Under the Light of the World at War: Early Chapter 66
I brushed the sweat off, took a moment to conjure some water, pour that over my head, and then wipe it away, then drink the rest.
“Well I for one like this format much more than the other.” One of Grunkle’s Apprentices said to his fellows… Ceri’ilis? I think that was his name. Grunkle didn't exactly leave much time for making friends with them. I was more the grind stone to slap them upside the head with.
And they were my grindstone in turn.
“Acceptable. What have we learned?” Grunkle called out, and the three trainee’s starting explaining exactly that.
In my head though?
Not to lose track of people in a fight.
Stupid Rogues. I’d ended up discussing the fight I had with Grunkle, he’d listened to me explain the whole thing, and even describe getting stabbed before he simply told me the truth.
“You are an inexperienced fool, rushing headlong into a fight you were not prepared for, not considering properly and so you were wounded. You’ve only faced Spellbreaker Knights. Never have you fought a Ranger, or a Rogue, or a Mage. Although with that one at least you already have some methods to defend against them. But you think a man that fights in the shadows will fight you fairly? Fool.”Honestly I think that was one of the longest lessons he’d ever given me?
So he’d set me up against not one, not two, not even all three trainees.
Because every once in a while he’d throw a spell at me from the side in my blind spot. Slow usually, which I had managed to get him to teach me, but sometimes an actual Mana Bolt as well.
The goal was fairly obvious, and I did learn.
In a fight, you can’t just hyperfocus. I had to keep my mind open, and my senses sharp. Not a skill I’d actually picked up through my system unfortunately. Just…
Instinct… No better to say, I realized I had some instincts on fighting I’d been ignoring. Or rather I hadn’t needed.
At least it gave the Trainees a better shot at me. Sure one on one, they often could beat me a few times before they were too tired to keep up, but that was getting less and less common now.
My Plate Armor skill was rising swiftly, and with shield I was fairly difficult to properly get a hit on.
At least before I fought them three on one.
It was… Kinda thrilling honestly. Fighting multiple opponents. It was what I trained for. To be unstoppable no matter how many swords swung at me.
I was growing though. Both physically and stat wise.
I looked at my character sheet. So many upgrades, and yet, splitting my focus meant things weren’t sky rocketing.
Would it have been smarter to focus on just one thing at a time?
Maybe… In some ways sure. I could have become a fairly monstrous Spell Caster by now if I focused only on that…
But then I’d be a squishy Spell Caster.
Once more I looked at my character sheet. As spread out as it was… It was me. My growth towards the goal of being someone that could stop any threat. I had no regrets.
Alah’Dorah
High Elf
Level 6 [10/600 XP]
Strength 32 +18+11
Agility 30+1+7
Stamina 34 +13+3
Intellect 28 +131
Spirit 29 +77
Skills Known:
[Swords Lv 58 417/580] [Master]
-[Parry Lv 45 368/450]
-[Dual Wielding Lv 2 7/20]
-[Mana Enhancement lv 29 115/290]
-[Weapon Specialization One handed-Sword Lv 20 57/200]
-[Precision Lv 9 67/90]
[Shields Lv. 55 197/550] [Master]
-[Block Lv 50 417/500]
-[Ambidextrous Lv 35 190/350]
-[Mana Block Lv 29 218/290]
-[Shield Bash Lv 20 184/200
-[Spell Reflect Lv 2 15/20]
[Stealth Lv. 5 20/50]
[Bows Lv. 12 105/120] [Apprentice]
-[Rapid Fire lv 8 15/80]
[Arcane Meditation Lv 10 Skill Mastered] [Mastery Benefit Evocation Unlocked]
[Spell Refinement Lv 20 Skill Mastered] [Mastered]
-[Arcane Focus Lv 7 5/70]
-[Arcane Subtlety LV 3 25/30]
[Arcane Mind Lv 10 1/100] [Apprentice] [Mastery Benefit Improved Mana absorption]
[Riding: Hawkstrider lv 6 40/60]
[Maces Lv 12 5/120] [Apprentice]
-[Hammer Blow Lv 3 13/30]
[Divine Strength Lv 10 87/100] [Apprentice]
-[Mental Strength Lv 4 17/40]
[Devotion Aura Lv 4 16/40]
[Plate Mail Lv 12 1/120] [Apprentice]
-[Hit Absorption Lv 3 15/30]
Spells Known:
[Holy Light Lv. 15 50/150] [Apprentice Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +5 Spirit]
[Conjure Refreshment Lv 29 143/290] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Spirit]
[Glyph Creation Lv 7 65/70]
[Mage Light Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Sunwell Compass Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Spirit]
[Timer Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Float Object Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Hair Styling Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Polishing Spell Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Banish Dust Spell Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Lock Spell Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Unlock Spell lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Generate Icecube Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Spell Steal Lv 6 40/60]
[Mage Hand Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Slow Poison Lv 3 16/30]
