Rikuto sighs as he massages his temples and studies the recent reports. On the positive side of things, they’ve taken control of Bromlund, and order is being restored. Passage has been opened to the mountain fortresses once more. The Grand Duchy of Stalvaltan is negotiating a new treaty, although Aramellianna has maneuvered her own gains out of every piece of the ordeal.
And, on the negative side of things, Daniel has not only gone missing and been found wounded, he’s at a completely different location. Apparently, his escort had to divert course when they learned of Bromlund’s growing dissent, and the messages were disoriented as the military bases prioritized keeping supply lines stable.
Now, a new high priority message just arrived; Fort Peony, the place Daniel was delivered to and has spent the last couple of months at, has just been evacuated as the main garrison, Castle Northwall, has started making preparations to intercept a pair of dragons. And, amidst that line of decisions, Daniel opted to stay behind.
Rikuto knows why. His counterpart undoubtedly did what they agreed he should avoid; he made an Earth weapon from the modern era. He hopes to be able to delay or defeat the dragons himself.
He’s unsure if Aramellianna has received the most recent piece of news. By all appearances, at least to those who know, she went to war for Daniel and Wenlianna. She certainly gained, and she certainly seems to have unloaded secret coffers, but she was a massive help in stabilizing a neighboring kingdom and rooting out the corrupt nobles of their own kingdom.
Heralesse gently rubs Rikuto’s shoulders as he sits with his head down. He looks up. “Heralesse… thanks. Need something?”
She smiles, “Just wanted to check on you. Are you alright?”
“Yeah. Just… seems like things don’t always go the way we want, huh?”
She smiles and nods in agreement. “I know what you mean.” She continues to comfort him a little. But, she suddenly notices a presence in the room, lurking in the arcades of the walkway formed at the left side of the room. She calls out, “Who’s there? There shouldn’t be anyone here! Show yourself.”
Rikuto looks up. The guards at the doors perk up, and they look in the direction Heralesse is calling towards, drawing their swords.
But, the King Regent makes eye contact with the hooded figure. Her eyes are a shimmering golden color, and her face is beautiful. To say she looks divine would be literal and accurate. He recognizes her with ease, even though her hood obscures most of her features.
Rikuto calls out, “Hold on. She’s here for me. Can you give us the room?” He looks at Heralesse. She cocks her head in surprise. “Wh-... You can’t be serious! Who is she?”
“A comrade, Heralesse. Please. I know I can trust her.”
She hesitates, glancing at the woman. She then whispers, “Are you sure? How did she get in here?”
Rikuto smiles. “I’ll tell you someday. But, you can trust her. I trust her with my life.”
Heralesse pouts, but she finally nods reluctantly. “Fine.” She walks to the door, taking the guards with her.
The goddess Ryukana approaches, keeping her hood up. She says with a heavenly voice and tender tone, “Sir Rikuto… I see you’ve been very busy.”
“A fair bit. I’ve got the finances of this kingdom pretty well under control, though we had a hiccup of alliances. That said, we benefitted on a global scale by assisting with regaining control of Bromlund. Our collective reputation is bringing trade from all over the world, and the economy is increasing in leaps and bounds.”
“Very good, very good. Hey! I have a question. How are you getting along with… Daniel?”
“Daniel? Oh! I believe we’re on good terms. He… uh… rescued Princess Erimaya, the second princess, using CPR and makeshift defibrillation using magic. Unfortunately, he had to expose her chest, which… offended a lot of the nobility, including her fiance’s father.”
Ryukana nods along as she listens. “Before any of that, did… Did you notice anything about him?”
“Uh… OH! That he has no magic? We all found that surprising, but… Well, perhaps you have your reasons.”
“Mm-hmm. Yep. Say, I’d like to talk to him. Can you summon him?”
Rikuto cocks his head. “Uh… That’ll be challenging, fair Goddess. He’s currently at Fort Peony, which is rather far north on the western border between the allied kingdoms and the demon wildlands.”
“He’s not here?”
“No, Lady Goddess.”
She swallows hard. Rikuto tries to offer to be helpful, “I’d… recommend that if it’s a pressing matter, you appear before him as you did today, Lady Goddess. But of course, that is my humble recommendation as a mortal.”
She hums in approval. “Mm-hmm.” She crosses her arms, fretting in silence.
“Lady Goddess?”
“Yes!? OH! Uh… Listen, Rikuto, you’re doing a great job. You’re making me proud. I’m going to go meet with Daniel. Fort Peony, you say?”
