Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V3 Vagahm, Chapter 8

"General Verlcon Korva, I thank you for summoning Versum Brigaton with such hast. I know there have been concerns about leaving the Thali'ean Fiefdom border, but I promise they will not be wasted. I have ordered Versum to assist our troops within the Hiplose Woods.

Two weeks ago, the Altaerrie launched a major offensive against the 3rd Group, 55th Order, alongside what remains of the 1st Group (survivors from the first battle the Altaerrie at Indolass), who have been resisting further expansion. We had a breath, with proximity a thousand Altaerrie in heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles penetrating from the south and penetrated deep into our lines. At first, we believed they were flanking us, but they continued east. We later discovered they were rescuing multiple Altaerrie Palatini teams that were trapped. The 31st Order successfully pushed the incursion back to Salva before reinforcing the northern front.

Within the next couple of days, we will be able to reclaim the Hiplose Woods and begin establishing a blockage against Salva. However, my scouts have confirmed that the Altaerrie have heavily fortified the city, with much of the defenses rebuilt. My advisors believe the counter-attack was also to delay our forces so the City-State can be prepared for a lengthy siege, to which I apologize for my failure to predict such actions." - General Sasbin-Arkin Phaeron, Nevali Region Command

March, 18th, 2068 (military calendar)

Vagahm, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Walking through the carved tunnels of the Dwarven borrian of Vagahm, Assiaya noticed that the walls needed to be cleaned as she had grown used to under Kallem's service. During her time at the Aristocracy capital of Cornot and regional fortress capital of Forlace, she had grown used to the smooth stone walls of these dwarven, rough, molded-together designs. The passaged look used, which she assumed was the intended.

The only sign of culture she could see was a half-a-foot thin line stretching from the front gates to the plaza that was heading. On the smooth line were square plates with thaum magical ink designs of dwarves performing tasks.

Seeing her soon-to-be father stopping at one of the square plates, watching one of the thaum ink plates, she asked what he was thinking. He seemed confused by what he was watching. On the plate, it had a dwarf forging a war hammer before it rose into the air. The ink then reverted to its first stage before the motions repeated.

"What is wrong?" Assiaya asked, as their dwarf guild had a translation amulet.

"The ink is moving," Ryder said before turning to another square plate. "They all are?"

Major Smith chuckled before saying, "I said the same thing. That is normal here."

"It is thaum ink," Yeldan said.

"Thaum ink?" Ryder asked. "What is that?"

"Them is short for thaumaturgy," Yeldan replied. "It is ink infused with a spell that allows the ink to move. It requires a skilled mage and a lot of money to create these."

"Moving ink," Ryder said, still adjusting to the concept. "This is definitely a fantasy world."

"I wish his kind would stop saying that," the voice said. "I feel offended every time, as if we should not exist."