Fort Le'alla

"Hrumph," the old man grunted from his position on the wagon. "Why should I have to state who I am? What happened to free travel?" Drindle spoke in a not-so-nice tone. His irritation seemed to spike as soon as the orange, robed man kneeled.

"My Lord, I apologise, but there was an attack on Astia" the man continued to kneel. Lionel looked towards Drindle, he saw a spark of anger in the geezer's eyes. All of the guards had regained their composure and were kneeling as well towards the carriage.

"Stop stooping in the mud, you ignoramus" Drindle spoke coldly while never letting his eyes leave the orange-clad kneeled figure. "Didn't Galorian teach you any better?" Lionel turned in surprise at a name he recognized. It was the same name Drindle used when describing the protective wards the duo passed less than 3 weeks prior.

"My Lord, my apologies.." the robed man rose but stayed bowed in the direction of Drindle.

"And quit with the 'my lord' crap. We're in a hurry so just let us pass." Drindle avoided Lionel's eyes as his impatience grew.

"Please sir, let us at least call the royal guard to escort you."

"Are you deaf, man? I said we're in a hurry." Drindle was becoming more belligerent as his impatience peaked.

A new deep voice spoke from atop the wall. "Then it should be no problem if I escort you myself. Gil'ead, fetch my horse immediately." The newcomer was a tall thirty-ish year old man. When he spoke, all the guards stood at attention. Drindle didn't speak but Lionel could tell the geezer was inspecting this young commander intently. The orange, robed figure appeared to be named Gil'ead, since he immediately stood up and left after the commander spoke.

The commander disappeared from view and reappeared behind the now opening portcullis. He walked confidently towards the wagon and stopped a few feet from where Drindle sat. "The name's Isaac. Nice to meet you, Sire" he bowed neatly and stood.

"If you wanna come with us, hop in. I ain't waiting on your horse." Drindle spoke while slapping the reins on Harthling. Lionel couldn't believe what was happening. They began to pull away from the now dumbfounded Isaac. The commander regained his composure and began to run after the wagon. He jumped to catch hold of the tail gate and climbed up into the back of the wagon.

The man's voice rang out when he was safely in the cargo area. His butt was in the air and his head was almost directly beneath it, smooshed against the wooden floor. "What are you doing?!" A look of bewilderment was plastered on his face.

"I told you we were in a hurry." The grumpy old man barely glanced over his shoulder while replying.

Lionel hopped over the bench, went to the soldier, and helped him get untangled. The wagon was cruising along at a decent clip. From what Lionel could guage, they were about halfway through the fort. There were a few wooden barracks on either side of the path. The tall tower of the fort stood off to the left of the wagon's course.

"Sire, what's the meaning of this? We can travel quickly, all I need is my horse and we will be on our way." The commander clambered onto the driver's bench beside Drindle. He had barely even glanced at Lionel as he made his way to sit beside the ancient man.

"Oh quit your whining" the old man's face was sour. "No one asked for an escort"

"But sir, it's protocol!"

The wagon pulled around a bend towards the right. There were guards lined up across the path practicing sword play. "Outta the way!" Drindle yelled while slapping the reins again.

Lionel slammed his eyes shut and ducked behind the bench. He was afraid to see if they would hit the guards standing on the path.

Suddenly, the wagon came to an abrupt halt. Lionel cracked his eyes and peeked over the bench between the two adults.

They had reached the eastern wall of the fort. There was another portcullis similar to the one they had just passed through. It was lowered, blocking their progress. "Well what are you waiting for? Tell 'em to open it up already?" Lionel could tell the old man was done with any semblance of pleasantries.

The commander looked desperate as he spoke quickly trying to stop Drindle from doing something even more reckless. "Sire, let's talk for a moment. I have news from Queen Sophia for you."

Lionel could tell there was change in the geezer's attitude as soon as Isaac mentioned Queen Sophia. "What does she want from me now.." The irritation was palpable in the old fart's response. He didn't even turn to look at the soldier.

"If you would spare but an hour it would be best to discuss in a more secure place." Isaac spoke in a hushed tone.

"Here we go again..." the old man spoke under his breath. "So much for being in a hurry.."

*

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*

Lionel and Drindle were in one of the highest rooms of the tall tower. Isaac sat behind a large wooden desk, while Drindle lay on a small sofa. Lionel felt out of place, but sat in a chair across from the commander. The room was well lit with a small fire burning in a fireplace behind Isaac. This was his office. The tower was constructed with mostly stone for the exterior with wooden, floors and ceilings, per story. The boy and Old man were currently on the fifth floor.

