Tunera swung her sword, the strike crisp and clean, her posture correct, shoulders aligned, feet slightly apart. She drew back into a guarded stance, before stepping forward and making a horizontal slice, sword whistling through the air and slicing into the target dummy. It cut through the thick sacking, some of the sand and straw inside leaking out, before she followed up with another swift slash, back the other way, and then she skipped backwards, as though evading a counter.

‘Good work. You need to try and aim for under the arm – if they’re armoured, it’ll be weaker there, and you can get a kill-strike if you put enough force into it. Only aim for the torso if they’re unarmoured.’ Brand was watching her, nodding in approval, his arms crossed.

Tunera attacked against, this time darting to the side, the crossing back and thrusting upwards, her blade slicing beneath the cross-piece of the dummy, stabbing into the wrapped-up bundle of hay. When she drew it out, sand poured out, hissing to the ground. For good measure, she circled around behind them, raising her sword up and attacking from the shoulder, using her full weight to slam the sword into the target.

‘Your enemies will probably move more, but if you ever do get the chance to attack from behind, then that will do the trick. Although only against people. Monsters can be a lot stranger.’

‘If that happens, then I’ll have to figure something out!’ Her sword was securely wedged into the target, and she had to tug and twist to get it out, slicing back through the burlap sacking, more sand hissing to the ground.

‘Is there any word from the western patrol?’ The sword really was stuck! She shouldn’t have attacked quite so hard – against a real opponent, that would be dangerous, leaving her without a weapon if it stuck in them.

‘Not yet. It’s possible they were just caught in bad weather? The storms haven’t been as bad recently, but if the Bluerun is high, then they’ll have to travel all the way down to Highbridge to get around.’

‘That shouldn’t take this long, though. Even if the hills are waterlogged, they should have been back several days ago. Or at least been able to make it to one of the signal towers and light that. And with all the rumours around, I am worried.’

She looked over at the armour – her armour! – hanging on the wall, set into a protected alcove. Still too big for her, and she couldn’t wear it without the heavy cuirass sliding around on her body, heavy and awkward, but soon she should be able to wear it. And then she could be a leader, like Stathis! For now, she had to settle for chainmail, her muscles firming up under the constant weight, and now she could tumble and roll and run in it, even though it did still chafe her shoulders sometimes, even with the padding.

With a wrench, she finally got the sword out, almost falling as she put too much strength into the yank, flicking the blade through the air to clean off sawdust, before wiping it against her sleeve and sliding it into the sheathe. ‘Any more rumours? There’s a demon army to the east, all forms of magical communication have stopped working, and we barely get any merchants these days.’

‘Another village has formally applied for protection as well.’

‘Lowrock? Took them long enough. Father will be glad. I just wish I knew more of what was going on! We’re so isolated out here.’ She looked up at the sky – it was dull and overcast, the sun only visible as a dull disk of light, somewhere behind a thick haze of cloud. ‘At least it’s not pissing it down now.’

‘If you want me to, I can tell you off for your language?’

‘It’s not as much fun if you make it optional! But that’s how soldiers talk, isn’t it?’

‘It certainly means it’ll be less of an, uh, shock to you when you’re allowed to go out with the troops.’

‘I should be allowed to go out now! I’m already better than most of them. I need some experience in the field!’ She slid the sword partway out of the sheath, enjoying the scraping sound, the solid weight of the hilt in her hand, resisting the urge to draw it all the way out, her muscles starting to throb and ache from the exercise. ‘It’s not fair that I have to be stuck here! I bet Stathis was allowed out and having adventures whenever she wanted them!’

‘I wouldn’t be so sure of that, I think that the Commander kept her close. Although I imagine she snuck of a certain amount. Just like you do.’

‘It’s not sneaking out when it’s the place that I’m going to rule! I’m supposed to be here, and know things and people. Not my fault that I have to sometimes climb out the window because someone’s locked the door. I think that showed good initiative.’

‘It certainly was convenient that it seemed to be just when the baker had finished all his sweet-berry pies.’

‘It was only right that I test one! I wouldn’t want the people to be poisoned by bad pies.’

Rain started to fall, a soft hiss rapidly increasing in noise and pace as it increased from a light fall to a torrent in a few seconds, raising her arms to cover her head and making a dash for cover. She could feel it soaking into her clothing, starting to leech away her heat even from the brief duration she had been in it.

Inside, the drumming of the rain echoed around the stone passages, making it hard to hear anything. There was a flash of lightning, and a second later thunder rumbled, echoing around inside. Tunera went to a window and looked up, trying not to get blinded by the rain.

Coming down through the sky was a figure, a long cloak wrapped tightly around them, partially protecting them from the weather. Magical forces glowed around their body, supporting them in the air, before they landed in the courtyard. They spread their arms, the cloak opening up to reveal Melltgalwr’s slender form, her fingers twisting and curving as she crooned a gentle song, the storm starting to slacken, rain turning into a thin drizzle.

