Selenidae and Astroyanax figured this raid would be even easier than Zen. Mages could cause a lot of damage long-range, but once they broke through, they'd go down like kittens. They would find and destroy the steel-eyed mage, and return to their base in victory. But, there were two factors they didn't count on.
Mages could cause devastation at long-range, not just a lot of damage.
Maralise was no usual guildmistress.
Along with politics, history, literature, and the obvious magic, she had studied combat strategies. Maralise learned that by supplementing magic with physical means, that power could be stretched for more damage. She also put Vane's position, on a high hill, to good use.
The two siblings approached the city, and called to talk to the leader. A good way to get close before the damage. "We want to speak to your leader immediately!" Astroyanax demanded.
"I'm here," Maralise replied, her gray eyes steady. "What do you want?"
"Surrender to us now, and you will be spared the tragedy of Zen. We will take some of you for execution, and the rest of you will be spared!" Selenidae promised, fingers crossed behind her back.
Maralise's eyes went cold with fury. She had heard of Zen's destruction, and had prepared for battle. She gestured for a catapult nearby to launch a heavy boulder at the speakers.
Selenidae yelped as she jumped back in time. Hissing, she uncoiled her whip and pointed it at the grinning mages. "You just signed your death warrant, humans!" she shrieked. "Attack!"
The mages were ready. Archers lined the hill, equipped with plain and magicked arrows. Catapults and cauldrons lined the hill, filled with various things. Boulders for the magicless. Leftover oil from cooking and heavy chunks of wood for fire mages to activate. Huge shards of metal from smithies for thunder mages. Earth mages had plenty of rocks to roll down. Ice mages stood by with cauldrons of cool water to tip down the hill slope and freeze to ice. Last, but not least, wind mages stood ready to lift rocks back up the hill to tip again.
Astroyanax led the first attempt, but the catapults had deadly accuracy. The archers hit the troops that scattered to avoid the barrage. More than half of his troops backed off, nursing wounds and screaming their fury. The next volley hit most of what was left. Astroyanax launched some magic of his own, but the distance was too far for his accuracy. Selenidae growled and tried her luck. She attempted magical shields to protect her warriors, but they buckled more easily under the physical assaults. A good three-quarters of her troops were flattened. The mages also had good magical shields, that absorbed a good portion of her spells' power. One of the sparking metal shards hit her leg, and she yowled in pain like a cat. For the sake of her troops, of course, she backed off and went to talk to her brother.
"This isn't working!" he growled. "These people are ready, and their leader is brilliant."
"Okay, here's the plan. You stay here and keep trying. I'll take some troops round back and try to scale that cursed hill. We'll look for gray-eyed mages and hit them hard," Selenidae suggested maliciously. Astroyanax nodded in agreement.
Astroyanax continued his assault, then noticed something with his telescope. Maralise had gray eyes, steely with purpose. His eyes narrowed. This had to be the one from the prophecy. A strong magical leader, with an aura more powerful than any mage present. She would die today, and their victory would be half complete.
He ordered their best archers to get to work on the target, as well as a few mages. He ordered the others to look for gray-eyed mages. "Keep it up! Make your chief proud!" he cried out. He was delighted to see a shadowy magic arrow hit the leader, who was quickly surrounded by concerned mages.
Astroyanax then realized one flaw with the plan. They would let the mages know what they were looking for! Too late to warn his sister, so he tried to loose some random spells, intending to hit any mage he could. Curse those magical shields of theirs!
Selenidae was having a few problems. First off, those cursed catapults were everywhere. There was also not enough cover to hide her plan. And those mages were relentless! Their stupid magical shields were protecting them well. She gritted her teeth, wishing she could coil her whip around that leader's neck and give her a dose of what she'd given that impertinent little beastgirl in Zen. She smiled, remembering that victory, that power that had probably finished off the insolent wench.
Vane was a much harder nut to crack, she realized. These full-on assaults were not going to work anymore. Better to go now and get ready for next time. Astroyanax agreed with his sister. Except for the blast to the gray-eyed leader and a few others, this venture was a failure. They teleported back to base, leaving the magic city behind.
Katiyana looked around with wide eyes. This place had seen a furious battle not too long ago. Tons of empty catapults were around, and she noticed lots of scorch marks on the hill. The people were busily cleaning up, and most looked angry, not sorrowful.
