“We have some incoming flyers. I doubt if the ballistae could be of help in this darkness. I’ll take care of them. Those on the ground are nearly within catapult distance. I believe they’re going to reverse their approach – ground forces first, with support from the flyers. Kobu, please ask one of the mages to affix an illumination spell on one of the catapults’ ammunition. I don’t want to be traced back to this location yet,” he swiftly instructed. “Light spells have the distressing side-effect of showing where they came from.”
He looked at the deadly vista before him. No sign of the leader, but the mage figured it would take time before he came into view. The flyers were keeping beyond his visual range, and it was starting to irk Tyler. He wanted to eliminate that problem once and for all so he could focus on the coming ground assault.
“Hal? Range of our blasts?”
“Quite far, sire.”
“I am going to try an Adar adaptation of a weapon in the First World. Let’s eliminate the flyers. I’ll send a scrying spell and use that as your guidance system. Get rid of all of them. I believe all those dots hovering about in the distance are all that’s left of them.”
“I count eighty-six, sire, said X. “That would take around four to five volleys provided they don’t take evasive action.”
“Still a dangerous number. Let’s hope the darkness helps. Focus first on grouped targets. That way, we can avoid alarming the others.”
The mage let go of another conjuration toward the flock of undead revenants, and then looked closely at the efforts of his guides. The sudden eruption of the blasts from the mage startled everybody on the parapet, and Tyler was forced to raise his hand to reassure everybody. The green marks were again quickly disappearing. He saw some futile attempts to evade what was coming, though apparently, they didn’t know how to pull it off. The bursts were fired at an incredible speed, and only registered when they had blown apart one of the airborne monsters. The few remaining creatures tried to retreat, but to no avail. Finally, the sky was clear.
“How many volleys?” the mage asked. Well, that was… easy.
“Five for me,” replied Hal, “and six for X.”
“Effect on our energy reserves?”
“Negligible.” That was X.
“Good. Prepare some reserves. Let’s clear a path for the leader to come through. The leading elements of his army could be blocking the way,” grimly replied the mage. His mind was already on battle mode, and he wanted the preliminary part of the night’s festivities over and done with as quickly as possible.
Several clouds formed above the coming horde, the flashes of lightning within them visible from where Tyler stood. He quickly pumped more energy into them and then released the spell. The deadly coruscations immediately showered the mass trying to move forward. With several lightning clouds over the area, it was a massive blender of a killing spell. The mage could see signs of shields being cast above the leading elements.
Mages in the vanguard. Well, try stopping a lightning bolt with a mere energy shield. Unless they’re deities with enough power, those mages are toast. Magical lightning seems to be attracted to energy sources.
The mage left the clouds to do their work, knowing the devastation would last some time. He pulled out the rune and motioned Tyndur forward. Idly, he noticed the two dwarven chieftains had joined them.
“Time for more insults, Tyndur.”
The einherjar smiled as he took the activated rune.
“Hail, balls for brains!” shouted Tyndur gleefully. “Just as I thought! Sending your men to do your dirty work! Well, I’ve made it easier for you to come forward! Let’s see if that hand of yours could do something else than fondle your five-fingered sweetheart! What a useless hunk of brittle bones and moldy flesh! Or are you already hiding? I knew it!”
Tyler could see the puzzled faces of the two dwarves who fortunately were briefed by the jarl. Otr looked envious.
“DAMN YOU!” came the loud response. The low and echoing voice was forceful enough to be heard around the parapet. For some reason, people had suppressed grins on their faces.
“At a loss for words, I see. That’s the problem with having buttery balls for brains,” commented Tyndur.
Tyler whispered in the einherjar’s ear to continue. He went back to the edge of the tower, examined his handiwork, and created another deadly gauntlet. But he knew the spell couldn’t stop the enemy; vast numbers were already near Birki’s earthworks.
Tyndur followed him.
“Sorry, sire. He cut it off again.”
“Hey, einherjar,” called out Otr. “Good, but not good enough. You should have let a master at it.”
Tyndur’s laughter noisily echoed as he merrily hooted his guts out.
“By Thor’s beardless chin, that was one prank worthy of a saga!” exclaimed the einherjar.
“Beardless chin?” asked the mystified mage. The last time he’d seen Thor, the deity had sported a full red beard.
“Exactly. This trick would be the equal of shaving that deity’s beard!”
“My beard?” A bass voice sounded at the other end of the platform.
***
It was Thor, his beard intact. There was no mistaking the magical and aggressive aura. He was clad in full battle armor with its faceplate opened. Surprisingly, he was carrying a maul, same as Tyndur, though the weapon appeared magical, the red glow from its silvery head giving away its nature.
Right. Odin did say he’d send Thor as part of the compromise I reached with Feyr. Shit. I hope Tyndur doesn’t consider the coming battle as a pissing contest with the deity.
Thor eyed Tyndur with evident distaste.
“I remember you. Tyndur. You led me on that merry chase in the Dokkaflr Mountains. Even in Valhalla, your sense of humor was… unbecoming,” said the deity, twirling his maul in one gauntleted hand like a toy.
“I remember you too, Thunderer. How could I not? Your voice was as loud as your storms,” replied the einherjar in an uncharacteristically calm response for him.
Shit. Another pissing contest. A dangerous one.
“We will
