Katiyana, Justin, Myra, and Sapphire were the team for scouting the Illusion Woods. Many of Joaquin's citizens accompanied them, dressed and equipped for scouting. Katiyana was grateful for their expertise, and decided to learn as much as she could.
"See, you need to look at the little things," the leader of the scouts, Diana, explained. "A broken branch, a shifted stone, wet earth near a stream. It's way more than following footsteps."
"You also learn how to tell animal and monster signs, versus human signs," another scout added. "Look at this berry bush. Here's where a human picked a berry, nice and tidy. Here's where an animal, probably a bear, took a berry. It's a little more messy, because claws and teeth are not as precise as fingers." Katiyana scrutinized the two spots closely, noting the difference.
"I'm impressed," Diana commented to Justin softly. "Many young ones wouldn't be interested in learning. They'd just be impatient."
"Katiyana's very special, very curious. She'll be a great knight," Justin answered, smiling as the young beastwoman asked the scout about a mark in a patch of moss.
Sapphire and Myra were concentrating on the magic fields, trying to find the ripple that Restar had tapped in Joaquin. It wasn't present now, only when the demons were actually using their strange magic. Sapphire was cursing under her breath, worried about Jonah. "Have to rely on physical means for now, lady," one of the scouts remarked.
The team made their way continually southward, finding only normal signs of animal life. They stopped for lunch, supplemented by the treats of the forest such as berries and mushrooms. Katiyana ate silently, keeping her eyes open, mulling over what she had learned.
Diana took the lead as they continued. Justin found a south-flowing stream. "Should we follow the stream, to look for signs of use?" he suggested.
"Definitely. Into the water, everyone!" Diana ordered. Everyone jumped in, except for Sapphire and Myra. Unlike the others, they were clad in small leather slippers. Sapphire shrugged and stripped off her shoes, hopping into the knee-high water. Myra hesitated, then did the same.
The banks of the stream had a lot of bushes, obscuring the ground and hiding some signs. Katiyana followed the others, scanning the ground grimly, hoping for some sign of these monsters. Diana and the others pointed out signs of animal use, commenting on details. They followed a turn in the water, and suddenly- "Hey! What's this?" Diana asked, pointing at a spot on a sandy area of the west bank. Prints. Lots of them.
"Great, let's just follow this trail-ow!" Justin yelped, staggering back as if he had hit something. He reached out a hand, cautiously, and it stopped in the air. "Some kinda shield?" he asked.
"Let us experts see," Sapphire commented, and she and Myra walked up. Laying their hands on the invisible structure, their magic flared as they examined it. "A shield," Sapphire verified. "Plenty of power in this, but there's a loop to allow transportation spells. We found it!"
"So, can we transport in, and not even have to break it?" Katiyana asked curiously.
"Brilliant, Katiyana," Myra replied. "We would need more power to break this than to just transport everyone we need inside."
"So, where's the actual base?" asked one of the scouts.
Everyone examined the area. Diana pointed at a huge clump of trees. Prints and scattered dust showed a lot of movement. "Likely, it's underground, and the entrance is one of the trees," she commented. "An illusion, or some sort."
"We gotta take this back to Restar," Sapphire said excitedly. "We have them."
"Can't we teleport inside and scout a bit more? Get an idea of their numbers?" Katiyana suggested. "So we know better what we're up against?"
"It'd be risky, and a gamble. It's scouting and possibly losing the element of surprise," Justin replied slowly.
"Sending a small number in... if we get caught, there's no guarantee we could get out alive. Besides, then no one would be able to let the others know where the base is. Scouting should come later," Sapphire commented.
"Could you guys watch the... ripple or whatever, and when a bunch transport, do some scouting then? With less there?" Katiyana suggested. "Maybe even save Jonah!"
The others looked intrigued. "Let's discuss this when we get back to base," Justin mused. "Diana, all of you, thank you for your assistance."
Diana grinned. "'Tis the least we can do to help Commander Jonah. We don't forget it when our lives are saved. Be careful, Justin, everyone," the scout replied. The triumphant group returned to Serak Palace, flushed with victory.
