“Well, this is an unexpected turn of events.” Belgast shook his head. “I thought the Orcs were supposed to seize the stables?”
“They were,” replied Natalia. “They captured the rear courtyard, but the Volstrum’s guards fought a successful delaying action until they’d secured the doors from within.”
“So what do we do now? Send in the Thane Guard?”
“We can’t,” piped up Galina. “There are students in that building, some only thirteen years of age. We should give them a chance to surrender.”
“Galina is correct,” said Natalia. “We’ll see if we can arrange a truce before the bloodbath begins. Where’s Athgar?”
“Over there,” replied the Dwarf. “Giving the Thane Guard a little encouragement. It’s not easy convincing someone to attack a prepared position. Shall I fetch him?”
“No. It’s best we don’t both offer the enemy a target.” Before anyone could object, Natalia began ascending the steps to the front door of the Volstrum. Belgast rushed after her, his pick in hand lest danger threaten.
She looked back at him. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
“We’ve been friends a long time, Natalia, but you can’t have all the fun.”
“Then we shall likely die together.”
“That’s hardly reassuring. Here I thought I was the only pessimist.”
“Hush now,” said Natalia. “We have a job to do.”
They halted ten steps from the door.
“You there,” she called out. “Who is the current headmistress?”
“Who wants to know?” came the reply.
“Natalia Stormwind, Warmaster of Therengia.”
“And who’s your friend?”
“Belgast Ridgehand, Hero of Kragen-Tor and Slayer of Dragons.”
“Slayer of dragons?” said the Dwarf, his voice low. “Laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?”
“It’s not like they know anything about Dwarves, and it will serve to unsettle them.”
“Oh, aye, and make me a target for their arrows—”
“Go away! You’re not wanted here.”
“Tell your grand mistress I have returned, or I shall make it known to the matriarch that one of her guards was disrespectful to a member of the family.”
“That will take time.”
“Is she in the building?”
“Yes.”
“Then send word I am here. Trust me, she’ll want to talk to me.”
They heard grumbling, even from their position outside the door.
Belgast chuckled. “He didn’t like the idea of getting into trouble.”
“You think he’d know better, serving the Stormwinds.”
“I assume they don’t want their guards thinking for themselves?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Far different from Therengia, then.”
“Most definitely.”
They stood waiting, the silence growing too much for the Dwarf. “Who do you suppose rules the Volstrum these days?”
“I really couldn’t say,” replied Natalia. “The only name that springs to mind is Gregori Stormwind, but considering his failure in Andover, I can’t imagine him being put in charge.”
“Could it be someone you knew from your training days? A fellow student?”
“Anything’s possible, but I might remind you, the Stormwinds can call on the most powerful mages from across the Petty Kingdoms. It could be any one of those.”
“Well, whoever it is, let’s hope they see reason and release those children. I’d hate for them to get caught up in all this.”
The morning wore on, and still they waited. Belgast took to sitting on the steps and examining the head of his pick to pass the time.
“Something’s happening,” said Natalia.
The Dwarf quickly got to his feet. “What makes you say that?”
“I hear people moving around behind that door.”
“You don’t suppose they’re readying an attack, do you?”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Natalia Stormwind,” called out a woman’s voice. “What brings you back to the Volstrum?”
“I’ve come to give you a chance to surrender. Who am I talking to?”
“Voltana Stormwind.”
“Do you know her?” asked Belgast.
“Yes. We learned how to cast together. Katrin knows her, too, and Galina, as well.”
“Small world. Is she as powerful as you?”
“That doesn’t matter,” replied Natalia. “We’re here to negotiate, not duel.”
“You never should’ve returned, Natalia,” said Voltana. “You could’ve lived out your life in safety.”
“Safety? You people came for my daughter. I cannot let that stand.”
“So you arrive here at the head of an army? What do you hope to achieve?”
“The time of the Stormwinds has come to an end.”
“Hah! Far from it. We grow ever more powerful with each passing day.”
“You could’ve fooled me. You’re banned from the court of Reinwick, not to mention Carlingen, and I hear even the Kingdom of Hadenfeld is no longer safe for members of the family.”
“Get this over with,” said Voltana. “I grow bored with your prattling.”
“Release the children,” replied Natalia. “They are too young to help you defend the Volstrum and would only get in the way. Their deaths serve no one.”
“You make a compelling argument, but how do I know this isn’t an elaborate plot to get us to open the doors?”
“If I wanted the door open, it would already be so, if not by magic, then by force of arms. I have a large army at my disposal, Voltana, more than sufficient to force our way in there.”
The two of them stood outside the door, waiting for an answer.
“She’s gone quiet,” said Belgast. “Does that mean she’s considering it?”
“Either that, or she’s consulting with Marakhova.”
“Are you suggesting the matriarch is in that building?”
“The guard said so, didn’t he? And besides, it makes sense, considering Stormwind Manor burned to the ground.”
“I don’t see the connection.”
