'Chameleon'

I quickly descended the short stretch of stairs towards the kitchen. The smell of cooking meat and bread wafted up as I pushed the door open and entered. Various servants were rushing around, preparing dinner for Almar's family. Bronze pans hung from hooks in the ceiling, in easy reach of any servant within. A large cast-iron stove stood in the center of the room, teaming with servants preparing delectable morsels of food; pork, bread, pheasants, and even a slab of beef for Almar himself. The far wall had a recessed firepit, a cast-iron cauldron hanging above a burning fire, thick viscous soup filling the pot. I spotted the reason for my intrusion stirring the cauldron with a long handle. I made my way over to her, slipping between the servants preparing to present the meal. She glanced up as I stopped beside her. “What do you want now?” She asked, turning back to the soup she was stirring. “Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?”

I leaned in close, so the others couldn't hear. “It's about The Aura,” I whispered in her ear. “I think I know where it came from, or at least what event caused it.” She looked up at me as she stopped stirring.

She suddenly turned and snapped her fingers at one of the other servants walking by. “You, Watch this.” She said, pointing at the softly bubbling pot. The servant stopped in his tracks and just stared wide-eyed at her. She let out a sigh. “You don't have to add anything, just keep stirring and take the pot off when it starts to boil.” The servant nodded as stepped to replace her. She motioned for me to follow her, and I obliged. We moved past the servants again and towards the opposite corner of the entrance, towards the pantry. I glanced around at the various platters being loaded with food. “It would be so easy to slip something toxic into the right piece of food. But that would mean the entire kitchen staff, and their families, are executed.” I shook my head slightly as I banished the thought. Whatever was running through my mind had run through the minds just almost every servant in here. Any bad food meant a beating. Attempted poison would result in torture. A poisoning that killed anyone would mean the death of the entire kitchen. God forbid it made it to Almar or his family. This created an atmosphere of fear which meant that every servant was on a constant lookout for an offender. Because many of their actions could mean they'd get punished too. I entered the open pantry and the door was closed behind me. “What is it, Maira?” She asked.

I let out a slow breath as I gathered my thoughts. “Kalise, I think The Aura was caused came from someone in a battle,” I said quietly, still fearful of prying ears. Kalise just stared at me blankly, obviously not convinced. The few dozen or so nymphs in Nione had taken to calling the waves of emotions ‘The Aura' because of the way it washed over the entire city. There wasn't much else that could describe it so fittingly.

Kalise finally let out a sigh as she rubbed her head angrily. “Is that why you interrupted me?” She hissed. “To bring up a discarded theory about The Aura? If you're so sure it was a battle, then where are the armies. You cannot have a battle without armies. We'd have heard of a battle that, but none of the merchants that took the east road saw signs of a battle.”

I shook my head insistently. “It wouldn't be that close,” I whispered defensively. “I think it happened beyond the border of Adympia. Out in orc lands.”

Kalise brought her hand to her face and let out a sigh. “There's no way someone that far away could create such a strong emotional field.” She hissed. “Noone could possibly have such powerful emotions.”

I shook my head again. “What if they were born with loud emotions?” I asked. Kalise just stared at me. “Think about it. There are Nymphs in the city that can sense elves farther away than others. What if the same can be said about the elves we sense?”

Kalise let out an annoyed growl. “That's the difference of a few miles.” She replied heatedly. “Do you realize how loud they'd have to be for us to sense them from that far away.”

I nodded gesturing towards the pantry door. “And that is why I think The Aura came from someone in a battle,” I whispered excitedly. “And I think I know what the battle was about.”

Kalise continued to stare at me, again unconvinced. “What?” She hissed angrily. “What makes you so sure of yourself? What could you possibly know that would lead you to that idea?”

I grinned as I replayed my thought process. “You know the one that escaped? What's her name, the outsider, the one Almar named the Canary.” I whispered.

Kalise nodded warily. “Almar sent out some of the city's soldiers to track her down.” She replied. “But what does that have to do with anything?”

