Chapter 14: Aftermath
Start of Arc II
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Analysis
Elad squatted down and examined the location of where the illusion laid just moments before. Holding the torch close, he detected an outline of magical residue, a silvery sheen clinging to stones on the floor. This suggested the battle had been real. Recalling he clipped S’Gummbu on the shoulders and arms it was more likely he had an item that could store the spells and quick-cast even if engaged in melee.
S’Gummbu would have to go to a place he knew. Elad hoped it wasn’t Telius Hold. There were enough dead to be raised to restart the siege. Elad’s mission would take him back that direction in any case, so it made sense to check there first.
S’Gummbu’s influence was already waning, the illusions in the room fading. The rubble-strewn flooring came into clear view, scoring of the walls revealing how hard the Shampton forces fought to protect their castle. Shelves holding the ashes of burnt parchment and scrolls came into view. One sheet had escaped the fire and laid on the floor amidst the rubble. Elad picked it up and examined it.
The document turned out to be a ledger. A list of materials and amounts.Stamped with the seal of a distant city it bore the mark of a noble house at the top. None of it was remarkable except the date. It was well after the fall of Shampton but indicated the delivery was completed.
Elad pocketed the ledger, gave a brief look around for any other surviving documents, and for passage out of the chamber. The section of wall he had passed through by way of a magic glyph was now an archway. He departed the way he came in and headed outside.
Shampton Castle’s distortions were fading in stages from the chamber outward. The air no longer felt thin, the overly long hallway returned to normal proportions, shadows fell naturally from the torchlight, the strange angles of the architecture righted, damage to the structure proved untrue. The illusions faded from the chamber outward, indicating the room was a keystone node from which power flowed.
Passing through the courtyard, it was obvious Shampton didn’t fall to a typical siege, it collapsed from within on a more personal basis. Undead from the inside.
Elad was pleased to see his horse nearby, feeding on grass that reappeared with the fading illusions. He mounted and rode back toward Telius Hold. The riding was much easier and quicker than his journey to Shampton. Elad marvelled at the amount of magical energy S’Gummbu had expended for the illusions.
He arrived after daybreak, when the undead sought shelter from the sunlight and the siege was halted. Good insight to their behavior patterns. It provided a window of opportunity to approach and enter safely. There was serious battering ram damage to the front gate. Repairs were pending. Elad hailed the guards, identifying himself unnecessarily, and the gates were opened for him.
Once inside he requested General Garland be called. The guard, knowing the close relationship with the general and Elad, was already working on the request. Garland appeared in short order.
“Elad,” Garland called out, “Good to see you survived.”
“I could say the same for you,” Elad responded.
The two men shook hands, and Elad cut to the chase, wasting no time reporting his findings. He identified the chamber in Shampton as a keystone node.
“That means S’Gummbu could return there at any time. It is a spot he has power invested. It is probably part of a network that grants him additional capability.”
Sticking strictly to the facts he told of the ledger page, with the seal from a distant city, and a mark from a noble house, delivered after Shampton fell..
“It could mean several things. Pure forgery by someone who continued supplying Shampton after it fell. Someone in the city of Aurethium is profiting from S’Gummbu’s logistic needs. This noble house, Valcorin, has either been compromised or is complicit.”
“That would be disturbing,” Garland replied, “Aurethium is an important trading partner for Telius. It is known as a city of order. The envy of many a mayor.”
“If you have the resources available I would like a fresh horse to travel to the city and pursue the connections to S’Gummbu,” said Elad. “Specifically, to verify the ledger’s seal, and discover who signed the authorization
“Consider it done,” replied Garland, signaling the guardsmen.”We are low on people for repairs and resupply due to exhaustion. The siege lasted all night. We will catch up with some rest in the morning. Regretfully, it means I have no escort to offer.”
Elad was soon mounted on one of the knight’s steeds and on his way to the city of Aurethium.
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