The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [56] Hydra Fire

Kara found herself in a tunnel widened by Waddell to serve as the command post. Light crystals illuminated the space as Kara looked over one of the many maps the reconnaissance team acquired from the enemy. The border fortress was vast and extended throughout the mountain. Which made finding all of the wendigo stragglers a hassle. Their poisons had already done its work on weakening the defense and soon the mountain would collapse in on the remaining wendigo.

It didn't please Kara, she wanted to kill the Hand personally. Although she knew she was no match for any wendigo Hand in a direct confrontation. They had a contingency planned for that eventuality. Waddell was currently undergoing the Ritual of Roots. The final part of their plan, and a one way street for Waddell once it was done.

Despite Kara's protests against it, this would be Waddell's grave as well. For every person that died while they were in the effect of the poison, regardless if they were wendigo or druid, a portion of their power would become Waddell's to control. It was a temporary boost, one that would cost his vitality until there was nothing left of him. However, with it Waddell would be able to fight the Hand on an even playing field.

Kara looked over at Waddell who was sitting crossed-legged in the center of a circle of chanting wizards as they directed the lingering power into him. His already muscular form growing larger, his veins pulsing with energy as he consolidated the new arcane power he was being granted. She appreciated his resolve but was saddened what this would mean for the valiant warrior she had come to know.

A soldier approached her, snapping her out of her reverie. "We found a holdout of wendigo. They are in the medical ward," the soldier continued, with her hand on her heart. "Our forces were pushed back. It appears they created some kind of potion to heal their people. Several strong individuals were standouts. We believe the Royal Knight Commander is amongst them. We also identified a tiger demon, and the same chimera familiar that led the werewolves and monsters to our old base."

"It is here? Is it a familiar of one of the knights?" Kara questioned. "Unimportant, have you heard anything from Lieutenant Steffen?"

"No, but." She seemed hesitant. "We have found members of his squad in one of the tunnels. All of them were beheaded. It wasn't clean, likely the work of a familiar."

Kara was careful not to show her shock, she needed to remain stoic as the commander. "Are there signs that the wendigo have started using our tunnels?"

"No," the soldier said.

Kara sighed and looked over the maps in front of her. "Where is the Royal Knight Commander, point him out on the map? If we can't find the Hand she has either fled like a coward or is up to something, either way we will be moving on to the final phase of the plan. Get everyone through the escape tunnels into the Chaos Lands."

"What about you ma'am?" the soldier asked.

Kara's eyes flicked to Waddell, her resolve hardening. "I'll leave when it is done." She raised her voice, calling out to Waddell. "Lieutenant! Enough of your meditating. It's time we finished this. We have wendigo to slaughter!"

Waddell's eyes snapped open, dark green energy still pulsing through him as he rose, ready to unleash devastation on their enemies.

"Here, I thought you forgot about me Commander," Waddell said with a smile. "I am with you."

***

Kara watched as Waddell effortlessly tore holes through the mountain with his magic. Tons of stone forced apart as they positioned themselves over the last stronghold of the wendigo savages. Once he was ready he gave her the signal as he placed a hand on the ground. Mana pulsed out of him causing the stone to ripple like waves in a pond. Then it all collapsed downward and the stone beneath them gave way. The cursed feeling of wendigo magic caught some of the collapsing ceiling but unlucky wendigo were crushed beneath the explosive falling debris.