SJ's miniature form wasn't noticed by the beings who stood guard at the clearing's edge. She didn't wish to startle them, so landed in the forest close to the clearing and grew, then, deliberately making noise, approached.
Drawn swords met her as she came into view of the guards. Their faces relaxed on realising it was SJ.
"Ambassador," a guard said in a hushed tone. The clearing wasn't very large, and with the number of them in it, the sounds of sleeping beings filled the air. SJ noticed another being prod a rather loud snoring being next to it, grumbling.
SJ nodded to the guard as she picked out Lorna and weaved her way through the tangled bodies. Lorna sat at the fire, her face drawn and dark, the fire's light showing the weariness in her eyes. She looked up upon hearing SJ approach.
"SJ," Lorna stated quietly, smiling at her friend. "How did it go?"
"Well, initially. We took out several enemy targets. Then we came upon some trouble. Fas was injured, so we retreated north of town. He is fine," SJ noticed the look of concern after she mentioned he was injured. "He is just resting."
"How did you find us so easily?" Lorna asked.
"It wasn't deliberate then?" SJ said, unsure of whether Aletheia's actions had been on purpose. "I could see the path you had taken because of the trees Aletheia had touched."
Lorna turned her head to look where Aletheia lay. Her face was clear in the firelight, eyes closed, and with a serene expression, sound asleep. "No, I had no idea, and that's concerning. If the enemy could fly, they could also have tracked us."
"I'm glad to see you've moved north," SJ said.
"Yes. We have to do something. We couldn't just stay in the mines and wait for the enemy to find us eventually. The wyvern that Darren discovered at the river will hopefully deter any plans they had to attempt to cross."
It was bizarre how a beast that had previously attacked the town could unknowingly now be acting as a protector.
"What's your plan?"
"Scout and then see what we can do to the enemy at the crags. We will reach it tomorrow. One of the guards knows these northern forests and can lead us through."
"Patch and his clan are also around here somewhere. I'm guessing they will sense us long before we sense them."
"That's good to know; those wolves are excellent fighters."
"Especially for hit-and-run tactics. I have seen the troops by the crags, and there are three lizards there. I'm not sure how many gnolls or draconian forces there are in total, though. I know it's been mentioned around forty, but I can check for certain."
"Forty beings of their level against our guard force means we could never take them on directly."
"No, but as you say, hit-and-run tactics could benefit. Also, if we can time an attack at the same time as those with Alice and Cristy in the valley, and attack from both sides."
"Yes, but the problem is the gate. Whatever happens, we would need to open the crag gates."
"Let me worry about that," SJ said. Of all the beings, she had the best opportunity to move around unnoticed, and if she could somehow open the gates, allowing the valley forces to enter, then they could well take the enemy by surprise.
"Have you eaten?" Lorna asked.
SJ's stomach rumbled at the thought of food. She had eaten the desert rations, which provided some nutrition, but they didn't fill her up. "If anything is going?"
"There is a pot on the other fire. It's not much, but it's filling," Lorna pointed out.
"Thanks," SJ said as she went to grab some.
A young human male was sitting by the fire; she didn't recognise him, his face dirt-stained and eyes heavy. He noticed SJ coming and ladled some stew into a bowl for her. SJ took it, thanking him before returning to Lorna.
She sat quietly eating, trying to devise a plan. Once she had finished and returned the bowl, she went back to Lorna. "I'm going to go and scout the gates. It will be better to do it at night."
Lorna nodded in understanding. "Be careful and don't do anything stupid."
SJ placed her hand on her chest in mock pain. "Me, never," she smiled as she shrank and took off.
The gate at the crags was an impressive sight as she approached; the dwarven stonemasons had done a fantastic job. Thick stone walls seperated the valley from the plateau, and there was no way that any siege weapons that SJ could think of could be brought from the valley to a position where they could strike it. What had appeared like an impenetrable barrier was now against them.
Torches burned along the edge of the wall, and SJ could see at least three beings standing along its length, where the walls met with the crags' rough walls. The walls seamlessly disappeared into its surface. The architecture and skills involved were second to none. Only the tower at Asterfal had left SJ in such high regard.
On the plateau side of the gate, two further gnolls sat by a small fire. SJ knew that the gate mechanism was housed inside a small building that was attached to the side of the gate. That was only through conversations, never having seen the mechanism herself.
She flew down behind the wall's edge out of sight of the troops who looked into the valley, and staying close to the wall, she approached the building. The gnolls sitting by the fire were talking to each other in their usual barks and growls, which SJ now understood perfectly. Nothing they said interested her as she listened on her approach.
The door to the building was ajar, and she flew inside, ducking under its lintel. The gate mechanism filled most of the space. Giant metallic cogs created a network of connections that controlled a thick chain that led up to the gates. It appeared that both gates were controlled from this one location. A large, heavy-looking lever stood to the side, which had to be the mechanism's control.
