Cap 12

Drums of war

Lower Wind Month, 12th day, 03.00

"So, what's the situation?"

A group of hooded figures moved carefully through a dense forest.

The vegetation provided natural protection, while a man placed in front of the others gave tight indications for exploration. The croaking of some small birds hidden in the fronds drowned out the sound of their footsteps.

"The scouts we sent ahead detected a small camp no less than five kilometers from our current position."

One of the men presents addressed his leader, answering the question with the punctuality of a Cathedral clock.

The man in charge of that expedition wore the same dark uniform as his subordinates, adorned with a small white cloak, ideal for blending into the night and for escaping the gaze of more attentive foes.

Unlike the others, he didn't wear a mask that hid his features, showing off his face immaculate from dirt and mud, an unusual detail for the place where he was, decorated with eyes as black as pitch. Closed the picture of short platinum blond hair, practically shaved.

Nigun Grid Luin, captain of the Sunlight Scriptures, had a mission to accomplish and he would not let anyone or anything stand in his way.

"Is Ian's group in position? We will attack before dawn breaks, making the most of the surprise effect."

His orders rang out with clarity and precision, instilling the utmost confidence in the other explorers; since he had been chosen to fill that delicate position, never once had he let himself be overcome by discouragement and uncertainty. Alaf Alah surely guided his hand, which acted as a medium of his will.

To fulfill the task entrusted to him by the Cardinals, if not by the Gods themselves, a firm mind and absolute confidence in one's actions were necessary. Quality that he had cultivated with the utmost devotion over the years, and that he was confident he had refined as much as possible.

"Yes, sir. If Cerabrate's team with the queen's troops has arrived, we will be able to squeeze our opponents in pincers without giving them time to react. The acolytes of the end should also be with them." Answered one of his subordinates.

The Sunlight Scriptures had the sacred task of exterminating all enemies of the human race. Each of his men fulfilled his duty with the utmost dedication; trained to the limit of their abilities, they constituted one of the elite groups within the Theocracy.

Yet they alone would not be enough to repel the hordes of demihumans hurling themselves upon the Draconic Realm.

Not only could their adversaries boast stronger physiques and greater natural abilities, but they also had considerable numbers at their disposal.

Furthermore, and this was the thing that more than any other could have shaken the conviction of someone less confident in their abilities, they had very little information on the military and organizational structure of that demi-humans population.

Usually, the demihumans who lived within the human kingdoms could not boast great levels of civilization and development, thanks also to the incessant work of their glorious motherland.

Instead, now they found themselves absolutely in the dark as to what the real capabilities of the enemies were.

The few preliminary skirmishes they'd had so far hadn't revealed any particular distinguishing marks from the Beastmen he was used to. But to think that the situation would go on like this indefinitely could have turned out to be a fatal mistake.

Thankfully, they were not the only Theocracy group there, though Nigun could not honestly claim to sympathize with his "associates".

"We will arrive calmly in a few hours at the place designated for the start of our assault, prepare yourselves as best you can. Your equipment and body must be flawless, and your mind steady and flexible to face the battle."

The others gave a subtle nod of assent, to show that they understood. They didn't know if there were any enemy scouts around, so the Sunlight Scripture kept their bravery and confidence to a minimum to avoid unwanted attention.

That would be the first real battle they had to face since the beginning of their expedition.

From what their scouts had detected, the demihumans had begun to settle in strategic points at the limit of the Gamart forest, taking advantage of the scarce human presence in those areas.

If they hadn't struck in advance and prevented them from firmly establishing what until a few months ago had been only concentrated raids, the situation would have quickly turned into a full war of occupation.

And at that point, there would have been nothing left for the Draconic Kingdom to do, at least not without their help.

I'm glad the adamantine team, Crystal Tear, joined this raid. With their help winning this little quarrel shouldn't be too difficult.

It could not be said that Nigun had any sympathy for the leader of that group of adventurers, but he had to admit that the man's abilities were well above the norm, and he had been instrumental in defending the reign from those herds of beasts.

Arriving at the desired location, a secluded clearing a few kilometers away from the target, preparations began.

