Under the Light of the World at War: Early Chapter 61

“Well Niece?”

“Prepare yourself.” I snapped, throwing down the visor on my helm, and Grunkle just smirked.

Then I charged. He twitched, instantly recognizing something was off, but unable to properly understand what his eyes were showing him.

Then we clashed, but from his perspective as he shifted his shield to block a high swing, nothing happened, and his adjustment met nothing.

Then I was there, my true blade flowing and battering against his chest plate, not truly harming him, but still a blow he had to adjust against. The shock of it rattled him, sending him scrambling back to properly understand what was happening.

Then he would see it. Shifting position, he would see my Mirror Images, blur around me.

His blade swung out to push me back and gain some distance, and he regained his footing once more becoming implacable.

“That is a nasty trick.”

“Thank you.” I replied back, smugly as I circled him, the mirror images following along with me.

“You kept the images in line with you, using my vision against me.”

“Exactly. If we all run in a single line you can’t properly tell where the real me is against the fake. You moved to block a fake sword.”

“Sneaky. You have excellent control of the spell.”

“Honestly it’s not that hard.” I admitted, and he nodded, obviously interested in learning the trick himself. Grunkle was just like that.

I just grinned and pushed forward once more aiming to make Grunkle face me at my fullest.

A full spell and armored bout. Grunkle had pit me against his trainees a few times. At this point all the Spellbreaker trainees had faced me a few times, and yet, the matches usually were fairly straight forward, rarely did spells get involved, and Grunkle wanted to see what I could do going all out.

I aimed to find out for myself. 

I’d been preparing all night. Imagining ways to use my spells to best defeat him. Considering I had a list of my own spells I simply went down the list and worked out ways to best fight with them, and let’s test another.

I charged in, sword pointing and as he prepared to meet me, my hand glowed.

“Mana Bolt!” I called out, and he adjusted hurriedly, getting his shield up as with a crack the spell blasted against the armored enchanted metal.

It dissipated, even if I had pushed it to the limit the spell wouldn’t have gotten through his shield, but it had proved the point.

With a properly mastered cantrip I could cast it even with a sword in my hand. I smashed into him, forcing him back a step as I shield charged into his own upraised shield, unable to properly see what I was doing until I hit him. Then it was on, his shield pushed me back and his sword lashed out, but I twirled my own sword around and parried his first blow. 

He lashed out with his shield which I absorbed with mine, keeping us tightly cliched as I pushed around him, both ways at the same time.

My Mirror Images working to distract, he swung out catching the one on his left with his blade confirming it was a fake while blocking me with his shield once more, but the distraction meant he only had one arm in position, I clinched his shield and pushed pommel first into the side of his armor with my sword, then backed away.

He took two steps back and I could see the way his eyes narrowed behind his helm.

“You will not strike me a third time, you sneak.”

“Perhaps if my Grunkle would wake up and fight me instead of playing?”

“Indeed.” A spell activated around him, a familiar one.

I couldn’t help but tsk, as we had a crowd so I couldn’t exactly steal it from under his nose. 

He was doing it on purpose, only using his weird speed spell when we were being watched so I couldn’t yoink it.

Then he charged in, and I was pushed back.

He fought like a berserker, but every blow was razor sharp, the speed and strength upgrade did nothing to hide just how accurate he was with his blade when he was in the groove. 

My strength was enough to keep up, but he was faster and that with his accuracy meant his blade slipped through the holes in my defense that he created with each blow.

And yet.

And yet this was no longer like it had been when we first trained.

I caught his blows on my armored rigging, blocking each strike thanks to the metal plates, that shrieked as his blade scraped across the steel.

The training blades were magically blunted, but that didn’t mean they didn’t hurt when striking my ribs.

And yet, they were light bruises and nothing that would slow me, and he noticed. 

There wasn’t just irritation I was surviving his blows, but pride as well. 

He gave me a nod when I pushed a strike at my helm onto my pauldrons and then smashed my shield into his arm so hard he nearly lost his blade, forced to backpedal to keep it.

“You have improved.”

“Well I’ve been beating up your Trainees for a while now.” I told him smugly, and he just smirked at that. Both of our voices were coming out a bit heavier. 

I smirked, okay Grunkle. Time to activate plan: Sneak Attack.

I firmed up, shield blocking his sight as I slipped my little trick out of my shirt. I flourished my sword bringing my blade back behind me for a moment so I could make the hand sign.

And the spell flowed over me, as my trick disappeared from my fingers.

It was time.

I activated another spell. Knowing what Grunkle would do.

Flaming Light flowed over me. I knew what he would do next. I could just imagine what he was going to do next.

First he would smirk smugly, probably sending me a look, like he knew what I was doing.

He didn’t.

I didn’t get to train with Grunkle much, but I liked to use Inner Fire to let him steal it, just so we could keep going longer.

