The metallic bellow was unmistakable.
The large bell was only ever rung for one thing. Dragons.
Roen bolted up in her seat. She had fallen asleep at the tables near the kitchens, having finally succumbed to fatigue while trying to glean whatever information she could about the Au Ra from thick, ancient tomes. There were not many books in Camp Dragonhead, not like the Observatorium, and what little literature she did find had no information on this warrior-like race. She had thought to just ask Edda on it, but after discovering that the noblewoman had hidden certain facts from her, the paladin thought it best to do her own research.
But the previous night spent in patrolling and searching for Blacke and Fenco, then followed by a full day’s journey on foot to Camp Dragonhead, even she could not deny the call of sleep. Once the question of Khadai and Edda’s freedom was put to rest, the weariness came crashing down upon her like a sudden tidal wave. Roen thought to only rest her head on the table for a moment, but it was not until bells later that she woke, the clangor of the alarm shattering her slumber.
Adrenaline allowed her to ignore the stiffness of her limbs after having dozed off in her armor; the paladin rushed outside with little delay. Her eyes widened at the scene near the aetheryte, counting the numerous aevis surrounding the massive stone. While knights and soldiers flanked them on both sides of the battlement, they were unable to fully engage them in such a limited space. Roen was able to spot Ser Tournes, shouting orders from one of the nearby parapet, waving off the Berta that was being swung around toward the conflict.
The moons that she had spent under the temple knight’s command still did not prepare her for these kinds of tactics. She was just hired on as a sellsword to provide an extra blade during a conflict. Where should she go? It was already crowded near the aetheryte. She spotted Bellows and Stray Oak up near the battlement stair, their weapons bared. She reached for her sword as she started forward in their general direction, when she spotted another figure in the snow.
Khadai too had ran out into the courtyard, and he was halfway in between the inn and the aetheryte crystal. He was standing still, his hand on his weapon but not yet drawn. He also was still in that ill-fitting dalmatica and slacks, nowhere near armored for battle. But the Xaela did not even seem to notice, or even mind the cold, for he was watching the scene intently. Hesitation was clear in his grim expression.
“Khadai!†Roen called out as she hurried to his side. “You do not have join in on this.†Her breaths were quick puffs of white steam in the night. “But you are a trained warrior. They… we could use your help.â€
The paladin glanced back towards the aetheryte. “The aevis seems to be targeting the crystal, and I have never heard of them doing that before.†She paused, scanning quickly through the rampart. “But I am not certain how to approach this. There is limited space and the creatures know how to use it to their advantage.â€
She flicked a glance back at the massive Au Ra. “Any ideas?â€
The large bell was only ever rung for one thing. Dragons.
Roen bolted up in her seat. She had fallen asleep at the tables near the kitchens, having finally succumbed to fatigue while trying to glean whatever information she could about the Au Ra from thick, ancient tomes. There were not many books in Camp Dragonhead, not like the Observatorium, and what little literature she did find had no information on this warrior-like race. She had thought to just ask Edda on it, but after discovering that the noblewoman had hidden certain facts from her, the paladin thought it best to do her own research.
But the previous night spent in patrolling and searching for Blacke and Fenco, then followed by a full day’s journey on foot to Camp Dragonhead, even she could not deny the call of sleep. Once the question of Khadai and Edda’s freedom was put to rest, the weariness came crashing down upon her like a sudden tidal wave. Roen thought to only rest her head on the table for a moment, but it was not until bells later that she woke, the clangor of the alarm shattering her slumber.
Adrenaline allowed her to ignore the stiffness of her limbs after having dozed off in her armor; the paladin rushed outside with little delay. Her eyes widened at the scene near the aetheryte, counting the numerous aevis surrounding the massive stone. While knights and soldiers flanked them on both sides of the battlement, they were unable to fully engage them in such a limited space. Roen was able to spot Ser Tournes, shouting orders from one of the nearby parapet, waving off the Berta that was being swung around toward the conflict.
The moons that she had spent under the temple knight’s command still did not prepare her for these kinds of tactics. She was just hired on as a sellsword to provide an extra blade during a conflict. Where should she go? It was already crowded near the aetheryte. She spotted Bellows and Stray Oak up near the battlement stair, their weapons bared. She reached for her sword as she started forward in their general direction, when she spotted another figure in the snow.
Khadai too had ran out into the courtyard, and he was halfway in between the inn and the aetheryte crystal. He was standing still, his hand on his weapon but not yet drawn. He also was still in that ill-fitting dalmatica and slacks, nowhere near armored for battle. But the Xaela did not even seem to notice, or even mind the cold, for he was watching the scene intently. Hesitation was clear in his grim expression.
“Khadai!†Roen called out as she hurried to his side. “You do not have join in on this.†Her breaths were quick puffs of white steam in the night. “But you are a trained warrior. They… we could use your help.â€
The paladin glanced back towards the aetheryte. “The aevis seems to be targeting the crystal, and I have never heard of them doing that before.†She paused, scanning quickly through the rampart. “But I am not certain how to approach this. There is limited space and the creatures know how to use it to their advantage.â€
She flicked a glance back at the massive Au Ra. “Any ideas?â€
