The Gate Saga: The Landing

Part Two

The meeting room was eerily quiet as Colton looked around the room at the four leaders of The Expedition. Imbrose was casually leaning back in his chair while it made a slight squeak over and over, to his left sat a charcoal skinned red head with cinders for eyes known as Ember. Colton looked at how close they sat to one another and smiled. Even here they couldn't hide their feelings for one another. Lastly, Colton looked across the table at his mentor Curtis Nezva, or more commonly know as The Seeker. Many looked at this man completely bound in heavy clothing and strips of linen, to the point where only his eyes were visible, and saw an enigma. However, even as Colton made eye contact with his piercing unnerving icy blue eyes, he only saw a man he knew for his entire life. Curtis was the reason this Expedition was even possible, and Colton knew he wasn't the only one with a reason to be here. No one was willing to say anything, and everyone looked crestfallen. The idea of a beautiful new world was snatched from their minds and the urge to give it all up to run home was gaining traction in their hearts.

Colton finally cleared his voice "Right, well that was a shit show. Maybe this really was a fools errand. I'm having a pretty difficult time finding a safe way onto that beach." Colton paced to a porthole on the side of the ship facing North, "and its not like we have different scenery anywhere close" he said as he pointed at the never ending tree line.

"It wasn't your fault Colton" came the silky smooth voice of The Seeker as he sat calmly at the table. "We knew this place wasn't going to be easy to establish ourselves on, but we knew if anyone could do it, it was us." He paused letting his words echo around the room. When no one responded, he continued, "The way I see it is we need to clear some of that tree line. Further to the south it is slightly thinner, so why don't we send some of our druids to clear the trees while some of our more capable guard their progress?"

Imbrose shrugged, "it's not impossible to imagine. Biggest problem is what happens when we get overrun? Those creatures weren't stopping. They were still pouring out onto the beach even as we made our escape. So, if it's a standoff you want, I'm game, but we need a backup plan when the critters get extra peckish."

Colton watched as The Seeker's eyes flared with annoyance at the bombastic nature of his friend and stepped in before he could speak, "why don't we have the boats free floating and slightly off shore? We have enough wizards with us to pull a small group back into the boats instantly if we keep the group below ten members." No one spoke for a long moment, knowing the option was the best they could muster given the circumstances.

"Well, if we can get established, mother says she can provide us with some automaton sentries to help ease the burden of security" came the sultry voice of Ember, "she also gave me these". Ember pulled out four small disc shaped objects and passed one to everyone around the table. "These are modified speaking stones, with intent of boosting clarity and range. Mother said it should reach all the way to the Archipelago if we are in crisis."

"How does it work?" Imbrose asked while flipping the device over in his hands trying to find a way to open it.

"Like this..." Ember leaned close to the device in her own hand and said "Imbrose".

The device in Imbrose's hand popped open and a mass of black sand inside formed into Ember's body from the torso up

"You should shower, I can smell you from here" came Ember's voice from the sandy projection.

The blue hellborn jerked his head away with a start, then smelled his armpit "fair enough".

"Well as lovely as this new toy is, it won't help if the people who have them get eaten before they can use them." said Curtis.

"That's why we send our best fighters to defend and the wizards in charge of evacuation will hold the communicator." said Colton as he moved to the door. "We should probably let everyone know about the plan. It will take time to assign groups. What's most important is that people are safe while we take a foothold."

"What's most important" Curtis began, "is that people FEEL safe, and they fight until we have a foothold. Otherwise this is for nothing. No matter the cost we cannot turn back."

Imbrose looked meaningfully at Colton from across the table. Looking away, Colton grabbed the handle and walked out without another word.