The siege began in a fairly desultory, almost lazy, way – Zarazonnia arranged her forces into a loose circle around the walls, outside of easy bow-shot, although a few arrows still tried. The watch-towers were pulled over, the wood re-purposed for barricades. A few tents were erected – fancy and ornate things of silk, brightly coloured and looking more suited for tournament-grounds rather than an actual battlefield, making Stathis wonder who would be in charge of cleaning them afterwards. Almost certainly not any of the soldiers!

The sky above was clear blue, a slightly chill breeze blowing down from the mountains, but there seemed no danger of rain or worse, nor did the surrounding peaks have any signs of monster infestation. Some of Zarazonnia’s wizards were carefully attacking the magical barrier, but without any proper shield-lines to hide behind, it was a risky business, having to dart forward and unleash darts of flame or ice, then rapidly retreat out of range. The occasional scream showed that they weren’t entirely successful, some of the shots striking home.

Whatever the barrier was, it showed no signs of weakening, visible as a thin dome of energy when a spell struck against it. None of Zarazonnia’s forces had mundane ranged weapons, at least with enough power to attack someone on top of the walls. Stathis had armoured up, glad that the weather permitted full harness without making her sweat buckets, and had gone forward to have a look herself, shield raised.

Even closer, it had been impossible to make out the identity of the defenders – several arrows had struck her shield, embedding into the surface. Looking up, even with her helmet on, had seemed unwise, and so she had retreated. The arrows she had to pull out of her shield – they were well-made, hard to distinguish. Whoever was in there was sitting on decent gear, as well as that magical shield.

The bridge to the gate had been drawn up, making it impossible to directly access, let alone break down. It looked like thick wood, likely resistant to regular assault, and probably enchanted against spells in some fashion.

Zarazonnia was curled in on herself, her coils spiralled beneath her torso. A table had been set up, a map getting sketched onto it, wooden blocks being moved into place. At the moment, there was a large red stack inside the castle, and a more spread-out set of black blocks outside. A silk screen had been raised, doing something to obscure them from the view of those inside the fortress, and protecting them from stray shots.

‘Ah, Janaxia! Please, join us. I wasn’t expecting resistance, at least anything of note.’ Despite her words, she sounded excited, fingers drumming on a sword-hilt. ‘That magical barrier is unexpected. I wasn’t expecting there to be forces of notable power out here. Whoever or whatever is generating it must be potent. It would be helpful to deal with that first. In terms of regular forces, we outnumber them, significantly, but have little means of breaking through their walls.’

‘A masterful summary, Queen Zarazonnia.’ Janaxia ducked her head in a polite curtsey, chain-medallions clinking against horn. ‘It seems it may be more of a struggle than anticipated. That barrier is potent, and seems likely to be resistant against whatever force can be leveraged against it. It may be easier if it were to be destroyed from the inside, somehow.’

‘An interesting option. Although I am sadly lacking forces suited to such infiltration. I was expecting a more straightforward assault and beachhead, and then to bring more forces through. Without a quick win, then morale and support may disappear. This could be somewhat troublesome.’

‘Are none of your wizards capable of anything helpful?’

‘They are drained from having to make the journey here. Even with my aid, such a passage took a toll. They are mostly unskilled at the more combative applications of the magical arts as well.’ There was a cry of pain as one of the wizards was skewered by an arrow, a fighter having to drag them back out of range before they were shot again. ‘Well, at least they will learn fast. Now, Janaxia, I don’t suppose there is anything that you can do? Sadly, I am rather ill-suited to either stealth or moving up to the walls directly without attracting heavy fire.’ She gestured at her serpentine rear. ‘But you have skills rather more suited to this affair, I would hope?’

This is perhaps something we can help with, Stathis?

Stathis didn’t want to talk herself, preferring to stay as Janaxia’s mute guardian. She gave a slight nod of the head – they might be able to make this more peaceful somehow? Or maybe protract the siege until someone else could get here? Zarazonnia didn’t have a lot of supplies on hand, and this place seemed isolated enough that raiding for more might not be practical, and if it took a lot of effort to open the gate, then they couldn’t just head back for more.

‘We will see what can be done. I don’t know who dwells here – or where here actually is? It appears quite desolate. Even with my extensive travels, this place is not known to me.’

‘That is a surprise – I would have thought you may have heard stories of this place. There is ancient power here, slumbering deep beneath the earth. The gateway was sealed, and to open it, even for a short period, has drained the resources of my casters. I was hoping for a quick victory to establish a foothold, but this may prove more of a problem. It needs resolving swiftly. It appears they have a powerful wizard here – such people are often open to the offer of power, rather than any loyalty. As to location? This is to the north-east of the great ocean, and far east of Setha. I don’t think there are any other settlements nearby worthy of mention.’

