“
Hello Aerassis, how did the armor work out?” Wollfen smiled.
“
It was more than I asked for and did serve me very well. I thank you again Dhee for your personal touch.”
Dhee smiled in return, she always took great care with all her works and appreciated compliments.
“
I sense that you need some more work done?”
“
You sense right Dhee, I would like to commission you to create armor for each of my companions starting here with Dark. Would it be possible to get a fitting started straight away?” Dhee nodded.
“
Of course, that is no problem.” Dhee turned to Dark.
“
You may strip to the waist.” Dark got the wrong impression.
“
No that’s okay, it may be a bit hot but I’m fine.” Dhee shook her head with a chuckle.
“
No I need you to strip for the measuring.”
“
Oh, so sorry.”
Dark proceeded to pull her jacket off and handed it to Wollfen to hold. Then she lifted her shirt too and threw it at Wollfen’s head as he started to whistle, cutting him off. Wollfen pulled the shirt away and watched as Dhee started measuring her about the waist. Dark's bare breasts were shining in the glow of the forge’s light, he found it an interesting sight. Dhee continued her measurements and when she finished she nodded. It was done.
“
You may come back tomorrow and do this again, I will need to test fit quite a few times before I get it right.” Wollfen liked the idea of Dark being topless most of the day.
“
She will be here, I’ll make sure of it.” Dark swatted him as she pulled her shirt back on.
During the next week each of them got fitted for their pieces of armor. With Dhee having her apprentice back they were able to do the three pieces in the same time as it took to do Wollfen’s. Finally they were all called in for the viewing of the finished items and the four of them filed in to Dhee’s workshop. The three pieces were covered with a cloth and Dhee stood formally by waiting for them to gather around. Now that they were here and ready Wollfen gave Dhee a nod and she removed the cloth. All the girls gave noises of appreciation and delight. Each piece was unique and had an animal emblazoned on it.
Dark’s breastplate was black just as Wollfen’s was. It did not have a Wolf’s head but a dragon and Dark cooed with obvious happiness. She picked it up and looked at it closely. It was a work of art just as Wollfen’s was and she turned to Dhee and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Dhee reacted with a little smile and looked down. Wollfen watched as she turned a little red.
Both Night and Loranda’s armor were polished bright red and matched each other. The pieces were just as unique as Wollfen and Dark’s. Loranda’s piece had an eagle emblazoned on it and Wollfen watched as he saw her trace it with her fingertip in wonder. Night too was staring at the image of a snarling panther on her armor. Wollfen was very impressed by Dhee’s work. He walked up to her with a little smile and looked into her eyes. He simply said ‘Thank you’ very quietly to her and she gave an almost imperceptible nod in return. The girls gathered together chatting and comparing.
“
Look the boobs even have nipples on them.”
They giggled together, yup they will be the sexiest battle maidens of all Wollfen thought to himself. Now they were ready to face their final hurdle, find the cavern and the staircase down to the fixed portal where Lord Vincent resided. It was time to move.
“
Alright everyone, we need to make tracks soon. I bid you good day Dhee, I hope we meet again soon.”
“
It has been a pleasure Wollfen.”
They left the confines of the workshop and strode back to their quarters. Wollfen left them to go address the King. They would be able to move out at a moment’s notice. As he approached the main hall Luthein came out rather quickly and he knew something was up. Luthein stopped as he saw Wollfen approach.
“
I was just coming to see you. There has been a major development. Come with me, I will allow the King to tell you himself.”
Wollfen followed the retreating figure and began to wonder what it could be? He started to feel a dread set in at the thought of Madeira. Something must have happened to her. They stood before the King who had a hard look on his face. Wollfen knew it would be bad news.
“
My King, you have news? I have a feeling it has to do with Madeira?” The King nodded.
“
Yes and more, please Wollfen you may wish to sit down.”
A chair was produced off to one side and Wollfen took his place, then the King continued on.
“
We believe that Madeira may be dead at worst, but we know that her mission was a total failure.”
He paused before going on, the King looked Wollfen directly in the eye.
“
I have just had word from Commander Amdur. He is encamped at Windere as we speak. News from there just reached us. Kassandrea has fallen.”
Wollfen sat and stared. It couldn’t be, it didn’t make sense. His mind was a whirl, too many questions. Wollfen slumped where he sat. All his energy left him and he felt drained. Finally he managed to utter a few words,
“
Did anybody escape?” The King could give Wollfen some good news.
“
Yes the Prince in charge was able to organize a rather orderly retreat even under the pressure of the Isogorrean army. We believe over half of them have survived. About fifty thousand have headed for Oceania. There are many more wandering north too.”
Wollfen took relief at that. He had expected to hear of a typical slaughter at the hands of the Isogorreans as had been done everywhere else, it was a godsend.
“
So what of the King and Queen? They are retreating to Oceania?” King Elyssur shook his head.
“
No, they did not leave, preferring to stay and defend the city to the death. They had no intention of facing the shame of being defeated in their own capitol city. Right now the Kingdom has no King.”
Wollfen was shocked, he really expected to hear that the King would have turned and fled with his tail between his legs. It just didn’t sound like him at all. Finally at the end he showed some spine and what a waste it was too.
