Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 44: The Reunion of Soldiers

Treia stands before the armored knight wearing metal plate that seems to change colors depending on the magical energy around him. In spite of the powerful beings standing all around, she was able to walk directly up to him and punch him in the abdomen, expressing herself in the only way she knows how; lashing out when she's upset.

She can feel his gaze fall on her after he coughs, and she stares into where his eyes would be. Her own eyes water, and she growls, “You… stupid… idiot…” She sniffles, wiping her eyes.

“Do I… know you, Miss…?”

She bares her teeth a little, but she knows what he's doing. She knows he hasn't forgotten her. She whimpers, “I told you… I owe you. I have to repay you… S-... So why didn't you come back? You could've come back… I… I would've… I missed… I want…” She leaned her forehead against his chest, trying to resist her tears. She whispered, “We finally found you… I don't know why you're here, but… I won't let you go again.”

Hekate is now standing on her throne, facing Treia angrily. “You vile lecher! You would DARE try to seduce my Darling in my own audience chamber!?”

Ryuogriar retorts dryly and coldly, “As if anywhere else is preferable?”

“Shush! You!” Hekate hops down, startling Gwenesphia and Aoloan, who hasn't figured it out yet. The young feldrok girl storms over to Daniel and Treia, shoving her way in between them. “He's my Darling, and you can't have him! Go find your Daniel somewhere else!”

Treia replied fearlessly, “He's right here. Your 'Darling' is Daniel, human sorcerer with no magic from another world.”

“And, what makes you think my Darling would be the slayer of dragons? Doesn't that sound…”

“Two reasons. I'm still alive, and…” She glares into Daniel's eyes. “I can smell him.” Her tail is swishing back and forth in slight irritation, but also, in such a manner that draws attention to it.

“Smell? Perhaps, my Darling killed your Daniel. Did you think of that?”

Treia ignores Hekate, speaking directly to Daniel. “Daniel, I just want to understand. What did you do? How did you conquer this place? Why are you allied with dragons, now?”

Geirahoel snarls, “I would never be ally to a random, vile human who murders dragons.”

Treia looks at her, and Hekate whines, “Hey! Did you ignore me!?”

Treia adds, “You choose your words rather peculiarly. Especially given that you bother to speak my language. Daniel’s smell is on all of you. Did you all kill him?” She looks at Daniel again. “That spell you unleashed earlier… What were you fighting? Is… Was it the demon queen?”

Daniel looks at Ryuogriar for a moment, and then Gwen and Aoloan, and finally Treia. He finally replies for himself, “No. It’s a somewhat long story, but the quick version is, it was a monster that was devouring this world an acre at a time, and the Demon Queen was forced to weigh losing all of the demonkin against invading eastward. I don’t think she’s the enemy of the east.”

Treia sighs. “I believe you, Daniel. Now, take off that stupid helmet. Armor doesn’t suit you.”

He scoffs. “It wasn’t about appearances…”

“Well, I’m not here to kill you.”

Hekate growls, “You’re not here for anything. I won’t let him leave.”

Daniel puts his hand on her head, and she twitches, waving her big, bushy fox tail back and forth contentedly. He says gently, “It’s alright… Treia figured it out. It was my fault.” He looks at Ryuogriar and Reignleif, saying gently, “They’re friends of mine. Please treat them well.”

Ryuogriar smiles and nods, and Reignleif nods as well.

“Sergeant, this is Hekate, Ryuo-OOF!” She punches him again, growling, “You… You just said we were friends, Daniel…”

He looks at her, confused. He sighs when he figures it out. “Treia; this is Hekate, Ryuogriar, Reignleif, Geirahoel, and Xyreko.”

Geirahoel huffs, “If she is your friend, you should have known better, Daniel.”

Daniel agrees warmly. “You’re right, Geira. Thank you for trying to cover for me.”

“I…” She huffs and circles around to stand with the other two dragons. “I was doing what Ryuo said. Th-that’s all.”

Treia says politely, “It’s my pleasure to meet you all. I’m Treia, and they are Gwenesphia and Aoloan. Gwen and I served with Daniel at Fort Peony, and he saved our lives from the Red Dragon. Aoloan met him after.”

Aoloan and Gwen both stand up, approaching the stairs to the throne platform the rest of them are on. Gwen asks, “Are you… really Daniel?”