At the time the fortifications of the camp were still being prepared, the walls had been built to about the middle and were not very thick. On the other hand, the guards posted in some observation towers at the corners of the structure seemed very alert and ready to raise the alarm at the first moment.

The group led by Cerabrate should go into action in a few minutes. Once the opponents' attention is focused on him, our angels will be able to wreak havoc among their ranks.

In all, their assault team consisted of three units. The group led by Crystal Tear would have attacked frontally bringing the clash to the gates of the fortification.

Taking advantage of the confusion, the groups led by him and Ian would launch an offensive to the rear to trap them in a horror of blaze and flames.

One…two…three…

Nigun began to take a deep breath to ease his nerves. His nostrils began to spread fiercely as his gaze was focused on his target.

"Prepare your summons and send a [Message] to the main group! The show will start soon!" He said to one man near him.

A swarm of Archangel Flames began appearing in the clearing. The metallic gleam of their bodies reflected the dawn light with a majestic and overwhelming intensity, capturing the dawn colors in a swirl of wonder and splendor.

Suddenly, a dazzling light appeared before their eyes. The signal that the attack had begun. The gate of the fortification collapsed under the blows of the leader of Crystal Tear while the sentries posted on the walls began to sound the alarm.

A hundred troops of the Draconic Kingdom quickly burst into the camp and began to wreak havoc on the still-sleeping enemy soldiers. But they weren't alone.

Flanking them was a shapeless mass of undead bringing a stench of death and despair into the quarters. Skeletal soldiers, zombies, bone vultures, and skeleton centipedes were controlled by a small group of enchanters who remained on the sidelines, dressed in spartan black robes that completely covered their features. Medallions engraved with Surshana's symbol were the most striking detail of their garments.

The Beastmen, not expecting such full-blown aggression, especially from undead beings, gathered their forces to counter their offensive.

A group of anthropomorphic creatures resembling bears, tigers, lions, and other filthy beasts covered with armors of the best workmanship lined up in front of their enemies, but the group led by Cerabrate broke through their formation with not too many difficulties.

Meanwhile, the undead began to disperse across the field, attacking the enemy troops still intent on preparing for battle. The hosts of Beastmen were seized with terror as these unexpected horrors surrounded them.

Astounded by the skill displayed by the men, what appeared to be the commander, a titanic-sized man-elephant, urged his troops to regroup.

"Sentinels, gather here! Don't let them penetrate any deeper." He screamed angrily, letting his thundering voice be heard at every corner. The sentries posted on the other sides of the fortification began to concentrate on the point where the attack had started.

Under his leadership, the battalions regained their courage, showing the prowess and fortitude that distinguished his people. The fate of the battle began to rebalance into a stalemate, in which neither side was able to prevail.

"Don't let fear take you! No hesitation! The Negus will reward each of you!"

A group of stagtron armed with hollowed wooden bows began to fire a barrage of sharp arrows. Their branchy, deciduous horns vibrated with the shooting of arrows.

However, the soldiers of the Draconic Kingdom were veterans of many battles, the elite of the elite, and were responsive in raising their shields and parrying that storm without suffering significant losses.

In the rear, some magic casters began to unleash spells such as [Fireball] and [Lightning], which wreaked havoc among the demihumans stationed on the walls before they could launch a counter-offensive.

After just a few minutes, the turmoil that characterizes war began to set in.

"Forward, for our beloved queen! As long as I'm here, you'll have nothing to fear!"

Cerabrate cheered on his companions vigorously. His charisma shone like his beautiful face. The platinum-colored armor soared with the grace of a fairy among enemies.

Seeing him at work, the nickname "Fierce Flash" was fully justified. Anyone who met his enchanted sword found themselves maimed without even realizing what was happening.

Shooting like lightning, Crystal Tear's leader drew a flash of energy in a triangular shape. Blood began to pour over his well-built body, not affecting its perfection. Two lion men armed with long, thick spears tried to halt his advance, being sliced with a sharp slash by his blade.

His muscles were in fibrillation, quick and concise movements proving to be part of a well-conceived death project; the other members of his team followed in concert to his rhythm, flaunting a ballet of slaughter.

"Now, let's go too!"

Coming out of their hiding place, the captain and the rest of the Sunlight Scriptures poured into the sides of the enemy formation.

