Diffraction

Chapter Thirty-Six: Targets of Opportunity

"Your concern about the Apasphura is duly noted. But the General's blade troubles neither my peace nor my plans."

Theradin stood near the makeshift stables, hands on hips, watching the progress of the battle. She shook her head and huffed. "This is ridiculous."

"Milady, we know," a male Soulforged said.

Justus Waverunner, Josephine recalled, of Mirelenai. Servant to the Sea-Mistress who reigns over that City.

His short curled hair and stubble stood in sharp contrast to Theradin's pristine appearance. Of the seven Soulforged gathered at the Tower, only Justus wore leather armor, a shade darker than his olive skin. He carried a slender longsword and a dagger, with a thick metal armguard instead of a shield.

That's an unfamiliar fighting style. I'm curious to see it put to use.

Justus leaned against the wooden fence of the stable. His right hand rested on the hilt of his longsword while the dagger spun between the fingers of his left hand. "Wait at least five more minutes."

Theradin scoffed at his suggestion. "Yes, of course. Follow orders, even foolish ones."

Justus looked up and laughed, his grin bright and contagious. His Mirelenai accent sounded exotic and playful, like a piper dancing. "Who said such things? By then, the chaos of battle will keep anyone from catching us disobeying."

He gave Josephine a mischeivous wink and added, "I suspect they won't care either."

Josephine assured herself that her interest in his martial skill remained strictly academic.

Theradin surveyed the battle and nodded begrudging agreement. "These horses are useless against the Bloodsworn now," she declared. "And with a good Strain on our Marks, we have no need of them in the event of a rift. We can cover ground faster on foot."

She turned to the group. "At the first sign of Fractured, we break whatever engagement we are in and focus our efforts on rift-spawn." She met Josephine's gaze and said, "While I'd love to use them against the Bloodsworn like we did before, the risk to our side is too great."

"Makes sense," Josephine said.

She looked down the slope at the front line of defenses. Bloodsworn and humans battled and struggled with abandon, like hundreds of individual duels taking place at once. Some soldiers cooperated, one shielding the other's weak spots. Their teamwork proved effective against the wild and disorganized Bloodsworn.

But sheer numbers overwhelmed even the best defenders, and close proximity hindered the Arcanists and archers. Some of the Arcanists maintained shields in the air to stop incoming shardburst orbs. The archers and the rest of the Arcanists unleashed death upon the Bloodsworn ranks far behind the front line.

Yet the invaders' numbers never dwindled.

"Last chance," Theradin said. "Anyone sensing anything remotely similar to a rift?"

Josephine closed her eyes and stretched out her awareness, like listening for a distant voice. After a moment of silence, she felt nothing wrong.

The six other Soulforged shook their heads.

"Good," Theradin said. "Enough of this. Let's join the fray. Pulse your Marks, spread out across the front line, and lend our weary the strength of the Divine."