He confirms with a nod, a little confused by the Goddess’s behavior. But, she has no time to maintain her usual grace. In all of the countless centuries she’s been in existence, she’s never made such a blunder.
Ryukana puts on her best business smile, and she says gracefully, “Until next time, Sir Rikuto. Please be safe and keep up the good work.” With that, she disappears in a brief, gentle flash of light.
Rikuto stares ahead for a long time, pondering what just happened.
**************
Treia claws at Commander Leiwelles when she’s finally freed from her bindings at Castle Northwall, screaming, “COMMANDER! HOW COULD YOU!?”
“The most pragmatic choice was made. It is time to…”
“PRAGMATIC!? THROWING AWAY LIVES IS PRAGMATIC!?”
“Subdue her. She’ll cause a panic.”
“NO! NOOOO! I’m taking a Buckrokh, and I’m going back for Daniel!”
“There were two buckrokhs waiting for him. I’m sure he won’t be far behind. Now, you’ll either help us prepare to defend, or you will spend the night in the brig. But, I forbid you from returning to the Garden until we’ve secured this garrison.”
“Commander…!”
“Those are my orders. Daniel is no fool. Trust him or trust me. Even if I wanted to get rid of him, I doubt that it will be today.”
Treia stares at her. She hardens into a glare, snarling, “YOU were going to have him killed! For all of your scheming and ‘diplomacy’, you wanted him dead, didn’t you!?”
Leiwelles stares the young gatonine woman down. She presents Treia’s personal memory crystal, and the gatonine woman flinches. “Daniel made sure to retrieve this for you, since you were distracted. Do you want to know why I played games with him?”
Treia continues to glare at her, but with the precious and fragile device in the Commander’s hand, she doesn’t make any further aggressive moves.
“I did it because he’s a Divine Summon. He’s not from this world. He doesn’t have allies or enemies here. He also doesn’t have the limited knowledge we have. The technology he has in his brain could be far more than he’s letting on. I refuse to believe the gods sent him here helpless. He was chosen and equipped for a reason. I fully believe that. As such, I trust he’ll survive. I trusted the trial by combat would’ve gone in his favor, as well.”
Treia murmurs, “Commander, does he deserve these little games?”
“No. He could stand up for himself. Technically, he outranks all of us if he flexed his contacts a little more. Instead, he tried to lay low. And, he could take one of the buckrokhs right away to catch up to us.”
“OPEN THE GATE!” The voice calls out from the gate to the castle wall, and she gestures, “See? That’s likely him now.”
The gate opens, and two buckrockh’s ride in, each carrying four recon scouts. The two glance at each other, and then jog to the riders. The leading scout slides off of the buckrokh, followed by the others. “Commander! Recon Squad Sunray. Formal report; invasion vanguard en route to Fort Peony. Likely already made it. Headed by a red dragon, as well as a class ‘B’ Drake. Confirmed enemies, Goblins, numbering five hundred, lesser demons numbering one twenty, beastmen numbering fifty, eight masonrahms, and a Chi’rinnis mage.”
Commander Leiwelles nods as she notes the enemy troops listed. “We need to relay this to the garrison commander. What about Daniel? Where is he?”
“He… insisted we rush on, and that he was ‘earning his full pardon’.”
Treia instantly glares at Leiwelles, who says nothing for once. She nods her head quietly. “Come. We need to update Command.”
******************
Daniel finishes feeding Kera’tai, the Chi’rinnis that was leading the infantry in the recent failed attack on Fort Peony. She smiles, humming, “Thank you, Master.”
“I keep telling you, I’m not your master. Now, if I’m not mistaken, your village isn’t that far, right? A few days walk? Can you give me exact directions?”
“I’ll guide you, of course, Master.”
Daniel sighs. “Listen. I think it’ll be best if I travel by myself. I’ll put you in storage, and…”
“S-Storage? M-Me?”
He nods as he confirms. “Yeah. I have some of your comrades stored as well.”
She gasps. “Y-... You what?”
Daniel shows her the bag containing the survivors. She gasps. “P… People… can be stored?”
“Did you seriously not know that?”
“I-... It’s forbidden.”
“Why? What happens?”
She stares at him for a long time. She seems like she genuinely has no idea.
“Is there any reason to believe it won’t work?”
She looks down, still thinking. She starts to say something, but drops the line of thought.
