"Ambassador?" The voice drifted into SJ's mind as she opened her eyes, shielding them immediately. The sun was already much higher than she had expected, its warmth and light welcoming after the previous night's antics.
"I'm awake," SJ said, rising and stretching. Kibble was still curled up and lifted his head lazily. Carlito was still sleeping, which SJ didn't think was a bad thing after what he had done.
"The Lieutenant sent me and asked if you could meet her at the valley." The guard who had woken SJ was a female ratkin. She wore dark brown leather armour which almost perfectly matched her fur colour.
"Of course. I'll go now," SJ said.
She felt tired. Although she didn't need the same amount of sleep she used to need, the adrenaline came down after the furious excitement had left her drained. SJ took the bottle of rejuvinatus from her inventory and took a sip. The electrifying energy washed through her in moments, leaving her feeling refreshed.
The guard noticed the bottle, looking at it greedily. The guard looked tired, with bags under her eyes. SJ offered it to her. With a grateful nod, she took a sip.
"Thank you. I must return to my post," she said before hurrying off.
Kibble was still curled up, watching her. He looked tired, too.
"You stay here with Carlito. I won't be long."
Kibble squeaked as he placed his head back down and closed his eyes.
SJ shrank and took off, heading above the canopy when Dave boomed into her mind.
"Morning," he sounded way too energetic and happy.
'Morning,' SJ thought, steadying herself since Dave had startled her, making her skip a wing beat.
"How are you feeling?"
'I'm good. Just a little tired still, or I was.'
"Great," Dave chirped.
'Why are you so happy this morning?'
"Who me?" Dave replied.
'Yes, you.'
"Well, you know you asked me to focus on the you know whose code."
SJ frowned as she flew towards the cliff edge.
'Yes.'
"Well, I managed to crack the first level."
'That's great news. Did you find anything out?'
Dave's voice shifted tone. "Erm, not yet. It's only the first level."
SJ sighed. 'And how many are there?'
Dave mumbled a reply.
'I didn't hear you?'
"Twenty-three."
'Before what exactly?'
"Before I can access anything. The system uses a different algorithmic encryption; it's very interesting, really, but adds a significant level of complexity."
'So, you still have twenty-three more to go before you can access anything useful?'
"Yes."
'Then why are you so happy?'
"It's progress, isn't it? You should try to do the number of computations needed to unlock even one level," Dave said defensively. "To even crack the first so quickly is an achievement."
'Sorry. I don't mean to make light of what you're doing, but it doesn't help us yet.'
Dave grumbled. "No, I suppose not."
As SJ reached the clearing, the true scale of the devastation caused by the earth mages was clear. She saw Lorna below, but before landing, flew out over the edge, looking down.
Where the path had originally started its steep descent to the valley below, the cliff began. The collapsing side had also seriously affected the river, which had cascaded steeply down the valley's side. Now, in the light of day, SJ could see the waterfall that it had created. Not realising the full extent of the devastation, even with her advanced vision at night.
At the base of the cliff, half of the area inside the wall had been buried in dirt and debris. Where the water now fell, a pool had formed before the river continued its journey into the valley. The morning light reflected off the water as it fell, creating rainbows of colour. Under any other circumstances, SJ would have considered its beauty.
The beings and beasts below had all moved outside the walls. Their makeshift homes were dotted across the valley. Several beings moved around inside the wall, and it appeared they were still searching for survivors.
SJ turned and flew to the clearing landing near Lorna.
"Thanks for the wakeup," she said as she grew.
"Sorry, it wasn't at first light, but I thought you wouldn't mind."
SJ smiled, looking at her friend. "And you?"
Lorna brushed her comment off. "I had a couple of hours."
"It looks like we won't be seeing the gnolls or draconians anytime soon," SJ smiled.
"They did try to send a lizard up earlier, but the cliff face is too unstable. They only managed to get up from the base before slipping back."
The thought of the lizards scaling the cliff sent a bolt of fear through SJ. She hadn't even considered their agility in the rush of the plan unfolding.
"Even if one did eventually get up here. At least they wouldn't have gnolls in support," SJ said, hopeful.
"True, and we have time to prepare if they did."
Lorna looked terrible. SJ could see the relief on her face, but the tired lines around her eyes and her subdued movements gave away just how exhausted she was.
"You need more rest," SJ said.
"Now I have seen it in the light of day, I will get another couple of hours."
"Good. I think I will head back to town and see Zigferd."
"Oh. Here, take this with you," Lorna said, removing a piece of parchment from her inventory.
"What is it?"
"A list of supplies we need to fortify the top. I just wish we had built the wall up here initially. The steep path would have given us a natural defensive barrier. It would have been easier to defend."
