Across the Threshold

The Attack

Everyone starred at Lance, dumbfounded.

"And you waited until now to mention it?" Patrick roared.

Lance jumped, looking embarrassed. "I- I was focused on training Shade," he said "I wasn't thinking about where the Crystals are."

"That's still they type of information that you share right away," Patrick replied, fuming.

"Nevermind that," Ceris interjected, glaring at Lance, "I want to know how he knows where one is, while I don't."

"Well, you're quite predictable," Lance replied nervously.

Ceris slammed her fist on the table, shouting, "I don't even know where they are! So however 'predictable' you think I am has nothing to do with this."

Lance sighed, "Fine, my scouts spotted it a few weeks ago." He glared at Ceris, "You happy now?"

"Marginally," she replied, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms across her chest.

There was a pause, everyone seemingly waiting for someone else to speak.

"Well, where is it?" Stella eventually asked.

"That, could be a problem," Lance explained. "It was originally hidden in the swamplands, but it has since been moved."

"Get to the point," interjected Patrick.

"Fine," Lance sighed. "The End Crystal is currently on the possession of the Piglin King."

Kane groaned, resting his face in his hands.

"What's wrong Kane?" asked Stella, worried.

"We've had some bad experience with the Piglin Kingdom," Kane explained. "It's actually where Ciara died."

Stella opened her mouth, surprised, then closed it again, aparently lost for words.

"Oh," she finally said.

"Well, it shouldn't be too difficult," Patrick said. "If we send you to recover it, the mission should go smoothly."

"Who is included in that?" asked Rain.

"Well, I was thinking the Enderstone Crusaders should go, seeing as this is your job," replied Patrick. "And Shade should probably go."

"I would like to accompany them as well," Ceris added.

Patrick nodded in response, before turning to Shade. "What about you?"

Shade nodded, "I'm in."

"Well then," replied Patrick, turning back twords everyone else. "Now, we should discuss-"

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the room. Everyone leapt to their feet, startled. Azura threw open the window, examining what was happening. She ducked quickly, multiple arrows flying over her head.

"We're under attack!" She yelled.

Everyone jumped into action, grabbing weapons, armor, and supplies. Shade ran out the door, following Rain.

Outside, they found much of the action concentrated at the front wall. The enemy was trying to break through the gate. The soldiers fought with all they could, but they couldn't hold on for much longer.

"Defend the gate!" called Patrick, charging into battle. Azura and Dexter flew off to join the Elyria Corps while Hilda and Daryl followed Patrick to assist the soldiers.

Shade started to run after them, but something made him pause. He examined the battle again. Something seemed off. Sure the enemy had sent a large force, but it didn't seem nearly big enough to to take Dreadfort. It almost seemed like the attack was a diversion, just large enough to keep them occupied, but not big enough to take the fort.