Ruwen could see the doubt on the Priest’s face, and he answered the previous question to increase the confusion. “Some call me Overlord.”
The horse no longer stood still, but pranced in place, as if preparing to gallop away. “Surrender now and live, Overlord. Resist us and die, forever trapping yourself in limbo. This temple falls today.”
“Leave this land, child of stone, or we will grind you to dust.”
The Dust Reverend nodded. “Our merciful lord has offered you grace, and you have turned away. Darkness awaits you.”
The Dust Reverend, with considerable effort, turned the horse and galloped away. Ruwen guided Whiskers toward the city, and the fifteen-foot metal gate rose high enough to let him back in. He jumped off Whiskers and sent him to scout around the city. The large panther transformed into a small cat and dashed off.
Elder Vachyl spoke to Ruwen using Chat. Approximately eight thousand moving toward the city.
They hadn’t even waited for the Priest to get back to the camp. Ruwen stood back as Stone Mages moved to the base of the wall. Half had their hands on the ground, and the others on the wall. They would counteract any stone or ground manipulation by Naktos Mages.
The newly revived citizens of New Eiru had lived their entire lives at war, and when notified of the advancing army, moved to their attack positions without being told. Workers on the battlements tossed down magic rope generated by Climb and moved people up the rope in three heartbeats with a surge of Energy. In moments, Ruwen’s entire team of Bands lined the battlements, preparing for long-range bombardment of the oncoming enemy.
Ruwen found his group near the gate.
“I thought you were watching from up top?” Hamma asked.
“I decided to come down,” Ruwen said, not mentioning how.
The thousands of troops scattered around the city all moved toward the gate, preparing to chase the enemy once they fled.
“That army never even rested,” Lylan said. “They are really in a hurry to get here.”
Hamma frowned. “Elder Gabryel just told me in Chat you jumped off the wall.”
Ruwen tried his best to look innocent.
Sift patted Ruwen’s shoulder. “There are better ways to deal with depression.”
“I’m not depressed,” Ruwen said.
“A knife through the eye,” Sift offered.
“That already happened to me,” Ruwen said. “Are you actually giving me advice on how to kill myself?”
“Lylan says I need to be more supportive,” Sift said.
Lylan glared at Sift, and he stopped smiling.
“Fine,” Sift said. “If you need to talk, Xav is a great listener. Right, Xav?”
The Celestial Remnant, still in his hooded robe, floated a few inches off the ground, and remained silent.
After a few seconds, Sift turned back to Ruwen. “See, he never interrupts.”
“Knock it off, you two,” Hamma said. “We’re about to fight an army. You should be more serious.”
Ruwen wanted to argue with Sift, but realized Hamma had a good point. “I’m using the same Warlord Banner buffs I did for the attack in the cavern. I’ll stay in front, Xavier you’re behind me. If you can use that Energy shield to protect those behind you, that’d be great. Hamma try to stay behind Xavier and me. Lylan comes next and Sift you protect our backs.”
Ruwen cast his Warlord Banner buffs, which only benefited his Primary Group.
Renew – Healing received 30% more effective
Havoc – Damage increased by 25%
Unrelenting – Regeneration rates increased by 30%
Indestructible – Armor Class increased by 25%
Advanced – Attributes increased by 20%
Then Ruwen cast his Commander buffs, which benefited everyone in the groups under him as well.
Relentless - Energy Regeneration increased by 25%
Quartermaster’s Yell - 50% reduced spell cost, potions 50% more effective
Emissary’s Shout - Perception 10%, Speed 10%
Warlord’s Roar - 50% damage, 50% Armor Class
This time, with so much danger, he placed the Bodyguard spell on Sift. If the worst happened and Hamma or Lylan died, they would revive at the temple and be back with the group in less than an hour. Sift would stay dead, and Ruwen absorbing sixty percent of his friend’s damage might make the difference between life and death.
Hamma gave them all Blessed Communion Wafers and Wine and then offered them potions she’d taken from temple vault. She forced Sift to take Health potions, and Lylan took Health, Mana, and Attribute ones. Xavier took nothing and Ruwen finally relented and took five Health and Mana vials.
Tring!
Uru has blessed you…
Name: Major Health Vial
Quality: Uncommon
Quantity: 5
Weight: 0.3 lbs.
Effect (Contact): Heal 300 Health on contact.
Effect (Ingested): Heal 500 Health and 30 Health per second for 10 seconds when ingested.
Effect: Halve all Bleed effects.
Description: Sweet red liquid.
Tring!
Uru has blessed you…
Name: Major Mana Vial
Quality: Uncommon
Quantity: 5
Weight: 0.3 lbs.
Effect (Contact): Regain 200 Mana on contact.
Effect (Ingested): Regain 300 Mana and 20 Mana per second for 10 seconds when ingested.
Effect: Double Mana Regeneration for 30 seconds.
Description: Refreshing blue liquid.
By adding a point in Draft, Ruwen had increased the size of every group but his primary one to ten. He had added his parents, Tremine, and Bliz to the War Council group so he could stay in contact with them.
Clarysa spoke to him in Chat. We’re finished in the temple and headed your way.
I assumed you were staying in the city, Ruwen said.
With my baby leading the charge? Not a chance.
I’m not a baby.
I know. I’m proud of the man you’ve become. But there’s no way you’re keeping me away.
Ruwen caught sight of his parents, Tremine, and Bliz. Clarysa wore leather armor, but the color seemed to shift, matching the surroundings like camouflage. She carried a short bow, had a dagger filled vest, and a small crossbow on her hip. Colyn wore blue tinged plate armor and a tower shield hung on his back. A long sword hung from his hip and a dagger from the other.
Tremine didn’t wear a robe, but some type of hardened cloth. The sun glinted off an Energy shield that surrounded him. He didn’t appear to have any weapons, but Ruwen knew