Treia sighs, retorting, “It’s obvious, Gwen. You can’t tell?”

Gwen seems to sniff the air a little, and she shakes her head. Treia states, “W-Well, it was obvious to me. M-Maybe you just forgot…” She looks at Daniel, and his helmet is hiding his expression, but she can feel his gaze silently keeping his thoughts to himself.

She whines, “Wh-What!? Why are you staring at me?”

“No reason.” Daniel takes his helmet off, and Aoloan and Gwenesphia gasp. Hekate points at them, saying haughtily, “You stay away from him! He’s my husband, and I won’t share! Not with anyone!”

Treia asks him, “Is that true?”

Daniel chuckles, petting Hekate’s head. “I wouldn’t be here without Hekate. But, we’re not married.”

The betrayed young feldrok gasps, “Daniel!? How could you!?”

“Tell the truth?”

“They don’t need to know that! Didn’t you just say the truthful events are out of order?”

He chuckles. “I did. And, none have taken place yet, have they?”

She huffs, staring at him with her mouth agape, and Ryuogriar and Reignleif chuckle, causing Hekate to glare at them for a moment. 

Treia asks as Gwenesphia and Aoloan cautiously climb the stairs, “Daniel; what is your relationship to these women?”

Geirahoel retorts sharply, “And, what business is it of yours?”

“It’s my business because I am indebted to him, and I intend to protect him in whatever way I can.”

Gwenesphia asks, “Treia… Are you…?”

“Quiet. Daniel, answer me.” Gwenesphia is shocked by Treia’s sharp response to her, and Daniel looks at each of them for a moment. He replies, “I met Hekate when I found the Citadel. We worked together to conquer it.”

Hekate adds proudly, “We slept together, and we fought together. Closer than anyone in the world! And, his staff can kill anything! And if it can’t, then his god-smiter will!” 

Daniel remains fairly humble about it, in spite of things. “I was fortunate enough to be able to defeat the feral feldrok that was residing here with my dragon-slaying staff. Afterwards, the dragons attempted to invade, and I defeated them, reviving as many as I could.”

Geirahoel looks away for a moment, crossing her arms. “You haven’t earned my forgiveness yet, Daniel…”

Ryuogriar teases her as she pets her egg, “Don’t worry, Daniel. The opposite of love is not anger nor hate. She’s just being shy.”

“I… I am not!”

Daniel adds, “With Xyreko’s help, we were able to recover the dragons and cure them of a curse that had drastically reduced their offspring, keeping their population small.”

Treia studies Ryuogriar’s egg for a moment, and Hekate growls, “Don’t get any ideas, kitty lady.”

Treia blushes, looking at her, stammering as she tries to defend herself. “I-Ideas!? What ideas!? I’m… Daniel’s just… We’re…” She growls in frustration, finally saying sternly and confidently, “That is Daniel’s choice, not yours. And, I have much to repay him for.”

Before a fight can begin, Xyreko steps up. “If I may; we recently repelled some soldiers from the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy who came looking for Daniel as well. Peacefully, of course, with the same cover we attempted on you. Why come to retrieve Daniel now? Could it be an interest in the Citadel?” She is a little cold towards the end, clearly implying that she doesn’t trust anyone new.

Aoloan replies, “I never wanted to part from Daniel. Of course, he clearly lied to me when he claimed he was attracted to men.” She grins at him, and he shrugs. “I kept my promise, though. The Dragon Lord is dead. He’s the only dragon I won’t be reviving, even once we have enough potations.”

Aoloan nods softly. Gwenesphia adds, “I didn’t want to leave him either! He tricked me so he could stay behind to defend Fort Peony by himself.”

Treia adds, “That reminds me…” She spears herself into Daniel, pinning him to the ground, shocking the others, including Gwen and Aoloan. She pins his arms to the ground, growling before they can stop her, “You pinned me down and forced me to leave you by force. Don’t think I’ve forgiven that.”

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

She frees his hands to hit his chest. “That’s not the point! And, why didn’t you wait for us to return!? Or, why didn’t you come to Northwall!?”

Aoloan replies softly, “I’m glad he didn’t…”

Treia sighs. She lays down on his chest, murmuring gently, “Daniel… I’m staying with you from now on. Don’t object. And, don’t do that to me again…”

Hekate hums in irritation. Daniel replies gently, “Treia… I’m staying here with Hekate and the others. I promised them I would.”

