The end

     Van could see his enemies grinning, even those already dying as killing energy tore through them. Attacks, both missile and melee were heading inexorably toward their target. None of them noticed the ring of black ichor on the ground, surrounding Van. From it issued a stream of koboidians as though the black gates of negative energy hell had just been thrown open. Some immediately blocking the attacks on Van, others launching attacks of their own. The enemy began falling back, as Van straightened up and extricated some weapons from himself, unable to heal completely until they were gone. He wouldn't let them rest tonight. He intended to finish it. He was already starting to feel relieved, as less voices would be wailing from beyond.

     Eventually they attacked the main army. Van walked casually after them, occasionally opening up a vertical gate to replenish their numbers as they fell or dissipated after their limited time was up. The going was slow. The negative energy army isn't particularly effective individually, Van knew, lacking the skill and intelligence they had in life. On the plus side, in addition to their immense numbers, they need only be in the proximity to drain vitality, and a mere scratch from them dooms the victim. Several hours passed, and Van had no idea if even any progress had been made. The battle was still being waged ahead of him, but was there an end in sight? He floated himself up on a platform. He wasn't an experienced field commander, so he couldn't give an effective estimate regarding the number, but he could see the end of their army! The end was in sight! He lowered himself back to the ground, confident, and continued as before. In fact, he'd grown reluctant to summon more shadow minions. A few more managed to break through, but he got to play warrior with his glowing black sword. As the black warriors faded or was dispatched without being replaced, their formation grew, eventually becoming a ragged line. He'd grown busier with the break-throughs and had summoned some black shields to help with defense, especially thrown weapons. He thought he was doing well and the battle would soon be over. After all, this was just clean up. 

      Then the world exploded. To his left and right a chain of explosions shook the earth, nearly throwing him to the ground as he was hit by multiple weapons one both sides and flanks. His earlier experience informed him what to do in circumstances such as this. Sparing no amount of energy he surrounded himself in black energy and extricated the weapons from himself, allowing his body to heal. Then peering out of his protective globe with his newly discovered ability took stock of the situation, trying to figure out what had happened. Enemies were charging from the fields he had passed. They must have been hiding among the carcasses of the formerly infighting plains beasts. They were waiting until he was at his most vulnerable. It might have worked too, If not for Oolah who had returned. She was not holding back, and he knew she wouldn't be able to maintain this place but for a few minutes. However, with the size of these explosions and how they were placed, that would be enough. Under his suggestion, she had learned to time the explosions while still in the air, wasting less force which had previously been wasted on making impressive craters.

     He searched for her, finally seeing her riding in at an angle, releasing hellfire and raining death down upon their enemies. He rejoined the battle, summoning great thick chains with his sword blade on the end, and worked his way across the battlefield toward her. As they drew closer he withdrew the chain and turned around, resorting back to their original formation. However, the enemies had already routed.

     They hugged again, as the enemy fled, this one filled with relief and the thrill of victory rather then the despair of the last one. "It was sheer luck," admitted Oolah, "perhaps I am still under the spell of Vestis!"

     grinning in relief, he asked her, "What do you mean luck? You didn't have to come back at all!"

     "was the timing, I mean." She told him. "I have been following at a great distance. I wanted to help, but did not want to get in your way. Tonight just happened to be the night the moon has lit up the sky, so I rode as fast as I could, and when I arrived, you were being flanked!"

     "Truly," Van commented, "I believe you may be correct about Vestis' power, if it works that way."

     Laughing, she said, "It does not, work that way, i mean. His power does not directly effect other relic holders. Some powers do, some don't, nobody knows why."

     "My relic mentioned something to that effect." Van added. "He said to be alert, and prepared to take advantage of the surroundings if need be. It's possible my power don't directly effect other handlers, and I'm in no hurry to find out if it can!" They both laughed. After Van greeted the Erlokas, they made camp. Van looked forward to one of Oolahs meals, even if the lack of different ingredients had been limiting them.

     They took turns on watch, one person and one animal, and felt slightly foolish in the morning for having done so. They wanted to conserve what flower oil they had left.  "Perhaps we could take a break." suggested Van after breakfast. "The Erlokas can keep watch even while sleeping." Oolah had agreed, though she didn't share with him how she hadn't slept in days out of concern for him. She woke naturally around noon, and they resumed their journey. The plains were stinking with carcasses, and the great carrion birds were eating well.

     Once again they talked and traveled, and after an uneventful day, set camp early. Van was still under the impression Oolah wasn't quite back to her full strength. He offered to cook, and bid her relax. He was able to take care of everything thanks to her tutorship as they traveled, and had already been a rather good cook.