"Lord Restar!" a young man came up. "Welcome to Vane, sir! You just missed it, not three hours ago. We were attacked!"
"By who?" Restar asked. "By a bunch of green-skinned demons?"
The young man blinked. "Yeah, that's right," he answered in wonder. "But, my lady led us well. She did get injured, as did a few others, but we sent them off good!"
"Restar, my knights and I will scout the area, to see if we can find out anything useful," Jonah offered. Restar nodded absently, then took off for the guild mansion, obviously worried about his cousin. Katiyana followed.
Vane was a pretty city, but there was still signs of destruction from the time of Magic Emperor Ghaleon seven hundred years ago. The mansion was huge and beautifully carved, but needed repairs. Especially that hole in the roof. The guild had lost the prestige it had once had, that the Meribian Knights now held. Still, Maralise Ausa worked tirelessly, and had won a lot of respect for the guild, like her ancestor Mia had done.
Restar was welcomed inside warmly, as was Katiyana. The inside was lovely, with hangings gracing the walls and a lot of plants around. Katiyana was touched by the homey feel of the place, a lot like Restar's own manor.
"Welcome, my lord. Lady Maralise rests yet, but a visit from her favorite cousin will no doubt help her health and spirits," a servant said, smiling. Restar thanked him, and led Katiyana into the room.
Maralise was sitting, not lying, in bed, and was working on documents. She still looked a little pale, but her gray eyes were more determined than anything. She looked up, and smiled happily. "Restar! Hello!" she greeted him. "I'm glad to see you, and your friend."
Restar smiled and embraced the woman. "I'm glad you're all right," he replied warmly. "I heard Vane was attacked. Oh, this is Katiyana Neva, from Zen. Katiyana, this is my cousin, Maralise Ausa."
"Zen?" Maralise repeated, eyes wide. "My poor dear. I heard about the attack there. That horrible not-woman mentioned it on the attack here."
"Yes, we'd like to hear more about the one here, if you please," Restar commented. "I also have a letter from Lady Jesta in Meribia."
Maralise wrinkled her nose in distaste. "That cold fish," she muttered. "Well, I'll take a look at that letter, and then tell you what happened."
To the honorable Maralise Ausa, Guildmistress of the Esteemed Magic Guild of Vane.
Greetings and salutations. I write to inform you of the destruction of the town of Zen by a band of green demons with as yet unknown intentions. According to your honored cousin and the refugee he rescued, they are searching for a green-eyed warrior with a silver sword and possibly a mage. We are treating Restar as an ally to help stop these demons, and request your alliance as well. We also request that Restar is given aid at your disposal. Because we are comrades of a sort, we trust that this alliance is assured. We pray that this message finds you well.
Sincerely,
Lady Jesta, Knight Commander of the Honorable Knights of Meribia
"Comrades? Ha!" Maralise snorted. "As if she thought that her urging would speed me to help my own family! Well, Restar, you have Vane's help with this, especially after that attack. I'll send some mages with you guys to help, some of my best."
"Wait," Restar protested. "Maralise, did you notice anything odd? Did they seem to attack anyone in particular? Any feature?"
Maralise paused in thought. "Yes," she admitted. "Out of the five of us who got injured, three of us have gray eyes. Odd."
"Very," Restar drawled, thoughtful.
"Well, I have just the person to send you. Let me introduce her to you," Maralise decided. She got up, a bit slow yet, and led the duo out the door. Restar looked like he wanted to protest, but said nothing.
Maralise led them to a small library. Inside, an ebony-haired mage was studying a book intensely. She looked up, smiling at the guild leader. "My lady, should you be up and about yet?" she asked teasingly.
"I know I'm all right." Maralise grinned back. "I need your help, Sapphire. I want you and a team to go with Restar to the southwest Minea and help him to find out about and get rid of these menaces. He's already got a group of knights to help, but mages would be useful as well."
"More so, I'd say," the mage replied, her jewel-like eyes dancing. "No problem. Could use a break here, get my assistant ready for her post. My lord Restar, when do we leave?"
"Just 'Restar,' if you please. Perhaps in an hour or so, if that's feasible," Restar replied.
"Gotcha," Sapphire replied, winking. "I'll get a group ready to go, meet you by the entrance." She rose from her seat and left.