Treia nods in understanding. Without hesitation, she looks up from her position pinning Daniel to the ground at the young feldrok girl, “Lady Hekate; please allow me to live here with you and Daniel. I’ll work, I’ll stand watch, and I’ll cook and clean. Whatever you would have me do.”

Hekate is surprised, looking at Daniel for a moment. It’s clear that she didn’t expect a request. And, given that she was once a slave herself, she has no idea how to actually deal with a polite request from someone other than Daniel.

“I…” She crosses her arms, retorting, “You must think me a fool! You just want to be able to try to sneak off with him.”

Treia shakes her head. “No. I want to be with him. I won’t do anything dishonorable.” She sits back on his waist a little, slumping her posture as she looks at him. “I already did enough of that.”

Daniel smiles at her, and he sympathizes with a nod. “I tried telling you the books are square.”

She sighs in disgust, turning her gaze back to Hekate. “Please, Lady Hekate. I won’t steal Daniel, but I want to be near him.”

Hekate fidgets, squirming as she ponders. She’s not a cruel person by nature. Haughty, a bit selfish, and prideful, but far from cruel. She mumbles, “Fine… You can stay. But, he’s MY husband, and MY Darling! And YOU!” She points at Daniel. “You better be extra grateful to me, Daniel! I don’t have to be nice to all of your mistresses.”

Daniel chuckles. “No one here is my mistress, Hekate.”

Xyreko asks as Daniel sits up, “Daniel, should we prepare for more of your former allies to come here?”

“I don’t know. I’m surprised anyone still thought I was alive.”

Gwenesphia approaches, murmuring, “We knew you had to have defeated the dragon. It’s just… We weren’t sure where you would go afterwards. We got this far because we followed the rumors.”

Aoloan asks softly, “Did… you really befriend the dragons, Daniel?”

Ryuogriar grins, and Reignleif blushes. Geirahoel huffs and is about to answer, but Ryuogriar says warmly, “He enslaved us! We’re his war brides; spoils of war.”

Daniel sighs in disgust as she snickers, and Aoloan frowns. She retorts, “Daniel doesn’t take war brides.”

“He doesn’t need one!” insists Hekate with a fiery tone. “He has me. Why he keeps collecting mistresses, I’ll never know…”

“YOU just accepted Treia’s request.”

“Of course! Mistresses are no threat to me, so long as Daniel spoils me rotten. And now, I could defeat anyone who tries to steal him.”

Treia stands up to confront Aoloan, but Gwenesphia asks, “Lady Hekate; may I also remain here with Daniel? I don’t have much to lose back home, and… If the war is over…”

“DANIEL!” A strong, feminine voice calls out as the audience doors fling open. Everyone turns, and Aoloan gasps. She’s the only one of the three visiting to recognize who is jogging in, panting. Xyreko states, “Daniel, you have a visitor.”

He chuckles. “I see that.” He climbs to his feet, asking as Vaergraes comes to a stop, studying the large group in the audience chamber. “What can I do for you, Your Majesty?”

Treia and Gwenesphia gasp this time, and they do a double-take, no doubt piecing together who they’re looking at.

“You lied to me!” She storms up the stairs, and everyone watches as she confronts Daniel.

“I had a somewhat good reason…”

“I don’t care why! I probably understand!” She drops to her knees as her legs seem to suddenly give out. Daniel reacts too slowly to catch her, and he crouches in front of her, making sure she’s okay.

“It’s… gone. You actually did it…”

“D-Did what?” asks Gwenesphia softly.

Vaergraes glances at her, simply observing the new acquaintance that she doesn’t recognize. Overall, her mind is baffled and exhausted from stress, but finally feeling relief after a long time. “He destroyed the Devourer… A monster consuming the world.”

Daniel asks diplomatically, “You’re sure it’s gone? I was pretty sure myself, but I can’t detect magic.”

She nods with a bewildered expression. “The only traces reside in her.” She points at Hekate, which fits the sequence of events. He smiles, patting her shoulder. “Great! Then, I guess you can begin migrating back west as soon as possible, right?”

Her head nods as her eyes stare with a distant gaze. “It’s… I never thought it would be defeated…”

Ryuogriar, holding her egg, steps closer. She sinks carefully to a kneel. “When Daniel first spoke to me, I noticed several things that gave me faith. He spoke respectfully, even from a position of power. He rejected power for power’s sake. And, he made a promise that he quickly kept.”