Her thin frame was covered with an ornate pectoral, brass wires curved around her body, with bright amber beads woven throughout. Sparks of lightning danced across them, casting odd shadows as motes of power flares. She raised a hand, and Tunera closed her eyes and turned her head away, just in time as a spear of lightning snapped down from the heavens, earthing itself through Melltgalwr’s arm.

When the throbbing shadows behind Tunera’s eyelids had faded away and she could see again, then Tunera raised a hand in greeting, not wanting to step into the rain, as Melltgalwr steamed slightly, before striding forward and stepping out of the courtyard.

She twisted her fingers together and dipped her head, Tunera doing her best to mimic the gesture, although without the same grace or dexterity.

‘What news?’

‘An ancient binding hast been released. Darkness is unleased, to shadow all that was built under the sun.’

‘Is this… an elf thing?’

‘It dost concern all the mortal races, and even the heavens themselves.’ The air around her had a strange smell, of dry scorch, despite the faint imprint of rain on her shoulders. Her facial tattoos, curving swirls, lent an eerie intensity to her words. ‘A shadow, even darker then that which haunted this place.’

It was too cramped to draw her sword, but Tunera tightened her grip on the hilt. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll defend it! And you as well.’

‘The darkness is beyond even what the spears of heaven may illuminate! If the ancient texts be true, then none but the champion of the light may be victorious.’

‘I bet that’s Stathis! She’s probably off saving the world or something. So I’m sure that everything will be fine.’

‘The champion of darkness will seek to defeat them. A fearsome foe, wicked and horned, commanding the shadows to their whim.’

Tunera wanted to head into the castle, where it might be warmer and a little less soggy, but Melltgalwr always got nervous and started to crackle within the narrow confines of the hallways, so they had to stay in the passageway to the courtyard, all squashed together.

‘Well, then we can just beat them up! You were there when we dealt with that thing down in the dungeons beneath this place.’

Melltgalwr didn’t look convinced. ‘The champion of darkness will have defeated even those in the city of Heaven! They are not to be trifled with.’

‘Well, unless they come here, there’s not much we can do. We’ve already been increasing our defences and trained everyone as much as we can, and bought all we can in from the fields. And now the surrounding communities are joining us as well. What are the elves doing?’

‘Those of the elder race prepare themselves. The song of the war-bows shall echo once more! The Black Triad didst slay many, and such a reaping must be repaid.’

‘Well, if they come here then I’ll fight them!’ Although hopefully they wouldn’t be as creepy-looking as that thing that had been sealed away, before being destroyed! Far too many claws and teeth and tentacles.

Her thoughts were interrupted by an awkward cough – one of the soldiers. She frowned – wasn’t he with the unit that had been sent up towards the hills and hadn’t returned? He gave an oddly stiff salute, all awkward elbows and angles. That wasn’t right! And hardly anyone saluted anyway.

‘Anything to report? Where is everyone else?’

‘It was harsh travelling, ma’am. The roads were worn away by the rain.’

Ma’am? No-one ever called her that! What was going on? The man walked closer – he was wearing the usual armour, and of course it looked worn and battered, stained with mud and grass. Had he been fighting, or just moving as fast as possible? He pushed his way past Brand, eyes staring at Tunera.

When he was close, he suddenly lunged for her, a hand flashing forward. She tried to move backwards, but there wasn’t enough space and she stumbled against the wall. Sharp claws sliced across her chest, crushing the chainmail against her skin. His face warped, teeth becoming viciously sharp. She half-drew her sword, using the partly-bared steel to try and push him back.

In the narrow space, Brand was struggling to draw his own sword.

The man – the creature – hissed, mouth opening far wider than should be possible, teeth now long and jagged, eyes becoming deep pits of darkness. He hissed at her, moving with supernatural speed and dragging his hand against her body. She could feel his claws starting to slice through her chain, breaking through and penetrating her skin. The pain made her more aware, and she scrabbled backwards, twisting to try and angle her body, managing to slide her bladed all the way out.

But he was too close, so all she could do was ineptly try and punch him with the hilt! It connected, but she felt his armour absorb the strike.

A seething hiss sounded out as he sliced at her again, barely missing her throat, instead slicing along the top of her shoulder, through her armour and drawing blood. She felt it oozing into her clothing, making it stick and stiff, the armour now chafing her skin. Fear rose up inside her, but she tried to supress it – what would Stathis do? But she was bigger and stronger, and normally in full harness as well!

But at least she had her sword now. She held it up, making sure to try and keep it between him and herself, to get some distance.

Lightning crackled around Melltgalwr, the air suddenly smelling strange again. Sparks of lightning burnt from her hand, arcing around Tunera and then hitting the thing. It screeched in pain, but didn’t stop.

‘You must die! So that the new world can be created, where we shall rule!’

Tunera backpedalled, Melltgalwr taking an agile step backwards, air starting to flow around her in an unnatural way. Another step bought her out of the narrow passageway, back into the courtyard, the rain pelting down onto her. It moved, flowing with eerie grace, body shifting as it struck, moving towards Melltgalwr. She couldn’t move fast enough to avoid the attack, but an actinic burst of light snapped into existence, along with the smell of burning flesh, some magical aura serving to deflect the attack.