"Don't mind her. Sapphire may be lighthearted, but she's one of the brightest and most powerful mages in Vane," Maralise commented. "Katiyana? Would you like a tour of Vane in the meantime?"
Katiyana grinned and nodded enthusiastically. Maralise smiled and took the lead.
Restar was glad to see that Sapphire and a group of mages were ready, and that Jonah and his knights had returned by the end of the tour. He smiled at Katiyana, still wide-eyed in amazement at the city's wonders.
"Restar," Jonah began, "it appears the beings arrived by magic, since no tracks led away and there were no signs of tampering. No residue remains for examination, though. It will be harder to combat teleporters."
"Hmmm, they're strong mages, then. Teleportation is one of the highest classes of magic," Sapphire mused.
"Yes, I know that from the attack on Zen," Restar added. "It's odd, though. How can these demons, whom we have seen only recently, accelerated in the knowledge of magic so rapidly?"
"Any thefts from the libraries here?" Katiyana asked, curious.
Sapphire shook her head vehemently. "None," she replied strongly. "I know every book we have, and where they all are. Besides, some of the spells they used in the battle look nothing like magic I know."
Restar looked thoughtful. "Strange," he murmured. "Well, we should return to Serak Palace and have a meeting, compare facts, and get ideas rolling."
"Palace?" Jonah repeated, confused. Sapphire looked intrigued.
Restar laughed. "My home," he explained. "Katiyana thought it wise to give it a code name, just to be safe."
"Good thinking. I'll start calling my home a castle, too. Maybe the maids wouldn't complain so much," Brock suggested.
"It would take more than that, my friend," Justin drawled. "Try making your bed in the morning."
"Hey! Creative people are messy! At least I don't have a pile of dirty socks as high as my chest nicknamed 'Mt. Smellsmore,'" Brock retorted. Katiyana winced, and Brock burst out laughing.
"Well, at my home, you'll clean up after yourself. My people will be too busy to... ah... dismantle mountains. Let's get going," Restar ordered.
The trip back was quick. Restar's people were surprised to see the bigger group that arrived, but got to work expanding and preparing for their guests. Luckily, Restar paid overtime.
After the simple yet filling supper, Restar, Katiyana, the knights, and the mages sat down and went over everything they knew about the latest threat to Lunar. Jonah produced copies of reports describing raids that had taken place, including the names and descriptions of the victims. Nearly all reports discussed green-eyed warriors or gray-eyed mages. Sapphire and another lead mage, Myra, described attacks outside of Vane.
"But, the real question here is, 'why?'" Jonah sighed tiredly.
"Probably the usual. Taking over the world," Myra commented, still glancing at the reports.
"Yes, but why target certain people?" Restar asked, his heart aching with the thought of Sharion. "Why my wife?"
"Oh, Restar..." Sapphire murmured, her voice soft with sympathy.
Katiyana felt a bit intimidated, with these older and more accomplished, well, adults here. But, she was thinking hard. "I think the question is 'where from?'" she blurted out. The others stopped talking and looked at her. Katiyana continued, "Think about it. Sapphire, you said their magic is different. Jonah, you have reports dating only a year back. Where were they before? They're not Vile Tribe descendants, are they?"
"No, most of the former Vile Tribe reformed under Lady Phacia after Ghaleon was killed. She helped get many treaties made between our people," Restar answered. "There were a few rebels, naturally. But, their descriptions don't match. And their magic is closer to ours than that of this band."
"They couldn't have stayed out of sight so long, to learn such powerful magic," Sapphire added. "They'd still need to eat and trade."
"Warriors from another world. Can we prove it?" Justin asked curiously.
"Not at this point. We need something hard-core," Sapphire replied, toying with her cider glass. "I wish I could get a chance to analyze their magic!"
"Never mind that. Let me get a hold of one of them, and I'll get some answers!" Brock retorted, grinning and flexing.
"No, analyzing would be better," Sapphire contradicted. "The hostages could lie."
"You mages! You think that anything can be fixed by working one of your precious spells," Brock snapped. "Sometimes just looking-"
"You know, if you guys would actually listen to us for a change-" Sapphire began.
"Magic can't do everything-" Justin pointed out.
"I really think-" added Myra.
