The Thick Of It 74.

Winter.

Lisell Maera the scout kicks out, taking an enemy soldier in the groin. Causing him to double over, and drop to his knees. Where he's whacked in the face by Zam the ex mercenary's sword.
The two of them step back, forcing some of the rebel soldiers to leap over the body of their comrade.
Whose face is cleaved in two, and head almost cut in half from Zam's sword. '
The pair of rebel soldiers in the forefront go flying backwards when they're hit by a blast spell that Saanea the witch has just cast.
Knocking a following soldier in councilman Hirrye's army, off the top of the wall.
And sending two others into the back of the rift, here on top of the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
That is something you definitely don't want to do. For though hitting a rift isn't fatal. It isn't exactly healthy in anyway.
And those two rebel soldiers, hit the backside of the rift, and slam down face first on to the top of the wall.
Going through and out the opening of a rift is perfectly safe. But touching or hitting the rest of it can get a little dangerous at times.
And it's certain death if you're in the spot where and when it forms, and solidifies.
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Risks a quick glance back, and finds Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, still trying to get Shur Kee the monk out of whatever trance the short, statured monk is in.
The attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
Looks forward again as more rebel soldiers come running around from the front of the rift.
To attack them behind the rift, here on top of the south wall of the capital of the city-state of Kuradum. On what's a cold, but sunny winter's day.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy draws his bow back, and takes aim. And in one smooth motion releases the string, and lets the arrow to it fly.
The shaft goes flying through the air from this side of the square behind the middle set of gates in the south wall of the city.
The broad headed arrow slams into the side of another enemy soldier who is about to make his way down the steps from the top of the wall, near the city gates.
"Less of them coming down now" states Tovis the war engineer from beside the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's called more often than not by the others in the group.
Nods his hooded head in agreement with the young engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
The spy Tanith, himself a company commander in the rangers and scouts division of the armies of Farque.
Takes an arrow from his quiver as he looks for another target on the otherside of the square, up on the top of the city's south wall.
"Yeah more of them are going around to the backside of it" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy referring to the rift up on the top of the wall, across the square from their position.
"Than coming down here" adds the spy who once served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, the elven principality of Alínlae.
The war engineer who is originally from the kingdom of Druvic. Where he served in the army of one baron Harkonin. Before he joined the group.
Has put up a hand for the ballista crews to stop shooting for now.
Then watches the enemy on top of the city's south wall, who have came through the rift that's up there.
Where most of them are avoiding who is standing not that far infront of the rift.
And instead are hurrying around to the backside of the rift, which is essentially a magical doorway.
One of the enemy soldiers who has just emerged out of the rift stumbles his way, much to his pleasure.
But that's not saying a lot, as most of them are avoiding him. And are turning either left or right, to get around the rift, here on the fairly wide top of the city's south wall.
Dorc da Orc doesn't even bother to growl when he grabs the rebel soldier who stumbles his way.
The large ork picks the startled man up, lifting him above his head, before the enemy soldier knows what's happening.
The ork warleader goes to turn, to chuck the rebel soldier at who is standing a bit further behind him.
But he stops in mid stride, grunts in disappointment, and turns to the left instead, and throws the enemy soldier off the top of the wall.
After Tamric Drubine the field commander says in a loud voice "Don't do that Dorc!".
When he saw the ork weaponsmith was intending to throw that rebel soldier at sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
Who is a bit back from the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world.
"Idiot" murmurs the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who is now a senior officer in the armies of Farque.
"Both of them" wryly murmurs field commander Drubine as he looks at the bitter rivals who aren't all that far from where he's standing next to one of the two small catapults.
Here up on the south wall of the city of Kuradum, above the second of the three sets of gates, on this side of the capital city.
Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Turns as the Farqian load officer in charge of the two small catapults says to the senior officer "Field commander we're out of shot on one of the catapults".
The black clad engineering officer in the armies of Farque who is speaking elven, the preferred battle language for the armies of Farque, then adds "And there's only a few more left on the other one".
The son and former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine, which can be found in the forested north of the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
Nods then tells the load officer in the same language "Lob the rest off, then prepare to take up arms".
"Yes sir" replies the engineering officer, who turns to issue orders.
While field commander Drubine goes back to watching the enemy army, trying to breach the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
As well as keeping an eye on the nearby rift that the enemy are continuing to come out of.
Though he's really actually keeping an eye on Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
The bitter rivals, who if given half a chance. Are just as likely to turn on one another, and attack each other. As they are in attacking the enemy soldiers fighting for the rebel leader, councilman Hirrye.
"Damn it Shur Kee" mutters Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, who has muttered that more than a few times lately.
Especially since the rift appeared up here on top of the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
The halfling from the far east coast of the continent, the Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
Gives the short, statured monk a shake. To no avail, as the physical adept just stands there, oblivious to what's going on.
The hobbit, who isn't what he appears to be. Thinks about asking Saanea the witch to see if she cast a spell of some kind, that can snap the acolyte in the order of Bru Li out of whatever trance he's in.
But she's too preoccupied with the enemy. As the pretty looking witch is the main reason they haven't been overwhelmed on this section of the wall.
As now the vast majority of the rebel soldiers who are coming out of the rift.
Are coming around it, to try and take on the defenders on this stretch of the south wall of the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
Instead of going straight ahead after coming out of the rift. As that way is certain death in the form of Dorc da Orc.
The halfling, who infact is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of Jarjin Littlefoot.
Takes hold of the right arm of the short, statured monk, and guides him backwards as one of the local soldiers infront of them, falls to the blade of an enemy.
The physical adept who also hails from the far east coast of the continent. In the case of Shur Kee, the kingdom of Wah Lee. Is compliant if you lead him around or guide him.
But that's the only reaction you're getting from him, as he seems to be in a world of his own at the moment.
"Shit" mutters Zam the ex mercenary, who in unison with Lisell Maera the scout, who he's fighting side by side with, takes a couple steps back.
As the enemy continue to push them, and the other defenders along this section of the south wall, back.
After they come around from the front side of the rift.
"Spear!" shouts the teenage ex mercenary when he catches sight of one of the rebel soldiers who has just come around to the backside of the rift, carrying a spear.
Next to Zam, Lisell Maera the scout has her crossbow in hand, and has quickly loaded the weapon that was designed by Dorc da Orc, and originally owned by Shur Kee the monk.
The attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury.
Who is now in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, is trying to get a shot at the rebel soldier with a spear.
But there's too many of enemy between her, and the one towards the rear with a spear.
Lis shoots off her loaded weapon anyway, and the head of one the rebel soldiers basically shatters apart when the bolt slams into his forehead.
As the scout Maera gets another bolt into her quick loading crossbow. Zam the ex mercenary steps closer to her.
When behind them, he hears Saanea the witch tell him "One side Zam".
The teenager originally from here in the city of Kuradum, from right here in the poorer neighbourhoods in the southern quarter of the city.
Feels a fair bit of heat next to him, on his right, between himself and a city guardsman who is on that side.
Zam who briefly turns his head, quickly looks ahead, and sees a pair of the enemy soldiers go up in flames. Setting another one on fire, who runs off the top of the wall in a panic.
While two more, catch alight when they try to avoid the first two who drop dead, while their bodies continue to burn.
Next to the Kuradian ex mercenary, the Brattonburian born scout, says "Got him".
Zam hears the slight thunk sound of the scout's quick loading crossbow firing.
And he sees the rebel soldier with the spear stagger backwards, dropping his weapon, as there's a crossbow bolt now sticking out of his throat.
One of the enemy soldiers who is alight, bumps into him, and the two of them stumble sideways, and they tumble off the top of the wall.
To fall to the cobblestones of the square that's behind this stretch of the south wall of the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
"The crews up there are out of loads" says Tovis the war engineer with a nod of his head up to the top of the wall opposite them.
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, who is watching the spotter up on the wall above the gates, as well as the catapult crews, nods his head again.
And he tells the elven spy, who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque "There's only about half of their forces on this side of the city now".
The captain of the engineering corp continues with "The other half are to the east" followed by "Or are heading over there".
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who stands there in a grey hooded cloak, nods his head, then says "The plan seems to be working".
The elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae, continues on with "No wonder Beldane left a little while ago".
As they both noticed that Beldane the cleric had disappeared from the top of the wall.
Where he was with Tamric Drubine the field commander, next to the two small catapults that are located above the set of gates, on the otherside of the square from where they're standing next to one of the trebuchets, that are continuing to send destructive load after load at the enemy army outside the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
Dalin who takes an arrow from his quiver, and puts it to the belly of his bow.
Looks for another target up on the top of the capital city's south wall.
He slightly nods his hooded head when he does spot one. And he draws his elven made bow back, and releases the string, sending the arrow flying up to the south wall of the city.
The shaft slams into the back of an enemy soldier, knocking the man down.
That wasn't the intended target. As the particularly rebel the spy Tanith was aiming at.
By an extremely fortunate bit of luck, and timing. Bent down, and the shaft barely passed over him, to hit the enemy soldier right next to him in the back.
That rebel soldier bent down for a reason, and that was to pick up a dropped spear.
The enemy soldier doesn't exactly know how to fight with a spear. So he doesn't do that.
What he does know, is how to throw one, in a fairly rudimentary manner. And that's exactly what he does.
He throws the spear at the defenders on the stretch of the wall, on the backside of the rift.
On this cold, but sunny winter's day here in the capital of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 73.

Winter.