Vaergraes listens respectfully and nods along. She says softly, “I… didn’t mean to doubt you…”

He scoffs. “I’d have doubted me, too. And, I have one request;”

She instantly looks into his eyes. “Anything. Name it, and it shall be yours. Wealth, land, my life and soul…”

“Nothing so dramatic. I want you to spread the story that someone fictional defeated the Devourer.”

“Fictional?” she asks. It also surprises the others. He confirms with a nod. “Yes. As it stands, the only ones who know are the people in this room and the other dragons, most of whom don’t really know who I am. I know you’ll need to talk about what happened. Exaggerate it and change the name to something that doesn’t tie to any of us. The kind of attention that ‘spell’ can attract is the wrong kind of attention.”

She nods once more, still bewildered. It’s highly likely that she witnessed some sign of the blast; either the flash, the glow, the mushroom cloud, or the shockwave itself. It could even be the magic interference wave, if the pressure wave was too weak by that time. She offers, “Daniel… If chosen protectors could be taught…”

“No. Never.”

“But…”

“Absolutely not. Don’t ever ask about it again. Forget that it exists. Let it fade into memory. There should never be another threat of that magnitude again. My purpose was fulfilled. Even if it was unintended.”

She looks at him, thinking. It’s true. What they saw was a devastating power that was terrifying. That anyone can wield it to begin with is difficult to believe and easier to write off as illusion or hallucination. Even dragons, as powerful as they are, likely couldn’t cause so much instantaneous destruction. In fact, all of the dragons combined, along with the combined might of the demonkin, were unable to even slow the Devourer meaningfully.

Hekate adds seriously, “Daniel didn’t even want to do it in the first place. He was afraid of how it could hurt the future. The secret will die with him.”

Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel nod in agreement. 

Xyreko adds, “It is quite possible that the Devourer was a feldrok who lost control of its power due to the extermination of the feldroks.”

Ryuogriar nods to that as well. “Yes, I fear that may be the case. As such, it falls on us not to learn Daniel’s secret, but the obvious lesson the past should teach us. Such petty conquests nearly destroyed the world, all for power that would have died when the Devourer came for the Citadel under the dragon lord. We only have a future not filled with evacuation thanks to Daniel. We all should have stopped our former lord.”

Vaergraes adds softly, “Yes… perhaps…” She sighs and nods, unable to refute the idea in any way. “Daniel… I will keep your involvement secret if that is truly what you wish. However, for the act of saving the world, it is insufficient to serve as payment. Surely, there must be something you desire.”

He chuckles. “I got a bunch of friends and family, a cool castle, and the honor of saving the world. To ask for more would be atrociously greedy.”

She sighs. “Very well. I will come up with something myself. Of course, the offer to claim me is-...” Hekate hisses fiercely, clamoring and shouting to over-talk her. “Grah ah ah ah! No! Nope! No! Find your own! Daniel’s mine!” She hugs Daniel, adding, “We don’t need anything else.”

Daniel suddenly says, “Ah! Actually, there is one thing. I don’t know how to go about it, but de-escalate the war. That’s what I want. If it becomes impossible, we’ll get involved and try to talk them out of continuing the war, now that you no longer need the east, correct?”

She confirms earnestly. “Yes! Of course! I wouldn’t dream of that being payment for your deeds, as it was my goal all along. But, we have tried diplomacy before.”

“Y-you have?” asks Treia, surprised.

Vaergraes nods grimly. “Yes. Desperately so. But, we were being forced east, and the easterners were refusing to help us. I had no choice but to begin invading. The eastern kingdoms once included much of the land on this side of the mountains, but it was enough to hold us for the last couple of years. Only until recently was the Devourer encroaching on refugee villages in the west, meaning… we were going to have to move again. But, because Daniel and his party destroyed the Devourer before it could destroy those lands… We won’t have to push any further.” She looks at Daniel. “Daniel, I fear my words alone won’t be enough at this point.”

“I don’t think they’ll push west any time soon. But, if words won’t suffice, even with me, then we’ll go the intimidation route. I know people.”

Ryuogriar asks innocently, “Who do you know more frightening than any of us, Master?”

He looks directly at her with a slightly stunned expression. “Should I correct myself to ‘I know some dragons’?”

