Interlude - Timberfall City - Northern District

“Why are we waiting in this abandoned, rundown building Chen?” Belinda was annoyed and not thrilled to be in such a place.

They had witnessed the upset at the Melee tournament. “Sister, calm yourself. I agree what we saw makes no sense.” Carn put his hand on his sister’s shoulder.

Chen chimed in. “It does not match any of our intel. He is a healer, nothing more. That is why he surrounds himself with powerful allies.”

“Somehow that spoiled noble tricked everyone with some kind of illusion magic. There is no way his victory makes any sense otherwise.” Belinda spat.

Carn nodded. “That makes sense. No way he could defeat the legendary Sunderer with brute strength. It must have been an illusion!”

“Now that things finally make sense again, why are we here again Chen?” Belinda turned her attention back to Chen.

“You will have your answer shortly.” Chen answered as he leaned against the wall.

True to his statement a shimmering oval portal opened up in the middle of the room. Two people stepped through, entering the room.

All three original inhabitants of the room knelt down as they saw their commander, General Marks. Standing beside him was one of the Proletariat’s greatest trump cards, the Archmage Lenn, he possessed the rare affinity of Space magic. His ability to open portals into enemy territory allowed their forces to circumvent even the most unassailable of strongholds.

“Rise.”

The three did as they were told.

“General Marks, Archmage Lenn, it is an honor to be in your presence.” Carn said as he kept his head down.

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“We were not expecting you General.” Belinda stated.

“No. I told Chen here not to say anything. I wanted it to be a surprise. It is time to prepare for the invasion of Timberfall.”

“Everything is ready General.” Chen replied.

“Good. Any outliers or concerns?”

“The duke worked with the elves we think to create a magical shield over the entire city.” Sergeant Chen was the first to speak up.

“A magic shield you say?” Archmage Lenn asked.

“Yes, they tested it before the festival. The device has been set up at the town hall. It would prevent others from getting in when activated.” Chen explained what he had learned from Commander Willis.

“It should not affect my portals but will have to be destroyed if we want the army to scale the walls.” Archmage Lenn.

“Belinda and Carn, I expect you two to see to that when the time comes.” General Marks ordered.

“Understood General.” Belinda bowed her head.

“Yes, General!” Carn agreed.

“What else?” General Marks asked.

“The Sunderer has joined the duke. The noble used some magic tricks to win him over.” Belinda stated.

“That is a complication but not a concern. He is just one more person to wipe out. What else?” General Marks dismissed the news of the adventurer.

“We still do not know what happened to the duke’s defender Grimhold.” Carn offered.”

Archmage Lenn spoke up. “Our spies saw him heading into the elven nation. It appears he and a woman made it into the Dwarven kingdom.”

“That is not good. If the dwarves can be convinced to join the Kingdom of Nord it could make this upcoming war even harder.” Sergeant Chen chimed in.

“Ha! I am not concerned about a bunch of dwarves.” General Marks laughed.

“We have a delegation in their capital already. All reports show the negotiations are going well. We should have an agreement with them soon.” Archmage Lenn explained.

“Ally with dwarves?!” Carn asked in shock.

General Marks further explained. “An alliance of convenience. They are not fans of the elves and their ability to strangle their trade. Our promise to fight the elves and wipe out Nord and their support of such restrictions has an appeal to those short thick-headed fools.”

“But still dwarves?!” Belinda protested.

“Once we have wiped out Nord and enslaved the stuck-up elves we will take care of those dwarves. They will make good workers for the greater good. Even if they are less than a human. All things in time.” General Marks sneered at the thought of tolerating the dwarves that long.

“You always think of everything General!” Belinda said in admiration.

“Of course, I do. Now, have you found what I asked you to?” General Marks eyes flashed with a dark hunger that he barely kept at bay.