"GRAND-GUARD INERISH, WE GOT INCOMING!" one of my surveillance men shouted as alarms started blaring.
"Explain!" I order as I rested a hand on my sword's pommel. Very subtly, but still very much nervously twirling its tail as I took it all in. From what I could see...
"Large, unidentified water magic source on fast approach!"
"Impact area?" I ask as this was perhaps the most important thing. Our city shields could take the blow. But, they did not extend to the Spiral Road or our neighbours.
"Directly within Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding!"
"Have they been made aware?"
"Countermeasures have been picked up!"
"Get a scout aircraft as close as you can. I want a direct feed to the anomaly." I order to all men present before I recline into my seat. Whatever measures the staff at Suhurlodst had, they would hold. Yet, I still needed an idea of how to respond to this event. This was a dangerous situation and it demanded it!
Be this either some spell intentionally fired at us or the opposite. Be it a witch of exceptional calibre either. Or, perhaps both. It all determined how I would treat this event.
For a brief moment, I folded my arms underneath my chest. Yet, I quickly shot to my feet once a human outline was finally picked up. Whoever this was, they were exceptionally powerful. And they were breaking the law in an exceptional way...
The magic in use, however, made me cautious as to what was going on. An aura of this strength to have such a distinct water influence... I dreaded one of the many answers it could be. So I started to prepare an order to be sent out.
"Target in sight, Grand-Guard Inerish!" I was then informed. And I felt my heart briefly stop as a clear visage of a spearman riding a worm filled the screen.
"GET ME THE BEST MEN YOU CAN GATHER NOW! I WILL MEET THEM DIRECTLY AT SUHURLODST!" I roared to my staff before I made way to leave.
"We can't just deploy troops into Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding without the approval of Thrur-"
And, growing impatient with their long-winded details, "That is an Ibeneroccian Worm Rider! Protocol can wait!" I snap at him before I start to run. All around me, my soldiers were reacting to the warnings and moving to get ready. And, in the immediate distance, I could hear the roar of airship engines.
However, the sudden wave of magic that suddenly pierced our walls shook us all. And, with a cold sweat on my brow, I ignored getting the rest of my gear. We needed to meet this problem now! So I snagged along what men I could and hopped on an airship.
"SUHURLODST, NOW!" I bark at the pilot before we hastily leave the hanger and zoom off. It was a rough, but quick ride and I was soon letting the wind blast me. And, in defiance of it, I shot out into it and came to a stop by some dormitory buildings. Then, I gulped nervously as I felt this power up close.
It was a debilitating experience that felt heavy and crushing. I was quick to draw my sword but my magic did not follow. If I did, he would take me as far more a threat than otherwise. Yet, that creature of his made me tempted to draw it out anyway.
And I might've done so had he not held it back with a soft bump from his spear. This creature was snapping its gaping maw at us with growing ferocity. Yet, this spearman was the complete opposite. He was calm and composed, he saw no danger ahead of him.
"DROP THE SPEAR!" one of my men snapped, their fears getting the best of them. Yet, before one of them could accidentally pull the trigger under this stressful aura. And, all it took was for me to blink. But I soon heard the rattling of guns and the sound of scrambling, hectic men.
"Why're you here!?" I asked as I raised my own sword. My eyes widened in surprise when it was suddenly whipped out of my grip. And with that I let my dark fire come out in force. If he wanted to make a mockery of our safety, we would fight.
"I seek the unharmed daughter of Lord Sl'Ayiysab." he calmly answered with a voice that pierced the chaos around him. Eventually, however, his magic began to recede and he suddenly turned. And he dropped to his knees and held aloft his spear in his palms.
"So you've arrived..." an Ibeneroccian girl with short, dull blue hair said grimfully.
"You know him?" I asked her as I picked up my sword. Only for it to suddenly slip out my grip and fly away. Almost as if it had been taken from me yet again.
"My dad has requested their help in regards to my sister..." she answered quietly before she started to sniffle in tears. The man, however, kept his submissive posture and made no further movements. Even that beast of his seemed to bend in reverence of the girl.
I know powerful families often sent their children here... But how one with this kind of backing went past me I did not know. Yet, those words he used. Unharmed...
"Is this by any chance related to the recent string of attacks by Smiling Jhurack?" I ask with some annoyance as that killer was a long-time enemy of mine. He had run circles around me my whole career and was threatening its existence. If I could not get the confidence of the Council back...
"He has been called in to deal with him... Yes..."
"So, please. For the good of the Sl'Ayiysab name, step aside." the Worm Rider tells me as he suddenly rises. And the sudden shift of tone did not go well with me.
"YOU CAN'T JUS- GAH!" I started to roar before I suddenly lost the wind in my lungs. And when I caught my breath, I realised that I had been forced away from Suhurlodst. A long trail of dug-up dirt leading all the way back there. And, on that small path of dirt between it, walked a bare-footed spearman.
"Step aside."
"NO! WAIT! JUST WAIT!" the Sl'Ayiysab daughter screamed at the spearman as she suddenly got in his way.
"I implore you to step aside, your sister is in danger." he tells her as he relaxes his posture.
"NO! YOU WOULD'VE BEEN EXPLICITLY TOLD TO LISTEN TO ME! AND YOU WILL DO JUST THAT!" she screamed furiously at him. Then, with a sudden drop, he offered his spear again. But, this time, its point was directly aimed at him.
"Of course, my apologies. Lady Tiyanat Sl'Ayiysab." he tells her with a remorseful tone. And, while this was going on in front of me. I recovered from that sudden, shocking blow.
"If he is here to resolve the incident with your sister... He will have to make a case before the City Council." I wheeze as I hold onto my sore gut.
"And he will... He will obey every standard you enforce upon him within reason and he will save my sister!" she barks with growing fury as the air becomes cold. Yet, compared to this man, she might as well have had no power at all.
However, upon noting that, I briefly smirked, "He will not be able to enter the city unless he surrenders his magic to the flow of the city. His... Worm, must also stay outside the city."
"My skill at arms will be more than sufficient, I will comply." he tells me with a humble bow as his magic starts to flow past me. All this power and he was withholding it with no aid at all!? Thrurstradtur's technology could suppress Suhurlodst in its near-entirety!
How was he able to do this!?
"Are you sure you can...? I know the stories often tell of grand spells and movements done in tandem with..."
"Do not fear for me, only expect deliverance for your sister, Lady Larishazza Sl'Ayiysab." he tells her reassuringly before he twirls his spear behind his back.
"Then, let us make way for the Witch's Gate. We can announce your arrival more properly from there." I tell him as this Tiyanat Sl'Ayiysab worriedly takes a step back. Yet, she seemed to cheer up slightly when that man's worm came to her side. However, it only perplexed me as it looked to be just a mouth with a body...
"Within the limits of your mind, inform me of the criminal who holds Lady Larishazza Sl'Ayiysab hostage." he then tells me.
"There isn't much point until the Council gives its approval."
"If it is so certain, then speak." he says as the taps of his spear suddenly become louder.
"N-Not until..." I start to nervously say as fear fills me. He so casually disarmed me that I knew only death awaited me if I provoked him.
"Regardless, my responsibilities to my Lord Sl'Ayiysab are greater than my respect for here." he warns. And, with a slow, shaky nod. My mind became set on how we would go about this. The Council had to agree to this request...
"Very well, please follow me closely." I tell him as I use my magic to wave down an aircraft.
"To taint myself like this..." the Worm Rider muttered miserably as he got on board alongside me.