Jeff Inlo - Nightmare's Shad

"Fairly certain, but as you know, anything could come out of that portal at any time. Still, there was nothing on the horizon when I left, and I did not sense anything nearby. The algors appeared ready to tend to their wounded and dead. Ryson Acumen even asked if he should return here, but I knew he had more important concerns."

"You think Ryson is headed to the ColadMountains?"

"That would be my bet." Jure sensed a deeper anxiety in the elf from that response. "You don't seem happy about that."

"I am not, but there's nothing we can do about it."

"What's wrong?"

"While you were away, I saw an entire swarm of caelifera moving with speed over Dark Spruce. I believe they were, at first, headed toward Burbon. I would have sent you there when you returned to help Sy Fenden, but the creatures turned north. I can only assume they are headed to the mountains."

"A swarm?Of caelifera?"

"Yes. Not a pretty sight."

Jure connected the incident with Holli's apparent concern.

"You think they're going after Ryson's wife?"

Holli saw no other explanation.

"Why else would they bypass Burbon and Pinesway? Enin, Linda and Ryson all call Burbon home. I am not surprised it was an initial target, but the swarm changed course. We have spell casters here in Pinesway and other dark creatures coming to attack us. The caelifera could have joined against us, but they did not do that, either. What is left?"

Linda was the obvious answer. Jure knew she was under the protection of cliff behemoths in the mountains, but he wondered if he might be able to assist as well. He would not, however, take off again on his own whim.

"Should I go to the mountains and help?"

Holli considered it, but announced what she saw as the most reasonable course of action.

"There is no time now, and we have to believe the cliff behemoths can fight off the insects. I think they can. I just hope Ryson does not do anything careless, but there is nothing we can do about that, either. We have problems of our own."

Jure understood. He had sensed the upheaval at the portal. As Holli had just pointed out, more invaders were stalking the land-another large group headed east, headed to Pinesway.

"I have had the others cast sight spells all around the town and out in the surrounding lands," Holli continued. "The east is clear, but that was to be expected. No threats from the skies, but it seems Baannat threw his flying beasts at the algors. I was worried about the caelifera, but they are already out of range. The main thrust is going to come from the forest. Definitely goblins. I have already located several forward scouts, but I am not too worried about them. It is what's behind them that concerns me, and as of yet, I am not sure what that is."

"Another wave of creatures further behind?"

"Not that much further. Fairly close."

"But the sight spells can't detect them yet?"

"That is what has me worried. The spells should be detecting them, and to a degree I think they are, but not completely. The creatures do not appear to be cloaked." Holli paused for a moment to better explain what she sensed. She wanted Jure to understand the full scope of what she sensed. "I believe something is interfering with the spells. I can tell something is out there, but whenever I try to focus on it, the spell shifts out of my control."

"It's not blocking the spell? It's actually shifting control?" Jure asked, clearly amazed by the implications.

"Yes."

Jure considered Holli's explanation and it clearly troubled him. He could understand a cloaking spell-an illusionary shroud over a large army would be difficult, but not impossible. It would take power and an understanding of varied terrain, but a dark sorcerer versed in illusion could pull it off. He could also accept a counter spell that would block the sight. That would be the easiest, as it would simply counteract the effects of the first spell. Interfering with another magic caster's sight spell by shifting the focus, however, was an approach usually taken only by wizards very confident in their own ability. It was in every way a contest of wills.

"That's odd," Jure admitted. "Messing around another caster's spell is pretty bold. Disrupting someone else's spell isn't the easiest thing to do. It might not work, it might leave a trail, it might blow up… a lot can go wrong."

"That is why I am concerned. Would you ever attempt such an action?"

"In battle?Absolutely not."

"What about before the conflict begins?"

"Not a chance. It's too risky. It borders on arrogance."

"And you are not that kind of spell caster, I realize that. What if you wished to test an opponent's strength?"

"Better ways to do it than that," Jure replied.

"This is why I am concerned."

As if to offer an answer, Holli sensed a very distinct warning in the spells she used to alert her of impending danger. She folded her hands together in front of her chest and concentrated on a line of magic that linked her to one of the sight spells.

The initial spell had been cast by a sorceress who was strong in both wind and storm. She had placed a watchful magical gaze in the clouds over the abandoned town and allowed Holli to link to it with a casual breeze spell. Holli felt the pull of that spell, not a raging alarm, but a light whisper to announce danger was near.

The elf guard brought the spell into focus, created a small window in front of her so that both she and Jure could examine the disturbance. Neither was pleased with what they saw.

"The goblins have already surrounded what is left of this town," Holli announced. "A large horde, larger than I previously expected. River rogues are forming a wedge in the northwest. They are preparing to cross over the bridge at any moment. Gremplings are darting through the trees at the border of Dark Spruce, probably acting as lookouts to determine our movements."

Jure peered into the magical window that allowed him to share in the spell of sight and he offered his own opinion.

"It's a large force," Jure allowed, "but they're really not suited to fight us. I'm not trying to brag, but I could probably handle the rogues on my own. And goblins aren't really a threat to us, no matter how many there are."

"No, they are not," Holli agreed, "and Baannat would know that, so what is behind them?"

"I don't…"

The ground erupted and dozens of rock beetles broke through the floor of the abandoned building where Holli and Jure stood. Just as the first insects rushed from the openings, more filtered up from behind. Within moments, even the walls appeared to move with a life of their own as the hard-shelled creatures scurried across every open space.

Jure took a position at Holli's right shoulder, but made no motion to cast a spell. He waited for the elf's command rather than act rashly and initiate an attack that might conflict with Holli's intentions.

Not willing to be an initial casualty to the surprise attack, Holli drew upon almost all of her magical reserves as she cast her most powerful spell. An octagon of green energy formed in front of her and then burst outward in every direction.

Holli's true connection to magic came from her bond with nature. Green was the primary color of her casting and when she immersed her essence fully into emerald energy, her spells reached their greatest potency. Her casting utilized that connection and the magic sought out dormancy and sparked a resurgence of life.

The power pouring from her immediately revitalized portions of the furniture, floor boards, walls, and even the roof of the structure. Everything made of wood around them came to life. Roots sprouted out from table legs. Thick trunks sprung from the floor. Sturdy limbs speared out from walls. Heavy branches dropped from the ceiling.

In many ways, the spell was a reflection of Holli's own spirit. Once a proud elf guard, but cast out of her elf camp, she had lost what she believed was her ultimate calling. She was asked to leave her home so that her camp might survive. She gave up everything that defined her. When she stepped out of Dark Spruce with the intent to join humans, she stifled everything she had become. The light of her fire had been doused.