Steel Wolf

Tunnel Recon

The day before the predicted departure from these grounds, all was quiet as the guards finished packing their gear. As the sun set in the west, the shadow of the mountain beside the tower crept across the grassy field and into the valley below.

The tower guards reported that Captain MacNaulty and his reconnaissance patrol were returning. An unknown rider, dressed in green and brown leather, was slumped in the saddle, the horse being led by its Guardsman owner. One horse limped badly and was led also. Everyone's armor was pierced and dented. The healer, riding tandem with the battlemage who supported her, could barely keep her balance in the saddle, her mental batteries drained. Tanaya, swearing an oath to do a blacksmith proud, headed outside followed by her officers along with several other guards and monks.

Rance drew up beside Tanaya and fairly fell out of the saddle, the commander and two others caught him and eased him to the ground. The rest of the assemblage helped the patrollers from their mounts. The horses were led to the stables, followed closely by Imelda and a few other handlers. The two healers who had stayed with the main contingent moved methodically through the haggard warriors casting healing spells. A few monks broke away and began picking flowers and berries at the edge of the field. These were ground in small bowls, water added, and offered to the warriors who gratefully accepted, downing the drink in one or two gulps.

Once inside the tower, the squad was helped off with their armor and given food and drink. The alchemical mages took the sundered pieces into the armory for repair. Tanaya let the group relax a bit, then asked what happened.

-o0o-

Royal Guard Captain Rance MacNaulty, along with his nine warriors, a battlemage, and a healer, topped the crest a half-league from Ouranos Village. In the distance, they could make out a huge billowing cloud of thick, black smoke. Rance furrowed his brow, raising his faceplate and turning to his squad sergeant, Jeffers Matheny.

"Sergeant, what do you think?" he asked.

Jeffers raised his faceplate for better sight and gave a low whistle.

"I think that if we find anyone alive over there, sir, it'll be a miracle."

Rance turned in the saddle to look at Private Erica Stansfield, the battlemage, who was busy tweaking the air, her farsight spell already active.

"Captain," she said, "the whole town is ash. Curiously, though, there are no bodies. No dead ones, no live ones. No animals...not even insects...it's deserted. The gates on the far side look to be broken outwards as if smashed from the people trying to get out, but there are no tracks leading away from the town. However, there are what appear to be many drag marks all converging on a square hole. I assume that's a cellar of some type. Wait a moment longer, please."

Erica raised her hand above her head, causing the spell to elevate and get a bird's eye view to look around the area. She dropped her hand and shook her head.

"Other than the plants, we're the only living things in this valley, Captain."

Rance nodded, nudging his horse into a walk to descend the gentle slope into the valley.

They had taken their time getting here, not pushing the horses, as they knew their mounts were stiff and unexercised after a week in the stables. The horses did well, not hesitating or protesting. Trust between the huge beasts and the riders had been drilled into the warriors during training. Therefore, each Guardsman had his or her own mount, except for the mages, who were on two of the gentlest horses in the cadre. The borrowed horses had keyed on Rance's mare as the leader, if she was content and calm, they were content and calm. Unlike most other animal hierarchies, the horse society is matriarchal in composition.