They drop down through the massive building that houses the Kuradum ruling council's treasury.
With lord Farque falling the fifty feet to the ground floor and landing, barely bending his knees as he does so.
While Mira Reinholt the mage floats down after the undead warlord, who he lands next to.
The once powerful mage glances up through the holes in the various floors his mageglobe created from the roof.
Then he looks at the large, heavily armoured deathlord standing next to him.
"What's that?" quietly asks Mira Reinholt the mage who gestures away to their left, the direction he hears something.
"That lot trying to get in through the backdoors" is the quiet reply from lord Farque who continues with "There's a handful of guards who have barricaded the doors".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque briefly pauses, before he says "I don't expect them to last much longer".
Then the deathlord of Farque nods his full helmed head for the mage Reinholt to follow him.
The lord of the death realm leads the way, heading to the right into a large chamber here on the ground floor of the massive treasury building.
The undead being who has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands also know him by.
Comes to a stop, and points away to the right, to a set of steps that lead down.
"Goes down to the next level" says the large heavily armoured deathlord in the eerily quiet chamber.
"Antechambers no doubt" adds the undead warlord, who follows that with "The vaults are the levels below that".
The mage from the city-state of Vexil, which he's in exile from, nods his hooded head.
"They're making their way down to the vaults" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who has the elven name of Des'tier. Which translates into the common language as, The Destroyer.
"Just the three of them?" asks the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
Draugadrottin nods his full helmed head yes, then quietly says "They'll be going for the notes of credit" followed by "No way they can carry chests of coins out of here by themselves".
The deathlord of Farque momentarily pauses as he thinks of something, then he quietly adds in a slightly sour sounding tone of voice "Unless that fucking sorceress creates another rift, and they just take the chests and lockers out through that".
Mira Reinholt winces when he hears that. He's already restricted in what he can do.
As he can't cast a spell or create a mageglobe that's too destructive. As it will probably destroy a lot of the wealth down in the treasury vaults.
Which is being used to pay them and their army in the war against the rebel forces of councilman Hirrye.
Now there's a good chance a lot of that could disappear through a rift if that sorceress and those with her get their way.
The two of them, the undead warlord and the Vexilian mage in exile quickly head to the nearby set of steps that go down to the underground antechambers.
They get to the steps and head down them. As they do, the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers a number of years ago, when he went offworld through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
Senses in all directions as far as he can. He knows he won't be able to sense the rebel sorceress Losmena.
As she wears an amulet similar to the one he wears. Which hides them from other practitioners of magic.
And that he'll have to rely on lord Farque to keep an eye, so to speak. On the powerful young sorceress who is working with the self styled duke of Kuradum. The ex councilman, Hirrye.
As they near the bottom of the steps, the large, heavily armoured deathlord stops, and holds up a gauntleted hand.
Before the exiled Vexilian mage can ask what's going on, the lord of the death realm quietly tells him "They've broken in up there".
The undead warlord follows that with "The last of the door guards have fallen".
Looking at the mage who serves upon his personal council, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque quietly says to him "Send that lot a welcoming gift".
The practitioner of magic who is part of a family that owns and runs one of the most successful, not to mention, wealthiest trading companies. Not just in the city-state of Vexil, but in all of the Southlands.
Nods his black hooded head in understanding, then he creates a mageglobe in his gloved right hand.
The living piece of magic shoots off, heading up the steps the two humans, one dead and the other living, have just come down.
And makes it's way into the large chamber above them, then it takes off to the back of the massive building.
To where rebel soldiers have just entered the treasury building of the ruling council of Kuradum.
The large undead being in the full suit of heavy plate armour, that's a dark blue and black in colour.
Along with the swordmaster in the black leather armour, over which he wears a black hooded cloak.
Make their way off the steps and into an underground corridor. As they do, the sound of an explosion can be heard and felt from the very back of the building, where Mira Reinholt's mageglobe has just come to the end of it's short life.
They all look at one another as they hear and feel an explosion somewhere up above them.
"Sounds like it was at the back of the building" quietly says councilman Hirrye.
"It was" quietly says Losmena the sorceress, who follows that with "I couldn't sense it until the explosion".
The powerful spellcaster briefly pauses, then she continues with "Most likely that mage who attacked us".
The ex councilman who intends to rule the city-state of Kuradum by himself one day soon, grimaces when he hears that from the attractive teenage sorceress.
"No doubt attacking our men getting into the back of the building" quietly says subcommander Phogarn, the assistant to the rebel leader, councilman Hirrye.
The self styled duke of Kuradum grimaces again when he hears that. And he hopes that some of his men have been able to survive that attack from the mage who has been targeting them since they came through the rift a little earlier.
The ex councilman, who was a popular figure amongst the public here in the city when he was part of the ruling council.
Then says to the subcommander and the sorceress "Head down an aisle each" followed by "Try and find any open letters of credits". Open as they have no figure written on them.
Both Phogarn and Losmena nod, and they start making their way down one of the aisles here in this vault.
The rebel leader himself, heads down a third aisle. Which like the others, is lit by a lantern that each of them is carrying.
As the sorceress Losmena doesn't want to cast unless she absolutely has to. Even though she wears an amulet that hides her power and spellcasting abilities from other practitioners of magic.
Hirrye goes by chest after chest of gold and silver coins. Hoping that some of his men make it down here, to carry them away.
He glances at a particular large stack of gold bars. That he hopes he'll end up with.
For he knows if he strips the ruling power of it's wealth, and it ends up with him.
He'll essentially have control of the city-state, and he won't have to continue with the war for Kuradum.
Which recently he's had a number of setbacks, compared to earlier in the campaign against the ruling council.
"Nothing" mutters the ex councilman when he gets to the end of the aisle he's gone down.
It's the same for the sorceress Losmena, who has been unable to find any letters of credit along the aisle she's gone through.
"Around here" comes the voice of subcommander Phogarn, who is the assistant to the rebel leader.
The former councilman and the spellcaster make their way around to the aisle in the vault that the rebel subcommander is in.
"Notes of credit?" asks councilman Hirrye as he and the young sorceress walk up to his assistant.
The subcommander shakes his head no, and says "Not that i found" followed by "But i did find these".
Phogarn holds up a number of scrolls, documents to be exact. From a row of shelves of them.
"Financial records of all the big trading companies, and large businesses in the city-state" says the rebel officer.
Looking at the shelves in question, the self styled duke of Kuradum gets an idea.
And he turns to the other two, and tells them "Burn them".
Two sets of eyebrows go up in surprise at that, and the rebel leader says to them "Trust me, this will be just as important as taking all the letters and notes of credit".
The ex councilman then adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "Hell, those companies and businesses might actually agree with this".
Subcommander Phogarn shrugs, then says "I'll do it". As the young sorceress was preparing to cast.
The assistant to councilman Hirrye smashes his oil lantern over the shelves, setting them, and the documents on them alight.
The rebel officer then heads after the other two, who are making their way to the next vault along.
Once the three of them are in it, councilman Hirrye as he holds his lantern up high to illuminate the vault a bit more, quietly says "Might have a bit more luck here".
As there's quite a few shelves in the aisles, that have rolled up scrolls on them. Usually what a letter of credit looks like.
""Quickly" says the so called duke of Kuradum, who follows that with "See if you can find any".
As the practitioner of magic and the subcommander move off to head down an aisle each.
Phogarn the assistant to councilman Hirrye, quietly says to the teenage sorceress "Get ready to take us out of here".
The powerful spellcaster who was born right here in the city of Kuradum nods her head in understanding. Before she turns into an aisle, and the rebel officer goes into the next aisle of shelves.
Here in the vaults underneath the massive building, that houses the treasury of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
It's the ex councilman, who one day soon, hopes to rule the city-state by himself, who finds them. And he calls out to the other two to join him, in the aisle he's in.
As they join him, the rebel leader is stuffing the letters of credit into one of the packs they've brought with them.
Subcommander Phogarn quickly does the same thing, and they soon have three packs full of open letters of credit.
"Let's go" quickly says the former member of the ruling council of Kuradum.
The trio hurry out of the vault they're in, as they do, the subcommander comes to a stop, and holds up a hand, and quietly says "You hear that?".
Phogarn turns and looks down the corridor, and quietly says to the other two "Listen".
They do, and after a moment, the sorceress Losmena nods, then says "I hear it". Councilman Hirrye hears it too, and he nods his head to indicate it.
All three of them know, not a single one of the men they brought with them through the rift. Wears heavy armour, with steel boots.
The underground vaults are spread out beneath the treasury buildings, with many of the vaults far apart from some of the others.
And the three of them clearly hear what can only be steel boots, making their way along one of the corridors that they took to get to where they are now.
The ex councilman, who was the former treasurer of the ruling council of the city-state.
Knows the underground chambers, vaults, and corridors, about as well as anyone alive.
So does subcommander Phogarn, who was once in command of the guard detail here at the treasury.
And the two of them share a look, then councilman Hirrye says "There?".
"Might as well" is the reply of the assistant to the rebel leader.
The ex councilman nods, and he quickly, and quietly says "This way".
And he leads the way, down the corridor, in the other direction they came from as they hope to get out of here with the packs stuff full of letters of credit, without getting caught . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 72.

Winter.

