Diffraction

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Advance

"History repeats itself. The power of what remains of the shattered Empire shall once again be broken at Tumul Gaur."

Three spheres of glasteel swathed in shimmering green energy arced through the air toward the pavilion. One of the officers pointed into the sky. "The shield doesn't extend this far."

Astriana barked out a command. "Take cover!"

But while her subordinates scrambled for protection, the General stepped toward the expected impact point. She snapped her right wrist toward the ground, and a long, slender blade with a single edge and slight curve coalesced in her hand.

Crouched behind a ridge of stone jutting from the mountainside, Lyllithe heard Jahrin gasp in awe. "The Apasphura," the man said, his eyes alight with wonder.

The shardburst orbs struck in succession, and a translucent barrier of silver light flickered around the unarmored General's figure. Wisps of flame and smoke stretched around the ovoid boundary and the ground shook with each new explosion. But all the concussive force and shrapnel flew back from the hilltop into the air above the Pass as if repulsed.

"We need to get back to the Tower," Astriana ordered. She pointed the Apasphura toward the east end of the Pass. "Their lines are formed, and their numbers suggest no mere feint to check our readiness or harry those at the outskirts of the camp. The battle begins soon."

"Our forces preparations must yet make," an Aeramental officer said, his phrasing indicating Lanalothan origin. "More time we need, for not all our soldiers have arrived."

Astriana shook her head. "The decision isn't ours. We make do with what we've got for as long as we can. Go, now. I'll bring up the rear in case of further bombardment."

Kristophe stood at the edge of the hilltop, watching the dark mass of Bloodsworn in the distance. Jahrin grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him along.

Astriana issued commands to her officers as they walked down the hillside. "You each have parts to play. Do not get distracted or discouraged. Take your posts and execute your orders—trust that your peers are doing the same."

Lyllithe fell in step with Jahrin and asked, "Where are we supposed to go?"

"Ah, yes," Astriana said as if Lyllithe meant the question for her. "My Sunguards of Aulivar. Coreleth expects her student atop the Tower with her Arcanists, out of the reach of those scarring warpsilver darts. I've lost too much firepower by letting the Bloodsworn get close with those blowguns."

She turned aside to one of her officers. "Speaking of which, spread the word: kill every son-of-Cora Bloodsworn you see with a blowgun."

Astriana sized up Jahrin and continued assigning Sunguards. "This former Spear Sergeant comes highly recommended. The front lines need experienced veterans leading the defenses."

"My companions and I function best together," Jahrin said.

"Objection noted and overruled. Your Lord Mayor sent you to join my army, not to run amok across the battlefield as you please."

Astriana turned her gaze toward Ellers as the group marched into the warcamp. "Nightshadow, I have some Aquamentals dispatched from Mirelenai who will carry out hit-and-run tactics against the Bloodsworn flanks. Your skills best suit their use."

"And Devoted," the General said, "naturally you'll be stationed in the tents with the other healers from Abbeys across the 'Marches."

Lyllithe opened her mouth to protest, but Astriana cut her off with a wave. "I've heard from Grand Instructor Coreleth about your ambition to become an Arcanist."