17 The Calm before the Storm

Nicolas woke up feeling drained. The long trip tired him out and the sheer shock from the botanist's words was the stick that broke the camel's back resulting in his current unfortunate situation.

He quickly walked out of bed and looked around. The room's decoration was rather stark but the thick stone walls gave him a primal feeling of safety. My brother did really do a lot. It really is a shame that so many people needed to die for him to realize the error of his ways. Perhaps I too was at fault for the current situation. No, that is not true I was more than willing to help him out even if it is for my own selfish reasons. After those short thoughts he exited the room and looked around soon enough he found his way to the Great Hall.

When Galahad spotted him he said happily.

"Greetings brother I see that you have recovered rather quickly. You had me worried there for a second. But it is good that you are alright I was planning to host a small feast in your honor. Don't worry nothing too fancy just some game, white bread, and Ale."

Nicolas nodded and responded.

"I see. Anyhow, can you arrange a meeting with that woman?"

Galahad nodded and said with a cheeky smile.

"Are you perhaps in love brother? That would explain your reaction when seeing that women you literally fell head over hills for her."

Nicolas audibly scoffed and responded ironically.

"I was just shocked by her weird looks. But for you to insinuate that my brother perhaps your taste in women is broken. After all, you were kinda forced to marry your current wife maybe that is the source of some weird psychological trauma?"

Galahad continued to smile and said.

"I see that you are trying to deflect your weird fetishes on me brother."

Nicolas sighed and responded seriously.

"It seems that you have become much wittier since your accident. Anyhow, I am curious about your opinion in regard to my old assistants."

Galahad dropped the smile and responded in kind.

"Yeah, I need to start using my brain now that I can't use my brawl. As for your old assistants, they look rather capable to say the very least. Karlos seems to be the most useful for the time being. But Theodore would also be in due time."

Nicolas nodded and said.

"Good to hear. If that is all I would like to have the meeting right now."

Galahad nodded and said.

"I will establish this meeting after you answer a question of mine. Why did you decide to create your mage tower out here?"

Nicolas sighed and said.

"Several reasons, Number one it is much cheaper to create a mage tower out here, Number two I want to help my family's fief develop and number three I find something romantic with taming the frontier. Bringing the light of civilization upon those savage lands. Our world is huge We humans barely control any significant territories in this continent. The north is controlled by orcs, goblins and other beasts. The west ocean is vast and we haven't managed to even reach the other side yet. But the few expeditions out there found several small islands. As for southwards, the southernmost human kingdom is Erimia. Below them lay a vast desert. Most of which is controlled by the Soands. I am sure you are well aware of the other famous races such as the Elves and Dwarfs. While the Dwarfs are the same as in many stories you know living in mountains and gathering wealth. Elves are different... They where humans twisted by magic there bodies now half ethereal. Hard to kill and even harder to reason with. They don't live in forests like it is commonly believed this is the home of other much friendlier beings. Instead, they live in places blasted with magical pollution. The goal of most of them is to convert all humans to elves."To show them the true nature of things as they say.""

Galahad was shocked for a second before asking two questions.

" First and foremost. What are elfkin then and secondly what are the Soands."

Nicolas smiled and quickly answered.

"Elfkin most of the time are people kidnapped by fairies or dryads or rarely the result of breading between a human and a fairy or dryad. As for Soands the best way to describe them is sand elementals. All elementals have as a goal to expand their habitat. But Soands are different they found out that they can twist captured humans through the use of the sands creating a kind of hybrid. Those hybrids are similar to someone ill but actively trying to spread their disease they are human-like in appearance but with an extremely fragile body, with a single good hit able to collapse them into a pile of sand from which will then attempt to reform. The only way to kill them is to destroy their two gem-like eyes. Anyhow where their left or right thumb is supposed to be they have a needle-like protrusion. This is used to stab an unsuspecting victim. The victim will then fall ill. After death claims them, soon after about a day or two, their body will be twisted and recreated using the earthen material nearby creating variants such as dirt, mud, bone, flesh, and stone Vouls. Entire cities have been destroyed by those creatures. Thankfully, the different variants hate each other and they can't speak. On the bright side if the illness is found quickly enough it is reversible rather easily. The person just needs to be purged from the corrupting elemental essence inside their body even a tier two elementalist will be able to help out if the disease is caught early enough."