Restar, Brock, Robyn, and Shulin had started with the small port, talking to everyone there. None of the few mages there had sensed a ripple in the magical field, nor could they tell anything of a base of a group of domination-hungry demons. "Best pack up well for scouting in the Salyan. Water's a must," one of the sailors commented.
"Could we purchase water packs here?" Restar asked.
"No problem, milord, I stock them myself. Give ya a discount for the business you've given this place," the sailor offered. He sold them the packs, filled them up, and gave them a map of known oases in the desert. "If these monsters are hidin' in the desert, they'll need water," he explained.
"Good thinking, friend. Hope your profits flow in like the Minea," Restar commented.
The sailor laughed. "I doubt that, milord, at least not until Dalton makes this place a village. I'm content, either way," he remarked, and bid them on their way.
Restar gave Shulin, their desert expert, the map. The martial artist examined it critically, then pointed out the best route to take. They would check oases on the path to the Illusion Woods, and hopefully meet up with Katiyana and the others, one of them having found the base.
Tracking was a lot harder here, due to the harsh winds that scraped the sands smooth. They checked off one oasis after another, finding nothing. Restar was very grateful for the water packs, which supplemented the oases very nicely.
"How are we supposed to find anything here?!" Robyn demanded, a bit annoyed by the lack of progress and blowing wind.
Shulin scrutinized the mage with calm eyes. "Patience, my dear. Nothing worth finding is found easily," he remarked.
Restar smiled. He was glad to have Shulin's wisdom on his side, and his cool head. He just hoped Shulin would stick around to the end of all this.
After the sixth failure, they sat down for some food. Brock had brought some firewood in his pack, so Restar and Robyn fixed a quick meal. The group conferred after they ate and cleaned up.
"I do not believe that the base is here. Although the wind is strong, there has not been a hint of an army as large as you have described, Restar," Shulin commented tiredly.
"Maybe Justin and Katiyana have had better luck?" Brock asked hopefully.
"Perhaps. We'll just keep trying until we hear from them," Restar replied, musing. Suddenly, he gasped as he felt a flare of magic nearby. Quickly, he jerked the group behind a rock outcropping. Two figures appeared by the water.
"Was this necessary, Astro?" a female voice whined. Restar recognized it immediately as Selenidae's.
"I don't want that commander hearing anything to leak to his little friends," a male voice replied, dripping with disdain. Astroyanax.
"Well, so that little pest swordswoman and that cursed mage are hiding at Serak Palace. It took some doing, but we learned that the Palace is that blasted mage's home," Selenidae commented. Restar winced. Katiyana's idea had bought them time, not a complete shield.
"I think we'll try it. Vane was ready, and we haven't tried a full assault for awhile. And I doubt that this mage has those cursed catapults," Astroyanax mused.
"The army will need time to prepare, and they won't be excited about another assault. Not after that try on Vane," Selenidae pointed out.
"Very well. We will give them a week to prepare, and then we'll strike!" Astroyanax declared. The siblings laughed and teleported. Restar threw a rope of magic out to check the ripple. North, definitely. The Illusion Woods.
"Oh, crap!" Brock yelped. "What did they do to Jonah?! He wouldn't rat on us!"
"We know that," Restar replied quietly. "There are psychic magics that can draw information from a victim, regardless of will. They are rare, and not encouraged in the schools."
"We have been given a week to prepare. It would be best to plan how to utilize it to the fullest, with all the information at our disposal," Shulin commented.
Restar nodded, feeling a respect for the martial arts master. "We need everyone at Serak Palace, now! We must confer what to do, and how to do it. Let's go!" he declared.
The comrades gathered at Restar's enormous banquet table, with Restar's staff inside as well. Katiyana described how they had found the base, Sapphire explaining how she had left a magical mark near the area to trace the exact location. Restar repeated the conversation that was overheard, and the staff nodded grimly.
"We were prepared for this day, milord, since everyone came here," Jordan remarked calmly. "We have made our own precautions. The Palace is fortified with stone from the quarry, the mages have installed portals which can be shut off in a moment's notice, and the livestock have already been moved up here."
"Jordan, I should've known already that you would have things prepared here," Restar commented. Jordan grinned and gave another staff member a high five.
