This place was ransacked already. We're double dipping on the raid session, are there's nothing left in the dip. We executed our plan flawlessly. The fortress is a mile inland from the river, allowing us time to get out of the river and sneak our rituals into position. The only thing we aren't prepared for is the ruined belongings of kobolds left in the rubbles of the fortress. I'm not judging, but how did you miss this on your scouting trip?

That sounds an awful lot like judgment.

That's why I added the disclaimer.

Bird vision is tricky. I'm not used to it yet. Besides, this looks a lot like my report. Empty.

Empty doesn't quite describe the ruined state of the place.

Close enough.

Wanna search the grounds more?

Gene gives it some thought. Might as well.

We keep to our shadow as we walk through the busted gate of the fortress. Inside, the rock walls are charred black in various spots. Puddles of water not yet absorbed into the wet ground cover half of the field. Burned, tattered, and shredded logs and camp equipment cover the other half. No building is standing. No bodies are lying around.

Mana inside the fortress feels all sorts of disarray. Darkness lingers with its cold empty feeling. Fire, for once, feels like it's satiated with the work it performed. A heavy feeling of water, air, and death also fluctuates in spots where intense fighting occurred.

The battle in this fort has left us with nothing to salvage. Whoever hit this place must have been strong to break through the heavy fortifications and wipe out the army of kobolds inside. Do you know of anyone around that could have caused this? I ask Gene after pulling away some rubble that looks significant. It isn't.

Most of the demons keep to the western side of the island. There are very few portals on this side, and they are limiting on the power level that can pass through. Maybe it was infighting? You mentioned the horde was quick to turn on each other.

That does make the most sense. The evidence backs that up as well. This means the remaining two fortifications should have stronger protection than anticipated. Let's go check on the goblin fort. We can scout it out and weigh the risks.

Gene agrees, and we walk out of the battle-torn fortress together. Gene flies off to scout the fort while I make my way downriver. A couple miles later returns and guides me southeast to our next target.

This fortress is much larger than the kobolds' and Sil's fort. Careful detail is given to the fortification. Numerous guards patrol outside the wall, scouting in the watch towers and walking the walls. The only entrance to the fort is on the west side, which is currently blocked by a heavy gate.

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Inside the fortress is a mix of goblins and kobolds, their numbers shy of two hundred. More guards patrol the grounds inside. A staff dedicated to cooking is preparing for dinner. Weaker goblins are maintaining camp cleanliness. Towards the center of the fortress, a mixed unit of goblins and kobolds work through training exercises. Armor and equipment are being seen by a dozen goblins. And inside one of the more significant stone buildings near the training ground, dozens of goblins and kobolds sleep.

Looks like an excellent chance to practice the perception skill I have been teaching you.

And abandon our plans?

They won't work anyway. The fortress is covered in runes protecting it. There are runes even prohibiting hostile forces from using mana inside the walls. The mana upkeep to maintain that constantly must be tremendous. How Gene can pull out more details about the runes with her spirit sense is inspiring.

Seems a bit risky. But they do have a lot of food. Did you see the feast they're preparing for a casual supper?

Like you are planning to just leave anyways. Gene's accusation is only sort of true.

I definitely want to grab the food, but with the security in place, there is no way it doesn't get out of control.

What about the spiders they have locked up?

They have spiders? Where?

They are in the building behind the training grounds. Looks like they have a host of monsters and stuff locked up.

That's odd. Why not just slay them and be done with it?

Power comes from not just the core of beasts and demons but also from eating their flesh. I know it shouldn't sound strange that she is talking about eating spiders and monsters. Maybe it is the way she says it. I'm definitely guilty of eating the scorpions I killed.

Well, at least this time, I can blame my oath of protection for any foolish actions. Any plans other than walking in there and hoping to not be seen?

Sounds good to me.

What if their perception skill is higher? The innocent question seems to offend Gene, who raises her brow in response to my inquiry. Right. Trust the expertise of the former spirit of the island. My bad.

Don't let it happen again, Gene responds with a smile. Trust what I have been teaching you. They won't see a thing.

Any way to disable the runes? I ask as I build on Gene's plan to hide in plain sight. Her grin widens as she thinks through the solution.

Gene does one last in-depth scout of the fortress before we head five miles north.

"Why will this work?" I ask Gene out loud now that we are a reasonable distance from the fortress. I've summoned some iron chitin spikes and am loading them with shadow mana. Gene assures me there won't be any mana complications between death and shadow, absolving me of my doubts.

"Your mana will be stored in the spikes already. When they enter the rune, all they need to do is pour out the mana, which will overload their system."

"I get that part working," I sort of lie. "but why will the spikes work when the rest of our rituals won't?"

"Silencing runes only disrupt mana from being accessed. It can't stop a spike from being rammed into the rune. If the spike, which now is part of the rune, already happens to have mana, then we get an overcharge."

"Got it. Just so we are on the same page, we slam the spikes into the twenty runes. Your ritual sticks kick in. The dark night is covered in shadow. I rescue the spiders. Walls explode, creating new exits. As they chase me, you steal their food."

"Hopefully, they won't chase since there will be a thick fog."

"About that… How do we not get lost?"

"In shadow?"

"Right. my bad. I will say this is the most extravagant plan I have been a part of."

Gene's wild grin becomes wilder. "It's going to be fun."