She blushes, and Reignleif giggles, hiding her own cheeks in the collar of her mantle. Geirahoel becomes indignant, retorting, “Do you think we’re performing fools for your amusement, Daniel?”

“I’d be asking nicely in this hypothetical, Geira. You’d get to flex your power for a good cause; ending a war as peacefully as possible. Ah, but first, your Majesty Vaergraes; we’ll need at least one more revival potation, just in case. I won’t take any chances with anyone under my care."

The demon queen nods in agreement. "I have my best brewers working on more.” She blushes as she looks away. “This… will sound extremely rude, but…”

“You no longer need dragons as desperately as before.” Ryuogriar fills in for the awkward pause. Vaergraes nods hesitantly, ashamed of the truth.

Daniel offers diplomatically, “There are males and females among the lesser dragons, and I think the three greater dragons; the lord, his brother, and the green sage are too aggressive to allow to live. That’s my opinion. With the males of the lesser dragons, the race can continue. If a greater dragon son is born of these three, then strong bloodlines can rise again.”

Ryuogriar and Reignleif both smile affectionately as they hug their eggs close. Geirahoel blushes, looking away as she somewhat sheepishly tries to hide her belly.

Hekate boisterously says, “And, when Daniel and I have children, feldroks will rise even stronger! Hahahahaha!”

Vaergraes seems to realize something. “Daniel, that reminds me. If you haven’t revived any of the three dragons you mentioned… Those eggs…”

“They were laid by the dragons holding them. Your Majesty, I intend to build up the population of people living around the Citadel. Will you object?”

She cocks her head, but sighs, seeing a deflection when one occurs in front of her. “No. As I told you, my title as ‘queen’ is informal. Even if I were a true sovereign, you’ve more than earned your own lordship.”

Hekate cuts in, “And my Ladyship. I’m the Lady of the Citadel. Daniel’s wife.”

“Are you? You’ve never mentioned your relationship to Daniel.” Ryuogriar’s jab at Hekate causes everyone to chuckle, except for Hekate, who scowls lightly at the dragon woman.

Vaergraes clarifies her thought, “I will not object if the Citadel is to become home to honest people, Daniel, Lady Hekate. I’d be even happy to learn they are those admitted by the two of you.” 

Hekate offers, somewhat obliviously, “Maybe you’d like to live here, Queen Vaergraes. Or rather, Shrine Priestess Vaergraes, once the war is over.”

She smiles. “I’ll keep it in mind, Lady Hekate. Thank you for your generous offer.”

Hekate nods with a prideful smile.

Ryuogriar, seeming to never miss an opportunity to tease the young feldrok girl, “For someone who so loathes the idea of Daniel collecting mistresses, you sure are quick to allow them into his proximity, Lady Hekate.”

Hekate once again glares at Ryuogriar. “Ryuo, didn’t the dragons have their own keep? Perhaps you should go check on it.”

“Me? Gracious, no. I intend to stay here with my beloved Mukori, Daniel, and produce lots more eggs, dear Lady Hekate. Life is interesting and noble at his side.”

Daniel sighs. “In any case, thank you, Queen Vaergraes. Now then, I’m hungry. Anyone else want dinner? Xyreko, do you mind?”

“I’ll have it ready at once, Daniel.” Xyreko bows, vanishing in a teleport. Daniel looks at the others, who only share a glance. They agree quickly, and they all head for the dining hall together. There’s still much to talk about, but nothing that is as pressing as defeating the Devourer was.

***

Aramellianna stands with all five of her daughters on a stage set up to overlook the battalions of Stalvaltan Guards, those contingents that aren’t serving the imperial battlefront at the central line near Fort Twilight, with Bromlund so freshly coming out of a revolt, the Empire has stationed soldiers to ensure it is not swiftly conquered by demons that might push through Fort Twilight, assuming they know of the turmoil.

The Grand Duchess rallies her soldiers, “Brave soldiers of the Stalvaltan Guard! You are the pride and joy of the Grand Duchy, warriors of unparalleled metal.”

The soldiers cheer a jovial exclamation of pride and courage.

“I have for many years dreamt of the day my eldest daughter would marry. Wenlianna, as the eldest, is rightful heiress to the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy. I am confident that any one of my daughters would make a suitable and excellent Grand Duchess. However, there has only been one man who Wenlianna has expressed any interest in making her Grand Duke. I ask you this now; who would see Duchess Wenlianna ascend to Grand Duchess?”

