Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

A Desperate Mission

Fenoran looked up as a limping KeLarion approached. Ciradaan's minister of war quickly nodded in respectful greeting, echoed as he looked to Halen and the Var Ethisdil cleric, Inureah.

<<I have news, friends,>> he began quietly before relating his conversation with the human wizard Charon, and what they had managed to accomplish in a few short moments.

Upon hearing that Charon had managed to elicit the aide of two full divisions of his countrymen to assist in defending the Dagger, Fenoran heaved a sigh of relief.

<<That solves that issue,>> he husked with a nod to KeLarion. <<Thanks for arranging that, KeLarion.>>

<<Of course, your Majesty.>> KeLarion bowed his head briefly before: <<Now, if I could send a messenger to Elvenfast, to alert Shawn as to the fate of his brother, we may be able to obtain the assistance of my adopted son in holding the Dagger against further demonic incursions.>>

<<Not to mention, perhaps the Lord Wielder could aide in retrieving his brother from the hands of the enemy.>> The cleric Inureah pointed out. <<While we would be strong with one Wielder, two would make us a difficult target to overcome.>>

<<I agree.>> Fenoran jerked an agreeing nod. <<As for the messenger, I think it best that you go, KeLarion. Who better to tell a man the fate of his brother than his father?>>

<<I thank you, sire.>> KeLarion began before taking a quick look at the battered bodies heaped up against the nearby walls, getting their wounds treated as best as they could.

<<However, I think I'd best serve Aquila and the Aeshin'laur by staying here, and helping you marshal our forces against a second possible attack.>>

<<While you'd indeed be valuable here, minister, you'd be more so in Elvenfast, finding your adopted son,>> Fenoran firmly indicated, his expression resolute. <<None other in this company stand with the same amount of respect and honor that you have in both the council, and amongst her member states. No, you'll go and not only find Shawn, you'll also alert the council to what's happened here and gather what forces you can.>>

KeLarion barely managed to keep the grimace from his face at Fenoran's flat note of command. He already well knew what the Aeshin'laur council would say, and what forces he'd be able to gather. Unfortunately, now that the Lusinoran monarch had made it a command, he had little choice. He could only hope Shawn would give them what they needed to keep all of them alive.

The veteran warrior inclined his head.

<<As you command, your Majesty. I will leave at once,>> he said and turned his head enough to nod in Charon's direction. Catching sight of the motion, the old human immediately began muttering the soft incantations under his breath necessary to open a portal spanning the great distance.

For a heartbeat of sound, light and sensation KeLarion hung in the midst of the human gateway, time stretching away to infinity on either side of him and to the front and back. Then he was through, stepping out onto the highway leading to Elvenfast's southern gates, out of the fetid heat of the Easterling and straight into the mouth of a snarling storm off the northern sea. Winter had arrived early to the northern most of elven cities, and was pounding the Aeshin'laur capital in earnest.

Shivering with the abrupt and completely unexpected transition, KeLarion pulled his cloak more tightly around his battered body then put his head down and began to limp towards the city, a dimly seen shape through the hissing sleet ahead of him. He only hoped he'd reach the gates before he froze to death in his weakened condition.