‘It’s me! Open the gates!’ Not that the “walls” provided any appreciable level of defence, but having people simply climb over wouldn’t do much for morale. Wood creaked, the gate-panels hinging open. The townsfolk inside had their weapons at the ready, looking uncertainly at the soldiers behind Stathis. Behind them, around the black obelisk, crystals floated and spun, arcs of dark lightning flickering outwards, everyone else keeping a safe distance.

They walked through the gate, Stathis feeling uncomfortable at the head of a group of soldiers, although at least she was on foot rather than being mounted. She raised her voice, not that she needed to – everyone was silent, all eyes focused on them.

‘These men are from the Eighth Expeditionary Force of the Iristari. They’re here to help with the undead problem.’ A mumble went through the crowd, but it didn’t seem unhappy. ‘We came from a fight, and some of them are injured, but they will help to defend your homes.’ That got a very ragged cheer – not bad, given the circumstances. She turned to the officer. ‘I’ll try and find somewhere proper for you to rest, but it’s better than outside. Just be ready in case of an attack.’

He didn’t quite salute, but nodded respectfully, before turning to Brina. ‘Can you get in touch with HQ?’

She shook her head, beads clicking. ‘No. There’s a wizard that might be able to get somethin’ through, but it’s hard. There’s some magical stuff goin’ on that’s blocking most communications. Why we’re stuck out here! Screwin’ up teleportation magic as well.’ She turned to Stathis. ‘Want me to do a debrief?’

‘Uh, I guess. Just don’t, um…’ She trailed off, not wanting to say “without mentioning her name”.

Brina rolled her eyes before nodding. ‘Get everyone settled down and I’ll go over the basics. Oh, and there’s a medusa around. Don’t worry, she’s friendly. Probably.’

A sharp explosion cracked the air, one of the crystals around the obelisk imploding, crunching into a cracked and misshapen blob of glass, all sharp angles and spikes. It fell from the air, thudding into the ground with enough force to stab into the mud, Hakara conjuring a shield around it, just before it exploded into dust. Fortunately the blast was contained within the magical shell, filling it before drifting to the ground in a glowing blue heap.

Janaxia’s clothing rippled in an unfelt wind, an overly-dramatic cloak billowing behind her. Standing behind her was a slender figure in a hooded jacket, the hood rippling occasionally, a bow slung and ready. She looked away as Stathis approached, Hakara staying in her spell-casting position, fingers bent in an uncomfortable-looking gesture, her face strained.

‘You OK, Hakara? What’s going on?’

She slowly unbent her fingers, the magical barrier fading away, crystalline dust forming a puddle on the ground. ‘I was researching these obelisks. The amount of power they can absorb is impressive.’

‘Just don’t break them! They’re probably doing something important.’ Stathis carefully reached out and touched the pillar herself. It was bitterly cold, even through her gauntlet. There was a soft glow of light from her fingers, and the part of the stone she was touching starting to crumble away, turning to soft and powdery dust.

Stathis hurriedly withdrew her hand. The shiny black surface now had an uneven chunk missing, loose grit cascading downwards.

‘Do try not to destroy anything, if you would? The effects could be unpleasant.’ Janaxia stalked forward, her long dress allowing her to advance without any visible motion below the waist. ‘This is something far beyond your comprehension, after all.’

‘You probably don’t understand it either though, do you?’

Hmph!

‘Sorry. I think it still works though. There’s an Iristari force several hills over – although it’s quite a distance by road. I think they must have been sent here to keep an eye on things and then got stuck out here. This lot had been ambushed, and I guided them here. That giant armoured fighter that was guarding Peresperan is around though, he damn nearly had me. He’s got it in for you as well, Janaxia. Watch out, as he’s strong enough to tear through you.’

‘Did you see my brother? It would be concerning if he were to be present. While not as potent as Mother, he is still able to control large numbers of creatures at once.’

‘I didn’t see him, but it’s hard to see much! Well, except for you I guess. Shame you’re too busy to go onto lookout duty. But if you could have a word with your new friend, and get her to tell her men not to get into a fight with soldiers.’

Hakara had finished un-wriggling her fingers now, flexing and massaging them. ‘Will they obey your orders?’

Or have you been formally dis-inherited?

‘They wanted to arrest me. So I had to fly away. Which might be a little awkward if they do get here, but we can sort that out then. Hopefully Semari will be back soon, as I couldn’t carry her as well.’