The Archangel Flames flew over the small fortress, splitting into two groups. While one began to clear away the archers posted on the walls, the other attacked the main force of Beastmen from the rear in perfect coordination. The turmoil had now reached high levels: a fuss of dirt and mud, blood and flesh, rose to the sky like a desperate hymn of glory.

Meanwhile, Nigun and his men cast spells to create a breach in the walls. It didn't take them long to break through the defenses and join their fellows of the Draconic Kingdom.

The knights and paladins of his unit began to surround the other Beastmen, locking them in a death grip. Surrounded on all sides, it became increasingly difficult for them to defend themselves against the attacks, and gradually began to fall like inanimate puppets, one after another.

The big Elephantman was amazed to find himself with a new group of assailants, but he didn't panic. Activating a martial art, he broke through the defenses of the summons with the large sharp hammer he held as a weapon.

The commander is much stronger than the average soldier. It will be a hassle to get rid of him.

Nigun calmly analyzed the situation, even if the antagonist lord seemed to have no difficulty in facing their angels, the same could not be said for the other members of his commando.

In fact, most of the other enemy soldiers couldn't keep up with the attack of the summons and the knights at the same time. While they may have had a numerical advantage, to begin with, the tide now seemed to have tipped in humanity's favor.

Meanwhile, Ian's group had also followed the example of the main team and had entered the center of the battle, correspondingly invoking their trusted Archangel Flames.

Thanks to their extraordinary physical defenses, the summons favored by the Sunlight Scriptures proved to be the perfect nemesis for the Beastmen, who specialized above all in a physical confrontation. The magic casters they had with them were far from numerous and not on the level of the Scripture's members.

The walls were now under their control: from an elevated position, some spellcasters of the Theocracy's special unit began to target the opponents' battalions with magical arrows and other incantations.

"Are you all right, Captain? It seems that things are going well."

Ian approached him with a smile full of satisfaction on his face. His carefree attitude even in the most critical situations was a great source of comfort for Nigun. Someone to counterbalance his seriousness was imperative to keeping morale up.

"Don't let your guard down. It is not finished yet." Nigun answered, with his gaze fixed on the source of his concern.

Indeed, the battle was far from being over. The Beastmen Lord continued to mangle his troops, reinvigorating the morale of the fellow soldiers.

The other men began to keep out of range of his hammer, to avoid being smashed to the ground and become new nourishment for the soil.

"So, none of you want to face me face-to-face?!" Its long trunk bellowed a battle cry, causing a hint of fear in the knights of the Draconic Kingdom and Theocracy.

At the same time, the demihumans were invigorated and fought back even more ferociously than before. If things continued like this, Nigun understood that they risked losing their advantage.

"Ian!"

"Yes, Captain?"

"You know what to do."

Ian didn't have to listen to it twice. At his signal, a flock of angels poured upon the opposing leader; at least ten of them drew their flaming blades to find a breach in his battle position.

"[Crushing Hammer] [Body Strengthen]." The Elephant man shattered three of them with one sweep of the big hammer, grabbing a fourth with his powerful hands which he crumbled into a thousand pieces with little effort.

The fifth and sixth attempted to penetrate his thick armor, fiery sparks erupted on impact, but the damage was non-existent. In contrast, an unstoppable charge swept them away like a storm topples a crumbling house.

"Now I will…Ugh"

Before the lord could resume his offensive, a searing pain gripped him. Cerabrate had inserted his weapon with surgical precision into an exposed area of the neck. Blood flowed profusely from the wound.

"Coward! Infamous! You are not worthy of being called a warrior!"

Staggering, the commander expressed his contempt for the holy warrior. Cerabrate just looked at him smugly, without even responding to his accusations.

His sword lit up with a dazzling energy that directed its brilliance at its new victim. His hits were deflected with difficulty by the Beastman, whose breath was starting to fade.

One. Two. Three. Four. Each new blow became faster and more violent.

It was admirable to see how ferociously the elephant-like leader managed to assert himself, even in such critical conditions. Putting himself in an offensive position, he was about to try his hand at a heavy overhead maul, using his mighty war mallet.

"Ian, let's strike now!"

