Crews of skeleton workers methodically applied fresh mortar where there seemed to be little need. The castle was immaculately kept. Fresh oil was being applied to every visible hinge and lever so that the portcullis at the front gate raised and lowered without a sound.
Goats kept the grass trimmed. Dogs kept the goats away from the flowers. And what flowers! The name Cor’maglin l meant “black lily" in the Orcish tongue, and the flower was ubiquitous about the castle grounds.
You could see the gears at work in Milost's head — the consummate Ranger, counting everything. Tallying the enemy's strengths and numbers, armament, defenses, weaknesses.
There were two skeletons on horseback wearing fine armor, apparently their officers. Among them, there were many Dark Elves going about their typical chores, running a smithy, a tannery, a weaver, a grocer, a candler.
What unnerved everybody at the table though, were several Bone Devils. These were from the infernal army of the Black King, brought to this plane for reasons only he knew. The things were ten foot tall skeletons with horns, claws, dagger-like teeth, glowing red lights in their eye sockets, bony, scorpion-style tails dripping venom, wielding wicked looking polearms: glaives, halberds, poleaxes, Lucerne hammers, and bec du corbins.
There were at least ten of the creatures currently visible — their bones gleaming with a preternatural whiteness when the moon found a chance to stab through the cloud cover.
How many of these things could the Black King summon? He was said to have a division of them under his command in the ongoing war between Devil and Demon.
“How do we go in, Milost?" I asked.
“Much like last time I would suppose, but as something like vultures. In that form we could circle the castle at our leisure without drawing undue attention.”
To Janiver, Milost asked “Can we see what's on the other side of the castle grounds? I want to get as full a count as possible."
“Yes, of course." She simply rotated the crystal ball in its holder, and the rest of the structure came into view.
“Dear élois, would you look at that," Milost was in disbelief.
The other side of the castle had full-sized parade grounds and there was a small army on its grassy pitch going through drills, skeletons and Dark Elves, in segregated companies, but all obviously under the leadership of twenty or so Bone Devils hissing instructions at their soldiers.
“How many are there, Milost?" I asked.
“On the field, I would say close to 2,000 troops. Another 200 in the castle's front, and we can't see in the barracks. It would be safe to say 2,500 or so, total. Thirty Bone Devils added to that.
The drills they're doing are typical for castle defenders — repelling siege ladders and towers from the battlements. This isn't an army meant to invade, but to protect the castle.”
Margin pointed to a spot on the ball, "Who's this?”
A figure had just come out onto the parade grounds, long flowing black robes dragging the ground behind it, a many peaked iron crown resting on its head. But there was little in the way of flesh to support it.
"There a Lich there. Ranji was right. How is it associated with the Black King?”
“Maybe they were just very enterprising and stepped in when the Black King Ascended," offered Margrin.
“You jest, I think, but you may be right. What need does the Black King have of it now? But his Bone Devils are there. No, he's still involved here for some reason. And the Pretenders are there as well. At least Lasca is.
We need to go and see the place up close. Spend a couple of days following their routine and seeing if we can get a feel for what they're planning. When do we go, Milost?” I asked.
"I'm good for a trip right now. I just need to square away a couple of things back in Moss City. Shouldn't take more than an hour. How about you Margrin?”
"I'll be ready when I'm needed. Just tell me where and when.”
"Is an hour good for you, Tendil?”
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"Absolutely! Janiver, would it be possible to trouble you for a few of your scrolls?”
"I'll see what can be done to accommodate you, My Prince. I'll be back here in an hour as well.”
Back in our rooms, May and I were quiet.
“Do you want to come with us, Love?"
“You know we can't do that, Darling. If one or both of us were to fall in battle, what of the throne? And I have a duel to attend tomorrow.”
I guess I had never had it put in perspective like that. I certainly wasn't qualified to sit on the throne of the Gray Elves without her.
"May, I can't rule your people like that — as king. I have no qualifications, no experience.”
"First of all, My Prince, they're people now as well as mine. Secondly, what do you think my qualifications are? Blood. That's it. Our marriage qualifies you and that's all you need. Then you learn as you go. That's what I've done.”
"Did your father teach you nothing?”
"Of course he did. He said ‘May, My girl, watch what I do and do as I do.’ And I did. So I'll tell you the same, watch what I do and do as I do.”
“The Elves would be in full revolt at the thought of having a Human king.”