I grinned again. “I know of a letter that Almar received from his commander, Vulen, that claimed he was close to retrie-”

The pantry door suddenly flew open as a servant came looking for Kalise. “Po, everything is ready. Do you want us to wait on you or. . .” Kalise gritted her teeth at the sound of her given name. At least the other servants were allowed to shorten it from the full name, ‘Hippo'. I looked at her. Despite the fact that she was a nymph, she'd kept the same appearance from when she'd first came under Almar's servitude. She didn't want to be some trophy slave. So, she made herself as unappealing and uninteresting as possible. Her form matched that of an elf almost perfectly, except for her own touches. She puffed herself out and made herself look as fat as possible, though definitely thinner than Almar himself. Her skin was the lightest of greys and her ears were comparatively small on her head. Her mouth was wider than I thought possible, her brown eyes were impossibly dull, and her nose seemed to be pressed by an unseen force, making the rest of her fat face appear even fatter. Her brown hair was short and in a state of permanent chaos. According to Almar, she looked shockingly like a ‘Hippopotamus', and had taken to call her ‘Hippo'. Over the years it had become somewhat of an insult to her, even the shortened version.

Kalise gestured at the servant angrily. “Just go. Serve it.” She barked. The servant nodded and retreated back into the kitchen closing the door behind him. Kalise turned back to me. “What does a letter have to do with anything?” She whispered. “The soldiers would've been searching along the border, not into orc lands.” She lifted her wrists. “These things don't come off.” She continued to hiss. “How do you expect anyone, even an outsider, to withstand the pain they inflict?” I looked down at the silver bracelets encircling her wrist. I gently rubbed mine as I remembered how painful they could get. Almar could easily afford the gold variant but claimed he enjoyed the aesthetic of the silver more.

I shook my head as I turned my attention back to Kalise. “I don't know how, but I know it wasn't the Canary,” I whispered. “The Aura wasn't familiar at all. I'd have known if it was her.” Kalise just scowled as I tested her patience. “But, I'm positive The Aura was from a battle, possibly over her, and I'm certain that it came from beyond the border. The events coincide almost perfectly.”

Kalise brought her hand to her face again and let out another sigh. “And you think that the army just happened across an outsider, and they decided to fight?” She whispered angrily. “I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure an outsider, even one equipped with countless outsider weapons, can't stand up to an entire army.”

I shrugged at the suggestion. “It could have been an orc,” I whispered defensively. Kalise’s scowl grew as she tilted her head back in annoyance. I continued defensively as I felt her discontent with the conversation grow. “Oh, come on, an army wandering into orc lands, they're bound to find a group of them wandering about. And judging from the sequence of emotions, it was from something important. Possibly something that resulted in the taking of a life, or multiple lives.” Kalise continued to glare. “And if it's something that can bring out such powerful emotion, all it takes is being born with an intense emotional field to be heard from that far away.” I pursed my lips, biting them softly, as I finally finished explaining my theory.

Kalise just stared at me, finally letting out another aggravated sigh. “I don't even have time to explain to you why you're wrong.” She said, stepping towards the door. She suddenly stopped as she reached for the handle. She turned back to me. “Actually, it's going to eat at me if I don't.” She walked back over, stopping just in front of me. “Firstly, I've never heard of an extreme case when a nymph can sense a stranger from a hundred miles away, let alone any elf or outsider having a similar condition that makes their emotions powerful enough to hear at that distance.” I was about to interject, but Kalise continued too quickly. “And I know it's not an orc, because the orcs are a monstrously barbaric race that barely understands what a trade agreement is. I know for certain that Nione had to spell out the entire agreement for that one village to even accept it, and even then, they don't seem to understand it completely. For sard's sake, they brand those that they call Champion.”

I nodded and rubbed my head as her words came flooding out. “You can't consider, for even one moment, that The Aura came from someone, even an orc, in a battle out in orc lands?” I asked desperately. Kalise stopped for a moment to consider.

She let another sigh as she let her head fall into her hand. “Maira . . . I can see it as a possibility.” She eventually replied. “But it sounds like you're trying to connect details that seem to be completely unrelated. You're even suggesting that the city's soldiers were somehow involved in The Aura. . . And that's just something that I find impossible to believe. The number of events that would have to perfectly coincide for your idea to be what happened are . . unimaginable. Not to mention the evidence today that seems to contradict your theory.”

