Surprised and assaulted

It’s nearly four weeks after you arrived back in Hope, and you’re already getting impatient. Everyone assures you that things are going well, but you’re getting antsy just waiting in town. After the headlong rush you had been in previously, waiting is hard. You throw yourself into various projects, and train hard, but part of you wants to push forward with your plans immediately. You wish SOMETHING would happen, because sitting in your hands makes you feel like you’re wasting your time.

You soon learn that you should be careful what you wish for.

You’re in a meeting with Ben, Bella, Victor and Melora, planning out projects as you await word from Thalberg, when a runner from the docks bursts in, breathless.

“Dreadnoughts! The lookout has spotted two dreadnoughts approaching!”

The five of you leap up, running for the harbor. There’s already a commotion as you arrive, and you’re gratified to see that the catapults and ballista are already being loaded. Victor spots the ships first, pointing them out to the rest of you. He shakes his head.

“How did they find us here?”

You shrug. “It was bound to happen eventually. The real question is, what is their plan? Even if we can’t stop both ships, two dreadnought crews isn’t enough to take the town. It’ll be rough, but we definitely win any fight.”

Melora closes her eyes, and immediately staggers, clutching her head. “No! He’s here, the darkness…”

You grab her, steadying her. “What? What is it?!”

Melora looks at you in horror. “Niran. I don’t know how I couldn’t sense him before, but I feel his corrupted mind, and close.”

She looks out at the distant ships, steadily approaching. “And he’s not on those ships.”

Just then, there’s an outcry from the forest, as a mass of troops wearing Order uniforms charges your walls. Fortunately, your gates are closed, but you watch in alarm as more and more pour from cover. Your eyes narrow as you see the tattered robes and cowl of Niran, as he directs his forces. Even from here, you can see the magic warping the air around him.

You spin to face Victor. “You handle things here. Prevent a landing if you can, and send word if you need help. I’ll handle Niran.”

Victor nods, running off towards the docks, already shouting orders. You look at Ben and Bella. “Gather the non-combatants and get them into the barracks building. It’s the most secure.”

They turn and go without a word. You squeeze Melora’s shoulder. “Are you ok?”

She nods. “I’m fine. Shaken, but I’ll live. I’m sorry I didn’t see this.”

You shake your head. “Not your fault, and no time to worry about it. Go find Cassie, and get the hospital ready. There’s plenty to do. If you see Sarah, send her to help Victor.”

Melora nods, and gives you a kiss. “Be careful, Nicholas. Niran is incredibly powerful.”

You grin. “I may have a few surprises for him. I love you. Go.”

She nods, and runs off. You run as well, headed for the front gate, where your troops are gathering, under Ferra’s guidance. Alex is there as well, pacing impatiently, flames flickering at her clenched fists. A cheer goes up as you arrive, an both girls watch you jog up.

“Well done. I was worried there would be chaos over here.”

Ferra nods. “What is our plan?”

You glance towards the gate. “We make them wear themselves out coming to us, and then it’s the same game as on the ship. Niran is the key. You two help me cut a path to him, and we rid the world of his corruption.”

Ferra rolls her shoulders, forming her blade arms. “Simple. Please be careful, master.”

Alex nods. “Niran is several orders of magnitude more powerful than anything we’ve faced.”

You smile. “That’s true. But he’s also never faced anything like us.”

You draw Caliburn. Raising it to the sky, you hear your forces cheer, and you hear an answering roar from the gathered Order troops outside the gates. Planting your feet, you take a calming breath.