The Hallowed War: Prophesy of Ruin

Battle at Azgathar Rise

Azgathar Rise was far enough from their previous battle site that the noises and any possible magic used wasn't noticed thankfully, or else the soldiers stationed there would have already searched for them. Now they stood at around 100 meters from the rebel camp. They could see that the letter wasn't lying, there were a lot less people walking around that there should be considering the importance of the artifact that they wished to recover. But perhaps it's due to this being inside Empire territory, a large group of soldiers would be harder to sneak in.

Dusty and Occi were sent to scout around the area, the druid's ability to change between animal and her real form was crucial and Occi was a lot better at stealth than the rest of the team. Currently awaiting their return they took this time to keep track of patrols and to recover their strength.

Enemy soldiers would occasionally pass close to their hiding spot, causing everyone to tense anxiously, with their breaths held, to see if they were spotted. Kyomi had already ordered them to dispose of anyone that might see them, and considering how outnumbered they were, Theon easily agreed. It would be fatal to get surrounded now.

From what they could gather there was probably a whole company of soldiers, there were enough tents and supplies spread out for about 200 soldiers and further ahead, beyond the lake shore he could spot some more near the tower. The tower, Azgathar Rise itself, was on a small island and only accessible by boat but they seemed to be slowly fighting their way in. Those that were still on the lake shore seemed injured but armed to the teeth. It would be difficult to sneak their way into the tower without bringing attention to themselves.

"We're back." Said a voice from behind the group.

Startling, Theon clutched the staff tightly as he pointed it at the unexpected owner of said voice, nearly firing off a blast of magic potent and loud enough to alert the entire enemy base. The person that snuck up on them looked like a regular human, wearing the same clothes as most of the rebel soldiers they were observing but at his and the rest of the team's sudden aggression they raised their hands in surrender and crouched down to their level.

"Woah woah woah, calm down, it's just me." The person said in a hasty whisper before their appearance shifted to Occi's usual look. From above came down a small robin who upon landing on the ground shifted into Dusty.

"There's too many soldiers for all of us to go, I think it's best if only me and Occi snuck our way to the tower."

"What are we supposed to do then? Sit tight and twiddle our thumbs?" Asked Phammaxia, her voice hushed but clearly irked.

With a scowl, Dusty gave the sral an eye roll before she even deemed her companion with an answer.

"Of course not, we'll be noticed if we head out without any proper backup. Even at night, it could prove to be too risky. You guys have to provide a distraction. We'll slip on by while they're too busy dealing with whatever it is you come up with."

"... That's stupid as hell, we'd be putting ourselves at risk. If they catch us we'd be captured or worse, killed on the spot." Said Kyomi after a few moments of silence, her tone unnamused.

"Yeah, I'd rather not bring the attention of possibly over 200 soldiers to my weak defenseless self." Theon said in agreement, refusing to budge on the matter. The risk being too great for him to entertain.

"You're nowhere near defenseless. Come on, it's the only way." Occi asked once more. Dusty besides her giving the group the biggest puppy dog eyes she could muster.

"No." Theon said sternly, an unflinching glare in place.

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