Halonar

The Return

Jack was glad he hadn't left the safe house. It had a spyglass mounted in the attic, with which he spotted the glinting armor, spears and swords of soldiers on the horizon.

There were at least three battalions, maybe four. The one on the front took position, slowly spreading thin around the forest. Jack realized that, if he didn't take action soon, he would be trapped and slowly smoked out from the safety of the woods.

He had, just a few hours ago, found a hidden stash of health potions. He took a risk by consuming more than he was supposed to. So far, he felt fine. He had found some bread, and a magicompass.

The safe house reassured him slightly. He had discovered a bunker beneath the carpet downstairs. If he had no other option, he could hide there.

Stop it. Don't think like that. You've gotten this far, you can't give up.

But he wasn't giving up. Not yet at least. He needed a plan, just like he always did.

Obviously he wasn't going to try and fight the brigade that approached. He would either have to go around, or he would have to sneak past.

He sighed and pulled the periscope back down. Turning around to face the hoards of materials behind him was a brand-new anvil, bronze chainmail links, several spears and swords, and finally, a...

Camouflage cloak.

He grabbed it off the wall and observed how it looked on him in a mirror nearby. The cloak used a passive spell to mask the presence of whoever wore it.

Jack carefully inspected it. Obviously, he wasn't fooled by it. He could almost clearly see himself, especially the more he looked.

He looked away, then looked back. Interestingly, the cloak seemed to work now. Also, he noticed that the effects of the cloak would weaken the longer you looked at it.

Jack averted his gaze and took one last glance this time.

He saw nothing in the mirror.

He let out a breath of surprise. But after a few moments, he began to see himself again.

The cloak also fit him perfectly.

Great, he thought, as he tossed it into the anvil. Let's see what enchantments this thing has...

The properties revealed themselves after a moment of being on the anvil. Passive cloaking, Blade resistance II, Haste I, Frost Resistance II Heat susceptibility I...

He gritted his teeth when he saw the next one.

Water deactivation II.

It meant that the cloaking wouldn't work when he came into contact with water. To what degree, he did not know.

He checked the periscope one last time. It creaked as he swiveled left and right, searching for the locations of the oncoming troops. Two battalions forged a line. He noticed one of the battalions entering the forest.

Great, now I must be able to slip by them as well, he thought to himself. If the cloak were to work, he supposed, it would be most likely to work in the already dark forest.

He took another glance at the soldiers. Even if he could make it past the small army that stood between him and the nation of Keywark, he would have to keep his guard up for any summoned-for-hire's sharper eye.

As he wrapped the cloak around his body again, and slipped his shovel onto his sticksnag, he couldn't help but think of how well Bel's plan had worked. Whether or not her plans tactical ingenuity was that of her own or lucky gambit would never be known if he were to scrub it now.