AA3 42 - Dunkirn II

A few ideas were put up for consideration, but the main concern kept coming back to the potential for small groups of Darjee to completely bypass them. While that was expected to a certain degree, they needed to avoid it as much as possible.

“A pre-emptive assault is what we need,” Jarn declared. “Our scouts can determine where one of their forward camps has been set up, and I can destroy it with my thearns. That will draw their attention to us.”

“Blunt and direct, sounds just like you,” Captain Galstar said, waiting just long enough for Jarn to start to reply before continuing. “I agree in principle, though. The amount of Darjee activity we’re seeing means that the warband has arrived in the area alredy. Frankly, I’d expected them to launch an initial assault a few days ago. We need to do something dramatic to bring things back on track.”

“Agreed,” Sebastian said. “Send out our scouts. We may get lucky and be able to end this quickly. In case we don’t, however, we should discuss our defences here. Wizard Blacke, do you have any suggestions?”

“The town seems well placed, and the wall is solid. What sort of threats do you anticipate?” Verdan asked thoughtfully.

“The Darjee themselves are a problem, but our biggest issue has always been the war beasts they bring with them. Thanks to you, we have some answers to that issue, but they are still the main threat.”

“Understood. What sort of beasts do they use?”

“They vary quite heavily, but each warband usually has a favoured type. I don’t know enough about Darjee culture to give you more about the how and why of that. Any sign of what this group may favour, Captain?” Sebastian looked over to the shieldguard Captain, who had a grim expression.

“From what we’ve seen so far, the best guess we have is Guzzgars and Ash Wolves. The second is based on some bodies that were found.”

“I know what Ash Wolves are,” Verdan said, thinking back on Kai’s accounts of the fight near Willowbrook. It felt like a lifetime ago already. “What are Guzzgars, though?”

“Nasty things, difficult to kill at the best of times,” Jarn said with a frown. “Those piercing arrows will get a workout for sure. Shame your Apprentice isn’t a Chosen. Mhorgain are great at killing these things.”

“What Jarn’s trying to say is that they are big, four-legged beasts with tough, leathery skin,” Ciaran said as he gave Jarn a pointed look. “They have horns and a spiked tail to watch out for. Between the thick skin and how strong they are, they can be particularly dangerous.”

“In particular, they are used to break down gates and fortifications,” Maeve added, speaking up for the first time.

“Then that is where I will focus my efforts,” Verdan said with a nod, thinking back to his work in Hobson’s Point. “I will strengthen the gates, so if it does come to it, they will be delayed in breaking through.”

“Only delayed?” Osran asked in an interested tone. “You couldn’t block them out entirely?”

“Perhaps if I was dedicating myself to the effort, but I’m assuming that I will also be defending the town in this situation,” Verdan explained with a slight frown.

“As I hope you will, Wizard,” Sebastian said, clearing his throat before clapping his hands. “I believe we all know our roles then. I ask that the Chosen discuss amongst themselves and arrange for local patrols while we wait for the scouts to find us a target.”

“Yes, Keeper,” Verdan followed everyone else as he answered Sebastian.

In short order, the room emptied as they all went on their way. Their guide was waiting outside and showed them the way to where they were being lodged, which was shown to be a trio of fairly squat stone buildings.

It was a decent enough setup, with more than enough room for them all, which was all Verdan was really concerned about. It wasn’t a new home, and if all went to plan, they wouldn’t be here for a long time.

The Mhorgain thearns had already settled in and claimed one of the buildings, so Verdan took long enough to choose a room for himself before heading back out.

His first move now was to examine the walls in more detail and set up a few fortification wards to strengthen the gates, and he was bringing Dirk with him.

Aether constructs were something that they’d touched on in passing, but this seemed to be a good teaching moment. It would also help keep the townsfolk happy if he had a Kranjir with him.

Dunkirn had two gates, one to the north and one to the south, so Verdan ended up creating a ward for them individually. He invested enough Aether to make sure that they would be able to deal with any minor effects.

Ideally, he’d return to them each day to add some more, slowly building them up in the same manner as he had at Hobson’s Point.

With that done, he led the guided meditation for Kai and Dirk before turning in.

-**-

The next day saw Maeve head out with her thearns for a patrol, while scouts from each of the Chosen, as well as some local volunteers, went out from the town.

The land to the west of Dunkirn was anything but flat, and held many patches of thick woodlands, so the Darjee could be setup in any number of places. To that end, the Kranjir were sending a large number of scouts in small groups.

Considering that the Captain had said that they’d already had some minor skirmishes with the Darjee, Verdan couldn’t help but wonder just how many of those scouts would make it back.

-**-

“Verdan, there’s someone here for you,” Kai called out as he walked into the kitchen, where Verdan was working on some enchantments.

“Oh, who is it?” Verdan asked, his voice breaking slightly as he put the arrow he was holding down on the table. He’d done a lot of spellcasting today to try and do his part, and it was taking its toll on his throat.