"Keep shooting at them!" calls out commander Tracklen, who follows up with "Don't let them get those ladders to the wall!".
As the enemy continue to attack the east side of the city of Kuradum. Paying particular attention to the only set of gates on this side of the wall. And the sections of the wall to either side of them.
A number of the defenders who were on the south wall of the capital city of Kuradum.
Have made their way around to the east side of the largest city in the nation.
Now that nearly half of the enemy's army have either made it around to the east side of the capital of the city-state, or are making their way around to that side.
The commander of the forces loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum is glad of that.
As there weren't too many defenders on top of the east wall of the city to begin with.
The senior most officer in the loyalist army is about to make his way along the top of the wall.
When his adjunctant Morris, says to him "That thing's still up over there" followed by "They're still coming out of it".
The loyalist army commander turns and looks to the south wall of the capital city.
And sees in the distance that the rift that appeared there earlier. Is still on the section of the wall above the second set of the three gates that can be found along the city's south wall.
And that the enemy, those forces of the rebel leader, councilman Hirrye. Continue to make their way out of the magical doorway on top of the south wall of Kuradum.
Commander Tracklen sees that the fighting around the rift, is heaviest behind it. On this side, the near side.
Probably because that large ork is on the otherside, where the enemy first make their way out of the rift.
"They'll have to deal with that themselves" says the commander to the adjunctant.
"We've got our own problems to deal with" adds the senior most officer still loyal to the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
Just as commander Tracklen says that, an enemy scaling ladder hits up against the top of the wall. About thirty yards further down the wall from their position.
The commander and his adjunctant hurry along the top of the wall, to where a pair of city guardsman are trying to push the ladder away from the top of the wall.
Tracklen gets there first, and swings his sword at the head of the enemy soldier who has just appeared at the top of the ladder, and is attempting to climb up onto the top of the wall.
The blade slams into the side of the rebel soldier's neck, and he falls off the top rung of the wooden ladder, with blood spraying in all directions.
Before he falls upon a couple of his fellow rebel soldiers at the base of the wall, waiting to climb the ladder.
The adjunctant Morris has grabbed one of the polearms the city guards are using to push the top of the scaling ladder away.
Commander Tracklen helps the other guardsman, grunting in effort as he pushes with all his strength.
As there feels like there's at least three or four enemy soldiers on the ladder, climbing it to the top of the east wall of the city.
"Bloody hell" mutters the loyalist army commander who grunts once more, and they finally push the ladder straight up.
Then with a shove from the four of them, momentum does the rest, and the scaling ladder, and those on it, fall backwards to the ground.
The adjunctant Morris takes the bow he's been using, quickly takes an arrow out of the quiver on his hip, and puts the shaft to the bow.
He draws the weapon back as he leans over the low section between two of the crenalations in this section of the wall.
And he releases the string, letting the arrow fly. Sending it slamming into the back of one of the rebel soldiers attempting to pick up the fallen scaling ladder.
As the adjunctant does that, the pair of city guardsmen and the army commander pick up a large, heavy wicker basket full of rocks and stones.
They get it up onto the low section of the wall, and they tip it's contents out, and off the top of the wall.
The rocks rain down upon the enemy soldiers at the base of the wall. Hitting those too slow to get out of the way. Including the trio who were climbing the ladder, and are now on the ground, injured from their fall.
Commander Tracklen winces as he sees the head of one of the rebel soldiers down below. Shatter when it's hit by a particularly large rock.
Then after the adjunctant Morris, who is a subaltern in the loyalist army.
Shoots another of the enemy soldiers trying to pick up the fallen scaling ladder.
This one in the back of the neck, instantly dropping the rebel soldier.
Those trying to retrieve the ladder fall back, abandoning it for now. Especially when a loyalist soldier with a crossbow joins them and shoots off a bolt. Which strikes another of the enemy soldiers near the fallen ladder in the small of the back.
As that enemy soldier with the crossbow bolt in the lower back, lies there on the ground, hollering in pain.
The senior most officer in the army loyal to the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum takes a quick look around.
"Hell" mutters commander Tracklen when he spots something that's just come across the bridge away to the east of the city.
Pointing that way, the senior loyalist officer says to his adjunctant "You see that?".
The subaltern Morris, who comes from one of the more wealthy families here in the city-state of Kuradum.
Looks towards the bridge that crosses the river, and he winces when he spots a battering ram that's been carried by a troop of mounted enemy soldiers.
"That'll be here soon" says the adjunctant Morris, the loyalist army commander nods in agreement with that, then he looks around and spots a young runner in the city guard nearby.
After waving over the runner, commander Tracklen tells him "Spread the word, i want all archers and crossbowmen to target those with that battering ram".
The loyalist army commander, who is of the opinion that the gates here on the east side should be able to withstand the enemy battering ram.
Also knows that anything could happen during a battle. And you can never be too sure.
"I want it to be a blood bath for that lot using it" continues the commander of the army loyal to the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
As the runner hurries off to spread the word, the adjunctant Morris who has taken an arrow from his quiver, and has it against the belly of his bow.
Says to his commanding officer "If they're going to do something out of the ordinary, this would be the best time". Referring to those in charge of the defense of the city of Kuradum. The mercenary army from the lands Farque.
Who informed commander Tracklen before the battle got underway. That they had something in reserve for the enemy.
They just never told the loyalist army commander exactly what it was, or when they would do it.
Tracklen thinks now would be an opportune time to do so. Especially considering that the rebel army attacking the city is basically split in two.
With half attacking the south wall of the capital city. And the other half either attacking the east side, or are making their way around to the east side of the city of Kuradum.
Beldane the cleric who has left the battle, and the city of Kuradum. Makes his way down a path through some trees, in the company of a couple of black clad Farqian officers.
The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
Peers through the trees, then nods his head when one of the Farqian officers quietly tells him in the elven language "Just up ahead cleric Beldane".
The churchman in the halfplate armour is quiet as they continue along the path.
Until they finally come to a stop, when the path heads downhill to a nearby village.
Waiting outside the village, on it's eastern outskirts. Waits an army of nearly ten thousand.
Made up of mostly the loyalist soldiers who evacuated from the northern town of Gensa.
The northern walled town that the Farqian mercenary army burnt to the ground with most of councilman Hirrye's northern forces still inside of it.
There's a few hundred black clad soldiers from the Farqian mercenary army, mostly scouts and rangers who are waiting with them.
"This will take a while" says Beldane the cleric to the two officers from the lands Farque with him.
The fighting cleric who worships the god Glaine, a god predominantly worshiped in the north of the kingdom of Nastell.
As they look down at the waiting army, says to the two officers in the black armour and the black cloaks "Even though i can make a gateway wider than most, it'll still take time to get them all through".
One of the black clad Farqian officers nods, then he says "Not too worry" followed by "They might surprise you in how quickly they go through".
The officer, who is a ranger, gestures at the waiting army down next to the village, and he says "We've been drilling them for the last week, ever since we got here from Gensa".
The ranger officer from the lands Farque continues on with "I'll think they'll make short work of it".
His fellow Farqian officer, a scout. Nods his head in agreement with him as the three of them look down at the army waiting on the eastern outskirts of the village.
It's a village to the northeast of the city of Kuradum, about thirty miles from the capital.
Not all that far to travel by gateway, which is how Beldane the cleric got here.
"Has our lord or field commander Drubine picked a spot?" asks the ranger, who is the more senior of the two officers.
"They have" is the reply from the powerful spellcaster who is originally from the kingdom of Nastell.
Who has no official position in the armies of Farque. A nation he's never stepped foot in. As he, as a cleric. Is banned from the lands Farque.
The fighting cleric in the halfplate steel armour then explains to the two Farqian army officers. What they'll do, and where they'll do it.
They're not particularly surprised as they were pretty much expecting something like it.
Especially when Beldane the cleric tells them "They've basically split their forces in two". Followed by "Well, they were when i left".
The member of the church of Glaine, continues with "The south wall of the city which they initially attacked".
The powerful practitioner of magic then adds "And the rest around on the east wall, or they're heading that way".
"As our lord planned it" quietly says the scout officer in the armies of Farque.
The ranger officer, and the fighting cleric nod in agreement with him.
Then the more senior of the Farqian officers says "Let's get down there".
He gestures at the waiting army, who are standing in the sunshine of what's a cold, but sunny winter's day here to the northeast of the city of Kuradum.
And he says "They're rearing to go" followed by "And truth be told, so am i".
The Nastellian cleric in the halfplate armour and the two officers from the lands Farque.
Make their way down the rest of the path to the village and the waiting army.
As they approach, the fighting cleric works out where the best place will be.
He doesn't have to, as the scout officer quietly tells him "It'll be over there cleric Beldane".
The powerful cleric looks to where the junior of the two officer points, who then tells him "It's where we've been training them" followed by "It'll make things easier for them".
As they walk to that area in a marked off field to the east of the village, they're joined by two other officers, and a trio of sergeant at arms, all from the lands Farque.
"Get ready for the signal, we'll be going soon" says the ranger officer, the two other Farqian officers and the sergeant at arms hurry off to where the army is waiting.
As they do, the ranger officer asks the churchman who travels with his lord "I understand you can do a gateway three or four wide".
"I can" says Beldane the cleric, who follows on from that with "With so many, I'll do it three wide".
The fighting cleric then adds "It'll more stable than one that's wider, not to mention it can last longer".
Both of the Farqian officers nod at hearing that, then they come to a stop at the edge of the marked off field.
The ranger officer points to a spot about a dozen feet to the side of them, and he says "There if you please cleric Beldane when i give the command".
"Of course" says the spellcaster from the kingdom of Nastell, who has learnt that the Farqian armies are efficient more than anything else. It's what makes them so dangerous.
The two black clad officers share a look, then the senior of the two quietly says "As our lord wills it".
"Our lord wills it" is the reply from the scout officer.
The ranger officer then gives a hand signal to the Farqian officers and sergeant at arms with the waiting army.
"Now if you please cleric Beldane" says the senior of the two black clad officers from the lands Farque.
The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine nods, and he starts casting as the army starts moving.
With the city of Kuradum just thirty or so miles away, the gateway that Beldane casts, even though it's wide enough for three to enter at once, doesn't take long to appear and stabilise.
As it does, the army that's on the move, break into their formations, and break into a run.
Creating three columns on the run, heading towards the gateway cast by Beldane the cleric, that will take them to the city of Kuradum, and the battle that's taking place there . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 71.

