"General Verlcon Korva, I thank you for summoning Versum Brigaton with such haste. I understand concerns about leaving the Thali'ean Fiefdom border, but I assure you, these efforts will not be wasted. I have ordered Versum to assist our troops in the Hiplose Woods.
Two weeks ago, the Altaerrie launched a major offensive against the 3rd Group, 55th Order, and the remnants of the 1st Group—survivors from the initial Altaerrie battle at Indolass—who have been resisting further expansion. We faced intense pressure, with approximately one thousand Altaerrie in heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles penetrating from the south, breaching deep into our lines. Initially, we thought they were flanking us, but they pressed east. We later learned they were rescuing trapped Altaerrie Palatini teams. The 31st Order successfully repelled the incursion back to Salva before reinforcing the northern front.
In the coming days, we aim to reclaim the Hiplose Woods and establish a blockade against Salva. However, my scouts report that the Altaerrie have heavily fortified the city, rebuilding much of its defenses. My advisors believe their counterattack also aimed to delay our forces, allowing Salva to prepare for a prolonged siege. I apologize for failing to anticipate this strategy." — General Sasbin-Arkin Phaeron, Nevali Region Command
March 18th, 2069 (military calendar)
Vagahm, former Confederacy of Daru'uie
Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore
*****
Walking through the carved tunnels of Vagahm's Dwarven borrian, Assiaya noticed the walls needed cleaning, a contrast to the polished surfaces she'd grown accustomed to under Kallem's service. In the Aristocracy's capital of Cornot and the regional fortress of Forlace, she had seen smooth, meticulously crafted dwarven stonework. Here, the rough, molded designs felt deliberate, exuding a rugged charm.
The only sign of culture was a half-foot-wide line of square plates stretching from the front gates to the plaza ahead. Each plate bore thaum magical ink designs depicting dwarves performing tasks.
Noticing her soon-to-be father, Ryder, pausing at one plate, Assiaya asked, "What are you thinking?" He seemed puzzled by the thaum ink, which showed a dwarf forging a war hammer that rose into the air with a faint shimmer of light, then reset and repeated.
"What's wrong?" Assiaya asked, their dwarven guide's translation amulet facilitating the conversation.
"The ink is moving," Ryder said, glancing at another plate. "They all are?"
Major Smith chuckled. "I said the same thing. That's normal here."
"It's thaum ink," Yeldan, their guide, explained.
"Thaum ink?" Ryder asked.
"Short for thaumaturgy," Yeldan replied. "Ink infused with a spell to make it move. It takes a skilled mage and significant coin to craft."
"Moving ink," Ryder muttered, adjusting to the concept. "Definitely a fantasy world."
"I wish his kind would stop saying that," the voice in Assiaya's head—her bonded spirit—grumbled. "It's offensive, as if we shouldn't exist."
Though Assiaya shared the voice's sentiment, she dismissed the remark, sensing no malice in Ryder's words. "You don't have such art on Altaerrie?" she asked.
YOU ARE READING
Ad Astra - The Alagore War
Fantasy"Verification note: I, Tyler Sharpe, confirm the copyright complaint 1-5952000041664 submitted to Google LLC regarding an unauthorized edition of Ad Astra - The Alagore War Collection 1 - 7/22/2026." In 2069, the United States was moving toward a se...
