Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

Chapter 24: Reaver's Mark

"We did not prevail at the defense of Kal Taboraan.

Nor could we hold back the darkness at Namnar's Vale.

Our failure at Earthforge was emphasized by the Earth's loss.

And now the Shadow advances on our last hold defending Norak.

Where is our great magic now?

Why have our spells and power forsaken us?

Is this our end?"

- from an unknown sa'anish author, Var Ethisdil archives 

Try as he might, Shawn couldn't shake the feeling that doom followed closely after his decision to let Dezi fight by his side in the approaching battle. It haunted him as he sought out his brother, Patrik looking equally grim, to discuss their upcoming role in the battle to come. And it plagued him as together the two brothers made their way to where Ciradaan's quarters were to tell the white-haired elvish king of the impending assault. Pushing aside all other thoughts, it swiftly dominated his mind as they then made their way through the castle's myriad courtyards to the walls where they anticipated the first attack would fall.

Shiana looked up as she felt her twin approach, the call to arms that had gone ringing through the ancient fortress stirring her from the nap she had been taking to gather her weapons and begin to prepare. Blessed as she was with memories of Shawn's training at Ae'sin'soer, she was ready to fight almost as soon as the bells were halfway through their call, quickly making her way to the west wall where most of the action was the day before. As soldiers rushed by where she was standing with a handful of the Covenant that had followed her there, most of them already in their Wielder armor, her eyes fell on her two brothers as they strode towards them.

While he could block the dark feeling from crossing the bond with the Covenant, he could do little to prevent it from crossing the blood bond. The lovely young Ironstorm princess found herself frowning as she felt his fear grow with each step he took closer to her. She slung her dark elf-rune sword, scabbard, and baldric, over her shoulder and folded her arms beneath her breasts to wait.

"Something bothering you, Shawn?" she asked, keeping her tone light, as soon as the powerful prince was finished making his greetings to the Covenant wives with her, the usual handful that seemed to find ease in Shiana's company: Draneen, Tamaryn, and Caemoera. In addition to the two athletic Lithosin and the pert Merisin, the wild elf Ygdarrinor was also nearby, carefully preparing her equipment along with the other dark elf in the company, Faith, who was checking the edge on her massive dark elf broadsword.

Turning away from his internal musings, Shawn forced a smile on his face as he embraced his sister in greeting.

"Not at all, Shiana," he replied, also keeping his tone light, looking down into his twin sister's face.

Shiana immediately grimaced.

"Liar," she tautly accused, pushing him away to give him a hard punch in the shoulder. "You may be able to fool the Covenant, but I'm your twin, remember? Our blood bond let me track you halfway across the continent. And it's telling me now that you're not happy about something."

Rubbing at his shoulder where Shiana's blow, delivered with considerable force thanks to his gift, left pain, Shawn sighed in resignation.

"I should've realized it'd be a fool's errand to attempt to hide it from you." He frowned before glancing at the Covenant, grouped loosely around them but not within earshot. Not trusting to that, he leaned closer.