Winter.

"Should i?" asks Narladene the ground pixie with a thoughtful look upon her face.
"If you'd like" says Helbe the elven thief as they discuss something the naturally magical creature has brought up.
"Just don't go in for long" continues the highly talented elven magic user, who then adds "Who knows how long it'll last".
The tiny winged creature from the Sunreach Mountains, nods her head in agreement with that.
And does so again when the elven masterthief says "It could very well disappear like that other one".
The ground pixie who is attached to the young elven noble from the island principally of Laerel.
Lifts off from the right shoulder of the elven master assassin, and makes her way off the roof, and across the street towards the grounds where the buildings of the ruling council of Kuradum are located.
As she does, the blurred and shielded elven magic user quickly looks away to the northwest.
Where in the distance, over three hundred yards away stands the massive building that houses the ruling council's treasury.
On that massive building, easily the largest building in the northern half of the city of Kuradum.
The elven thief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Spots lord Farque and Mira Reinholt the mage on the roof of the treasury building.
Where the two of them are discussing something as the undead warlord points down beneath them.
The highly talented elven magic user wouldn't mind listening in on what they're saying.
But he takes his eyes off them, and instead looks across the street to the grounds of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
Where after a moment he spots Narladene the ground pixie approaching the rift from above.
Taking a quick count, Helbe the elven thief figures about a hundred rebel soldiers have come through the rift.
As there's nearly a hundred of them lying dead, or dying. On the ground, out infront of the rift.
While there's a handful or so, still fighting one another as they're under the compulsion spell the elven masterthief has cast infront of the rift.
Another two enemy soldiers come out of the rift. They're not coming out as quickly or as often now.
But once they do step out, they attack those who are already fighting one another.
The blurred and shielded elven spellcaster spots Narladene hovering over the rift, looking back in his direction.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel as he stands upon the roof of the three storey building opposite the grounds of the ruling council of Kuradum.
Nods his hooded head when the ground pixie points down, and gives him the thumbs up.
The tiny winged creature drops down out of view from the elven master assassin as she goes infront of the rift.
The next moment the naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains, goes through the rift to the otherside where it's originated from.
As he waits for Narladene to return, the elven princeling from Laerel, who knows that the ground pixie is safer than just about anyone else in the group. Can't help but worry for her safety to whenever she's gone to.
The elven master archer is pretty sure the origin point of the rift isn't too far from the city of Kuradum.
Simple logic has it under a hundred miles away. Helbe suspects it's even less than that, maybe under fifty miles away.
For the simple reason it was one of three rifts that was cast simultaneously by the enemy sorceress by the name of Losmena.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril is hoping that Narladene can find out how many more of the enemy will be coming out of this rift.
And the other rift that's still up, the one that's up on the south wall of the capital city of Kuradum.
After watching an enemy soldier run down another who was limping away towards the main building of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
And then hitting that rebel soldier with a mind blast spell, which drops him dead to the ground before he even knows what's happening.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Looks away to the northwest again, to the massive building that houses the ruling council's treasury.
The elven masterthief sees his fellow spellcaster Mira Reinholt create a mageglobe. Which he drops to the surface of the roof.
From his position, Helbe the elven thief can't see what's happened. But he guesses that the living piece of magic has made a hole in the roof.
And is continuing to do so, down through the massive treasury building.
Because the next moment, lord Farque steps forward and drops down through the hole in the roof.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user then sees his fellow spellcaster, and fellow member of lord Farque's personal council.
The mage Reinholt step forward as well, then drop down out of sight through the hole in the roof.
The elven princeling from Laerel slightly nods his hooded head as he figures the large, heavily armoured deathlord, and the once powerful mage.
Have gone after the sorceress Losmena, and whoever else is with her.
As Narladene told the elven master assassin that the enemy sorceress teleported herself and two others down into the underground vaults beneath the massive treasury building.
Then the elven princeling from Laerel looks across the street again. To the grounds that the ruling council of Kuradum use.
Helbe the elven thief looks at the rift, the back of it to be exact. On this side of the grounds of the ruling council.
And he wonders how thighs fare for the naturally magical creature who has gone through the rift, to the otherside. Wherever that may be.
Narladene the ground pixie goes up after she goes through the rift. And finds herself in another part of the city-state of Kuradum.
Where ever it is, it's not a nice morning weather wise here, compared to the capital city of Kuradum.
As here's, there's clouds in the morning sky. Though it is cold, just like it is on the otherside of the rift, in the city of Kuradum.
The tiny winged creature looks down, and finds about twenty or so enemy soldiers waiting to go through the rift that she's come through.
The naturally magical creature looks around, and finds that she's in some woods between a pair of hills.
The ground pixie looks through the trees to her right, and spots more of the enemy soldiers there.
Narladene heads that way, and finds the other rift, about thirty yards from the one she went through.
This rift, the one that no doubt goes to the top of the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
Has way more of the enemy waiting to go through it.
After a quick count, the tiny winged creature sees that there's still more than a hundred of the enemy waiting to go through the magical doorway to the capital of the city-state.
There's a small clearing away to the left, and the ground pixie figures that's where the third of the rifts was located.
From the brief snippets she hears from the rebel soldiers who are still waiting to go through the remaining rifts.
They're more than a little surprised that the third rift is no longer where it was.
The naturally magical creature who is invisible to all, thinks about something for a moment.
And after making up her mind, she drops down and follows behind a pair of rebel soldiers.
Who one after the other, go through the rift that ends up on top of the south wall of the capital city of Kuradum.
Flying just above their heads as she passes through the rift. Narladene the ground pixie wryly smiles as she watches who the first of the rebel soldiers runs straight into.
The naturally magical creature rises up as Dorc da Orc grabs the enemy soldier.
The large ork picks the surprised rebel soldier up, and bites into the man's neck. Tearing a massive hole into it.
With blood spraying all over the place, and the enemy soldier screaming in pain.
The ork warleader digs a hand into the wound he's just bitten into the enemy soldier's neck.
The ork who is a general in the armies of Farque then proceeds to tear the rebel soldier in half with his bare hands.
Ripping him apart down through the chest, down the abdomen and stomach to the hips.
With a roar, and copious amounts of blood and viscera spraying everywhere, including all over himself.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world flings the torn apart body away.
Off the top of the wall, to the otherside of it. Down to the river that runs along the south side of the city of Kuradum.
The second rebel soldier that Narladene followed through the rift. Turns, and runs around the rift, getting away from the large ork as quickly as possible after seeing what just happened to his fellow soldier in councilman Hirrye's army.
And he goes to join those fighting behind the rift, here on top of the south wall of the capital city.
The tiny winged creature makes herself visible to Dorc da Orc as she passes over him.
The blood splattered ork weaponsmith who has already caught wind of the naturally magical creature.
Scowls as he looks up at her. While the ground pixie sticks out her tongue at him.
Causing the warleader of the ork race to growl at her as she goes over him.
Narladene passes over sir Percavelle Lé Dic, without him none the wiser of her presence.
And the naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains.
Makes her way to where Tamric Drubine the field commander is standing next to one of the two small catapults here on top of the south wall of the city.
Just above the second set of three sets of gates on this side of the capital city.
The ground pixie makes herself visible to the young noble who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
After lifting an eyebrow in surprise, Tamric Drubine the field commander quietly says in the elven language "What are you doing here?". To the tiny winged creature hovering infront of his face.
"Thought I'd pay you a visit" is the quiet reply in the same language from Narladene the ground pixie.
"See how you lot are doing down here" adds the naturally magical creature.
She then quickly explains to the senior officer in the armies of Farque that she came through the rifts to get here.
Then Narladene quietly tells field commander Drubine "There's about another hundred to a hundred and twenty of them to come through it". As she waves at the nearby rift.
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group grunts when he hears that.
"Someone needs to kill that sorceress" mutters the young field commander who is the son and former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine.
A castle that can be found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
"Someone's working on that" says the tiny winged creature who then adds "Lord Farque and Mira".
The young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin nods his head when he hears that.
Then Tam says "He's gone already" followed by "Look at them" and gestures at the enemy army attacking the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
In response to Narladene the ground pixie asking him "Where's Beldane?".
The tiny winged creature looks out at the enemy army, and she sees that there's probably only a little over a half of them still attacking this side of the city.
With the rest of them going around to the east side of the city, or they're already there.
The naturally magical creature nods, then quietly says "That should be interesting".
"Indeed" quietly says field commander Drubine.
"I should get back" quietly says the ground pixie, who follows that with "Before they disappear". Referring to the two remaining rifts here in the city of Kuradum that the enemy are using.
Tamric Drubine nods, and Narladene disappears from sight as she heads back to the nearby rift.
The ground pixie who is still visible to Dorc da Orc, sticks her tongue out at him.
As he looks up at her and glares at her as she passes over him on the way to the rift.
The ground pixie enters the rift, as a rebel soldier comes running out of it. No doubt to end up dead at the hands of the waiting ork warleader.
Helbe the elven thief after looking away to the northwest again. Wondering what lord Farque and Mira Reinholt the mage are up to in the ruling council's treasury building.
Looks across the street and sees Narladene come up and over the rift in the grounds of the ruling council, and head this way towards him.
After telling the highly talented elven magic user what she found out and what she got up to, the naturally magical creature says "Not too many more will come through this one".
The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head at hearing that, then he lifts an eyebrow in surprise when the tiny winged creature tells him "Beldane has gone already".
"That should be interesting" quietly says Helbe the elven thief.
"Indeed" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie echoing what Tamric Drubine said to her on top of the south wall of the city a little while ago . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 70.

