Steel Wolf

A Legend Returns

The next few days passed without incident, the Blood Shadows running, then sleeping, foraging for food, drinking from streams or cattle troughs. No wicked dreams were reported during this time. It was as if by being told the root cause of the red witch nightmares, they were all able to push the visions back. Each related a strength slowly welling in them as the moon neared her peak. They required less sleep, enabling them to run farther each day, sleeping less during the nighttime.

In the shadow on the mountains immediately to the west, they stopped to rest beside a trickle of a stream, much too shallow for any type of fish. A mere five miles to the north lay Goxell-Galbria. The canyon where Sergeant Collin Mankerevski met his fate, almost fifty years ago, lay a half mile to their left. They could easily reach their destination before full nightfall, but Tanaya cautioned that they needed to be fresh when they arrived.

"We'll arrive in human form just after sunrise," she said. "I'll brief Lieutenant Commander MacNaulty and his captains. It's entirely his show. He'll make the decision to wait for the reinforcing regiments, or press the attack. Remember, we're our own squad, not any part of the military. We're only there to help out. Agreed?"

All nodded their heads in agreement. A bird twittered in the underbrush, close by.

"Giselle or Jarana, do either of you have a Farsight spell? If you stand on that ridge, you should be able to see the city. Can you tell me what it looks like from here?"

"I can certainly try," replied Jarana, the battlemage. "It probably won't be too detailed, but I can at least tell if the city is still intact."

"Sorry, Commander," answered Giselle. "That wasn't one of my study spells. However, spell augmentation was. I can add my power to hers in order to see better."

"Very well. Both of you head on up there, give a quick look, and let me know." She flipped her hair. "The rest of you, get us some food. I'll start a fire."

A low whistle from the ridge. She looked up to see Jarana waving her arms, using her hands in signal. Two squads of troops were rapidly approaching on horseback.

"Looks like our plans just changed. Forget the food. Let's head on up to the ridge."

Topping the ridge, the Blood Shadows looked down to see the advancing troopers astride their galloping Percherons. They were spread out to form a skirmish line. Standard tactics when facing an unknown perceived threat. A medium-sized wagon, drawn by two horses followed at a distance.

"Non-hostile posture," ordered the tall warrioress. She spread her legs into a wide stance, raising her arms above her head, bending her elbows to form an X with her forearms. The rest of the squad did likewise; waiting in a line along the ridge.

The squads slowed, better able to see the Blood Shadows in the darkening shadow. One trooper pointed to the city, the other squad turning back. It took several minutes for the remaining troopers to negotiate the rocky terrain, drawing up behind Tanaya's unmoving squad. The wagon would be a few minutes behind them.

"You and your squad can stand down, Highness," said the tired familiar voice of Lieutenant Jacqueline Packer, as she dismounted. She raised the faceplate of her scraped and dented helm, having to use a little extra effort as one of the hinges was bent. She removed her battered glove, offering her hand to shake. Tanaya looked Packer up and down to see places in the armor which were totally open, showing ripped clothing beneath.

"Holy shit," Tanaya said as she shook Packer's hand. "You've seen better days, Jacqueline. How did you know we were here?"

Jacqueline looked like she'd aged ten years in the few weeks they were away.