Nigun and his deputy cast the [Lightning] and [Thunder Arrows] spells hitting the lord's legs. The adversary fell to the ground on his knees, in distress.

Cerabrate took the opportunity to cut off his hands holding the imposing hammer. The weapon collapsed to the ground, causing a frightening thud that echoed in the surroundings.

The remaining Flame Archangels speared the defenseless body like a skewer. The lord's flesh was cut slowly, with a mechanical and inhuman ruthlessness. Their swords tore apart with inhuman diligence every smallest part of their target.

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They weren't the only ones: a handful of zombies took advantage of the beast lord's weakness to start feasting on his helpless body, sinking their teeth and claws into his organs.

The Beastman screamed and cried and yelled and shouted even louder, as the fire from the swords seared the inside of his body. The movements of the angels were so perfect in penetrating the interior of his flesh to cause maximum suffering, that every additional moment of life was an insufferable curse.

His piercing shrieks of misery were a symphony like any of the finest musician's compositions to Nigun, who gritted his teeth in delight.

"Yes, that's how it should be. The garbage is cleaned up from our world for the creation of a fertile paradise. Today the Gods admire our work!"

The joy of being able to do the work of the Gods on earth filled his soul with pride. His spirit was swayed with a mystical and invigorating ecstasy, as if he had been cradled by Alah Alaf himself.

"See Ian, see? This is what happens to anyone who tries to stand up to us!"

His vice-captain said nothing, intent on scanning the scene of horror before his eyes.

"Do not lower your gaze, as ours is a work of justice. I know it looks revolting, but we must keep our nerves if we are to fulfill our sacred duty."

"Yes, Captain Nigun!"

Ian kept his head fixed on the chilling vision, obviously uncomfortable. It didn't matter, in time he would lose the hesitation that comes with youth.

Like him, all the other participants in the battle had stopped momentarily, immobilized by that atrocious spectacle that was taking place in their presence.

How long did it last? It didn't matter. When they were done no one dared move.

The remains of the body were quickly devoured by the undead, who after finishing their disgusting meal, turned their attention back on the surviving soldiers as if nothing had happened.

Some of them endeavored to resist, in vain, but the majority of Beastmen threw down their weapons, utterly defeated and devoured of hope. By now there were not many survivors left and, without their commander, the remainants realized that they no longer had any hope.

"We give up. Promise us not to harm us and we will end hostilities!" Pleaded one of them, her head touching the ground.

"What a pathetic action!" thought Nigun. It didn't matter how much they begged. There was no chance they could be spared.

"Men!" Now he was at the center stage. The light of heaven irradiated his person with an otherworldly mysticism. Another sign of his good work. "Show them what their companions have shown our fellow humans when they pleaded for mercy!" A clear image materialized in the minds of those present. "You know how to proceed!"

They would have left a couple alive to extract information from them. But for the rest…

The battle was over. The massacre was about to begin.

Lower Wind Month, 27th day, 20.00

"How boring!" Antilene ran a hand through her hair, looking for any pastime that could put an end to that torture.

Hours and hours and hours spent standing guard in that huge treasure hall. Not a movement, not any hint of life. Of life, yes.

"Are you getting bored?" Rufus asked her. The patron deity was intent on polishing Nekole's sacred armor with the utmost care, under his vision not even a speck of dust would have managed to infiltrate its joints.

"There is nothing interesting to do here. I'm not complaining, but it would be nice to pass a different day than usual, every now and then." The half-elf answered detachedly. By now, she knew every little nook and cranny of the treasury inside out. The numerous sacred objects held no more secrets for her, nor could the weapons of the Gods be wielded with any more ease than they did now.

"Patience is a virtue to be cultivated. Though I imagine your complaints aren't entirely unfounded." Her master kept turning his eyes – the gems - in the direction of the divine armor.

Antilene would have sworn that he was able to see the reflection of his mask in the clear and clean white of the protection.

"Aeneas is out on a mission and won't be coming here for another while. And the other Black Scripture members who stayed in the capital don't tend to come to this place."

"You yearn for their company, then?" Asked Rufus with genuine curiosity.