"You may choose to identify yourself as a Human if you wish, Dearest. The fact is though that you're a god. You transcend race or species. And I'm sure you'd have the endorsement of élois himself. No one would debate your claim given that.”
"Enough! Sorry, I didn't mean to be that loud, but I refuse to spend my mental energies on the topic of your untimely death, or exile to the Flat Fields, whatever the case may be. You are my life and I don't want it without you in it.”
"Then let's do what we can to ensure we remain on this side of the life and death divide, shall we?”
“I would only throw my life away to save yours, My Love. I value it too much."
“You've a very dangerous mission ahead of you if you don't yet realize it. I fear even more so than your escapades in Yis-Gláz.”
“Well, the enemy is certainly of a greater number and stronger nature. But I've learned some things from that adventure, and I wasn't a god yet when Carca captured me.”
"You speak truthfully. But you're still brash and impetuous. Nothing has changed there. Remember that someone is waiting for your safe return.”
We kissed deeply.
“By the gods, I love you more than life itself, May. I'll be back.”
I changed into my darkest, stealthiest clothes, grabbed my satchel, and headed back to the sanctum to meet with Milost and Margrin.
They were both waiting there, along with Janiver, eager to depart. As usual, Janiver had her own satchel full of things to aid us on our mission.
On the table, she separated out three scrolls and three rings that looked to be made of pewter and red carnelian.
I chuckled, “Spared no expense on us this time eh? These rings must be worth in excess of as much as one royal."
“They serve their purpose, Your Majesty. If they perform as they should, you wouldn't care if they were made of petrified dung and scrap iron."
“I'm sorry, Janiver. What they for?"
“These cheap trinkets will mask your presence from eyes that see things of a magical nature. Meaning they negate abilities like . But they're only effective for four hours, so use them sparingly. The scrolls are spells as you requested.
I will teleport you all to a point one mile from Castle Cor'maglin. It's up to you from there.
Are we ready, gentlemen!”
"As we'll ever be,” I said, and I was the first to be teleported.
I placed the ring in my pocket and the scroll in my satchel while I waited for my companions to arrive.
My location was on a high bluff overlooking a turbulent Eastern Ocean, the wind whipping up a stiff froth as the water crashed against the base of the cliff face. In the dark distance, I could just make out the outline of Cor'maglin against the slate gray horizon.
Once Milost and Margrin had arrived safely, we made our plans. As always, in military matters, I deferred to the Ranger.
“I still think we should go in as vultures," he said, “but you should both know, our main means of staying aloft is by gliding on the currents of air. Your wings will find them for you. But this wind is ferocious. Be prepared to fight it as soon as we get airborne.
If you see where I'm pointing, the second highest tower there, it offers the best view of all of the castle's grounds. It's in the middle of the compound. I'll fly in at about a hundred feet over it, circle three times, and then roost on the flat area around the spire there.
Are there any questions?”
"Why the second tower and not the taller one?” I asked.
"There is no light coming from the second tower while several windows in the first are lit. We want to observe activity, not inactivity.”
"And that's why I so frequently defer to you and your keen military sensibilities, Milost.”
"Okay, let's use these scrolls and go in. Just follow me. If the wind separates us, you know our destination. Now don your rings.”
Within minutes, I was afloat and flapping madly against the gale coming off the black and white ocean waters. Despite the warning, I wasn't prepared for the amount of exertion. But leaning into the wind was soon second nature.
Flying over the high front gate, we saw two Bone Devils pacing a well-worn path before the huge iron portcullis there. Both were well-armed and attentive, but giving the sky above themselves little consideration.
We still had several hours of darkness with which to work but much to explore.
As we flew above the castle’s bailey, I noted two figures exiting the smithy — Shardish and Harmin — the Paladin and the Ranger. That made three. Certainly they would all be here.
We began our orbit above the second tower, the air currents engaging and disengaging us furiously, passing us one to the next. But my wings found purchase with each change. What magnificent beasts these were.
The parade grounds were still alive with the now familiar hissing orders of the Bone Devils, the scrape and clatter of steel on steel, and the shouting and war cries of the Dark Elves. As usual, I found the silence of the skeletons to be more disturbing than the rest of the cacophony.
Three passes over the tower turret and we swooped in to roost, my wings numb from the wind and worn from use.
We sat silently, just observing. Among the Bone Devils on the parade grounds, Ahmerni and Shindur, two of the Warlocks, strode confidently as if they were conducting an inspection. But my gaze sought only one. Where was he?