Galahad nodded and said.

"Well, this is terrifying. Anyways, I always thought that the existence of the undead was a myth. It seems like there is more to it than that."

Nicolas raised his eyebrow and responded.

"Those are not undead those are half elementals. Undead are such things as the sleepless, wraiths, and corpsemen."

Galahad sighed and responded.

"And here I was hoping that those where just the creatures of legend. Well, to be fair corpsemen are not really a threat."

Nicolas and nodded and said

"You are right only in extremely high numbers they will be even mildly terrifying. Anyhow, if your curiosity is saturated I would require for you to set up the meeting now."

Galahad nodded and said.

"Alright."

About half an hour later a clean and well-dressed alchemist entered the throne room. Galahad quickly took his leave and let them discuss their private matters in peace. An hour after Nicolas finished his meeting. Galahad organized a minor feast.

The feast was the last significant event for the rest of the month with only a couple of minor incidents breaking the peace. The road construction hadn't started yet as it was currently the harvest season and after that the planting season and As such all of the laborers where mostly busy tending to the fields. Nicolas had already moved northwards and together with a small army of laborers he hired in Apothia he started construction on his magic tower.

Thanks to the war and the fact that it wasn't widely known yet that Nicolas was building his mage tower out here. No nobles or rich merchants had arrived yet with the goal to curry favor or threaten Galahad into allowing them to meet his brother. But the rest of the realm wasn't faring that well, to say the least.

As Galahad was doing his after-lunch walk he happened upon a minor commotion in front of the Copper Inn. A rather large crowd was gathered and loud voices were heard from the inside.

Galahad quickly made his way into the inside where he heard a loud clear voice saying.

"Ai black clouds plague the land. The war has taken away most honest men and traveling has become difficult. I happened upon the ruins of the Village of Valtos it seemed like the village had an incident. Thankfully I got the hell out of there before the Adjudicators arrived. I think it was some type of invasion perhaps slavers or bandits god knows. I didn't get inside the village after I noticed the chilling silence I knew something had gone very wrong. The rest of the trip here was rather uneventful if you excuse the occasional bandit but that is too be expected in times of war."

Galahad pushed through the crowd and saw a table surrounded by the locals. A single man was sitting alone he was middle-aged, decently dressed, with blond thinning hair and a well-maintained beard most likely a merchant. After Galahad the main he pushed forward and said.

"Good Mister, I am the landed Knight of this small fief would you accept my invitation for a meal in my castle?"

The man quickly bowed and looked quite panicked.

"Em good Sir, em I have places to be..."

Galahad smiled and said

"Don't worry I will just offer you some beer and cheese and you can be on your way."

The man nodded and both of them quickly left and a few minutes later they where in the Great hall. Galahad gave a simple order for a bit of white bread, some cheese and two tankards of beer. He then turned his attention back to the man and said.

"As I am the one that Invited you over let me introduce myself I am Galahad von Highkeep."

The man much calmer now and responded.

"I am Anthon Bragon and I am a small-time merchant. However, I lost most of my wares in a bandit incident."

Galahad nodded and said.

"As we don't get many visitors in these parts do you have any news?"

Anthon nodded and said.

"Well what you expect really, there has been a rise in bandits and goblin attacks. Empty villages probably the work of slavers and an increase in the price of goods of war."

Galahad nodded and said anything else.

"Well, I heard a rumor that we are losing badly, Appearantly the independent faction decided to join the Frankish side and soon after the Karellinians reached a settlement with the franks. Granting the Karellians ten contested border baronies."