While I have no liking for her, I will concede that she is useful to have around when there is a fight. ‘Evading your duties again? Would it not have been easier to explain the situation?’

‘I’m not sure how amenable their leader would be to “explanation”! And there were a lot of soldiers – it’s an Expeditionary Force, so I didn’t recognise any of them.’ Everyone was looking at her blankly, so she explained. ‘It was one of Mother’s “oh shit” plans – aside from the regular forces, organise groups to get as many people under arms as reasonably possible. So each has a core of veterans, but are mostly fresh troops, mercenaries from trusted groups bought fully in, well-trained militia cohorts and so on. All built around, in theory, a more experienced logistical corps, with lots of communication back to the capital, and using magic to bring in resources and more experienced troops as needed. On paper, an excellent way of getting lots of soldiers very fast, for holding a lot of territory, while the actual troops can do the bulk of the actual fighting. But if things are bad enough that they’ve been called up, then things must be bad. And without being able to communicate, then they’re stumbling around blind.’

‘Ah, that does sound a situation that could be rather volatile. Especially if those in command of such a force were the type to turn to violence to ensure their supremacy? It would take little effort to carve out a kingdom up here, albeit a petty one.’

‘I’m hoping they don’t do that! For now, at least, they’re too busy fighting zombies. But if they’re at full strength, that’s three hundred soldiers and allied support. That’s more than anything else up here, and just the sort of thing that might actually defend this place. Especially as it looks like there might be someone in charge of it all! Janaxia, do you think Peresperan might be behind this?’

‘Hmmm. If there is something nearby that is of use to him, then yes, it is likely he would take a personal interest. While he prefers to evade risk himself, he is not averse to some personal engagement, at the least. And with his armoured ally to deal with any instances where direct force is needed, then it seems possible he may be here.’

‘If he has any special tricks you know and can deal with in advance, do that. It’s bad enough with random packs of zombies and elementals and who knows what else, without a powerful necromancer actually commanding them!’

The hooded woman approached. She kept her face titled downwards, but Stathis could see a sharply-pointed chin, a gauze veil covering the top half of her face, built into the hood. The hood writhed and twisted, her snake-hair hissing despite being out of sight. ‘There are many of them throughout the woods.’ The hissing followed her words in an odd echo. ‘It is said that, many years ago, a powerful sorcerer, bearing a mighty blade of black metal, travelled these lands, and slew the monsters that haunted the hills. The obelisks are said to be a remnant of his power, used to seal away some treasure of his.’

Stathis looked at Janaxia, who smiled back with smug pleasure.

‘Kinnevar?’

‘It seems highly likely. I believe Ophalissia to be my distant, rural cousin. She is also a keen shot with the bow, and a skilled tracker, as well as leading her own forces.’ Ophalissia smiled, apparently happy with the compliment. Stathis almost asked about the logistics of hunting when looking at things could turn them to stone, but managed to restrain herself. ‘There appears to be a historical feud between her settlement and this place, which has been magnified over time, aided by malcontents and the dispossessed from one going to the other. But it seems little more than the normal squabbling of bored Ruritanians.’

‘As long as no-one’s getting stabbed, I’m fine with it. So, Ophalissia, do you know anything else? Like what might be being protected or how to get to it? Or if there’s anything else the obelisks can do?’

A serpent’s head, vivid green, poked into sight and it’s tongue flicked at the air before retreating out of sight again. ‘Lady Janaxia has said that you are trustworthy, and so I will speak of what I know. But these are ancient secrets, not to be spoken of elsewhere.’

‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. But anything you can tell us might be useful.’ Watching the way the hood writhed and bobbed was slightly un-nerving – how did the woman sleep? Or did the snakes all deal with that themselves, and wriggle out of the way by themselves?

‘According to the legend, he used magical items of great potency to defeat the monsters that used to haunt the area. His final deed was travelling to the lair of a pair of elder dragons, to endear himself to my ancestors.’

‘That’s a lot just for courting!’ At least it had been far back enough that the woman didn’t look anything like Janaxia, at least from what Stathis could see of her.

‘Of lightning and air they were, and they had combined their powers to create an eternal storm, for it suited their purposes. Lightning seared the land, spears from heaven creating many flames in the ancient woods.’ From her intonation, she was paraphrasing something far longer. ‘For three days and three nights the storm did rage, even stronger than normal, scarring the land with its anger, as he fought the dragons. Many feared that the world had ended. None had the bravery to approach their lair, until he emerged. His armour had been destroyed, and all he bore was his blade.’ Janaxia smiled in appreciation of the story, before it was continued. ‘He raised his blade, and another bolt of lightning came down, a spear of heaven from the sky. It danced over his blade, before the power faded away. And then the ground shook, the very earth itself answering itself to his will. The first of the black pillars arose then, emerging from the earth.’