Winter.

"Thanks" gasps Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit after Lisell Maera the scout grabs him, and pulls him back out of harms way.
The enemy soldier who just swung a sword at the halfling former air sailor.
Stumbles sideways, and falls over the side of the wall after a longbow shaft slams into his back.
A shaft shot from the bow of Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who is on the otherside of the square from the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
In a brief respite in the fighting, the hobbit who hails from the far east coast of the continent. The Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
Looks quickly back, and asks just as quickly "How is he?".
"Er?" replies Zam the ex mercenary, who follows that with "Fine, i guess".
The teenager from here in the city of Kuradum, continues in a dry tone of voice with "Not that he's doing anything".
As next to the ex mercenary, stands Shur Kee the monk. The short, statured monk has a faraway look in his eyes. And is pretty unresponsive to them.
Jarjin Littlefoot who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, sourly smiles.
As he suspects an active and coherent Shur Kee could make all the difference to the fight against the enemy, here behind the rift that's on the south wall of the city.
On this cold, but sunny winter's day in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
The hobbit, who isn't what he appears to be. As infact he's really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of Jarjin Littlefoot. One of the many bodies he's inhabited over the years since he first died.
Wonders how the fight is going on the front side of the rift. Where the enemy are appearing from.
With the shouting and growling coming from over on that side. He suspects the enemy are having a bad time of it over there.
The halfling, who is a former air sailor in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese. Winces when he hears a familiar howl from over there, followed by a "Get some!". In a loud, growling, and very familiar voice.
Dorc da Orc picks up the rebel soldier he's just grab, and he throws the man back in the direction he's come from.
The enemy soldier goes back a good fifteen feet, before slamming into other rebel soldiers who have just come out of the rift.
Here above the middle of the three sets of gates along the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
The large ork scowls as he hears behind him, a familiar, not to mention an annoying voice say "Take that you villainous so and so".
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic hits the rebel soldier who got past Dorc da Orc, and ran at the large, heavily armoured knight.
Who he thought he'd have a better chance of surviving against, compared to the ork warleader.
No such luck, as the enemy soldier goes cartwheeling sideways off the top of the wall, after being hit by the magical sword that the nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic possess.
As the enemy soldier goes flying out a good thirty feet from the top of the wall, before he starts dropping to the cobblestones of the square behind this section of the wall.
The former paladin who is a member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che, goes to take a step forward.
As he contemplates hitting his bitter rival, the ork weaponsmith in the back again with the sword of knockdown.
Before he even gets a chance, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, or Percy as more often than not, he gets called by the others in the group.
Hears a familiar voice order him "Stay there Percy" followed by "And don't even think about doing that again".
Behind the full faceplate of his helm, the former earl of Lé Dic, which is his family's fief in his homeland of Druvic.
Sourly smiles at that order from Tamric Drubine the field commander, who is further back along the wall.
Next to one of the two small catapults, here on top of the south wall of the city, above the second of the three gates.
With Beldane the cleric gone, Tamric Drubine the field commander is keeping a closer look on the bitter rivals than he was previously.
The young noble who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, and is now a senior officer in the armies of Farque.
Takes a quick look at the enemy on the otherside of the wall, as the small catapult behind him flings another shot at them.
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Can clearly see that there's now far less of the enemy attacking the south wall of the city, compared to early at first light of the day when the battle began.
Many of the rebels have moved off, and gone around to the east side of the city, or are doing so at the moment.
Predominantly those who were closer to that side of the city when the battle first got underway just after dawn this morning.
On what's turned out to be a cold, but sunny winter's day here in the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
Though those that have remained, still more than half of the rebel army that in total had around twenty thousand soldiers to begin with.
Have concentrated their attack on the middle third of the south wall of Kuradum.
Especially here along this section of the wall. Where the middle of the three gates are located.
After taking another quick look at the bitter rivals Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic to make sure they're not trying to kill one another.
Field commander Drubine takes a step back, turns and looks down when he hears another thud below.
And he sees another heavy chain shot from the pair of ballista on the otherside of the square behind the gates.
Has slammed into a number of the enemy who have just made their way down the nearby set of steps, who were attempting to open the gates from this side.
The son of a previous knight of castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Looks across the square, and sees Tovis the war engineer directed members of his engineering corp, who are operating the ballista.
While next to the young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, stands Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
The elf who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, has an arrow to his bow, and is drawing it back.
The spy Tanith who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses in the principality of Alínlae, his homeland.
Takes aim, and let's the arrow fly. From it's path, Tamric Drubine sees that it's heading up here to the top of the south wall of the city.
Specifically on the backside of the rift, the otherside from where the young field commander stands.
Knowing the skill of the elven spy, Tam figures he's just hit and killed another rebel soldier up here on the south wall of the capital city of Kuradum.
Saanea the witch winces as the enemy soldier who was just about to lunge at her.
Stiffens, and tries to grab at his back, as he staggers to one side, then stumbles over the low section of the wall between two of the crenalations. And fall to the water on the otherside of the wall, with an elven made shaft in the middle of his back.
"I agree" says Saanea the witch in response to Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit saying to her "They're hell bent on coming around to this side and fighting us, or going down the steps".
The pretty looking spellcaster who hails from the Maldin Hills, nods her head in agreement with the halfling former air sailor who dryly says "They don't want to face those two raving lunatics".
Just after the hobbit who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says that.
They hear the familiar and distinctive, not to mention loud and growling voice of Dorc da Orc shout "Fucken get some ya cunts!" from around the front of the rift.
Followed by the familiar, along with loud and pompous voice of sir Percavelle Lé Dic shout "Take that you rebellious fiend, wot!".
Even so, more of those who are coming out of the rift, are making their way around to this side of it.
While others continue to head down the nearest set of steps, and attempt to open up the gates down there.
Saanea the witch steps back with Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
While Zam the ex mercenary moves forward to stand next to Lisell Maera the scout.
There's two black clad Farqian soldiers with them, as well as a trio of local soldiers from the city garrison.
While further behind them, are four city guards who are using polearms to push away a scaling ladder.
That the enemy on the otherside of the wall, have some how been able to put up. Even with the difficulties of the river that runs along the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
After giving Shur Kee the monk a shake to see if he snaps out of the state he's in.
Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman mutters in the dialect of the hordes barbarians of the southern tundra "By the tundra gods, wake the fuck up monk".
Then the hobbit, who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, shouts "Duck down!" to those infront. After Saanea the witch says to those infront of the two of them "Get down".
With her arms outstretched, and her hands wide, with the fingers in her gloves outstretched too.
Blue, greenish looking lightning shoots forth from the gloved hands of the pretty looking witch who is originally from the Maldin Hills.
All half a dozen rebel soldiers, here on the backside of the rift. Scream in pain as they're hit by the blue, greenish lightning.
Some of them just drop down, while others who try to evade the spell cast by the witch.
Go running off the top of the wall. Two falling to the cobblestones of the square below.
While another goes the other way, and ends up in the river on the otherside of the city's south wall.
As Lisell Maera, Zam the ex mercenary and one of the black clad soldiers from the armies of Farque.
Step forward and with their swords, stab the trio of the enemy soldiers, writhing in pain where they're lying on top of the wall.
The witch who is the partner of Tamric Drubine the field commander tells the halfling former air sailor beside her "One of the rifts has gone".
Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson looks up at the pretty looking spellcaster, and lifts a questioning eyebrow.
"The one furthest north" explains Saanea the witch referring to the rift north of the grounds where the ruling council of Kuradum have their headquarters.
The witch who is just able to sense that far, continues with "Felt like there was an explosion near it".
Even though he already knows the answer, as he's already asked the question.
The hobbit who is from the otherside of the continent, nods at the rift here on top of the south wall of the capital city, and asks "Could we do the same thing?".
Councilor Littlefoot continues with "An explosion close to it" he quickly follows that with "Well, not too close, more in the same general area?".
"That wouldn't be wise" is the answer from the spellcaster who hails from a well known hill range near the coast of the Southlands.
Then as more of the rebel soldiers coming out of the rift, run around to the backside instead of facing the ork warleader, and the former paladin who they first see when they step out of the rift.
The witch tells the halfling who previously served in the air fleet of the Sultan of Dreese "That will still be dangerous, and will likely end up being disastrous for us".
As those infront of them, engage the rebel soldiers who rush at them, Saanea the witch says "I think that sorceress felt threatened, that's why she gave up on that rift away to the north".
"That other one on the council grounds still there?" asks Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin.
"It is" replies the pretty looking witch as weapons are swung by those infront of them, who are fighting the enemy.
With Zam the ex mercenary along with Lisell Maera the scout, taking down one of the enemy soldiers.
And the black clad Farqian soldiers taking out a rebel soldier each.
While the other enemy soldier gets lucky, and cuts down one of the local soldiers.
Before he's killed by the two other soldiers from the army still loyal to the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
After taking another look at Shur Kee the monk, and finding the physical adept still not responsive.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit murmurs "Wonder what's happening there?". Referring to the rift that's on council grounds in the center of the capital city of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 69.

