Steel Wolf

Order of the Body

After a week of being holed up in the tower, the Royal Guard was anxious to get outside for some exercise. At this point, the most highly coveted position was the lookout post atop the high tower. Though fairly cold, even during the day, it afforded a spectacular view and the chance to breathe fresh, clean air. The local wildlife had precluded any chance of leaving as they lazed and dined on the dead. They did, however, avoid the rear of the tower, seeming to consider it holy ground and leaving the graves untouched. A side benefit of all of the carnivores about was that, after a few days, it was as if the battle had never taken place. The only traces of the undead were a few tatters of cloth or the occasional weapon lying about. Curiously, the wolves didn't seem to be concerned with the horses, and conversely, the horses, who should have been wide-eyed with terror, weren't bothered by the scavengers' presence.

On the morning of the sixth day following the battle, the scavengers had vanished. A few foot patrols were sent out, reporting back that the animals had disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them. Tanaya detailed some of the guards to exercise the horses, the poor things had been cooped up for almost a week and were starting to give the handlers problems. Imelda, acting as stablemaster, had seen fit to reduce the food provided to the horses as they couldn't burn off the extra through exercise.

Two battlemages, versed in alchemy, whiled away the time repairing the sundered pieces of armor and broken blades for the rest, restoring them to their pristine shapes.

A voice echoed down the stairs from the roof, informing Tanaya that twenty-one robed figures were walking, single file, directly toward the main door. All guards scrambled into their armor and prepared for another attack; from whom, they didn't know. Tanaya instructed several guards to watch the princess and woe be to the guard who left her side, even with the royal's permission. The rest slipped quietly out the doors and lined up shoulder to shoulder along the wall of the building complex, faceplates lowered, swords drawn, knowing they couldn't be seen; the illusion spell masked their numbers. The archers had their bows trained on the interlopers, prepared to fire in an instant.

The figures approached, hands folded into the sleeves of their dark brown robes, faces hidden deep within their hoods. None displayed weapons, but that didn't mean anything. All of the guards were highly skilled in hand to hand combat and hidden weapons were built into their own armor.

The lead figure stopped about twenty paces away, the following figures breaking left and right to fan out on either side. As one, they bowed and the leader took several steps forward, raising a hand and pointing directly at Tanaya, seeming to stare at her through the illusion spell. Dammit. True sight spells, the only things to cancel an illusion spell, were an immense drain on the psyche of the wielder and not something to keep empowered all the time. After about ten minutes, the spell would weaken and fizzle out. It must have just been engaged.

"Tanaya Paulsdottir, Commander of the Royal Guard," spoke an intense female voice. "I am Death. I have come for you. The others may leave in peace. Your time is nigh."

The guardsmen, swords drawn and ready, closed around Tanaya to prevent the hooded figures from directly attacking her, but took no further action. Tanaya gently pushed her way through the group as she sheathed her swords and raised her faceplate, patting some warriors on the shoulder, murmuring words of encouragement to others.

"Death," she replied loudly, striding forward to within arm's reach of the hooded woman. "You think me a coward and afraid of you? I have faced you many times. Each time did I cheat you of me. You think that with your helpers, you may finally take me?"

"You are mine..." intoned the figure. Tanaya broke into laughter, her husky voice ringing clearly, the humor evident.

"Shut the hell up and give your sister a hug, you goofy monk" Tanaya chortled, taking the figure into her arms and hugging her tightly. She reached a hand up to pull back the hood and reveal the woman before her. Standing as tall as Tanaya's chin, she was equally as beautiful, with blonde hair cut fairly short. Tandala was quite obviously Tanaya's sister. Turning to her command, Tanaya waved, tearing off her helm and grinning from ear to ear. She yelled, "Everyone, stand down! They're on our side!"