Night was falling, and we could see them arrive in the distance. “Uncle, you think they’ll attack tonight?” He shook his head. “Doubtful, the darkness would make precise casting all but impossible. Besides, any mage trying would glow like a fire in the dark to anyone with just basic magic detection, becoming an easy target.”

Dad looked over the assembled host as it began making camp. “They’ve also been marching for days. If they went into battle tonight, their exhausted forces would be easy pickings, especially with the surprise we cooked up for em.” I couldn’t disagree there. The surprise was as horrific as it was brutal and effective thanks to Amber and the Fizbottles.

Turns out the potions Amber was brewing were over saturated blast potions. Blast potions were a pretty common tool to stun enemies during Dungeon Challenges, but dad requested them to be made far more volatile. So volatile just exposure to air would get the concoction to blow with tremendous force. When set off, the potions were like a fireball spell and upon testing it we nearly set some nearby tents on fire. The result was effective, but wouldn’t last longer than tomorrow evening before the explosive effect was lost.

Amber and I could see where dad got the idea from, Blast Caps. It was a dangerous, but important mushroom growing in the tunnels under Therinos, and they left you with similar explosive results if stepped on. Despite the danger, those explosive mushrooms were a useful tool for mining and dad often sent teams to locate places where they grew.

Dad continued to take inspiration from the blast caps as he ordered the potions buried under just enough dirt to hide them from sight. Not as well hidden as the stone like appearance of the Blast Cap, but it hid the bright orange of the potion well enough. When you considered how fragile the beakers were, stepping on them would set the potions off immediately unless you were far lighter than an armored soldier. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that surprise, that’s for certain.

About half an hour later, I was sitting with Amber eating dinner. “So by mixing in Thyme into the mix we increased the payload. But the concoction has become so unstable that I fear it won’t even last until tomorrow evening.” Amber opened her mouth to say something else.

*FLASH* I was sitting on a chair atop a tower built from quartz. A woman with long flowing hair and a strange aura of authority was looking at me with a gentle expression. One that seemed confused for a second before changing to one of intrigue. I felt calm, but underneath that calm was a simmering frustration and suppressed anger. *FLASH* What in the world was that?

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As the soldiers set about making camp, I stepped out and looked towards the fortified encampment. It would seem our arrival was expected, given the tall stone walls surrounding the place. A small setback, nothing more. What could those beasts hope to do to withstand the tide of my forces? My soldiers would fight to the death, with no emotions impeding their actions.

Another pang of pain went through my mind as the host roused yet again. Not as debilitating as the last one, but the frequency was increasing. I looked over my shoulder, where Izrah was kneeling. “Have the soldiers ready to attack by dawn. At the first light of day, we strike.” I wish I could have struck now, but this was the downside of using a mortal army. It needed rest and food. And while my soldiers were perfect, they were still affected by fatigue. An unfortunate but undeniable side effect with humans and other creatures.

My previous forces were much more reliable, but they were gone. Lost. Never to be seen again. The few that remained were hiding and refused to acknowledge my orders. So, mortals it was. Well, almost. Soulless husks were far better than normal mortals with no emotions or will of their own to question my orders. Although Izrah at least showed that even those whose souls remained could be useful. Besides, having a spare soul lying around could have its advantages.

The host stirred for a moment at the mention of Izrah, and I spent a few moments subduing it again. This was getting more and more troublesome. It was clear something was wrong, but with no way to verify what was going on without leaving this vessel behind… Bah, no matter. The host couldn’t fight me, even at full strength, so why should I worry about it? Besides, I needed to focus on more important things, like the upcoming battle.

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We caught up to Calix after only a few hours since the forest was actively aiding our march through it thanks to Queen Amalin. The sun was setting, and the forest was now in the distance, but we were still a long way from the festival grounds. I wanted to continue, but wandering around in the dark was pointless, not to mention the elves were exhausted. “We make camp here, rest up, we’re leaving at dawn.” The troops set about making camp and getting their rest.

Meanwhile, I put down Shaluna. She was a trained combatant, but not a soldier. She did not have the stamina for something like this. “Well then, let’s get set up as well.” She stretched and got some movement back in her limbs as we found a good spot to pitch our tent and get a small campfire going.

“Is it really fine for me to be here?” I looked over at her from where I was making the finishing touches on the tent. “Of course it is. I wouldn’t want you to be left back in Kal-Minos just to worry yourself to death.” Shaluna blushed slightly, making her even more beautiful. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” It didn’t take long before a campfire going, and we were making food.

I couldn’t recall ever needing any of the culinary skills I possessed before. It was a fun experience, and the food was better than anything my servants could make. Hmm, I would need to get them some better training, considering they were supposed to be professionals. But that was a thought for later. For now, I got to enjoy a simple, but pleasant meal with Shaluna, undisturbed and without a care, all-in-all a pretty good time. It also helped me to get my mind off the dangers ahead, not for me, but for her.

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There wasn’t much left we could do to prepare for the siege now. I used every single spell I thought could help, which, despite my long life and high levels, was far less than I hoped. I never gave much thought to the idea that I would find myself in a siege. The Arcana wasn’t much help either, since the potential collateral damage meant casting them was too dangerous unless the situation was dire.