That’s what he thought I was doing here.

So I waited shield up, covering part of my face, and with my helm, he couldn’t tell what I was doing.

“Spell Steal.” He demanded, his call reaching my ears.

And then I opened my eyes, and rushed him.

Just as he flinched, his vision completely coated in light.

The modified Light Spell made to look like Inner Fire had taken me a bit of Spell Refinement to get right.

It was honestly a complete joke. A spell that only worked on Spellbreakers. A spell only really usable against a single man.

But he’d taught me well. He’d tricked me once into stealing a Slow spell.

I knew I only had moments.

The Light spell was easily broken and disrupted, so in those few moments. I needed to do what he couldn’t prepare for.

I threw down my shield, and reached out with my now free hand.

Mage Hand!

The shield glowed as I grabbed it with all my strength, then I leapt onto it, legs bent, and at the same moment I pushed with all the force I’d managed to gather with Mage Hand, I jumped.

And into the sky I went.

Up and Up. My Mirror Images rushed forward as I guided them, as the Light spell popped as Grunkle destroyed it, and he looked up to see a few of me rushing him.

Even blinded he had kept up his guard and so he simply steadied himself and prepared for the assault, but as he smashed through the first image, and then swiped the other two, he stood there looking confused not seeing me.

Then he saw my shield abandoned in the dirt, I could see his confusion, his helm tilting just slightly.

Then I pushed myself with Mage Hand, guiding me as I dropped slowly. I cancelled Feather Fall, my secret weapon just in time.

I smashed into Grunkle from above, there was a flurry of limbs as we both went tumbling, as I definitely just knocked the wind out of him, we rolled around a bit, but where he was dazed, I was focused.

He realized a moment later that I was on top of him, his arms not in any position and my blade pointed down at his neck.

“I win.”

He looked at me, his eyes wide for a moment.

Then he chuffed. A bit painfully to my ears. 

Shifting he grabbed me by the leg, and tugged harshly, and I went rolling off him. Grunkle might not have Divine Strength, but he was still strong, and I rolled in the dirt a bit coming up to see him sitting up himself.

“Fool girl…” He grumbled as he rose up obviously painfully.

“I think you mean. Dang you for grasping victory!” I called back smiling happily as I pulled up my visor and he grunted, wincing a bit. “Need a Heal?”

“Yes.” He said flatly, and I nodded. Taking a moment to gather Mana for Holy Light, and dropping it on him, he flexed a moment and then nodded satisfied.

“How did you get above me?”

“Want to see?” I asked, and he shook his head for a moment looking out over the small gathering of Trainees. 

“I’d meant for today to be an exhibition of using Spell Steal in combat, and how to apply it through your training, but it seems today instead you get an example of someone preparing for, and anticipating it. A good example that you should all keep in mind. Spell Steal is a power that few in Quel’Thalas possess, and it is an advantage, but it is not a guarantee of victory.” He nodded and all of them were looking quite impressed. 

I grinned as I walked over and picked up my shield, and slipped it back over my back, sheathing my blade. Heh, he was gonna be so mad that I’d totally beat his ass! He told me to go all out to try and win to make it look good, and he hadn’t anticipated another victory!

“Of course.”

I stopped as I heard him continue, as the sound of a sword was swung lightly. Turning around he was limbering back up…

“Of course, one should always remember that a victory is no victory if it is not sustainable.” He said simply, and then his own body blurred, Mirror Image flowing around him, and a few more spells which were not something I was familiar with.

“Ah crap.” I mumbled, slipped my visor back down and readied myself.

—--

“Did you have to hit me so hard?”

“You let your guard down.”

“Because you beat me up!” I grumbled at him, I was going to have to repair my armor because of all the damage he had done. “You dented my helmet.”

“Lucky that you had the helmet then.”

“Lucky that you had the helmet then.” I mocked pitching my voice up into mockery.

“Shall we go again?”

“Nah, I’m all sore and you proved your point. Tricks are good, but strength and power is needed.”

“Is that what you took away from our bout? Not, do not mock the elite Spellbreaker in front of his students?”

“If the Elite Spellbreaker wishes not to be mocked, perhaps he should stop being so mockab-Ow! Hey.”

“It is no matter, you take away whatever nonsense as always. Go home, I’ll unfortunately be busy for the next while.”

“Oh?” I stopped and looked at him, eyebrow raised.

He looked me over, and then smirked. “Come with me.” He demanded and I did, instead of heading out through the Spellbreaker training building, we instead turned and headed up stairs, a few flights, up a tower, until we came to…

“Is this your office?”

“It is.” He unlocked the door and I looked around. It was fancy, but sort of spartan.

“I don’t keep much here, as this is a place for work… The King is planning a larger counterattack, an attempt to properly show our might and push the Trolls back.” 

