The battle was over in a flash. Embarrassingly quick even for side quest standards. Although I wasn't sure if it was the frighteningly powerful efreet lobbing car-sized fireballs at the tower's walls or a large number of infantry troops charging right through the front lawn that did the trick. Hell, maybe even the Talons infiltrating the enemy lair helped—maybe. I still had reservations when it came to Qwipps Daggerby.
Whichever path opened the way, the end result was me and Kallista strolling up to the rough-hewn steps leading up to the tower entrance with zero worries of getting attacked.
As an added intimidation measure, I'd asked Aura to ride behind us so that her summon could float above like some demonic honor guard ready to scorch the butt of any who challenged our entourage. Also, it was just easier having the dark spirit behind and not front and center where its shadowy form could give me goosebumps.