Chapter 153: The Tide Starts to Turn
With the pirates landing across Aegis City and Gareth defending the entrance of the Shiny Platinum, things seemed bleak. My thoughts were to let enough pirates pass us, run into the city, and then rally everyone to launch an attack on one of the pirate ships that had landed. We could commandeer the ship and retreat to the capital.
I just needed my aether to replenish before making the attempt. I was under one percent of my aether and recovered about ten percent an hour, or roughly five hundred aether points over the hour. After this mess, I should have Wynna do another reading to see how much my aether capacity had grown.
Potions would do nothing for me as the best aether restoratives available in Skyholme recovered ten to twenty relative aether points, and if I took one, I would not be able to use other potions. All I had in my dimensional space was an array of weak healing potions for emergencies in dungeons. This actually was an emergency, and I took them all out and put them on a table. “Wynna, these are fourteen minor healing and nineteen moderate potions. Make use of them.” She quickly scooped them up and went to administer them.
The Shiny Platinum had been a refuge from the bombing by the pirates. Now, the restaurant was packed with civilians of Skyholme. It was mostly tradespeople, and their families who worked in the warehouse district. Those that could fight were defending other entrances. The pirates still seemed concerned with easier targets for now. Maybe the few ships I had managed to down had affected their assault. I had targeted the largest transports in my rage-filled assault. The pirates seemed disorganized for having arrived here in such a large fleet. Maybe that first ship I had sent into the lands below had commanders on it...
I was interrupted in my ponderings by Wynna. The old woman was in communication with Callem, and it looked like a counter-assault was going to come in about twelve hours. For now, the Wasps would just continue harassing the pirate ships over the city.
The ground shook, and I ran to the door to see what had happened. A Wasp ship had crashed into the warehouse across the street. It was a violent crash, and the Wolfsguard crew were most likely all killed. Things were not going well for the Navy.
Gareth turned to me, “Is everyone else safe?”
“Everyone is either here or at the Spire,” I said, then added, “Mera and Fera are visiting their parents outside of Hen’s Hollow.”
Concern filled Gareth’s face, “Fera is at her parent’s farm? How is the pirate activity there?”
“They used the same tactic. Dropping artificed explosives before landing. They had maybe a third as many ships, though. There was also only one Skyholme Harbinger defending,” I told my friend honestly.
Gareth’s forehead creased. “I have to get to Hen’s Hollow. My parents, stepbrother, and Fera are there. They need me, Storme.”
I looked across the street as small groups of pirates rushed into the city. Maybe thirty dead pirates were in front of the Shiny Platinum, forming a small barrier, and pools of blood filled the cobblestone cracks. “I don’t know Gareth. If we can rebuff them here, their strongest point of attack, they might all retreat.”
The look in the eye of my large friend told me he had already made up his mind. I needed to take care of my family first before the twins. Wynna was in the doorway, “Callem said they still have not seen the Harbingers of the Bricios or the flagship for the Sky King, the leader of the Black Mauraders in this part of the Sphere.”
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“Do you think they have another fleet this size?” I pointed to the sky. It seemed ridiculous that our estimation of their strength could have been this off.
“High Mage, I am just relaying what Callem told me to you. Do with it what you will,” Wynna said tensely and hid back in the archway as a pirate mage launched a fireball at us. One of Gareth’s mages had an aether shield protecting the area, and it splashed harmlessly.
“Another ogre-titted mage,” Gareth growled, “Carmin keep the spells off us. Zayne, go invisible and get behind the group. I will keep them distracted. Get a dagger in the mage,” Gareth issued his orders and broke from the protection of the Shiny Platinum.
I was not going to let him go alone, so I followed on his right as five pirates circled around their mage. Another fireball was launched, and I went into overdrive to dodge. Gareth used the sword I made him to bat the fireball away. It exploded next to him but didn’t burn him, as something protected his body—something I had not given him.
My falchion was zipping in the air as Gareth took the right side. I parried a blade and quickly changed the direction of my swing, taking the pirate’s wrists off. He was in too much shock at his loss to prevent my blade from taking his neck. The long black hair of the man rolled away in a mess.
Gareth had taken two with his first swing, cleaving through a shield, part of the torso, and then into the side of the next man. Gareth grumbled, “Fodder!” The remaining two men protecting the mage stepped back, but it was too late. Gareth did a feint too quick for a person his size and then stabbed the tip of his sword into the man’s chest.
My own opponent stumbled onto the ground. He was not an experienced fighter and braced his fall, exposing his head to my blade. The mage was now undefended, and we stepped forward, but Gareth’s scout, Zayne, appeared behind the stunned mage, a blade piercing his heart. Zayne quipped, “Damn it, Gareth, give me more time to get behind him! I had to sprint. You know I don’t like to be rushed.”
Another wave of pirates was coming from the docks, and we retreated to the Shiny Platinum. I hated to use even that little aether, but I was not going to let Gareth fight without me. “Storme, you are out of practice with your third sword form. Your feet were too close together,” he quipped.