“It’ll fail.” I said instantly, not because I wasn’t sure the King was smart, but because the Elves had run out of options until they went to the humans.

“Perhaps. But it is necessary… The plan is to have the staging happen tomorrow, the largest advantage we have against the Trolls is magic, and we plan to exploit that. The Healing Hall is being called, Magisters, anyone with a spell that can be layered on the assault force.”

“You want me to come?”

“I believe you are eager to help, and this is a way you can help without facing combat yourself.”

“I can do that. Inner Fire, Blessing of Wisdom, Arcane Intellect. I can cast them all.”

He nodded. “Then I will come to find you tomorrow morning, don’t disappear.”

“I’ll be home… I’ll gather Mana Gems as well.”

“You can craft-No, of course you can. Grandmother taught you?”

“I asked her about it after we made it to the city.”

“I see, then yes, Mana gems would be very useful. Keep this to yourself. Tell no one.”

“What why? Worried about the Troll spies or something?”

“No, the Trolls are ill capable of that. But if the rumor spreads, people will go looking. Civilians looking through the shield as if expecting something to happen…”

“Will tell the Trolls to expect something to happen.”

“Exactly. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow then.”

—---

Preparation was a key to success. 

I believed that, which is why I’d stayed up the entire night working.

Mana Gem after Mana Gem was formed, and in a stroke of luck, and slight irritation, half way through I’d actually managed to level the spell up enough that the Ruby that I created compressing Mana down into a sturdy stable substance had shifted, no longer was it a deep red, mimicking a Ruby, it was now a deep Green, an Emerald, practically glowing on the inside. 

Having half a box of Ruby’s and then realizing I would probably need to remake most of them to get the best value for the attack had annoyed me.

So I’d done my best to use up the Ruby, to make more Emeralds where possible.

Inner Fire kept me from getting tired, although I still would be passing out once I got back from helping. 

A body still needed sleep, even if it wasn’t physically tired.

But that was fine. I could deal with that, as long as I could give my best to help this attack. I worked so long I didn’t even realize the sun had come back up until the knock on my door.

Looking up I rubbed my eyes a bit and rose up, walking to the door only to be surprised by Grunkle Zo’Talana. 

“Good morning.”

“Morning?” I blinked then shook my head. “Right, it's morning already okay.” Come help me carry this?” I called out as I turned and headed back inside. A quick grab of a few things, including my boots to slip into and I pointed at the small box that I’d been dropping the Mana Gems into.

“Hm… Emeralds?”

“I figured out how to compress the Gem into an Emerald last night, there are still some rubies in there as well.”

“I see.” He said looking into the box for a long while as I got ready and then as I nodded to him he just hefted the box up and led me out.

“Dorah?”

“Mama! You okay?” I ask, as she walked out of her room. Mama was… Big right now, and she was complaining about swelling up and all sorts of pregnant things.

“I’m fine this morning my dear… Are you okay? You look tired.”

“Only a little. I’m going to help-”

“She is going to assist with some of her spells regarding a military matter.”

Mama’s face instantly shifted, it didn’t even take a second for her to figure it out.

“She’s not going anywhere dangerous.” Mama demanded, and Grunkle nodded. 

“Indeed. There will be an attack today, and Dorah will be assisting the preparation. Nothing more.”

“Keep her out of trouble, she likes to bite off more than she knows what to deal with. Dorah, you are not to do anything dangerous.”

“I won’t!” I agreed but Mama sent me a look like she wasn’t sure she believed me, and sent another to Zo’Talana.

He simply nodded.

“Alright, fine. Safe.” She said, pointing at me, and I nodded my head up and down hard. 

With that I had permission and I followed Grunkle Zo’Talana. He led me out the back door, and there his Dragonhawk was resting.

“Climb on.” He guided me, and I couldn’t help but feel pretty eager. 

I’d never ridden a Dragonhawk before. Or any flying mount for that matter!

I settled in, and he held me tightly in front of him, handing me the box of gems, and then after a moment to check I was secure, we suddenly lifted into the air.

“Whoa!” I gasped, as it wasn't like a bird, or a plane, or anything like that.

The Dragonhawk almost floated into the sky, undulating up and down feeling more like a balloon, than a bird or something.

Then we were off, speed picking up quickly, as the long sail-like wings caught the wind, and flapped us forward.

The flight was unfortunately short, even if it left me wanting to fly some more. As we landed in a large field, in the far west side of the city. 

I wasn’t sure where we were exactly, it seemed like a private park almost, surrounded by taller buildings, and no easy way to travel from the field back through the buildings.

Yet it wasn’t empty. The entire place was full of armored soldiers. Three different groups stood out. A large bundle of them were Rangers, including Talanas, who I recognized mostly from the bow that stood out among the normal looking weapons around him.

Then there were the city guards. Men and women wearing moderate armor, larger shields, and a mix of weapons although usually swords.

