Chapter 29: The Stormguard Envoy
Before first light, Elric and Kerran gathered their small retinue at Ish'thar's Keep. The Weaver's Heart and Memory Core remained with Cedric, but letters of alliance and the authority of the Council accompanied them. Lynne and the Wardens offered blessings for their journey.
"Remember," Cedric said, voice low but firm, "Stormguard tests us. Keep honor, but be ready for resistance. Show them the Seal's truth, but expect hostility."
Elric inclined his head. "We go as ambassadors, but will not be cowed." Kerran gripped his sword's hilt. "I'll speak for those who cannot."
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Approach to Stormguard
The road wound through gray hills toward Lord Avren's fortress. Snow-dusted pines yielded to barren outcrops. A chill wind carried distant thunder. On the third day, they reached Stormguard's outer walls—towering battlements of dark stone, banners depicting a storm-cloud pierced by lightning. Gates stood closed; guards in heavy armor eyed them warily.
Elric stepped forward, bearing Cedric's sealed letter. The captain read it, then signaled. The gates groaned open, revealing a courtyard flanked by frost-coated statues of past lords. Inside, Lord Avren awaited on a dais, cloak of storm-blue embroidered with silver thread.
"Ambassadors of Ish'thar's Keep," Avren greeted, tone measured. "Your presence is unexpected." His gaze flicked to Kerran. "Former Church lieutenant? And a knight under this—Seal authority? Many claim such titles."
Kerran advanced and knelt, offering the shredded sigil Kerran had borne. "I bear witness to the Church's manipulation. I present proof: testimony, the Memory Core's record, and the covenant of the Council."
Avren frowned. "Words alone do not sway Stormguard. Our borders suffer raids—bandits claiming demonic rites. You ask trust, yet we cannot be vulnerable."
Elric replied, "We seek to aid Stormguard, to share knowledge of the Seal and guard against true threats. Permit us to investigate these raids. Help you secure your lands, and prove our goodwill."
Avren's eyes narrowed. "A test, then. Deal with the raiders who claim infernal blessing. They hold a ruined watchtower east of here. Defeat them, and Stormguard will consider alliance. Fail, and depart."
Kerran exchanged a glance with Elric. Both bowed. "We accept."
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The Ruined Watchtower
A mile east, the old watchtower stood half-collapsed, its stones blackened by past conflict. Tracks of unnatural footprints circled it. Elric and Kerran led two Stormguard scouts; the chill deepened as they neared.
Inside, they found a band of mercenaries clad in tattered cloaks, chanting in a guttural dialect. Strange glyphs glowed faintly on their weapons. Their leader—a burly man marked by corrupted mana—spotted them and snarled.
> Threat Scan: Red
Estimated Combat Tier: Equal to Kerran & Elric's Skills (no system host)
The battle was fierce. The leader struck first, imbued with unstable demonic energy. Elric parried, sustaining a deep cut across his forearm; Kerran deflected a poisoned blade aimed at his throat, suffering a grievous gash on his side. Both pressed wounds but fought on. The mercenaries used crude rituals to summon flickers of dark flame, forcing Elric and Kerran to adapt.
Kerran seized an opening: recalling Cedric's lessons, he targeted the glyphs on the leader's weapon, disrupting the ritual flow and weakening the strike. Elric pressed advantage, driving the leader back with a holy-infused slash. Finally, Kerran disarmed him, and Elric's blade atoned the threat. The remaining mercenaries fled into the night.
Though victorious, both were bloodied and exhausted.
> XP Equivalent Gained Through Action
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Return and Reckoning
At Stormguard's courtyard, Elric and Kerran presented the fallen leader—bound, his weapon wrecked, glyph fragments in evidence. Lord Avren inspected the proof, grim satisfaction in his eyes.
"You have upheld your word—and proven Stormguard's defense. I will recognize the Seal's covenant and open trade and mutual protection. But heed this: any who misuse its power in our lands will face swift judgment."
Elric bowed. Kerran exhaled, relief mingled with fatigue.
As they prepared to return to Ish'thar's Keep, Elric placed a hand on Kerran's shoulder. "We have turned a storm to our favor." Kerran nodded, wincing at his wound.
They rode back under a sky clearing after a distant storm. The alliance was won, but the costs were plain: trust required proving, and battles would follow. Yet with Stormguard allied, Cedric's vision of a world united against lies advanced another step.