"The Mansion?" Lifär squeaked, visibly distraught over the Mayor struggling to hold back a tide of unbridled fury.

Livi nodded compassionately and made a shushing movement towards Deftis. It didn't have any effect on the man himself, but it did slightly calm down the panicking Faerie.

"Right. I will keep this as brief as possible, as we are short enough on time as it is. The lord of the Mansion is the one who founded this city... I don't really know just how many years ago, but the city has been here for centuries, if not longer than that. Long enough for the origins to have faded in obscurity well before any of us arrived her. For all that time, the Mayor has served as the leader of the city and we, the Praetors, haves served him. Deftis serves the Founder and the city does the same. And it just so happens that one of the very specific tasks of the Mayor is to hold the city, to let it flourish and rule it well, which you think makes sense, except that it is the city itself that is more important than the inhabitants. There are... reasons why we cannot retreat. Reasons I can honestly make a few guesses at — stop giving me the evil eye Deftis, I'm not going to voice them — but as such, we stand our ground or we die. Of course, there is one more very simple reason why we will not retreat." The tiny Gnome gestured to Krabdan.

The Orc stood up, raising himself to his full, impressive height and looked around the table, making solid eye contact with everyone before focusing on the small Lifär. The man's eyes burned with determination. "This is our city!" he thundered, slamming his fist down onto the table with enough force to leave an imprint. "We will not abandon it! We have tended it, nurtured it and seen it grow and prosper! This is our home! All around us are nations that would kill all of us who sit at this table without a second thought purely because for what we are! I will die a bloody death before I let some blasted king take this from me! Let them come! Let them outmatch us! We shall hold the line and they shall pay the bloody price for their idiocy!"

Livi smiled as Krabdan's thunderous speech was met with wild approval and was pleased to see Deftis finally begin to calm down. She gave Krabdan a wink and grinned when the much taller being winked back. Both of them had been friends for decades and could play to each other strength's perfectly. She was about to start speaking again when an icy cold flooded the room, paralysing her.

I apologize for my tardiness, Deftis. A voice devoid of life filled the room. Livi felt her hairs stand up on end at the presence, while Lifär, who had never met the newcomer and as a Faerie was hit much harder by its aura than the others, launched himself into the ceiling in a blind panic. She was relieved when Diniras, Praetor of the magical Slivir'i, stepped forward on his hoof-like legs and cast a spell on the poor creature, shielding him from its dreadful presence.

In the midst of the table flickers of pale-blue energy merged together until a ghost-like apparition formed. Despite having met it before, Livi felt uneasy. The creature was as loyal to the city as all those present and no less sentient despite its alien appearance, but aside Deftis nobody felt comfortable around it. Its very essence seemed to conflict with that of life.

"What—" Lifär began, before swallowing loudly, his small eyes wide with fear. "What is that?"

The strange creature, lacking eyes or a solid form, somehow visibly turned its attention towards the Faerie, who recoiled to the very edge of the shield of energy surrounding him.

I apologize for my disturbing presence, Lifär. but I cannot help being what I am. The ghastly voice rang through the room without sound, more a dark, cold presence on their minds than being a spoken sound. Yet, fear not. I am on your side. I am a guardian of Lannas. Just like Deftis, I exist to protect the city. So my Creator has commanded.

The creature turned back to Deftis, who seemed to be immune to the icy aura that shrouded the being. "It's good that you have come. I feared you'd be too far away when I summoned you. There is an enemy approaching. My estimate is roughly four hundred thousand men. Their vanguard will be here in a handful of days. The city will be surrounded and locked in within a week, two at most. Do you think there is any chance that you could delay them?"

I will try. The being's immaterial eyes flickered across the room, taking in its occupants, before returning its gaze to the Mayor. You cannot hope to prevail against that number, Deftis. What is your plan? the creature whispered.

"I shall hold the city until my last breath. Both walls and citizens alike. That is my duty."

Answer my question Deftis. the being repeated, its voice growing colder.

"I have sent a runner to the Mansion to request reinforcements," Deftis replied, finally showing a small sign of unease, although whether that was due to the being itself or due to the situation, no one could tell.

The Mansion is far away. It is not easy to reach. I hope your runner makes it, and with good speed, the creature continued. It floated closer to Deftis, frost forming on the table as it hovered slightly above it. A number of red orbs began appearing throughout its form, quickly glowing brighter as the chill spread, the wood creaking as the water inside began to freeze. He will send aid. The city cannot fall for reasons beyond your understanding. Protect it Deftis. No matter the cost. Your restrictions are lifted. Fear nothing but failure.

"I don't need reminders of duty! I know mine all too well!" Deftis roared in anger, slamming his fists down on the table, the wood crumbling under his thick hands. His brown eyes were filled with red-hot anger as he matched the creature's gaze.

The creature pulled back as its form started swirling, the red orbs floating inside it. They were ablaze with light now while the light in the room seemed to dim. Frost started forming all over and the creature seemed to grow more agitated with every moment until it let out a powerful and feral screams. A strong flash of cold flooded the room and the windows shattered. It turned back towards Deftis, its form covering most of the room now, most of the Praetors cowering behind their chairs.

I shall delay them Deftis! I will give you two weeks before their vanguards make it here. I shall tear apart as many as I can! They shall be exhausted when they arrive! Do your duty Mayor! What we were assigned to guard cannot fail!

Letting out a shriek that penetrated flesh and wall alike, the creature dispersed, its ghastly wail only slowly dissipating.

It took a long time before anyone dared to speak again.

"Blasted unstable thing," Deftis cursed, wiping the frost of himself with a sharp movement.

Livi, who was one of the few Praetors who had met the creature before, shook her head slowly. "I don't like it much either Deftis,' the Gnome agreed. 'Look at what it did! Poor Lifär's out cold! Passed out from fear no doubt."

"Hah," grunted Krabdan. "Please, as if there's one of us who wouldn't pass out if that thing actually came at us with the intent to kill."

Diniras stepped forward, his lithe form belying the strength of the magical shield crackling around him. "What was it? That thing?" he asked, curiosity and fear visible in his large, white eyes.

Deftis shook his head. "Not what. Who. Like me it's assigned to protect this place. We merely guard different locations."

Diniras gave Deftis an annoyed look. "I am not a child, Deftis. I fully understood who it was. I meant it. What is that? I've never seen anything like it before."

Deftis grinned. "Neither have you ever seen anything like me, Din. It's not a... How to put it... It is not something born through natural means, it was brought into life through means I honestly know nothing of, but it is powerful. A creature of spirit. Even with your magic you'd be hard pressed to go against it. For all its strength, however, it is still mortal and can die. Its abilities do not lay in direct combat. Still, I would advice against picking a fight against it. It's quite insane by our standards. Now, wake up those who passed out and let's focus on the defence. We have much to discuss, and at least now we have a fair amount of time to plan everything."

Livi threw a sideways glance at Deftis before turning back to Krabdan, who nodded at her. They had both seen the same thing. Deftis was seemingly calm again, but both of them knew him long enough to see through his act. If he summoned that thing, it meant the situation was beyond dire. The Mayor was nervous and was doing a good job of hiding his rage, but not a perfect one.

Then Krabdan threw her another look and it took her a moment before she realised what it meant. The creature had said something along the lines of lifting restrictions. She narrowed her eyes as she carefully observed the Mayor. 'Never seen anything like you either, huh?' she thought. 'Then what are you?'