I nodded as I rubbed my head. “I don't have a lot to go on, I know this, but I am confident that it is what happened,”

Kalise let out another low sigh. “Then how do you explain what some of the other nymphs say?” she asked. “Some of them claim to still be able to sense it. Are you saying whatever caused the Aura managed to survive a battle against elves enhanced with outsider magic?”

I shrugged defensively. “I can not make any assumptions about today, but I can guess at what events might have led to the Aura.” Kalise looked to the side as she considered my words.

She finally let out another sigh as she pointed deliberately at me. “If . . . IF . . . you're right about this, I cannot bear to imagine what it would mean for Nione, for Adympia, for its people. . . If a creature . . if an orc . . . is able to withstand elves, trained elves, additionally enhanced with outsider magic, I do not see much being able to stop such a monster.” I nodded as I took in her words. The orcs were well known for their barbaric nature and their lack of empathy. If one of them managed to take on an elf army and survive . . . nothing short of a miracle would be able to stop it.

I nodded and rubbed my shoulder as I took a step back and reconsidered my proposal. “I-it's just an idea,” I said reflexively. “With all things considered, I might be de-” I stopped as I heard new emotions permeate the city. They were soft, quiet, almost imperceptible.

Kalise looked up at me, confused at my sudden halt. “What i-” She began. I quickly held up a finger to silence her. She paused, then I saw her eyes grow wide. I could make out the emotions now. All the same, all quiet as could be. Fear fear fear fear Fear I could tell they were the soldiers, maybe some of the ones that had left the city two weeks ago, but there was something wrong. Normally, the same emotions of different people could be distinguished, like the subtle differences in taste from the same recipe cooked by two different people. But they seemed to mirror each other almost perfectly as if they were all afraid of the same thing for the same reason. The only difference was how intensely each of them was feeling. I turned and wrenched the pantry door open, rushing out and towards the stairway back into the castle. The kitchen was now void of servants as well as food. I heard Kalise voice a “Where are you going?” as I ran up the stairs. I heard her follow me as I searched for a window I could look out of. The wooden hallways were decorated with recesses and engravings, giving the manor a warm and inviting feeling, inverse to Almar’s true nature.

I finally found one and pushed it open, letting the cool winter air penetrate the manor. I gazed out and tried to pinpoint their origin. I looked towards the front door as I sensed the emotions getting close. My eyes went wide as I saw what was causing the waves of emotions. There were half a dozen soldiers at the front door, pale and wide-eyed, seemingly terrified, and shivering slightly. I stared at them as I tried to piece together why I sensed so little from them. From this distance, I should have been able to hear them loud and clear, but it was like a whisper. I saw them talking to the guards at the door.

I turned to Kalise.”The army is back,” I whispered in shock. “Or at least what's left of it.” Kalise's eyes went wide. She moved to look out the window. I stepped aside to allow her as I tried to make sense of it. “Whatever caused the Aura not only survived the army, it sarding defeated it. The rest of them must be down at the barracks. Five hundred elves and something out in orc land sarding defeats it? Sard.”

Kalise turned to me as she stepped back from the window, face pale and panicked.”It defeated the army.” She gasped, rubbing her head. “Five decades of outsider help and an entire city of resources, and something out in orc lands defeated it.”

I shook my head, trying to rationalize the events. “W-we don't know it was the Aura,” I said a little timidly. “It c-could have been unrelated, for all we know they weren't even part of the search party.”

Kalise nodded slowly, obviously not hearing what I said. “Maybe.” She muttered. “But there's a way to find out.” She started moving back along the hall.

It was my turn to voice a “Where are you going?” as I followed Kalise. I followed her through the castle, past old suits of armor in occupied recesses and large portraits of Almar's ancestors. They glared at me and Kalise judgingly as we rushed through the halls. I averted my gaze from the lifeless paintings as I followed my only friend through the manor.