The guards cheer valiantly, and she asks next, “And, who would support her marrying the otherworlder, Daniel?’

Again, the soldiers cheer, though it does seem a little quieter.

Aramellianna frowns. Wenlianna tries to whisper, “Mother, I…”

The Grand Duchess straightens her posture. She states, “I see. Well then, let’s cut to the chase. Daniel is being held prisoner deep in the demon wildlands, at an ancient fortress known as the Citadel. This fortress was derelict until a few months ago, captured by dragons and their fox-beastman leader who calls herself ‘Hekate’. They tried to deceive us and claim Daniel is dead. Until we bury his remains, he is a living member of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy, and I don’t like living members of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy being held prisoner.” She looks across the crowd of soldiers, who listen loyally to her every word. “We are already at war with the demons, but the path to the Citadel can be navigated swiftly under the right conditions. You are all battlemages of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy. I would trust you to storm the Citadel, retrieve Daniel, and retreat with fewer casualties than a mere walk in the park.”

There are a few chuckles, but it’s clear that the enthusiasm to invade the demon wildlands for one man, an otherworldly commoner no less, is not very high.

Aramellianna nods sympathetically. “Yes. I understand. Daniel is no one to you, no one to your families, no one to this world. To those who think they know, he defiled a princess and fled for the far reaches of the world. His imprisonment with the demons is but a pittance for his supposed crimes. So, I will not order his rescue. I will not coerce any man or woman here to go far beyond the front lines and risk life and limb for a man they barely know. I will be taking volunteers.”

The guards glance at each other. A few step forward without hesitation, and Aramellianna nods with a proud smile. But, she pats Wenlianna on the back, startling the young Magic Artisan to step forward. “Ye-Yes! Right! As you all know, I am Wenlianna, Duchess and first daughter of the Grand Duchess. Any man who takes part in Daniel’s retrieval will be contracted an increase in salary, as well as an even split of ten percent of the profits earned by any devices Daniel helps develop upon his return.”

This causes more of a murmur with the soldiers.

Aramellianna proclaims, “You heard correctly. The Grand Duchy will invest directly in Daniel’s return, as well as promise of continued returns on that investment. If he cannot be recovered alive, then the salary will stay. If he is brought home to us, all participants shall benefit for the rest of their lives.”

More of the Stalvaltan Guard steps forward, granting them enough to form a moderately large company of around 200 troops. It’s certainly not enough to defeat even a single dragon, nor would it be enough to lay siege to a castle. However, it would likely be enough to cause a distraction while the infiltration unit sneaks in and finds Daniel. Once the distraction unit retreats and Daniel is secure, the infiltration unit will be extracted by Wenlianna’s airship, captained by the Captain of the Wyrmeyes. 

There will be lots of smoke and alchemical flash bombs to sow discord around the Citadel, and before anyone knows it, Daniel will be found and evacuated.

Or, so the plan will be. 

Aramellianna has never been a soldier herself, not like her late husband. He created the training regimen for the Stalvaltan Guard’s battlemages. That being said, as Grand Duchess, Aramellianna knows that no plan is foolproof, and no plan survives contact with the enemy. They’ll be up against dragons. She couldn’t hope to concoct a fitting strategy against an enemy she has never laid eyes upon. All they can do is hope two hundred battlemages of the most prestigious military force in the east can fool and evade the most dangerous enemies in the west.

And, the mystery of the global weakness that struck everyone several times a few days ago has still been left unanswered. Wenlianna and Ahok, as well as the other Court Mages were able to compare notes and hypothesize that the strange phenomenon was cancelling all magic briefly. It was a potent enough effect to be felt, and because it was a sudden drop in mana, most people experienced a sudden exhaustion or feeling of vertigo. It also interfered with magic equipment of all shapes and sizes. They’ll have to be careful with the Iron Wyvern, which relies on magic crystals to achieve and maintain flight. Wings will allow it to glide if it loses power, but the controls will be significantly less reactive.

The bulk of the company will march on the Citadel, meaning there’s time to plan and establish a forward operating base once they find a secure landing zone for the flying machine Wenlianna successfully tested recently.

Wenlianna prays softly that Daniel is unharmed as the day draws closer.

***