78 The buns are approaching

This was a little concerning. I had anticipated another attack from the desert pantheon but to go for a secular attack. Whoever this Aura was she should be well aware of strength within the oasis. For her to be this worried about those buns meant that they were likely a force comprised of mostly high mages if not even some archmages.

Since we sort of acted as a replacement for this oasis' gods it wouldn't be good if we just cleared the threat for them. Best to let them handle it themselves while we take care of any gods that wish to interfere.

Normally I wouldn't be this casual about an attack but Kesh just became a rank one archmage and we still had Home as a hidden card up our sleeve.

"You did well to inform us. Now rest up and recuperate while we handle this."

Red similarly didn't sound worried at all. Aura stood up somewhat unsteadily and left the treehouse.

"Aurelia already left. I'll tell Rose and go scout for the enemy. Abel, can I leave raising our defenses to you?"

"How strong are those buns?"

"I don't know their exact numbers but they are almost entirely comprised of high mages. They are feared by the people for a reason."

"Still, if that is all they've got going for themselves they won't get past Kesh and Home, especially Home."

"Home? Ah yes, I recall Rose mentioning something about creating a god. But regardless I'd like to stay cautious. Unnecessary deaths won't fit well into our image."

"Leave it to me."

He stormed out as if he had been barely able to contain himself from doing so during our short conversation. That had likely been the case. He had never been able to sit still when there was something to do.

For now, I just stayed inside the treehouse and went through some possible scenarios in my head. Kesh, Puri, and Rose came to find me soon after with plans of their own. Kesh was going to lead the warriors of the oasis into battle while Puri would be in charge of putting out any fires to keep the oasis from being damaged.

I had no objections to their plans but suggested raising a temporary wall around the oasis. Kesh was thrilled by my proposal since the buns seemed to be a mounted unit and a wall would hinder them greatly.

Sand magic wasn't exactly my forte but I was acceptably proficient in it. I raised a sandstone wall around the oasis with inside stairs and guard towers. I didn't add a gate since Red was the only one currently outside and I really was keen on giving those intruders an easy way in. I did however add a few slight indents into the wall that looked like gates from the outside. If they wanted to try smashing through they could try but all of this was made from magically strengthened sandstone so good luck on that one.

Red returned half an hour later and we met up on top of the wall.

"So got any good news for us?"

"The wall isn't going to be effective against them."

"I asked for the good news. But do explain anyway."

As usual Red held no intention of making small talk and directly got to it.

"Some of them are ridding giant desert hares that can easily make the jump over these walls. Also, they have nearly a hundred high mages and a few mages accompanying them. We will have trouble stopping them like this. I don't like it but we'll have to intervene."

Red and his trigger happy interventions again!

"Hold your horses Red! Our job is to deal with any gods involved. If we split our focus bad things may happen. That said, we could give them some nasty surprises that can be prepared ahead of time. I think that would be more fruitful than any intervention from our side."

"Fine, here's hoping that all the major gods from the desert pantheon came along and we can take them down in one fell swoop. But that's never going to happen."

"Less talking and more magic using. I'll prepare some bones for you to work your horrors. Make sure to give Kesh and his warriors some time to get used to their new allies, will you. I'll go take a look at the enemy myself."

I dropped some gifts for Red out of my stomach and flew up into the sky. I barely ever took the form I was about to take but for stealth, it was the best I could do short of completely abandoning my physical form.

I shifted into something I liked to call the dawn of souls. An experiment of mine where I had tried to imitate a species of monsters known as the dawns of despair had led me to acquire this transformation.

My body became a barely corporeal silver shimmer. My arms expanded and became wings, my legs fused into a tail that resembled a fountain of pure, liquid silver, and my head became a large silvery beak.

I needed no eyes for all that was around me was confided to me by any soul in proximity. I spread my wings and gently flapped them, making me float across the sky weightlessly. To the physical eye, I was nothing more than a tinkle of silvery light that couldn't be found. Neither the gods present nor the bunny people riding towards the oasis noticed my presence among them.

Through their own eyes, I mustered all the forces present. The bunny people were indeed quite a formidable bunch. They all had their own mounts though only a few of them had those giant desert hares Red had warned about.

The gods were also of a much higher class than previously. One duo of gods was equivalent to rank five archmages. One was of the element of light the other was of wind. Each had their own escort of weak gods. Then there was also a fire god that was roughly a rank four archmage.

Red's hope of getting the leaders might actually come true. If the opportunity presented itself I might take it and shift.