She finally came to a door and gripped the handle, pulling it open slightly as she peered through the gap it created. I followed her lead, positioning my head just above hers. Before me was the entrance hall, a place for Almar to greet guests and consume never-ending quantities of food in front of them. A large door stood at the far end of the hall, large and imposing, perfect for a fictitious display of Almar’s might. I saw Almar and his family, his wife and their two sons, gorging themselves on the feast that Kalise had helped prepare for them. They had their backs to the door, completely oblivious to our intrusion. Almar's sons were as fat as their father and severely entitled, having almost never been told ‘No' in the fifty years of their life. Their mother was a little better, underweighting Almar by a few degrees. At least she had taken care of herself before marrying Almar. They all seemed to have the same silvery blonde hair and bright green eyes. People had initially joked that Almar simply married a younger, thinner, female version of himself. But now they were all approaching Almar's grotesque physique, looking little more than a family of pigs at the tore into their excessive meal. Almar himself sat is a large high back chair, a custom piece of furniture he had ordered once his own father passed. Above his head was engraved an idealized version of the man meant to sit beneath it. It rippled with muscles and held a greatsword aloft, another fictitious display of power that Almar indulged himself with.

I watched with bated breath as I waited for something to happen. A few minutes passed, and I was tempted to ask Kalise what she was looking for when the far door slowly pushed itself open and one of the guards came rushing into the room.

Almar looked up from his food splattered platter. “What is it?” He barked, letting specks of food fly. “Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?”

The guarded bowed slightly as he spoke. “Of course, my lord, but it's urgent.” He replied softly. “Your search party has returned.”

Almar seemed to beam as he heard this. He put the food in his hand down and gestured at the guard. “Of course, send Vulen in.” He said cheerily. “I want a report on his success. I'll have my fun with the Canary later.”

The guard shifted on his feet, nervous about what he was about to say. “M-my lord,” He stuttered timidly. “Vulen is not with them.”

Almar was silent for a minute, stunned at this turn of events. “What?” He asked. His family slowed their own eating as they watched the interaction. “What do you mean he's not here? You say my search party has returned, yet claim Vulen isn't among them?” The guard nodded timidly. “Well, WHERE IS HE?” Almar roared.

The guard shook his head insistently as he gestured pleadingly. “I do not know sire.” He replied. “But he has not returned with the other troops.”

Almar slammed his fist on the table, causing the plates of food to rattle violently. “THEN GET SOMEONE THAT DOES!” He roared. The guard nodded again and retreated back through the door. Almar muttered angrily to himself as the guard disappeared for several minutes. Eventually, another soldier entered the room. I recognized him as one of the soldiers outside. Up close, he looked even paler and completely terrified. His blonde hair was disheveled and dusted with dirt. His eyes screamed fear louder than his actual emotions were screaming. Despite the warm air, he shivered slightly as he walked forward. “Finally.” Almar sighed. “Now tell me, what's this I hear about Vulen not returning?” The soldier continued to shake for a moment before responding. He muttered something imperceptible. Almar slammed his fist into the table again. “SPEAK UP!” He barked.

The soldier finally swallowed and stammered out a response. “H-He didn't make it out of the battle.” He said softly. I glanced down at Kalise at that statement. She didn't react beyond a small gasp of air.

I turned back to the conversation, not wishing to miss a moment of this event. “What do you mean he didn't make it out of the battle?” Almar asked angrily. “And why is this the first I'm hearing of this battle?”

The soldier continued to tremble as he responded. “V-Vulen thought it was in your best interest.” He stuttered.” He was certain of the Canary's presence. H-he attacked . . . and . .” He shivered and refused to continue.

Almar slammed his fist into the table, causing the dishes to clatter again. The feasting finally stopped completely. “Spit. It. Out.” He barked. “What Happened?”

The soldier swallowed nervously. “H-he had reason to suspect your escaped slave was cowering in an orc settlement.” He began. “W-When they refused to surrender her, h-he assaulted the settlement. A-At first it went fine . . . then . . .” He stopped speaking again.

Almar growled standing again and causing the table to scrape against the floor. “SPIT IT OUT!” He roared angrily.

The soldier jumped slightly and slowly continued. “There w-was a complication.” He said defensively. “A-a soldier appeared, and . . .” The soldier shuddered. “It was horrifying. We didn't stand a chance.”

Almar clenched his fist. “What Happened.” He growled.

The soldier stood there for a moment, shivering. “Nothing could stop it.” He finally said. “He tore through dozens of soldiers like they were parchment. Hurting it only made it stronger. . . I don't know what he was. . . but this monster wasn't of this world.” I stared, wide-eyed, at the soldier. He was confirming my worst nightmare. “A monster worse than the orcs? Is such a thing even possible?”

Almar interrupted my internal denial. “Describe it.” He growled, determined to get an answer.