Winter.

Councilman Hirrye groans after he slides across the ground, and comes to a stop up against a wall of some kind.
The rebel leader who has had his breath knocked out of him, hears someone else groaning nearby.
He thinks it sounds like his assistant, subcommander Phogarn.
The self styled duke of Kuradum lifts his head and looks around, and finds that he's somewhere dark.
Not on the street, that they were crossing to get to the backside of the treasury building.
Here in the city of Kuradum, on what's a cold, but sunny winter's morning.
The ex councilman hears someone else mutter what sounds like a curse word. Then a soft light appears behind him, someone has lit a wall lamp.
He rolls over with a groan, and finds the sorceress Losmena leaning against the wall next to the lamp.
The attractive teenage spellcaster is bent over, hands on knees, and breathing heavily.
"What the hell happened?" mutters councilman Hirrye, who sits up, wincing in pain as he does so.
"And where the hell are we?" asks the rebel leader as he looks around and wonders where they are.
Breathing heavily, as she's hunched over, with her hands on her knees, the sorceress Losmena says "We were attacked".
The powerful sorceress after a slight pause, and a grimace, adds "By a mage".
"Hell" mutters subcommander Phogarn when he hears that after sitting up, and looking around and frowning as their surroundings is somewhat familiar to him.
"And we're inside" says the teenage sorceress who follows that with "Below ground, in one of the antechambers" she then adds "This is the furthest I've been down, I've never been down into the vaults before".
Councilman Hirrye blinks in surprise as he looks around again, and suddenly realises where they are.
Next to him, his assistant Phogarn nods as he too recognises where they are.
They're in the treasury building, to be exact, beneath it. In one of the antechambers that lead down to the secure vaults.
"How did we get down here?" asks the assistant to the ex councilman, who after standing, helps the rebel leader to get up off the floor.
"I teleported us" says the sorceress Losmena in a slightly wry tone of voice.
Both the councilman and his assistant wince when they hear that. As they both know that spellcasters are supposed to look where they're teleporting to.
And teleporting into somewhere blindly, usually leads to disaster, which is often fatal.
"I've had to drop the rift we used to get into the city" quietly explains the young practitioner of magic.
"The other two?" asks the man who has hopes of ruling the city-state of Kuradum by himself, any day now.
"They're still up and open" is the reply of the attractive young sorceress, who was born here in the city of Kuradum.
And spent her younger formative years here in the capital of the city-state.
The rebel leader nods, and breathes a sigh of relief. Then he winces as his side hurts from when he hit the floor, and slid across it.
"What should we do now?" asks subcommander Phogarn, who spots a nearby set of steps that lead up.
"Help out the men who are trying to get in?" adds the assistant to the rebel leader, who he looks at.
"Might be for the best" says councilman Hirrye, who follows that with "If we can take out whatever guards the council left here, the easier it will be for our men to get in here".
The rebel leader and his assistant look over at the young sorceress who tells them "Probably better if we didn't".
Lifting an eyebrow as he looks at the attractive young woman, the ex councilman asks her "Why's that?".
"Because we're being hunted" says the sorceress Losmena, who after a slight pause, adds "By a mage".
They stand there on the rooftop looking southwards at the street that runs along the east side of the treasury building.
They're silent as they watch the fiery explosion, that's more heat and fire than destructive explosion.
Burning the cobblestones of the street, cracking and breaking them apart from the intense heat of the explosion.
As the flames disappear almost as instantly as they appeared, Mira Reinholt the mage frowns then says "What was that?".
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland that he's in exile from, continues with "Did she just teleport them away?".
The once powerful mage who is pretty sure that's what the enemy sorceress just did.
Senses that the rift that was nearby, just a few hundred feet away, has also gone.
"She did" says lord Farque who is sensing for the enemy spellcaster, and the two men she was with when they crossed the street next to the treasury building of the ruling council of Kuradum.
The mage Reinholt who saw a handful of the enemy soldiers crossing the street next to the treasury building, were caught in the middle of the explosion of his mageglobe coming to the end of it's existence.
Turns and looks at the undead warlord, who points then says "There".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord briefly pauses, before adding "I should say, beneath it".
The undead being, who also has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands know him by, then says "Going down to the vaults i guess".
The spellcaster, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, nods his hooded head as he looks at the treasury building.
Then quietly says "That was pretty fucking ballsy of her". Referring to the enemy sorceress who teleported underground.
The practitioner of magic, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers when he went offworld through a rift, void spell that he accidentally cast a number of years ago.
Nods once again, then quietly says in a dry tone of voice to the undead warlord "Good idea".
In reply to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque dryly saying to him "Probably best if you didn't blow that place up trying to get them" followed by "After all that's where they store everything they're paying us to fight their fucking war for them".
As a number of enemy soldiers quickly cross the street that runs along the east side of the treasury building.
The lord of the death realm points at the massive building across the street, and tells the mage who is a member of his personal council "Take us over there".
The once powerful mage in the black hooded cloak, nods his head. Then he teleports the two of them across the street, to the roof of the treasury building of the city-state of Kuradum.
"What was that?" asks Helbe the elven thief as he looks away to the north and west, the direction he heard an explosion a few hundred yards from their location.
"Mira" says Narladene the ground pixie who is standing on the right shoulder of the elven magic user she's attached to.
"Mageglobe" adds the tiny winged creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains.
The young elven noble form the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head.
He was wondering why he couldn't sense the source of that explosion away to the north of the grounds of the ruling council's buildings.
It's because mageglobes are notoriously difficult to sense for even the best of those with the ability to cast magic.
The elven masterthief, who is both a member of the royal family that rules the elven principality of Laerel.
And a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque. Senses that the third rift here in the city of Kuradum has gone.
Nods his hooded head to across the street, into the grounds of the ruling council of the city-state and says "I gather he didn't kill her". As the second rift, is still across the street.
"She's still alive" replies Narladene the ground pixie, who unlike the highly talented elven magic user she's attached to, can easily sense the enemy sorceress.
"She teleported herself and two others below ground just as Mira's mageglobe was going to explode".
"Hell, that took guts" murmurs the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
As you have to see we're you're teleporting to. And even if you don't, you have to know the place you're teleporting to quite well if you're not looking at it.
"I guess they're under that treasury building" says the naturally magical creature, who with a shrug of her shoulders, adds "That's what it feels like".
Then as more of the enemy continue to come out of the rift across the street, and start attacking and killing one another as they run into the spells set by Helbe the elven thief.
The ground pixie standing on the right shoulder of the elven princeling from Laerel, points away to the north and west, then says "There".
Narladene briefly pauses, then continues on with "There they are".
The elven master assassin looks away to where Narladene has pointed to.
And in the distance, a few hundred yards north of the grounds, where the buildings of the ruling council of Kuradum stand.
The young elven noble sees the massive building that houses the ruling council's treasury.
Then Helbe the elven thief slightly nods his hooded head, as Mira Reinholt the mage and lord Farque suddenly appear on the roof of that massive building in the distance.
The highly talented elven magic user and the naturally magical creature attached to him.
Watch the mage in the black hooded cloak, and the large, heavily armoured figure next to him.
Walk across the roof of the massive treasury building, to the south side of the roof, where they stop and look down.
Councilman Hirrye shares a look with his assistant Phogarn, as Losmena the sorceress looks up at the ceiling of the underground antechamber they're in.
The rebel leader, who only knows a basic rudimentary amount when it comes to magic, and those who practice it.
Asks the teenage sorceress he's attracted to "Mages are quite dangerous are they not?".
"Extremely dangerous" is the quiet reply of Losmena the sorceress who continues with "Even a mediocre mage is much more powerful than i am".
The practitioner of magic, who is continually sensing as she looks up at the ceiling above them, quietly tells the other two "We've got a problem".
The teenage spellcaster after a brief pause, continues on with "A major problem".
"Oh?" asks the ex councilman who intends to rule the city-state of Kuradum by himself.
The powerful sorceress nods her head, then she looks over at the rebel leader and the subcommander and quietly tells him "I should be able to sense this mage".
Losmena briefly pauses before continuing with "I can't sense this one" followed by "Which is more than a little odd".
"Odd how?" asks subcommander Phogarn who is the assistant to the rebel leader who hopes to be the duke of Kuradum one day soon.
"I should be able to sense them" says the attractive young sorceress, who follows on from that, and adds "With ease".
The Kuradian spellcaster then explains "Mages are egotistical to say the least" followed by "With good reason".
Losmena continues on with "They're way more powerful than any other human casters" she then adds "And they don't care who knows about it".
The teenage practitioner of magic then says to the rebel leader and the subcommander in the rebel army "They're like soldiers who like to boast about their skills and prowess, and think they're the best".
The young, attractive spellcaster continues with "Unlike most soldiers who do so, who really aren't that good and only do so to help with their confidence".
The subcommander Phogarn nods at this, as he has seen that plenty of times in his career as a soldier.
"Mages really are all powerful compared to pretty much all other casters" explains Losmena, who follows that with "And they like that everyone else knows it".
Councilman Hirrye nods, then says "So you're saying this mage, whoever they are, should be a hell of a lot more demonstrative than they are?".
"Exactly" replies the powerful sorceress, who is continually sensing as she tries to locate the mage who attacked them outside.
The rebel leader and his assistant share a look, then subcommander Phogarn mutters "Shit".
After the ex councilman asks the teenage spellcaster "What should we do then?". And she replies with "I think we should" and explains what they should do . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 68.