"Actually, not much. I can hardly remember their names; I don't think we would have much to discuss. But still better than staying bored in this monotonous place."

Aeneas was the only one to arouse a minimum of interest among her colleagues, but even he was not the greatest of fun. In fact, the new captain had gone from one extreme to the other. The once arrogant little boy had been quickly replaced by a diligent, devoted, serious young man.

Maybe too serious. A great result, she had to admit. But it could hardly be considered the outcome that provided the most entertainment.

"Is my company not enough for you? I will arrange to let others provide for your education, in this case." retorted her mentor.

Antilene would bet that a sardonic smile was hidden behind that jeweled mask of his. An undead with a sense of humor, splendid.

"Master, no; Rufus. We've known each other so long I might be able to tell when you're joking even with my ears plugged."

"And who says I was joking?"

"I see you are bored too."

Rufus just shrugged, not giving too much weight to the girl's words. After having finished contemplating his work, he made his way slipping like an eel towards his desk, from which he took out a series of documents.

"To get serious, I want you to read this."

"What is it about?"

"It regards you know who." Despite the cryptic nature of the answer, the half-elf knew very well who her preceptor was referring to.

"This report says here that the king left the capital for the first time in ten years. But he did not collide with any deployment of our army."

That her father left the royal palace was unusual. That he moved away from his city was even more strange. The rare occasions he'd done anything like this, in those long years of war, he had been motivated by intent to remind the Theocracy's troops of his overwhelming superiority over them.

But this time he seemed to have something different in mind.

"Do you have any clue as to the reasons that led him so far from his home?"

"The scouts have lost track of him in the heart of the forest. As you well know, that place is teeming with terrible creatures, many still unknown to us. And they didn't dare to venture into the darkness of the fronds."

And those were supposed to be humanity's best soldiers. Cowards.

"So, we have no idea what really happened?"

"No, but we have some theories about it. There's actually something we fear more than others, the hope is that it's not true."

"What is it about?"

"The Cardinals think there has been a meeting with a possible Argland cell inside the forest to forge an alliance."

It wasn't the first time that Antilene had heard of a phantom spy network inside Evasha in the pay of the Council State. But over the years, as far as she could recall, the theocracy agents only gathered some circumstantial evidence that hadn't turned out to be conclusive.

"If true, what could this mean?"

Rufus adjusted the folds of his robe, showing his hands covered with fine silver gloves.

He brought one to his temple, the jewels set inside it shone with a blinding light.

"We should propose a truce, at least temporarily. With the situation in the Draconic Kingdom increasingly tense, we cannot afford to support two such dangerous fronts at the same time."

"You can't be serious! After all these years, are you going to rob me of my revenge? I can't accept that, Rufus! I cannot!"

Wrath began to leak from Antilene's voice; even though her body remained stiff as a piece of marble, she felt fury begin to take hold of her whole being.

Just when they were so close to the goal, would they give up everything? What about her mother's wish? What about her wish? Even if she had to act without the support of the Theocracy, she would have accomplished the task. Of that she was certain.

Because…because it was what she wanted from the depth of her heart.

"Calm! For now, these are only speculations, devoid of concreteness. For all we know, he may have headed to procreate with a horrifying creature with almost anthropomorphic features, in search of his perfect heir."

It wouldn't be so strange, the girl thought with a hint of malice.

"In any case," he continued, "the end of the war does not mean that the king will be able to escape his fate. We'll just have to act more carefully."

"What do you believe? Was there in reality an alliance between Argland and Evasha?" The half-elf asked, her anger not quite appeased yet, but no longer about to erupt.

"It's hard to say. The diplomatic interactions that they have exercised in recent years on the Kingdom of Re-Estize demonstrate a propensity to act as antagonists towards us. But it's also true that it doesn't seem like the Platinum Dragon Lord's modus operandi to come to terms with a peculiar...personality like your father."

The son of the Dragon Emperor. Antilene had heard that name mentioned countless times, but without ever fully understanding the extent of its influence. The bogeyman of the Theocracy, worry alone of how he might react had greatly limited their activities over the years.

"Are you sure he still leads the ranks of the nation he founded? As far as I know, he hasn't been recorded in the outside world for years."

