Battle for Cloud Level, Part 2

"From here on out, our engagements will be unpredictable," Gwen said to the adventurers surrounding her. 

She had invited the leaders of the adventurer squads under her command to a short briefing before advancing into the halls beyond. Fenn and four other men had formed a semicircle and were listening intently. 

Tod, Gael, Pryffdin, and Quinton were each leaders of a four man squad placed under Gwen's supervision. Beyond learning their names, their backgrounds were entirely unknown to Gwen. As long as they killed the undead, though, she didn't care if they were murderers. This campaign was to retake Cloud Level at any cost.

"The hallway beyond seems to have suffered extensive damage from the fire set during the previous attack. Splitting into our respective squads will be the best option in such an environment."

Nods came from each of the squad leaders from around the circle. 

This strategy was also meant to protect Gwen and her friends. If any of these men were overcome with greed, or were actually an agent of the Ashen Prince, it would be best to keep a comfortable distance between squads. They would no longer have the looming threat of General Highgate behind them.

'So far so good.'

Gwen looked across the large foyer to Kai and Faye, who both stared at her with their thumbs up. It was time to move. 

"Gael, your squad will take lead until we reach the first fork in the hallway. Afterward, Tod, your team will lead until the second fork. There, Pryffdin, your squad will post and defend our rear. We lack the manpower to clear the entire monastery in one sweep, so we will strike the heart before cleansing the limbs. Quinton, Gael, and Tod, your squads will then meet up with me and Fenn and pincer the final connecting hallway before rejoining Kai and Tharon for the final push into the Tower of the Flock. Understood?"

A mix of 'aye' and 'yes' followed from the representatives. Anne had developed this plan for Gwen while the adventurers fought the second phalanx earlier. It was brilliant and quickly formed. Gwen and Petra were still amazed at Anne's previous performance, but the more they thought about it, the more it made sense that Anne's perpetual reading would have some sort of application.

Petra volunteered to lead each section, but Gwen reminded her that it was better to preserve their strength for the real fight with the coordinators of the occupation at the end. It seemed to be convincing enough, though she could tell Petra was disappointed with the mission so far.

As the forces advanced, Gwen could see Faye's platoon spreading out among the courtyard through the hall's windows and collapsing walls. 

What had once been the beautiful, verdant centerpiece of the monastery was now flowing with ash. Whether from undead corpses or burnt remnants of the monastery, it was impossible to tell.

The scarcity of patrolling undead in the hallways was concerning, but if what Enzo said was true, they had actually caught the occupiers by surprise. Having reached the first hallway fork, Gwen ordered the force to stop.

"This hallway leads to the dining area, so we will ignore it for now," Gwen advised the group. She still felt uncomfortable leading, but Petra's excited coaxing had brought her out of her shell a bit.

Fenn continued where Gwen left off, "Gael, what has the situation been like at the front?"

"A few wandering monks," Gael replied gruffly. His voice sounded like he had gargled gravel for breakfast. "All ash, now. No serious resistance. If Tod is scared, we volunteer to lead again."

Ignoring the quip, Gwen considered the report. They had yet to see any of the human supporters that Tharon and Kai had reported previously encountering in the woods. It was possible they were holed up with Brand in the tower, waiting. But Gwen couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. 

Tod was the polite son of a noble family. As the fourth son he stood to inherit nothing, so he voluntarily became an adventurer. However, he never lost the haughty air of a noble.

"Your kind offer is wholeheartedly appreciated, Sir Gael. Yet, I must politely decline," Tod retorted. Disdain dripped from his words as he stared above Gael and spoke. 

Before Gwen could intervene, Tod's team had turned and left toward the second hallway. The rest of the adventurers followed, climbing over piles of collapsed debris, leaving Gwen's squad alone.

"Those two phalanx squads of undead knights had been waiting for us to enter, earlier. Why have there been no reinforcements yet?" Gwen asked the three.

Petra replied immediately, "The undead never tire, right? They were probably just waiting for days in the same place!" Anne nodded, acknowledging the possibility. Fenn scratched his chin.

"That may be it," he began hesitantly. It seemed like he was about to continue, but he shook his head and smiled. "Petra is probably right. There's no reason to worry, yet!"

Their reassurances made Gwen feel better about her leadership thus far. In every aspect that she fell short, her team was there to make up for it. 

Suddenly, a powerful quake shook the hallway, sending dust and debris into the air as the party struggled to hold their footing.

"What was that!?" Petra shouted, her voice quivering. 

"Weapons out, prepare yourselves!" Fenn yelled above the loudly creaking wood. He had already unsheathed his sword, displaying the resolve that came from his years of experience. 

Already at the window, Gwen scanned the courtyard for the source of the shaking. She gasped as she noticed dozens of undead knights streaming into the courtyard from the Tower of the Flock. 

Simultaneously, a pair of blood-curdling screams echoed from down the hall, in the direction of the other adventurer parties. Debris from the collapsed walls blocked her view of the scene.

Whatever the trap was, it had been sprung.

"We need to support the rest of the platoon!" Fenn shouted, assembling his squad. Secretly,  Gwen gladly took the back seat now and relied on Fenn's experience to shine through. 

As they prepared to move, Gwen felt the hair on her neck stand up. She dove into the previously empty opening of the hallway to the dining room and deflected two flying knives with her dagger. Both were aimed at Anne.

At the end of the hall stood a short man of around Gwen's age, with long black hair. Between his fingers he gripped six more knives like the ones Gwen had deflected. His name etched itself deep into her mind again, as she recognized another lieutenant of the Ashen Prince:

'HARREN'

The lieutenants never worked together except under extreme circumstances, in order to avoid competition for glory in the eyes of their Lord. Something incredibly important must be hidden in the monastery for two to be here!

"Stand behind me," Fenn spoke between gritted teeth. "Nobody attacks my pupils and gets away with it. He must be one of the Ashen Daggers, the assassin squad within the Ashen Prince's forces."

Petra and Anne immediately huddled behind Fenn's shield, but Gwen stood to the side and sheathed her dagger. With a flick of her hands she unleashed two black blades of magic from her hands and crouched into an offensive position.

[Shadow Blade]!

Fenn glanced to his left slightly, noticing Gwen's new weapons with a surprise.

"I was suspicious since the incident in the goblin cave, but hadn't had the chance to ask. We need to talk after this," he spoke to Gwen without his usual enthusiasm. 

Her stomach sank before remembering the target in front of them. The shadowy figure shook his head and announced from the end of the hall:

"I don't think that'll happen. Sorry, but everyone dies here tonight."