“I’m guessing there’s a reason it’s frowned upon, but I already tested it with a goblin. He went in unconscious, and he came out unconscious. No signs of harm from the transition.”
She sighs. “I admit I haven’t paid it any real thought, and I never asked for greater details. Indeed, livestock have successfully been transported via the storage bags. I know of no people having been transported such.” She shifts on her knees, bowing low to the ground, “But, I beg of you, Master, do not place me into such a mysterious state. I would rather die on my feet than forever remain dormant in one of those bags… Please…”
Daniel thinks for a moment. He sighs. “Alright. If you feel so strongly about it, I won’t. But… I still worry that I can’t trust you.”
She continues to bow, “Your mercy is doubtless, Master. As I stated, my life and my soul are yours. I shall never betray you.”
Again, Daniel ponders his options.
“Alright, Kera’tai. I’m going to make the foolish decision to trust you, mainly because I don’t have much to lose other than my life. So, let’s journey together.”
She cocks her head. “You don’t intend to return to your home?”
“Nope. Call me an adventurer. I’m already on this side of the mountains. Might as well see the world, right?”
She stares at him for a moment. She then smiles confidently. “Very well, Master. Then, as your faithful servant, I shall accompany you on your journey until I can no longer walk.”
“Alright. Let’s do it then.” He moves behind her, and he unties her hands, followed by her feet. He states, “Your legs will probably be asleep, right? Take your time.” He helps her to her feet, and she stumbles a little. She leans on him while she tries to get her legs to wake back up.
However, she startles him a little when she lays her head against his shoulder somewhat affectionately.
“Daniel… Why are you so kind? Even though we attacked, and we’re on opposite sides. Why did you spare me and treat me this way?”
“It’s only been a few hours. I could still do some terrible things.”
“I… don’t think you will.” She relaxes against him. “I feel comfortable near you.”
“Hey now…”
“I am not trying to deceive, though I’m sure that would be suspicious either way.” She hugs him gently, and he’s alert for any sleight of hand. Instead, she just leans against him in a hug. “That you are worried about feeding me and helping me stand, even now… You are truly kind.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“If you say so. Let me know when you can walk.”
She nods with a content smile. She presses her ear to his chest.
After a long moment passes, Daniel remarks, “Alright, it shouldn’t take that long.”
“I was merely enjoying your heartbeat, Master.”
“Let’s go.” He starts walking, and she bounds into step next to him. She asks, “What was the result of our battle? What will be done with the bodies?”
“I collected them up.”
“Ahhh. To confirm your victory with your people, yes?”
“No. Actually, the opposite, if anything. I don’t know whether they’ll be useful or not. Maybe their people do burials or other funeral rites. Maybe they can be magically revived. Until I know there are no other options, I figured it was safer to bring them with me.”
She smiles. “I see. Your kindness shows ever brighter, Master.”
“Which way are we going?”
“This way. About… five days journey, I would say. Five days of just the two of us, Master.”
“Can you please just call me ‘Daniel’?”
“I am capable, but it would be a grave insult.”
“What do you care? I was your enemy. I may still be your enemy.”
“We are no longer enemies, Master. Your enemies are my enemies.”
“Even if that becomes your village?”
“Even so. But, it won’t come to that.”
“You sound confident.”
She confirms brightly. “I am. They will not attack you. Not while we are together.”
“I’m extending you trust, Kera’tai. I’ll haunt you if you betray me.”
She hugs his arm gently, teasing, “I’ll say it as many times as it takes. I will not betray you, Master. And, I will follow you as long as I can keep up.”
“You’ve said that. What can or will you tell me about the Demon Army and the Demon Queen?”
“I’ve never met the Queen myself. It’s a title only in your language. She doesn’t rule over all of the clans. She… organizes them. She united us against our common enemy and has kept us alive. As you saw, we don’t have a formal army. Not in the way you easterners do. We band together when there’s a plan, but… There was no invasion coming. The entire plan was the dragon. He was confident he couldn’t lose. The Dragons… have never lost.”
“Really?”
She nods in confirmation. “They only stopped laying siege to the eastern realm because the Queen stopped them.”
“She did? Why?”
“I assume only she knows. But, they obeyed, because she has some kind of deal with them. I’m… pretty low ranking in the grand plan. I’m sorry I’m not more use, Master.”
“You’ve given me more than I expected. Assuming it’s all true. I know, I know. You insist it’s true.”
Just as she was about to object, he filled in for her, and she smiles and nods in agreement. “I’m… thankful, Master.”