Rufus was uncertain how to answer her. "No, as you correctly stated, he seems to have locked himself away in his flying castle for ages, which he never leaves to guard. Nonetheless, we can't bet on his inactivity. A conflict with him will result in the end of our sacred nation."

"I don't understand why he should react to seeing me settle the score with my parent. Or rather, I understand but find it unfair that he meddles in things that concern my family."

What could that overgrown lizard and its ilk possibly care about what was, from Antilene's point of view, only private matters? Was it possible that her mere existence constituted such a great risk to them that it prompted Tsaindorcus Vaision and his kind to act as soon as the opportunity arose?

"I understand your resentment, but your safety is top priority. I won't let you waste your life for no reason."

"I know, Rufus."

"Besides, it's almost a year away now. Just one year, and there could be another aftershock. Thinking that it will be a century as peaceful as the previous one could prove foolish and imprudent."

"What if it happens again?"

She found it hard to believe that every century there could be a risk that an event could occur with the potential to upset the fate of the world. But more than a generation of Cardinals had been apprehensive to remind her of that possibility.

And Rufus himself was convinced of the existence of the phenomenon.

"So," Rufus looked into her eyes, the diamonds of his mask gave life to a kaleidoscope of lights reflecting in the half-elf's irises "fulfilling your mother's ambition won't be such a distant dream anymore. Not much longer to wait, I swear."

"Every day it gets harder to wait." Impatience was a bad adviser, but it knew how to charm even the most calm personalities. "I just want to end this story; only then will I be satisfied."

"Will you really be satisfied?"

Antilene did not answer. How could she answer a question they both knew the answer to?

"I wish you a good night, master. See you early in the morning."

Rufus for a moment seemed unable to think of anything convincing to say. Only one sentence of circumstance was uttered.

"Sweet dreams, Antilene. I'll wait for you at dawn. Same place, same story."

Lower Wind Month, 28th day, 22.00

A dim and suffused light breathed delicately in the office of the Cardinal of the earth. The flames of the candles crackled steadily as they brought a breath of light into the room.

Seated at a large carved oak desk, Raymond was poring over some reports.

Though the day was nearing its end, his work was far from finished. Sipping a cup of bitter coffee to keep himself awake, he considered the contents of the package he was examining.

According to the words of Commander Valente, our advance in the forest of Evasha has slowed down. Strange tree-like creatures have hit some of our rear lines and wreaked havoc on supplies.

Even that year the progress made in the conflict had been very little; they had gained a few kilometers of territory, insignificant for their plan of advance, and captured elves who had poured into the slave markets of neighboring nations.

How many years now was that seemingly endless war going on? Since he was a child, it was considered by the citizens of the Theocracy a fact, an immutable event that was part of everyday life, like religious celebrations and holidays.

But at the same time, a drain of their resources and lives.

Were our predecessors trying to win when they started this fight? The more time passes, the less I am convinced.

Not that perpetual war didn't have its advantages, however cynical that statement might sound.

In addition to the slave trade, it was the perfect training ground to test new army recruits. After all, the elven army was a loosely organized and underprivileged band incapable of provoking too much damage.

Before the disciplined troops of the Theocracy, they were a ragtag bunch with no long-term goals, unable to mount an effective defense.

On the other hand, the forest of Evasha presented insidious and unknown dangers, and the latest news received showed that inside there were still many mysteries that were hidden from the human eye.

Perhaps that was why they had decided to tread carefully. For this, and fear.

Dread that the king might take the field. When the time would come, things couldn't continue in their calm, relaxed fashion.

The time for her to enact her revenge was getting closer and closer, they couldn't have stalled much longer.

"Can I come in?" A friendly voice broke into his thoughts with the tranquility of the sea in the morning.

"Cardinal Dominic! Please take a seat."

Dominic Ihre Partouche, Cardinal of the Wind, and his esteemed colleague. He was a man with a heavy and severe face, marked by age, capable of intimidating anyone who stared at him for more than a few seconds.

His piercing gaze, however much he tried to keep it at bay, could not hide all his devotion and love for the Slaine Theocracy.

As an old member of the Sunlight Scriptures, his fight against humanity's enemies had for years been a scourge to countless races of demihumans, his wrath an unstoppable storm that engulfed anyone who threatened his home and people.

