a bombardment from happening in the first place that I had ventured out here.

Closing my eyes, I cast sanctum of fire, and once the golden dome was in place, I slipped through the gate.

Like Daryl had said, the entire orc company was present. They were stretched out in a line along the village’s perimeter, armed and armored for war.

The central orc, standing in front of the gate, was more resplendent than most. His armor bore none of the telltale signs of an enchantment, but from the markings on his shoulder patches and his more elaborate headgear, I took him to be the company captain.

An analyze rippled over me, and I inspected the orc in turn.

The target is Fagan, a level 150 orcish player. He has no Magic, is gifted with Might, has meager Resilience, and mediocre Craft.

The orc’s eyes narrowed at the Trials’ feedback. “So,” he spat. “I assume Gorkin is dead?”

“He is,” I replied evenly.

“What have you done with Jhaven?”

“He is our captive,” I said nonchalantly.

Fagan’s nostrils flared while the surrounding orcs who had overheard my response gripped their weapons threateningly.

“You lie,” the orc captain snarled.

“I do not,” I said. “Open the gates,” I called over my shoulder.

There was a moment of silence, then furious whispering. The others, I knew, were pressed up against the wall and listening keenly. A moment later, the gates creaked open.

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Fagan gasped as he caught sight of Jhaven. The shaman had been made to kneel on the ground just inside the gate. His hands were tied behind his back, and a rag had been stuffed in his mouth.

The orc captain advanced, drawing his blade as he did. “Filthy human dog! How dare you treat a shaman so.”

The angry muttering amongst the other orcs increased in volume. They were on the precipice of violence.

“Careful, Fagan,” I said, unruffled as my eyes swept along the line of livid orcs. “If you persist with these insults, your shaman will not be alive for much longer.” I paused. “And you will lose no few of your soldiers.”

With effort, Fagan wrenched himself to a halt and flung up his arm, silencing the discontented growls behind him. “What do you want?” the captain demanded. “You must want something, or you would not be here.”

“You’re right. I do want something,” I replied. “I want your unconditional surrender.”

Fagan stared at me in astonishment.

“In exchange,” I continued, “your shaman gets to live.”

Of course, I didn’t expect the orc to accept my offer, but I needed to hide my true intent from him—stopping him from launching an immediate assault on the village.

Fagan barked in laughter. “You are a fool, human. Orcs do not surrender. Ever.” His eyes drifted to the trussed-up Jhaven. “Not even for a shaman’s sake.” He turned back to me. “You and those dogs huddling behind the walls may think yourself safe, protected by the Arkon Shield, but my people have perfected war.” His eyes glinted. “There are other shamans. They will come when they hear of this atrocity, as will our engines of war. With them, we will burn down your pitiful village, all without taking a single step within its boundaries.”

I stared hard at Fagan. I believed the orc captain, but I was unphased by his threat. I didn’t plan on letting any of his people escape the valley. “Like you did with Doran’s Retreat?” I asked coldly.

“Ah,” Fagan said, his lips turning up in an unpleasant smile. “You’ve seen our work, I see. You should be afraid, human.” He paused theatrically. “But perhaps that is asking too much of one of your kind.” The captain chuckled. “Or maybe you’re placing your faith on the others of your kind hiding in the bushes behind us. Do you think they will save you? They won’t.”

So, Fagan had spotted Petrov’s people. Yet rather than attacking them, he was here, asking after Jhaven. The shaman must mean more to him than he is letting on.

“Of course,” Fagan continued, “if you hand over Jhaven, maybe we will go.” His expression turned frosty. “It is your only chance to save your village. Return our shaman to us and pray that we are merciful.”

I held his gaze, my own steady. “We are not afraid of you.”

“Ha!” he exclaimed. “You say that while protected by the Trials. You would never dare utter those words where I could get to you.”

Was Fagan trying to lure me closer? Given that I stood within clear line of sight of the many archers I spotted amongst his company, the orc captain could launch an attack against me any time he wanted, but he hadn’t. Let’s play his game, I thought. And see what happens.