“Thankful?”
“Indeed. Thankful to have such a kind conqueror to call Master.”
Daniel sighs. “What about the Chi’rinnis? Anything you’re willing to share?”
“About my people?” She blushes. “Are you taking an interest in me personally, Master?”
“We’ll see. Anything?”
She nods proudly, holding her head high. “We are descended from a god, I’ll have you know. O-Or, a divine being, at least. The mighty Kirin, ruler of nature.” She points proudly at her horns, “These are proof. And, our magic ability is much higher than easterners. I, personally, specialize in both light and dark magic, and I can use the four basic natural elements as well.”
“Omni-affinity? That’s rather rare.”
She smiles, “Oh? Indeed it is. I’m the only Chi’rinnis with omni-affinity. You should consider yourself lucky to have conquered me, Master.”
Daniel chuckles. “You’re reveling in this a little too much.”
“Perhaps.”
“Do… Did you lose anyone close to you… during the battle?”
She shakes her head. “No. I had only met them before we marched. And, it’s imperative that I be prepared to let go of old comrades. If I am defeated, all my duties are to my conqueror.”
“Listen, I’m not asking if you’re looking for revenge, I’m asking if there’s anyone you’d like to make peace with. Or, if by some miracle, the survivors happened to be your friends. I tried speaking to one of the goblins, but she didn’t seem to understand me.”
“Ah, yes. Goblins are… Simplistic beings. They generally speak relatively unintelligible dialects of various languages. But, they’re easy to entice with threats or rewards. You captured women?”
Daniel shrugs as he confirms. “A few. I’ll release them once we’re deeper into demon territory.”
“Release?”
“Yes. Let them out of the bag they’re in, untie them, and send them on their merry way.”
“You don’t wish to keep them?” asks the demon woman.
“Wh-...!? Why would I keep them?”
“Do… humans not dream of a nest full of women to bear their children?”
“Uh… no. Well, some do. I… I’m just trying to survive.”
She smiles. “I see. It seems I need to learn more about humans.”
“Well, I won’t be much help. The humans of this world-...” Daniel halts his train of thought, and she looks at him.
“Humans… of ‘this world’?”
Daniel looks away.
“THAT’S why you’re so tall! I see, now, I see.” She grins. “An otherworld summon?” She hums giddily, “I can’t believe it!” She asks, “What’s your world like? Is that why you’re so powerful? Are you really a human?”
Daniel scoffs. “I’ll explain, but… I’d prefer to keep my nature secret as much as possible. That slip up was my fault.”
She hesitates, but only because of how excited she is to learn more. “I’ll keep your secret, of course. So… please tell me?”
He agrees reluctantly. “Very well. I’ll do my best to explain.”
As they continue to walk together, Daniel explains Earth to the best as he can, since the demons seem to be even a little further technologically lacking -or, simply devoid- than the rest of the world. He continuously watches Kera’tai’s expressions, but she seems to be sincere about everything. On Earth, the Amazons were mythological figures, and to his knowledge, it wasn’t a cultural norm, but there were myths about them marrying those who defeat them in combat. Kera’tai seems to show hints that she’s dedicated to Daniel in a similar fashion; reluctantly when she thought she was more of his prisoner, and gradually more affectionately the more they walk and talk.
He gives a brief summary of his time in Kera’tai’s world, though he hesitates to tell her the truth about his ‘magical power’ for now. As long as she believes he’s the superior sorcerer, she’ll remain docile. If he reveals that she could easily kill him long before he would be able to defend himself, she might sneak an opportunity to cast a spell.
**************
Kera’tai kneels next to Daniel as he finishes pulling some of the rations out of the bag he’s using. He cooks a simple campfire meal for the both of them, since he doesn’t want to give her any weapons at present. It’s their first night camping, so it’ll be a trust exercise between them.
She clutches her hands together in front of herself confidently, smiling warmly.
I really feel so great with him. Now’s my chance to prove myself. We’ve gotten along great so far, and he’s not only strong, but an otherworlder too! I’m so happy…
Daniel prepares two plates, and he hands one of the meals to Kera’tai. She flinches, startled out of her reverie. “AH! Th-Thank you, Master!”
Daniel scoffs. “You’re welcome, Kera’tai. Whoo. Difficult to say.”
“M-My name? But, you’ve… pronounced it well, Master.”
He smirks at her, and she blushes. “I… Your name isn’t too difficult to pronounce. It would simply be wrong of me, as your conquest.”
