Spear of Destiny by James Baldwin (little bear else holmelund minarik .TXT) 📕

pushing back into a run. “But whoever it is, I’ve got a feeling they’re not here with good news.”

***

The Hóleány didn’t port at the skydock: by the time Rin and I ran outside, it had pulled up right over the courtyard, blasting quadrupal columns of hot air down against the flagstones. A rope ladder descended from the deck, and a slim figure in red slid down it to drop to the ground.

“Ebisa!” Rin let out a cry of delight, rushing past me, but then screeched to a confused halt as the figure straightened her cloak and brimmed cavalier’s hat. The woman wasn’t Ebisa, but I did recognize her: it was one of the Royal Heralds, the king’s messengers. She swept around, looking over the faces of everyone who’d come out in response to the alarm. When she saw me, she made a beeline.

“Your Grace. My apologies for the lack of warning, but I carry an urgent message from the Volod.” The Herald breathlessly moved into a graceful, practiced bow, doffing her feathered hat before sweeping it back onto her head. “It concerns the war in Revala, to be delivered in confidence to the Voivode and Voivodzina of Myszno.”

“No worries, ma’am. Come with me.” I nodded to her, then to Rin.

“I’ll… umm… I’ll get started on organizing those parachutes, I guess!” Rin waved to us. “Good luck, guys.”

Suri was already hustling across the courtyard, a look of confused concern on her face. I motioned to her, then turned back to climb the stairs to the tower, pausing as the airship rose and the rickety scaffolding rocked from side to side.

Once we were back in my quarters, I took a seat while Suri stood by. The Herald removed a written message from a scroll holder on her belt, and began to dutifully read the contents.

“From his Royal Majesty Ignas Corvinus II, Volod of Vlachia, to Voivode Dragozin Hector and Voivodzina Suri Ba’hadir of Myszno: Hector, Suri, I trust this message finds you well. Unfortunately, this is not a delivery of good tidings. The defense of Revala is failing. Fatalities on the Revalan side number in the thousands. The Ilians have swept their borders and taken key forts. Hyland is press-ganging the Queen’s subjects, conscripting them into labor. I cannot fault Emperor Hyland’s efficiency, even if I can fault him for his brutality. According to refugee reports, if the citizenry shows any resistance against the invaders, every fifth person in a village is killed, their fields torched by the ‘emperor’s dragons.”

“As detailed in the Gathering Storm quest I issued some weeks ago, the White Sail Alliance must go to the aid of Revala. We are departing for war on Boseg Hava 28th. To facilitate this, I must make two difficult requests of you. Firstly, I require your presence in Taltos by Moonrise of the aforementioned date to discuss your ongoing mission to secure the Warsingers and other ancient Artifacts. Secondly, I must regretfully recall the Royal 4th Fleet, 2nd Company, inclusive of all warships, personnel, and equipment. The Crown is aware that the situation in Myszno remains precarious due to the damage left by Ashur of Napath, but we cannot allow Hyland to take Revala. It spells doom for the safety of all Alliance nations if he succeeds.”

Gathering Storm quest? Blinking, I checked my quests menu—and cursed when I spotted it languishing in the unconfirmed quests list. I opened it up to review, biting the inside of my lip as the system read it out to me: Main Story Quest: The Gathering Storm

The fledgling Ilian Empire, led by the petty nobleman turned dragonrider Baldr Hyland, has made a bold opening move in his quest for power. He has invaded the Kingdom of Revala, Ilia’s neighbor to the north-west. Following a dragon-led blitzkrieg on the border, the Ilian Army is now pressing toward the capital, Lovi. If they manage to take Revala, they will gain its fertile land and resources, and be poised on the borders of both Vlachia and the Jeun Empire.

As far as anyone can tell, the invasion is a mad attempt by Ilia to divide the White Sail Alliance—the economic trade union which comprises most of the Hercynian Nations (and formerly Ilia), Vlachia, the Jeun Empire, and Dakhdir—down the middle.

You have already completed the first condition of starting this quest, which was to attend the White Sail Alliance meeting in Taltos. Now, your duty is to support your liege as he prepares to send military aid to his ally and friend, Queen Eevi Aslan of Revala. Visit Ignas and learn more about the situation in Revala.

Special: This is a Main Story quest, the outcome of which will alter Archemi in a meaningful way. Through action or inaction, you have the opportunity to craft part of the world’s history. You may recruit other Vlachian-allied players to this quest, and you will be able to view quest updates in both your personal Quest Log and the Kingdom Quest Log.

Rewards: 1000 EXP.

Fuck. I didn’t even remember getting that quest. I checked the date, and sure enough, it had been on the same day I’d been halted from rescuing Suri by the need to hold court in Myszno and hear the concerns of my citizens. I’d received about thirty Kingdom Quests and had been completely overwhelmed. This one had been brushed to the side and forgotten in the chaos.

“Alright, thanks,” I said to the herald. “Feel free to relax out here. Suri and I need to go to my office and figure out a response.”

“As you say, my lord.” The woman deftly rolled the page and handed it to us, adding another [Royal Letter] to my Inventory.

Neither Suri or I spoke as we retreated to my quarters. She closed the door behind her as I dropped into my chair.

“Talk about timing,” Suri said. “It’s only 4 days until the 28th. That’s how