Finding a Way

--The Wraith--

The sounds of battle were but a memory, but the air was still heavy with smoke. Despite it all, life was slowly returning to the city. Families would rebuild their homes, and merchants would set up shop. The sadness of loss would be replaced with hope for the future.

I watched all of this from the edge of the cliff. I was impressed by the damage Donkor's spirits had managed to inflict. The last time the capital of Imfola experienced such an attack was when Sabak raised his axe all those years ago, and even he did not manage to pierce the outer walls.

“Your eminence...” I touched my visor when the voice thundered, the force pressing the gem further against my forehead. A habit more than anything else. I, too, suffered the headaches when I first received the gem, but you grow accustomed to something you use every day.

“Speak.”

“It is as you predicted. The shrine at the Bazaar has collapsed.”

“Yes. The shrine cannot exist without a host.”

“Should we begin searching for an alternative?”

“I have already identified potential candidates. I will present their names at the next summons.”

“Yes, your eminence.”

“Any further news?”

“No, your eminence. The other shrines remain operational.”

“Good. That is all.” The voice disappeared from my head.

Donkor's loss was a setback, but a temporary one. It was a shame he threw his life away in a desperate gamble. The wise decision would have been to retreat and create an opening to strike again.

Fortune often runs from the hasty.

But as life returned to the city, our plans would continue. A new Chosen would join our ranks in two weeks' time, and the shrine would be made anew. It was no coincidence there existed both nine magic ley points and nine capitals in Compolot. At least, it would have been nine if the kingdom of Aventil had not been decimated by the dread knights. But the loss of a kingdom did not mean the loss of a ley point. The Wolani controlled seven, and the Bazaar would return to the fold.

The largest one remained outside our control, with the city of Imfola standing in our way.

This, too, would change. And with that much concentrated power, the summoning shall be a success.

Palace of kings, kingdom of Queens. Eight shrines will beckon... I glanced briefly at the heavens as I summoned the circles around my feet, the city disappearing from view shortly thereafter.