Wollfen realized that all their plans were wrecked. They couldn’t think of releasing Lord Vincent now. They would have to deal with the Isogorrean army as before. Only now it would prove a lot more difficult. The Isogorreans wouldn’t be outside in the open to be attacked and mowed down. They were within the fortified walls of a huge city. Wollfen looked up to the elven King,
“
I want more elven warriors.” The king didn’t hesitate.
“
You have them, I will make you Overlord of all elven forces.” Wollfen nodded in return.
“
I will need more too. The elven forges will need to work night and day to produce weapons by the wagon load if we are to have any chance of defeating this enemy. I think you also know that not only is the Kingdom in danger but also the elven lands too.” King Elyssur understood perfectly well.
“
Yes you are right. We do see this danger for what it is. The Isogorreans have every intention of taking all they can.” Wollfen stood up.
“
Very well, I will need to inform my companions of what is going on. Also I will need to travel to the eastern army and gather what intelligence I can there. Then I will go on to Port Volarus to discuss with Lord Raz his part in dealing with the enemy supply ships flowing into Port Cholandra. I will also have to find a way of getting into contact with Prince Fitzgerald as well. Oceania cannot fall. Without that city all will be lost.” Wollfen stood up to leave, “I will return here to have a conference with the elven leaders of your army. We will discuss tactics to be put in place and work out what our immediate goals are to be. Commander Amdur should stay in Windere as well to protect it against any Isogorrean army trying to take it.”
They all started moving, it was time to get fully involved in this war, the elves were finally going to get dirty.
“
I bid you all good day. I shall make haste as time is of the essence.”
Wollfen bowed as the royals gave their goodbyes and he walked out quickly. His mind was still racing at what had happened but already he was making plans.
Wollfen burst into the quarters to find the girls still chatting and looking over their armor. He didn’t waste any time getting them cracking.
“
Better start stripping and getting that armor on, we need to leave at once.” Dark knew something serious was going on.
“
What has happened?”
Wollfen didn’t waste precious time with idle chat.
“
Kassandrea has fallen, we have to go.”
And at those words all three of them got up and started changing quickly. Nothing else needed to be said. Wollfen collected a couple of things and walked out. He made a direct line to Dhee’s forge and walked straight in. Dhee looked up.
“
Something is bothering you?” Wollfen nodded.
“
I need three of your best swords and shields for my companions. We are going to war.”
Dhee sensed the urgency in Wollfen and wasted no time in picking out the best she had for him. He tied the lot together and walked straight back out. There was no time for pleasantries, even if there was Wollfen wouldn’t be able to give it. He was acting on adrenaline from the shock of the situation.
Arriving back at the quarters, Wollfen noted they were all ready. He handed out the weapons and shields he had acquired for them to put on.
“
All this is for you. They are elven and as such are better balanced, lighter and stronger than anything you have used before. I know you will put them to good use.” Loranda swung her new sword about and raised her eyebrows.
“
It is so light and well balanced too. Surely it won’t be able to cut deep with a swing?” Wollfen pointed to the table.
“
Swing and cut it.” Loranda looked at him.
“
At best it might dig in and get stuck.” Wollfen shook his head.
“
Just do as I say.”
Loranda opened her stance a little and swung the sword in one hand back behind her and then lifted it in an arc over her head striking with what force she could muster. The table didn’t splinter but it was split in two as the sword passed clean through and Loranda was forced to pull back. She stood there just as shocked as the others. Wollfen looked at them.
“
The swords you carry are all equal in cutting ability. When you face a foe you need not worry about any defensive moves he may make, just swing hard and don’t overbalance. Believe me, you will take apart any enemy in battle.” Dark had a big grin on her face and swung her sword around above her head.
“
So when do we ride into battle?”
“
Very soon my dear but first we have to see some friends. Take my hand, we are about to leave.”
They all stepped forward and reached out. Once they had a hold Wollfen focused and they were off. It wasn’t long before they reappeared in the rooms of Kane and Solynne’s quarters. The two of them looked up in surprise and Kane remarked.
“
I am never going to get used to that.”
They looked on at their friends and were immediately struck by the grand armor they were wearing.
“
That can only be elven wear you have on.” Wollfen nodded.
“
Yes,” He didn’t waste anytime though on idle chat. “Are you aware that Kassandrea has fallen?”
Kane and Solynne looked on in shock.
“
No! When did this happen?”
“
Over a week ago we have heard, have you had no reports?”
Kane shook his head and then looked to Solynne. Turning back he replied.
“
No reports but our scouts are a couple of days overdue, we put it down to the heavy snows these last two weeks.”
He got up and sent an errand boy off to summon his officers to a meeting in the hall in five minutes. Wollfen turned to Solynne and paused for a moment. Her belly was fully ripe.
“
You are due soon?” She nodded and smiled a little.
“
Yes very soon. I was looking forward to the three of us being free to raise a family in a few weeks. By what you have said that may not be possible?” Wollfen agreed it wasn’t looking likely.
“
It may be an idea for you to accompany us to Port Volarus until the war is over. I leave that choice to you and Kane. We will leave you for a few minutes to discuss it. I say this because as soon as the meeting in the hall is over I intend on going directly to Port Volarus immediately after that.”
They nodded, moved out of the home and walked over to the hall to meet with the officers who were already gathering.