However, to consider him only a victim of his passions would have proved to be a big mistake. A keen and adaptable mind was an indispensable prerequisite to hold the highest position in Slaine's High Council.

"I hope I'm not disturbing your work, Raymond. But there are important matters that I wanted to discuss with you face-to-face as soon as possible. Waiting for the next joint session in two weeks would not have been desirable."

"No, no trouble. Nothing serious, I hope." A visit from one of his colleagues before their usual monthly meeting, while not unusual, was no ordinary occurrence either.

"No, nothing to worry about. I just wanted to set up some plans for the future with your assistance."

His calm and relaxed tone lifted a stone from the spirit of the Cardinal of the Earth, other annoyances at the moment would only aggravate the migraine that was starting to appear.

"Please, take a seat."

Given the late hour, Raymond had made the service personnel retire while he had decided to stay in the offices to ponder his work again. As a result, he had to arrange for his colleague's accommodation himself.

"I hope you don't mind being surrounded by all this confusion; I haven't had time to put every single thing in its place yet."

Usually, his study was the emblem of order and arrangement, but to put every smallest detail of the war and other ongoing operations in its place, he had pulled documents, registers, and chronicles of previous years from the shelves.

Each order had to take into consideration the many facets not only of today's situation, but also of those of the past months. The positioning of the troops, the supply lines, the tactics to be used for the advance, and the construction of fortifications and camps.

He was proud of his memory, which he considered above average, but having at hand everything he needed to review before making a decision on which the lives of agents of the scriptures and countless others might depend was crucial.

Being wrong was not a luxury he could afford.

"You have nothing to apologize for, my dear boy. Indeed, it is this old fool who asks you to forgive him after breaking into your quarters without the slightest warning."

The patronizing and sympathetic tone embarrassed Raymond. Of course, he was the last addition among the Cardinals, but the age difference between the two men was not large enough to justify that behavior.

In any case, he decided not to give too much weight to it. He knew that Dominic had recently added a pair of splendid grandchildren to his family, and judged that his behavior was caused by his new role.

Raymond poured them both a cup of steaming coffee which the Cardinal of Wind accepted willingly. The bitter taste of the drink fondled his taste buds, tickling his tongue with acidity.

"Now, excuse me for cutting to the chase, but what exactly did you come to argue about, if I may ask?"

Dominic pulled a folder from one of the pockets of his cloak, which he handed gently into Raymond's hands.

"Take a look at these documents, please."

Ordered with methodical precision, four pages of papers headed with the seal of the Earth department had been thrust before his eyes.

Their content carried out particular information about a certain soldier who had recently joined the ranks of the Theocracy army: his physical characteristics, skills, generalities, and personal history. Every little detail they had managed to capture was contained in that brief summary.

"Yes, I remember this story. My Vice Cardinal took care of it if I'm not mistaken. The Grand Marshal had brought this recruit to our attention as a fit element for entry into one of the Scriptures."

"Yes, you remember well, my dear boy," Dominic answered him, starting to place a hand on his temple to think deeply. "Your subordinate, as a matter of practice when it comes to evaluating the entry of a foreigner into our most secret ranks, has subjected him to all sorts of possible examinations to evaluate his abnegation to the cause, and his possible external affiliations."

"I remember exactly how those tests went. Nothing noteworthy was found. The sincerity of his dedication to our scope had seemed real, and Maximilian had begun to fill out the paperwork for his transfer. I don't think there's anything suspicious."

Bringing a stranger to the dynamics of Theocracy into their special departments was not unexpected news for their organization. Nonetheless, it was advisable to take all the necessary precautions to prevent a spy from infiltrating the most secret places of their sanctuary.

Obviously, in these cases, it was not only up to the Cardinal in charge of the administration of the Scriptures to evaluate the candidacy; but the files were also delivered to the other dicastery of the Church of the Six Great Gods.

"You are right." Resumed the Cardinal of Wind. "But that's where the strangeness of the matter begins. Reread the file carefully, and tell me if there is anything wrong."

Raymond turned his attention back to that report, this time paying minimal attention to every little detail. He carefully reread every word, every description, looking for something that could be fundamental, and had escaped him on the first reading.