It was simplistic, yet elegant. It appeared as though a counterweight system was used to swing the heavy gates open, and then once they had opened, a reverse counterweight could swing them closed. SJ had never witnessed them closed before today; the gates had always remained open previously.
SJ left the building, believing that she now understood what she would need to do before flying high over the wall and down into the valley below. Some distance back from the base of the path that led to the valley floor, SJ could clearly see the fires that were set up in a line across the plain. It was obvious where the townsfolk were. Close enough to see the gate in the daytime, but not so close as to be attacked without allowing them time to react. Anything leaving the gates would be easily visible from the plain.
Hastily, she flew across the fields that separated them, her heart leaping in her chest at the thought of seeing Cristy and Alice, never mind any of the others who had escaped.
Beings patrolled the gaps between the fires that were lit along the front of the encampment. The firelight flickered off the mixed armour many of them wore. It was obvious by looking at them that these weren't all experienced fighters, with an almost ragtag mix of equipment on display.
SJ flew low as she approached, coming in short and growing. She strolled towards the closest guards, not wishing to startle them, and called.
"Hello," SJ said, her voice sounding much louder than she expected. One of the guards yelped in response, dropping its sword and hurriedly picking it up with embarrassment.
"Who's there?" the other called, looking out towards her. SJ slowly walked forward until she became visible from the nearby fire.
"It's me, SJ."
The look of relief on the guards' faces was clear as the one who had dropped his weapon fumbled to regain his composure.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," SJ said.
"It's okay. You're the first being that has ever approached us since we arrived. You took us a little by surprise," the more controlled guard stated. SJ didn't know his name.
"Where is Alice?" SJ asked.
The guard turned and pointed towards a larger fire that sat a few hundred feet further back from where the guards were positioned. "If you head towards the larger fire, you should find her near there."
"Thanks," SJ said as she hurried past, the excitement brewing as she neared. She almost jogged across the open ground, a grin breaking out on her face as she saw Alice and Cristy.
"Alice, Cristy," SJ called as she neared, ignoring the other beings that were set up around the area. Most were asleep at this time of night, but her two friends weren't.
They both turned in unison, staring in her direction before standing. SJ ran into their embrace as they hugged each other, before eventually separating and stepping back. Cristy had tears in her eyes. SJ had to keep reminding herself how such an older adult lived in such a young frame. She wasn't even six years old yet.
There was a squeak, and a bundle of miniature wyvern careered into her chest, nearly knocking her over. Kibble licked at her face excitedly as she grabbed him.
"I'm fine, Kibble," SJ said, stroking his head.
"Good," Kibble squeaked.
"What brings you here?" Alice asked. "Nothing bad, I hope?"
"No. We have a plan to attack the gates and take them back, but the only way it will work is if we do it together. Lorna is going to lead the ridge guards to attack from the plateau as you attack from the valley. I will open the gate to allow you to pass through unhindered. Once the gates start to open, I don't think they can be closed immediately," SJ said.
"Come sit," Lorna said.
"Has Fran heard from Harrietta yet?" SJ asked, worried about Zigferd.
"No, not yet," Cristy said as she sat next to her best friend, holding her hand. It filled SJ with warmth; her role as Cristy's protector and saviour was no longer a requirement, yet they still needed each other just as much.
SJ realised how much her new family meant to her, her love and affection for them all a blinding light, yet also a crushing weight of fear.
SJ sat with her friends as they caught up on what had been happening. They had discussed a rough plan, and SJ would share it with the forces on the plateau. Timing was going to be critical, with the key involvement being the valley's forces joining the battle. She didn't stay long and said she would be in touch with Cristy as soon as the forces on the plateau were in position. The concern was the lizards, and SJ had yet to speak to Aletheia and see if there was anything that she could do to help them. It was daunting yet exciting to be considering the hope of freeing the town.
SJ stood to leave. "I'd better get back before first light. I need to check on Fas."
"Understood," Alice said, standing and hugging her.
Cristy did the same and then removed Kibble from SJ's shoulder. "You're staying with me."
Kibble squeaked. "No. I'm going," SJ and Dave are the only two who could understand him.
"Stay here with Cristy. We will soon be back together," SJ said, stroking him.
Kibble squeaked in agreement; his tone filled with sadness.
"I'll be in touch soon," SJ said as she shrank.
"Okay," Dave said. "We have a plan; we just need everything to work out now." His tone was hopeful yet reserved. He may not say it often, but SJ was sure he cared for her friends just as much as she did.
'Let's hope it works. It's going to fall on Aletheia to do something with those lizards,' SJ thought as she flew high above the wall heading back to where Fas had been resting.
"Perhaps. Don't be surprised at what a being's resolve can give them the strength to do," Dave said, his philosophical reply surprising SJ.
'You really do believe in Killic, don't you?'
"I believe in you," Dave said, brushing off the comment.
'Awwww,' SJ thought, filled with love and cute feelings.