And then as Grunkle landed, we were among the third group.

The Spell Breakers, the Magisters, the elite.

All of them were wearing armor,expensive enchanted armor. The Spell Breakers stood half surrounding the Magisters, to protect them likely, and even more outstanding was the one in the center. 

The King.

Felo’melorn sheathed at his side. 

We landed and got a few looks, but more and more people were coming in, so it was no great surprise.

“Be polite, and come, I’ll take you to the support mages.” Grunkle said as he helped me down from his dragonhawk, and I followed, heading through the crowd to another section, and there were people I recognized. Not the Magister types in normal robes, but the healers. 

“Meniel!” I greeted, and the woman looked up and smiled brightly.

“Well if it isn’t Alah’Dorah, come to help?”

“I am. This is my Grunkle, Zo’Talana.”

“Do not introduce me as Grunkle.” He grumbled looking thunderous, but Meniel was good people.

“Nice to meet you Grunkle Zo’Talana!” She said chipperly, and I literally watched something die inside my Uncle. 

Meniel instantly started giggling right alongside me as we grinned at each other. 

“She will assist with her spells, I hope you can handle that?” Grunkle bit out, and Meniel shifted from laughter to seriousness. 

“I can, I’ll keep her at my side.”

“Good.”

“I also have Mana Gems! If anyone needs them? I made a lot,”

“Mana Gems? That’s a rare talent.” She said looking into the box full of the gems. “Quite a few. Excellent. This will help a lot. Come along.” She demanded chipperly, and I followed tugged along by her as we went right over to the group where the King was waiting.

“Mana Gems! Passing out Mana Gems!” She called out, as if hawking wares at a stall, and her shout caught the attention of everyone. Not that many of them sent her more than an irritated look.

And yet, Magisters Spellbreakers, and even the rangers, seemed interested and started wandering over.

“What do I do?” I whispered, and she smiled.

“Just pass them out. You got this! I’ll check on the spellwork of everyone that comes by!” She did just that, actually dropping a Blessing of Wisdom on the first Spellbreaker to walk by.

I shrugged.

Okay.

Grunkle I noticed was hanging back behind me, just keeping an eye on things, as I started getting swarmed. Holding the box open in my arms I started working.

“Come get one! Use it when you need it! One per person, thank you!” I started as the first Magister looked like he was going to try for a few.

I fell into the rhythm, and since I wasn’t doing anything else, I started casting buffs on people as well, whenever they needed it. Right alongside Meniel, Blessing of Wisdom, and Inner Fire went out. The spells only the Healers could cast for now.

Then to my surprise everyone shifted back away from me, clearing space that had just been full of men and women coming to steal from my box.

I looked over and then up.

“A-ah…”

“Your Highness.” Grunkle offered putting a fist to his chest in a salute.

Standing beside me, looking regal in his silver and gold armor, was Anasterian Sunstrider. The King of Quel’Thalas. 

“Your Highness?” I repeated as obviously Grunkle was trying to help.

He bent over without a word and reached into the quickly emptying box and took one of the Mana Gems, an Emerald that glowed as he brought it up to his golden glowing eyes. 

He looked different, it struck me. I remember seeing him in the games, and I think he was always depicted with white hair. An old man.

But here he was young, his hair golden, he had a handsome face as well. 

I could practically smell the Magic coming off him. Everything he had on him was practically reeking of magic and enchantment.

“These are finely made. Where did you learn to craft Mana Gems?”

“Uh…” I swallowed as I realized I was just staring and shook myself mentally. “My Grandmother, El’Tela. She taught me.”

“El’Tela Arkhana’Shola.” He whispered the name like he knew it, and he looked up from me to Grunkle and then back to me. “I see, you made these, all of them?”

“Yes?” I said questioningly and realized that was stupid. “Umm, yes. I made all of them. Gru-Grand Uncle Zo’Talana asked me to help with my spells for today, so I made as many Mana Gems as I could last night.” I stopped when I realized I was probably rambling in front of the king.

“You have a grand talent. I will take this and use it well. El’Tela’s newest apprentice.” He said, with finality and took the Emerald, examining it as he walked away. 

I looked at Grunkle who smirked, his eyes shifted from me to others watching.

Thankfully before I could fall into a pit of confusion over what just happened the crowd moved in to collect more Mana Gems, and I fell into the rhythm of handing them out, and casting spells until finally the army was ready.

Grunkle dropped a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Go with the Healer now. You’ve done enough.”

“Come home safe Grunkle… I’ll make you a nice meal when you get back. I’ve been practicing!”

“Indeed?” He asked, seemingly more amused by the offer than anything as he turned. 

I was guided away by Meniel, watching as another group of Magisters walked forward and then with a gong-like noise they grouped together and cast a spell.

The entire army vanished leaving the park quiet, the lack of hundreds of people audible.

Now we wait.