The Guardians of Celesk

Chapter 10: A Red Harvest

The morning fog hung densely over the valley as the sun slowly pierced it enough to creep over the horizon. The guard was pacing his steps, wriggling his toes to not only keep the circulation going, but keep his feet warm. He could barely see the barrier in front of him, let alone over the edge and into the surrounding vale. The pulse of the opaque beam behind him also managed to distract him and keep him off-focus. He certainly had no idea that a skilled archer was preparing to end his life.

Jara had a quiver full. She was perched high upon a ridge over-looking the tower and had Yordu as her spotter to assist and launch each phase into action. The guard walked along the parapet in a routine. She held her breath for a moment before letting it out in a calm sustained exhale. She picked his next stop and angled the arrow downwards, allowing for the slight gust of wind.  When she was confident, she let loose the shot, watching the arrow flow downwards. The way was with her as she could almost feel herself guiding the shot along. It hit its mark, sinking right into the neck of the guard and instantly taking his voice away as he fell over the edge into the valley below. "Second guard coming up, hasn't noticed yet..." Yordu said.

Jara felt for the next arrow, letting it slot into her fingers and nocking it to the bow. This time her heart was racing. She took another deliberately long breath, trying to slow her pulse. She let loose the next arrow, watching it fly down. A quick gust of wind took it and hurled it just wide of the target. "He hasn't noticed it yet, but he heard something. He's going back over his steps. You'll need to be quick..." Yordu said again.

The third time she let loose the arrow, she felt the way again pulsing outwards, almost guiding the arrow again. The tip penetrated his chain mail but lodged in his chest. She could hear a quick shout in alarm. Other guards were starting to take notice. "We need to do something else," she said.

"Hold up your next arrow," he said. She did as he asked and in a moment the arrow was drenched in flames. "Fire it into their wood pile."

Jara quickly spied a woodpile towards the pack of the courtyard, a much larger target. Almost with ease, she fired another arrow. Within moments the pile was alight and sending the remaining guards scampering in a state of panic. As Jara started heading back towards their rendezvous, Yordu remained on the precipice. With his eyes closed he pushed the palms of his hands together. The darker 'Varasz' the outer way was one taken with trepidation by guardians of light. He felt the red pulse and almost simultaneously, the wood pile fire burst into a huge crackling bonfire, engulfing a Macrimancer and a lowly guard. They had no choice but to open up the drawbridge and let most of their people spill out. Yordu spilt out a word, catching the downwards wind and letting it filter down to the next group. Artreide felt the word and addressed the group. "First part complete, they have opened the gates. Now is our time."

After he waved them all through, they broke through the clearing and launched their attack on the fort, most of them carrying a square wooden shield out in front. They ran to meet the squad spilling out of the castle doors, half choking from smoke inhalation as they brandished spears. A wayward projectile flashed past them. In response, they locked shields together. Artreide aimed his staff at the group of guards, hurling a fireball in their midst. A few were engulfed in flames while the rest continued their skirmish. They neglected to see the squad of forest people, led by Bohina, sneak inside the gate.

The beam started to weaken as the remaining Macrimancers had to leave their post to attend to the commotion outside. They could smell an acrid scent of smoke, but they could also feel a sense of pervading doom.

Strategic planning was their true magic. While the onslaught of attackers ran towards the wall of shields, Bohina's group managed to forge their way into the courtyard with minimal resistance. The elder Skyene and her oldest apprentice Kazlo led the way, sending energy shocks from their hands which enveloped two guards that barred the doors to the tower. The dark warriors could not stand a chance as the wave of energy and sparks pierced their bodies and knocked them unconscious. Some of the foresters behind them defended against a few menacing creatures that broke free of their pen. Kazlo went sprinting up the stairs before Bohina and Skyene yelled out almost in unison "Stop!" before it was too late.