[Heat Water Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Create Tiny Fire Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Strength Surge Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Strength]
[Mage Armor Lv 26 153/260] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Spirit]
[Arcane Intellect Lv 26 183/260] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Intellect]
[Inkromancy Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Mana Bolt Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Silence Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Evocation Lv 29 128/290] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Spirit]
[Arcane Arrow Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Resurrection 1/10]
[Blessing of Wisdom Lv 27 242/270] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Spirit]
[Animate Object Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Create Mana Gem Lv 30 58/300] [Expert Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +15 Spirit]
[Feather Fall Lv 6 4/60]
[Mirror Image Lv 21 204/210] [Journeyman Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +10 Intellect]
[Power Word: Fortitude lv 16 47/160] [Apprentice Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +5 Spirit]
[Cure Disease Lv 2 5/20]
[Heal Lv 8 1/80]
[Seal of Righteousness Lv 15 88/150] [Apprentice Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect]
[Inner Fire LV 18 147/180] [Apprentice Mastery] [Mastery Benefit +5 Spirit]
[Cloth Cleaning Lv 5 47/50]
[Leather Conditioning Lv 4 34/40]
[Heating Food Lv 4 25/40]
[Arcane Bloodlust 9/10]
[Slow 1/10]
Profession Known:[Enchanting Lv. 50 47/500] [Master]
-[Apprentice Enchanting: Reduce cost of Enchanting]
-[Journeyman Enchanting: Minor improvement in enchantment power]
-[Expert Enchanting: Use more reagents for an improved effect]
-[Refined Enchanting: Improve power of Enchantments placed in weaker areas]
-[Master Enchanting: Examine Enchantments to learn them]
[Tailoring Lv. 9 85/90]
[Skinning Lv. 4 3/40]
[Fletching Lv. 2 19/20]
[Blacksmithing Lv 35 25/350] [Expert]
-[Apprentice Blacksmithing: Increased speed of smithing]
-[Journeyman Blacksmithing: Improved quality of Work]
-[Expert Blacksmithing: Improved awareness of material Damage]
The additional skills I’d gained were numerous.
Plate mails’ Hit Absorption was great! I was pretty sure it was more like a magic skill than anything. Hits to my armor just weren’t as strong as they should be. Which was amazing considering my bruises post workout.
I’d mastered a few more spells, and was still learning a few more.
Heating Food was a definite win, letting me completely get rid of my steam lid idea while conjuring pizza. I had a baking oven on the go, although having a lid did make it easier.
I’d had a few training sessions with Spell Steal, although Grunkle was still shy about letting me use it.
But, it was all just the slow growth of training.
Every day I worked on skills, some skills got attention every day, some only every few days or less depending on my schedule.
“Girl!” I looked up and frowned at Grunkles call. “If you have time to navel gaze, then you have time to train.” He demanded and I sighed. Thrusting my helmet back on my head.
The poor Trainees had pissed off Grunkle, and now I was the punishment.
I felt myself smile as I moved forward back towards the training arena.
Too bad for them, I lived for this sort of thing.
—---
The issue was sort of worrying on me, so despite how busy I was, I eventually had to bring it up.
“Have you heard about the Harvest Gangs?” I asked, as I ate my breakfast. Yummy glazed donuts, and my best work on making something that tasted like Coffee. I hadn’t gotten the caffeine, but with pastries it was hard to beat.
“Don’t even think about it.” El’Tela said instantly, sending me a harsh look, and I glared right back.
“I wouldn’t! I’m not stupid! What kind of idiot would go out into the wilderness when we’re surrounded by Trolls! Well other thank Grunkle.” My slight tease earned me a click of a cup hitting the table.
“It seems you have too much energy.”“Of course I do… But seriously, I’m not dumb. But you knew about this? People going out into the wilderness?”
“Of course. You think everyone will be happy to be locked inside the city?”“But… But it’s crazy! What if the Trolls realize what is happening. What if they find a way inside because of it?”“Nonsense. The Trolls can’t use mana this close to the Runestones. Even if they realize it is happening they can’t follow.”“Are you sure? How are the Harvest Gangs being sent out?”“Teleportation through a Magisters array. It’s perfectly safe. The King uses a similar function on his forrays.” Grunkle reminded me, and I shook my head.
“And you’re sure that all the Magisters doing this are doing it safely? Smartly? That not one of them is cutting some corner, that might lead to some Trolls making it into the city?”“No.” El’Tela said, but she shook her head. “And if some fool does make such a mistake, they’ll pay for it, likely with their life.”