Winter.

They make their way out of the third and final rift that Losmena the sorceress casts. First through are the mercenaries who have come with them.
They appear in a quiet lane, a few hundred yards to the north of the grounds where the buildings used by the ruling council are located.
There's over eighty of the mercenaries, close to a hundred to be more exact, who once they're all out of the rift.
They split into two groups, and head to a couple of the counting houses. Many of which are located in this area of the city of Kuradum.
As the last of the mercenaries are heading out of the lane. Appearing in it after coming through the rift, are soldiers in the army of the rebel leader, the self proclaimed duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
They pour out of the rift, unhindered by anyone in this area of the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
Once the last of the soldiers has made their way out of the rift, and some of then have already moved off.
Heading for their destination. Which isn't all that far away from here.
As it's in one of the quiet neighbourhoods, here in this part the city of Kuradum.
Some of his personal guards come through next. They're followed by his assistant, subcommander Phogarn.
Then the man himself, comes out of the rift next.
He looks up between the buildings on either side of the lane, and sees that the weather here in the capital, this winter's morning, is sunny and clear.
He moves out of the way, and more of his personal guards come through the rift.
Then finally Losmena the sorceress makes her way out of the rift that she has cast.
Along with two other rifts she's cast at the same time, to other parts of the city of Kuradum.
"No one close by" quietly says Losmena the sorceress, referring to other practitioners of magic.
After nodding his head, councilman Hirrye gives the order to move out.
And the soldiers lead the way, for a short distance, going the same way some of the mercenaries went.
Until they turn left, into a narrow street that goes southwards. As they do, the councilman, his assistant, and the powerful sorceress. Followed by the rebel leader's personal guards, work their way towards the front of the more than a hundred rebel soldiers who are making their way through this part of the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
As they turn right into an alleyway, the attractive teenage spellcaster comes to a sudden stop, and puts up a hand for the others to stop as well.
"What is it?" quietly asks councilman Hirrye as he stands beside the sorceress who is fighting for his cause.
"I'm not sure" quietly says Losmena with a slight frown upon her attractive looking face.
The practitioner of magic, can't sense any other spellcaster nearby. Infact the only thing she does sense that's fairly close. Is her own rift spell, which she has left open like the two others here in the city of Kuradum.
Though Losmena can't sense anything. She does get the feeling that something's not quite right.
And that something could happen if they keep going the way they're heading.
Looking towards the mouth of the alleyway, and the street beyond it. The sorceress slowly shakes her head no.
"Back up, and head the other way" quietly says the powerful spellcaster, who follows that with "It'll be longer, but I'll feel safer if we go that way".
The so called duke of Kuradum, a title he bestowed upon himself, nods then quietly says to the others "You heard the sorceress".
Councilman Hirrye follows that with "We'll go the other way" he then adds "Come on, get moving".
"Any idea what it was?" quietly asks the leader of the rebel movement, here in the city-state of Kuradum.
"I'm not sure" quietly says the practitioner of magic, who continues with "Just one of those feelings you get, you know?".
The councilman, well ex councilman to be exact. Nods his head in understanding.
Then he nods again, when his assistant, the subcommander Phogarn quietly says "We'll have to cross the street to the back of it".
As they and the hundred or so soldiers go through a series of alleyways and lanes, where they encounter not a single person.
The rebel leader quietly says "I know". The so called duke of Kuradum actually prefers this deviation in their plans.
As he only agree to the first option, because it would of made more of a statement if they barged in through the front doors of their destination.
This way, from the backside, they'll get to where they actually want to go, a whole lot quicker.
Next to the ex councilman, his assistant Phogarn, once again asks him "Think they've changed anything?".
"Our contacts say no" quietly says the leader of the rebellion against the ruling council of Kuradum.
"And from experience, I'd say no too" adds councilman Hirrye, he continues on with "Remember i was in charge of the treasury, and we did the same thing they'd been doing for centuries".
The subcommander nods as that was his experience too. As he first got to work with, then know councilman Hirrye.
When he and a detachment of soldiers from the local garrison here in the city of Kuradum.
Were assigned to guard duty at the council's treasury for half a year about a decade ago.
When Hirrye was first put in charge of the treasury of the city-state of Kuradum.
The two of them have been the best of friends ever since. And it was Phogarn who was the first person to defect, and join councilman Hirrye's rebellion.
There's about twenty soldiers infront of them and the ex councilman's guards.
And after they turn right into another lane, this one quite short, the soldiers come to a stop.
As across the street at the end of the lane, is the backside of the treasury building.
By far the largest building in this part of the city, infact the large building, is probably the largest building to be found north of the grounds where the city council buildings are located.
"Clear?" quietly asks the rebel leader as he looks at the attractive teenage sorceress next to him.
After subcommander Phogarn says to some of the following soldiers who have come to a stop "Get ready to go by, and cross the street".
"All clear" quietly says Losmena the sorceress in reply after she briefly closes her eyes and senses.
Looking at his assistant Phogarn, councilman Hirrye says to the subcommander "Give the order".
The rebel officer nods, then looks ahead to where the soldiers at the end of the short lane, are looking back at him in anticipation.
Subcommander Phogarn gives them the order to proceed. And the rebel officer, along with the rebel leader, and the spellcaster.
As well as the ex councilman's personal guards. Move to one side, to allow some of those following, to go ahead.
As those soldiers out infront, at the end of the short lane. Start hurrying across the street to the backside of the treasury building of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Wait" quietly says lord Farque as he holds up a gauntleted hand as they look southwards.
They've moved to the roof of the building to the left of the one they were on previously.
They're still opposite the treasury building of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
To be exact, opposite the north side, or what's more commonly called, the front side of the massive building across the street.
Now they've got a better view down the street that runs north, south along the east side of the treasury building.
And as they stand upon the southeast corner of the rooftop they're on.
They see rebel soldiers start to appear on the street that runs along the east side of the massive building that houses the nation's treasury.
Their view is partially blocked because of other buildings. Even so they get a good view of the rebel soldiers as they cross the north, south street along the east side of the city-state's treasury building.
"Wait" quietly says the undead warlord to the once powerful mage in the black hooded cloak standing next to him.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord slightly nods to himself, as he senses their prey getting closer and closer, about to come out into view.
On this cold, but clear and sunny winter's morning, here in the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Notice the poles and sacks some of them are carrying" the lord and ruler of the lands Farque mentions to the spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil.
Mira Reinholt the mage nods in understanding, then quietly says "For the strongboxes".
The undead being, who also has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands know him by.
Nods his full helmed head in agreement with the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
Then the deathlord of Farque quietly says "And it's even easier to carry out the notes of credit they'll find in abundance in there".
The mage Reinholt nods at hearing that. As he has had plenty of experience in doing the same thing these rebels are planning to do.
As he, along with lord Farque and Dorc da Orc. Would steal from numerous treasury buildings and counting houses right across the Southlands for a number of years when he was a younger man.
As they watch the enemy cross the street, and disappear from view behind the massive building that is the ruling council's treasury.
The undead warlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates in the common language as, The Destroyer.
Quietly says to the mage who is in exile from the city-state of Vexil "They'll be coming out soon".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque, briefly pauses before continuing with "They've just stopped to let others go by".
After another pause, the large, heavily armoured deathlord says "They're moving again".
Draugadrottin pauses once again, then tells the spellcaster who is a member of his personal council "Now".
Mira Reinholt lets go off the mageglobe he's been holding in his right hand.
The living piece of magic, drops down off the roof of the building the two of them are standing on top of, and shoots down to the street that runs along the east sides of the treasury building.
After ushering more of the soldiers with them by, the self styled duke of Kuradum says "We'll go next".
Councilman Hirrye, his assistant subcommander Phogarn, Losmena the sorceress and the rebel leader's personal guards.
Make their way to the mouth of the short lane they've been waiting in, as soldiers in the rebel army cross over to behind the massive building across the street that houses the ruling council's treasury.
They briefly stop at the end of the lane, and the ex councilman says to three of his personal guards "You three first".
The rebel leader then tells his assistant and the sorceress "Then us".
Councilman Hirrye then tells his remaining personal guards "Then you lot".
He then adds "Make sure the rest following you, don't try to come over in one lot".
The senior most of his personal guards nods, then says "I'll make sure of it sir".
Then the man who plans to rule the city-state of Kuradum says to the trio he picked to go first "Go".
The three personal guards in question, leave the lane, one after the other, moving quickly across the street to the back side of the treasury building.
Then the ex councilman says to the army officer who is his assistant, and the attractive young sorceress "Our turn".
The other two nod, and it's subcommander Phogarn who leads the way out of the lane, and across the street.
He's followed by councilman Hirrye, then the sorceress Losmena as they head towards the back of the massive building that houses the nation's treasury.
Call it pure chance, or just the luck of the gods, or maybe even fate.
But as the young teenage sorceress follows closely behind the the ex councilman who wants to be duke of Kuradum.
She briefly spots a flash of light out of the corner of her right eye as they cross the street.
The powerful spellcaster quickly turns her head as the light she caught a quick glance of.
Stood out against the blue, clear sky on this cold winter's morning here in the capital city of Kuradum. It stood out because it was red.
Losmena briefly catches sight of it again as she looks up the street that runs along this side of the treasury building.
The sorceress fighting for the cause of councilman Hirrye sees that it's shooting directly towards the three of them crossing the street.
The teenage practitioner of magic can't really sense it being magical. Then in an instant she realises what can be notoriously difficult to sense, and also be extremely powerful.
And at the last moment, Losmena the sorceress shouts out a warning of "Watch out!".
To the ex councilman and the subcommander infront of her. As she does so, she quickly casts a spell. A spell that would be fairly safe to do under normal circumstances. But extremely dangerous with how she's about to do it.
The powerful sorceress casts the spell. And the next instant the red mageglobe reaches the middle of the street where they are, and explodes . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 67.

