Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 4: Despair

274 I.C.
Sacren
Black Sword Kingdom
Ordain Camp

The bright campfire blazed and radiated heat in all directions. Tarn Silvershield and Olis Dreer huddled within its warm perimeter. The small military detachment that attacked the Mines of Halidash setup camp for the night and decided on watches. The dwarf and halfling volunteered for the third watch in addition to some other soldiers. Keeping an eye out for danger included a patrol, and the two had returned cold. Being so far north without the natural protection of mountains, the nights were frigid even during the summer.

"It's cold," Olis said under his breath.

Tarn grunted. "That's the one hundred and third time you've said that," the dwarf pointed out with irritation tainting his tone.

"I know," Olis said. "Sorry. I wish I was tucked away inside my warm blankets in the tent."

The dwarf grumbled and pulled his thick, black cloak closer around him. He stuffed the end of his black beard inside along with everything else, and his hood was up and low to ward off any movement of the air. He was pleased the wind mostly stayed quiet. The black rock beneath their feet had cooled with the sun's disappearance earlier, so the fire was the only source of heat. The light from the moons did not help the temperature.

When the earthquake struck and the pillar of fire in Dark Vale stabbed into the sky, the pair watched it all. The black clouds spreading out from the fire churned and writhed as the sky burned. Lightning, a brilliant yellow and orange, sparked among the clouds, and the roar of thunder echoed across the landscape. Olis' eyes widened with surprise as he watched from beneath his own dark brown hood.

"What new evil is this?" Tarn whispered with deep concern as the distant fire fed and grew. Looking around, the dwarf could see that the earth shaking, fiery light, and thunder jostled those who slumbered from their beds.

"Come on," Tarn said to Olis as he headed off toward the group gathering in front of the leadership pavilion. Olis followed behind, stumbling slightly as he gazed south toward the unexpected eruption.

* * * * *

Solorn Kingdom
Eastland Province
Blackwind Tower

"I don't like leaving them," Tarn said to Dragas. "What if they come under attack on their way to Eastdain Keep?"

Dragas rested a hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "I feel the same, and I hope their travels will be swift and unhindered. But, sometimes we must do what is needed," he said to his friend. The mage, Tarn, Olis, Verdrin, and one young girl rescued from the Mines of Halidash stood in front of Blackwind Tower, Dragas' home. The mage chose the girl to become an apprentice as Tarn chose Verdrin.

The tower rose above the tree line in the foothills of the Solorn mountains. Its dark stones, hewed and raised by magic, included a protective outer wall and heavy, strong gate. The windows glowed with internal light. In addition to the main tower, there were other assorted buildings inside the walls.

After a discussion with Tarak Ordain, the leader of the expedition to the mines, Dragas decided to return to Solorn along with his companions he brought to assist him. Dragas appeared deeply troubled by what they witnessed, and he made the decision to return home to investigate among the many tomes and scrolls of his large library. The history of Dark Vale was cloaked to him in the misty depths of history.

The mage teleported the small group to the tower, and he was not surprised they could still see the glow of the fire from Dark Vale behind the mountains to the east. The mage shook his head slightly and pressed his lips together as he observed the sky. Whatever was going on was significant, and deep down Dragas felt a far greater danger festering beyond Black Sword's aggression.