‘Ah, so there is little chance of reinforcements? That, at least is convenient. And I imagine that the walls present an obstacle that cannot simply be defeated, sad to say?’

‘Indeed. I could likely take the fortress, but would have to incur heavier damage than I would like. Once I have captured the place, then I will be able to have some heavier troops to deal with such problems, but Setha had little other than infantry.’

Janaxia nodded. ‘Yes, your forces are somewhat limited in scope, it seems. Very well. I will take my guard and see what can be done. Perhaps they will be amenable to reason?’

Perhaps you can attempt a peaceful solution? It would be easier if this could be resolved without anyone attempting to murder us?

‘I will leave you to strategize with your guard. As you are rather more normal-looking than most of my forces, then that may help with any discussions. Or make them lower their guard.’

Yes, perhaps we should have some form of plan. Follow me.

Being ordered seemed a bit rude, but there wasn’t really any way to object. Janaxia withdrew, allowing other solders to step forward and start talking to Zarazonnia.

Once they were out of earshot, Janaxia turned to look at Stathis. Her clothing warped and melted, changing into her attempt at a “martial” outfit, sleek leather armour forming around her, an open panel showing the outer fringe of her tattoo. It was moving again, although only slowly, the blacks seeming dull and faded, like a normal tattoo rather than the usual jet-black markings.

I would imagine that any assault is likely to fail?

‘Actual voice, please. And yes – that magical barrier looks pretty powerful. And I’m still not really keen on trying to fly in front of a load of demons, that seems like the sort of thing that might cause problems. Or at least raise questions!’

You do seem remarkably loathe to reveal yourself. It is almost rude! ‘Yes, that seems a fair assessment. Neither of us are particularly suited for stealth, and so a direct approach may be the best. They may be amenable to reason.’

‘We’ve just shown up with an army of demons. I’m not sure they’re going to be amenable to “reason”. But we can at least try. I wonder if that barrier goes both ways? You might be able to warp us out, maybe? If I have to, I can grab you and fly, but, well…’

Yes, I am quite aware of your cowardice when it comes to revealing your true self. ‘It might be worth trying.’

‘You do realise I can hear you, right? So I guess we just go see them and hope they’re at least willing to talk. Can you protect yourself? They’re probably going to try and shoot us when we approach. And this stuff is still not actual armour.’ She poked Janaxia in the shoulder, feeling the magical-conjured leather flex – it would give some protection, but wasn’t as good as mundane armour. ‘Get at least some chain or something. Please?’

‘I think we might be better served by perhaps a less martial appearance? If we are attempting diplomacy?’

‘OK, you’ve got a point there. I suppose you can be weird and spooky, and I can be sensible and plain-speaking. If we can get them talking, then we can see what’s going on. If we can drag this out, then we might be able to get this to an end without anything bad happening. I’d rather not help a demon army conquer anything.’

‘Well, yes, but I think that some protection from my own family may be wise. So it seems we may as well make ourselves useful.’ And Zarazonnia is rather accepting.

‘Well, yes, but she’s still leading a demon army. Not exactly the most friendly way to go about things! And I’m worried about where she’s getting more forces from, as I don’t think she’ll be hiring mercenaries.’

‘Well, she doubtless has some plan.’

‘That’s what I’m worried about! I’d rather not have demons attacking anywhere! Although wizards out in the middle of nowhere are often up to no good themselves. At least this place doesn’t seem too weird. Can you tell anything about the magic?’

Janaxia took a moment to scrutinise the magical dome. ‘It seems potent. It must be sustained by something – for something of that scope and scale, it cannot be sustained by a single will. Perhaps it is drawing power from the land? We have encountered similar effects before. Although they weren’t quite so potent.’

‘Do you think you’ll be OK? Magical things sometimes affect you strangely. Try not to become some magical-devouring demon or something. Or maybe you’ll break it when you walk through?’

‘I do wish you wouldn’t keep saying such things.’

Stathis reached out, Janaxia too slow to dodge as Stathis scritched a horn. ‘Well, you do sometimes do odd things. Just be careful. You’re nice and light, but I prefer you being conscious. Especially if there’s any negotiation going on! Hard to do that with you being zonked out. Well, shall we get moving? No use hanging around, is there?’

‘Hmmm, there isn’t much scouting we can do. Well, I suppose we may as well go now. Although you can go first. Far better that any arrows hit your armour rather than me! Is there any etiquette involved? I am unsure of the decorum of such discussions.’