Galahad nodded and then asked

"What brought you here? We are quite a bit off the beaten path"

Anthon smiled guiltily and said

"Well, I thought that by going to a relatively desolate place such as this I could sell the information I had for a warm plate of food from the locals and maybe some small pieces of currency. In the vain hope, I could leverage them to return back to Ion."

Galahad nodded and said.

"I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors but now let's eat and talk later."

After that last exchange, they finished the simple meal and had some meaningless small talk before the merchant finally left. The rest of the week passed without incident until one morning as Galahad was having his lunch Karlos entered the Throne Room and bowed deeply. As Galahad was chewing he motioned Karlos to speak.

Karlos nodded and said Seriously.

"Sire, Magos Erfiadis has arrived outside and he seeks an audience with your lordship."

Galahad nodded and responded quickly.

"Alright, I will finish my meal later. Please call over a servant to take away the plates."

Karlos nodded and quickly left the chamber after about five minutes everything was in order. As Erfiadis entered into the chamber.

Karlos said with Gravitas.

"Greetings dignified Magos Erfiaids. You are in the presence of Sir Galahad Von Highkeep Knight Protector of the eastern fringe and Marshal of Gragon."

Galahad waited for Karlos to complete his introduction and then asked curiously.

"So Magos Erfiadis what brings you to my humble abode?"

Erfiadis gave a quick bow before smiling and responding in turn.

"Humble is a bit of an understatement your lordship. I have seen plenty of Barons with less impressive seats of power. You should almost qualify to request your rank to be upgraded to a Baronet and gain your own vassal. But I didn't come over to congratulate you on your achievements or bestow you any rewards from the crown. But arguably the news I bring will be equally worthwhile to you."

Galahad raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Is it about the trading post?"

Erfiadis nodded and responded.

"Indeed we shall start construction by tomorrow."

Galahad nodded and asked.

"Any news from the conflict. How are our men faring?"

Erfiadis sighed and responded.

"Not well, while they haven't really made any large scale offenses yet the war isn't looking good. At least twenty nobles have either been killed or captured. While the general casualty numbers are still quite low., they are steadily increasing and their side has many more men than ours. Also, I want you to be extra vigilant as it looks like we might be hit by a beast wave."

Galahad raised his head in interest and said.

"A beast wave you say. Does that have anything to do with the disappearance of most herbivores?"

Erfiadis smiled and said.

"Well, their disappearance is what normally causes beast waves. Well, the term beast wave might be slightly wrong. Wolf waves are a better term. They tend to migrate at the same time as the bigger solitary carnivores but they don't tend to mingle. While most of the time they don't migrate southwards. Some of them do try their luck. Most of those beasts are starving and their swollen numbers together with their hunger drive's them to attack relatively unprotected settlements. Most of the time they aren't that dangerous but they occasionally manage to break through a badly made or maintained palisade wall. Your fief should be fine though. But you might be called upon to defend Heria, Sir Jeroic's territory.

Galahad nodded and then asked.

"Are the beast waves induced by something more dangerous ?"

Erfiadis shook his head and responded.

"Most likely not. But it is a narrow possibility that they are being chased by a horde of corpsemen. But I find that rather unlikely. Corpsemen invasions almost always come from the south and rarely if ever from the north. After all for a primogenitor to be created fool magic or a large number of unpaid grudges are required. In both cases, those are most common far south rather than the barely inhibited frontier."

Galahad nodded and responded.

"Alright But what about the safety of the trading post."

Erfiadis smiled and said.

"The trading post will be a solid structure made from granite, no mere beast wave will be able to break through its defenses."

Galahad nodded and stated.

"If that is all. I shall end our meeting here."

Erfiadis nodded and responded.

"That is all. I will take my leave then."

After Erfiadis left the next two days passed by rather peacefully. little did they know that this was just the calm before the storm. On the morning of the third day, a messenger arrived at Highkeep. As soon as he reached the keep he burst through the throne room and shouted.