“And the Trolls that could get into the city?”“If your hypothetical happened girl, it would be a disaster, but the Trolls wouldn’t get far. Wouldn’t be able to get out, and that would be the end of it. Some fool Magister gets himself and probably his family killed if he’s taken by surprise and doesn’t have enough defenses. Otherwise, it’s not possible, and still no threat to the city. Take your mind from the fools going out of the Ban’dinoriel.”
I looked at her, and then at Grunkle, who seemed to take the same policy. He wasn’t concerned either.
“This is stupid.”“You’ll discover that stupidity never disappears. You’re worried. Then stay away from the fools doing it, and you’ll be fine.”“I’m not worried about me.” I grumbled. I could take a Troll. Maybe even a few!
Maybe.
Depends on their strength I guess. Some of the Trolls among the Amani would be absolute Monsters requiring people on the level of the King to properly handle…
Or like a dozen lower level guards willing to sacrifice a few of them to kill one…
We couldn’t afford those kind of losses though.
“I think you underestimate the Trolls. How strong they can get.” I finally said, a bit petulantly. And El’Tela nodded.
“You worry. Justifiably, but the Ban’dinoriel will not fall. It is safe. Even if some fools risk themselves.”
I looked away unsatisfied, yet there was nothing I could do. Nothing but get stronger.
“I’m going to play with Thas.” I decided, rising up and leaving the quiet breakfast to go find my parents and new sibling.
—--
“Stop pouting.”I glared, and did not pout! I was woken up rudely and I was tired. Seriously, he tossed me out of bed!
Grunkle had woken me, rudely! And only given me a few quiet words about needing my assistance, so my assistance he would have.
We’d left the house before the sun had even risen and climbed onto his Dragonhawk and off into the night.
“What’s going on?”“Start preparing Mana Gems if you can.” He told me instead of answering, and so I did. Grunkle was very serious right now.
We made it to the staging grounds which I only recognized in the dim light because of all the people there.
Even the King?
Another attack? Then why wake me up so suddenly? I’ve helped out at these a few times now, and I usually got some prep time.
We landed and Grunkle settled me into a support area and I nodded, no words needed to be shared as I brought my hands together and started conjuring Mana Gems as quickly as I could.
Each Emerald glowed faintly when finished and I placed beside me, and swiftly Spell Breakers and Magisters both walked over to collect the finished gems.
Yet, there was a sense in the air of seriousness. Barely any chatter outside of yawns.
I used some of my last Mana to conjure some water and started chugging it, as I activated Evocation.
The sudden shift in the mana currents caught a lot of attention, but it wasn’t the first time I’d used it here. So I just regained my Mana and started making more gems.
Finally as the sun was just starting to rise they seemed prepared.
I handed out the last of my Mana Gems, and joined the healers cast Inner Fire, and Blessing of Wisdom on the warriors.
And then just like before they all gathered together and teleported away. Grunkle with them.
Then things got quiet as most of the healers, and those that didn’t leave yawned and started cleaning up.
“What caused all this?” I asked, to one of the Healers I knew from the Healing Hall, and got nothing but a shrug in turn.
“It was a sudden call, the King didn’t exactly explain himself.”“I guess not.” I yawned, and groaned I’d have to walk back home in time for breakfast… Or probably just jog and get some training in.
But then before we could all leave a Magister stepped forward.
“Please rest for a short time, regain your Mana. There will be a second assault! No one is free to leave!”
The shout didn’t quite bring groans, but there was a drop in many shoulders.
Nodding. I stepped away and started conjuring Pizza’s.
Best to just prepare some food, and Pizza was excellent for come as you need.
—--
I could hear the horn blaring about an hour later. The King and the first assault had returned, and the staging grounds were already full.
Many Magisters and mages set up as a core force. They were up to something, and they’d welcomed the Mana Gems greedily.
Otherwise there were no mounts. Just armored soldiers, with large shields seemingly making up a bulwark.
I passed out Gems, Buffed when I could, and kept the pizza table full of warm food.
And yet the amount of people was only growing, and the tension rocketed up. Then as if the final call of the gate horns telling everyone the king had returned was done, the assault force gathered up and I backed up with the healers.
And they teleported away.
Something was definitely up.
Then almost as soon as they were away a horn went off above us, and the horns across the city carried the noise.
The gate horns sounded off again?
The second force hadn’t just teleported away to just run inside the walls. What was going on?
“There you are.” Meniel called out as she found me. “Come along Dorah, we need to move quickly.” “What’s going on?”“The Convocation decided on a much stronger assault than ever before. I don’t know anything else, but I know this. There will be injuries. Rest while you can, make some more Gems… We might need them soon.”
“Oh.”
