I looked to Adalee and said in a voice too quiet for the soldiers to hear, “If we fall, it will be from this direction.”
“I agree, and so does everyone else, but there is little more we can do about it.”
I chewed my lip for a time, then gave the soldiers who’d escorted us several orders. Their eyes went wide as they heard my plans, and even stout Adalee looked concerned, but they listened to me nonetheless. We had a short time to make the changes, but the day was still young enough to make it happen.
That night Pachi and I slept fitfully in the great tent. I dozed off a few times, but the noise of fell voices and the occasional tree crashing to the ground in the forest beyond was enough to ward off any good rest.
The enemy army had arrived just after dark. They had been busy setting up their camp since. Overlooking the fact that we were near enough to hear voices and occasional laughter, I was concerned about the felled trees, which could only be needed for one thing: siege equipment.
I doubted they’d be building legitimate catapults or trebuchets, but who knew? So far the ratkin had outperformed and conducted themselves in a chillingly sophisticated manner.
Pachi and I rose for our shift of patrolling the town and joined with the dozen guards who were to accompany us. The watch had been heavy since the enemies arrived, and around one third of all the soldiers in town were awake, scanning the woodline for trouble, at any given time. But it had been my idea have another contingent patrol the perimeter of town, hoping to ensure that nothing snuck past our defenses.
I pulled my katana free of its new scabbard, moonlight glinting off the exposed steel. I still couldn’t believe how much it had improved since Quinn had rebound it with the pieces I’d received over the last couple of weeks. It had been a serious weapon before. Now its stats were overwhelming.
Katana Kotoba
Quality: Legendary: +50% to damage
Durability 500/500
150-650 damage - 3/9 bindings found
Quinn’s Silver Elm bindings: +10% movement speed when using a sword, +25% Health Regeneration, +10 Stamina, +10 Dexterity.
Samurai’s Last Stand (Active): When activated, the user’s Health Regeneration increases by 400% and movement speed increases by 25%. Duration: 1 minute. Ability has a cooldown of 24 hours.
Grip of the Elders (Passive): When affixed to the Katana Kotoba, prevents the weapon from slipping free of the user’s grip. Trait only fails when user is unconscious. All Slashing Damage with weapon increased by 20%.
Second Life (Passive): When affixed to the Katana Kotoba, automatically restores 20% of total HP when HP is reduced to zero. Cooldown: 48 hours.
The attribute bonuses and base damage had skyrocketed, and the addition of more Health Regeneration would make lengthy battles much easier. But what really blew my mind were the two passive skills that I had access to now. Grip of the Elders was something that was literally tangible. It felt like the sword’s grip was glued to my hand. I could still slide my hands where I needed them, shifting my grip when needed, but I knew that nothing could pull the blade away. Thankfully, I’d even tried out a few dual-wielding forms with my Finger of God Wakizashi, and the skill applied to the short sword as well.
Feeling ready to take on an army on my own, I nodded to the soldiers that flanked Pachi and I, and we began our patrol.
The murmuring of whispered conversations and an entire village of restless sleepers filled the air like the muffled pleas of ghosts. Somehow, now that the enemy encampment was more or less quiet, their presence was more oppressive than ever. It was almost as if they were listening to us, and every shadow I passed fought to take form in my mind.
Pachi interrupted my thoughts. Do you think the wyverns will be here in time?
I don’t have a clue. They have a long way to travel, but they are fast. I think it just depends on if they have left yet or not.
Pachi continued, Well, I hope they have. From the sound of it, there might be hundreds of enemies facing us. I do not see how we can stand against them with so few at our side.
We passed the alley where I’d been bullied by Cassio just a few weeks ago, and my hackles rose. How weak I’d been, so prepared to receive the boy’s hatred.
As I peered into the deep gloom beyond, a flicker of movement caught my eye. It looked like a bird had fluttered by on swift wings. I stopped, and those who stood with me waited for me. One tried to speak. “What…?” I raised my hand and cut him off.
Then Pachi growled, low and menacing. I smell wet nezumi. We are under attack.
I shouted, hoping that my call would wake a few more defenders. “Sound the alarm! You two, run and warn the gate guards! We are under attack!”
I walked ahead, Pachi at my side, and the ten soldiers that were with us walked behind us as we entered the backstreets of the houses near the shore of the pond. A few more flickers of movement told me there must be more than a few invaders ahead, but the cloak of shadow was so thick that I could make out very little.
It was time to try out my fancy bow. Pulling an arrow out and nocking it, I felt the energy of the god Citlali. A moment later I felt a rush of warmth flow through my limbs and into the bow. The arrowhead lit up like a beacon. It streaked back into the shadows where I’d seen movement, and though the arrow quickly started to diminish, the initial burst of light revealed at least a dozen ratkin in leather armor, holding only swords. A few more were descending the embankment from