“Ugh… I told you, I don’t practice such things.”
“You are in my world, Master. I ask that you permit my cultural expectations. I won’t ask you to adhere, but at least permit.”
Daniel sighs. “As long as none of them cause harm, I don’t mind.”
She smiles and nods. “I’m glad, Master.”
She scoots closer to him, but her gaze suddenly pauses on his rifle. “Master… Your staff. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Daniel knows she means the rifle. “This? I, uh, made it myself.”
She observes it in awe. “It’s incredible. I can’t detect any magical power from it at all. But, you were able to cast instant death twice in a row in such quick succession.”
“Uh… That…” Daniel sighs. She cocks her head curiously as she nibbles on her food. Considering it was a random assortment of rations from various clans before Daniel prepared it, it’s extremely good.
“I don’t have any magic. None. That was simply a technology from my world.”
She stares at him as she halts mid-bite.
She finally sets her morsel down and her plate on her lap. “You killed a dragon.”
Daniel nods in confirmation. “And a… drake, right?”
She continues to stare at him. “You killed a dragon… without magic…”
“Does it count as magic if it’s from another world?”
She scratches her head, still rerunning the sentence through her head. “A dragon… without magic…”
“Kera’tai…”
She looks at him. “A-... Are you sure you have no magic?”
He scoffs. “I’m sure. I can’t even benefit from healing magic or anything like it.”
She glances around, trying to make sense of it in her brain. It’s the typical response. An existence without even mana present in the body shouldn’t be possible.
Daniel says softly, “Apologies if I’m a disappointment…”
She locks eyes with him instantly. “Disappointment?” She shakes her head. “That couldn’t possibly be further from the truth, Master. I…” She trails off. She smiles and bows, saying softly, “If you should need magic, Master, I shall be your magic.”
“Oh… That’ll be… much appreciated, Kera’tai.”
She smiles, happily humming as she enjoys the meal.
After, as they clean up camp and make ready to sleep, Kera’tai asks, “How shall I service you, Master?”
“Stop with that already. Go to sleep.”
“But…”
“Go. To. Sleep. … Please, Kera’tai. I’m running on fumes.”
She relaxes. “Very well…”
He lays down in the sleep shell that he pulled from one of the medium bags; an old shell belonging to a giant crustacean repurposed into a temporary shelter. He sleeps with his storage bag as a pillow. He still doesn’t fully trust Kera’tai, and that’s okay.
I’ll prove myself. You’ll see.
She smiles as she watches him for a moment.
“Good night, Kera’tai. Wake me if you need anything.”
She cocks her head. He’s relaxed and resting, but that’s not what surprised her. Yet again, Daniel has expressed another simple kindness. He doesn’t seem to know how to be cruel, it seems.
Kera’tai watches him fall asleep for a little while, and then, she can’t help herself. She crawls silently to him and lays down behind his back, smiling as she lets herself drift off as well.
************
Gwenesphia asks, “Wh-... Should it take this long, Commander?”
The walls are manned. The defenses are set. Counter-siege weapons are staged and armed. Six thousand troops have been calling Castle Northwall home for the last five days, and yet, there have been no signs of attack.
Assuming a comfortable march, it shouldn’t take more than a week for the enemy to reach Castle Northwall, or at least be visible from the watchtowers. Given there was a dragon and a drake, they would be easy to see.
Flames and smoke were visible on the horizon the day of the retreat, meaning they made their attack the day the scouts discovered them.
Now, the scouts are staged half-way between, looking for signs of the enemy advancing. Sacrificing the fort was supposed to be the advanced warning, but they also assumed the dragon would continue with a blitz attack, as that’s what they tend to do when they go on the offensive.
At least, that’s how the stories go from the few survivors trickling into rumors that spread far and wide.
Commander Leiwelles looks at the Lord General pacing along the battlements impatiently. He sent a scout team to the fortress along with Leiwelles’s scouts, and they’re waiting for word of the fortress’s status. It’s a relatively small fort, and there’s not much to capture, other than a basic smithy and about a week’s worth of rations for 100 people. Because the rear should be inaccessible to enemies if the fort is holding against a siege, there’s not a profound need to stockpile in the same way. And, because the manning is relatively low, it’s easy to cut it as a loss in even the worst case scenario.
Leiwelles replies to Gwenesphia, “The scouts should be returning soon. Patience.”