“What could possibly be more secure in the eyes of the family than the Volstrum?”
“Oh, you mean the very building we are about to assault?” Belgast shook his head. “Sometimes your logic completely astounds me, but I’m with you, one way or the other.”
“Thank you. I greatly appreciate that.”
Marakhova peered out the window from the northwest tower, looking down at the army surrounding the Volstrum.
“This is intolerable! I should’ve sent Natalia to Zurkutsk when I had the chance.” She whirled on the prisoner chained to the wall behind her. “This is all your fault.”
“Mine?” replied Tatiana. “You sent her husband to the mines. You could’ve avoided all this if you’d welcomed her with open arms.”
Marakhova stiffened. “How dare you speak thus to the matriarch! I could have you killed for your insolence.”
“Yet you’ve chosen to keep me chained here, a witness to the great machinations of the all-mighty Marakhova Stormwind. The family’s power is broken. The sooner you accept that, the better.”
The matriarch stepped closer, staring at her prisoner. “Do you think that rabble out there poses a serious threat to us? We shall destroy them and, in so doing, break Therengia’s power for all time.”
A woman’s voice followed a swift knock at the door: “Matriarch? I bear a message from the grand mistress.”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Marakhova’s face before she turned towards the door. “Enter.” It opened to one of the Volstrum’s newer instructors. “What is it, Lydia? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“Natalia Stormwind is down there, at the door, Matriarch.”
“I know, you fool. What is it you want?”
“She asks that we allow the students to leave before the assault.”
“All of them?”
“Only those yet to undergo the unleashing. At least, that’s what we assumed; she referred to them as children. She claims they are of no benefit to us, and their staying would only lead to needless death.”
Marakhova turned her back on the messenger, wandering over to the window. “I wonder…”
Lydia waited but dared to speak when no answer was forthcoming. “Have you an answer, Matriarch?”
“How many children have we here at the Volstrum?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
She turned her wrath on her prisoner. “You know, don’t you?”
“Before you arrested me, we had thirty-six students yet to complete their unleashing.”
“Is that all? I would’ve thought more. When I was the headmistress, we had triple that.”
“That was before you lost your most successful mage hunter.”
“Ah, yes. The traitor, Stanislav Voronsky. His loss had further-reaching consequences than we expected. Still, we must work with what we have.”
“So you’ll release them?” asked Lydia.
“I shall consider it.”
“They are children,” said Tatiana, “and that army out there is set to storm our halls. How can you even think of endangering them?”
“Those children are the future of this family,” snapped Marakhova. “We need them to retake our rightful place as rulers of the Petty Kingdoms.”
“You mean in service to the empire?”
“Don’t lecture me. We ARE the empire!”
“So, you finally admit it!”
“You never understood what we’re trying to do here,” the matriarch continued. “Imagine a Continent where we are free to explore magic to its fullest potential. Why, who knows what secrets we might unlock?”
“You’re mad.”
“Is it mad to imagine a better world?”
“Better?” replied Tatiana. “For whom? You’d enslave an entire continent to achieve your goals.”
“I don’t deny it,” said Marakhova. “The weak serve the powerful. It’s been that way since the dawn of civilization.”
“So has conflict. Do you truly believe the Sartellians would allow you to rule without them?”
“Sartellians? You think a bunch of Pyromancers are a threat to us Stormwinds? As far as I’m concerned, they can be consumed by the very flames they conjure.” Her gaze settled on Lydia. “Ah, yes, the children. What to do, what to do. I had a mind to let them perish in the attack, but they may still prove useful.”
“You mean to release them?” said Lydia.
Marakhova smiled, though it was far from comforting. “Why, of course. We should be able to drag this out all day, allowing us time to prepare our defences. Tell Voltana we agree to Natalia’s request, but she must make it last as long as possible.”
“Yes, Matriarch.”
“And when you’re done, return to me, Lydia. I have further need of your services.”
The younger woman bowed, then fled through the door, her footsteps receding down the stairs.
“You won’t survive this,” warned Tatiana. “Not after all you’ve put Natalia through.”
“Perhaps,” the old woman replied, “but before this is over, Natalia Stormwind will no longer be a threat to the family.”
“All right,” yelled out Voltana. “We agree to let the children go.”
“Thank the Gods for that,” said Belgast. “How do you want to do this?”
“I’ll send them out in threes,” came the reply, “but you must agree to keep your people away from the doors.”
“Understood,” said Natalia.
“It’ll take a while to assemble them. I shall let you know when we’re ready to commence.”
“They’re wasting time,” said Belgast.
“It can’t be helped,” replied Natalia. “I’ll not order the attack with the children still at risk.”
“But wouldn’t it work to their advantage to keep them inside the Volstrum, making it more difficult for us to take the building? Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I want these children freed as much as you do; it’s just that I can’t imagine the family being so accommodating without getting something in return.” He glanced around the area. “You don’t suppose they’re waiting for someone to come to their rescue? There must be hordes of Stormwinds in the city, not to mention Sartellians.”