The thought hadn't crossed SJ's mind until Lorna mentioned it.
"That would have made sense. Why wasn't it?"
"The council. The town border now reaches just past where the wall was constructed. They wanted to make sure all the land under our control was protected. Not that it has done us much good."
SJ still couldn't get over her level increases, causing the deaths of others. Her heart felt as though it was trapped inside a shrinking cage. She kicked the ground angrily, sending a stone tumbling over the cliff edge.
Lorna frowned. "You're not to blame for this," Lorna said as though she had read SJ's thoughts.
"If I had..."
"No," Lorna cut her off. "If you hadn't levelled, it wouldn't have mattered. Something would have come eventually. It always does, and always has. Yes, there may be times of peace, but Amathera is a hostile world. Only the strong ultimately survive. All Amathereans know that."
"But..."
"But nothing," again Lorna cut her off. "If it wasn't for what you have done since you arrived, we may have even fallen to Bordon and the hobs, or the wyvern could have caused even more devastation than it did. Never mind the impact you have had on all those you have supported since arriving here."
SJ looked at her friend, not sure of how to reply. They stood silently for several moments.
"Right. I'm going to get some more rest. You need to head back."
SJ just smiled and stepped forward, hugging Lorna. Lorna returned the gesture.
"Thank you," SJ said, before she stepped back, shrank and took off again.
After rousing Kibble and Carlito, they set off to town. Carlito wasn't willing to arrive in Killic as a dragon, so they walked back. Kibble flew alongside, disappearing now and again in the canopy before returning to them.
Several beings passed them as they went, heading out to either replace or reinforce those already by the cliff. All who passed them carried an air of uncertainty as to what lay ahead.
The town hall was no different from her last visit. The crowd of beings jostled and shouted both outside and inside. SJ made her way through with Carlito. As she went to enter the old orc, looking even more aged than usual, Carlito stopped.
"He's with me," SJ confirmed.
The orc gave Carlito a suggestive look, considering his clothes and calm manner, frowning, but wouldn't challenge the ambassador.
SJ continued across the main area to her office. She paused, looking at the closed door to Ballentine's office, her heart skipping a beat as sorrow filled her. There would be time later to grieve for her friend, but now wasn't the time.
She entered the office, and Kibble immediately moved to his cushion. Carlito sat in the chair in front of her desk, lifting his feet and placing them on the edge.
"I won't be long. Then I'll take you to the inn," SJ said.
"No hurry," Carlito replied, immediately closing his eyes again.
She petted Kibble before heading upstairs.
"And what are you going to do about it?" a tall elf stood in Zigferd's office with several other beings. His hands on his hips challengingly.
Zigferd looked past the point of exhaustion, and she doubted, looking at him, if he had even slept.
"We will find a way," Zigferd replied, his face drawn with resignation.
"And how are you going to do that? You've destroyed our path home. The only other route adds days onto the journey, never mind what sort of support can you now even offer the Western villages," a human female added.
'Damn,' SJ thought. They may have prevented the attack on Killic, but they hadn't considered the impact on those from the villages across the valley.
"Look, I know the current situation isn't ideal, but we will find a solution."
SJ doubted that they had even considered what they might do yet.
"Mayor," SJ said as she entered his office.
Zigferd looked at SJ and could see genuine relief on his face.
"Please, all. May I have a moment of privacy with the ambassador? I will speak to you as soon as I know anything."
The beings looked at SJ before grumbling and leaving his office. Zigferd stood and walked to the door, his steps heavy and slow, as he closed it behind him. He then turned and walked to his drinks cabinet, offering SJ one before sitting heavily in a chair.
"What's new?" Zigferd asked, smiling at her.
SJ called the list from Lorna and handed it to him. "Lorna has asked for supplies to build defences at the cliff edge."
Zigferd scanned it briefly. "It looks reasonable. I'll get Alice to sort it."
He didn't continue, and SJ spoke. "Are you okay?"
Zigferd lifted his head, shrugging his shoulders. "I have to be."
"Can I help with anything while I am here?"
"Perhaps. Several tasks need to be completed, and everyone is working extremely hard. I just don't get a moment's peace. Every being wants a bit of me."
"You know the town will support you whatever you need doing?"
Zigferd smiled, and only a slight twinkle reached his eyes. "I know, but there are so many to consider. The impact this will have on the Western villages is not insignificant. The villagers of Willowbark's healer is currently stranded here. They are right in their statements about what we can even offer now, the link to the valley is gone."
"It doesn't mean it will be gone forever," SJ said, hoping for a positive outcome.