“One of Ciaran’s thearns. He says that you should head over to the northern gate. Something about newcomers.”

“Hmm. Alright, I’m pretty much done here anyway.” Verdan got to his feet and grabbed his staff from where he’d propped it against the wall.

“Are these piercing arrows?” Kai asked, walking over to look at the three different piles of arrows on the table.

“Those are,” Verdan said with a gesture to the largest pile. “These other ones emit light on impact. They proved their worth with those assassins, and I doubt the Darjee are above some night raids.”

“True enough,” Kai said before gesturing back the way he’d come. “It sounded tense, so I’ll tag along.”

-**-

Raised voices echoed down the street as Kai and Verdan followed the thearn who’d come to fetch them.

“… not in my town. I draw the line at these southern mercenaries your Chosen has brought. The answer is no. They are a danger to us all!” Holder Dunkirn’s voice rang out as Verdan got close enough to see the situation.

A dozen or so of Ciaran’s thearns were stationed at the gate, along with half again as many shieldguards. Both groups were very determinedly not watching as the Holder and Padraig argued at the base of the wall.

“With respect, Holder, casting them back is throwing them right into the arms of the Darjee,” Padraig said, standing tall under the Holder’s angry gaze. “That goes against everything we stand for.”

“Then they can stay outside, but they are not welcome within these walls,” the Holder said, starting to say more before noticing Verdan and Kai. If anything, the Kranjir’s expression darkened as he saw the thearn guiding them. “This does not concern you, Southerners.”  

“With respect, Holder, the lead Witch is a companion of the Wizard,” Padraig said, pitching his voice to carry his words clearly.

“Then he is welcome to see to her safety. Outside the wall.” The Holder lifted his chin with a determined expression.

Verdan could almost feel Kai bristling with anger and was quick to hurry forward and raise his free hand placatingly. “There’s no need to rush to any decisions. Gwen has her magic under control using a new technique, and I would take full responsibility for her if she enters. She is also a powerful caster, which would be a great boon in fighting the Darjee.”

“New technique?” The Holder echoed suspiciously. “I’ve heard nothing of this. What of the other Witches?”

Verdan looked over to Padraig questioningly, who seemed relieved that someone else had arrived to assist. “Witches Gwen and Hedda are accompanied by three others.”

“Let me speak with them and confirm, but I’m confident they have control,” Verdan said, moving toward the stairs that led up the wall.

The Holder began to object but was cut off as Kai strode brusquely past him and up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“Kai, tell these fools to hurry up and let us inside!” Verdan heard Gwen’s voice from the far side of the wall as he caught up with the Sorcerer.

True to Padraig’s word, there were five Witches outside, and a quick scan of the area confirmed that the three newcomers each had a familiar. Two of them, who looked similar enough to be sisters, had ferrets, while the third had a large crow sat on her shoulder.

“Gwen, good to see you!” Verdan called out happily, putting a hand on Kai’s back as he continued in a whisper. “Let me handle this. He’s just scared.”

“Then do it quickly before I solve it my way,” Kai said in a barely audible growl.

“What in the abyss is going on, Verdan?” Gwen called back impatiently, her arms folded as she glared up at the Kranjir on the wall.

Frankly, Verdan was surprised that Gwen was being so understanding, but no Storm Witch had endless patience, and it seemed that Kai didn’t either. He needed to get this sorted swiftly. “The Holder is concerned about uncontrolled magic. Does everyone in your group use the new technique?”

Gwen seemed confused for a brief moment but quickly caught on. “Yes, we all do. We’ve used it to summon these familiars, as you can see.”

Verdan’s lips twisted into a smile as he nodded down at the Witch, pleased that she was on the same page. Familiars were the weak point of any Witch, after all, so there was no need to advertise that.

Turning back to where the Holder waited at the base of the wall, Verdan spread his hands palms up. “As you see, Holder, they all have their magic under control.”

Holder Dunkirn looked like he might argue further for a moment, but eventually, he let out a sharp exhale and nodded to one of the shieldguards. “Let them in. If they cause any issues, let me know. They are your responsibility, Wizard.”

Verdan gave his best fake smile and bowed slightly, inwardly sighing in relief as the gates were opened and the Witches came inside. He went to start down the stairs, but Kai stepped in his way with a serious expression.

“How did Gwen know we were coming here?” Kai’s tone was cold, and Verdan’s fake smile became even more strained as he met the Sorcerer’s gaze.

“I sent her a message before she left. You were right. She will be invaluable with all this.”

Kai gave Verdan a searching look before nodding slightly. “A good choice, especially since she’s brought more Witches. I would ask, though, that you don’t mention any of what I said to you. I don’t wish her burdened by trying to deal with my feelings.”

Verdan saw the conflicted look in his friend’s eyes and reached out to grip his shoulder. “I won’t, but I hope that you’ll reach a point that you can tell her yourself.”

Kai smiled sadly as he moved out of Verdan’s way. “That’s what I’ve always liked about you. You’re ever the impossible optimist.”