"Our people have brought surplus grain into the fortifications for now, so we can hold out," Pearl added, eyes shining.
"Anybody that can help defend this place?" Justin asked gently.
"Of course! Maybe we ain't knights, but we have skills and as much determination! Archers, fencers, mages, we got a bit of everything!" Jordan answered proudly, fingering the huge bow on his back.
"Perhaps this would be a good time to strike," Katiyana remarked suddenly. Everyone looked at her. "The base will have a small percentage to guard Jonah. They have made their own distraction. Now is the time to rescue him and end this."
Everyone looked excited. "We must contact the Knight Commanders, Maralise, and as many masters in Horam as possible. We're close, but we need more numbers," Restar commented.
"We'll need a plan, or we won't look ready and won't be given as much support," Brock pointed out. "I know Lady Jesta well enough for that." Katiyana winced, remembering the cold-voiced woman.
"We'll have a plan," Restar replied confidently. "Jordan, Pearl, get our people inside the walls, now. We have room enough. Katiyana, you and Shulin should contact and bring who you can from Horam. Brock, Justin, Sapphire, we'll hit Meribia and Vane to talk to Maralise and the Knights. We'll have a plan!" The group settled down excitedly for a discussion.
Two days later, Katiyana looked out over the assembled nervously. Maralise was seated next to Restar, and the cousins were chatting easily. Jesta, Richard, and Gareth were comparing ideas with Brock and Justin. They still looked depressed over Jonah's absence. Shulin was talking to the masters of the Blue Dragon, Crane, Jing, and Shining Light dojos. She slipped into her seat between Restar and Justin, smiling hopefully at the mage.
Restar stood, looking out over the leaders. Clearing his throat, he began, "Welcome, all of you, honored leaders throughout our Lunar. We are here to discuss putting an end to a great evil, one that has caused much pain already to us. The destruction of Zen and the loss of dozens of young lives, and the kidnapping of Commander Jonah. With this unity, and with what we have done and learned, we may have the power to put a stop to it for good."
At Restar's nod, Maralise stood up. "Sapphire has discovered something incredible. The demons' magic is untraceable, not from this world. They must have a source, that must be destroyed. With the magic gone, they'll be returned to their own world."
Restar returned to continue, "We have learned that the leaders are planning an attack here in five days. With them and the bulk of the army gone, it will be the perfect time to assault their base. The citizens of Joaquin aided greatly in finding the base in the Illusion Woods."
Jesta stood up. "How do we know this is true? If this is false, it could be suicide!" she remarked. A small wave of agreement rippled through the assembled.
"If we do nothing, they will assault another city and lead another massacre, Jesta. They did not know of our presence," Restar explained. She shrugged and sat back down. Restar sighed, and continued, "We have a battle plan, and will take suggestions to improve it."
The plan was simple. He, Restar, would remain at the base, knowing the land and his people. Maralise was to bring as many catapults as possible, and instruct the building of more, after their smashing success in Vane. The army would be most of the mages from what remained of the Magic Guild, some of the knights, most of the healers, and a few martial artists. They would protect Restar's people, and keep the army as busy as possible for as long as possible.
Katiyana and Richard would lead the assault on the base. They would have most of the martial artists on their side, those skilled in stealth. Sapphire would be the main mage, tracking her spell and transporting those inside the demon barrier. Many fighters would be along, since they were unsure of the numbers remaining at the base. It would be their job to free Jonah, find the demons' magical source, and destroy it.
"This is our plan. I want to know numbers, so tell us if you're in or out," Restar concluded.
Maralise stood up. "Although the Magic Guild is nowhere near what it was before Magic Emperor Ghaleon, we have remained faithful to our task. We will help defend our Lunar against those who would take it. We will fight!" she declared. The mages cheered.
Gareth stood up. "We have sworn to protect the land we love with our lives, to use our strength and will. This plan will succeed. We pledge our allegiance!" he promised. Brock and Justin led the cheer.
Shulin stood up. "These monsters have already destroyed our beloved Zen, and many futures have been stolen from those who would make the world better. This shall end, and you have my strength to aid you. My strength, and that of all those who have come with me," he commented. The martial artists and healers from the Shining Light dojo cheered.