“Let me go and ask the pirate if he thought my stance was too narrow,” I retorted with a smile. Explosions echoed from the upper city, pausing our banter.
“Storme, I need to get to Hen’s Hollow. Can you help me?” Gareth turned serious.
“I am planning to take one of the pirate ships,” I pointed to the destroyed skyship docks. A pain occurred in my chest as my father’s body was somewhere in the wreckage. A few of the skyships were taking off, but many remained after disembarking the pirate footman. I can drop you near Twin Rocks but can not get close to the city.
Gareth nodded and started talking to his team in preparation for taking the ship. I talked with Remy, Wynna, Ennet, and my mother, telling them the plan. I needed at least an hour to get enough aether restored. I went into a meditative state to slightly increase my recovery. Ignoring the thunderous sounds outside as a battle was waged in the city.
A few more people found their way to the Shiny Platinum. I hated to abandon them here, but there were too many to take with us. They had a few dozen competent, trained fighters in their ranks. When I stood ready, Remy had an update for me, as he had been on the communication stone while I had been meditating. “Storme, some debris hit the roof, but no damage, but three of the crossbowmen were killed. Everyone is safe at the Spire, and the pirates have not attacked the capital island. Bleiz had a rough landing with the Maelstrom, and Rippon is already working on fixing her.”
“Did they evacuate Skyhold with the Sky Wraith?” I asked.
“Yes, there are over one hundred people from Skyhold at the Spire. The Duskhunters came to the Spire from the Guild residence. It should be well protected,” Remy informed me. I nodded as the black stone that made up the Spire was indestructible. Freya would be safe.
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I took out my own communication stone and opened it to everyone who had one, “Cilia? Leda?”
Leda came back, “Yes, Storme?”
“Are you at the Spire?” I asked.
“Yes, we are here with everyone,” Leda answered.
“Good. We are going to go to Twin Rocks outside of Hen’s Hollow. It isn’t far from Callem’s farm,” I informed them. “I want you to meet me there with the Maelstrom. Whatever pirate ship we steal will not be as fast.”
“The invisibility runes are damaged, Storme,” Cilia came over the stone.
“I know. Just be ready to lift off. I will let you know when we leave Aegis City,” I said impatiently. I ended the communication and went to heal people in the restaurant. I just used a trickle aether aether to diagnose them and heal any life-threatening injury. I couldn’t spare the aether to heal them completely.
“Wynna, Gareth’s team, and I are going to steal a pirate ship. I expect this is quickly going to get messy, so when we come over here, I need you to get on board with my mother and Remy,” I told her my plan. Wynna nodded and was already heading to Ennet and talking to Callem on her stone.
I found Gareth at the entrance. He looked even more bloodied, and I used my cleanliness spell to clean him up. “Storme, it was part of my intimidation factor!” He said in mock protest.
“I am ready, but let us go to the roof and pick out a target before we head into the mess by the docks.” A short time later, we were looking from the roof of the Shiny Platinum, across the debris-strewn plaza and at the wrecked docks. They had been level with the Shiny Platinum roof but now were a mess of collapsed stone and wood. Pirate ships dotted the area.
“That one,” I pointed to a black ship that looked like a cross between a transport and a warship. Two aether cannons were visible forward and one aft. It was about a half mile away, and two pirates were on the deck.
“That one is closer,” Gareth pointed to a ship just two hundred yards away.
“Too slow. It has no aether cannons visible, and it is not black. The black ships are most likely part of the pirate fleet, and pirate ships need to be faster to catch their quarry,” I explained. An explosion had us turn around toward the central part of the city. Pirate skyships were firing aether cannons and spells at the citadel. I sighed, “It looks like they are into the citadel. No aether cannons are firing from the city any longer.”
“We should get going then,” Gareth said sadly. The Academies were all located in that area of the city, as well as the Frost Vault Dungeon. I briefly wondered if all the Dungeon Guilds were helping in the defense.
Someone rushed up the steps, “High Mage, reinforcements have come!”
“From where?” I asked, confused.
“The Sadians! They are out front of the Shiny Platinum!” The messenger said excitedly. I rushed to the edge of the building and looked down into my park. It was true. A steady stream of Sadian soldiers were arriving from the small portal building I had built.
I briefly thought they might be allies of the pirates, but the soldiers engaged two pirates in the streets, cutting them down. “Well, I will be an orc’s cousin. Something Loriel had me do is actually helping.” I shook my head as dozens of soldiers in the Sadian Emperor’s garb fanned out into the city. “We need to rush now to take that ship. They see this,” I pointed, “They will take off.”
Gareth nodded, and we rushed down the stairs. We exited the front of the building to gather Gareth’s team. I halted as a familiar Sadian, Prince Antioch, was among their number. “High Mage!! Please do not blast me!!” He said with a smile. “We came to help. It took me a while to convince my father to send his personal guard, but we are here. Three hundred strong and the regular army will be called up soon. Should be sending another thousand men in a day or so. We will not let them take the island.”