Stathis tried not to wince at the excessively-phallic imagery, although Hakara was nodding along, probably trying to work out what that meant in terms of actual magic.

‘He travelled the land, erecting the pillars. With each, the storm faded, the power drawn away, a little at a time. Until, after much work, and many other beasts slain, the storm finally faded, and the blue sky was seen, for the first time in many years. And then he visited my ancestress, and…’

‘I can guess that part, we don’t need the details. So, weather control, and probably channelling or draining power? Any thoughts, Hakara?’

‘That matches with what I’ve found.’

‘Janaxia, any idea what he might have been keeping warded down there? I don’t want to risk releasing undead super-dragons or anything.’

‘I’m sure that he would have been thorough in his extermination of his foes. Although I am curious as to what he may have sealed away. He had acquired many potent items over the years, after all. Some of them ended up in the family vaults, but many didn’t. And a not-inconsiderable amount of wealth as well.’

‘Items like…?’

‘Oh, various magical rings, amulets, blades, armour and so forth. Much was likely sold or given away in his adventures, but some he may have retained rather than gifting to his lieutenants. A few items of note, such as the Flameshroud shield, the ten rings of the golden daughters of Ivaresskar, some portion of the weapons from the forges of Thrannalmar, that sort of thing. It would certainly be useful to have any such items for ourselves.’

‘Nothing cursed? Or that might otherwise screw us over?’

‘Possibly, but I imagine that we are potent enough to deal with such things by ourselves. Hakara and Pajaran can probably manage a solution of some kind.’

‘Given your tendency to get enchanted by pretty much anything, let’s not risk it. I’m guessing the location of the cave is unknown? That tends to be the way these things go.’ Ophalissia nodded. ‘Well, if it’s linked to the obelisks, then you can probably do something, Hakara?’

‘They do seem bound together, yes.’

‘And you might be able to use them to transport us?’

‘It would likely be a rather unpleasant way of travelling, but yes. That should be entirely possible. Although I would rather use Semari as a test subject.’

‘As long as you can get her to agree. And she gets back OK – not sure how long it might take to travel back here on foot, even with her speed. I don’t think she was even noticed, to be honest. Hey, could you try and look through to other pillars? If you think you can transport via them, shouldn’t it be possible to peer through? Without getting zapped, hopefully?’ Hakara looked upwards, seeming to consider the idea, as Stathis spoke to Ophalissia again. ‘Do you know of any stories about the pillars? Curses or anything? I don’t want Hakara to get exploded by them.’

‘I am unskilled in the arcane arts, but I do not believe so. I would be wary of the lightning they draw, but I do not believe them harmful by themselves.’

‘Well, that’s something.’

‘Yes, I think that should be possible. Although there would be a danger of the lightning coming while looking through, which would be rather dazzling and painful.’

‘If you could find anything out? Just don’t do anything too dangerous. Oh, Janaxia – if you could stay away from the Iristari soldiers? They don’t know who I am, and I doubt they would take kindly to you. As in, your actual name, at least.’

Janaxia seethed, clothing rippling before settling back down. ‘More deceit, Stathis? Does it not grow tiresome?’

‘It’s not my fault! But it just makes things more complicated. And it’d be even worse for you. So if you could keep your head down? Please? The horns especially? And someone will need to break the news to them that there’s a bunch of friendly Sethans here. That might get a little complicated.’ Stathis felt her head start to throb, trying to think through all the possibilities. And if the main body of soldiers ever got here, that would make things even more complex! Was this what her Mother felt like? It was a lot easier just dealing with monsters, at least you knew what would happen with them.

‘I’m going to go rest, if anything happens come get me. Hakara, see what you can find out. And Ophalissia, thank you for your help. The same goes for you, Janaxia. Thanks for all you’ve done. If you think of anything else from what you know of Kinnevar that might help, let me know. Given that you probably know more about him than anyone else, if there is anything super-special hidden away, you’re the most likely to be able to figure it out.’

That earned her a brief, tight smile.

‘I will see what I can recall. And it seems sensible to take your advice, somewhat disagreeable though it may be. You may walk me to my chambers, as you are retiring yourself.’

She held her hand out, Stathis taking it, Janaxia setting the pace as they walked away.