chapter 58 - War Party

Kenji would happily admit if asked, that he had very much forgotten about the Warden's existence. Yet most intriguingly, those confused eyes of the Warden has seemingly also forgotten about Kenji.

"Halt. Phillip, I said HALT!" the Warden roared, both the angry priest and his up tight crusaders skidding to a stop. If looks could kill the Warden would have died then and there, instead he continued to fiddle with a silver knife at his belt and stare at Kenji.

"What are you doing here, why come back?"

"Jack, cease this foolishness. You are commanded to bring the heretic to the Three's justice!" the priest hissed, his fellow priests behind him mirroring the outrage. Although Kenji noted the muscular warriors lacking the inquisitors symbols seemed far less perturbed, actually seeming to look at the crusaders as if they were the threat.

"I came back to save this town, what else? Just your run of the mill saviour here, although I could use some help," Kenji said, watching the Captain tighten and then loosen his grip on that weird knife.

Sighing, the Captain let go.

"The people come first, and if everyone here is already in agreement then I will as well," the Captain said, while the crazed priests stared as if the Captain had sprouted horns.

"Excellent , Captain," muttered the Lord Swan of the Silver Swan knight order. "Your capacity to fight through the enemy lines, and save as many people as you have is truly a feat worthy of recognition. If not for your vows to the Three, perhaps a life in the Silver Swans would have proven a better fit."

"I have been absolved by the One himself, Lord Swan. So when this is all over, perhaps I will take you up on that offer," Jack's fearsome features managed a blood thirsty grin, the fervent priest having gone dangerously still by his side.

As Lord Swan continued his speach of heroism and glory, Kenji realised somthing he hadn't thought of for awhile. Looking at the Captain as he seemed completely without fear with the thought of the coming army, Kenji felt he had a hero grade.

A pretty good hero grade too: [D]

"Kenji, he asked you a question," Violet whispered into his ear as she pulled on his sleeve. Eyes refocusing, Kenji realised everyone was looking at him.

"Mind repeating that? I felt a disturbance in the force and missed what you said," Kenji said with a mysterious tone, wide eyes and softly waving his hands.

"I said, if the Hero Knight here could explain his plan we could return to the discussion of how to array our forces," Lord Swan said stiffly, Kenji barely managing to hold his composure.

"Yes, so. We will need to bash down the enemy forces just long enough to find out where the enemy general is. Once identified me and my companions will corner the general, and force him to reveal his master. From there Violet here will use these fancy bracers I recovered while gathering Intel on the enemy, and hopefully pull apart the enchantments that control the monster hordes."

"So they are enchanted?" Jack said nodding, "that would make sense to me. I've seen far too many starved, weakened and unskilled creatures fight like zealots. If they are forced to fight with magic, then breaking the spell should be our top priority."

"Which is something those braces can do," Kenji grinned, really liking how quickly his greatest enemy was with the uptake. "The iron not only augments magic to be on Starfire, but breaks that which links the Fae to this world. It won't just free their armies from being mentally dominated, if used perfect we could banish their master from this realm for some time. A but more permimant a salvation then merely withstanding against this current threat, without dealing with the Far King himself he can simply keep sending more agents and fighters until the land is drowned in blood and deceit."

"Then it's settled, leave conducting the prelart for a siege to my Silver Swan Knights. Master Almanac, I could use your insight as to where place our lines of retreat," Lord Swan said, his shining regalia thinking as he twisted to address the wizard dripping golden mist.

"The Golden Goose Guildhall is the most heavily fortified building apart from the late Lord's mansion. Yet his family and many of their troops have claimed that space for themselves, and so my guild is willing to throw open our doors and accept the townspeople that require shelter. Although I still stress that space is limited, and continuing to evacuate to other cities. While I have your attention too, Kenji, the blacksmiths were wanting to speak to you about that project of yours."

Kenji grinned as he stood tall, and tried to ignore the smouldering looks of the inquisitors.

"My thanks Guildmaster, I'll head off then. May we see the victory screen," Kenji said, waved to the table and led his companions away.

Jack watched Kenji go, their eyes matching for a moment as Kenji waited at the door.

"Want to come see?" Kenji said, unsure if he should be revealing so much to his mortal enemy and yet unable to see passed the hero grade dangling around Jack's head.

"Aye, that I would. Stay men, I'll go alone," Jack whispered harsh words with his frothing priest, before he brushed the cold eyed man aside and stomped after Kenji and into the night air.