“Prince, we welcome the aide with whatever strings are attached. The center of the city has fallen, and pirates are roaming the streets, pillaging. Your men can do some good.” I recalled my conversation with the Prince and was confused by his armor and sword on his hip, “I thought you were a merchant?”
“I wear many guises. Today, I am trying to make sure my investments are secure,” he smiled brightly. Letting the Sadians into the city was probably not the best outcome, but I preferred them over the Black Marauders.
“I do not have time to talk as I need to requisition a pirate ship and save some friends elsewhere,” I nodded and turned.
“I will come with you! And my two personal guards,” he indicated, two soldiers behind him in formal dress.
Was he really trying that hard to get in my good graces? “If you died in my company, I do not think the Emperor would be happy. Perhaps you should stay in Aegis City and direct your men.”
“Non-sense. I was just here as a pretty face anyway. The Captain of the Guard and General Jakub can handle the fighting,” Prince Antioch said with a bow, “I am at your service, High Mage. Use me and me bodyguards as needed.” One of his bodyguards rolled his eyes, and the other shook his head slightly side-to-side in unhappiness.
“Follow us then,” I said, not taking time to argue. Three more skilled fighters would be welcome. Gareth and five of his delve team fell in with Prince Antioch and his two guards and me. I was surprised to see Remy with us but did not tell him to stay behind.
“My plan is simple. I am going to get on board quickly, and you all can join me,” I said confidently.
I turned invisible and went into overdrive mode, and sprinted toward the ship. I heard Gareth mumble behind me, “Show off,” as he commanded his men.
I bypassed the stranglers in destroyed docks. Gareth could handle those pirates. I also needed to reach the ship before they noticed us and lifted off. Gareth was hampered by having to fight the small groups. The first pirate ship I passed already had screaming pirates to take off. I left the ship alone and ran toward my target as fast as I could. The sleek black ship had three small masts with the sails stored. Being much closer, it looked to be a small trader or passenger ship, but the aether cannon jutting on the bow and stern betrayed her true purpose. I caught the name on the bow of the ship as I leaped aboard, The Silent Gloom. Not a very cheery name.
I climbed on board, and an elf was peering into the city and toward the pirate ship I had just passed. He turned, “Captain! We should take off. Looks like they have gotten some reinforcement and are rushing the docks.”
I attacked the elf, and his aether shield flashed, blocking my attack. He stumbled back, trying to draw his blade, as my invisibility ended up revealing me. My next attack was also met with an aether shield capable of handling my blade’s enchantments. The elf tried to roll away, but my third slash cut a deep slash into his back, past muscle to the bone.
He crossed his bracers in an X at me. It was not a defense but some type of instant healing as he was on his feet and not looking at all happy about his predicament. Two more elves and a human came from below. One yelled, “Take care of him! I will get us into the air.”
I had no more marbles, so I cast arcane web at the three new opponents. The elf I was engaged with used the opportunity to attack. I was surprised when I thought I blocked the weapon to find my own aether shield flashing. I think he had some type of illusion enchantment on the weapon, so I could not see it clearly. The arcane web was doing its job, but I did not want the Captain taking off, so I cast another one just before moving to engage the troublesome elf.
The Captain was cursing as I layered more sticky stands on him. The elf looked cautious and considered his options. “Captain, is Juma below? I could really use some help since you appear indisposed.”
The deck creaked, and a massive troll emerged from below. The elf looked relieved to see the reinforcements. I needed to shorten the enemies list. The troll was trying to free his Captain, so I launched into an attack on the elf. I started with a lightning spear to throw him off guard, but it connected, and he winced and backed to the railing, planning to jump overboard.
I dashed forward, and the elf was unprepared for my speed. I didn’t target his blade; instead, I opted for a slide on the deck. My aether shield took his blow, and I removed his leg as I slid past. It’s not an injury a healing potion could handle. As the elf collapsed in curses, I prepared for the bigger threat. The Captain was quickly becoming freed by the troll. I was close and cast a lightning spear into the head of the one-legged elf and rushed toward the other end of the ship.
The troll, for all its size and strength, was a terrible fighter. Its wild swing allowed me to remove its arm. Its mythical regeneration was already working. So, three more quick attacks the groin and each leg had it collapse to the deck, allowing its head to be at my height. A decapitated slash ended the battle.
The Captain and two other members were still partially restrained in the web. I recast the web so I would not get any surprises and killed all three of them without mercy. I probably should have asked if there were other pirates below deck.
Gareth leaped onto the deck ready to fight a dozen seconds after I had finished with the pirate crew. “A troll? Storme, you didn’t save any for me?” He looked around, confused. Gareth’s team arrived as well. Prince Antioch and his guards last.
“Welcome aboard The Silent Gloom, Prince, although I think I might change that,” I bowed in jest. I motioned to Gareth, “Gareth, search below for stragglers. I am going to get us into the air.” The tide was turning. I just needed to land near the Shiny Platinum and pick up a few people…
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