A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 21

YUVEN

Ice held a certain cruel quality, found within the deepest recesses of the coldest glyphs. Cyan peaks created crystal beacons on the mosaic map of their continent at the base of the captain's stand, conjoined by other podiums of similar design. Each a star, with wyvern wings wrapped around the circumference. Some of them remained empty for Captain's not on Euros, which left him with Maria, Neven, and a couple other of the senior Wardens, with Warden-Commander Faehariel sat atop her own, with three empty ones around her — each one meant for a Warden-Commander to delegate the work between what had once been a giant Order, bleeding out its life into a grim knell of truth.

Our numbers dwindle every Turn, and the Derelicts increase in number that our Aurus Wardens suspect another coming of the Crimson Dusk, and the fact this operation went off without minimal casualties... Fortuitous luck? Yuven glanced at Neven from the side, who pursed his lips. What are you trying to prove with this? Ever since Kayal—

"I'm going to have to send a message to Warden-Commander Kamilaz from her post in Rasii-Vhenlah, but it may take some time with the state of the Teboran wall," Commander Faehariel broke the tense silence between her inner circle and his derailed train of cold thought. "Captain Lotayrin," she called to the senior Captain, and Yuven folded his feathers against his ears, left without a voice or a modicum of control when Neven straightened out his shoulders and kept his hands locked behind his back. "You may proceed with your reports on Irimount. Are any of its systems still active?"

"Irimount's magitek generators need a sweep of repairs to regain full functionality throughout the city. It should do the rest on its own once that is complete," he said without a break of thought. "We revitalized most of the conduits in preparation for this. I also had a check on the ice engines, tested with a bout of fire magick within, and they performed in acceptable parameters, though the lack of its use left much to be desired." He waved his hand in his direction. "Yuven and Fenrer cleansed Evyriaz, and we cleared out any remaining draugr, but I advise another sweep with Aurus Wardens to confirm."

Evyriaz. Yuven dug his scoff underneath his tongue and tasted venom. But as long as you are able to keep your faith, I will hold my words. Just this once. He nodded at Commander Faehariel to reaffirm Neven's words, but naught more. Out of place and of lower seniority, he listened, and absorbed the information within the words.

He narrowed his eyes when Neven added, "I think it would be wise to set up a small post in Irimount to assess the damage."

"It's not hospitable as is," Yuven muttered under his breath, but he scowled when Neven and Faehariel turned their sharp attention to him. "I apologise, Warden-Commander, but I don't think setting a base in Irimount is wise. For one, the Naveeran aristocracy have constantly rejected the Warden's outreach of help from the archives I read in the Annex. Long before Neven and I were even born." He clenched his fists and metal manacles froze his skin off and he waved his hand back at his Guardian, who put a hand on his chest with a deepening frown. "Two, and worse, they have shown a disregard and incorrigible disrespect to our duty and our Order and have actively had a hand in nearly murdering a Warden." Fenrer's fingers slipped out of his. Jadeite exploded in little glyphs and tore cliffs asunder straight to the sea. "Hard to keep our Oath when the people we're trying to protect from the depravity of the Derelicts turn and kill us instead." And me? Stuck with this accursed bloodline of mine with precious memories I apparently have no use for. Blood seeped down his lips when he drove his fangs into the corners.

Neven's expression of concern stoked the fury in his flames.

"I understand your misgivings, Warden Traye," Commander Faehariel said, her voice measured — with a wisdom he would never achieve with his skill in battle. "I dare not ask you to forgive or forget the transgressions you've experienced. Quite the opposite, but it is the world we serve, forevermore until it no longer exists. As was the Oath you swore underneath the twilight expanse. With a base in Irimount, we can keep a closer eye not just on the Derelict activity, but on the activity of its people. I will not allow another Tebora to happen." Her words finalized, she twisted to Neven. "Captain Lotayrin, draw up logistics for a hospitable Outpost in Naveera and archive the map of Irimount for an update in the Annex and write down Wardens with the skills needed to traverse the environment — or an inclination to learn." On her heel, she nodded at Yuven. "You are to continue training Adara in her magick forthwith and keep up reports of her progress to satisfy the Elder Convocation."