"Well go on, I haven't got all night" Drindle spoke in an unpleasant tone.

"Sire, is the boy ok to speak in front of?" Isaac spoke as he inspected Lionel. Lionel could feel his gaze trying to judge what his relation to the old geezer was.

"Ank is fine. Lets just get this over." As Drindle finished speaking, Gil'ead walked into the office through a door behind Lionel. He had changed from his orange robe and into a more muted tone of green and gray mottled fabric. Lionel could make out more features of the old figure. He had white hair with a few strands of grey remaining. It appeared he was in his fifties or sixties. Upon closer inspection Lionel could see that his eyes seemed even younger.

Gil'ead closed his eyes for a brief moment. The fire flickered and Lionel felt a cool sensation wash over his skin. He stared at the man, understanding that he was using magic. He could tell the Mage was using some of the energy from the surrounding environment.

Gil'ead opened his eyes and nodded at Isaac, confirming it was safe to talk. He then turned his attention to Lionel with a quizzical look on his face. Lionel felt a pressure on his consciousness. Not uncomfortable, but he could tell something was pressing against his mind's walls.

"Leave him be." Drindle spoke quietly while glancing at the white headed figure. The pressure Lionel felt immediately vanished upon the geezer's statement.

"Sorry sir" Gil'ead bowed his head toward the figure sprawled out on the couch.

Isaac clapped his hands to draw the attention away for the bowed man. "Alright, Shall I start?"

*

Lionel had sat quietly during the conversation. Isaac had told Drindle that the Queen sent her best wishes. He then proceeded to bring up the attack that occured in Astia. Reports had been spread to all of the region's commanders.

Apparently, there were more than six hundred Gardgans that had attacked the Village of Astia. There were only a handful of survivors. The sheer number of the enemy troop made the nation's strategists believe that there had to be someone leading them. Drindle didn't say a word as he continued to listen. The Wastrial Nation also believed that the Gardgans had been too coordinated to be a natural occurrence.

'Is someone after me for the amulet?' Lionel thought, while filing this question away to ask the old man later.

"The Queen would like to seek your service in helping eradicate any enemy that is plotting against Wastrial" Isaac looked at Drindle's glazed over face imploringly.

"Nope, Not in my contract." Drindle had closed his eyes while speaking, he looked utterly bored. Lionel stared at the geezer with sheer surprise. He knew Drindle was strong and all, but he couldn't imagine anyone saying no to a Queen.

"Sire, Please hear us out there will be a reward for your help" Isaac stood and placed his hands out on his desk while continuing to speak. "The Queen sent messages to every fort and garrison from the sea to the Great Canal. You will only continue to be sought out until you agree." It appeared the commander knew about the old man's weakness to being bothered unnecessarily. Although it could be said that Drindle had made that fact pretty well known only an hour prior.

"I am headed to see the Queen and council of advisors anyway. I will just speak with her directly." Drindle sat up when he finished speaking and stood. "Is there anymore you want from me before I am on my way?"

"Sir, can you at least let us accompany you?" Gil'ead spoke "Us being with you will ensure you are not stopped again until you arrive at the capitol."

"Fine, But we leave at dawn and no more than three of you will accompany us." Drindle turned and walked to the door. "Let's go Ank"

*

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*

After the ancient being and young boy left the room Isaac exhaled loudly. "Hhhhhurm, his aura is ridiculous.." There was a cold sweat on his brow.

"I know," Gil'ead, the mage, spoke "He seems even stronger in person than I was lead to believe." He rung his hands and wiped his forehead.

"I am glad he is letting us at least escort him. The Queen gave explicit orders." Isaac spoke while rubbing his temples. The old man was just so un-agreeable. He couldn't imagine the punishment he would receive if he didn't follow the Queen's order. They both sat silently thinking of what had transpired moments ago.

Isaac finally broke the silence to ask the mage a question "Do you think he finally took an apprentice?"

"I'm not sure, but I can tell you, that boy can use magic. He saw the nature of my spells and touched their fabric when I was casting." There was a look of worry on his face as he spoke.

Isaac raised his eyebrows when Gil'ead mentioned magic. He couldn't use magic, but none the less he was trained to understand it. It was unbelievable that a boy no older that thirteen could even see the nature magic, let alone touch it's fabric.The mage spoke again before Isaac could remove the dumbfounded look plastered to his face.

"Galorian will want to hear about this."