Winter.

"Yeah she's definitely that way" says Narladene the ground pixie who points away to the northwest.
In the direction of the third rift, here in the city of Kuradum this morning.
The tiny winged creature pauses for a moment or two, before continuing with "She's heading towards them" followed by "More or less".
The them, the naturally magical creature is referring to, is lord Farque and Mira Reinholt the mage.
On hearing this, Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, then quietly says "Good".
The highly talented elven magic user then adds "Hopefully they won't last much longer".
As he gestures to the council grounds across the street from them.
Where a rift is in plain view, in the massive back courtyard of the grounds where the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum is based.
A rift that soldiers in the army of the rebel leader, the so called duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Are quickly making their way out of, on what's a cold, but sunny winter's morning here in the capital city.
They're coming out of the rift, but they're not getting all that far info the grounds of the city-state's ruling council.
As all hell has broken out across the street in the council grounds. There rebel soldiers are attacking rebel soldiers.
None of them know why they're doing it. And others are wondering why the rest are attacking them.
They're attacking their fellow soldiers in the army of the rebel leader, councilman Hirrye.
Thanks to a number of spells that the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has cast upon them.
The highly talented elven magic user as he stands upon a rooftop, across the street from the grounds of The ruling council of Kuradum.
Briefly looks away to the northwest again, in the direction of the third rift, which he can sense.
But he's unable to sense the spellcaster who has created it, along with the one in the grounds of the ruling council.
As well as the one on the south wall of the capital city of Kuradum.
That spellcaster being the young sorceress by the name of Losmena.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Who also happens to be a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Glances down to the street below, where the body of an enemy spy is.
A small number of people have come onto the street to see what's happening.
As the streets of the city are basically empty, and people are staying indoors due to councilman Hirrye and his army attacking the city.
As a few of the people who are have come outside, wander along the street to check out the dead body.
Even though they can't help but watch what's happening in the grounds of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel looks across to there again, and nods as he sees that no one from inside the buildings on the council grounds have come out to investigate what's happening.
As he gave an order to what few council guards that are on the grounds. To remain indoors with those of the ruling council who came back here from the south wall of the city.
While the rest of the city council, are up a watchtower of the city guard, in the south of the city, where they're watching the battle from.
The highly talented elven practitioner of magic goes back to watching the enemy soldiers coming out of the nearby rift.
Most of whom are instantly set upon by their fellow soldiers in councilman Hirrye's army.
"How many do you think are going to come through?" muses Helbe the elven thief with a sideways glance at the tiny winged creature standing upon his right shoulder.
"Don't know" is the reply of Narladene the ground pixie who like the princeling from the island nation of Laerel, is speaking in the elven language.
"But at least sixty, maybe seventy have come through so far" continues the naturally magical creature who hails from the Sunreach Mountains. "Quite a bit" quietly says the elven master assassin, who figures that no matter how many of the enemy are coming out of the rift.
They've probably splitting up into three's, prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel thinks to himself.
As the sun gets higher and higher up into the sky, on this cold but clear winter's morning. Here in the capital of the city-state of Kuradum.
After a trio of the enemy soldiers over in the grounds of the ruling council of Kuradum.
Use their swords to cut down a pair of their fellow soldiers in the rebel army who have just come out of the rift.
Then these three turn on one another, attacking with all of their skills and strength. As they hack and slash one another to death.
Narladene the ground pixie slightly shakes her tiny head, as she watches what's going on, over in the grounds of the city's ruling council.
Then the naturally magical creature says "He's definitely not coming through this one".
Nodding his hooded head in agreement, the blurred and shielded elven magic user says "Yeah, he's with her".
As he gestures in the direction of the other rift just a few hundred yards away to the northwest.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, then says "Best not to".
In response to the tiny winged creature standing on his right shoulder, asking him "Should we just blow up that rift?".
"Might give things away to her" explains the elven master archer, who is pretty sure that even though he's not the most powerful of spellcasters.
He certainly has enough raw magical power to destroy the rift across the street if he has to.
As the two of them continue to watch rebel soldiers killing one another when they come out of the rift.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel asks the ground pixie who is attached to him "Where is she now?".
Narladene who can sense anyone and anything magical, even if they're hiding themselves from other practitioners of magic.
Senses away to the northwest of them, and after a moment she tells the elven princeling from Laerel "Pretty close now".
The naturally magical creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains, briefly pauses before adding "Feels like they're just down the street from her". Narladene follows that with "Well, just down the street from Mira".
Though she would have to drop down to a solid surface, like the rooftop, or even better, the ground.
To sense through it and locate lord Farque, who she figures is with the mage who is originally from the city-state of Vexil.
"Wait" suddenly says Narladene the ground pixie, who then continues with "She's just stopped".
The highly talented elven magic user lifts a questioning eyebrow as he looks at the ground pixie.
"She's on the move again" quietly says the tiny winged creature, who after a slight frown, adds "She's not going directly towards them now".
The naturally magical creature continues with "Basically still going in the same direction, just not to where Mira is".
Helbe the elven thief, who in his white hooded cloak, nods his head in understating.
Then the elven master assassin who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, quietly says "Just as long as she stays in the same general area as them, things should be fine".
I hope, the elven master archer dryly thinks to himself, as he along with the ground pixie standing on top of his right shoulder.
Continue to watch rebel soldiers from councilman Hirrye's army, hurrying out of the rift across the street in the grounds of the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
And get attacked by their fellow rebels who have already come through the rift, and survived being attacked by those who came through before them.
"What is it?" quietly asks Mira Reinholt the mage as they stand upon the roof of a three storey building.
Opposite the treasury building of the ruling council of Kuradum, which is across the street to the south of them.
"She's stopped" quietly says lord Farque who has held up a gauntleted hand to halt the once powerful mage as he's about to do something.
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who is now a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, clears his throat in a questioning manner.
As he stands there upon the roof, with a mageglobe in his right, gloved hand.
The undead warlord who has just nodded his full helmed head at the mouth of the alleyway at the eastern end of the street.
And he tells the Vexilian mage who is in exile from his homeland "She and those with her have stopped".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord follows that with "They've backed up".
He briefly pauses, before continuing with "They're moving again". The undead being, who has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands, points and says "They're going that way".
The mage Reinholt grunts, then he sourly says "They must be going around to the backside of the treasury building".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement with the spellcaster from Vexil, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
Then Des'tier, as lord Farque is known to the elves of a certain age, looks closely at the mage who is a member of his personal council.
After a moment, Mira Reinholt realises that the deathlord of Farque is looking down at him, watching him closely.
Even though the highly skilled swordmaster in the black hooded cloak stands six feet tall.
It's always disconcerting, even after all these years. Whenever the undead warlord looks down at him, and studies him.
"What is it?" asks the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers, when he went offworld through a rift/void spell that he accidentally cast a number of years ago.
"Just wondering if she can sense you?" is the quiet reply from the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The exiled Vexilian mage eyebrows shoot up in surprise at hearing that. As he wears a magical amulet that hides his magical powers, what's left of them. From other practitioners of magic.
"Well, can she?" asks the swordmaster Reinholt who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
"No" is the reply of Draugadrottin, who follows that with "Something put her off from coming this way".
The mage in the black hooded cloak nods his head at that, and slightly grunts.
Mira Reinholt, who knows that the sorceress Losmena, wears something similar to the amulet that the Vexilian mage in exile wears.
It's why the member of lord Farque's personal council can't sense the young sorceress who is working with the rebel leader, councilman Hirrye.
Quietly asks the large, heavily armoured figure standing right next to him "Where exactly?".
"There" says Des'tier who points as be adds "Our view is obstructed by those buildings there".
Lord Farque briefly pauses before he tells the mage Reinholt "They'll cross to behind the treasury building from there".
"This?" quietly asks the practitioner of magic, who tosses up the mageglobe he's holding, and catches it again.
"It can wait" wryly says the deathlord of Farque, who follows that with "Let's see what they do".
As he's fairly certain that the rebel leader himself, the self proclaimed duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Is nearby, with the young sorceress Losmena. And a bunch of others, rebel soldiers presumably. Who are still coming through a rift. That isn't all that faraway.
On what's a cold, but clear and sunny winter's morning, here in the capital city of Kuradum . . . . . .