The soldier shook his head. “He looked weak.” He whispered shakily. “Like he'd fold under the weight of a squire. . . But he was a demon on the battlefield. An unkillable machine that tossed us aside like we were a mild inconvenience. . . And his eyes, I can't ever forget them. They burned with fire and seemed to penetrate your soul. That's not even the worst of it. They didn't match.”

Almar slammed his fist into the table again. A plate of bread fell off the edge and scattered rolls across the floor. “LIES!” Almar cried. “Tell me the truth, WHAT HAPPENED?”

The soldier spoke slowly as if he could not believe his own words. “That's what happened.” He stated calmly, his fear replaced with a kind of acceptance. “Our assault was foiled by a monster from another world, a monster with two different eyes.”

Almar gritted his teeth again. “Describe him.” He growled. “I want a face on this monster.”

The soldier shook his head. “I cannot describe his face.” He confessed. “His eyes were too prominent, too distracting. One of them was a violent blue, like a clear sky in the blazing heat. The other was a bright green and brown, like a tree that refused to burn. But his eyes didn't distract from the blood that coated his face. It's like his very gaze drained the life out of you.”

Almar leaned forward, his bulbous arms trembling as he growled another question. “And where is Vulen?”

The soldier stood there for another minute, in disbelief of what he would say next. “He was captured..” He finally replied. “The orcs captured him. The army was in full retreat. We were fleeing from that demon. Vulen tried to confront it. . . . and . . .”

Almar just let out an aggravated sigh, an unusual response to learning of such a damaging loss. “How many?” He growled.

The soldier just stared at him, unsure of Almar’s thoughts. “Sire?” He asked.

Almar slammed his palms onto the table, jolting the platters of food once more. “HOW MANY OF YOU FOOLS DIED?” He bellowed. “How Many Soldiers Need To Be Replaced? What Did You Lose In That Sarding Battle?” He was starting to get angry. His face grew red and specks of spit flew from his mouth as he shouted. “IS IT JUST MEN THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED OR DID YOU LOSE THE SARDING CANNONS TOO?”

The soldier began stuttering again. “W-we lost a little over two hundred soldiers.” He replied. “T-The orcs captured the outsider magic as well. W-we spent the last few days wandering thr-”

Almar slammed his fist on the table again. “I DON'T GIVE A FEXT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING!” He shouted. “I WANT TO KNOW HOW BADLY YOU SARDED UP! HOW YOU COULD LET A SINGLE OUTSIDER SARD UP AN ASSAULT ON AN UNDEREQUIPPED, UNDERTRAINED, PATHETIC ORC VILLAGE!?”

The soldier was growing more anxious again, his fear now his own and unlike what he was feeling before. “I-It wasn't a village sire, it was an entire city.” He stammered.

Almar was silent for a moment, in disbelief of what he had heard. “You WHAT?” He bellowed. He began grabbing random objects from the table and throwing them at the soldier. Food quickly filled the floor in front of him as silverware and plates were scattered. They all fell short as the mess grew bigger. “I SEND YOU OUT WITH FIVE HUNDRED SOLDIERS AND A DOZEN CANNONS, TO CATCH ONE OUTSIDER AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO ASSAULT THE SARDING CAPITAL?”

The soldier stammered out a plea. “B-but Sire, commander Vulen. . .”.

Almar slammed his palm into the table again, silencing the elf’s protesting. “VULEN HAS FAILED ME!” He cried. “He Lost His Title The Instant He Attacked That City! You're My New Commander.” I stared wide-eyed at Almar. He was starting to lose it. Even he seemed to pause at his own statement. The room fell silent as Almar continued to pant in rage. He suddenly pointed squarely at his new commander, growling determinedly as he glared at him. “You are my new commander. Here is my first order for you. No one can know of this. If you, or what's left of your men are asked, you were attacked in the wilderness by wild animals. This demon does not exist. . . . Am I understood?” The soldier nodded timidly. “Then get out.” Almar barked, dismissing the commander with a wave. He quickly retreated back through the door closing it behind him with a large thud. Almar stood there for a minute, breathing heavy, his tomato colored face betraying no emotion besides anger.

After a few moments of growling pants, his wife finally broke the silence. “Are you okay?” She asked softly.