Sure, the army we were facing was dangerous, however, casting spells that could backfire with enough force to annihilate the entire encampment didn’t seem like the wisest move. I shook myself from my thoughts and looked over to where Sarirrva was sleeping, or pretending to sleep, hard to tell. “Hard time sleeping?” I turned around. “Oh, hi Ursus. No, nothing of the sort. I don’t sleep. Haven’t since I became immortal.”

Ursus didn’t seem surprised. He walked over and sat down opposite of me and handed me a bottle. “I know you can’t get drunk, but might still take your mind off things.” I accepted it. “Chateau Montereau? This is a rare drink in these parts, must be worth a fortune to import.” Ursus just shrugged and removed some dust from his own.

“Wouldn’t know. My old man got it from a traveling merchant he saved 30 years ago or around those parts, never been a reason to drink it.” I arched an eyebrow and eyed him in silence for a moment. Ursus popped open his own bottle and took a sip. “Potential imminent destruction as good a time as any, eh?” He asked as he motioned for me to open my own.

Well, I couldn’t get drunk, but I wouldn’t say no to something this exotic. With no further delays, I popped open the cork and took a sip. The taste was… fruity, with a strange aftertaste that seemed to change from sweet to sour and back again. “Hmm, not bad. Unusual for sure, but not bad.” Ursus looked at his own bottle. “Not my kind of drink. It’s too mellow. But I agree, it’s not bad either.” As he finished talking, he suddenly swayed and shook his head slightly, as if he was hit by a dizzy spell.

“Ok, it has a bit of a kick to it after a few moments. Quite a rush, I’m guessing that’s not hitting you?” I shrugged. “For a split second, but it was so brief it was more like the echo of a sensation, more than anything. However, I suspect this stuff is magical, considering it's far too mellow for mundane liquor. No burn or anything.” Ursus took another draw of his bottle. “That would explain the value, aside from local rarity, of course. How much would a bottle be worth, anyway?”

I looked at the label. “ Bottled in the year of Autumn Omens. Hmm, just give me a moment.” I cast [Merchant’s Appraisal] on the bottle and nearly dropped it as I saw its value. “Huh… That Merchant you saved must’ve been more than he let on.” Ursus slowly stopped drinking. “How so?”

I looked at the bottle and then back at Ursus. “This is a special vintage made to order by the royal family of Mantois. There are only five bottles in existence, and we are drinking two of them. Their value to a collector would be enough for you to buy a mansion to live in and not earn another copper in your life. And that’s while still living in luxury.”

Ursus looked at the bottle, then back at me, then back at the bottle. “Huh, fancy that. What’s the value for an opened bottle?” I just shook my head. “Can’t say, my skill only shows the value in the best possible condition. But if you have anymore, I could see if I could find you a buyer for it.” Ursus seemed in deep thought. “Hmm, nah. Doesn’t feel right to sell the last bottle when it was given as a gift of gratitude.” That was fair.

“As you wish, now how bout we finish these then you get to bed to sleep it off, so you can actually do something tomorrow?” Ursus looked at me, then closed his eyes for a moment before he looked at me with a slight grin. “Hangovers are something humans get, but I see your point. There won’t be much rest tomorrow.” With that, we went back to drinking.

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“So Lady Umbra and Lord Rubolg knew nothing either?” Lady Inlas shook her head. Dammit, this was the last thing I needed right now, on top of everything else. This was frustrating. “Relax child, worrying will change nothing.” I took a deep breath and looked over at Lady Inlas.

“I know that. But…” Lady Inlas put a hand on my shoulder. “I know what you’re thinking, child. However, giving into frustration and worry won’t change anything and will only make you act rashly when the time comes, so calm yourself. You are of no help to anyone in your current state of mind. Even more so when you are worrying about so many things at once.”

She was right, of course. But that didn’t make it any easier to accept. “So I can’t even go to help?” I looked at Lady Inlas with a pleading expression. “Not until your training is over and your new powers have stabilized. And not until you calm down.” I took a deep breath. She was right. I knew she was. But… Dammit my thoughts were just spinning in circles. I took another deep breath. Calm down, empty my head of unnecessary thoughts, deep breaths and focus.

I felt myself calm. Inlas’ meditation training was working wonders on my nerves right now. “OK, I’m better now, still impatient, but not wound up like a bowstring.” Lady Inlas smiled gently and rubbed me on the head like a small child. Which, I probably was in her eyes. “I know you are worried about my niece and your other half. However, the best thing you can do for them is to make sure you are as ready as can be if or when the time comes.” I pushed her hand from my head.

“I understand that. It’s just… difficult. Before all this I wasn’t the best person around, to be mild about it. And worrying about someone other than myself is still relatively new, despite the time spent as Keari.” I closed my eyes and took another deep breath.

*FLASH* Amber was looking up at me talking about how she increased the payload of the blast potions, but worried the mixture was too unstable. I could feel, worry, fear and determination. Amber opened her mouth to say something else, but paused, her expression changing to one of confusion. *FLASH* What just happened?