He growled, the sound so deep it resonated and echoed off the stone, even above the patter of the falling rain. Tunera swung, and he swayed backwards, bending more than anyone should be able to, but giving her the chance to make a swift sidestep out into the courtyard herself. She could feel rain striking off her shoulders, coming down hard and heavy, aggravating the wound and chilling her face, but she kept her gaze straight, not letting it phase her.

‘This is my home! And I will protect it. Whatever you are, I will defeat you!’ Despite her words, she felt her heart starting to race, her hands getting clammy, the grip digging into her palms. She gave her a shoulder a quick wriggle, checking that it could still move, then a quick sidestep so she was in front of Melltgalwr.

They had him surrounded know, with Brand now able to draw his own sword. Despite this, the creature didn’t seem fazed, dropping into a feral hunch. It’s body was growing and warping, muscles straining and bulging against clothing, body growing monstrous.

Tunera took a breath to steady herself before launching a quick slash. It didn’t bother protecting itself, Brand attacking it from behind. Both their attacks connected, and she felt the impact through her wrists, the slight resistance of flesh parting under the blade. She sliced and drew the blade backwards, seeing black ichor oozing from her cut.

It marred the clean metal of her blade, making her want to flick her blade clean, but she needed to keep it in front of herself for protection. Brand’s strike took them from behind, and she heard the slicing impact, but it didn’t seem to care – the cut she had made was already starting to heal, the black gunge retreating backwards into their body.

They attacked, faster than Tunera could consciously follow and she let instinct guide her, trying to swing her sword at their arms to deflect the attack as best she could. Pain seared across her stomach, although her mail held, the rings pinching at her skin without breaking.

Thunder rumbled, and wind blasted around Tunera. She stumbled forward before catching herself, the blast catching the creature and slamming it into the wall, slamming it into stone. It’s flesh was liquid enough that Tunera could see it ripple on their skin, peeling back to show hints of bone from beneath, before flowing back as they regenerated. She took the chance to stab them again, this time managing to cut them in the inner thigh – there was an artery there, could they bleed out? She sliced into meat, more darkness oozing out.

The wind faded and it dropped back to the ground, Tunera dancing backwards to try and stay out of reach – it only had arms, meaning that it had shorter reach than she did. But it was fast, shifting it’s weight around to counterbalance itself as it stepped over the rain-slicked ground. The thing’s face melted and changed, until it was Tunera’s own, giving her a dizzying moment of vertigo as she stared into her own eyes, only warped with hatred and rage.

The duplication disorientated her, and she stepped back, feeling her heel slip on the wet grass, having to hunch in to keep her balance. The creature attack again, grabbing hold of her shoulder and digging claws in, hard nails pinching through her armour. She could feel her muscles and bones getting ground together, but at this range she could counter, skewering them with the blade. Their flesh parted, a stinking reek of corruption swiftly washed away by the rain. She twisted the blade, feeling their viscera snarl and snag the blade, but even that didn’t stop them, their other hand going backwards, ready to lunge.

She winced, anticipating pain, but they gasped as another blade appeared through their body, Brand striking them from behind.

‘Release thine blades!’ Melltgalwr spoke from behind her, and Tunera obeyed, letting go just before a blast of lightning arced outwards, earthing itself through them, the two swords stuck into them hissing with steam from the sudden infusion of energy mixing with the falling rain. The needle pinpricks of the nails stuck into her shoulder, hurting her more, before releasing their grip and she jumped backwards.

The attacker froze in place, looking shocked and pained, before sagging to the floor. But it was chuckling, wounds already starting to close up. Another lightning blast made it spasm but didn’t stop the healing – how could they kill it?

Her eyes went to a lantern on the wall, the base filled with oil. Despite the pain in her arm, she managed to grab it from it’s hook, bringing it around in an awkward arc and smashing it across their body. The glass shattered, oil splashing out over them.

‘Zap them again!’

Lightning snapped out, but this time it ignited the oil, orange flames springing into life over their flesh. They started to scream, their flesh bubbling, regeneration unable to keep up with the consuming flames. The two swords were still stuck into them, the metal getting covered with greasy soot, leather grips starting to char. Would it still be usable afterwards? Well, Stathis kept losing her weapons, so surely it would be fine?

The screams got louder and louder, as Melltgalwr chanted, before a huge pillar of lightning flashed down from the heavens, and everything went white.

By the time Tunera’s vision returned, there was nothing left of the attacker except for a greasy smear on the ground, their swords warped by the heat and then the cooling of the rain, the hilts now half-melted.

Tunera sighed – she’d have to get another sword now! But there were more important things to worry about.

‘We need to go check the men and see if anyone is acting oddly!’ Her heart was still racing as she looked down at the ashen mess, black goo-blood turned to char. Whatever was going on wasn’t something that was just happening far away, it was here, and something needed to be done!