I took a step forward—ignoring Tara’s sharp intake of breath behind me—then another. “Do your worst,” I said, feigning indifference.

Fagan did not hesitate to take up my challenge. “Fire,” the captain barked.

In response, a pair of orc archers raised their bows, drawing and releasing in a single motion. Two yard-long arrows screamed through the air towards me.

I exhaled sharply but held my ground, trusting to my defenses. A heartbeat later, the projectiles crashed into the invisible dome about me and fell to the floor.

I hid a wince as I observed the damage to the spell weaves of my casting. Against concentrated orcish fire, sanctum would not last long. Pasting a smile on my face, I turned back to Fagan.

“How did you do that?” he demanded. “You’re only a Trainee.”

I let my smile widen. “I’m no ordinary mage. You should know that.” I paused. “Or did Orgtul not tell you why he wants me?”

Fagan’s lips tightened, but he said nothing as his gaze darted back to the shaman still visible in the open gate. Was he perhaps wondering what Jhaven had not told him?

“And as for destroying the settlement,” I continued cheerfully, “do you think your high shaman will let you do that? He wants me too desperately to permit such.” My face hardened. “Last chance, Fagan. Surrender now—or die.”

The captain studied me in silence, his face expressionless. “No,” he said at last. “Orcs do not surrender.” His lips twisted into an ugly smile. “And we shall find out soon what Orgtul wants. When he hears of this, I suspect he will come himself. Goodbye, human.” On that parting shot, he spun about. “Move out!” he roared. “Back to the fort!”

Forming up in two disciplined lines, the orcs marched back to their camp. I hid a grin as I watched them go. Matters had gone better than I expected. I had maybe overplayed my hand at the end, but I had spoken honestly to Fagan. I did not fear the orcs, not without their shaman to protect them. I had given the orc captain a way out, too, and he had refused.

“You underestimate us, Fagan,” I whispered. “It will prove your undoing.” Turning about, I headed back to the village.

I managed only a single step, though, before Arenson came running through the gate. “Quick,” he gasped. “We must signal the assault before they lock themselves in that damn fort of theirs.”

I shook my head. “No.”

He stared at me aghast. “No?” he demanded, his voice rising an octave as the others came up behind him. “Why the hell not?”

Even John looked worried. “Jamie must have a plan,” he said, but his words were more question than statement.

“I do,” I said.

Tara and I had exchanged glances, and she nodded imperceptibly, giving me the go-ahead. I had explained the plan in full to her before venturing out to speak to Fagan, and while she was more skeptical than me of its chances of success, she had seen enough of my abilities not to doubt me.

“Well, what is it?” Thursten said.

“We let them get back to their fort, feeling safe and secure,” I whispered.

The rebel leader looked at me skeptically. “And then?”

“And then,” I said with a cold smile, “I burn it down around them.”

✽✽✽

We waited for the sun to rise.

Once the battle commenced, things were sure to get chaotic, and no one wanted any of the enemy slipping away unseen in the dark.

Petrov’s troops, no longer attempting to hide, used the time to form up outside the fort’s east gate while the scouts kept vigilant watch on our foes.

With the mountain passes guarded, the only way for Fagan to get a message out of the valley was by breaking out in force. And I didn’t think the orc captain would do that. He struck me as being too committed to his position in the valley.

I suspected Fagan would not leave as long as Jhaven was alive or I was in the valley. Nonetheless, I added my efforts to the scouts and sent Ash aloft to watch the orc camp while our forces readied themselves.

“It’s time,” Tara said, coming up from behind me.

“I’m ready, I said. Turning about, I studied the lines of men and women arrayed outside the village’s walls. The western contingent of our forces was under Tara’s direct command—a hundred and fifty men and women and one broodworm.

“Have our men stand clear of the space outside the gate,” I said. “I want Jhaven to see this.”

Tara looked at me curiously. “Why?”

“It will hopefully convince him that no one is going to rescue him.”

“And if it doesn’t?” she asked.