Almar said nothing as he continued to breathe heavily, from anger or exertion I could not tell. “Not a word.” He finally said, pointing towards her. His wife nodded timidly. Almar turned to his sons. They nodded as well, understanding of the deadly gaze he was giving them. Almar finally let out a sigh as he announced something unexpected. “I need to consult someone.” I immediately sensed his intention and yanked Kalise away from the door, dragging her down the hall towards an empty recess. She tried to voice a protest, but I clamped my hand over her mouth, silencing her. I dragged her into an empty alcove and flattened the two of us on the wooden wall within. I waited and listened for the sound of a door, indicating Almar's egress of the room. I finally heard it and listened to his footsteps retreat down the hall, away from where we hid. I finally let go of Kalise as the footsteps died and I tried to make sense of it all.

Kalise coughed briefly as she appeared to panic at the events within the entrance hall. “A demon.” Kalise gasped. “Not just that a demon, one that has allied themselves with the orcs.”

I shook my head, refusing to accept that reality. “It-it can't be,” I whispered desperately. “It has to be something else. Almar seemed certain of it.” I glanced out the recess and down the hallway, sensing Almar's emotions fade further into the manor. I turned back as Kalise shook her head.

She laughed madly as she responded. “What else could it be?” She asked. “An unknown soldier appears out of nowhere and defeats an elf army that possesses outsider magic. What else could sarding do that?”

I rubbed my head, trying to rationalize. “I do not know,” I whispered desperately. “But I'm sure Almar does.” I glance out the alcove again as I sensed Almar stop. I turned back to Kalise. “Aren't you curious?”

Kalise shook her head insistently. “I am, but I am not suicidal.” Kalise retorted angrily. “Do you realize what he'd do if he found out that we knew?” I nodded as I tried to work up the courage to move. “Forget death, the torture would last for weeks.”

I shook my head as I banished my concerns. “There's no other way to know,” I said calmly, trying to calm my own worries. I turned and crept quietly down the hall, following Almar deep into the castle. I didn't hear Kalise follow me. “It's better that way. At least only one of us would face his wrath.” I silently drifted through the halls again, past the ancestral paintings once more. I followed Almar’s emotional trail, determined to find out who he needed to speak with. I eventually came upon a large oaken door. I could sense Almar’s presence beyond it, a mix of anger and apprehension. I swallowed and stifled my own apprehension as I pushed open the door. A staircase beyond dove deep into the earth, descending into the hill Almar’s manor sat upon.

I swallowed again as I delicately began descending the steps. I treaded lightly to muffle my footsteps on the staircase. The air started to smell old and damp. The wood beneath me turned to stone and grew slick. I walked for several minutes as I approach Almar. I finally stopped outside a door left ajar, chanting and light bleeding through the gap. I flattened myself to the wall as I listened to the muttering intently. I could hear Almar inside, speaking archaic nonsense. I furrowed my brow as I listened to his chanting. “Almar can't cast spells. He is no mage. He is not even a wizard. If he were, he'd have been taken to become a slave like the others.” I leaned to peak through the crack in the door and into the room. The room beyond the door was tiny, little more than a closet, with candles and flowers littered about it. The candles through dancing light upon the petaled flowers. I saw Almar standing in front of a statue, reading aloud from a bit of parchment. Almar was reading intently, letting the words boom within the small room. The statue was that of a person, featureless and pure black, save for the white egg-like mask that carried a single unblinking eye. The statue was smooth and polished on every side. It was kneeling on a short pedestal and presenting an outstretched hand as if it should be holding something in it. Almar suddenly finished and looked at the statue. I waited for a moment, then the statue started to glow softly. The glowing grew brighter as color flooded into the eye, making it sparkle with blue light.

The statue started to move, closing its hand and rising to stand on its pedestal. “Yes, Lord Almar?” The statue asked. “You summoned me?” I stared wide-eyed at it. “The statue TALKED?” Its voice was weird and distorted, like a bag of stone was being manipulated to make noise.