I quickly followed her into a carriage the healers all jumped into and we were off, heading towards the gates.
—---
By the time we made it to the gates, the city guards were on high alert, literally forming walls along the streets seemingly just in case. I knew a bit more.
The whispers were everywhere.The King had marched into the city, almost to instantly turn around and attack again.
Those troops must be exhausted.
Sure we had cast a lot of Inner Fire, but the spell didn’t last that long.
We all quickly were set up in an area pretty close to the gates, a building that was probably a bar had been completely taken over, and the healers were setting up for injuries.
Bandages, healing potions, and all sorts of things were being brought in like a wave.
All the while I made Mana Gems, the only thing I alone could do.
And despite all the chatter of the people outside. The randoms on the street were throwing up cheers to the King for finally punishing the Trolls. Or crying out victory cries.
The healers inside were dead quiet beside what needed to be said to prepare.
Even Meniel was frowning and completely serious. None of her usual playfulness.
I wish I could see the battle, at least then I’d know…
But I couldn’t. But I could be useful.
Another Emerald was dropped into a box beside me. All the Healers had at least one now, and the rest would be there for when injuries came in, when healing was needed.
Then I heard it.
My heart was pounding as the horns above us roared out. As the gate began to open.
Civilians were quickly pushed even further back, and the city guards took up positions as the gate opened.
I didn’t head out. I didn’t need to.
When the gate opened…
The gasps and cries of horror was all I needed to hear to know who it had gone.
So I kept preparing. Evocation held back as I knew when the injured started flowing in I would need it to restore myself and start casting Holy Light.
And just like I expected. That’s what happened.
Serious injuries started flowing in men and women carried in on City Guard shoulders, dropped off and they guards flowed out through a side door so they wouldn’t block the entrance.
The healers got to work, me among them as I passed out supplies and offered my Healing when needed.
And then to my relief the King walked in, walked.
Although he wasn’t without injury.
Everyone seemed a little shocked at the axe lodged in his shoulder, Meniel rushed to his side as he walked under his own power despite his guard trying to hold him down as he took a seat at a table.
“It’s nothing.” He grunted at them angrily.
Huh. That’s pretty hardcore.
I was free so I followed Meniel who looked at the King.
“This will hurt you-”
“Just do it alre-”Taking him at his word, Meniel just grabbed and yanked the Axe clean out…
Heh.
I was there supporting her the King swayed Holy Light, mixing with Meniel’s Heal spell as we quickly restored the damage,
Honestly, it wasn’t even that much. The king was… Tough.
In a way that staggered me a bit because even with an axe lodged in his shoulder he didn’t seem all that injured.
“Do it quickly. I need to get back out there.” He grunted at her as he finally seemed to get his voice back.
“That’s unlikely, my King. You need-”“It’s what is happening. We have too many trapped out there still.” He grunted.
And I felt my belly do a flip flop.
Trapped?
He rose up pushing past me without another word as the light faded from his wounds, and he walked out…
I spun and grabbed a few Mana Gems from the box and chased after him.
I didn’t like the sound of any of that!
We were outnumbered, straight up fights were bad! We all knew that! But still this entire day had been planned…
Or not planned.
The outside was chaos. No Trolls were at the gates, mostly because the gate houses were lined with archers, mages, and the towers themselves firing, but even with that. I could see it.
Elves trapped out of the gates. Trolls had surrounded them, and they were fighting, but they were outside the range of the walls…
And the Trolls were like an endless ocean of bodies.
They were doomed.
That was what I thought when I saw them.
When I looked at the brave Elves fighting an endless wave of Trolls.
Then I saw it.
“Grunkle.” His Dragonhawk was among them. I recognized the beast my eyes were pretty fucking good, and the color, the shape.
It was Grunkle.
“I need those that will charge once more! We will not sacrifice our own! Those brave few that stood in the rear! Mount up brave Soldiers of Silvermoon!” The king's voice echoed out, as he climbed into his saddle…
Many did just that. Rising up, weary and tired, and injured, but many were going to follow him. Even some of the city Guards. Which was good as they needed the men.
But not all.
I’d made a promise.
But that didn’t matter as I stepped forward. An injured soldier, sitting out on the curb staring but not rising to join his King. I reached out and picked up his shield, and fallen sword. It wasn’t even covered in Troll Blood.
“I’ll be borrowing this.” I told him, as I grabbed one of the free Hawkstriders.
Easily sliding into the saddle.
“King!” I called out loud enough he couldn’t miss it, and tossed him a Mana Gem, over the heads of his guards, and then joined the group.
He grabbed it, but I don’t know if he saw me, if he cared, or if I cared if he did.
“FOR SILVERMOON!” He roared a moment later, and my voice joined the horde as we charged out.