“We kill him,” I said grimly. The captured shaman was a potential treasure trove of information and, as reluctant as I was to let the knowledge he contained go to waste, if Jhaven didn’t start cooperating soon, we would have to kill him. He was too dangerous to keep alive unbound.

She nodded. “I’ll see it done.”

While she moved the soldiers blocking the gate, I reentered the village, stopping at Jhaven’s side. “Remove the gag,” I said to the sergeant of the squad ordered to guard the orc.

The shaman studied me through lidded eyes as a scout removed the cloth stuffed in his mouth. The orc’s hands and feet were still bound, and he’d not been allowed to break from his kneeling position in the dirt. But despite his circumstances, Jhaven didn’t look the least bit unsettled.

“What do you hope to accomplish with all of this, human?” he asked. “You must know that the forces you have here are not enough to defeat Fagan’s company.”

I grunted noncommittally. “We have another eight hundred men to the east,” I said, making no effort to conceal our numbers from the shaman. Soon, he would either be dead or tied to us.

“A sizable force,” Jhaven mused, “but still not enough.”

“Agreed,” I said. “But we also have me.”

Jhaven smiled. “Your conceit is amusing. You alone cannot tilt the scales in your favor.”

I laughed. “That’s where you are wrong,” I said and recalled Ash to my hand.

“A fire elemental familiar,” Jhaven said, raising one eyebrow as the golden crystal alighted in my hand. “Now, that is surprising.” He paused. “But still—”

“But still not enough,” I finished for him in exasperation. “I get it. Now keep quiet and observe, or I will have you gagged again.”

Obediently, the shaman fell silent, but that did nothing to hide the mockery lurking in his gaze.

I shoved Ash into my pocket and waited for Thursten, Arenson, and Tara to join me. The three cast sideways glances at the shaman as they drew up beside me but didn’t remark on his presence. I looked at Thursten questioningly.

He inclined his head. “Begin.”

“And let’s hope this works,” Arneson muttered. Of all our forces’ commanders, Arenson unsurprisingly was the once least convinced by the plan’s viability.

With a nod to the pair, I closed my eyes and willed Ash to manifest.

The fire elemental’s spirit oozed out of its crystal, forming a luminescent cloud invisible to everyone but Jhaven and me.

By degrees, the cloud condensed. As it did, waves of heat rippled through the air. The surroundings grew first warm, then blisteringly hot. Sparks ignited, and the others stepped back hastily. The dancing fires drew together to form tendrils of flame and then, they in turn, merged into limbs.

A shape was taking form.

My brows drew down. It was not the form I was expecting, though. Instead of manifesting into a figure reminiscent of the humanoid fire elementals I’d encountered in the Primal Keep, Ash was growing wings, talons, a snout and tail. I drew in a sharp breath.

A dragon.

The form Ash had chosen to wear, the one she had written for herself in flickering lines of flame, was a dragon in miniature!

“A bird,” Tara marveled. “Ash is a bird.” She raised a tentative hand to the small shape, no more a foot in height, hovering motionless in the air on wings of fire.

“That’s no bird, girl,” Thursten said, shaking his head while he studied Ash in admiration. “That’s a phoenix.”

“A most unusual shape,” the shaman I’d half-forgotten remarked.

I glared at him, and he fell silent again. I turned to the others. “Thursten is right,” I said, lying smoothly. “Ash is a phoenix.”

“Whatever,” Arneson growled. “Can we get this show rolling?”

“Of course,” I murmured, thankful for the excuse to get Ash out of the shaman’s watchful gaze. Ordering the familiar aloft, I sent her soaring into the air, as high as she could manage, until she was no more than a distant speck.

“To the orc camp, Ash,” I commanded. Closing my own eyes, I looked through the lesser elemental’s glowing red pupils.

Orcs were moving about the white tents, not urgently but with intent and purpose. The orcs hadn’t yet responded to the human soldiers gathered outside their fort, but it was clear Fagan was planning something.

Time to put a stop to it, whatever it is.

Reaching through my spirit-bound with my familiar, I willed Ash to cast sanctum of fire. Then I sent her plummeting downwards.

It was time to set the world aflame.