“I doubt they’d try anything while we have the Temple Knights guarding our perimeter.”
“They’re trained battle mages, aren’t they?”
“No doubt the more powerful ones are, but they’ve learned to work in conjunction with an army, not attack an enemy by themselves. I imagine most are sitting back, waiting to see what happens.”
“Still, we must be on our guard.”
“I trust Cordelia to watch our backs.”
“Something’s happening,” said Belgast.
The door to the Volstrum opened, and someone pushed out three children, the fear on their faces obvious.
Natalia took a step towards them, but Belgast grabbed her arm. “No,” he said. “That could be what they want. You get within range of that door, and there’s a good chance they’ll try killing you. I’ll go.”
“Please be careful.”
“I will.” He slowly climbed the remaining steps, fearful an arrow might come flying out. He paused at a point between the two statues. “This way,” he called out, beckoning.
The children were frozen in place, looking back and forth between the Dwarf and the door behind them.
“It’s all right,” Belgast soothed. “No one’s going to hurt you. You see that woman back there?” He pointed at Natalia. “She went to the Volstrum, just like you.”
A dark-haired girl made the first move, taking a tentative step towards him.
“That’s it,” said Belgast. “A little farther, and you’ll be safe.”
She took another step, then another, each slowly bringing her closer to the Dwarf.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Nika,” she replied.
“Hello, Nika. My name is Belgast Ridgehand, and that lady over there is Natalia Stormwind.” He turned, nodding at the last two children. “Who are your friends?”
“Aleksei and Hedy, but she’s not from around here.”
He held out his hand, and she took it. He guided her down a few stairs, letting her walk the rest of the way on her own. Once Natalia had her, he climbed back to his previous position.
Emboldened by their companion, Aleksei and Hedy ran forward, their fear driving them onward. They raced past Belgast, clinging to Nika as if their lives depended on it.
“Send us the next group!” called out Belgast.
“In time,” came the reply. “We need to collect them.”
He sat down on the steps once again. This was going to take all day.
A lone lantern lit the room, shadows flickering across the walls. Around a table stood the leaders of the alliance, as Natalia liked to call them, making for a crowded space, but everyone needed to be aware of what the night would bring.
“What I don’t understand,” said Belgast, “is why we aren’t waiting till morning? Surely you don’t want everyone fighting in the dark?”
“It won’t be dark,” said Galina. “The halls of the Volstrum are magically illuminated. The defenders will prefer things well-lit, enabling them to see who’s coming.”
Raleth shifted slightly. “What can we expect in terms of magic?”
“Frozen shut doors,” replied Natalia, “and it’s not unreasonable to assume ice will block some hallways. They’ll likely try to lure you into a killing room, so you must resist the temptation to take the easiest path.”
“Perhaps I should go with them,” said Athgar. “My mastery of flames might prove useful.”
“No,” insisted Kargen. “Until you train a successor, you are the sole master of flame in all of Therengia. We must not risk losing you.”
“I agree,” said Natalia. “Besides, you can only be in one place at a time. We’ll use the Thane Guard’s axes to batter down doors and break the ice, a time-consuming endeavour, but it forces the defenders to fight on our terms.”
“We will do the same in the stables,” said Garag, “providing we get past their doors. We tried taking axes to them, but they resisted our efforts.”
“That’s to be expected,” said Belgast. “They’re made of shadowbark, and that stuff resists even the keenest blades.”
“Then how do we get in?”
“You should not concern yourself with the door,” said Rugg, “but the stone forming the frame. We masters of earth shall use our magic to clear away the anchor points for the hinges, then the weight of the door will cause it to fall.”
“As Urumar did at the gate?”
“Precisely, although I imagine the stone supporting that door will be thicker, thus requiring additional time.”
“A good idea,” said Natalia, “but does that leave you with enough magic to make an entrance along the side of the building?”
“That largely depends on how thick the Volstrum’s walls are.”
“Would they be thicker than a commandery?” asked Athgar.
“I doubt it,” replied Natalia.
“Good,” said Rugg. “I am familiar with the Mathewite commandery in Ebenstadt. Based on that assumption, I can promise you that the Volstrum’s walls do not present a significant problem. However, I must warn you, making a hole large enough for warriors to enter the building will take time.”
“You contradict yourself,” said Garag. “You say it is not a problem, then complain it will take time.”
“You are not a master of earth, so I will forgive your ignorance. The spell we use is not difficult to master, but one can only manipulate small sections at a time. We must create a hole large enough for Orc hunters to pass through.”
“Can we knock a hole in the wall?”
“With what?” said Athgar. “We have no catapults, and the building is made of stone, not wood, else we’d go at it with axes. We also have the advantage that magic is relatively quiet, at least from the point of view of those inside the building.”
“Then it is settled,” said Garag. “When are we to begin?”
“As soon as our masters of earth are in position.”