55 Memory 2 (2/2)
”I doubt Nostrum will let us sit peacefully.” Nikolai chimed in and all eyes turned to face him. The officers had voted to put him in charge.
In name at least.
He'd spent the last hour trying to cajole them into preparing an appropriate defence.
”He's a broken man, Morales.” A grizzled sergeant grunted. ”We've sent him scurrying back to his little tower already. This is just a last gasp. A show of force.”
”I won't say you're wrong and I'm sure the Empire will be victorious, but I'd rather live to see that day. There's no way I'll let myself be captured.” Nikolai glared at the officers, satisfied at the ashen expressions and hastily averted eyes. No one wanted to be caught by Nostrum's cabal of Dark Mages.
”What can you do?”
Nikolai couldn't tell who'd spoken, but he nodded in encouragement. ”I have an idea to crack the barrier, but I need time. We need to be ready to deal with whatever they throw at us in the meantime. Those creatures are sure to come back and there might be something even more dangerous in the wings.”
Those who'd faced the creatures in the initial attack grimaced. Nikolai saw grudging acceptance in the eyes of his new subordinates and not willing to let the moment pass he brought out a map and they planned well into the night, the sound of constant skirmishes in the distance making them sweat far more than the humid air.]
Kazimierz grew increasingly agitated as Nikolai's visions of the past leaned towards their desperate defence, barely even mentioning the spell focus. The Anima had tried to direct Nikolai's thoughts but to no avail. As he became used to Zebreski's Mirror, Nikolai discovered this modified version was even more accurate than the original. While this would normally be an advantage, in this situation when Kazimierz was searching for specific information, without something to trigger the memory, Nikolai would only recall events related to the city itself.
Most of which had been fighting.
As they approached the centre of the city, a dirt stained woman ran up to the Anima, unconcerned by the gaseous cloud Kazimierz had become.
”Milord, we've spotted enemy forces coming from the East. There are a few thousand just in the vanguard.”
Kazimierz froze, splashes of colour lighting up within his form.
”How far away are they?”
”We estimate they'll reach the outer wall within a day.”
”Go to our… allies and inform them to prepare.”
The woman bowed and broke into a run, disappearing behind a mound of rubble.
Kazimierz swelled to twice his size and bore down on Nikolai.
”The time for pleasantries has passed Master Morales. I suggest you tell me what I want to know quickly before I have to resort to… harsher measures.” Kazimierz released the power of his souls and Nikolai grimaced at the weight that fell on him. He closed his eyes, resisting, a small smile coming to his lips despite the pain.
”What's so amusing?” Kazimierz restrained his powers once more and swirled around Nikolai in anger.
”If it was a few months ago, I might have been worried.” Nikolai looked up as the Anima condensed back to his original size. ”But now. Now, my wife will come and tear you apart.”
Kazimierz stopped in place, flashes of purple and red ripping through his form. ”You're not married.” He said and flowed into a mostly intact building.
Nikolai chuckled as he was dragged behind the Anima, confident that rescue was on its way.