“But…”
“Your head is clear now, is it not, Lieutenant? I should reward Daniel when I get the chance for his self control.”
Gwen blushes and looks away. “I… I can’t believe… It’s so embarrassing.”
“I can only imagine. Fortunately, yours is once every few months. Look there.” She points, and Gwen perks up. Riding towards the fort are several buckrokhs, barrelling at full gallop. The lack of flares indicates that the dragons were nowhere to be found.
Leiwelles remarks, “Strange… If they didn’t fire off the flares… where have the enemies gone?”
“Did… Did they retreat?”
One of the women nearby, a bovine woman who stands taller than both of them by a fair margin, Lieutenant Phrea, asks, “Wouldn’t that mean Daniel drove them back alone?”
Leiwelles remarks, “It’s possible. Daniel was toiling away most nights, yes? Did anyone ever ask him what he was making?”
The others around her are silent. Treia remarks after a yawn -it’s the middle of her usual sleep time-, “I did. Said they were tools. Seemed strange, though. He was mixing alchemy ingredients together to make a powder, and it’s in the little brass tubes.”
“Alchemy ingredients?” asks Gwen.
Treia nods as she explains her thought. “That’s why he always smelled like bad eggs and iron after being in the smithy.”
“Oh… I had wondered about that smell.”
Phrea asks, “What kind of weapons could they be, though? I’ve seen the iron pipe he made with my own eyes. The other parts serve no apparent purpose either, from what the smiths say.”
“Whatever the case,” retorts Leiwelles as she starts walking to meet the scouts, “Daniel is an otherworlder. We have no way of knowing how they fought their battles.”
“By that logic, Commander, he has no way of knowing how we fight ours.”
“He doesn’t need to. He just needs to kill the enemy.” Leiwelles and Gwenesphia descend to the ground, and the scouts enter the gate. “Frost! Over here.”
The scouts spot the Commander and ride closer. The leading lieutenant hops down from her buckrokh, saluting the Commander. “Commander. Recon Team Frost returning.”
She acknowledges them with a nod. “At ease. What did you find?”
“It’s… There was definitely a battle. But, there’re no signs of anyone. Daniel or the enemies that attacked.”
“What do you mean?”
“Other than some blood and the west wall being melted, there’s almost nothing.”
“Melted? So a dragon definitely attacked.”
The squad leader nods confidently. “Definitely, Commander. The stone was melted clean to the ground, and glass was formed where sand and stone were present.”
“But, if there was a dragon…” starts Gwenesphia softly. “Where did it go?”
The squad leader shakes her head. “There was a lot of blood on the ground outside the fortress, and dozens of arrow strike points, but no arrows, no swords, and no bodies. The dirt was disturbed, as if massive bodies hit the ground, and there are signs of magic spells exploding the ground, but not a single body or soul remained present.”
Gwen looks at Leiwelles, who ponders the information for the moment. “Any signs of retreat?”
“Of some of the infantry for certain,” replies the squad leader. “We all searched, but as far as we could tell, the only ones to retreat were infantry foot soldiers. The masonrahms and the drake appear to have simply vanished, with signs of struggle in their vicinities where the tracks stop.”
Gwenesphia asks, “Did Daniel teleport them?”
Leiwelles thinks. She has no idea what his technology is truly capable of. However… “Many demon infantry carry magic bags capable of storing much more than their apparent volume would allow.”
“W-... Wouldn’t that mean…?”
Leiwelles fills in the thought. “If the troops vanished, someone collected the bodies. Either Daniel lost and they retreated with his body…”
“Or he won, and he was the one to collect them…”
Leiwelles nods in agreement.
The squad leader adds, “It’s hard to tell, given the scattered debris, but there seem to be signs of human footprints leaving the area, Commander.”
“What makes you sure they were human?”
“Daniel’s boots are unique. His footprints are present all throughout the fort. The same footprints, though weighed down, seem to exit beyond the tree line.”
Gwenesphia asks, “Remnants from his last free scout?”
Leiwelles shakes her head. “Unlikely. If they’re still that identifiable, there’s no way they’re that old. You’re certain they were leaving the fort?”
The leader confirms, “Yes. In fact, they were more clear, since he seemed to be carrying at least another person’s worth of weight. He also paced around between the various blasted and bloody areas of the battlefield. While the wall was melted, there are no signs of enemies crossing the wall.”
Gwen asks softly, “Daniel defended the Garden by himself?”
Leiwelles smiles. “Did you doubt him?”
***********