"IS THE MARSHAL HERE? I HAVE IMPORTANT NEWS."

Karlos quickly responded calmly

"Calm down my friend I am sure the news can't be that important right? I am sure I can help with any problems."

The messenger continued to shout.

"HERIA FELL THE CITIZENS WERE ALL SLAUGHTERED AND A BEAST HORDE IS MARCHING TOWARDS ERFIA."

Karlos nodded and said solemnly.

"Alright, that might be a slightly bigger issue. I will get Sir Galahad here as quickly as I can. Elena, please give the quickwitted gentleman a glass of water."

After five minutes a messily dressed Galahad was before the messenger.

Galahad then asked with sobriety.

"I want all of the information you have in regards to the attack."

The messenger nodded and said calmly.

"Yesterday when a merchant from Erfia had yet to return from Heria after two whole days. A small militia unit was sent out to investigate. After all those two hamlets have quite a bloody common history and revenge murders are rare but still occur. Upon entering through the collapsed gate of Heria they were greeted by a scene of utter devastation. Even some of the well-built houses had been reduced to nothing more than rabble. With two families left as the only survivors, one was found hiding in a cellar and the other was hiding in Jeroic's vault room. The survivors explained that the beast wave this time wasn't compromised by wolfs but by Borean lions instead."

Galahads face immediately lost all color and stood frozen for a solid minute before sighing heavily and unsteadily asking.

"How many of them."

The messenger sighed and said bitterly.

"At least fifty with about four Alphas."

Galahad sighed he looked at Karlos and asked.

"Any suggestions on how to deal with them?"

Karlos looked at Galahad and responded calmly.

"Aren't they just animals? Can't we just dig a deep pit camouflaged it and place our troops as bait causing them to all fall to their deaths."

Galahad sighed and shook his head.

"No, we can't. They are smart enough to send their Omegas as probes. So they will most likely be able to find the pits before they do any serious damage to their pack. Additionally, they are strong enough to just break through the palisade walls or they can skip the settlement entirely and hunt the farm animals. A single of those bastards needs a dozen spearmen to take down safely. If we get charged by even forty of them it will be worst than being charged by heavy cavalry. Archers can barely do any serious damage. While crossbows could be rather efficient the reload time is extremely slow and the targets move rather fast. We can't use large scale magic as my brother has just managed to finish the first floor of his tower and he has cast several wards blocking all access to us mear mortals for at least six months. Since he needs to focus on his research. Our best chance is to try out an old tactic but it is rather risky and it might not be successful. But it is the only thing we currently have. Karlos go and Inform everyone outside of my militia to gather at the keep. I can't afford to throw away more of my serfs' lives. I will lead my militia at Gragon from there we will raise the levies of Gragon and then head to Sinor before raising their levies as well. We will also grab whatever remains from those settlements guard forces. Before we head for Erfia. My last question is how many days do we have before the horde overruns Erfia."

The messenger feeling slightly more confident in their chances explained calmly.

"While they hadn't made a move yet when I left. The people from Heria were probably far from enough to satiate the lions, especially after winter. Additionally, the ease with which they destroyed Heria will most likely make them more reckless as they will see us as meer prey. As such we should have a week or less before they attack. After all, Erfia is well managed and is much better defended making it a more intimidating target. But even with all of those troops do we have a tactic to beat them?"

Galahad nodded and said.

"Yeah, we will use an old tactic. We will just mass spear men creating a square formation with spears protruding from all sides. We will then hopefully make the lions charge us by constantly harassing them with arrow fire. In the meanwhile, we will move all of the citizens of the surrounding villages in the keep of Gragon. It might be a bit crowded for a while but it will save many lives."

Karlos then looked at his lord and said thoughtfully.

"It seems like a decent idea but what are we going to do if they never attack?

Galahad shrugged and said

"We will harass them until they do, they die, or they exit the fiefs which I am responsible for. But I do plan to talk to Boris, Ludwig, and Martin to finalize the details of the plan."