Katiyana stood up. "These demons stole my treasure, my family and my friends. I have vowed already to use all the power I command to see that every child can grow up happy and safe with their family, and not know the pain the monsters have caused me," she said softly. "I fight for the peace that will follow!"
Restar smiled at the young swordswoman. How far she had come since Zen's massacre. "These monsters stole my treasure as well, my beautiful Sharion. This threat shall end now," he said simply.
"Talk is all very well, but it's time for action!" Maralise declared. Everyone nodded, and preparations got underway.
The night before the forecasted attack on Serak Palace, the fighters had one last practice. Katiyana was teaching some of the Xong moves, showing the Falcon leap again. "Justin, no! The power comes from the jump, but you need more agility to hit the target!" she scolded the knight.
"Okay, okay! Let me try again!" Justin pleaded. Squaring off, he leaped nimbly, landing the move perfectly. He let out a whoop.
"C'mon, man! It took you a dozen tries!" Brock teased, handing his friend a dry towel.
Justin grinned back. "Why did you need about twenty to master that rolling low block she showed us, eh?" he asked.
Brock blushed. "Well, not used to rolling around, I guess," he admitted. "When we get Jonah back, we'll let him judge!" Justin nodded in agreement.
"Okay, back to work!" Katiyana admonished them, smiling wickedly.
"Yes, ma'am!" they replied, getting back to practice.
Restar watched, amused. He figured that Katiyana would be a commander herself, one day. She needed more experience, obviously, but she had a good start.
"All set for tomorrow, cousin?" Maralise asked, coming up to join him.
"As much as I can be, I suppose," Restar admitted. "I'm more used to dealing with domestic issues, nothing like this."
"You're doing good. I think Katiyana's done you a lot of good, too," Maralise commented, eyes on the young beastwoman.
"Yes, she has. I have a lot of respect for her. She's been working hard, and she'll be a fine knight," Restar replied. "The people of Lunar will be lucky to have her protecting them."
"They shall," Maralise agreed. "Have you decided?"
"Yes, it's time. She's earned it, more than anyone I know," Restar answered.
"I think you're right. Well, I'm going to hit it. We lady mages need our beauty sleep," Maralise decided, and yawned.
"Good night, cousin," Restar replied, his eyes on the knights and Katiyana.
Katiyana breathed in the cool air, admiring the beauty of the Blue Star. How lovely it was. She wondered if it was as beautiful on the surface as from here, and if anyone had ever seen it before. She laughed to herself, but was happy to not think of the fight tomorrow.
She heard someone climb up, and turned. "Restar! Hi, I was just enjoying the night," she greeted him.
Restar smiled and joined her, a huge package wrapped in canvas in his arms. "It is enchanting," he agreed, then sobered. "Katiyana, this is for you. For tomorrow, and for always," he declared simply.
Katiyana looked up, puzzled. She accepted the package, and opened it up curiously. She gasped, "Restar! No! Oh, no! I cannot!" Resting in her arms was Sharion's silver sword.
Restar smiled wryly. "You can," he contradicted. "Katiyana, you have come so far since Zen. I believe that after this, you will be able to join the knights easily. You have the power to do so many people so much good. This will help."
Katiyana shook her head, wildly. "It... it belongs to you. It's your memento of your wife! I can't take that away from you!" she protested.
"Katiyana, think if it was you. If your sword was left behind. Would you rather it sit on a dusty wall, only a memory, or be used by someone with a pure heart to help free the world?" Restar asked. "Kat, I believe in you. I know that you will help bring us freedom. You have Sharion's heart and strength, and you will be a great knight. Sharion would approve, I know."
Tears slipped down Katiyana's cheeks, from the strong emotions. He was proud of her. This man she respected and admired as a favorite uncle, who had saved her life and got her started on a new one. She embraced the mage, touched beyond words.
Restar held her, his own emotions flowing. He loved her like a niece, Sharion's niece, thinking of her as her heir. He knew he had done the right thing. Nearby he could feel Sharion's presence. She was smiling.
Back to the Shrine to Ghaleon.