Zigferd shook his head. "If what I have heard is true, then it would take months even to be close to being able to carve a new path to the valley."
"The mages destroyed it with magic. When the time comes, can they not repair it with magic?"
"It's not as straightforward as that. Nexis mentioned that once it fell, it may never be a future option."
"I can't remember him mentioning that while I was here," SJ frowned.
"He didn't."
"That damn god," SJ cursed.
A voice sounded in the room. "I heard that."
"Good," SJ retorted, not even reacting to Nexis making his voice present. He had never spoken before without being present. It didn't surprise SJ, and she was sure that he was sitting, watching a bank of TV monitors somewhere. The thought, as absurd as it sounded, also felt as though it might be real. It was fortunate that Nexis couldn't hear her thoughts as she fumed over his lack of direct help. What was the use of being a god's patron if they couldn't directly help? SJ knew the issues that had caused the overhaul, but the chances had to be so tiny that a god would go rogue to that degree.
"So, where are you hiding? Have you gone on holiday while we fight to survive against enemies much stronger?"
The bodiless voice hmphed, "No. I'm helping Kerys at the inn, with Floretta, we are making parcels for the families who have lost loved ones. At the same time, searching the auction house for communication stones, whilst ensuring that all the mithril from the smelter is collected and brought to the auction house to ensure we have coin for the town's coffers while it's out of action, and several other tasks that you wouldn't comprehend. I can show up in person if you wish to berate me to my face?"
"Oh. And no," SJ said, unsure how to respond and now feeling rather foolish. "Sorry," SJ said after a few moments.
"What's next? Have you discussed creating the defences?" SJ asked.
"Yes. I have implemented martial law. All able-bodied beings are to begin preparing what is needed to construct the defensive structures. The dwarves are on route from the stone mine. The woodcutters are busy securing the lumber we need. The alchemists are all working overtime, producing what they can to help. Enchanters are being employed to support, where possible, the armourers, Zej and his apprentice blacksmiths. Butchers, bakers, everyone is doing their part."
"What about those unable to support? Can I suggest they move to the valley through the crags?"
Zigferd rubbed his brow. "Many have. Several families have already fled. As soon as the news about enemy numbers and levels spread."
"The cliff face should give us some respite at least."
"For now," Nexis said. "I expect that the hostile forces will eventually find a solution."
"That's not disheartening at all," SJ sighed.
"It's only a thought, one of many."
"In your position, how long do you think we have?"
"Various possibilities," Nexis mused. "The most likely is three weeks, maybe four. The worst case could be as little as a week. Then, of course, they may just give up and go home."
The fact that the collapse of the track may only give them a week before they find a way to reach the plateau was a sobering thought.
"I see your guardian performed admirably," Nexis said.
SJ swallowed hard; she hadn't even discussed anything about Carlito with Zigferd, and the casualness of Nexis' comment was disarming.
Zigferd frowned, his tired eyes creasing further. "Guardian?"
"This will be fun," Dave said sarcastically.
SJ looked at Zigferd, here mouth open and having absolutely no idea where to start. Zigferd didn't even know about Bob, never mind Carlito as a dragonling and the secret life she had alongside everything else.
"I think it's about time Zigferd knew everything," Nexis said, his voice calm and settling. "That way, he is aware of all possible benefits."
SJ looked down, wringing her hands nervously. Sweat ran down her back, and her nerves were on edge. She hadn't lied, but she hadn't exactly been truthful either. How could she now sit in front of Zigferd and tell him everything?
Her pulse raced, her eyes flicking about as thoughts flooded her mind.
"Are you okay?" Zigferd asked.
SJ hadn't realised her breathing had quickened. Her lungs felt too small for her size, and the office walls seemed to close in on her. She dug her nails into her palms.
"I think you're having a panic attack," Dave said.
'You think!' SJ thought, as she stood and started pacing, rubbing her hands on her head to steady her breathing. How? What? She had no idea where to start. What should she mention? Dave, Bob, Carlito. They knew about Nexis, but how much information could she divulge?
"Remember. You aren't held by the same system constraints as normal legionnaires. If you want to tell him everything, then try. We know that you can't talk about Earth," Dave said. "And Nexis is prompting you."
'Even you?' SJ thought.
"I don't know if you will be able to, we know you can't talk about Earth. It doesn't impact me either way, even if you did. It's not as though I can interact with them. Well, not unless I wanted to be ripped into a gazillion data bits, the experience using you to reach Carlito was close enough for me, thanks."
SJ stopped pacing and sat down again.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay. What I am about to tell you may sound unbelievable and strange, but I assure you it is the truth," SJ bit her lip.