‘Well, it’s normally straight-up threats, or trying to convince them to give up. Given that we’re not really fully equipped for a siege, and we’ve suddenly popped out of nowhere, so they’re probably shitting themselves. Especially if they’ve seen Zarazonnia as well! If we can convince them that they won’t get murdered, we might be in with a chance.’

Janaxia gestured again, a shimmering barrier of energy fading into her ornamental armour, a protection spell wrapping into place around her. ‘Well, I suppose we will have to tread that fine line between “threat” and “not getting killed ourselves”. Diplomacy is rather complex. Although having an army backing us does lend a certain grandeur to our position.’

She started walking forward, Stathis strapping her shield to her arm in readiness, dashing forward to be in front of Janaxia. Fortunately, the archers seemed to be looking elsewhere as they moved forward, the magical barrier ahead of them. Stathis stayed close in front of Janaxia, shield raised, feeling the shock of impact, another arrow rattling against her shoulder, the force absorbed by the armour.

As they passed through it, Stathis felt a cold shiver move over her, a slight fuzzing in her head which she had to shake away, her sword feeling heavy in her hand, armour clunky and uncomfortable. Several steps later, the normal feeling resumed, just in time for her to chop an arrow from the air. She heard a startled sound from behind, having to fully turn in order to see through the narrow helm-slit, where Janaxia’s clothing was starting to melt.

She crouched on the ground, covering herself with her arms, eyes closed as she focused. Her clothing ceased melting, reforming itself again. An arrow embedded itself into the ground next to her, fletching vibrating as Stathis moved to protect her. The protective shimmer reasserted itself, just in time to deflect another arrow.

Hmm, it appears to be a shell rather than a field. Interesting.

More arrows started to target them, hitting against Stathis’ armour, hard enough to make her feel the strikes. ‘Can you get us up there then?’

Janaxia moved her hand through her hair, patting it into place, making sure her horn-chains were properly in place, Stathis grunting as an arrow smacked straight into her breastplate, the metal taking the impact, but not hard enough that she didn’t feel the knock of impact. Then she reached out and put her hand on Stathis, and spoke an un-word. Everything went dark for a second, the world vanishing in nothingness.

Solid ground appeared beneath Stathis’ feet, and she staggered. A swearword sounded from nearby as she tried to orientate herself – they were up on the battlements, looking over a courtyard, the space filled with strange magical symbols shaped of bronze, odd spikes and strangely-shaped devices at the corners. It didn’t hurt to look at like Janaxia’s book, but it was clearly occult and magical in some fashion.

‘We have come to speak to your leaders!’ Janaxia’s voice sounded out, quite loud, despite the fact that she was hiding herself by standing quite close to Stathis. Three archers looked back at her, arrows nocked, although at this range she could probably take at least two before getting attacked herself. They had shortswords, but hadn’t drawn them yet. They were wearing matching sets of armour – not just militia then, they looked like a mercenary band, a badge of a wolf’s head visible on their breasts.

Stathis pointed her sword at the ground – not away, just in case this went wrong, but not immediately threatening, tensing up in case the arrows came shooting towards her.

‘If we wanted you destroyed, then steps would already have been taken.’ Stathis heard Janaxia click her fingers and then make an eldritch sound, probably her performing some impressive-looking effect. ‘So, if you could show us to whoever can actually make decisions? Otherwise this matter may require rather urgent, and unpleasant escalation.’

Stathis could see other troops reacting to their appearance – archers on the other walls turning to face them, bows at the ready, two robed figures moving amongst the giant magical sigil-thing and waving their hands, making parts of it flare with energy. An armoured figure was striding around the edge of the courtyard, wearing full harness, the metal clean but dull, obviously well-used, an axe hanging off their back, several other figures with the undeniable attitude of under-officers hovering around them.

‘Ah, that would be the one to talk to?’ Before Stathis could speak or stop her, Janaxia had touched her again, and there was the nothing-space, before they dropped a few inches onto the ground, just in front of them.

They drew their axe, a double-handed thing with a massive blade, green magical energy bright along the shining metal edge. The officers all drew their swords as well, spreading out to try and surround Stathis and Janaxia – they were all armoured in chain, holding their swords with proficient stances.

Janaxia spoke. ‘You would be the commanding officer, I presume? Excellent. I am Janaxia, an emissary of Queen Zarazonnia of the Iron Scales. You have probably noticed her outside, she is rather hard to miss.’

The leader looked at both of them – they were wearing a full helm, the same as Stathis, hiding their face. They kept the axe raised, Stathis ready to try and block it, wondering what magical power it had, aware of the archers on the battlements, now targeting them.

‘We have come to talk. A conflict may cause issues for all of us – better if this were to be averted without bloodshed, no?’

They stared at each other, the axe seeming to get larger and larger, Stathis ready to move as soon as they did, the tension taut.