"Shut up," Dave huffed. "Oh. I also need to try something; it's rather unorthodox."
Dave and unorthodox spiked her concern. 'What?' SJ thought cautiously.
"I may be able to amend the town's interface."
'How?' SJ said in surprise.
"Well, you are listed as a member and can perform restricted actions currently. You can make trade and similar negotiations on behalf of the town, can’t you? The town isn't large enough for you to be assigned directly, but when I reviewed the details, you are what's known as an executive reserve."
'What does that mean?'
"It means that if anything happens to Alice or Zigferd, then you are automatically granted town interface rights."
'No. That would mean that...' SJ couldn't even finish the thought.
"Stop being so dramatic," Dave sighed. "Zigferd is currently incapacitated, and because of that, I can fool the interface into believing that he isn't available, therefore allowing you access."
'And what good will that do?'
"Ah. That's where my amazing intellect and code manipulation come in." SJ imagined him puffing his chest out with self-pride.
'Go on.'
"Once you are acknowledged as a direct representative and the interface opens to you, and you have a direct coding link, I should be able to manipulate the parameters."
'And?'
"For starters, I may possibly be able to grant Fas reputation bonuses."
'You can get past the system settings?'
"I believe so. Remember that I now have an independent link, so I am not under the direct protocols that prevent certain interactions with interfaces and the like."
'That's the first you've mentioned interfaces.'
"How do you think I manipulated the fog of war?" Dave's cheery voice filled her head.
SJ came into land next to Fas. He was sitting more upright than he had been and looked rested in comparison.
"How are you feeling?" SJ asked.
"Much better than I was. I probably won't get back to full mobility for a couple of days; those lizard jaws bit hard."
"Are you feeling well enough to travel?"
"Of course."
"Great. I located the others; they have moved to the northern edge of the lake and are moving around towards the crags. I went to scout the gate and discovered the mechanism that controls the gate opening and closing."
"You've been busy!"
SJ smiled. "There is a lot to do, and I hope we can hit the gate later today, perhaps this evening."
"We'd better get moving then," Fas said, standing. He still winced slightly as he did.
They spent the next couple of hours traversing the northern edge. The forests were thick and wild, much denser than anywhere else around the lake. Fas stayed close to the shoreline where the forest trees were less dense, to ensure he could maximise his Shadow Step ability as SJ again completed overwatch. It was as the first rays of the sun broke into the sky that they arrived at the encampment.
Breakfast was in full swing, and before they discussed anything else, Fas went and ate. SJ, having had stew in the night, wasn't hungry and sat patiently with Lorna while everyone finished. Once breakfast was finished, the clearing was emptied. Darren and the other rangers ensured it appeared as though no one had been there. It was impressive watching them work until all signs of occupancy vanished. There may be a luminescence to the trees caused by Aletheia, but that wouldn't matter in the daytime, and rangers had been hanging much further back from the group, ensuring that nothing had approached from the western lakeside.
Lythonian, walking with Aletheia in a heavy discussion about deities or similar from the brief snippets SJ overheard, as they picked their way through the forest.
"Aletheia?" SJ said, as there was a pause in the conversation she was having with Lythonian.
"Yes?"
"What can you do to the lizards exactly? There are three at the gate that will be difficult for us to overpower."
She tilted her head thoughtfully as she continued to walk and talk, her hands brushing the underbrush as she did, occasionally whispering something as she passed. On more than one occasion, SJ noticed the surface of the plants shimmer at her touch.
"They will cower from me," Aletheia answered. There was no tone of someone bragging; it was purely factual.
"How can you be so sure?" SJ asked.
"The longer I spend here, the more corruption I am exposed to, and these beasts are a corruption. Therefore, they will try to remain as far from me as they are able."
"If that's the case, then I can't wait to see it," Lorna said.
"We won't know until we get there," SJ sighed. She still held reservations about Aletheia and what she actually stood for; there was no explanation outside of what SJ thought were whimsical answers.
Lythonian dropped back to SJ's side and walked beside her.
"She is an amazing being," Lythonian whispered, not to be heard by her.
"What makes you say that?" SJ asked.
"She has no concept of right and wrong. Her only focus is on healing the world. In her own words, correct the balance."
"Balance? Amathera is always balanced. That's what I've been told."
"No mana balance. She believes that all beings are equal, plants and animals alike. Yet, they are inconsistently given different levels of mana. The mana plants have is a poorer version than that of living beings. Her understanding is that we, as sentient beings, although many of us are still corrupted, are evolved from purer strands. She couldn't explain exactly how she knew."
"Did she tell you anything else?"
"No. Just that it is going to take her a long time to deal with the corruption; if she could, she would spend time with each living plant."
The thought of Aletheia pausing to stroke every single plant in the forest was daunting. SJ wondered if there was anything that Dave could do to support her.
"What!" Dave shouted as Lythonian rejoined Aletheia.