Zigferd leaned forward in his chair. "Go on."
And so SJ began...
SJ took another deep breath, steeling herself. "First of all, I have an... assistant of sorts. His name is Dave. He's not from Amathera—he's more like a... digital intelligence bound to me."
Zigferd's eyebrows shot up. "A spirit?"
"Not exactly," SJ said, struggling to find the right words. "He exists in my mind, helps me with calculations, translations, and... well, a lot of things."
Dave chimed in, amused. "Tell him I say hello."
SJ relayed the greeting, and Zigferd, though clearly baffled, nodded slowly. "Alright. That's... unusual, but not the strangest thing I've heard."
"Then there's Bob," SJ continued.
"Bob?"
"My... I'm not quite sure what to call him," SJ said carefully. "He's a great blue dragon—well, that's what I have been told." She hesitated, glancing around as if expecting Nexis to appear and interject. Nothing happened; there was no interruption.
Zigferd's expression darkened slightly. "You mean the dragon that attacked the gnolls?"
SJ winced. "Erm... No. Bob is the ruler of the northern regions. It's difficult for me to comprehend, let alone put into words. You know the blue dragon that visited Killic and fished in the lake?"
Zigferd's eyes opened impossibly wide. "You spoke to it?"
"Yes. Well, I was granted a quest to search the area and discovered him in a field towards the crags. It was something to do with Nexis," SJ said, her cheeks flushing.
Zigferd was shaking his head in disbelief. "And what did it say?"
"He granted me some of his blood."
"WHAT?" Zigferd jumped from his seat, almost tripping in his haste and surprise.
"Yes. Erm... He gave me a drop of his blood." SJ then added hurriedly, "I had no idea what it was until Dave informed me afterwards."
"Dave, your voice informed you what it was?"
"He did."
"And you have a blood bond with a dragon?"
"Yes."
Zigferd sat again, scratching his head, completely bewildered.
"So, the dragon that attacked the gnolls wasn't Bob?"
"No. No. That was my guardian. Carlito. He is a dragonling."
Zigferd's mouth fell open. "Not the Carlito?"
"Yes. The one and only Carlito. He is going by the name of Fas here, though, so as not to cause any issues."
"You have a dragonling as a guardian, who just happens to be the most renowned assassin in Asterfal?"
"I do."
"And where is he?"
"Resting, he's... well, he's downstairs in my office right now." SJ clarified quickly. "He's not a threat—he helped us last night!"
Zigferd lept from his chair again. "And he is in the barracks?"
"Yes, but he isn't dangerous. I promise."
Zigferd rubbed his temples. "By the gods, SJ... Do you have any other world-shaking secrets I should know about?"
SJ hesitated again, then sighed. "Probably. But the most important thing is that I'm not just an ambassador. I'm... connected to things bigger than Killic. Bigger than the valley. And I think Nexis has been nudging me toward something, though I don't fully understand what yet."
Zigferd exhaled sharply. "So. Let me summarise. You have a spirit-companion named Dave, a blood bond with a dragon and a dragonling guardian, and a god directing you. And all of this is somehow tied to why the gnolls and draconians are really after us?"
SJ nodded. "No. The gnolls and draconians have nothing to do with it. They are just a cause of the border changes."
For a long moment, Zigferd just stared at her. Then, to her surprise, he laughed. It started as a tired, slightly hysterical sound, before erupting into belly-holding guffaws.
SJ wasn't sure what to say and just stood watching her friend and the father figure of Killic, wheezing as he gasped for breath, tears rolling down his cheeks. Eventually, he calmed himself down enough to speak again.
"Well. That explains why everything around you feels like a storm waiting to break."
SJ managed a weak smile. "Yeah. Sorry about that."
Zigferd waved a hand. "No, no. It's better to know. At least now I understand why you're always at the centre of the chaos." He sobered. "But this changes things, if you are connected to wider things than Killic, what will that mean for the town?"
"I honestly don't know," SJ finished quietly.
Zigferd suddenly stopped shaking his head. "No. This is insane. I must be hallucinating or have lost my mind completely."
"I promise you, everything I have told you is the truth."
Zigferd started pacing. "If what you say is true, then maybe you just gave us a fighting chance." He rolled his shoulders. "Alright. What's our next move?"
SJ blinked. "You're... not angry?"
"Am I overwhelmed? Absolutely. But angry?" He smirked. "I've survived worse secrets. Now—how do we use all of this to save our town?"
Dave cut in. "He has taken it very well."
SJ took a steadying breath. "First, we fortify the cliff. Then... we find a way to end this before they reach us."
Zigferd nodded. "Then let's get to work."
