Chapter 18: Vanguard
At midnight, Water and Lira joined the small gathering at the edge of the alliance camp. Rynda was already present with a knot of rock trolls, a pair of dwarves, and a trio of dark elves. Fire arrived shortly afterward with two members of the Bladed. Mox, the rock troll that was first of the Bladed, and Dek, a slim woman with a knot on her shoulder showing her to be a mind mage. The group shifted and Water spotted the woman Rynda was speaking to, Alosia, queen of the elves. Rynda spotted Water and Lira and motioned the group together.
“About time you arrived,” she said.
“We’re right on time,” Water protested.
“Then you’re late,” Rynda said, and then swept her hand to the group.
“With Alosia, Erisay, and Mox, we’ve come up with a plan for our assault.” She pointed to the two dwarves. “Bint and Bellin are stone mages. They’re going to get us up the cliff. We’re going to avoid the road entirely, and go straight for the fortress. We have ten rock trolls, including Mox, Lira and Dek, as well as the two fragments.”
Mox motioned to Dek. “We know Serak has two lieutenants, Zenif and Zoric, both powerful mind mages. It will be Dek’s job to keep them from causing you harm.”
“And causing them harm in turn,” she said dryly, fingering the purple dagger on her hip.
“Erisay and her two guards have the task of insuring silence,” Rynda continued, nodding to the dark elf queen.
“You’re coming with us?” Water asked.
The small woman smiled faintly. “There is little point in hiding my magic now, and although there are some talented sound mages in the alliance, few can do what I can do, if I’m not being boastful.”
“Not at all,” one of her guards muttered, making it clear her guards were not happy about their queen’s intention to secretly assault Xshaltheria.
“Once we breach the top of the volcano, it will be Lira’s job to get us across the gap. Remember, there’s a fifty foot gap between the mouth of the volcano and the top level of the fortress. If we fall, we’ll enjoy a long drop through volcanic air until our flesh melts in the magma. Are you up for getting us across?”
Lira, the only air mage of the group, nodded, her jaw set. “You can count on it.”
“The top of the fortress is mostly flat,” Rynda said. “A few entrance points leading below, and if Serak hasn’t moved it, the Dark Gate should be there. Our job is to destroy it and get out.”
“What about the dragons?” one of the dark elf guards asked.
“Ten rock trolls and two fragments,” Mox said. “One of which should be able to negate the dragon fire.” She motioned to Fire, who grinned.
“A lovely jaunt into a foe infested volcano beneath a dragon filled sky,” Bint exclaimed.
“Beautiful this time of year,” Bellin said.
Alosia swept a hand to the alliance. “Dothlore is meeting with King Justin as we speak, and I will be with him. Our job is to keep the army unaware of your activity. We cannot risk this effort fracturing the alliance we have built. We protect the alliance, you destroy the Gate. If all goes well, the assault will begin tomorrow and we can destroy the Order of Ancients for good.”
“And what if Draeken or Serak are guarding the Gate?” Lira asked.
Rynda laughed. “They’re too arrogant to pull guard duty.”
“Which is why this is our best chance to destroy the Gate,” Mox said. “Rest assured, this group represents some of the best warriors and mages on Lumineia. Fight together. Survive together.”
“And if you die, you die for Lumineia,” Alosia said.
Rynda groaned. “Can we move this along? We aren’t here to talk.”
The elf smiled up at the towering rock troll queen. “Always to the point, my dear friend.”
“I just want to kill what needs killing,” Rynda said, and then pointed west. “Let’s move.”
The group slipped into the darkness, but Water noticed Erisay step to Alosia. The elven queen, fair and beautiful in her gown, and the dark elf queen, beautiful and imposing in her black armor. Erisay embraced Alosia.
“Be safe, sister.”
“I’ll try to get Rynda back,” Erisay replied.
“The world needs her,” Alosia said. “And you.”
“My daughter can reign in my stead,” Erisay said dismissively. “Rynda does not have an heir.”
Erisay noticed Water watching and gave a final nod to Alosia. Then she joined Water. As the rest of the vanguard had pushed ahead, the two of them walked alone. Water lowered his voice so they would not be overheard.
“How is Princess Aranian?” Water asked.
“She is well,” Erisay said. “And your brothers?”
Water grimaced. When he and Fire had joined the army, they’d informed the kings and queens of the events at Blackwell Keep, and how Draeken now stood apart as the fragment of Power. The news had not been received well, but Erisay had sat in the back of the room, and watched Water and Fire with curious eyes.
“My brothers are well,” he said. “Alive, at least.”
