"There are four gates, last time you helped defend the western gate. The eastern gate connects to the bridge over the ravine, so it's drawn up currently. We have to support the other three gates, so we'll be traveling from gate to gate providing support where needed."
Kane explained to Alden as they looked over a map of the town. They were surrounded and had the ravine at their backs, things were grim considering the town wasn't prepared for a siege.
"I don't think we can defend for much longer, we need to deal a substantial blow to them. I recall seeing a special-looking undead among them when I was fighting alongside Nylane. Perhaps it's something like a commander?"
Kane exchanged glances with Aster who reacted funny.
"What is it?" Alden frowned as they nodded to each other before speaking up.
"Alden, the beast you speak of has been repeatedly sighted… shortly after you and Nylane were retrieved, it was spotted assimilating the burned beast."
"Assimilating!?" Alden was taken aback, perhaps the meaning of that word was different to them than to him.
"That undead has become some kind of chimera, fusing the bits of various other beasts into itself. It's definitely something that is in charge of them." Aster explained as he made various gestures outlining the undead's new grisly form.
"It randomly appears and with the constant pressure from its minions, we can never get too close or else they break our lines."
"That's what I'm here for then." Alden smiled as he patted the hilt of Skofnung.
"Don't get too full of yourself, it's the wielder, not the weapon that matters." Aster shot back with a look of disdain.
'What is this guy's problem?' Alden wondered as Kane brushed past the exchange and started to point out positions.
"Ahem! As you know, we are currently shorthanded. Fleyn is unconscious from over-exerting her mana pool, Nylane fares a little better but also requires rest, and Yalgri has other duties to fulfill. Aster and I have been working as mobile support for the three gates. Every time a gate needs help, we rush to that point on horseback from either in front of the walls, behind them, or atop them."
"I see, so you want us to each defend a gate alone now?"
"Not quite, that Bear Chimera is very concerning. So we'll move as a group, for now, hopefully, it appears and we take it down immediately!"
Alden nodded in agreement with Kane's plan, but he briefly looked away as if in thought.
"What?" Aster frowned, sensing that Alden's next words would give him a headache.
"I want something in return for my services here." Alden looked from Kane to Aster with a serious face, Kane narrowed his eyes while Aster was taken aback.
"Do we need to pay you to not only save others but yourself as well!?"
"I can easily survive this and run away, but there's something you can do that I can't right now."
Aster was about to spout off some animated words before Kane stopped him. Instead, he allowed Alden to continue speaking.
"What do you want?"
Alden pointed to the crest on Kane's silver armor.
"I want an introduction to Baron Lundri!"
"That can be arranged later, although may I ask why?"
"The people who killed everyone in my village, the Greshir knights, they had the Silver Wolf insignia on them. You know what that means right?"
"The "Traitor" unit, is comprised of former Malvrians who have turned on their own country. The symbol of Greshir is the wolf, more specifically a green one. And Malvri is the Silver Bear, so to be a Silver Wolf is to be a traitorous animal that kills its kin."
"Then you know why I need to see the Baron. I need to help his forces find and wipe out those traitorous dogs and their masters!"
"That's not going to-" Aster began to say before Kane put his hand on Aster's shoulder, he then leaned in and whispered a few words to Aster.
"You can come with us after we leave but I can't promise you that the Baron will listen to you. I'll tell him you were especially courageous, having aided and even rescuing our fellow knights. After that, it's up to you."
"That'll have to do, for now, I can only hope that the noble who defends the border has sense in him."
"Setting that aside, it's almost sunset."
With no further words, the two knights put their helmets on and started to guide Alden past the first gate.
There was a small encampment past the West Gate with many scared-looking soldiers around.
Crude barricades had been made and all of them were stained red and black. The eerie silence was strained as the sun's rays grew longer across the ground.
Some of the weary men bowed to the two knights as they walked by, but most were too busy trying to calm their nerves as the light started to fade.
The once pristine and proud steel that the town produced was now rusted and dirty on the men that wielded them in defense of the town.
"Are you sure you should be wearing such heavy armor against these agile monsters?" Alden asked Kane as they both stood watching the pits that the undead were hiding in.
"It may be heavy for a farmer like you, but we train in these constantly. Nylane was caught off guard but we are more prepared. As for the soldiers, they can't match some of the undead's speed, so they should have more protection."
"The armor is lighter than it looks, Malvrian Steel remember? But Aster is right, we are the knights that defend the border, so we should be tougher than anyone else. Just in case though, here take these."
Kane handed Alden something that looked like two liquid-filled bottles.
"Captain!?"
"Mana potions?"
"Courtesy of Nylane, you caught our little lady's eye. She already warned us to stay away from your… what was it…that "harsh" light."
"You know then? I guess I don't need to hold back."
"The plan is to support the soldiers and kill the Chimera, not run towards the undead foolishly." Kane frowned as Alden took a step forward.
"What are you doing!?" Kane had yet to truly get angry with Alden, but this was quickly becoming the case.
"Have you not seen the men? They're tired and trembling! We need to end this quickly, we need to force the leader out!"
As Alden walked past the barricade, the sun had finally disappeared over the horizon. The various piles of dirt started to shake and ghoulish figures started to emerge from them.
<(Heavenly) Gluttony>