But he found nothing.

"Now I understand." He said with an expression full of satisfaction at having solved the mystery. "It's all too ordinary. Nothing that stands out, nothing that would make this man suspicious."

"That's exactly what I wanted you to notice. A year ago, a foreigner came out of nowhere and asked to join our army. So far, we can say that there is nothing strange, there are an infinite number of poor people without art or part of the world that are attracted by the living condition of our nation. But then, after a few months, he excels in numerous battles, displays innate leadership skills, and demonstrates a level of feats that puts him close to the realm of heroes."

"And then," the Cardinal of Earth continued, following the thread of his companion's discourse, "an application is made to become part of the Scriptures. Meanwhile, all we can glean of his story are a few accounts from mercenary companies operating in the southern areas, with very little information about him specifically."

A mercenary usually fought where the pay was highest. Now, surely the soldiers of the Theocracy had more luxuries at their disposal than the common soldiers of neighboring kingdoms.

But it would not be correct to say that the possibilities for getting rich were beyond comparison.

More than material wealth, their military found glory in spontaneous self-sacrificing service to the deities.

If what they had learned about him was true, the chances that a southern man had decided to join their ranks for a discovered love for the Six Great Gods, while not impossible, was still not very likely. Outside of that remote area of the continent, the doctrine had taken little hold elsewhere in the world, even among human nations.

"Not even the interrogations conducted by the inquisitors revealed anything anomalous. So, either he's telling the truth and we have nothing to worry about, or someone provided him with the means to be able to prevent our spells from taking effect."

"What do you think?"

"First I want to hear your opinion."

The spells used for the revelation of lies and the discovery of the truth were still far from achieving the optimal result. But without a doubt were the best in the region. Of course, there were less orthodox ways to find out if their suspicions had some claims. But given the high combat potential of that subject, risking antagonizing him for ruminations that could only derive from excessive paranoia would not have been the wisest choice.

"Are you suggesting that one of our rival nations is behind all this? In order to apply for magical protection beyond our control, extraordinary qualities are required. However, I'm not sure if even the Imperial Magician is capable of such a feat."

"No, I think we are looking at the situation from the wrong point of view. If we have not detected any spell, there are two possible options: some magical technique that we totally ignore or…"

"You don't mean that..."

"Yes, no magic was used to shield him from the effects of our rituals. Mind you, that doesn't mean that what that man says is necessarily the truth."

Raymond was doubtful; if what Cardinal Dominic said was true the story became even more bizarre. After all, didn't that mean there was nothing to worry about?

The matter had peculiar aspects, but perhaps it was only their increased apprehension that caused them their worries.

"If that man truly is a spy, who could be the instigators? Our safest choice may be to send him away, or we may assign him to some position to constantly monitor him."

Cardinal Dominic sipped another cup of tepid coffee. He licked his lips with relish as he prepared his response.

"You are the commander of the scriptures, and the final choice is yours. But, if I may give you a suggestion, assign it as vanguard to Sunlight Scripture. The commander informed me the other day that the situation at the Draconic Kingdom is getting complicated."

Generally, Sunlight Scriptures were equipped only with magic casters, but for some more sensitive missions, some support troops composed of knights and melee combat militia were provided for aid.

Raymond knew that the advance of the Beastmen was becoming more ruthless and consistent every day, and additional help would not be unwelcome.

Had their supposed mole turned out to be a traitor, he would still have rendered a noteworthy service. And being away from the country, under constant surveillance by some of their most loyal men, he wouldn't have been able to collect much sensitive data.

"Take full advantage of it, while at the same time keeping it under control. It seems to be the safest route."

"I'm glad you agree with me. I'll leave the preparation of the details to you. Now, with permission, I'll leave you to your business. I hope to hear a full report at the next meeting."

Dominic got up from the skinny chair to get close to walking out of the room. Placing the green cape on his shoulders, his footsteps echoed slowly in the surroundings.

"It will be my pleasure to provide for you. I send you my greetings, Cardinal."

After his interlocutor had left the room, Raymond took a last look at this new task.

I'm curious to find out what kind of man you are, Gazef Stronoff.