Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

Shadow within Shadow

At least it didn't seem to be impeding their vanguard at all. Everywhere he looked, he could see their forces clearly advancing as they drove the Shadow forces before them, modified and standard tjor'riin alike. What difference experience and the spell armor made! Where they were pressed sorely by tjor'riin speed, agility, and in the case of the modifieds, strength in past encounters to the point where they were nearly defeated, today's battle was the polar opposite as tjor'riin died by the score with each passing moment.

Regardless of their current situation, the young Wielder knew they had to have Storm Keep completely in their possession by the time the remainder of their combined forces arrived in a few days. Or their defense against the Abysslords' inevitable assault stood at risk. And that meant anything unusual, whether it wore familiar colors or not, needed to be investigated.

- My brothers, I have noticed some unusual activity from deep behind the secondary walls. I am moving to investigate, - he sent over the connection to the other Weapons of Power.

- Just keep your eyes sharp and your senses alert, Shawn, - Lawrence quickly fired back. - I'm getting the feeling that there's more to this force than a has-been sorcerer and a handful of modified tjor'riin with reaver blades. -

- I agree, - Patrik added. - I too am becoming aware of something at play here that is just beyond my ability to identify. I've activated the fortress's guardian so it will help you against anything unexpected. - There was a slight hesitation before: - I don't sense Abysslord energies, so I don't think you'll be walking into a trap. But... that's what you thought the first time you investigated a fortress in the Diamond of Stone! -

A wry smile touched Shawn's lips at the reference to his hasty travel to the Dagger a few tendays' ago in response to sensing the fortress coming to life only to be captured by the Abysslords and stripped of his physical self.

- I'll keep that in mind, little brother, - he said before switching to the blood bond with his twin. - Are you still busy, my sister? -

- Just a moment, Shawn, - Shiana replied before falling silent for a few ticks. Then: - Not anymore. Need some company for your investigation? -

- If you don't mind. The Covenant is busy fighting a rearguard action for the Scions at the secondary gates and the rest of the Redeemed, Chain Islanders, Mamrans and vanguard forces are engaged in running battles all across the space between the walls. -

- On my way. - And Shawn felt her attention shift away from the handful of modified tjor'riin she had just cut into so much wolf bait to begin working her way towards where he still stood near the top of the staircase leading up onto the primary wall's walkway.

The young Wielder of the Star had just enough time to nod in satisfaction before he felt another wave of dark soldiers approach, driven towards the walls by Banik's clearing action. A thought spun a coldfire bow into being and, picking out their dark essences through the snow and failing light and taking aim, Shawn began to fire.

The first dark soldiers in the company moving towards the bright beacon of silver and blue that was the Wielder of the Star on the walkway, modified tjor'riin all armed with reaver blades, many claimed from fallen comrades, barely had time to react to the darts of light they saw flashing towards them. Then they were going down, the coldfire arrows piercing through armor and body as if it weren't even there to scythe down the second rank as well.

Despite watching their comrades fall to the Wielder's deadly fire, the remaining modifieds charged the stairway with a hoarse shout, determined to reach their enemy before he could pick them all off one by one. Unfortunately for them, their resolve was no match for Shawn's ability with a bow and the last one toppled bonelessly to the ground a good two paces short of the staircase's foot.