Chapter 792: Ripples (2/2)

“Be careful,” the Empress sent.

Syrithis felt blood rushing to her cheeks, raising her head a little higher. “I will. For you. For our Empire.”

She turned to find Felicia Redleaf among the nobility, teleporting next to the woman before she bowed lightly. “Major Redleaf. I wish to speak to Lady Lilith.”

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Helena pushed her magic to the very limit, drinking another potion as she flew through the western forests. The night was clear, the moons shining down with pale light onto the lands of Elos. She wasn’t far off now, the distant outline of Karth visible through the lines of trees. Again, she checked her surroundings, finally slowing down when she heard the roaring river in the distance.

The third crossroads. She hovered in the shadow of a tree and looked out onto the quiet road, grass and flowers already growing where fewer boots were traveling as of late.

She raised a hand to her mouth and called out, the imitation of the hornwood owl only one of many calls the Sweets had to perfect in their training. Helena felt a shift in the shadows and looked down. She’s good. Even I couldn’t spot her.

“Mistress,” Eyan spoke, her hair dyed brown and put up in a braid. “How long have you traveled?”

“Three hours,” Helena answered. It was a risk, but using the Accords teleportation gates was more dangerous, considering the possibilities. She had read the words, had understood the implications. But she had to see it herself. For once she would not sit behind her desk and direct her spies. They had been losing ground, but the supposed addition of the Taleen machinery was not something they had ever considered a possibility.

The Accords were moving too fast, their power growing too quickly. Soon there would be nothing to stand in their way.

Eyan gulped.

“Tell me,” Helena said.

“H… hordes. Thousands… perfectly organized. They don’t just patrol the city, but have entered the surrounding forests, working together with the local guards and adventurers to wipe out monster populations. Some of the dwarves are already here. It is likely that they are indeed the descendants of the Taleen. I have sources that suggest there are survivors from their height of power,” the spy explained.

“The contracts?” Helena asked.

Eyan shook her head. “Lilith has met them. They arrived in Riverwatch and joined the Accords mere hours later. There was nothing we could do. Nobody even knew who they were.”

“Betrayal?” Helena asked.

“Not enough information,” the woman said.

“Your gut?”

“Those I saw were elated. To see the suns, to speak to the people of Riverwatch. They examined the gates, ate their food, shared their magic. They had been trapped or imprisoned, and the Accords have to do with their freedom. Perhaps directly linked to the takeover of the Guardians,” Eyan explained.

A debt of freedom. With time their loyalty will be unquestioned. The had to act quickly, had to offer alternatives, deals. But what was the alternative? If they undermined the supposed loyalty of the Taleen, they could not offer anything to gain their trust in turn.

“Anything new on the Sentinel of Akelion?” Helena asked.

“Unreliable sources. He is supposedly the Guardian of Iz, the capital of the former Taleen power. I believe the name is not merely suggestion. It seems the Sentinels are at least familiar with this being,” Eyan said.

A direct link to their healing organization. She shook her head ever so slightly, absentmindedly touching the tree next to her.

“I can no longer safely enter the city. Their spy master remains,” Eyan said.

“Wayland,” Helena murmured.

She nodded.

Helena assumed he was the sole reason their information wasn’t current. To think he’s so close to Nipha. The sheer audacity. Few people would both dare to and have the capability to obstruct the Golden Lily. Wayland, was one of those people. And we wouldn’t even be high on his list of targets. She ground her teeth.

“Mistress, do you wish to see the machines?” Eyan asked.

“Yes. Extend your shroud, and show the way,” Helena spoke.

She felt the magic move around her, the two assassins moving through the forest at a slow pace. Already she could spot several moving figures in the distance, some holding torches. Groups of Riverwatch scouts. Helena slowed, seeing the six legged machines moving alongside the armored humans, torchlight reflecting off the dull green metal.

Their eyes shined in the darkness, six arms ending in blades displaying their purpose as they moved with lithe precision. Mere Guardians, machines Helena had fought and destroyed in the past, though those were not the ones she feared. The reports from the battle of Riverwatch had been extensive, and the previously thought apex of the Taleen Praetorian was found to be eclipsed still.

The sound of rushing water grew distant as they walked through the forest. Eyan stopped, the two of them looking out from the underbrush. Torchlight shined from the walls of Riverwatch, six armed machines lining the defenses, green eyes visible in the darkness.

Helena looked up to see group of flying figures, dark wings contrasted against the moonlight. Following them, she saw a silver form, two armed and moving through the air as if running on the ground. It carried a metal box, larger than a wagon. The group was gone in seconds.

“They’re going towards the grounds I wanted to show you,” Eyan said.

“We follow them,” Helena said, remaining in Eyan’s shroud. “Keep your magic active,” she said and grabbed the woman’s arm, flying up and above the trees before she looked towards the winged human. She focused on the trace of magic, and followed.

Less than a minute, and the group made landfall, Helena landing close enough for them to see, the shroud coupled with her own hiding spells protecting them from detection.

A small area in the forest had been cleared of bushes and trees, machines standing guard. Dozens of Guardians.

[Sentinel Guardian – lvl 200]

[Battle Healer – lvl 258]

[Battle Healer – lvl 250]

[Battle Healer – lvl 254]

[Battle Healer – lvl 260]

[Sentinel Executioner – lvl ???]

“You already prepared the place?” one of the healers asked in a hushed tone, looking at the silver machine.

“Of course,” the large being spoke.

It moved the metal box and put it down with a dull and heavy sound. Helena watched as its right hand flowed into a new shape, parts of the strange fingers inserted into what she assumed to be locks. Enchantments sizzled and deactivated before the Executioner removed the top and started taking out massive pieces of stone.

What are they doing?

“I’ve seen that material before,” Eyan whispered. “In a Taleen dungeon.”

“Where exactly?” Helena asked.

“Their teleportation gates,” the woman answered, her eyes on the machine.

“I can feel something,” one of the healers said, turning in their direction. “It’s feint, probably a monster.”

“Let’s check it out,” another said.

Helena had already left with Eyan in tow, hearing the last of the words as she flew through the forest in perfect silence. There are gates in Riverwatch already. Which means they’re expanding another network. The ancient one of the Taleen.

“Resume your mission,” Helena said after they had flown for a while.

“I will. Good fortune, mistress,” the assassin said before she vanished.

“And to you,” Helena whispered.

Helena stood between a set of trees. Several three mark humans, war machines, the Meadow, Fae, and Liches. How is humanity to oppose such an overwhelming force?

She closed her eyes and sighed. Perhaps it is time I consult the Founders.