"QUIET!" Everyone stared at the normally mild-mannered Restar. His gray eyes were ironclad. "Enough of this bickering, now! We are here to work together to overcome this threat, to work magic and steel together. Dragonmaster Alex had mages and a swordsman on his side, and through their teamwork, they saved the world! Now, everyone, we will adjourn until you have all come to your senses, and have stopped arguing like a bunch of children!" Angrily, he rose and marched off.
The others looked at each other. "I'm sorry," Sapphire murmured. "He's right."
"Yeah, me, too. I dunno, I never understood mages too well, but you guys are pretty useful," Brock admitted.
Katiyana got up and went to go look for Restar.
Restar stood in front of the painting of his wife, his head bowed. "This isn't going well, Sharion," he muttered. "A lot of people wondered why a mage and a swordswoman would marry, but we're all just people. You had such a kind spirit, such a strong desire to help people. You won my heart immediately. Why can't people just look to others' hearts?"
"Restar?" The mage turned around to see Katiyana standing at the door, a little worried.
"I'm fine, Katiyana," Restar assured the young swordswoman. "I think everyone's a little nervous yet. We just need to get settled in."
"I hope so," Katiyana replied with a sigh, looking down at the floor.
"By the way, good line of thinking about the origins of our guests. That's the kind of thinking you'll need as a knight," Restar added. "And you'll do it. I didn't mean to worry you."
"It's okay, I understand. The knights and the Magic Guild don't work together enough, I believe. And they should. We all want to protect the people and our world," Katiyana sighed.
"In our different paths," Restar finished.
"Yeah, like that. Combining our strengths and all that," Katiyana added.
Restar nodded, lost in thought. "I believe we all need to do some thinking and planning on our own," he murmured, "Perhaps a good night of rest will help."
"I think so. Good night, Restar," Katiyana said softly, and left the study.
Restar smiled and returned to the painting. "You've always had your ways, my dear. I believe you'll be here helping us as much as anyone. Help watch over our Katiyana, won't you?" he whispered, and went to retire in his own chambers.
Katiyana yawned as she walked to breakfast, tired from a nervous night. She was glad to see that mages and knights were mixed, eating and talking peaceably. Restar was talking to Sapphire and Jonah, and waved to a nearby seat. The young beastwoman sat down gratefully.
"Kat, good morning. We've had an idea, and want your input," Restar began. Katiyana nodded for them to explain.
"We have reason to believe that after Vane's stunning victory, our power-hungry friends may not strike full-force anytime soon. It's time for scouting," Jonah continued, spearing a piece of sausage.
Sapphire smiled at Jonah's word-choice. "Anyway, we're going to send out groups to cities that may be struck next for reconnaissance. We've picked Horam for fighters, and Joaquin has a lot of mages," she finished.
"Sounds good to me. I think we should send mixed groups to do it, and maybe even disguises," Katiyana suggested, grabbing a peach from a bowl.
"You had something specific in mind?" Restar asked curiously.
"Sure," Katiyana replied. "We... my dojo made a lot of trips to Horam, so I know it pretty well. I can take some mages with me, and we can borrow some uniforms from some of the dojos."
"I don't think I'll pass as a warrior," Sapphire remarked, looking at her slender arms.
"Just say you started late in life after flunking magic," Jonah suggested, grinning.
"Why, you...!" Sapphire began, looking for ammunition. She settled for chucking a roll at him and a rude gesture.
Jonah skillfully caught the roll and smiled at her. "Don't worry, I can say I tried magic after I got injured or something, making smart-aleck comments to a pretty mage," he suggested. He sliced open the roll and smeared butter on it.
"Keep on that path of yours, boy, and you'll be in retirement sooner than you think," Sapphire retorted, a tiny smile on her face. Restar opened his mouth, then shook his head. Katiyana was merely amused.
The two saw that their exchange had not gone unnoticed and blushed. Restar smiled and commented, "Okay, now that that's settled, let's plan. Katiyana, you and Sapphire and her mages want to check Horam, while Jonah and his boys and I look in Joaquin?"
Katiyana nodded and rose from her seat. She thought of something. "What about transport?"
"My ladies and I can cover that," Sapphire offered, blue eyes mischievous.
"I will take care of it for the four of us," Restar decided, "It's draining, but it may be the best way to go. Time will be vital."
The group split up to collect their gear and get started.
Back to the Shrine to Ghaleon.