Almar nodded angrily, gesturing about the room. “Obviously,” Almar growled. “What happened at Snakhagr? I send out a search party for my Canary, a search party with cannons and your assurance that you'd watch over them, and they come back in shamble. No cannons, no Canary, and this wild story about a monster with two different eyes.” The statue moved as if to speak again, but Almar continued too quickly. “A monster that just so happens to perfectly fit the description of an outsider you promised me weeks ago. The same outsider that I heard had facilitated my Canary's escape that required me to send out the party in the first place. So, tell me. WHAT HAPPENED?” The statue paused for a minute, appearing unsure if Almar would continue.

I gestured calmingly once Almar finally stopped ranting. “Unfortunately, sire, this outsider seems unique in multiple ways.” The statue finally said in its rock-like voice. “He possesses an unforeseen gift for the mystic arts, a gift that allowed him to push heavily against me and your search party.”

Almar growled low, unsatisfied with this answer. “That is not what I asked.” He barked. “What happened to your supposed mental abilities. You were perfectly capable of luring Leroy back into Adympia when his outsider vehicle survived the Banestorm. So, why could you not do precisely that with this one?”

The statue rubbed its mask, mildly aggravated at Almar’s condemning. “As I said before, this outsider is unique.” The figure replied. “All of my attempts were met with resistance. I could not change his opinion of the monstrous orcs. When the assault occurred, I even attempted to prevent him from performing a dangerous action, but his mind was unfazed. I had to resort to a spell that I'd hoped would minimize the damage he'd cause.”

Almar began pacing angrily, still unsatisfied. “Am I correct in assuming this spell failed?” He barked angrily.

The statue shook his head. “The spell was successful, but it appears the acolyte that designed it failed to inform me of its true effects. His failings have been dealt with”

Almar whipped around to glare at the statue. “So, Try Another One! Force the outsider out of the city and get him back to me.”

The statue shook its head again. “It is not that simple.” The figure replied. “I was fortunate enough to have a small opening for the spell to take effect, but afterward his mind was on constant alert, making even subtle modifications to his psyche nigh impossible. I may have gained an affinity for mental magic, but it is still not yet strong enough.”

Almar began to rub his head angrily, agitated at this news. “So, you have lost control of the one thing that was supposed to bring Nione even greater outsider magic? And now the orcs have it, and are going to be catapulted from a minor inconvenience to a minor threat?” Almar asked angrily.

The statue hesitated for a moment then shook his head. “I wish I was able to tell you that. Unfortunately, something happened in that battle that has encouraged him to seek revenge against the city.”

Almar stood there for a minute, in disbelief of this news. “WHAT?” He roared angrily. “The Outsider That Was Supposed To Fall Under My Control Is Now Plotting Against Me?”

The statue began to nod as he gestured calmingly at Almar. “I do not expect it will be as devastating as you believe.” The statue stated calmly. “He does not appear to be planning that far ahead. He seems to anticipate being able to assault the city on his own. He is not rallying the orcs to aid in his endeavors.”

Almar seemed to let out a sigh at that statement. “How long until you expect him to arrive then?” Almar asked.

The statue seemed to consider for a moment. “I expect within a fortnight.” It finally replied. “I foresee him carrying minimal equipment and begin his puny assault as soon as possible.”

Almar nodded at the statement. He paused for a moment before speaking again. “I shall have Leroy working on additional cannons in case of anything unexpected,” Almar stated as he began pacing again. “If this outsider was able to fend off an army, I don't wish to be caught unawares. And I want your aid in making sure he fails.”

The statue nodded affirmatively. “I'll be able to help more if Nione would share its outsider magic with the rest of Adympia.” The statue stated.

Almar gestured at it dismissively. “You shall receive your cannons when I'm certain that this matter is resolved,” Almar replied angrily. “Until then, you will do as I say, and nothing else.”

The statue paused for a moment then nodded. “And your certain Leroy will help you?” The statue asked.

Almar grinned slyly and nodded as he gestured towards the door behind him. “I sent a guard down with a message and an offering,” Almar replied. “Most recently he's taken to a certain elderly servant. I'm certain he'll help once he understands the severity of the situation.” I suddenly heard a blood-curdling scream from further down the steps. It echoed along the walls and reverberated an emotion of fear and pain in my head. It chilled me to the bone and signaled my retreat back into the body of the manor. I flew quietly up the stairs as I tried to rationalize the conversation I just heard. “Sard it's worse than I thought. Nione is about to get caught between two violent outsiders. There might not even be a city left when they're done.”